The lower North Shore has been punching above its weight for a while now when it comes to exciting new restaurants and cafes. Between Crows Nest’s hotspots and the once-uninspiring business precinct of North Sydney, the LNS seems to be dropping hot new openings by the day, and this latest is four for the price of one. 

The Walker Street precinct, just a stone’s throw from fine diner Poetica, will open on July 9, with a quartet of venues: Sol, Una, Soluna, and Genzo. It’s all under the watchful eye and sharp knife of Rhys Connell, formerly of Sepia, Society, and The Gantry. “The past couple of months have been a creative blur of menus, scribbling ideas down in the middle of the night, and tastings for each venue,” Connell said in a statement, “and we’re now in such a great place with it all I just can’t wait to open the doors.”

Let’s take a tour, shall we?

Sol

First up is the flagship venue Sol, billed as a bakery and wine bar (or, more precisely, “bread + wine”). If you’ve ever wished your favourite patisserie turned into a cute continental bar after 5 or wistfully wondered what your local wine nook might look like in the morning light, this one’s for you: it’s an all-day concern, with eat-in bakery mode in the morning and tipples at night.

The selection across the early AM, day and evening menus will include a tantalising “baklava croissant”, a sourdough take on the sausage McMuffin, dippy eggs with fried polenta, through to braised beef cheeks and charcuterie from plus cocktails all day. The kitchen features several familiar names, including The Charles Brasserie & Bar’s Rhiann Mead as head of pastry, and head chef Christian Potter from Loulou Bistro; and Loulou Boulangerie will now share head baker Brendon Woodward with Sol. The sleek, clean-lined fitout also features a dramatic, glossy burgundy helix of a staircase leading up to…

Related article: After four years out of the game, Manu Feildel opens a chic new French bistro

Soluna

From lunchtimes onwards, Soluna will welcome up to 200 patrons across three spaces, including indoor-outdoor dining and bar areas, and a cosy lounge made for snacking. The LA-inspired decor leans more coastal than continental, but a globe-trotting menu ranges from snacky seafoods to sourdough spaghetti. Drinks are curated by Tomas Craig, sommelier for across the entire precinct, and head of bars, Tetsuya’s alum Pasquale Scarpiello.

Genzo

What does “Japanese dining, with edge” look like? A robata grill, a sake bar with a climate-controlled cellar, and bright, anime-inspired decor. What does it taste like? Relaxed noodles and raw dishes that work for dining or bar-snacking, plus the house specialty: a selection of grilled skewers.

Una

Full, but still want more? Stop by Una to pick up treats for home. A simple, Italian alimentari-inspired fitout houses the three venues’ sister shop. As well as products from the Sol and Soluna kitchens, you can score everything you need for your next cheese or charcuterie board, pasta night, or wine tasting, as well as homewares.

The Walker Street precinct opens July 9 at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney.

Related article: Sunny and Ross Lusted to open a Portuguese restaurant and basement bar in Melbourne