Darby Street lands a fresh dining experience
Darby Street’s forever evolving dining scene has welcomed a new addition with the opening of LOLAs – a cafe, restaurant, and bar that brings a unique blend of casual charm and elevated dining.
Taking up space in the former Terrace on Darby, Quill & Compass, and Soho on Darby venues on the corner of Darby and Bull streets, LOLAs is a family-run venture led by hospitality veteran Kat Honor and her daughters, Stella and Luna.
Kat, who has spent the last 18 years running the beloved community spot, Nourish Cafe & Grocer in the coastal village of Valla Beach, made the move to Newcastle in October 2024 to embark on a new chapter.
Her daughters, Stella and Luna, had already relocated here and the idea of opening a venue together quickly gained momentum.
“I had sold my business and taken a lovely break, but I missed the buzz of hospitality. The original plan was for something small we could do on our own, but I guess the universe had other plans.
“We found this building and fell in love with it. Darby Street has always been a foodie hub, so it was a no brainer when such a great space was available,” Kat said.
Once the lease was signed, the transformation of the venue came together rather quickly. Landing the keys in mid-October, the venue officially opened to the public on Monday, February 3 2025, and has already gained traction with the ever-flowing Darby Street community.
Working in collaboration with Cat Cossettini from Habitat Interiors, the team has crafted an inviting space with a speakeasy vibe upstairs and a relaxed, open atmosphere downstairs.
“We are very lucky that my brother, Dan Honor, is a very talented carpenter and he was able to solve so many problems and bring our vision to fruition.”
The name LOLA was chosen with intention, reflecting both the feminine energy behind the business and a sense of inclusivity.
“LOLA evokes a feminine vibe, and we just love how it sounds and looks in our branding.”
Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, and four nights for dinner (Wednesday-Saturday), LOLAs is a place where diners can enjoy a casual coffee and pastry or indulge in a thoughtfully crafted meal.
Working with native ingredients, the menu truly showcases the incredible traditional flavours Australia has to offer.
Daytime highlights include the duck egg scramble – a rich and silky take on a breakfast staple. As well as the mushroom and fig galette, prawn toast, and of course, their take on avocado toast served with crystal apple, granny smith, green chilli, lacto-pistachio ‘feta’, and Dorrigo pepper.
The dinner menu brings a mix of comfort and innovation, with standouts like the saltbush damper served with campfire butter, sunrise lime, and bush honey; yam chips with whipped soy and pineapple chilli; and the apricot chicken ballotine – a nostalgic dish with a modern twist.
Coffee at LOLAs is sourced from Merlo in Brisbane, ensuring a bold and consistent brew to start the day. For those looking for something a little stronger, the venue’s liquor license allows for drinks with or without food.
The cocktail menu features intriguing ingredients and stories such as their Ooray Spritz made with Davidson plum, gin, cranberry, and lemon twist; Forget the X made with wattleseed coffee liqueur, sea salt vodka, and espresso; and the Red Centre made with kangaroo fat-wash agave, Rhubi mistelle, lemon oleo, petrichor bitters, and native botanical tea.
The wine list focusses on Australian varietals, with plans to expand over time. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, whilst the main kitchen is closed, guests can enjoy a snack menu alongside their drinks.
Looking ahead, LOLAs aims to establish itself not just as a dining destination but also as a cultural and social hub.
“The upstairs space is perfect for private functions of around 60 people, and we’d love to host music nights. We’re big fans of vinyl, and we have some exciting plans for events centred around our turntables.”
As LOLAs finds its footing in Darby Street, the mother-daughter trio is eager to carve out a space that feels both fresh and familiar – a place where locals and visitors alike can gather for great food, great drinks, and great company.
