Tippy Tay

For years, Garden State Hotel has been one of the CBD’s biggest and buzziest watering holes. And in 2021, it took things up a notch with a fun Italian-style eatery, Tippy-Tay.

Through the yellow and green-tiled archway and sun-shaped neon sign, you’ll spot the DJ set-up right in the middle of the dining room. On the walls are small, doorbell-like buttons, which you can press to order a Negroni fountain directly to your table. It’ll have Negroni in the middle, served with ice-filled glasses and sliced oranges on the side.

Inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the restaurant serves an exclusive array of Mediterranean dishes and drinks. The seafood-heavy menu might include snapper crudo, grilled king prawns with garlic and chilli; a spin on salami made with marinated octopus; and cacio e pepe arancini.

Expect plenty of house-made pastas, too. Last Night’s Lasagne is a standout – layered with fresh lasagne sheets and beefy sugo, it’s prepped the day before then sliced and reheated until perfectly crisp.

For dessert, look out for the retro airline trolley working its way around. On the bottom, you might find tiramisu and cannoli. And on top, a selection of amaro and other aperitifs.