James Sideris is known for his Manly-centric collection of hospitality venues. There’s croissant haven Rollers, all-day Greek spot Norma’s Deli and chunky cookie house Butterboy – all on the same beachside block. Soon there’ll be Romeo’s, a classic burger joint.
The move is a “great opportunity”, Sideris says. “There’s no big-brand burger shops here. It’s getting busier and busier, but it doesn’t really have much of a burger scene.”
Once summer’s in full swing, Romeo’s will be too. “It’s meant to be really simple, done really well.” Milk buns will be made in-house each day, ready to be stuffed with crispy beef patties that approach smash territory. They’re made from a mix of premium Angus cuts in a ratio that Sideris has dialled in over the last 18 months.
“We’re going hard on the beef aspect. And we aren’t really looking to be a smash burger place – just high-quality burgers. We want to put our foot in the door of being one of the best burgers in Sydney; if you want a really amazing burger, this is the place to go, and you’re going to get it consistently every time.”
There are three burgers locked in: a cheeseburger, a hamburger and an Oklahoma-style serve where thinly sliced onions are ribboned through the patty, caramelising on the grill. “They’re going to be quite classic – everything’s house-made by us. The buns will be made by us. The sauces.”
Expect house-made chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce too, and handcut fries. Plus, a line-up of retro fizzy drinks and a pretty special glazed doughnut, which you’ll spy from the front window on The Corso.
“It’s not your traditional way of glazing. They do it [this way] in a lot of New York and American-style stores,” says Sideris. “They’re all put onto a rod, almost like rotisserie chickens, and you scoop and pour glaze over them. It basically engulfs the whole doughnut, on every surface, and then they hang to dry.”
The menu will be unapologetically meat-powered to start, but weekend specials offer the potential for fish and veggie serves.
The name is ripe for a summer-loving opening, and it’s also the name of Sideris’s son. “It’s a strong name that gives off a strong, classic sort of presence. I love the name, and I think it’s a perfect name for a burger shop. We want it to be slightly romantic, and at the same time slightly rebellious and cheeky.”
The George Livissianis-designed space will open directly across from Butterboy, next door to his deli Norma’s Deli on Manly’s buzzy pedestrian-only strip. In the laneway out back is Rollers.
Romeo’s will open on The Corso, Manly, in summer 2026.
@romeosburger
Dining and Cooking