“One part restaurant, one part communal workshop, we share a building because our goals are common. What we buy in, we buy local, from roasters, smokers, brewers, growers, winemakers, and distillers who share our philosophies – our mates.”

Avocado with Japanese pickled radish, shiso leaves, and furikake, topped with an onsen egg, on gluten-free charcoal bread; and The Darkness, pork and chicken broth ramen.

In a city that’s pricing everyone out of its backyards, Rising Sun Workshop is a ray of hope. Its communal motorcycle workspace is open to all (complete with “women-only wrench nights“), and its family-friendly canteen manages to please kids, ramen nerds, and natural-wine fans. The inventively Japanese menu also has a feel-good focus – charred mackerel with umeboshi plum and miso makes great use of sustainable fish; and “The Darkness” ramen draws flavours from organic pork bones from local heroes Feather & Bone.

Kitchen produce is from New South Wales, with seafood and booze (bar sake) all from Oz. This community-minded crew raises funds for the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and will soon house a solar farm on its warehouse roof. What used to be one of Sydney’s oldest hardware stores is now something much more.

“Welcome to Rising Sun, where there’s a menu of Japanese-leaning snacks served in an airy warehouse space boasting tunes from prime-era Beastie Boys, all set next to a neighbouring community motorcycle workshop.”

–Myffy Rigby, goodfood.com.au