The best new restaurants and bars in Sydney 2026

Have you been to Redfern recently? Here’s a good reason to come. Lo Presti’s is a new casual Mediterranean-style diner from former Baba’s Place head chef Michael Lo Presti and Rachael Trewin.

The pair first met while working at Automata in 2016 and have spent the past decade working across some of Sydney’s best restaurants, including A1 Canteen, Momofuku Seiobo, Sixpenny and Baba’s Place. Now, they’ve decided to open a restaurant of their own. “So the concept is kind of Rachael and I's ideal dining experience, a restaurant that we would want to come to often and highlighting all our favourite aspects of dining out,” says Michael.

The food is broadly Mediterranean – think simply dressed vegetables, grilled seafood and meat. A few of the dishes to look out for include raw bluefin tuna on toast with marinated greens and preserved lemon mayo, dehydrated beetroot with house-made yoghurt and rosemary, and a grilled pork chop with clams in a white wine and coriander sauce, a nod to the Portuguese dish Carne de Porco à Alentejana.

The drinks follow the same regional influences, with cocktails by Oliver Churcher from Bar Demo. There’s a bay leaf and lemon oil Martini, as well as the Lo Presti Espresso, a riff on a White Russian.

The space itself looks out over Redfern Oval from a large wraparound deck, with plenty of natural light. Much of the fit-out has been created by the pair’s family and friends, including artwork by Michael’s sister Gabriella and imagery based on sketches his dad drew in the ’80s, when he had his first restaurant in Darlinghurst, also called Lo Presti’s.

Sydney’s newest wine bar brings old-world Italian vibes to Martin Place. The Heritage Room is the latest from Esper Group, the team behind Rovollo, Mille Vini and Rosie Campbell’s, and it’s just opened next door to Rovollo in the CBD. Inside is golden and beautiful, featuring warm, earthy tones, colourful old artworks and a curved marble bar. Head sommelier Giulia Ceruzzi (ex-Lumi, The International, Fratelli Paradiso) has curated a wine list of more than 200 bottles – and there are 38 by the glass, including rare white wines made from red Italian grapes, including those grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. “We want this list to take our guests somewhere else, whether that’s to a long table under the Tuscan sun, a conversation that stretches longer than planned or simply the pleasure of sharing something good,” Giulia says. The food menu is designed to go with wine, so think truffle pecorino, soft, buttery prosciutto, pickled figs and more, with the cured meats and cheese imported from Tuscany. Be sure to also order the schiacciata, featuring 8-hour slow-roasted short rib, showered in cheese, with a punchy salsa verde on the side (yes, you can have a sandwich at night – there are no rules!). So, mid-week date night?

Meet Bar Benevento, Sydney CBD’s new all-day Italian coffee and pasta bar. The new spot from the team behind de Vine Food and Wine, brothers Anthony and Julian Izzillo, is now open on the corner of Kent and Bathurst streets, serving up Southern Italian-inspired breakfasts, pastas, snacks, Italian wines and Strega cocktails. We’ve got our eyes on the giant ricotta and egg-yolk raviolo topped with Strega hollandaise, savoury cannoli filled with truffle mortadella and provola, and rigatoni with slow-cooked beef ragù and caciocavallo. Benevento is named after the small Campanian city where the brothers’ father was born.

“Our nonno came to Australia from Benevento in 1953, post-war, and spent five years working and saving before he could bring our nonna, dad and uncle over,” Julian Izzillo says.
“So much of what we grew up eating came from those early years, when they started with nothing and slowly built up a life here, so bringing those flavours into Bar Benevento feels like a special way of carrying that story forward.”

And there’s an opening special: drop in for $2 takeaway espressos and $20 pastas (dine-in, lunch Monday to Friday) until next Friday, October 9.

No Euro plans? No worries. A charming Parisian-inspired wine bar from the team behind Bar Copains, Vin-Cenzo’s and Bessie’s (hey, Sali and Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone) has landed in Potts Point. Called La Buvette, the intimate, vibey neighbourhood hangout is named after the original Challis Avenue site and Potts Point icon that closed in 2019. Take a seat at one of the alfresco, peach-coloured, sun-dappled tables and enjoy things like comté custard gougères; raw diced tuna and goat's curd tart; escargots with café de Paris butter; and duck neck and pork sausage with seeded mustard. Pair them with French vino with the list curated by the group’s sommelier, Ishan Kaplish (formerly Mimi’s, Tetsuya’s) – including 23 wines by the glass – or a French-inspired cocktail. Us? We’d be going straight for the Buvette Martini with Tanqueray gin, dry vermouth, cornichon and brine.

Sydney Italian icon Il Baretto has opened a new pasta bar in Newtown. Kelly Fedeli, the daughter of Gabriella Fedeli, who founded the Surry Hills go-to in 1999, has opened Il Baretto King Street, joining sister venues Il Baretto Paddington and Fiorini’s Osteria Italiana in Orange. Come for housemade pasta and classic Italian dishes – with most things on the menu under $30. Think the original duck ragu with fresh pappardelle, beef lasagna, carbonara, Bolognese, focaccia and tiramisu, plus a selection of Italian wines and drops produced in collaboration with Orange winemakers Steve and Nadja Dorward of Cha Lou Wines. "Il Baretto has always been about the food people genuinely crave. Lasagna, carbonara, Bolognese, a glass of wine and a room full of people enjoying themselves,” says Kelly. “Having Julio lead the kitchen means every recipe stays true to how we made them back in Surry Hills. Bringing back our homemade pasta alongside great dried pasta was the heart of it – we wanted the version of Il Baretto that fits how people dine today." Il Baretto Newtown is open seven days a week, so you can drop in for a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine whenever the craving strikes (which for us is v often).

Award-winning chef Louis Tikaram has opened a harbourfront Cantonese restaurant called Stanley Manly Wharf. It’s the third Cantonese restaurant in recent years to set up shop in this special, waterfront spot, following Queen Chow and, some years before that, Manly Phoenix (shout out to Papi Chulo, which was in that space too). The 248-seat waterfront restaurant is inspired by Hong Kong’s seaside Stanley Bay, with live seafood tanks, a custom-built duck oven, plump dim sum, Peking duck and plenty of harbour views. Drop by for Moreton Bay bug spring rolls; lobster and truffle dumplings; prawn toast with truffle mayo; Lennox Head pipis with XO sauce; North Queensland coral trout; Peking duck; and MB9+ wagyu with black pepper sauce. “After a long time in the making, it’s pretty special to finally have the doors open and to be back cooking in Sydney,” says Tikaram, who was named 2014 Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year while at Longrain. “There’s something about Manly that feels very familiar to me. Growing up on the NSW North Coast, the ocean was always a big part of my life, whether it was fishing, cooking seafood or just being by the water. That connection has naturally found its way into Stanley. Being here on the harbour shapes what we cook, the produce we work with and the way we want people to experience Stanley.” Cool news for Manly and Northern Beaches locals – if you dine at Stanley from now until the end of September, you will receive a complimentary glass of wine or beer with your meal. And with the recent news that Chin Chin is coming to Manly in 2027, it’s not just the weather that’s getting hot in the 2095 ’hood.

Cronulla has welcomed an oceanfront restaurant by Nel chef and owners Nelly Robinson and wife Danielle Richards-Robinson, who both call the beautiful beachside suburb home. The talented chef behind the innovative Surry Hills fine-diner has called his new restaurant Noa. It’s an all-day dining destination overlooking Cronulla Beach, with a (slightly) more relaxed take on his signature experiential style. (You can still expect Champagne, caviar trolleys and theatrical tableside dishes.) Come for spanner crab tacos, pimped-up bug toast, premium rib-eye, whole fish for sharing and a must-order banoffee trifle. “Noa is the coastal expression of Nel,” says Danielle. “Where Nel is the creator and the visionary, Noa brings a softer, lighter and brighter approach. It’s understated luxury with warmth, sunlight and an effortless sense of calm and confidence.”Plus, right next door is where you’ll find Little Noa, a more relaxed offering for sand-speckled calves, serving up burgers, hot chips with a tarragon-spiked mayo, ice cream sundaes and frosty Margs. “If people leave saying, ‘I’ve never dined like that before,’ we’ve done our job,” adds Nelly. “But more importantly, I want them to come back the following week. That’s what great neighbourhood restaurants do.”

Newtown’s pub scene just got a lot better with the news that the Carlisle Castle has reopened by the team behind Time Out fave The Bat & Ball – and as expected it’s looking very good. Independent operators Rachael Paul, Dan McBride, Dynn Szmulewicz, Zac Godbolt and Cameron Votano were keen to keep the charm and history of the Albemarle Street beauty intact. So the 150-year-old local has had a thoughtful refresh, with its classy Italian marble bar, original tiles and old-school pub character all still firmly in place. There’s new ’70s-inspired Axminster carpet, solid timber bartop (hand-built by Dan and Dynn), a jazzed-up beer garden out back and, tucked inside an old phone booth, a photobooth. "To be a part of such an incredible community pub is exactly where we want to be. This pub absolutely has such a strong local community and we are committed to preserving that,” says co-owner Rachael Paul. Similar to the Bat & Ball, the kitchen, overseen by executive chef Cameron Votano and head chef James Walker, heroes the classics – done bloody well. That looks like steak and Guinness pie, pig’s head toast, and a pretzel and herb-crumbed schnitty with mustard gravy. Plus there’s a seasonal chicken Kiev with a garlic and chive butter that we’ve got our eyes on. The drinks list is all about good, affordable Aussie wine, local beers (hey, Grifter, Young Henrys and Philter) and a few house cocktails. And then there are the banging daily specials: swing by for $20 schnitties on Mondays, $20 steaks on Tuesdays, $20 parmys on Wednesdays, $10 cheeseburgers and $15 Martinis with live jazz on Thursdays, $1 wings and live music on Fridays, $1 oysters on Saturdays and a Sunday roast. In short, you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to.

Sydney has no shortage of excellent Thai restaurants. Our love affair with the country’s punchy, fiery food, tree-fringed beaches and massages knows no bounds. But I’ve got another great one for you to add to the mix: Krung, a playful new 85-seater in Haymarket. The new restaurant is from Chayakorn Kulthanachaidech behind Abb Air Thai Cuisine 1982, who has teamed up with Naruedom Nukraihong, a former chef at Sydney’s legendary Chat Thai. What makes Krung special? For starters, there are four types of pad Thai on the menu, with the team wanting to celebrate the nuances between the different regions’ iterations of the famous dish. “Most people know pad Thai, but fewer realise how much it changes from region to region,” says Kulthanachaidech. “We wanted to use a familiar dish to show the incredible diversity of Thailand’s food culture and start a conversation about the stories behind it.”

Pasta Shop has just opened in Potts Point, bringing 40-year-old recipes, a vibey 35-seat dining room and nothing over $30 on the menu to Bayswater Road. The casual pasta house is from Paola Toppi, the daughter of Giovanna Toppi, who opened Sydney institution Machiavelli in 1988, with Toppi wanting to create a delicious yet accessible eatery. “People are doing it tough,” she says. “Pasta is for everyone, it was never meant to be exclusive. “In Italy, it’s a staple that people of all walks of life can afford to eat every day.” Come for quality pasta including spaghetti Machiavelli, fusilli crab and spicy rigatoni alla vodka, plus house-made focaccia and classic desserts like tiramisu and cannoli – alongside a Maybe Sammy cocktail on the side.

You may have tried chef Orazio D’Elia’s pizzas at his popular Bondi eatery, Da Orazio. But you won’t find them on the menu at his new 80-seat restaurant, Trattoria Da Orazio, now open in Rushcutters Bay. Instead, come for regional Italian dishes, including bombetta pugliese – pork neck stuffed with provolone before being crumbed, fried and served with smooth fava bean puree and bitter chicory. Vibrant green tortellini made from gremolata is filled with rich osso buco on a creamy saffron sauce. And you need to order dessert. D’Elia serves a platter of mini pastries – his favourite childhood dessert – and it’s as whimsical as it is impressive. And you’ve got to order the ’ndujella – a mix of mortadella and ‘nduja which has a nice bit of chilli heat. The site, which features glass doors that open all the way up and will be the spot to sit come springtime, is extra special for Orazio, who was head chef of Popolo at the same location 14 years ago.

“This is a real pinch me moment. The journey to opening the doors of Trattoria Da Orazio has been a labour of love. To create my own menu and design a space from start to finish in the site where I found my voice as a chef, is a dream come true. Each dish has been inspired by my childhood in Italy and my travels to and from Italy as a young chef, and more recent trips with my family,” says D’Elia.

Drinks-wise, the wine list features around 100 bottles and 20 by the glass, and if there’s one cocktail you should order, make it the Mandalo, a twist on the classic with Etna-grown Sicilian mandarin purée and organic mandarin liqueur.

Wood-fired sourdough flatbread with LP's mortadella, burnt chilli jam and Laughing Cow cheese. Pate en croute with flavours of grilled pork banh mi. Pho-spiced beef tendon with lemon-cured Stone Axe Wagyu, pickled onion, hoisin and Thai basil. And fried oxtail dumplings with smoked bone marrow, rendang curry and fermented chilli. These are a handful of the make-your-tummy-growl starters on the menu at Ashe, a Southeast Asian grill from The Bentley Group led by executive chef Khanh Nguyen – now open in Sydney. One of the biggest restaurant openings of the year, the 80-seat restaurant, found on the corner of Angel Place and Ash Street, is "the most personal expression of my cooking to date," says Nguyen. "Inspired by the flavours of Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, the menu brings together Southeast Asian traditions with native Australian ingredients that have become central to my cooking." Right next door to Ashe is where you'll find Vespertine, an underground late-night bar opening in a few weeks.

Swing by Circular Quay and come say hi to Winnie’s, the Sydney Opera House’s brand-new all-day eatery.

Sitting right on Sydney Harbour next door to Opera Bar, this new waterfront spot from Applejack (also behind Rafi, Forrester’s and Bopp & Tone) is inspired by Winifred Atwell, the first woman to perform at the Opera House during its construction in 1964.

Winnie’s is open from morning through to night. In the morning, come for chicken and sweetcorn congee with free-range soft-boiled eggs, nori, black fungi and chilli crisp; and pea and feta fritters with mint yoghurt, fermented chilli and free-range soft-boiled eggs. Lunch and dinner highlights include South Seas yellowfin tuna tartare with cucumber, tahini, wasabi peas and seaweed salsa; and potted blue swimmer crab with salt and vinegar potato scallops.

Signature cocktails are inspired by Australian natives. Try the Wattleseed (Brookie’s Sundrift Australian Aperitivo with wattleseed tea and local honey) or the Finger Lime (Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin with finger lime verjus and Geraldton wax flower).

"The café is Australia's greatest cultural export. It's where we come together, where cultures meet and where we celebrate the city we live in. At Winnie's, we're just building on that – great NSW produce, cooked with the creativity and generosity that defines Australian café culture,” says Patrick Friesen, director of culinary, Applejack.

Designed by Luchetti Krelle, the space pays homage to the Opera House’s heritage-listed architecture with warm timber, rich terracotta and plenty of harbour views.

Yes, it's not a new restaurant, but Surry Hills fine diner Arthur is back after a big reno. Two things have stayed the same: the name, for starters, and the fact that the restaurant – which is a sibling to Jane down the road and Italian restaurant Fior in the Shire – will continue to serve a 100 per cent Australian menu across food and drinks. The set-menu-only format is out, and guests can now order from an à la carte menu, making the restaurant a touch more accessible. Our favourite dishes? Fried potato hash topped with sea urchin and chives (not pictured); mussels with an earthy curry sauce; potato scroll with smoked seaweed butter; and the wattleseed custard tart. The team has also introduced Australiano Hour, just like at Jane. Available from 5-6pm Tuesday-Sunday, it features $3 fresh Australian prawns served cold and peeled, plus snacks under $10, $10 wines, $7 beers and a line-up of dishes from the main menu with reduced prices. If it’s been a while between visits, come say hi to Arthur.

The team behind saké-led bar Amuro has opened a slick Japanese wine bar in a heritage-listed building in Darlinghurst called Aenza.

Liu, Amuro and Aenza owner, said: “Amuro showed us how much people wanted to connect with each other over food, and we didn’t have the space to do everything we wanted. Aenza gives us that room, a bigger kitchen, a longer bar, and space for a proper wine list, while keeping the same open kitchen and the same idea of guests talking to the team.”

Drinks, overseen by restaurant and beverage manager Paul Beaton (ex Tetsuya’s, Quay), are a serious focus. The wine list features 120 bottles and 38 by-the-glass options, spanning drops from Japan, France and Australia. Plus, there’s Japanese whisky, gin, shochu, an evolving line-up of sake and highballs.

The 50-seat venue’s menu features Japanese flavours with an Aussie spin. Highlights on the opening menu include umeshu tomato with miso cream cheese, white anchovy; paradise prawn with pickled chilli and shiso; karaage chicken with spiced salt and takana mayo; and twice-cooked sweet and sour lamb ribs and sobacha. Larger plates include a MB9+ Kiwami Wagyu with daikon and wasabi; and charred cauliflower with brown butter and Comté. And there’s a black truffle Basque cheesecake on the dessert menu.

Cronulla just scored a groovy new addition. Meadow, a day-to-night music room, bar and bistro by the team behind Bobbys, has officially opened its doors. There’s lots to like, including the on-point music program by DJ and producer Mitchell Wick, with vinyl records spinning during the day, alongside jazz duos and late-night DJ sets on weekends. Meadow is located in the former Papa J’s site, with sunset-inspired interiors by Tom Mark Henry. Think warm dusk tones, burnt orange and terracotta banquettes, a bright blue DJ booth and a shimmering disco ball. Adam Micola, owner of Anyway Hospitality, said: “The site won us over immediately: natural light, ocean views, high ceilings and close proximity to Bobbys made it a project we had to pursue. Beyond the bones of the place, Meadow is about creating space. Space for music and conversation, a place for people to settle in from day to night without feeling rushed.”

Rice Face is a casual farm-to-food-court diner by Palisa Anderson – chef, restaurateur, author, farmer at Boon Luck Farm, and daughter of Chat Thai founder Amy Chanta. This place is a celebration of rice and the delicious bowls of food found all over Thailand, with dishes that are comforting, nourishing and deeply satisfying – think slow-poached chicken or my personal fave, five-spice braised beef with pickled daikon and chilli vinegar. The veggies are grown at the organic Boon Luck Farm in the Northern Rivers, arriving as zippy pickles, fragrant herb salads and vibrant steamed greens, and it’s great value too, with bowls starting at $15. There are four (!) rice options, including a vivid purple-blue Thai jasmine rice infused with butterfly pea flowers, but my pick is the chicken fat rice (for obvious reasons). It’s open until 6.30pm Monday to Friday (3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday), so if you’re wanting a comforting and affordable mid-week dinner, get in quick.

A brand new Vietnamese café and wine bar with playful, delicious dishes, a slick fit-out and fun drinks has opened in Double Bay. Ca Phe Mai is from hospitality couple Cindy Mai and Ed Loveday, who worked with chef Toby Wilson on the menu. Come for big, bold flavours alongside family recipes, including Cindy’s grandmother’s soul-warming chicken pho, plus a a juicy lemongrass pork and egg muffin, and a crispy pork banh mi with fragrant herbs. They also serve Vietnamese salted coffee with condensed milk and ube matcha lattes, alongside wine and share plates available in the afternoon and evening. The address is 77 New South Head Road, but you’ll need to head down Kiaora Lane to find it – it’s close to Double Bay Woolworths.

Since 1999, Grappa has been serving locals perfectly al dente spaghetti alle vongole and ruby-red tuna carpaccio. Now, you don’t have to travel to Norton Street to get your red-sauce fix, as the legendary family-run Italian restaurant has opened in The Rocks, in the former home of Rockpool. Founder Charlie Colosi – who opened Grappa alongside his father Antonio 26 years ago – and wife Virginie have brought their old-school hospitality, delicious Italian dishes and passion for wine to the CBD for the first time, snapping up the 107–109 George Street site that’s been vacant since 2022. “In a way, hospitality is like inviting people into your own home, so that’s how we want the guest experience to feel,” says Charlie. The heritage sandstone building, which was originally built as a bakehouse in the 1860s, has been transformed into a 300-seat stunner, featuring a glamorous dining room, the upper-level Art Deco-style Charlie’s Bar – which can be hired out for events – private dining rooms, and an outdoor terrace on George Street, set to open later this year.

A New York-style pizza-by-the-slice shop has opened on Oxford Street from chef Paul Allam, one of the founders of Bourke Street Bakery and The Bread & Butter Project, alongside his wife Jessica Grynberg. As you’d expect, the base is really impressive, featuring 24-hour fermented sourdough that’s crisp with a delicious chew.

Inspired to open a pizza shop after years of devouring slices in New York, Allam says: "If it flops, it’s not it. It’s got to hold. Hot, crispy, foldable every single time. It should be a flavour bomb that hits you straight away and makes your stomach happy. Everyone loves good pizza, right?"

Right. Our picks include the pepperoni, pimped up with a drizzle of hot honey, and the mushroom with stracciatella. Swing by in the morning for coffee and a cinnamon and cardamom bun or a matcha croissant, then come back in the arvo for a couple of hot slices (you can also buy a full pizza).

Time Out tip: Jess tells us a booze licence is in the works. Pizza and a beer after a gig at Oxford Art Factory? Say no more.

Remember the Doom Juice pop-up? It was a few years back, when mates and winemakers Sebastian Keys and Zachary Godbolt took over the back of an old pub, serving their smashable wines and good times. Now, they’ve found their first permanent home – taking over the former Poor Tom’s site in Marrickville. Why? Well, the guys say that every great wine label deserves a home this fun. We agree. The full Doom Juice range will be poured by the glass and bottle – including natural reds and whites, plus ZZVINO, Doom’s latest non-alcoholic release. Expect a line-up of local beers too, from Grifter and Young Henrys, plus Reschs – “cause you just have to”, says Zac, who also co-owns The Bat & Ball Hotel in Redfern. There’s also exclusive Ester x Doom Juice vermouth, which you can enjoy as is or in the signature (and only) cocktail with Doom Juice Pet-Nat, finished with a raspberry sherbet rim. The bar and cellar door features a custom-commissioned replica of the iconic Skull Island disco ball from the Scooby-Doo live-action film, by local artist Taz Mackay. You can’t miss it. Vintage church pews are repurposed as intimate booths, there are picnic tables to enjoy your wine in the sunshine, and the walls are coloured by works by local creatives. Every few months, a new collaborator will take over and change up the art.

Newtown’s King Street doesn’t exactly specialise in subtle – but Piqu is giving it a crack anyway. Blink and you might miss the teeny, unassuming dining room slotted into number 194 – but step inside, and you’ll be met with a creative, spice-loaded menu that feels like a trip overseas. From chef-owners Jihwan Choi (ex-Momofuku Seiobo, Callao) and Nicola D’Angela (ex-Osteria di Russo & Russo, Callao), Piqu is a Southeast Asian-leaning diner built on serious technique and a shared passion for Thai flavours. The name riffs on “piquant” – sharp, spicy, intriguing – and that energy runs through the menu, from street-food style snacky starters to a punchy coffee-laced parfait to finish.

Neil Perry isn’t one to rest on his laurels. The acclaimed chef behind Margaret and an award-collecting burger has transformed Bar Torino – the basement venue beneath his Double Bay Italian restaurant Gran Torino – into Pizzeria Sotto. The glam and moody 80-seat underground spot focuses on Roman-style thin and crispy pizzas topped with seasonal ingredients, alongside antipasti, salads, desserts and rotating daily specials. Kick things off with burrata with slow-cooked zucchini, chilli and mint, and albacore tuna crudo with pepitas and grilled citrus, alongside a party-starting spritz. As for pizzas, our fave is the Inferno – a sweet and fiery number with tomato, buffalo mozzarella, ’nduja, hot salami and chilli honey. Pizza for date night? Pizzeria Sotto is a strong contender 🔥

A delicious new Japanese spot with an underground izakaya has opened in Darlinghurst from the team behind Kyue in Willoughby. Found in the former Mayflower site on Liverpool Street, Kyu by Kyue serves up juicy, thick-cut Japanese katsu, fresh jewel-toned sashimi, and Osaka-style kushikatsu. Pair your meal with a yuzu-spiked cocktail, sake, or ice-cold Asahi. Head downstairs to discover the hidden izakaya – or enjoy a bento box outside in the fresh air. You can also grab takeaway and head to a nearby park.

A new Martini bar has landed in Darlinghurst from the team behind Frankie Cadillac and Paddington’s (now sadly closed) pasta palace, Bootleg Italian. Everything’s made in-house, including the gin, vodka and vermouth. Come for proper stirred Martinis served ice-cold, a tight line-up of tasty snacks and ’90s hip hop energy. Owner Sam Overton says: “Everything is made fresh, to order. No pre batching, no shortcuts, no compromises. Every drink is built in the moment, the way it should be.”

Brighton-Le-Sands just got a little more Amalfi Coast-coded, with the opening of Benetti’s at The Brighton. With holiday-style starters like kingfish crudo and burrata, handmade pasta and a tableside tiramisu moment worth staying for, this one’s going straight on our South Sydney hit list.

A banging taco and vino restaurant has landed in Potts Point – and we’re hungry thinking about it. Called Taco+Vino, the new Kellett Street spot is celebrating Mexico City-style gaonera tacos backed up with a tightly curated wine list. The menu is led by Mexico City-born chef Pablo Galindo and centres on quality Australian beef, fresh tortillas and punchy salsas. The taco style recently shot into the spotlight when Mexico City taquería El Califa de León scored a Michelin star, and now we can get a taste of it right here. Muy bien. The wine list, curated by former Catalina sommelier Javi Coindreau, shines a spotlight on small producers and sustainable vineyards. Tacos and wine? You don’t need to ask us twice.

A charming new all-day osteria from the team behind Odd Culture, The Old Fitz, The Duke, Pleasure Club and Bistro Grenier has opened in Sydney CBD. Located above the newly opened late-night Daiquiri bar Razz Room, Bar Bruno serves Italian pastries and Genovese coffee in the mornings, plus comforting Italian flavours and lots of aperitivo from day through to night. The menu, overseen by group executive chef Tony Gibson, includes things like cotoletta with black garlic aioli; mussels with fagioli giganti, ’nduja butter and charred citrus; Murray cod with parmesan rind brodo; plus the Bruno Caesar salad and Bar Bruno burger. Odd Culture Group chief executive officer Rebecca Lines says: “We see ‘neighbourhood’ as less about geography and more about connection. Bar Bruno will always offer guests – no matter whether they are regulars or first-time diners – the same, consistent experience of thoughtful food and genuine hospitality.” And drinks-wise? Group beverage manager Jordan Blackman says to expect: “bitter things, spritzy things, too many olives; things designed to get both the conversation and appetite going. “The wine list will be very unapologetically Italian, of course – why drink Petit Chablis when you can enjoy Etna Bianco or Soave? But it won't all be heavy hitters, we'll look to highlight young, up-and-coming winemakers alongside a selection of our favourite Australian producers doing great things with Italian varieties.”

A fresh new Japanese-inspired restaurant from the Table Manners team has opened in Bronte. Called Fishnets, the new neighbourhood restaurant showcases incredible seafood, with the kitchen led by former Sokyo omakase chef Sanghyeop Kim and executive chef Luke Churchill. “Fishnets is grounded in Japanese technique, but designed to be shared and enjoyed in a relaxed neighbourhood setting,” said owner Alex Cameron. “It sits between the precision of fine dining Japanese restaurants and the ease of a local haunt. I’m proud to be bringing another venue to Bronte and the surrounding area, and to show a different side of what we can do. There’s a growing community of venues here, and we’re hoping people start to see Bronte as a destination for dining. What’s on the menu? A seasonal sashimi platter with akami (lean bluefin tuna), chu-toro (fatty tuna), kingfish, paradise prawn and scampi. Plus snacks like ebi crispy rice with mustard mayo; tuna tartare with gochujang and smoked radish; bug and prawn spring roll; and chicken wing yakitori with house shichimi. Larger plates include 500g tuna katsu with cabbage and Japanese demi-glace, alongside local pippies with yuzu kosho beurre blanc. We’re frothing on the desserts – hello hojicha and vanilla ice cream sandwiches. And of course, it’s all backed up by sake from across Japan.

Bondi’s dining scene just got more delicious, with Persian eatery Shila Kitchen now open at The Hub on Hall Street, joining nearby neighbours Da Orazio, Henrietta, Salumerie, Besa, Messina and more. Come for Persian coffee with baklava and handmade böreks, vibrant mezze like kashk bademjoon and shirazi salad, plus comforting stews including chicken fesenjoon, lamb gheimeh and halloumi baghala served with saffron rice or lavash. There are also house-made pickles and preserves to take home, including aged pickled garlic, sour cherry jam and rosewater carrot jam from the in-store deli counter. Founder Saba Taghavi comes from a Persian family of serious food lovers, with his grandfather once working as a royal Persian chef. He says: “The Hub in Bondi is the perfect home for our Persian kitchen, where guests can experience the warmth and flavours of our family recipes. We can’t wait to share our mezze, stews, and house-made preserves with the local community.”

Sydney does a lot of things well, but finding a cracking Irish pub done right can feel as rare as a four-leaf clover. Happily for the expats in Sydney – and any local who loves Guinness – a newly opened bar beneath Manly Corso is hoping to make the Irish proud. It’s taken over the former home of Old Manly Boatshed (RIP), a local icon, so it’s awesome to see the space put to good use. Descend a low-lit stairwell and you’ll find the door to The Gopher, shining like a pot of gold for the taking. Inside, the Irish-inspired late-night tavern – it's open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights – feels lived-in, even though they just opened their doors this May. Come for live music most nights, butter-washed Martinis, pulled beef Yorkshire pudding pies, black pudding scotch eggs and Irish spice bags. And Guinness, of course.

You’ve got a new reason to shimmy on over to Paddington – Dr. Goodes has landed on Oxford Street. It’s a disco-lit pizza and cocktail bar that serves up hot slices, great drinks and a banging soundtrack. “During the day, it’s delicious pizza and fun cocktails with a relaxed atmosphere before shifting into a high-energy vibe with live music, great drinks and plenty of dancing in what we call the ‘boogie den’,” says head of beverage Brandon Martignago (Dulcie’s Kings Cross). Come for New York- and Roman-style pizzas (Hello, Wagyu pastrami with gruyère) and you should def come during happy hour Wednesday through to Saturday, 4-6pm, to enjoy $15 pizzas and cocktails. Plus, take-away pizzas are available Tuesday through to Saturday from midday until 9pm. Drinks-wise, they’ve got Spicy Margs, Espresso Martinis, Palomas and Spritzes all on tap, plus local beers, wine and spirits. Music is a huge focus of Dr. Goodes, with Sydney DJ Richy Penny in charge of the line-up featuring local, up-and-coming and the occasional guest-star international DJs.

A glamorous new underground restaurant and cocktail bar has just opened in Bondi Junction, with Bentley’s former head chef leading the kitchen. Inspired by New York’s basement bars and steakhouses, The Hideaway is fresh off a multi-million-dollar fit-out. The menu is being led by former Automata and Bentley head chef James Tai, with RJ Lines from Petersham’s now-closed One Penny Red behind the curation. Come for the dry-aged pork chop crumbed in its own crackling and cooked in clarified butter; buttermilk fried chicken with pickled kohlrabi and Oscietra caviar; a dry-aged beef burger with smoked beef-fat onion; and a banana split with fried banana fritters and buttermilk ice cream. Feel like going all out? Go for the caviar experience featuring Champagne, vodka, gin and a signature Caviar Martini. On the drinks front, expect classic cocktails with a twist, a dedicated wine cellar, backed by live music throughout the week – think, jazz, blues and late-night DJ sets.

Sydney’s harbourfront has had a major shake-up with the opening of The Oriana at Circular Quay – a four-level venue inside the Overseas Passenger Terminal, taking over the former home of Quay and Squires Landing. Named after the SS Oriana, one of the first ocean liners to arrive at Circular Quay in the 1960s, the ambitious multi-faceted space is from Australian Venue Co, the team behind Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, The Winery and BrewDog. Each level has its own feel: on the ground floor you’ll find a beer garden for Spritzes in the sun and a massive screen to cheer on your team. Head upstairs and you’ll find a lively pub with DJs and late-night Martinis, before stepping inside the swish restaurant with stellar views on Level 2 (opening Friday, May 22). There’s also a private events space up top, for Champagne-fuelled parties.

Sydney just got a hot new underground daiquiri bar hidden below the CBD. It’s from the Odd Culture team, so you know it’ll be worth a visit (or five). Come for groovy live music, retro snacks (hello prawn cocktails and French onion dip) and 10/10 cocktails. I reckon the Dirty Daiquiri will be the drink of the year. You’ll find Razz Room on York Street.

Bondi has welcomed a sexy new Spanish restaurant and bar inspired by Madrid’s electric underground scene. Called Besa, which comes from the Spanish word for kiss, this 65-seat venue is from the Esca Group, the team behind Sydney favourites Ito, Nour, Aalia and Joji. Come for vibrant tapas served in a lively, vibey dining room, with DJs spinning from Friday to Sunday. Executive chef Ibrahim Kasif (ex-Porteno, Bodega, Stanbuli, and currently leading the kitchens at Nour and Henrietta) and head chef Alan Kropman (ex-Aalia and Sean’s) are behind the oceanic, delicious dishes.

A sexy new Martini bar from the team behind some of the city’s best has opened in the CBD. Called Bar Bridge, after its location on Bridge Street in the former home of Double Deuce Lounge, it’s by the Mucho Group – the team behind some of the city’s finest drinking establishments (hello, Bar Planet, Cantina OK!, Centro 86, Bar Herbs, The Cliff Dive and Tio’s). While the Martinis are extra dirty at Bar Planet thanks to olive brine, at Bar Bridge they’re served extra dry – meaning they’re clean-tasting and pretty stiff.

A playful Taiwanese and pan-Asian bar and restaurant called Linla is now open in the former terrace home of Dead Ringer on leafy Bourke Street in Surry Hills. The contemporary spot has been brought to life by Taiwanese-born Charles Chang, founder of nearby sibling and modern Japanese spot Moku, who once placed in the Top 100 of the Diageo World Class Competition. On that note, expect the drinks line-up to be strong, with cocktails like Pine and Bloom (pineapple mead, elderflower, dry vermouth, and MSG saline), Tomato Salad 2.0 (tequila, tomato, ume salt, and ginger soda), and MI-Bubble (a boozy bubble tea). The food menu is equally creative – we’d be ordering the night-market crispy chicken with Szechuan seasoning, garlic chips and basil; Taiwanese pepper pork bun with eschalot, sesame, black pepper and a scallion pancake; sticky rice arancini with Taiwanese sausage, salted radish and pickled cucumber; and grilled tiger prawns with coriander pesto, cashew and sesame oil. For dessert, there’s a serotonin-spiking fairy bread bao with vanilla ice cream.

Sussex Street’s Medan Ciak has long been one of our favourite affordable CBD eats, and newcomer Temu Kangen is a hit from the get-go. The menu showcases flavours from all over Indo, portions are generous, and the nasi kuning – a tower of golden turmeric rice, eggs, sweet-punchy sambol, cucumber and rich beef rendang – is as good as they come. Short on time? You can get two hot dishes to go from $14.90.

Time Out tip: Order a side of the bakwan sayur – little fried vegetable fritters that come with a creamy, nutty satay sauce that gets an incredible lift from makrut lime leaves. 

If you need another reason to head to the south end of Newtown’s King Street, here’s one for you. South End, a beautiful, independently owned neighbourhood bistro, has opened down that way. It’s the creation of three mates and long-time hospo pros – Hussein Sarhan, the former head chef of Fred’s in Paddington, and Alex Tong, former sous chef of Ester, who are both in the kitchen, while Paul Guiney from A.P Bread & Wine and The Bentley Group runs the floor. The menu evolves, but you can count on bright, seasonal dishes, such as potato rosti with smoked mackerel rillettes; roast lamb with broad beans and artichoke; bouillabaisse with wild-caught fish and clams; and a ripper chocolate tart.

Hamsi Taverna, a waterfront Turkish restaurant by celebrated chef Somer Sivrioğlu (also Anason, Maydanoz), is now open at the new Sydney Fish Market. Found on the back right-hand corner – just look for the sunshine-yellow umbrellas – Hamsi serves up the flavours of the Mediterranean, with plenty of fresh seafood. Somer even pointed to a boat pulling up and told me that’s one of his suppliers. Menu highlights include whipped taramasalata with lemon oil and cured roe; OB Bakery rustic bread rolls with clarified butter and oregano; white anchovies pide with roasted cherry tomatoes and caramelised onion; Murray cod with charred scallion and lemon; Tasmanian lamb shoulder with pickled cabbage, labne and lavash; and dakos salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red shallots, feta and peksimet. Hot tip: chat to the sommelier about a Turkish vino.

A tropical Mexican oasis has opened in Manly by the Boathouse Group – and locals are frothing. Called Las Palmas, the vibrant new holiday-coded restaurant and bar is serving up fresh tacos, zesty Margaritas – and vibey tunes all day and night. If Playa del Carmen isn’t on the cards for the near future, a sunny afternoon spent at Las Palmas may be the next best thing.

A New York-style Italian restaurant by House Made Hospitality (also Apollonia, Grana, Island Radio) is now open in Redfern’s Wunderlick Lane – in the former home of Baptist Street Rec. Club. The menu, overseen by culinary director Stephen Seckold and executive chef Elliott Pinn, is anchored by fresh pasta, Milanese, and the ‘greatest hits’. Think pipe rigate alla vodka with chicken parmigiana; chicken, veal and pork Milanese; and fried lasagne bites. Don’t want to choose? Go for the $75 set menu. Plus, with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights and late-night eats served until 1am, there’s lots on offer.

If you haven’t yet checked out the new Sydney Fish Market, here’s another reason to visit. Celebrated Vietnamese-Australian chef, restaurateur and television presenter Luke Nguyen has opened a 300-seat Southeast Asian restaurant overlooking the shimmering water at Sydney’s new fish haven, in partnership with Doltone Hospitality Group. Called Lua, meaning “fire” in Vietnamese, the new restaurant is inspired by Nguyen’s heritage – he was born in Bangkok to Vietnamese parents before moving to Australia and growing up in Sydney’s Cabramatta area. Fresh, vibrant and full of flavour, seafood is a big focus of the menu, with dishes given added character thanks to an open hearth and charcoal fire pit.

Walking into The James, found on the ground floor of The Langham, feels like stepping into a beautifully whimsical British world. The dining room of the new 120-seat restaurant by SRG Hospitality – the team behind Aqua Dining, Akti, Sails Lavender Bay, The Nielsen, Noi, The Fenwick and more – is an impressive feast for the senses. Grandma-coded curtains, plush seating, 1940s-inspired artworks, soft golden lighting and mosaic tiles, all designed by Perry Drakopoulos, create an elegant, timeless space that deserves a spread in Architectural Digest. There’s even a custom family crest that appears across timber joinery, upholstery and menus. Fancy.

Found next door to award-winning fine diner Aalia in Martin Place, Aalia Wine Room is a chic and intimate wine bar featuring a 235-bottle wine list and 31 vinos by the glass, curated by sommelier Sarah O’Dwyer. Heading up the food menu is executive chef Paul Farag. Expect bold, vibrant Middle Eastern snacks, with highlights including basturma with pickled chilli and quail egg gilda; beef nayyeh, rhubarb and freekeh crisp; and pickled kokotxas with tamarind and aleppo. Designed by architect Matt Darwon, the 42-seat spot overlooks Harry Seidler’s original MLC architecture, and is a calming and central spot for a delicious wine and share-plate catch-up with friends.

Osteria Luna is a new underground Italian restaurant from the team behind The Charles – and there’s lots to like, starting with the fact that the full menu is available until 1am. The vibe is old-world Italian glamour, caprese is served tableside and complimentary frozen limoncello coupes flow throughout the day. Plus, come for lunch and try the hefty muffaletta loaded with cold cuts, cheese, artichokes and capers on Sicilian-style bread. If you come Monday to Friday for lunch from 12pm, you can get it for $25 with your choice of boozy drink.

Appizza is the hot new pizza joint that’s just landed in Darlinghurst, serving up cool vibes and huge New Haven-inspired slices. From the team behind AP Bakery and Cicerone, the pumping new spot is found in Taylor Square, the former home of Café Freda’s. And it’s a banger. Come for epic slices featuring a thin, crisp and charred base, topped with a mix of local Aussie and Sardinian tomatoes and other salty, yum bits. Our pick is the pepperoni pie and the classic tomato, pimped up with stracciatella, prosciutto and hot honey. Plus, come for cold beers, spicy Margs, ranch so you can double-dip your crusts and fior di latte soft serves.

Forget the golf club and come sign up to Claret Club. Found on Stanley Street in Darlinghurst, the charming new wine bar and restaurant is from Bridget Raffal, the owner of Marrickville’s beloved Where’s Nick, and Harry Hunter, formerly of Rockpool, the Bentley Group and Dinner by Heston – talk about a CV. Come for Euro-leaning eats and excellent drops plucked from their own cellars, including 30 vinos by the glass. Just don’t expect any cocktails. “Sydney has so many fantastic cocktail venues – we’re happy to leave those to the experts because if you try to be everything to everyone, you just dilute your offering,” says Raffal.

Rick Stein at Coogee Beach – the beautiful new beachfront restaurant spearheaded by legendary chef, TV star and cookbook author Rick Stein, alongside his Aussie wife Sarah Stein – is officially open. Always dreamt of tasting Stein’s world-famous seafood? Now you can. Called Rick Stein at Coogee Beach, the 224-seat restaurant boasts a cracking location within the new InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. And although Stein has NSW restaurants in Mollymook and Port Stephens, his new venue is his flagship Australian restaurant.

Pilu, a Sardinian fine diner overlooking the clear blue-green waves at Freshwater for more than 20 years, is one of Sydney’s best special-occasion restaurants. Now, owners Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini have opened a new waterfront restaurant called Flaminia – the couple’s first venture across the bridge. Except this time, it’s not overlooking the beach, but Sydney’s sparkling harbour. Located on level two of the Pullman Quay Grand, perched over Circular Quay with its constant ebb and flow of boats and ferries, is a fitting spot for Flaminia – named after the ship that brought the Pilu family from Italy to Sydney in 1959. Inspired by Italy’s charming port-side cities, the new light-filled restaurant champions fresh seafood with a view.

A 120-year-old, heritage-listed Rose Bay church that’s been dormant for ten years is now home to Aambra – a restaurant spotlighting the ancient cooking traditions of the Levant, a region in the Eastern Mediterranean that includes Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Egypt (and more). It’s been a project more than three years in the making by owner Cristian Gorgees (also behind Emu Hall Bar & Kitchen), who hopes to showcase lesser-known flavours to Sydneysiders while paying respects to the building’s heritage.

The team behind The Waratah, Cynthia Litster and Evan Stroeve, have opened their second Sydney venue – Sakura House. It’s a late-night izakaya, inspired by the pumping ones dotting the streets of Japan, but instead it’s found hidden in a basement on Elizabeth St. Stroeve, once awarded Australian Bartender of the Year, is behind the drinks menu, so expect them to be a few steps above average (and then some). First time? Go for the Sakura Sour, made with Haku vodka, lemon, local yuzu from NSW and VIC and finished with bubbles. The duo have brought on Cho Cho San’s former head chef, Nick Sherman, to lead the kitchen. And a 4am licence is currently in the works. You don’t need to ask us twice.

Hospo is a bloody hard game, which the Continental Deli team knows damn well, having been in the biz for years. They made the decision to close their plant-based diner Flora less than a year after opening, and in its place is Joe’s Tavern. There’s lots to like, starting with the fact that the New York-inspired tavern serves the classics done well: prawn cocktails, devilled eggs and really great burgers. Plus, it’s in good company, right next door to siblings Continental Deli, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca. And there’s a peanut butter and jelly ice-cream sandwich. See? Lots to like.

Epula is a grand new restaurant now open in Sydney’s heritage-listed GPO building in Martin Place. From the same team behind Tapavino, Epula's name comes from the Latin word for “feast”, with the menu bringing together flavours from Spain, France and Italy. Designed by award-winning interior architects Luchetti Krelle, the dining room is classy and elegant, all plush velvet seats, burgundy marble and rich hues. Need to impress someone’s socks off them? I’d be booking a lunch here.

The highly anticipated Sydney iteration of Melbourne restaurant Grill Americano is finally here. The glam, Venetian-style steakhouse is located within the former heritage-listed Qantas House building, now known as 1 Chifley Square. Expect signature Italian-style elegance, white-jacketed service, excellent steak (and that famous tiramisù served tableside).

A beautiful new taverna has opened in Sydney’s historic Rocks. The intimate 22-seat restaurant, called Jimmy’s Kitchen, is an ode to owner Chris Drivas’ late father, Jimmy, who he used to cook with from the age of seven growing up in Greece. The menu is overseen by 82-year-old chef Marko Taxidis, who also cooked with Jimmy in the late 1950s (how special is that?). Come for fresh lobster served with orzo cooked in a lobster and tomato bisque, slow-cooked lamb with garlic, lemon and herbs, and golden halloumi – and stay for the old-school hospitality.

Heading to see a show at STC’s Roslyn Packer Theatre? Before you do, check out Folio, a sexy new bar inspired by New York’s late-night cocktail haunts, supper clubs and speakeasies. Celebrated cocktail gun and bartender Charlie Ainsbury is behind the clever drinks menu, saying: “I love bars that gather a community, places that embrace the culture they are a part of, with great drinks to match and set it off. Folio is not just a bar you go to when you’re going to the theatre; it is a destination worth a stop on any night out. I love the idea of guests making friends across the tables, or squeezing just one more cocktail in before the bell.” One more drink before the bell? We’re there.

Delicious news for Western Sydney locals – now there’s even more reason not to head into the CBD for a big night out, with the opening of Magma by Dany Karam.The 140-seat restaurant, located inside the brand-new Novotel Sydney Cabramatta at Cabravale Club Resort, has been a project four years in the making and features a multimillion-dollar build. Fully owned and operated by chef and Western Sydney local Dany Karam, who was last seen taming the flames at Black Bar & Grill, Magma by Dany Karam specialises in premium meat and seafood which are dry-aged in the glass-fronted ‘Dany’s Butchery’ before being cooked on open flames.

North Sydney’s historic boozer, The Old Commodore Hotel, has reopened thanks to the team behind Freshie’s Harbord Hotel and Merewether’s Beach Hotel. The 169-year-old beauty has been given a big glow-up, featuring a fresh bar, dining area, sports bar and sunny terrace. If it’s been a while between beers, you know where to head.

A 1980s Italian-inspired diner and bar has opened with a bang on Bond Street in Sydney’s CBD – the first joint venture from the award-winning The Maybe Group and Table For, Accor’s new in-house food and beverage group. "Ten years on from opening Maybe Frank, we wanted to return to our roots with a true Italian experience," said Vince Lombardo, co-founder and director of The Maybe Group. "Bar Allora captures the energy, culture and connection at the heart of Italian hospitality – authentic flavours delivered with a joyful, modern twist. Every detail has been designed to feel vibrant, welcoming and unmistakably Italian." In the morning, drop by for hot espresso, bomboloni, paninis and ricotta cannoli. By day and night it’s snackable share plates and more substantial numbers, like the spaghettone with anchovy butter and lemon pangrattato and the Wagyu tagliata with rocket salsa verde – even better with an Allora Negroni or two.

Dinner and a show is looking pretty good, thanks to the opening of The Wharf Restaurant and Bar. Located at the end of the Sydney Theatre Company's Wharf 4/5 and boasting beautiful views of Sydney Harbour, the new restaurant has taken over the space where the bar was, offering theatre-goers more options for a pre-show feed. Menu highlights include globe artichoke with preserved lemon; chicken with charred cos, peas and nduja butter; and steak frites with Café de Paris butter. Choose from shared menus or à la carte – and there's also a bar space if you're after a quick snack and vino.

If you haven’t been to Paddington recently, you need to: 25hours Hotel The Olympia is now open on Oxford Street – complete with 109 rooms, a Hollywood-inspired rooftop bar, and the first international outpost of a beloved London restaurant. The Palomar brings the flavours and energy of Southern Europe, North Africa and the Levant to Sydney, with head chef Luke Davenport (ex-Franca) leading the kitchen, overseen by culinary director Mitch Orr (ex-Kiln). There’s a pistachio baklava ice-cream sandwich on the menu – enough said.

Bondi’s welcomed a taste of Spain with the opening of Alzado, found upstairs at Hotel Ravesis. Think: beachfront views, holiday-like vibes, the flavours of Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastián, and golden sunsets – right in Bondi. On the menu: jamón croquetas, pan con tomate with a Cantabrian anchovy, fried calamari sangas with piparra mayo and salsa picante, and a fresh brothy seafood rice – all backed up with ice-cold vermouth.

Radio Taco, a 12-seat corner taqueria, has opened with a bang, bringing legit slow-cooked birria to Chippendale, and I’m salivating already. It’s only a few weeks old, but the place is pumping daily – so get down early (they open at 11am). The red-and-white eatery has been brought to life by three Mexican-born mates: chef Aldo Lara, restaurateur Pablo Galindo (Milpa Collective), and Héctor Vallés (Ola Lola Catering & Events). They specialise in all things birria – marinated, slow-cooked beef – served with tacos, quesatacos, loaded nachos, fries and a birria ramen bowl, alongside consommé to dip until your heart’s content. Wash it all down with a house-made aguas frescas, and then come back next week.

If the name ‘Gran Torino’ rings a bell, you might be thinking of the vintage car or the Clint Eastwood movie by the same name. But now, there’s another reason to remember it: Neil Perry’s latest restaurant. Taking over the former home of his Cantonese diner Song Bird in the heritage-listed Gaden House in Double Bay – which recently had its final flight less than a year after its shiny big opening – Gran Torino serves up Italian classics with a modern Australian spin and that unmistakable Perry polish. The elegant two-storey dining room has been reimagined by long-time collaborators, fashion designer Collette Dinnigan and food photographer Earl Carter. Think bold red accents and striking black-and-white photographs from the 1950s and ’60s that adorn the walls and add a touch of la dolce vita.

Can you feel it in the water? Big changes are happening at Manly Wharf. First up, Manly’s beloved-but-tired sunset haunt Wharf Bar transformed into Felons Manly – a pumping beer haven with 150+ more seats, a jazzed-up menu, lush plants and beers from Brisbane brewery Felons Brewing Co (we’d love to see a local tap one day!). Now, there’s another hot newcomer: The Bavarian poured its final stein some months ago, and the waterfront spot is now home to Felons Seafood – a 300-seat seafood restaurant with indoor–outdoor spaces, views over Manly Cove and a menu created by two former Rockpool guns. And it's really bloody good. Fresh seafood, views of the big blue and ice-cold beer – what more could one want?

Rose Bay sure is a beauty, but let’s be honest, she can be a little sleepy. Good news then that Rasa House – a new, vibrant South and Southeast Asian wine bar and restaurant – has opened, bringing fire, spice and all things nice to the waterfront. The 60-seat Rasa – which means flavour, aroma and taste in Indonesian, and the essence of life in Hindi – is the first venture for screenwriter Vinay Matta. But good food runs in his blood: his parents founded Sydney go-tos The Spice Room and Jewel on the Bay, which is right next door to Rasa House.