If you think Sydney’s dining scene can’t get any better, think again – these exciting new restaurants across Sydney’s hottest suburbs (and just beyond) are changing the game. Whether you’re after the best new eateries in Surry Hills, must-try dining spots in Newtown, the latest openings in the Shire, or restaurants worth a day trip, our rolling list of where to eat in Sydney has you covered. From French and Italian to Australian-Chinese and Middle Eastern, it’s your secret weapon for always having the best dinner recommendations. Scroll on to discover the hottest new Sydney restaurants, bars and bistros you need to book now.
The Sydney Fish Market has reeled in yet another prime catch, with Luke Nguyen’s anticipated offering LUA now taking bookings. Nguyen references his Vietnamese heritage, Thai birthplace and Australian home in a Southeast Asian menu cooked over flame, with views out over Blackwattle Bay in a prime position on the market’s northern side. 1 Bridge Rd, Glebe; luasydney.com.au
Not long after bringing its elevated charcoal chicken concept Henrietta to Bondi, ESCA group (of aalia, the new aalia wine bar, Nour and more) has opened Besa in the beachside ’burb. A tapas bar inspired by Spain’s nocturnal culture, Besa encourages diners to hang around long after the tourists have departed the famous foreshore for the day, with an approachable menu of tapas and picoteo (nibbles), plus more substantial share plates such as whole John Dory and chicken on squid-ink fideuà (Spanish noodles). 75-79 Hall Street, Bondi; besabondi.com
SRG Hospitality, owners of fortuitously located Sydney venues like Ormeggio at the Spit and Akti, has opened British bistro The James inside The Langham, Sydney. Chef Sam Tuchband (ex Aria, Franca and Trinity London) will borrow from his time working in Old Blighty to reinterpret classics such as beef Wellington, Bubble & Squeak and sticky toffee pudding (reborn as a soufflé) in a dining room that channels your nan’s house – if she had impeccable taste. 89–113 Kent Street, Millers Point; thejames.com.au
Vitelli’s Upstairs has officially replaced Baptist Street Rec. Club in Wunderlich Lane on the border of Redfern and Surry Hills, with an American-Italian menu featuring fresh pasta from sister restaurant Grana. Later on, the action shifts to the 20-seat in-house bar, with its Italian-inspired cocktail list and bar snacks til 1am. Corner of Cleveland &, Baptist St, Redfern; vitellisupstairs.com.au
One of Sydney’s most significant dining rooms has turned over a new leaf. Once home to pioneering farm-to-fork restaurant Darling Mills, the 1850s Glebe cottage was designed by Sydney University architect Edmund Blacket. Chef and restaurateur Jeff Schroeter (The Savoy London, Bistro Moncur, Bayswater Brasserie), who previously ran the space as Beckett’s, seized a chance to reacquire it and return the storied site to glory, launching subterranean French brasserie Darling Glebe with a menu stacked with bombastic classics like duck à l’orange, oyster Rockefeller, and escargots en cocotte (snail pot pie); plus Ferrari Martini Lounge. 134a Glebe Point Road, Glebe; darlingglebe.com.au
Grand Southern Highland estate Milton Park has reopened after multi-million-dollar renovations as Ardour Milton Park Bowral. Its signature restaurant, Horderns, has moved inside the homestead and tripled its capacity from 38 to 102 with a chic new dining room, while more casual The Polo Bar comes complete with a dedicated charcuterie and cheese room. 200 Horderns Road, Bowral; ardourhotelsandestates.com/ardour/miltonpark
25 Martin Place continues to expand, with AALIA Wine Room opening above big sister AALIA. As intimate as the restaurant is open, the 42-seat wine bar overlooks Martin Place and offers a diverse, 230-strong wine list curated by sommelier Sarah O’Dwyer, many designed to complement Paul Farag’s peerless Middle Eastern plates. T 6.33, 25 Martin Pl, Sydney CBD; aaliarestaurant.com/wine-room
Two top sommeliers have opened Claret Club on Darlinghurst’s busy Stanley Street dining strip. The bar and bistro draws from the collection of Bridget Raffal (of Marrickville favourite Where’s Nick) and Harry Hunter (ex-Rockpool, Bentley Group, Dinner by Heston). Choose from the glasses of the day scrawled up on a mirror inside, or leave yourself safely in the hands of the experts. Former chef of Balmain gastropub The Dry Dock, Andy Buchanan, plates up a wine-friendly menu. 77 Stanley St, Darlinghurst; claretclub.com.au
The doors are open at Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini’s Flaminia, with the duo behind beachfront icon Pilu at Freshwater pulling a seachange to pull in next to the ferry wharves at Circular Quay. Expanding from the Sardinian focus of their flagship, Flaminia explores the cuisine of port towns around Italy, with a menu arranged by region offering an antipasto, pasta, main and dessert for each. Deep dive into one, or skip between many on a culinary tour of coastal Italy. Level 2, 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, Sydney CBD; flaminia.com.au
British superstar chef Rick Stein has revealed his eponymous restaurant at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. Rick Stein at Coogee Beach is Rick and Sarah Stein’s first Australian outpost in a major urban centre, delivering their signature top-tier seafood and sea views. The new hotel’s in-house restaurant Shutters is also welcoming guests. 242 Arden Street, Coogee; ricksteinatcoogeebeach.com.au
Roughly a year after shuttering Cirrus Dining, Bentley Group is back in Barangaroo with Watermans, tucked back off the waterfront in One Sydney Harbour. Executive chef Darryl Martin (ex Barzaari) and chef/owner Brent Savage explore the Eastern Mediterranean, passing through Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Lebanon. Build a feast from the mezze section, mouth-sized morsels layered with flavour, or dive into share plates like grilled prawns, butterflied and reclining on a bed of saffron-hued orzo. R1/88 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo; bentleyrestaurantgroup.com.au/watermanssydney
The group behind Darlinghurst’s popular pub-meets-bistro The Waratah has opened a nest for avowed night owls in CBD izakaya Sakura House. The subterranean space offers Japanese-inspired cocktails, a healthy sake and beer list, bites by ex-Cho Cho San chef Nick Sherman, a live music program and a rare 4am licence. Basement/82-88 Elizabeth St, Sydney CBD; sakurahousesydney.com
Terrigal Pavilion, from the team behind the Gold Coast’s ever-popular Burleigh Pav, has revealed one of the best waterfront terraces on the Central Coast. The 750-capacity behemoth encompasses three venues: the casual ‘Pav’, The General Store kiosk and Med restaurant The Tropic. Flagship ground-floor 280-seat restaurant The Tropic plates up Mediterranean coastal flavours with unimpeded coastal views. 2 Scenic Hwy, Terrigal; terrigalpavilion.com.au
Rose Bay has a new culinary altar to worship at, with Aambra opening inside a 120-year-old church on Old South Head Rd. Ex-Nour chef Gianluca Lonati explores the flavours of the Levant, including Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus and Egypt, inside the gloriously renovated space. 518a Old South Head Road, Rose Bay; aambra.com.au
Venetian-inspired steakhouse Grill Americano Sydney has opened inside the heritage-listed former Qantas House, revealing a gleaming dining room pressed along the length of its dramatic curved glass frontage. It’s a bigger, more bombastic take on the Melbourne original, and represents a bold move on the Harbour City by restaurateur Chris Lucas. Come for the tiramisu, but stay for the type of showmanship that is only rarely found in Australian restaurants. 1 Chifley Square, CBD; grillamericano.com/sydney
