The former Bad Mama site in Surry Hills is now home to Bar Hanami, a Japanese-inspired cocktail and whisky bar focused on Asian-fusion dining and a multi-sensory experience. Located at 403 Crown Street, the 98-seat venue takes its name from the Japanese tradition of hanami, meaning flower viewing, and is designed around that idea of slowing down, settling in and taking in the space. Owner Adam Tremont reopened the 150-square-metre heritage terrace in January 2026, retaining the existing team while reshaping it into a layered venue built around dining, drinks and discovery. Vibe: Multi-level Victorian terrace with warm tones, a pink-lit Sakura ceiling upstairs and a moody basement whisky bar designed for slower, more intimate sessions. Menu Highlights: Keema beef noodles, tempura nori tacos, wagyu cheeseburger spring rolls, seafood laksa xiao long bao Cost: $55- $90pp for a full meal + a drink Dietary Considerations: Vegetarian and Gluten Free options available A layered space Set across multiple levels, Bar Hanami moves between light and shadow. Upstairs, a Sakura-inspired ceiling creates a soft pink-lit canopy over the main room, while below, a hidden basement “whisky dungeon” shifts the tone entirely. Built from an old boat and accessed via a discreet entrance, the downstairs space has a darker, more intimate feel, set up for whisky tastings and late-night conversation. The venue seats 92 indoors and six outside, offering a more intimate alternative to Sydney’s higher-energy bar scene. Across both levels, the design leans into a slower, more transportive experience, with the contrast between the upstairs dining room and basement bar giving the venue its own rhythm. Culinary craft and community For Tremont, Bar Hanami marks a major personal and professional shift. After years working in spirits sales, he stepped away from his corporate career to back a long-held ambition, building a venue around his passion for whisky and his belief in spaces that encourage people to slow down and connect. His decision to retain the Bad Mama team and fold in his own whisky archive speaks to that broader focus on continuity, craft and community. The drinks program is anchored by Tremont’s 17-year personal whisky collection, now housed in the basement. Alongside it is a cocktail list that taps into 90s nostalgia, reworking familiar flavours through an Asian lens. Signature drinks include the Fairy Floss Tingle and Lychee Sau Wau, while the whisky list includes Glenmorangie Pride 1984, the oldest bottle from Tremont’s personal archive, now available on the menu at $1,495 a shot. In the kitchen, Babita Jaishi leads the menu, bringing six years of experience across Nepal and Sydney, including four years at Bad Mama. Her continued presence in the space gives returning guests a sense of familiarity, even as the menu moves in a new direction. Developed by Tremont and refined by Jaishi, the offering blends research-driven creativity with lived culinary experience. Asian-fusion plates Jaishi’s signature keema beef noodles bring a personal touch to the menu, drawing on her Nepalese heritage. Elsewhere, the food centres on Asian-fusion share plates designed to pair with the drinks while staying accessible, with dishes including tempura nori tacos, wagyu cheeseburger spring rolls and seafood laksa xiao long bao. Dumplings, buns and bar-friendly snacks round out the offering, from crispy chicken karaage with yuzu mayo to beef bulgogi skewers. The menu is largely halal-friendly, with most dishes priced between $14 and $30. Bar Hanami keeps the existing Bad Mama team in place while taking the Crown Street address in a new direction, bringing together whisky, cocktails and Asian-fusion share plates in a venue built for a slower kind of night out. Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

Cult frozen yoghurt brand Yo-Chi is boosting its toppings game, teaming up with local bakeries across the country to serve up mini cinnamon scrolls to froyo lovers nationwide.  Available now until April 20, the frozen yoghurt chain is adding bakery-made cinnamon scrolls across its mainland stores, with each state getting its own version depending on the local partner. The Yo-Chi experience is built around a stacked toppings bar where combinations can quickly get out of hand, and navigating the communal counter often means unavoidable eye contact as customers circle to lock in their final picks. This time around, the usual line-up of fruit, mochi, popping pearls and cookie dough is getting a bakery upgrade, with soft, gooey cinnamon scrolls joining the rotation alongside brownies, waffles and seasonal yoghurt flavours. Here’s who’s behind the scrolls in each state: New South Wales – Sundays Bondi A viral, independent micro-bakery known for its small-batch, freshly baked cinnamon scrolls and specialty matcha lattes. Founded by Laetitia Loefti, the Bondi spot often draws long queues and operates Friday to Sunday, regularly selling out thanks to demand for its soft, indulgent scrolls. “Today we took the team out for a Yochi break and got to see our baby scrolls at the toppings bar,” says a post on the Sundays Bondi Instagram page. View this post on Instagram A post shared by sundays bondi (@sundaysbondi) Victoria – LaManna The largest independent supermarket in Australia, LaManna is a full-scale food destination in Melbourne with fresh produce, a patisserie and ready-to-eat options, alongside custom conti rolls, coffee and Roman-style pinsas. “Introducing @iloveyochi newest item to their toppings bar!! Our viral cinnamon scrolls in mini form.” says a post on the LaManna Instagram page. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LaManna (@lamannamelbourne) Queensland – Jane Scrolls A Brisbane favourite known for its handmade, fresh cinnamon scrolls that lean slightly less sweet. Expect soft, fluffy dough with flavours like pecan sticky date and classic cinnamon, made to be gooey and satisfying without tipping into overly heavy territory. “It’s awesome to be partnered with a brand like Yo-Chi, which has such large reach around Australia,” says co-founder of Jane, Hamish Pierce. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yo-Chi Frozen Yogurt (@iloveyochi) South Australia – Butter & Toast A North Adelaide favourite teaming up with Yo-Chi to deliver mini cinnamon scrolls across all seven SA stores. Fresh batches are dropped every one to three days as part of the limited run. “For the last few months we’ve been working on trying to perfect our well-loved cinnamon scroll to be enjoyed with none other than @iloveyochi!” said the announcement post on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yo-Chi Frozen Yogurt (@iloveyochi) Western Australia – Kyla’s Karbs A viral Perth-based small business founded by Kyla Gowera, known for its vegan cinnamon scrolls and strong social media following. The brand has built a reputation for selling out quickly thanks to its soft, plant-based bakes. “I’m so happy to finally announce the best news of my life. You can now find Kyla’s Karbs at ALL WA @iloveyochi venues,” the brand shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Perth’s Best Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (@kylas.karbs) Each state has its own local bakery partner, so what’s available in Sydney won’t be exactly the same as what’s landing in Melbourne or Brisbane. The collab is running nationwide until April 20, or until stores sell out.   Find more food and drink features on Crumb Wire.

Melbourne Central is handing out $5 lunch vouchers this April, giving CBD workers and shoppers a small incentive to mix up their midday routine. Running from April 10 to April 24, the “Lunch Money” promotion offers customers $5 to spend across 35 food retailers in the centre, alongside a limited-edition Melbourne Central lunchbox for those who sign up to its email list. The offer is tied to a minimum $10 spend and requires customers to register online, receive one of three promotional emails and present a codeword in person to collect the voucher from Guest Services. Once claimed, the credit can be used in-store at participating venues throughout the campaign period. The list of venues spans fast casual favourites and quick-service staples, from FISHBOWL and Gong Cha Melbourne Central to Nene Chicken, Roll’d and TGI Fridays. It offers a broad mix that covers everything from poke bowls and Vietnamese street food to fried chicken, bubble tea and dessert stops. Global brands and local operators Melbourne Central draws around 56 million visitors each year and is home to more than 300 stores, making it one of the country’s busiest retail precincts. Set in the heart of the CBD, it’s known for its mix of global brands and local operators, along with the kind of deals and pop-ups that tend to land well with foodies. “We’re proud to support the outstanding food retailers who call Melbourne Central home. Lunch Money is an opportunity for more Melburnians to discover just how exceptional that offering is,” said Andrew Drivas, Melbourne Central General Manager. Customers can claim one voucher per qualifying purchase, with the promotion running daily until April 24, or until allocations are exhausted. The full list of participating establishments is below: 180 PopcornAsian Beer CafeBilly’s CentralBoostBuza ChickenCDMXCinnabonCookie Monster CafeDumpling ChefFISHBOWLGong Cha Melbourne CentralGotcha Fresh TeaHarajuku CrepesHello Kitty and Friends CaféKurimuLa NuvolaMiyama MelbourneNene ChickenNew ShanghaiNutteaOld Man PhoOportoPafuPazzi Per La PizzaRoll’dRozzisSchnitzStrikeSushi JiroSushi SushiTamjaiTGI FridaysThe Pancake ParlourWonton WondersYappari Steak Source: Bastion Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

Dare Iced Coffee and Daniel’s Donuts have teamed up on a limited edition coffee and donut range, landing exclusively at 7-Eleven stores nationwide. The collaboration celebrates the return of Dare’s White Choc Mocha iced coffee with a line-up of coffee-inspired donuts, bringing together two brands that have built cult followings across Australia. Coffee inspired The range includes two limited edition donuts built around Dare’s core flavours White Choc Mocha Donut – a silky coffee-flavoured creamy white chocolate filling, finished with a sweet white chocolate icing for a rich, smooth mocha experience in every bite. Double Espresso Donut – a bold, full-bodied flavour profile, with rich coffee-flavoured filling, topped with smooth coffee flavoured icing that offers espresso-inspired indulgence. The release is available in a four-pack, combining both limited edition flavours with two of Daniel’s Donuts’ cinnamon sugar staples, designed as a mix of classic and coffee-led options. Dare’s White Choc Mocha iced coffee returns after years off shelves, following sustained demand from fans. The flavour adds a sweeter, chocolate-forward profile to the brand’s iced coffee range. Aussie love for sweet treats The collaboration delivers a playful take on Australia’s love for iced coffee and the culturally ingrained afternoon sweet treat run to the local convenience store. “Dare Iced Coffee is all about big flavour and fun, so teaming up with Daniel’s Donuts was a no-brainer. Our new limited edition White Choc Mocha flavour and matching flavoured donuts bring together the best of both brands in one delicious moment and we can’t wait for Aussies to try them,” said Patrick Davis, Marketing Manager; Iced Coffee at Bega Group. Adam Stapleton, CEO of Daniel’s Donuts adds, “At Daniel’s Donuts, we’re all about creating moments of joy – one bite at a time – and this collaboration with Dare Iced Coffee brings that to life in a really exciting way. “By combining their bold, iconic coffee flavours with our doughnuts, we’ve created an indulgent, grab-and-go treat that’s perfect for elevating everyday coffee moments, wherever you are.” The Dare Iced Coffee x Daniel’s Donuts range will be available exclusively at 7-Eleven stores for a limited time only. Source: One Two Agency Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.