24 Best New Restaurants in Sydney to Try Right Now

The best new restaurants in Sydney will help you decide in time for a date night, a birthday dinner, a client meeting, or a casual get-together. From new Korean BBQ to French-inspired brassieres, the harbour city stays on top of the latest foodie trends, with new restaurants popping up weekly. We’ve visited the best and narrowed our list of the best new Sydney restaurants to help you decide where to eat.

Best New Restaurants in Sydney at a Glance

Highlights from the newest Sydney restaurants:

• The best overall: Palazzo Salato
• For date night: Poetica Bar & Grill
• For a celebration: Firepop
• To impress a client: Alfie’s

Now you’ve read our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.

RELATED: Head to one of our favourite bars in Sydney next.

1. Olympus

Located within the new Wunderlich Lane precinct, at the crossroads of Redfern and Surry Hills, Olympus might be the highlight of the entire space. Taking its name from Mount Olympus, the home of the gods and a place for gathering and celebratory feasting, the space is designed around a central oculus ceiling, an ode to the ancient amphitheatre.

The menu is taken care of by Head Chef Ozge Kalvo (Baba’s Place, Ester) whose team is commandeering a wood-fired section and a large charcoal oven at the centrepiece of the kitchen. Kalvo has applied her well-considered touch and attitude to the menu offering, including meat and fish dishes such as grilled sardines, king prawn saganaki, milk-fed lamb, and wood-roasted quail. Dishes are accompanied by a vibrant precession of mezedes featuring dolmades, dips, pickled vegetables, and seafood treated with a light touch. We highly recommend the pita pie section too!

Located in: Surry Hills Shopping Village
Address: Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016
Hours: Mon-Tues 5pm-12am, Wed-Sun 12pm-12am
Phone: (02) 8354 0649

2. Miji Bar & Grill

With so many new restaurant openings in North Sydney (thanks to the new Metro line) it’s becoming increasingly tough to know exactly what’s worth checking out. You’ve got Genzo, Poetica, and more, but the latest opening, Miji Bar & Grill is already one of our favourites. This Japanese Izakaya specialises in grilled seafood and fine sake, and comes to us from Miji’s Head Chef Jacob Lee who has worked in Michelin star restaurant Mingles in South Korea and one hat Sydney restaurant Matkim.

“I bring all the skills and experience I’ve gained over the years to Miji,” said Lee. “Diners can expect a menu that focuses on the basics done properly, elevated with a creative twist. I bring my influence by combining meticulous technique with fresh, high-quality ingredients to reimagine classic dishes in unique and exciting ways, ensuring every plate is both familiar and surprising.”

Lee’s menu features everything from Rainbow Trout to Kingfish Crudo and the Kanimiso Okonomi. However, the highlight of our media dinner had to be the King Crab and Wagyu Short-rib.

When you get thirsty, check out the self-serve wine bar. Yes, self-serve. It’s pre-loaded with a selection of 24 wines, sakes and mocktails (all $10). You can use a pre-paid membership card to tap, pay and pour. Don’t worry, the card is limited to three standard drinks and the Responsible Service of Alcohol-trained staff must be on hand to assess if a customer’s card should be topped up. It’s all part of the fun at this new restaurant in North Sydney!

Address: 100 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-9:30pm
Phone: (02) 9558 2182

3. Genzo

Two legendary chefs lead the 28-seater cocktail, sake bar, and kitchen at Genzo in the newly opened Walker Street precinct in North Sydney. Executive chef Rhys Connell (The Gantry, Sepia) and head chef Tuan Colombo (Sokyo, Kyubi, London, Nobu London) combine the elegance of Japanese flavours and dishes with Australian influences for a refined and approachable menu.

“I love the complexity and elegance of Japanese flavours and dishes and how incorporating Australian influences can work beautifully,” said Connell. “The menu is refined but very approachable – apart from a few one-bite snacks, everything is either on sticks or eaten with sticks. It works whether you are at the bar or in it for a full dining experience in the restaurant.”

Start with one-bites like the playful avocado and vegemite on crispy rice cake, before moving to larger dishes such as the Roasted duck and house-made soba noodle tsukemen, or our favourite, the deconstructed ramen where you can dip the noodles in the hot broth before slurping them up. Ramen all’Assassina is an umami-packed combination of spicy assassina sauce and wafu spaghetti, and the curried Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) layers yakisoba noodles, grilled cabbage, nori, and bonito flakes. Finally, the Murray cod is coated in kombu butter and wrapped in cabbage leaf before oven-roasting.

Don’t leave before you get the Kitto Katto (Kit Kat) dessert with five layers, beginning with a choc sponge base before sesame feuilletine crunch, chocolate ganache, sesame praline, and a black sesame mousse topping frozen and set in tempered dark chocolate.

Address: Shop 4/168 Walker St, North Sydney NSW 2060
Hours: Wed-Thurs & Sat-Sun 12-3 pm & 5-10 pm, Fri 12-10pm
Phone: (02) 9044 6990

4. Canvas

Price: Two-course menu for $85pp, three-course option at $100pp.

With some of Sydney’s best views, Canvas has recently opened in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Josh Raine, who was Executive Chef of the legendary Tetsuya’s until this year has taken care of the menu, which includes fresh, seasonal fare. Look out for entrées such as Asparagus with nori, poached egg, lemon and Prawn, passionfruit furikake and mains such as his signature Tomato essence risotto with, fennel and chervil, and Spring lamb with daikon, Tasmanian wasabi and hazelnut.

“The pace of hospitality is moving fast and our role as industry leaders is to embrace change and to work to ignite and define cities and destinations,” said The Big Group’s Founder Bruce Keebaugh on the opening of Canvas. “At MCA Australia, our dream for CANVAS is to provide beautiful, price-accessible experiential dining by day, during gallery hours, and a dynamic and ever-changing events venue by night. CANVAS compliments the MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah, which opened in July on the ground floor of the Museum, offering visitors to MCA Australia and Sydney Harbour a casual all-day menu seven days a week.”

Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Mon 10am-5pm, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Phone: (02) 9245 2400

5. Soi Arcade

The AGFG award-winning team from Soi 25 has opened a stunning restaurant with a 20-metre-long island bar in its centre inside a marbled wall heritage-listed venue in Sydney. We’ll cut to the chase with the food because it truly sells itself, and signature dishes include blue swimmer crab fried rice, massaman Wagyu beef curry and the Arcade 48 Hour roasted duck and Chinese broccoli. Using nothing but the best Australian seafood, betel leaf with prawn and scallop with caviar is the signature start dish that we highly recommend. One of the best restaurants on this list for a cheeky dessert, the options include a mango and sticky rice rose that’s outstanding. Finally, drinks are taken care of by renowned bar consultant Jerome Morris who has returned home to Sydney to direct this menu.

Address: 16-18 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 12-3 pm & 5-10 pm, Sat 5-10pm
Phone: 0439 410 433

6. The Grill at The International

The International is home to three venues: The Wine Bar, The Grill and The Panorama Bar. However, The Grill might be our favourite with its mid-century-inspired interiors, glossy walnut bar, and atmosphere. The menu is taken care of by culinary director Joel Bickford and head chef Charles Woodward, who is worked with Michelin-starred chefs Marcus Wearing and Gary Rhodes OBE, as well as London chef and restaurateur Jackson Boxer at Brunswick House. Locally, Charles has spent time working at Cottage Point on the Hawkesbury River, Pilu at Freshwater with Giovanni Pilu, The Lakehouse in Daylesford and Borrodell Winery in Orange before he landed at Shell House. Head sommelier Thomas Groeneveld previously worked in three Michelin-starred restaurant Pure C and has worked locally at Rick Stein’s Bannisters, Icebergs in Bondi and Sepia.

Menu highlights include Blackmore Wagyu tongue, Westholme Wagyu rump cap MS5+, Coppertree retired dairy cow Delmonico and a flagship 160-day dry-aged Bistecca Florentina. It’s a share-style menu in a New York steakhouse style, and you can even order three types of caviar, should that hit the spot on a casual Tuesday dinner. Of course, plenty of seafood options are available too, including Toothfish and Barbequed whole Aquna Murray Cod. You can pair all of these with sides, and there’s a fantastic selection. We highly recommend the Wood roasted carrots and Hand cut fries.

Located in: 25 Martin Place
Address: 25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9241 6000

7. Casa Esquina

From the team that brought you Tequila Mockingbird and Sydney CBD-favourite Esteban comes a new Balmain favourite with fire-cooked Argentinian food at the forefront of the menu. Head Chef Will Quartel and Atticus Hospitality Director Michael Fegent spent three weeks discovering Argentina last year, immersing themselves in the country’s rich history, cuisine, and culture so they could bring authenticity to Balmain.

The resulting menu is filled with premium cuts of steaks and other quality meats served alongside locally sourced vegetables, fresh pasta, and unique Argentinian dishes like the to-die-for Fugazzeta (stuffed Argentinian-style pizza). Most of these items are cooked over an open flame parrilla that’s constantly visible thanks to the open-plan kitchen within the venue. Outside in the spacious leafy courtyard, a BBQ spit will serve Argentinian-style street food for locals to grab and go on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Head Sommelier Sophie Gitterle brings South American and Argentinian wines to the table next to iconic Tequila Mockingbird cocktails thanks to Atticus Group Bar Executive Mark Crawford and his team. The Fernet Royale – this new restaurant’s take on a Fernet-Branca and Coke (considered Argentina’s national drink) – is a must-try. Blended with Cynar, another amaro, along with a secret Buenos Aires bitters blend, before it’s topped with charred wood-infused Coca-Cola foam.

Address: 79 Elliott St, Balmain NSW 2041
Phone: (02) 9290 7033

8. Kin Dining and Bar

“Our goal with Kin Dining and Bar is to bring something unexpected to the Inner West so locals don’t have to travel into the CBD for a fun yet elevated dining experience,” said Head Chef, Peter Wu (ex. Sunset Sabi) of his new intimate 75-seat restaurant: Kin Dining and Bar. To achieve this, he’s leaning on fresh, local produce for a menu that offers a twist on Japanese and Peruvian ‘Nikkei’ cuisine.

You can fill yourself with Filipino classics like Roast Chicken Adobo (chipotle chillies, pineapple, lychee and agave) or Beef Tataki (thinly sliced beef with a teriyaki glaze, shiitake mushroom broth and salsa verde). However, the star of the menu is undoubtedly the Dry Aged Ribeye with roasted bone marrow, which is crafted with Erindale Jersey beef from retired dairy cows and includes bone marrow and a kick of nduja butter, which adds an extra layer of richness and complexity to the dish. You can score yourself this dish for $88 on Wednesdays inclusive of two glasses of house red wine… talk about a deal!

There’s a handful of exciting cocktails that join the strong drinks list, our favourite of which is the signature – The Kin, a vodka-based cocktail boasting pineapple, salted caramel and agave syrup. We also love the Pablo Esco Sour’s fruity and floral notes of lychee and elderflower.

Address: 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 0405 008 316

9. Bartiga

Dishes such as Butter Poached Bug Roll with Red Curry Pesto, BBQ Prawn Tom Yum Spaghettini, Scotch MB4 with Asian Herb Chimichurri and Crispy Onions, and a decadent Bartiga Chocolate Boat with Salted Caramel are headlining acts are Charlie Kelly and Head Chef Faheem Noor’s new restaurant in Double Bay.

Doing their part in the revival of the dining precinct, Bartiga is providing an upmarket dining experience in an intimate and relaxed setting at the centre of town. “Double Bay has had its ups and downs, but the current atmosphere is the most exciting it’s ever been. With visionaries like Charles Melic, Double Bay is poised to compete with the likes of James St and Rodeo Dr,” said Kelly.

Located in: Cosmopolitan Shopping Centre
Address: Corner Short Street &, Bay St, Double Bay NSW 2028
Phone: (02) 9058 2878

10. Zama Bondi

The perfect afterword hangout during the week or midday summer brunch spot, Zama has recently opened next to Tottis along Bondi Rd. Here you’ll find the spirit of Argentinian and Latin American culture with the custom-built parrilla grill dishing up 800g Rib-eye Steak cooked on the bone, a Whole Grilled Baby Snapper with salsa verde and lemon, and traditional Argentinian Empanadas. Finally, one of the best spicy margaritas we’ve ever tried.

Address: 273 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026
Phone: 0431 283 206

11. Poetica Bar & Grill

North Sydney is fast becoming one of Sydney’s best foodie suburbs with a slew of new restaurant openings thanks to Etymon Projects, the team behind The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur, and Tiva in Sydney CBD. Their latest venture is Poetica Bar & Grill, with raw and cooked starters, moving into ‘charcoal’, ‘wood’, ‘dry-aged’, sides, and dessert. Think smoky, slow-cooked big meats such as whole sirloins, T-bones and tomahawks that hang in the dry-aging cabinet.

While we love our steaks, it’s hard to look past the stand-out swordfish. Dry-aged on the bone for around seven days, it sits above the fire slowly cooking until the last minute when it gets a flash on the hot grill to caramelise. Pair this with a bottle from the 450-strong wine list (mostly Australian) and you’ll find yourself in foodie heaven.

Located in: 1 Denison
Address: Mezzanine Level/1 Denison St, North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone: (02) 9067 4925

12. Fior

Fior haven’t forgotten about our friends in The Shire and they’ve nestled a 120-seat restaurant and open kitchen inside an old clock tower, serving an Australian riff on Italian cuisine that makes use of plenty of local ingredients and suppliers. The menu features rustic dishes designed for sharing, starting with a strong antipasti offering with more than 18 dishes carefully curated with quality producers, including Saison pork & pepper berry salami, LP’s mortadella, Vanella burrata, Olagasti anchovies, Toolunka olives, creamed almonds, mussels, octopus, crudo and calamari frito.

Of course, that merely makes room for the fresh pasta options, which include mafalde corte with cavolo nero pesto and stracciatella, spaghetti with pippies and bottarga, gnocchetti sardi with prawns and chilli and pappardelle with pork sausage ragu. Don’t think about leaving before trying the O’Connor Superior Angus beef steak, chicken with radicchio and balsamic, grilled prawns with nduja, or eggplant parmigiana.

Address: 756 Kingsway, Gymea NSW 2227
Phone: (02) 9534 2208

13. Firepop

Are you stuck wondering where your next 9+ Wagyu “pop” will come from? Wonder no more because food truck institution ‘Firepop’ has opened a permanent restaurant and bar in Sydney’s Inner West and they’re up all of your favourites alongside a legit wine and drinks menu. Expect fullblood MBS 9+ Wagyu beef cubes, pork belly with fermented chilli, garlic, soy, kohlrabi, and even a 300-gram fullblood MBS 9+ Wagyu beef Scotch fillet. All of which is prepared over an open flame in true Firepop fashion. Don’t forget the cumin-spiced lamb skewers!

Co-owner Alina Van became a sommelier in preparation for the opening and has curated a solid list of local and international wines alongside non-alcoholic beers and even an Eric Bordelet, Sydre Brut Tendre French cider.

Address: 137 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042

14. Ramen Auru

We lined up for an hour to check out this new ramen spot in Crows Nest, and it didn’t disappoint with one of the most authentic Japanese meals we’ve had in Sydney. It’s still a cash-only joint at the time of publishing so keep that in mind, but you’ll love the ordering system through the vending machine and the seating on the tatami mats. Ramen choices are limited to Tonkotsu, Yuzu Shio, and Ebi, but that keeps the menu tight, and you can always pair it with a side of fried rice, karaage chicken, and gyoza if you’re feeling hungry. The restaurant opens at 7 pm, but you’ll want to get here around 6:30 pm to avoid long lines.

Address: 2/F/6-8 Falcon St, Crows Nest NSW 2065

15. Alfie’s

If you’re looking for a modern steak house that has it all, come and check out Alfie’s. From the team behind some of our favourite restaurants (Bistecca, The Gidley, The Rover), Liquid and Larder have added another gem to their portfolio here. The menu is fast-paced, quick, and provides great value for money. You won’t be able to go past the sub-$40 220g Riverine sirloin, wet and dry aged on-site for maximum flavour, cooked over the fire on Alfie’s custom-made grill, and guaranteed to be on your table within 15 minutes of ordering.

Head in after work and take advantage of the first-in-best-dressed rotisserie ‘Beefetta’ special, the restaurant’s take on porchetta. They slow-cook this bad boy for 5 hours during the day and make it available from 5pm each night. Finish your meal with the ‘Gelato on a Stick’ made of burnt honey gelato, beef fat and rosemary made in collaboration with Ciccione & Sons. It’s on another level people!

Address: Shop 2, 4/6 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9044 5733

16. Izgara

Honest Turkish food in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Izgara is a new restaurant opening that we’d recommend for lunch and dinner. Plates are share-style and based on modernised Middle Eastern street-food classics with everything from Kokoreç (Saslik Kebab served with eggplant puree and crispy potato) to Yamba Prawns with dill and herb oil, and Lamb Köfte (accompanied by tomato salsa, hung yoghurt and Malika Bakehouse’s famous pita bread).

Pricing sits around $25-40 for mains, with sides around the $15 mark, so it’s not going to break the bank. For dessert, we’d highly recommend the Katmer crunchy pancake with pistachio. Drinks include more than 250 wines from around the world and plenty of cocktails.

Address: 215 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 12–3 pm & 5:30–10 pm, Sat 5:30-10pm
Phone: (02) 8033 7585

17. MATKIM

One of the most exclusive new venue openings this year, MATKIM is a small 8-seat restaurant showcasing a Korean take on omakase dining. This is as elevated as dining gets in Sydney; you’re sitting right at the chef’s table where you can catch all the action as executive chef Jacob Lee takes you through rare Korean imported and locally sourced ingredients, with a focus on fire cooking. Being an omakase experience, the menu is subject to change regularly, but highlights for us include yukhoe tangtangi (beef tartare with live octopus); abalone sotbap (abalone, abalone liver rice) and WA marron with a crab soybean (doenjang) foam.

Address: 180 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 0418 874 426

18. Folly’s Bar & Bistro

The latest and greatest addition to North Sydney’s ever-growing restaurant and bar scene, Folly’s is brought to you by ex-Applejack Hospitality (RAFI, Bopp & Tone) group bars manager Lachy Sturrock and Camperdown’s Alfred Hotel licensee Sam Smith. The duo has transformed The Public and Epoque Belgian Beer Cafe site on Miller Street into a relaxed 130-seat venue for locals and Sydney foodies.

Food and drinks are focused on local partners, and include Gospel Whiskey in the locally-sourced skirt steak’s peppercorn sauce, to Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin-infused Sydney Rock Oysters and on-tap pilsner from Brookvale’s Freshwater Brewing Co. If you’re hungry, jump into the bistro menu that includes a 600g Pasture-fed Rib Eye with bone marrow-koji butter or the Pappardelle beef ragu with kale, parmesan, and pangrattato.

Address: 429 Miller St, Cammeray NSW 2062
Hours: Tues-Thurs 3-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12-10pm
Phone: (02) 9460 3939

19. Nopales

Newport’s first Mexican and South American eatery, Nopales, is bringing high-quality, unique flavours to the Northern Beaches. Menu highlights include banging prawn tostadas featuring guajillo prawns, creamy avocado, pickled onion, jalapenos and hibiscus served on a bed of coals. If you’re into your meats, the indulgent mix rib platter with lamb, pork, and beer short ribs is served with salad, tortillas
and kipfler potatoes. Visit on weekends for an outstanding bottomless brunch ($99pp) with endless Margs, or come through on Tuesday to nab yourself cut-price tacos!

Located in: The Cresent on Bayswater
Address: 352 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport NSW 2106
Hours: Tues-Thur 5-10pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 12-11pm, Sun 2:30-9pm
Phone: 0493 790 491

20. Tajima Yakiniku

Move over Korean BBQ and say hello to Japanese BBQ. Yes, Tajima Yakiniku is the newest go-to for Japanese BBQ and we’re not mad about it. Here, it’s all about bringing out those authentic Japanese flavours. Our top choices from the menu include the grilled miso eggplant, the Wagyu deluxe platter and the premium ox tongue. There are lettuce wraps shiso leaves, and truffle-flavoured edamame for vegetarians. If you’re looking for a great new Japanese BBQ restaurant, check out Tajima Yakiniku in Sydney CBD.

Located in: Patagonia Sydney
Address: 95 Bathurst St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-3pm & 5-10pm
Phone: 0466 354 995

21. Pearl Dining

Located in the bustling new Quay Quarter dining district, Pearl is an outstanding new Cantonese restaurant and bar serving up a modern dining experience with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The menu is best enjoyed between friends, allowing you to sample the complete offering, from wok-fried Lobster with Pearl’s signature XO sauce to work-fried Cygnet Bay (WA) pearl meat with snow peas and oyster mushrooms. Our hot-tip? If you’re heading in with a group of four or more, treat yourself to the premium banquet menu ($128pp). It features 10 dishes, including dry aged, twice-cooked Peking duck pancakes, Tasmanian red lobster, Darwin mud crab and pork xiao long bao. Great value!

Address: Entry on Young St Quay Quarter Tower, 50 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Wed 5:30-8:30pm, Thur-Fri 12-2:30pm & 5:30-9pm, Sat 5:30-9pm
Phone: (02) 7227 6293

22. The White Horse

Once a hangout for students, The White Horse in Surry Hills has been completely revamped with a new restaurant downstairs, bar upstairs, rooftop garden terrace, and private dining room. The downstairs restaurant is led by Jed Gerrard, who uses ethically sourced produce to bring his menu to life. Highlights include ‘Dry aged Aylesbury duck, rhubarb, native fruit, and cranberry hibiscus’, ‘Manjimup marron with sweetcorn and ice plant,’ and Cordon cut riesling custard, desert lime frozen yoghurt, and crispy milk for desert.

Wine consultant James Audas (Lo-Fi Wines, Bar Heather, Noma, Tetsuya’s) and bartender Michael Chiem (PS40, Bulletin Place, Sokyo) lead the drinks menu. Expect plenty of natty wines, biodynamic, and classic old-world wines from makers in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and worldwide. There’s a great selection of wines under $80, and, of course, plenty of tap beers, too.

Our hot tip is to take advantage of the $75pp set menu, which includes three snacks, an entrée and main, two sides, and a dessert.

Address: 381 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

23. Astro

Taking over the former SOOT Barangaroo location, ASTRO is a modern semi-casual Asian BBQ restaurant inspired by the izakayas of Tokyo and the barbeques of Seoul. Sister restaurant to new hot spot ‘MATKIM’, this new venue from David Bae and Kolture Group once again leans on executive chef Jacob Lee as he switches the menu from fine dining to semi-casual with a lunch menu that focuses on donburi bowls and a dinner menu filled with izakaya-inspired small dishes. Think Yakiniku (BBQ meats) alongside plenty of rice and noodle dishes.

Menu highlights for us include Sydney Rock Oysters with lime, white soy mignonette; Ora King Salmon with Yuja wasabi and cucumber sobagi; grilled mochi with brown butter doenjang and La-yu chilli oil; a truffle bulgogi sando; wagyu hanger steak clay pot with garlic butter rice; and kingfish collar with yuzu pepper ponzu and mizuna.

Of course, plenty of fun cocktails and desserts join the menu, and if the popularity of MATKIM is anything to go by, expect this to become a new must-visit venue in The Streets of Barangaroo.

Address: 100 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Phone: 0413 794 027

24. Good Luck Restaurant Lounge

Head into Merivale’s new opening, ‘Good Luck,’ if you want to feel what it’s like to step back inside a 1970s underground dining room in New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Executive Chef Mike Eggert is serving up an Asian-inflected menu at the 200-seat venue alongside a wine list curated by ex-Geranium sommelier Jacqueline Doucette and genre-bending cocktails from Merivale’s Group Creative Cocktail Lead, James Irvine.

Highlight dishes are prepared on the four-metre charcoal grill at the front of the restaurant and include fire-roasted prawns in tomato miso with chicken skin and cereal crunch, fish and prawn sausage with lime and cucumber, smoked soy-poached chicken in shiso dressing and housemade egg noodles with Japanese whitebait and shishito peppers. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what this cuisine is, but it’s delicious and fun.

Our favourite drinks from James Irvine’s cocktail list include the Laat Jam, think elevated spicy marg, and the Matcha Kit Kat with vodka, green tea, white chocolate and coconut that’s created tableside.

Address: 11 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 8070 1311

Alternatives to These New Restaurants

Our list of the best new restaurants in Sydney has a focus on venues that have opened in the last 12 months. However, that strict criteria leave several restaurants you’ve probably never heard of off our list. The following restaurants are also worth checking out, even if they’re not the biggest and best new thing in town:

• Bar Copains, Surry Hills: Quintessentially Surry Hills, Bar Copains is one of the best new places in Sydney that nails its wine and food menu with a Parisian feel. It’s a place that peels back the levels of Australian, French, Italian, Spanish and Austrian wines from Christian Tschida for the wine-curious. However, struggles to satisfy the desires of a more seasoned drinker without making them pay for it with a hefty price tag (if you know what you’re looking at). The menu is all the way French with plenty of raw meats, breads, and oysters, all designed to share. Worth checking out!
• Brasserie 1930, Sydney CBD: For those looking for a new, inspired and elevated dining experience, look no further than Brasserie 1930. Housed within Sydney’s newest luxury hotel Capella Sydney, the restaurant perfectly complements the hotel’s historic aesthetic. The menu is all about brasserie classics – think lots of cured, smoked, fermented, and preserved menu items, with top dishes including glazed quail with whipped feta and green olive salsa and duck breast and sausage with roasted plum.
• Clam Bar, Sydney CBD: Inspired by New York and its iconic steakhouses, Clam Bar is on track to become one of the hottest restaurants in Sydney. The third venue from the trio behind Surry Hills’ Pellegrino 2000 and Potts Point’s Bistrot 916, the menu leans towards the fine finding side of the equation, with a raw seafood bar, steaks cooked on the bone in a state-of-the-art Josper charcoal oven and spaghetti and clams (of course) tossed through fresh pasta, chilli, garlic and white wine.
• Armorica, Surry Hills: We’re beginning to notice a theme that Parisian-style restaurants make for the hottest restaurants in Sydney right now, with countless new openings in 2023, including Armorica Grande Brasserie. The traditional Parisian Brasserie epitomises opulence in every sense, from its 150-seat venue on Crown Street to the lavish menu with the likes of a seafood tower, steak frites and decadent French desserts. This offering will surely become a favourite amongst Sydney siders aboard the French-themed train looking for a unique dining experience.
• Amuro, Darlinghurst: If you’re looking for one of the best new Japanese restaurants in Sydney, head to Amuro in Darlinghurst. With no shortage of new openings, these vibrant streets never shy away from a new adventure, which is exactly what Amuro is there for. You won’t walk out of here without spending, but the timber-clad, intimate 20-seat venue is Sydney’s own slice of Japan. Sit back, relax, indulge in seemingly endless sushi and mochi, and let the staff guide you through the menu. This is the perfect place to come for a solo venture, and it no doubt provides a truly unique, global experience right in the streets of Sydney. If you’re a Sake lover, this is the new Sydney venue with an unmatched experience.
• St Siandra, Mosman: Flying the flag for the lower north shore, St Siandra is a little slice of the Amalfi coast right here in Sydney – it even has its own private beach and private moorings! Along with the stunning location, the menu also lives up to the high standards – Skull Island tiger prawns, endless hummus and even a butter-poached lobster tail all up for grabs. Under the guidance of Nomad’s former head chef, Sam McCallum, you know you’re in for a treat. There’s also a spritz on tap, so you’ll feel like you’re on holiday. If you’re looking for a new excuse to venture to one of the prettiest parts of town and need a mini holiday, pay a visit here.
• Longshore, Chippendale: Get ready for Chippendale’s newest modern Australian restaurant and wine bar with an Asian touch, set to be one of the hottest restaurants in Sydney come mid-June when it opens. The menu takes an experimental snack-style approach, focusing on fresh, local Australian seafood, and it isn’t afraid to explore bold combinations. Combine this with a 150-strong wine list, and you’re in for a fun, new experience that may very well differ from any dining experience you’ve had.
• Le Foote, The Rocks: Part Parisian wine bar, part Mediterranean grill, Le Foote is the latest from the Swillhouse team. Transforming one of Australia’s oldest pubs (Phillip’s Foote) located in the historic The Rocks precinct, you can expect a wine bar and restaurant that takes a daring approach – compete with jazzy tunes, live entertainment combined with modern-day French romance and natty wine. Our top pick if you’re looking for a new and pleasantly refreshing European-style eatery to visit in Sydney.
• Penelope’s, Circular Quay: Opened by Cuong Nguyen, the pioneer of modern Southeast Asian cuisine in Sydney, Penelope’s sits alongside sister restaurants Hello Auntie, Hey Chú and Fugo but shifts away from Vietnamese heritage as he looks towards the culinary experiences of inner-west Sydney. You’ll love dishes like the Lakemba Spiced Lamb Shoulder and dry-aged beef from varying regions, but it’s also a great place for wine, with a quarter of the 100-strong list available by the glass. Regarding cocktails, we’ll be leaning towards the Jiminy Cricket highball with peppermint gum, chocolate, coconut, corn, and koji.
• Chez Blue, Balmain: Chez Blue is your local neighbourhood bistro that opened in Rozelle and is home to the infamous croissant-washed mini martini. Head chef Mark Williamson (ex-Bistro Moncur) has curated a tight menu of classic French bistro dishes. Start with the chicken liver pate served with a brûléed top to crack accompanied by brioche, house-made marmalade, and pickles before NSW grass-fed sirloin steak frites with bearnaise sauce and French fries. And, of course, no French dinner is complete without a Paris-Brest topped with cream, decadent opera cake, or zesty lemon tart. Wines are mostly French, curated by Master of Wine and Solotel’s head of beverage, Annette Lacey. While it’s hard to look past that croissant-washed mini martini as far as cocktails are concerned. This one’s made using Four Pillars gin that’s croissant-washed in-house, vermouth, and then garnished with spice oil (vanilla, cinnamon, allspice). The perfect balance of spice, sweet, and buttery ‘croissanty’ goodness.
• Sydney Common, Hyde Park: Located inside the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, offers a unique dining experience blending contemporary flair with a wood-fired, Japanese-inflected menu with a distinctly Australian accent. Helmed by Jamie Robertson, the classic yet contemporary hotel restaurant boasts a spacious layout overlooking Hyde Park. The menu focuses on seasonality and local produce with highlights including Baker Bleu bread, LP’s Quality Meats charcuterie, Aquna Murray cod, and beef from Ranger’s Valley and Blackmore Wagyu. The spacious dining space features an open-plan kitchen, a raised circular Champagne Bar, and an exclusive private room accommodating up to 16 guests. Despite the name, Sydney Common is anything but.
• Charlotte Bar & Bistro, McMahons Point: Sydney’s newest fine-dining establishment, Charlotte Bar & Bistro is not just another great French restaurant opening in the harbour city. The 120-seat venue blends the best of traditional French cuisine with the learnings from the Azabu Group’s Japanese portfolio (Choji Yakiniku, Hanasuki, Chef’s Table, and Kame House) most evident in the ‘Tartare de Poisson épicé en taco’ aka Spicy nori taco seafood tartare. We wouldn’t go so far as to say there’s ‘Japanese influence’ in the French menu, however, it does a great job at standing out amongst the plethora of new French openings. The signature dish ‘Boeuf En Croûte Royal’, is an exciting rendition of a French classic with foie gras, mushroom, and Madeira jus.
• Iberica, Bondi: You’ll love this new Sydney restaurant if you’re looking for an impressive interior design and food menu that offers something a little different. From the man who brought us Cho Cho San, Fratelli Paradiso, and Alberto’s Lounge, Joaquin Saez, the Managing Director of Iberica is bringing his expertise and style to Bondi alongside Executive Chef Ivan Sanchez. The food at Iberica in Bondi transports you to the Mediterranean with rich traditions of Balearic cuisine, think Crudo de Pescado (Raw Mackerel, figs, green olive oil), Paella de Mariscos (Seafood paella, green salsa, charred lemon) and Caramel pudding with manchego cheese or Churros with ice-cream and chocolate for dessert. This is more than a great alternative to your staple Mexican restaurants in the harbour city, it’s a unique dining experience in its own right. Pair your Paella with one of Carlo Valdivia’s hand-selected wines and you’ll be onto a winning formula.
• Palazzo Salato, Sydney: From the team that gave us Tilly Devine comes your new favourite Italian trattoria. Come here to see what all the fuss is about and indulge in an authentic Italian experience. Expect hand-shaped pasta, a 500-strong wine list with a walk-in-only bar, a restaurant space, and a private dining room across two storeys in a heritage building in the CBD. Menu standouts at Palazzo Salato include artichoke alla griglia with pesto Trapanese, scarpinocc of Andean sunrise with reggiano and balsamico and spaghetti alla chitarra with bottarga and egg yolk. Set to open in late 2023, you’ve got plenty of time to prepare your stomachs. 

Why You Should Trust Our List

With an editorial team full of foodies and a dedicated, highly successful social media food series, ‘Monday Munchies’, Man Of Many has had the unique opportunity to directly sample and experience food from the best new restaurants in Sydney. Our list is primarily based on experience, in-depth research and customer reviews of these venues. It’s our job to guide readers between competing products and services. For this article, we’ve provided our independent opinion in formulating these selections.

Our editors have taken into account food, price, quality and atmosphere while also making a concerted effort to highlight a few new restaurants around Sydney. You can read our review policy on how we maintain our independence in our editorial lists.

Updates to This Article

Update 21/02/2025: We added new North Sydney restaurant Miji Bar & Grill.

Update 10/07/2024: We added Mexican restaurant Comedor in Newtown, Japanese restaurant Genzo in North Sydney, and The White Horse in Surry Hills, which doubles as a restaurant and public bar. We moved Penelope’s, Le Foote, and Longshore down the list as they’ve been open for almost 12 months and have established themselves as top players in the Sydney restaurant scene.

Update 09/04/2024: We added Sydney Common to the list after being impressed by the wood-fired, Japanese-inflected menu full of quality ingredients: Baker Bleu bread, L.P. Meats, etc. To make space for this restaurant we removed Darling Pavilion because it’s one of the older openings on our list, having poured its first beers back in August 2023. Still, it’s home to one of our favourite bottomless brunch spots, so check it out.

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