After a month‑long soft launch that drew crowds and encouraging reviews, Matto Bistro inside the Matraville Hotel is stepping confidently into its next chapter.
The venue has been entrusted to Social Skilled, a hospitality consultancy helmed by Clayton Ries and Darren Ong. Known for transforming the dining rooms of suburban pubs, the pair previously worked with chef Colin Fassnidge at the Banksia Bistro, Terminus Pyrmont and went on to lead the produce‑driven makeover of Sydney’s The Castlereagh.
Their mandate is simple, uplift neighbourhood venues with handcrafted pub staples and seasonal specials so locals no longer need to trek out of their postcode for quality food experiences.
The new Matto menu, overseen by Chef Jason Fenwick, centres around modern pub classics done right. Expect a concise selection where dishes are handcrafted and seasonally driven, a philosophy the team continues with from previous projects.
To showcase its seasonal ethos, Matto will host a collaborative dinner on 27 March 2026. The evening will feature artisan produce from Meredith Dairy and craft spirits from Karu Distillery, a small distillery in NSW’s Devil’s Wilderness and Fenwick’s take on modern pub fare.
Beyond the plate, Social Skilled aims to restore the pub as a community hub. The Matraville Hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of local and mainstream beers, affordable meals and spaces to hold all forms of functions & events.
With NRL, AFL, UFC and more on big screens, locals can drop in for a drink, a meal or a game of pool. Plans are also underway for trivia nights, “locals’ dinner” specials, and collaborations with producers, suppliers and local junior sports clubs and schools to keep the calendar full of grassroots initiatives.
Matto Bistro is currently open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.
Matto Bistro
Address: Cnr Perry and Bunnerong Roads Matraville NSW 2036
Phone: (02) 9311 1778
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