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26 Best New Restaurants in Sydney to Try Right Now

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By Aimee O'Keefe and Ben McKimm - Guide

Published: 10 July 2024, Last Updated: 17 Sept 2024

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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: The White Horse
• For a celebration: Firepop
• To impress a client: Good Luck Restaurant Lounge

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. Comedor

With a plethora of French and Italian restaurant openings in Sydney, it’s refreshing to see a modern Mexican restaurant open its doors in the heart of Newtown. Comerdor takes inspiration from head chef Alejandro Huerta’s (Pujol, Mexico City and Noma, Copenhagen) Mexican heritage and venue manager Kieran Took’s love for agave spirits and wraps it up in a 100-year-old warehouse on Australia Street owned by a Newtown local.

We highly recommend taking advantage of the ‘Happy Hour’ from 3-5pm where you can get your hands on a kingfish tostada, prawn taco, or scallop and pair it with a half-price tap beer or house wine. Alternatively, head in for lunch with the $35pp three-course chef’s menu.

When you’re after dinner, the $79pp dinner set menu represents good value too, with plates to share. Expect ‘Scallop with corn miso vinaigrette, wattleseed, saltbush’, ‘Kingfish tostada with nduja, pineapple, spring onion’, ‘Skull Island tiger prawn with fresh tortilla, clam and morita sauce’, and ‘Goldstreet dairy jersey cheese, salsa roja, nopales’ alongside more substantial dishes like the ‘Linguine with pipis, chilpachole butter, nasturtium’, ‘Dairy cow steak with mushroom glaze, enoki, XO’, ‘Pork chop with salsa verde, chilacayote, purslane’, and ‘Murray cod, fermented black bean sauce, honey, radicchio’. For desserts we can’t go past the ‘Persimmon and manchego tart’ and ‘Chocoflan with dulce de leche, light creme caramel’.

Finally, this is easily one of the best places in Sydney to experience next-level agave spirits, and not only can you pair your set menu with an agave or wine pairing for an additional $65pp, but you can sample from adventurous spirits like the ‘Flor Del Desierto Veneno’, a sotol crafted by Gerardo Ruelas which is aged in bourbon barrels for three months with rattlesnake venom. Yep, rattlesnake venom.

Address: 182-184 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: (02) 8201 3027

2. 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
Phone: (02) 9044 6990

3. 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

4. Palazzo Salato

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. 

Address: 201/203 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9044 2556

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Firepop

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. Iberica

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.

Address: 251 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026
Phone: 0466 646 413

17. Charlotte Bar & Bistro

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.

Address: 139 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point NSW 2060
Phone: (02) 8313 2690

18. 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
Phone: (02) 8033 7585

19. 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

20. Folly’s

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
Phone: (02) 9460 3939

21. Sydney Common

Sydney Common, situated 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.

Located in: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
Address: 161 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

22. Vinabar

Who doesn’t love a hidden micro-bar? Vinabar has recently opened on Kent St in the Sydney CBD and we love their tight drinks menu, cleverly paired with small sharing plates for an afterword snack before dinner. The focus here is the cocktails and while they rotate their menu regularly, look out for the ‘Vinagroni’ a pecan wood-smoked negroni and the ‘Ca Phe Martini’, a Vietnamese-style twist on the classic espresso martini. Look for the banh-mi door to Vinabar next time you’re in Sydney CBD.

Address: 332 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9000 1298

23. 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!

Address: 352 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport NSW 2106
Phone: 0493 790 491

24. 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.

Address: 95 Bathurst St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 0466 354 995

25. 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
Phone: (02) 7227 6293

26. Chez Blue

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.

Address: 599 Darling St, Rozelle NSW 2039
Phone: (02) 9192 4900

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.
• Peterman, St Leonards: The mission at Peterman is all about shining a light on local growers and producers, which chef Josh Niland and his wife Julie so effortlessly achieve. Come for dinner or lunch and enjoy raw and cured seafood, as well as charcoal-grilled fish and vegetables. The best bit? It’s also open for brunch, and it also takes a seafood approach, which only means one thing – it’s time to try a sea urchin crumpet!
• 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.
• Oti’, Sydney CBD: The latest from Merival, Oti’ is a hole-in-the-wall sandwich and pizza bar and one of the best new takeaway spots in Sydney if you’re looking for a fun, laid-back vibe. Located within the Ivy precinct, Totti’s executive chef, Mike Eggert, is the man in charge here, and you can tell – the quality here takes casual eats to a whole new level with quality ingredients. This place gets busy quickly during the week, so don’t waste any time at lunch and get here well before 1 pm. Note: there’s little to no seating.
• 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.

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 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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