The Best New Restaurants to Touch Down in Sydney in 2023

2023 was the year of the new opening and what a year it was. From beachside haunts to fine dining delights and Sydney's enduring love affair with all things French, there was a little something for everyone. 

If you didn't get around to all of these gems this year, not to worry! That's what 2024 is for. 

Scroll on for the best new restaurants that opened in Sydney in 2024. Trust us, they are absolutely worth a visit!

Bobby's 

Just steps away from Cronulla Beach lies this Mediterranean-led seafood restaurant brimming with both style and substance. There's a little something for everyone at Bobby's with an all-day coffee cart offering coffee by morning and Spritz's at sunset, a restaurant for long lunching and a beach club perfect for a cocktail and snacks. 

 What can you expect on the food front? Think brioche prawn rolls, Cantabrian anchovies on toast, ocean trout crudo and a very special lemon tiramisu, all cooked up by Executive chef Pablo Tordesillas (ex-executive chef Otto & Tottis) and head chef Shaun Baker (Pier, Yan Restaurant, Bills Restaurants). As for drinks, the focus is on Mediterranean wines and light and fresh cocktails. 

6R The Esplanade, Cronulla 

Chez Blue 

Rozelle has become home to its very own French bistro. Chez Blue seeks to share the joy of dining on the streets of Paris with one and all. An intimate cocktail bar provides the perfect post-work hangout whilst the 90-seater bistro will be beckoning those keen on wining and dining. 

Cosy booths, banquette seating and mosaic tiling evoke a moody atmosphere whilst the menu delights with dishes curated by Head Chef Mark Williamson (ex-Bistro Moncur). Expect classic French with a fresh spin - tuna tartare and tabasco, peach and tomato dressed in goat's curd and brûléed chicken liver pate. A mostly French wine list tops things off alongside some reworked classic cocktails. 

599 Darling Street, Rozelle

Itō (Image Credit: Jiwon Kim) 

Itō

A very welcome addition to the Crown Street scene, Itō is the Japanese Izakaya you need on your restaurant rotation. Head Chef Erik Ortolani has combined his Italian heritage and passion for Japanese cooking to craft something truly unique. Dishes like yellowfin tuna served on bonito bread with shaved bottarga and Wagyu mafaldine paired with white shimeji and miso grace the menu and will give you a whole new appreciation for fusion cuisine. 

Key to the Itō experience is the drinks menu which features Japanese inspired classic cocktails, a quirky selection of wines from Japan and an extensive sake selection. The pared back interiors with fun pops of colour set the scene for the perfect night out. 

413-415 Crown Street, Surry Hill

Nico (Image Credit: KW Photography)

Nico 

Sydney's brand-new culinary gem, Nico, doesn't do things by halves. Everything here is flawless, from the Italian apertifs to the Amalfi Coast-inspired decor. Chef Nicola Ronconi and his business partner Ewa Witkowska have succeeded in bringing a fresh take on the classics to Sydney's Italian scene - no easy feat! The pops of terracotta and jewel blue combined with ambient lighting make for the perfect mini 'holiday' in the form of after work drinks or a weekend date spot. 

Handmade pasta, Kingfish crudo and Sfogilatella stuffed with avocado and caviar are some of the delights you can look forward to. But it's the lemon tiramisu that's got people talking. Chef Nicola's recipe has been honed for over ten years and has reached icon status. The soft lemon cream is the ideal light dish to end an incredible meal. 

Sitchu Tip: The homemade focaccia with smoked butter may well be a top contender for the best focaccia in Sydney. 

17/450 Miller Street, Cammeray 

Pearl 

Enter Pearl, the Cantonese dining joint shaking up Sydney's Chinese food scene. Offering up a relaxed atmosphere alongside views of the Harbour Bridge, Pearl's approach is simple - dim sum, barbecue and seafood designed to be shared. Keen to highlight unique Australian flavours and seasonal produce, the menu at Pearl is set to shift regularly but you can look forward to the likes of wok-fried Lobster with Pearl's signature XO sauce, caramelized BBQ pork belly and dry aged, twice-cooked Peking duck pancakes. A killer wine list and grand banquet menus rounds out the offering. 

Shop R1013, Retail Level 1, 50 Bridge Streety, Circular Quay 

Alfie's 

From the good people that brought us Bistecca and The Gidley comes this new concept steak restaurant - Alfie's. Whilst Bistecca champions the T-bone and The Gidley the rib eye, Alfie's hero's the Sirloin. Fast-paced and hitting the Sydney scene running, the team promise to have your steak on your table within 15 minutes - ideal for power lunches and city slickers on the go. 

Shop 2, 4-6 Bligh Street, Sydney 

Strand Bistrothèque (Image Credit: Parker Blaine)

Strand Bistrothèque

If you’re a French food fanatic, we recommend booking a table at Strand Bistrothèque, stat. As you step off William Street into this low-lit haven, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a chic Parisian dive bar. Everything is impeccable from the tiled floors to the wine list curated by P&V Wine & Liquor Merchant’s Mike Bennie and a swish cocktail list curated by the Maybe Sammy team. But the food, the food is what we’ve been left daydreaming of. You can’t go wrong with a single dish from the exquisite menu but you’d be mad for not ordering the pastry-topped French onion soup and potato galette to start.

Sitchu Tip: Swing by on a Wednesday and settle into a cosy booth as you’re serenaded by live jazz.

99 William Street, Darlinghurst

Khānaa

Sydney, gear up. The Khan family recently opened the doors of their newest restaurant so you can consider your next decadent meal out sorted. The restaurant will be serving up a fine dining taking on Bengali cuisine with a menu curated by renowned Chef Opel Khan. Chef Lucinda Khan and Chef Jazz Singh will be heading up the kitchen team bringing this homage to childhood memories to life. The a la carte menu is designed to be shared with a series of small and large tasting plates on offer. You can look forward to reinvented Bengali delights ranging from Turmeric Infused Scallop to Duck Leg Confit Samosa. The best way to experience the incredible flavours? Opt for the tasting menu which will take you all the way from Shiraz Caviar to Chai Ganache. 

Shop 3, 335 Crown Street, Surry Hills 

Poetica 

Poetica, is the refined and light-filled restaurant and bar you need in your life. The 120-seat space has made a bang with a 700-bottle wine wall, dry-ageing cabinets and a 15-metre-long open kitchen. Stone, copper, wood and burnt honey upholstery contribute to the relaxed yet luxurious aesthetic. 

Head Chef Connor Hartley-Simpson's menu champions local produce as well as cooking methods that have stood the test of time - from pickling and fermenting to wood-fire and charcoal. You can expect to see dry aged swordfish cooking over the fire before being caramelised on the hot grill whilst leek tops are charred in the Josper. As for the wine list, vintage gems and beloved classics make up the 450-strong offering. One for the bucket list! 

Mezzanine Level, 1 Dennison Street, North Sydney

Raja 

One of the most exciting openings of 2023, Raja (from the same team who brought us Ezra) has brought the flavours of Mumbai to Sydney in a way we've never seen before. Head Chef Ahana Dutt takes traditional Indian flavours and melds them with contemporary favourites to create a menu that is at once a homage and a creative triumph. A mix of snacks, small plates and mains includes the likes of Butter, Garlic & Pepper Crab, Masala Mussels and Dory Ambot Tik. The traditional Indian flavours will be offset with an array of natural wines and sophisticated cocktails. 

Warm service, a groovy soundtrack and interiors that boast hand-painted murals, tiled archways and a dusty pink dining room, are the icing on the cake. 

1A Kellett Street, Potts Point 

Longshore

Chippendale's first dedicated seafood restaurant and wine bar is everything we could have hoped for and more. The subtle coastal-inspired decor and lengthy wine lists are two huge drawcards but it's the menu that had stolen our hearts. 

The Longshore offering consists of a five-course tasting menu alongside an experimental 10-course snack menu served in two stages - hot and cold. Look forward to highlights including raw Tasmanian scallops with mandarin koshu and makrut lime and Paroo red kangaroo tartare with salted muntries. Be sure to keep that dessert chamber opened as there is plenty for you to sample. The melon custard with candied melon sounds like a bit of us. 

5 Kensington Street, Chippendale 

Clam Bar

Clam Bar is serving immaculate boujee New York grill and it's all we've ever wanted. From the team behind Bistrot 916 and Pellegrino 2000, you can expect perfection. The freshest Australian seafood available is paired with decadent New York cocktails in a combination we adore. Giving just the right amount of 70s nostalgia, you can expect a raw bar stacked with caviar, seafood towers, a range of steaks and a classic cheeseburger. Get amongst it as soon as. 

44 Bridge Street, Sydney 

Me-Gal 

Me-Gal offers sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and a unique dining experience all at once. The restaurant is named after the Cammeraigal word for ‘tears’ and focuses on sustainably sourced produce, native flavours and seasonal dishes. Think Beetroot Risotto, Whipped Lemon Myrtle Ricotta, Watercress & Lemon Thyme and Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, Wattle Seed Ricotta, Macadamia Crumble & Butternut Squash Purée.

2A Bradleys Head Road, Mosman (enter via the Taronga Wildlife Retreat

Kame House

Kame House is a precious addition to Sydney's Japanese dining scene and a must-visit for any serious local foodies. Chef Tomo turned an undesirable situation on its head when his months worth of omakase bookings were cancelled due to COVID lockdowns. In response, he satisfied his customers authentic Japanese cravings by creating beautiful Chirashi boxes. Kame House is the response to these popular takeaways. 

Using rice imported directly from Japan, Chef Tomo is now serving up a range of delicacies from Kaisen don, chirashi and okonomi courses to takeaway oeschi ryouri bento boxes. Pop in for a dining experience to remember. 

729 Pacific Highway, Gordon

Armorica

Located on Crown Street in Surry Hills, new 150-seat Parisian Brasserie, Amorica, pays homage to the city of lights, embracing the timeless charm of classic French dining, with that certain je ne sais quoi that only the French know how.

Executive chef, Jose Saulog has curated an extensive menu, with a nod to authentic techniques of Northern France whilst showcasing the best Aussie produce cooked over a traditional wood fire. The menu features small plates including a coral trout crudo with finger lime and Foie Gras ‘Torchon’ through to a lavish seafood tower - and of course, no French menu is complete without ‘Steak Frites’, featuring the best of Australian beef. Desserts are sorted thanks to group’s executive pastry chef Travin DeHoedt and the 400+ wine list has been carefully curated with each of the wines hand-selected for drinkability, above all else.

490 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Palazzo Salato 

Palazzo Salato, a new opening from the good people who brought us Love Tilly Devine and Ragazzi, Palazzo Salato is your dedicated new haunt for Italian feasting. The 120-seat venue is brimming with kitchen space which means an even wider variety of unique hand-shaped pasta, grilled meats and more. Diners have the choice of the walk-in-only bar and the dining room, with interiors inspired by traditional Italian trattorias (that’s a relaxed Italian eatery to you and I). A 500-strong wine list rounds out the offering.  

201/203 Clarence Street, Sydney

Promenade Bondi Beach  

Creating a venue that feels luxe enough for a date night whilst also being appropriate for a beachside snack is no easy feat. But Promenade Bondi Beach is just that – a flexible space incorporating intimate dining spaces, a beachside terrace bar and a kiosk for those with sandy feet. Intrinsically nostalgic, Bondi Pavilion is home to the brand-new venue Promenade Bondi Beach which is set to be a go-to for visitors and locals alike.

The décor, inspired by the sandstone cliffs tucked around Australia’s most famous beach, is both neutral and soft. The menu has been carefully crafted by House Made Hospitality Culinary Director Stephen Seckold and Executive Chef Chris Benedet, with influences ranging from Indonesia to Sri Lanka. But one overarching theme ties it all together – food that’s best-enjoyed beachside. Expect reimagined classics from snapper curry to coral trout crudo. 

Opening March 8  

Shop 4 Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach  

Brasserie 1930 (Image Credit: Kris Paulsen) 

Brasserie 1930  

Traditional brasserie meets contemporary Australian fare – it’s a match made in heaven. The Bentley Group (Monopole, Cirrus, Yellow) has wowed diners with Brasserie 1930’s unique menu, designed to share, utilizing a range of cooking methods from curing and smoking to charcoal grilling and fermenting. Your journey begins upon your entrance to Sydney’s historic sandstone precinct and culminates in the restaurant’s sophisticated dining room. Australian produce is championed throughout with finger lime, Murray Cod and local oysters set to grace diner’s plates.  

Capella Sydney, 2-4 Farrer Place, Sydney  

Petermen

From the husband and wife duo behind Saint Peter, Fish Butchery and Charcoal Fish, comes Petermen. As chef Josh Niland and his restaurateur wife Julie Niland explain, they want to champion the most innovative growers and producers that seek to elevate the standard and change the culture of how we consume food, while highlighting the very best Australian seafood and vegetables. The menu is punchy and exciting with dishes like Eden line-caught John Dory, Jervis Bay mussels and Tasmanian saffron, Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna and ananda capers and sweet and sour Ulladulla blue mackerel catching our eye. 

Another bonus? There's an outstanding kids' menu if you're keen to check it out with your little one in tow. Treat them to the fancy BBQ fish, salad and chippies because you're never too young to start to appreciate good grub. 

66 Chandos Street, St Leonards

St Siandra

How does Seven spice Moreton Bay Bugs, “en brochette” skewers of Clarence River baby octopus and Skull Island tiger prawns washed down with spritzes on tap sound? Oh, and did we mention your own private beach to enjoy them? St Siandra is now open at The Spit on Sydney's North Shore. At the helm is former Nomad head chef Sam McCallum, who will be bringing his signature Mediterranean flare to the new beachfront restaurant and bar. On cocktail duties is Kurtis Bosley and the chic Amalfi Coast-style interiors were designed by Sally Taylor of Felix and Queen Chow Manly so you just know they'll be great for the 'gram. Oh, and don't worry, if you plan to arrive by boat (because why not), they will have two private moorings. 

75 Lower Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman 

Looking for more of the best new restaurants in Sydney to road test? From edgy Chinese restaurants and festive Mexican eateries to group dining favourites and BYO gems, there are so many cool restaurants in Sydney to visit. Browse our extensive collection here.