Lucky Tsotsi Shebeen and Bar

Those familiar with African town life will know what a shebeen is, while those of us not so lucky to have experienced these makeshift eateries and watering holes need to high-tail it quickstep to Darlinghurst’s hottest new street food restaurant and bar, Lucky Tsotsi. The flavours and vibe alike are all South African shebeen, while the excitement that this novel venue has generated is all Sydney, with the city’s foodie thrillseekers always on the lookout for something new. Find Lucky Tsotsi Shebeen & Bar along Oxford Street, close to the junctions with Darlinghurst Road and Victoria.

No kidding, Lucky Tsotsi was born of three South African brothers named Lucky, Fortunate, and Goodwill. With names like those, Sydney’s barflys can expect more than a warm welcome at this traditional, vibrant shebeen and bar. Thankfully, the commute to Lucky Tsotsi’s location along the Darlinghurst stretch of Oxford Street is an easy ride, with or without a calabash. And when you do arrive, you’ll be bowled over by the riot of colour and music and, lest we forget, bold and flavourful South African street food and a long list of refreshments of the licit drinky kind (we should note that shebeens were once largely illegal speakeasies).

Dining and drinking at Lucky Tsotsi is, as it should be and as it is in shebeens back in Africa, all about communing with friends and making some noise. Just looking at what’s on offer at this unique Sydney South African restaurant and bar, there’s plenty to celebrate. Starting small, share and snack selections like Sipho’s Durban Samoosas are a Saffa-style delicacy served with Mrs Balls chutney. Bigger appetites or just those with more friends than you should opt for the Oom Karels African Platter: biltong, dry wors, Cape fruit and nuts, and bhuja mix. Next up the ladder at Darlinghurst’s one-and-only shebeen are the Kinda Hungry and Really Hungry menus. Pick Lorena Maria’s peri peri, lemon and spice half chicken, Mozambique-style, or the pap ‘n’ wors plate, with South African boerwors sausage in gravy over mielie-meal pap. Of course, there’s a range of South African wines and beers without peer along Oxford Street, leavening a good list of domestic and international faves. Next time you book, don’t forget to check out the cocktails – the Dawa, from Kenya, is a magic potion not unlike a caipiroska and a honeyed way to round of or wind up a meal at Lucky Tsotsi shebeen and bar.