Bottomless Brunch- Cartel

Cartel Cantina
My tried-and-tested review of the real "Cartel" experience.

I'll say this upfront: I went to Cartel on a Saturday, paid full price, sat through the full 90 minutes, and this is exactly what happened — no filter, no "we were told to say this." Just what it's actually like turning up as a normal group wanting a good bottomless.

Hot tip: If you're having your birthday here, it's free for you.

Cartel sits in the Old Rum Store on Kensington Street, Chippendale, leaning hard into its Latin American identity from the second you walk in. Colour everywhere, music with actual energy, a room that feels like a party rather than a restaurant. The margaritas are the whole point, and they delivered: both the classic and the spicy version were genuinely excellent, both in taste and strength. What surprised me more than the drinks was the service. Refills came through fast and consistent the entire time, no sitting there with an empty glass trying to flag someone down, which honestly isn't a given even at pricier venues.

The food was good but not the best you'll have in Sydney this month. It's a set Latin-inspired sharing menu, not á la carte, but the portions were solid, and everything that came out was genuinely good, just not the kind of dish you'll be talking about a week later. Fair trade-off for a bottomless format. We also lucked into a quieter Saturday, no waiting around, no fighting for a server's attention, staff flexible on timing, which made the whole 90 minutes feel relaxed rather than rushed. So, worth the $75? From an actual paying customer's seat, yes. The margaritas alone do the heavy lifting, and the service was attentive, which is where most bottomless brunches quietly fail.

📍 2 Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW

⏰ Saturdays & Sundays, 12pm–3:30pm (90-min bottomless sessions)

💰 $75pp — bottomless margaritas, wines, sparkling and beer + set sharing menu