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Restaurant

Cash Only Diner

1 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Recommended by 37 people

Updated

Find Cash Only Diner

1 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 450 862 147
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Cash Only Diner

Don't let the name fool you—they take cards, and this Barrack Street spot turns out an inventive Vietnamese spread right in the CBD. The dining room hums with the communal energy of a classic quán nhậu. Locals lean on the kitchen for plates built to share—charred pork belly skewers, aromatic chicken curry, grilled stuffed eggplant, and cracked rice tossed with crackling. Floor staff steer tables with printed allergen sheets in hand, keeping dietary swaps painless for big groups. Up front, the bar shakes cold Cosmopolitans to pair with plates of crispy spring rolls.

  • Vietnamese Comfort Plates: Aromatic chicken curry, charred pork skewers, and grilled stuffed eggplant served alongside cracked rice and crackling.
  • Clear Allergen Navigation: Floor staff hand out dedicated allergen sheets to adapt share plates for vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-sensitive diners with zero friction.
  • Weekend Fusion Yum Cha: Saturday lunch introduces an inventive Vietnamese-Chinese dim sum set menu backed by specialty house-blended teas.
RestaurantVietnameseRestaurant

What's On at Cash Only Diner

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Cash Only Diner

From inventive share plates and weekend fusion yum cha to unmatched allergen clarity, here is why Barrack Street's cozy diner belongs on your calendar—book your table today.

  • Inventive Vietnamese Comfort Built for Sharing

    The kitchen updates traditional Vietnamese comfort cooking into inventive, share-friendly plates, matching vibrant fresh herbs with rich claypots, slow-cooked broths, and crispy cracked rice.

    Highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for authentic Vietnamese with a modern twist in the CBD!

    Frankie Vo

  • Detailed Allergen Transparency and Adaptability

    Rather than relying on vague verbal guesses, the dining room provides dedicated allergen documentation and readily adapts dishes to suit varied dietary restrictions and plant-based preferences.

    Allergen sheet - this is super handy to navigate intolerances, and the staff is super mindful of letting us know what can / can't be altered

    Natasha Chan

  • Inspired Weekend Vietnamese-Chinese Yum Cha

    On weekends, the diner breaks from the usual à la carte flow with a creative Vietnamese-Chinese fusion yum cha service featuring specialty dim sum, steamed classics, and house-blended tea.

    They served an inspired Vietnamese/Chinese Yum cha set menu that they just launched a couple of weeks ago.

    Kevin Lew

  • A Buzzing, Effortlessly Balanced Room

    Anchored by a smart cocktail counter shaking signature drinks, the Barrack Street dining room strikes a clean, energetic balance that stays lively without growing overwhelming.

    The ambience is clean and light without being austere, upbeat without being high energy, buzzing without being loud.

    Alex Moon

  • Total Peace of Mind for Dietary Requirements

    Guests managing severe food allergies or complicated restrictions experience instant calm upon receiving structured ingredient clarity without having to negotiate their orders.

    I am struggling to explain in every cafe what I can and cannot eat and this is very pleasant to have all explanations.

    Alina Zakharova

  • Hospitality That Feels Like Family

    Attentive, highly personable floor staff run the room with warmth that leaves diners feeling genuinely embraced and cared for rather than merely processed through tables.

    This is a venue that makes you feel like you’ve been welcomed into their home and saved a seat at the family table for you.

    Shirley Yeung

Top guest favorites and signature offerings cited by diners.

  • Spring Rolls

    The spring rolls were perfectly crispy, full of flavour, and served with fresh herbs and a delicious dipping sauce.

    Frankie Vo

  • Weekend Yum Cha

    Walked in on a Saturday lunch and had the most delicious yum Cha - including dim sum, Chinese broccoli and Vietnamese poached chicken salad.

    G Hrcules

  • Bún Bò Huế

    the bun bo hue had such a lovely broth

    Natasha Chan

  • Grilled Stuffed Eggplant

    the grilled stuffed eggplant, everything we ordered was superb!

    Kathy B

Other favorites

Secondary drinks, desserts, and beverage pairings to complement the meal

  • Cosmopolitan

    Oh and my Cosmopolitan was divine!!

    Kathy B

  • House Tea Blend

    We also absolutely loved their house tea blend, having like 5 pots while we were there.

    Kevin Lew

  • Pandan Waffle Dessert

    both the banana and pandan waffle dessert were also binge worthy!

    Natasha Chan

  • Authentic Cold Coffees

    and authentic cold coffees to end.

    Greg Hodgson

Beyond the menu

From proactive allergen navigation to impromptu chef selections, every detail is engineered to make dining seamless—book your table and let the team take care of the rest.

  • Table-Side Allergen Matrices

    Rather than relying on verbal assurances, staff provide a printed allergen sheet detailing dish ingredients and proactively advise which plates can be modified for intolerances.

  • Host-Curated Family Feasting

    For indecisive tables or groups arriving without a plan, the host and chef step in to curate custom shared courses and tailored wine pairings on the fly.

  • Tailored Group Menus on Short Notice

    Accommodates large parties on rapid turnaround by crafting dedicated multi-course set menus adapted individually for vegan, vegetarian, and allergy requirements.

  • Custom House Tea Blends

    Weekend yum cha services are accompanied by a dedicated house tea blend—served either hot or iced—formulated with complex, fruity notes that refill by the pot.

Before you head over

Essential guidance on dietary navigation, weekend menus, and sharing plates. Reserve your table now for a seamless CBD dining experience.

  • Request the Dedicated Allergen Sheet

    If dining with allergies or food intolerances, ask your server for the dedicated allergen sheet. Staff provide clear ingredient breakdowns and proactively advise on dish alterations and plant-based protein swaps.

  • Target Weekend Lunch for Fusion Yum Cha

    Plan a Saturday or Sunday lunch visit to access the exclusive Vietnamese-Chinese hybrid Yum Cha set menu, which features handmade dim sum like chili har gao alongside Vietnamese dishes and house tea blends.

  • Book Ahead for Communal Feasts

    Dishes are portioned for communal family-style sharing, located conveniently by Wynyard station. For work gatherings or larger friend groups, reserve your table ahead to enjoy a seamless shared banquet.

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