In the heart of Sydney, our Refettorio has blossomed into more than just a restaurant – it’s become a sanctuary of hope, dignity, and delicious food for those who need it most. Celebrating our second birthday in February, we expanded our service to include weekends, thanks to vital funding from the City of Sydney.

The magic of the Refettorio came alive during Vivid Sydney’s ‘Our Shared Humanity’ dinner series, where our tiny kitchen hosted Australia’s culinary leaders.  Christine Manfield, Orazia D’Elia, Guillaume Brahimi, Alex Prichard, Darren Robertson, Mitch Orr and Peter Gilmore brought their unique flair to create extraordinary meals, serving over 350 guests.  These special events and private hire help keep our doors open to those in need.

One of our proudest moment came in October when Her Majesty Queen Camilla chose to experience the Refettorio firsthand. She didn’t just visit – she sat down with our community members, shared a meal, and witnessed the transformative power of food served with dignity and love.

The Refettorio is more than meals – it’s a place where humanity shines through every plate served, every smile shared, and every life touched. In the words of one of lunchtime guests, Clare,

“Refettorio is caring, respect, love and kindness in abundance… it has truly saved my life.”

– Clare, Refettorio Guest