From the West to the East — Henrietta’s Biggest Year Yet

Since opening her doors in Surry Hills in 2020, Henrietta has become one of Sydney’s most beloved dining stories — a fiery, flavour-packed favourite whose charcoal chicken has earned a cult following. Year after year, she’s grown stronger, busier, and bolder, breaking records, building community, and reminding Sydney that the best meals are often the simplest: juicy chicken, smoky charcoal, fresh mezze, warm bread, and a whole lot of toum.

A major part of that evolution has been the arrival of Chef Ibrahim Kasif, who stepped in to guide Henrietta’s food philosophy into its next chapter. With a deep respect for tradition and a knack for making flavours feel fresh, simple, and deeply satisfying, Ibrahim elevated the menu without ever overcomplicating it. Under his direction, Henrietta’s food became brighter, more abundant, more seasonal — and somehow even more delicious.

People come to Henrietta for the flavour, but they stay for the feeling. Whether it’s a Friday night feast, a midweek pick-me-up, or a cosy night in with charcoal chicken and tabouli on the couch, she’s become the perfect bird to spend the night with.

And this year, Sydney asked for more — so she delivered. Not once, but twice.

Two new suburbs. Two brand-new restaurants. One iconic flame-kissed identity.

Here’s how Henrietta took on Parramatta and Bondi in the same year — and made both of them hers.

Parramatta: Built for the Corporate Crowd, Loved by the Masses

Henrietta’s first big move of the year came in April, when she spread her wings west and set up in the heart of Parramatta. A fast-growing business district with thousands of office workers, students, and locals moving through every hour, Parramatta demanded speed, consistency, and value from day one — and Henrietta delivered.

The venue quickly became a weekday essential, especially with the corporate lunch crowd: Order-ahead surged throughout the week, 11:30am queues formed like clockwork and Thursday lunches became the hardest time to snag a table.

But the true stars of Parramatta have been the Lunch Plates. Chicken, falafel, or kofta served with dips, tabouli, pickles, and warm Lebanese bread — a balanced, generous plate for one that ticks every box: fast, fresh, comforting, and perfect for a 30-minute break.

Inside, the Parramatta venue buzzes with open flames, 80 seats, cocktails, and a menu that’s loud, bold, and packed with personality. It’s high-energy and high-fire — exactly what the west wanted.

Bondi: A Natural Fit for Beach Days, Families & Endless Summer Afternoons

Six months later, in October, Henrietta headed east to Bondi, landing in the iconic Hall Street precinct — and instantly feeling at home.

Where Parramatta thrives on office life, Bondi moves differently: slower, sunnier, full of families, locals, and beachgoers drifting in and out throughout the day. And from day one, Bondi embraced Henrietta like she’d always belonged there.

Bondi’s early favourites are already taking shape: Wraps and bowls are flying out the door, perfect for grabbing on the way to the sand. Families are leaning into the charcoal chicken feasts and mezze spreads, Locals love the fresh salads and wholesome bowls and with a refreshed menu designed for a coastal lifestyle, Bondi is gearing up to be a summer hit.

Thanks to Chef Ibrahim Kasif’s touch — think fresher flavours, lighter plates, and a 24-hour secret marinade — the Bondi menu feels like the natural evolution of Henrietta: bold and vibrant, but also breezy and beach-ready.

If Parramatta is Henrietta’s fast-paced weekday heartbeat, Bondi is her long-afternoon, sun-soaked soul.

Two Openings, Two Challenges — One Strong Brand

Launching in two new suburbs in a single year is no small task. Different postcodes. Different expectations. Different dining behaviours.

Parramatta needed speed, practicality, and value. Bondi needed flexibility, freshness, and coastal ease.

But through it all, Henrietta never lost her identity:

• Flame-kissed charcoal cooking
• Bright, generous Middle Eastern flavours
• A cheeky, confident personality
• And hospitality that feels warm, energetic, and familiar

Two suburbs. Two styles. One brand that stayed true to itself.

And Honestly… It’s Only the Beginning

Parramatta proved Henrietta can thrive in a high-energy corporate district. Bondi proved she can win over families, locals, and the summer crowd without missing a beat.

Together, they show something bigger: Henrietta isn’t just expanding — she’s becoming a Sydney staple.

Two openings. Two new neighbourhoods. One flame that keeps getting brighter.

And with a long, hot Bondi summer ahead… something tells us Henrietta is only just getting started.