Authentic Spanish tapas-style dining and bar by celebrated chef Frank Camorra
November 25th, 2014
Update: June 9th, 2016 – MoVida Sydney to close at the end of June
Following a decade of culinary acclaim and multiple awards for his Melbourne based MoVida restaurants, renowned chef-restaurateur Frank Camorra established MoVida Sydney in 2012. Located in a vibrant inner city neighbourhood, MoVida Sydney exudes the hallmark culinary authenticity and relaxed sophistication of the wildly popular Melbourne restaurants, attracting an appreciative crowd both for casual lunchtime dining, and the more exuberant evening dining and drinking experience. Highly regarded for his accomplished combination of traditional tapas and modern Spanish cuisine, Camorra has designed an enticing menu for MoVida Sydney, highlighted with daily sourced fresh seasonal seafood and produce. Patrons can choose from drinks and tapas at the bar, or table settings for a sociable rendezous with friends – a popular destination among local office workers for lunch- and attracting discerning diners from across Sydney in the evenings.
Occupying a street corner space, nestled among a cluster of highly rated bars and restaurants in the Holt Street corner of Surry Hills, Movida Sydney is conveniently accessible and a destination in its own right. Infused with the DNA of its sibling restaurants in Melbourne, Movida Sydney has a similarly attractive contemporary decor, notable for the combination of warm timbers and colorful tiling that reference a Catalan heritage, melded with a comfortable, under-stated sophistication. The imposing open kitchen holds centre-stage – with the handsome “L-shaped” bar and adjacent high tables occupying the space adjacent to the kitchen, with a further section of black leather booths extending across the other side of the floorspace.
Leading the kitchen in Sydney, head chef James Campbell is a veteran of the MoVida restaurants in Melbourne, ensuring consistent renditions of Camorra’s hallmark take on authentic tapas and modern Spanish cuisine. The appetising menu features a consummate array of traditional tapas, racion, embutidos, together with meats cooked over charcoal on the parrilla grill. Desserts are a specialty, with standout favourites like the Churros con Chocolate – Spanish Doughnuts with Rich Drinking Chocolate. To complete the authentic tapas dining experience, an extensive selection of Spanish regional wines feature on the thoughtfully assembled wine list – other options include Spanish specialties such as cava, house-made sangria and sherry.
MoVida Sydney opens Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays) from midday to 10:30 pm – serving both lunch and dinner – plus drinks and tapas all day at the bar. Table reservations are recommended for the evenings.
MoVida Sydney interior
MoVida Spanish tapas
