*UPDATE: The restaurant is now opening tomorrow, July 8.*

June 30 2021:

An Australian-themed small restaurant chain is bringing a slice of the Antipodes to Twickenham's Strawberry Hill with a new all-day brunch restaurant.

Antipodea is opening up its fourth branch in Radnor Gardens next Wednesday, July 7.

Operations Director Luke Jenkins has worked in hospitality since he was 17, and is leading the project alongside owner Jason Wells who lives between Richmond and Italy. Nub News met with Jenkins in Richmond Antipodea to find out more about their new concept and what we can expect...

Antipodea has other branches in Kew and Richmond, and Jenkins describes Radnor Gardens as the "day time version" of its other sites.

He says the new restaurant is all about two things: amazing brunch and amazing coffee.

"It's an all-day breakfast affair based around eggs.

"We're bringing a slice of Melborne to Radnor Gardens!"

Brunch has been massive in Australia for a long time and the restaurant oozes its influence.

"The UK hospitality scene changed when Australia started to influence the breakfast scene," says Jenkins.

"Australia is renowned for inventing the flat white."

As well as amazing food and coffee, nostalgic expats can buy Aussie favourites like homemade lamingtons, TimTams, vegemite, koala bears and Minties – there is even a first aid kit for those feeling extra homesick.

Jenkins explains: "We are trying to have a smattering of Australia but not be tacky.

"We have actually had more Australian people coming in since we have opened back up again, I think they miss home so much."

Quality is key for the restaurant, whose eggs are Cotswold Cacklebean, coffee is from NZ brand Ozone, and meat is all from Lake district Farmers.

"One of the things that Antipodea has always been renowned for is quality," says Jenkins.

"Everything we source is not only ethical, but it's also high quality. That's our ethos.

"We are independent and we want people to come back.

"We want to give something back to the community by being part of it, and providing great food and drinks."

The new site will be quite different to the other two, as Richmond in particular focuses more on evening service and cocktails.

"One of the things that Jason and I wanted to do was open up a different element to Antipodea," he says.

"We didn't want to do an evening restaurant - it's all about brunch."

The menu features classics like eggs Benedict alongside avocado with white crab, pickled red onions, poached egg and lemon, cakes, and sweet treats.

Jenkins says that they already have a lot of customers from Twickenham and Teddington at the Richmond Antipodea, and Radnor Gardens felt like the perfect spot seeing as Aussie culture is so centered around water and the ocean.

"Radnor Gardens sits quite nicely between Teddington and Twickenham, and it's a nice small site.

"It's beautiful and bright and fresh and it feels Antipodean!"

Although Radnor Gardens can't boast Australian weather, customers will be able to dine al fresco when the weather is nice - and the decking area out the front of the restaurant will also be able to be closed off when its not so hot.

"It's an all-year venue!" says Jenkins.

"Before the café that was down there didn't get much custom in the winter because it was outside."

The restaurant will have around 15 tables (give or take a few depending on the set up) and will provide full table service, as well as takeaway and delivery.

The company is bringing a mix of its more experienced staff as well as some new members to open up the new site, including five front of house and two in the kitchen.

Although the focus in on brunch, Antipodea will also be hosting Friday-night BBQs during the summer to make the most of those long evenings.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Saturday: 7.30am to 5pm

Friday night BBQs will start towards the end of July and close at 9pm.

We wish them all the best of luck!