Ah Sydney, another month, another bout of new openings and TBH we’re not even mad about it. Because what else are you going to do when the mercury drops, your mates abandon you to soak up that Mediterranean sun and you’re just working your life away counting down the hours until your bestie uploads a ‘gram of herself lapping it up in some infinity pool with some Greek God she met on #CroatiaSails?
Nothing. Well, nothing other than werkin' your way down this boss list, obvs. Here are all the new Sydney openings we’re (super) excited about this July!
Mister Percy
Pyrmont
Did someone say wine bar? Opening in late July in front of Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour hotel, Mister Percy offers an expertly curated wine list and pintxos menu influenced by the Mediterranean. Drink ‘Dry Red’ Touriga-Shiraz, Jamsheed Rousanne and snack on burrata teamed with prosciutto, pea shoots and fried potato skins.
Boronia Kitchen
Hunter Hill
Boronia Kitchen is an all-day eatery serving home style food made from the best of Australia’s produce. Different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner make this the perfect place to eat no matter the occasion. For those of you too busy to have a sit-down meal, Boronia offers a takeaway menu of daily pies, soups, and house smoked salmon.
Frank’s Original Philly Cheesesteak and Dogs
Frank’s is bringing American style cheesesteaks and hot-diggity dogs to Sydney. They have a permanent shop in Wetherill park, but Frank’s has gone mobile in a bus (yes, a bus) which is on the move around Sydney. On the menu, you’ll find the pizza cheesesteak, which combines rib-eye steak, American cheese, mushroom, peppers and Bolognese sauce; other menu items include loaded fries and deep fried oreos. Keep an eye on their Insta and Facebook to find out where the bus will be next, or visit the OG shop in Wetherill Park.
Oh My Pie
This is basically a new pie subscription for all you pie lovers. Basically, sign up and you’ll get a box of seriously tasty Oh My Pie goods delivered to your door at the end of each month and FYI, these aren’t your typical pies either (sorry traditionalists), we’re talking butter chicken pie and a spag bol pie because hey, it’s winter and we’re all about a solid comfort feed.
The Governor
Macquarie Park
Who doesn’t love a good 3-in-1 combo. Set to open early in July, The Governor is Sydney’s new multi-level pub, bistro and rooftop bar. Seating around 160 the main bar and bistro is styled in dark timber, lush greenery and is equipped with an open fireplace and garden terrace. Take things up a level to the rooftop bar, Ess, which boasts 360-degree views of the local area.
Ortzi
Surry Hills
Ortzi is the latest venture between Michael Otto and Edward Saxton from the award-winning restaurant Sagra. With a simple rustic theme, this eatery is focusing of the French-Spanish flavours of Basque country. Expect share-friendly pintxos, large smoked meats and of course wine (sourced from Northern Spain and Southern France).
Matcha Ya
Haymarket
Steam Mill Lane is becoming our favourite spot for great eats and great drinks and now, green tea specialist Matcha-Ya has moved in. The menu ranges from traditional tea to more experimental drinks like the ripe avocado matcha, we recommend starting with the matcha latte. There are also curries and desserts on offer. Oh, and FYI go between 11:30am-10pm and get a free soft serve with any drink purchase #winning.
Rosie’s
Coogee
You won’t find refined sugar and processed ingredients here, Rosie’s is all about the healthy balance. Every menu option is a healthy choice designed so you don’t have to choose between fun and healthy. Try the lamb fillet with green-pea tzatziki or the cheese platter that comes with liquorice and pear (to aid with alcohol absorption and prevent dehydration). The wine and cocktails have also undergone the preservative and sugar free treatment, try the Green-Tini a blend of dry gin and green juice.
A1 Canteen
Chippendale
Lead by Clayton Wells (owner of Automata) and Chef Scott Eddington, A1 Canteen presents a modern adult twist to the classic school canteen menu. For breakfast, you’ll find grilled mortadella and fried egg sandwich with fermented chilli and fried shallots. For lunch have your choice of grown up sandwich or make your own dish at the old school salad bar. In the evening, A1 becomes a bistro all about bold cuts of meat, we’re talking a delicious spiced half chicken with fermented chickpeas.
Ron’s Upstairs
Redfern
Ron’s Upstairs is bringing classic Mediterranean cuisine to Redfern, think Greek, Spanish and Italian. The menu will feature a selection of rotisserie meats and fish and with the focus on catering to large crews, we think that means you’re in for one helluva feast. On the tipple side, you’ll find staple cocktails, a no-frills wine list and some Greek bottles too.
Ona Coffee
Marrickville
Canberra’s favourite specialty coffee roaster has come to Marrickville. Ona Coffee offers a rotation of top-quality and sustainably sourced blends, espresso, filter and milk based coffees (served cappuccino style minus the chocolate). The bright minimalist café features a central coffee bar allowing you to watch your cuppa be made.
Every New Opening We Were Excited About In June
The Collaroy
Collaroy
The Collaroy is the latest makeover project from the peeps at Merivale (they’re getting good at this). The beachfront hotel is spread over two levels: the ground floor serves up breakfast pizza, healthy bowls for lunch, and home-style dinners once the sun goes down. Meanwhile, upstairs it’s seafood galore, and you’ll also have your choice between two bars. It’s the perfect place to chill out after a dip at the beach and also perfect for settling in this winter (because carbs).
Fratelli Fresh
Darling Harbour
Fratelli Fresh has just opened its eighth venue in Sydney and FYI, it’s by far the biggest yet. We’re talking about a chill 550 seats over a mammoth 1,100 square meters for max pasta and pizza times. If that’s not enough, there’s also got a Campari bar (helllooooo negronis!) and a games corner for your inner kidult (or, you know, actual children). They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Ona Coffee
Marrickville
Award-winning Canberra roaster Ona Coffee has just opened a specialty coffee house on Marrickville Road, just a few doors down from ricotta-heaven Paesanella. It’s founded by a World Barista Champion, so they take their coffee super seriously and for that we’re thankful. There’s a lot of sleek, blonde-wood goodness going on at this joint and the space has been designed to optimise interactions between the customer (that’s you!) and the baristas. They know their stuff, so feel free to pick their brains about their house-roasted single origin beans and blended roasts before knocking back a few.
The Stables
Paddington
Paddington, you’ve got a new restaurant and bar in the hood. It’s called The Stables, and it’s got an ex-Bentley chef heading up the kitchen. Food-wise, they do modern takes on classic bistro dishes: see the Black Angus flank steak with radicchio and red wine jus, or the John Dory in a smoked eel and carrot broth, plus the cocktail list changes weekly. If you’re into food and drink that’s innovative, well-balanced and flavoursome, check this place out.
Bellucci Cucina
CBD
On Level 5 of Australia Square, in a space that’s a cross between a bungalow and a UFO, lies Bellucci Cucina. The contemporary Italian menu is courtesy of Teofilo Nobrega, formerly of Fratelli Paradiso, so you can be sure that the pasta will be top-notch. It’s open for breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday and for dinner Wednesday to Friday.
Apera
Castlecrag
Castlecrag’s Quadrangle Shopping Village is getting a serious foodie injection, thanks to a multi-million investment from property developer Dr. Stanley Quek (the man responsible for Kensington Street’s makeover). After Holy Duck! and Bistro Mekong, Apera bar and restaurant is the latest foodie addition to the complex. Most of the mod-Australian dishes come from the wood-fired oven, and the cocktail list is big on native ingredients. We’ve got our eye on the pasture-fed lamb shoulder, slow-cooked in the wood oven, and served with chimichurri and warrigal greens.
Black Label Burger Project
CBD
We can’t keep up with Rockpool Dining Group. They’ve just opened the mammoth Fratelli Fresh at Darling Harbour (see above), Bar Patrón at Circular Quay, and announced a new The Bavarian outpost at Castle Hill. Now, they’ve got Black Label Burger Project, a swanky restaurant that’s halfway between their premium Rockpool Bar & Grill burgers and the everyday Burger Project offerings. The vibe is “special casual”, meaning table service, real cutlery and glassware instead of disposal takeaway vessels. Plus, they’ve got “adult shakes”—milkshakes spiked with your choice of whisky, vodka or rum.
Side Room
Bondi Beach
When Potts Points’ Room Ten and Fishbowl Sashimi start a café collab, expect good things. Side Room has opened on Bondi’s Campbell Parade, on the site of the OG Fishbowl. The menu will be a sure-fire hit with the Bondi lunch crowd, with a solid mix of healthy salad bowls, sandwiches and smoothies, and a decent sprinkling of trending plant-based ingredients (blue algae, charcoal, you get the drift). Get ready to spot the beautiful people.
Every New Opening We Were Excited About In May
Staple Bread & Necessities
Seaforth
Staple Bread & Necessities is a tiny bakery tucked in Seaforth focusing purely on loaves of bread and croissant-style pastries. The dream, no? Staple’s award-winning loaf (AKA the country sourdough) will take you to literal bread heaven (trust us, that is an actual place), and after you discover their croissants, and for those a little more extra, chocolate croissants, you won’t want to leave. This bakery is only open Friday to Sunday, so get there quickly because this one’s the real MVP.
KOGI Korean BBQ
Sydney
Three things: BBQ, Wagyu and soju (unintentional rhyme, intentional tease). Market City’s brand new KOGI Korean BBQ blends these all together in one big bundle of Korean goodness so you’ll be in for their signature marinated beef spare ribs and classic Bibimbap and that’s just for starters. Because it’s a Korean BBQ (did we mention that already) they’ve also got a bunch of premium cuts that are perfect for you to grill up on your personal BBQ. ‘Nuff said.
LAB: The Bakery Café Experiment
Strathfield
If a Korean and European bakery had a baby, LAB would be it. This cultural fusion offers Pablo & Rusty’s coffee plus fresh fruit juices, alongside an Asian bakery that’s cooking fresh sweet and savoury rice cakes every day. We guarantee you right now that this is the only eatery that sells a huge selection of things filled with red-bean paste (the real stuff imported straight from Korea) and “fusion cakes” (taro or green tea flavoured European cakes, go see for yourself).
Ketchup Canteen
Kings Park
Originally selling famously delicious burgers out of a food truck, Ketchup Canteen has evolved into a chicken and burger brick and mortar—yes, we’re excited about it. KC’s addictive OG Southern-style fried chicken and thickshakes (so thic) will make you see Ketchup Canteen as a whole lot more than your average burger joint. If you’ve been letting your burger credentials slide lately, get yo’self to Kings Park ASAP.
Gaku Robata Grill
Darlinghurst
What if we told you a ramen chef fused his Japanese recipes with French flavours? Well, we have real-life proof exactly that can happen and it has, right here in Sydney. Shimon Hanakura has opened a ramen restaurant infused with French influence which means our much-loved Japanese classics like karaage chicken, edamame and agedashi tofu are paired with ingredients like truffle and caviar because they’re #classy.
Matinee
Marrickville
Complemented by its groovy retro design, Matinee’s menu boasts buttermilk fried chicken burgers and chocolate hazelnut brioche French toast with caramelised banana and buttermilk ricotta, and yessss. And If you’re down to spice up the flavour of your coffee, Matinee’s house-blend is brewed to taste like Neapolitan ice-cream and FYI, it’s aaaaamazing.
Fish Butchery
Paddington
Have you ever heard of a fish butchery? If not, listen closely because Sydney now has one all of its very own. This is not just a fancy fish and chip shop (although they do serve up a mean version of one), it’s a seafood-styled butcher with a range of fish we’ve certainly never heard of. Owner, Josh Niland, cuts the seafood to order so it’s fresh AF and the fridge is filled with an abundance of Niland’s freshly smoked and cured produce such as octopus ham and swordfish bacon.
Turka
Crows Nest
Turka’s fusion of Middle Eastern and western foods is legit—so legit, in fact, the menu is packed with dishes by Head Chef Alex Buharali via his mum’s recipes, straight from Turkey. You get it? It’s goooood. The restaurant’s stone floors and Turkish-styled coloured glass light fixtures complement Turka’s twist on its classical menu. Basically, that means you’ll be feasting on things like tahini hummus, enginar (i.e. artichoke hearts) and izgara köfte (homemade and authentic meatballs). We’re still drooling over Turka’s homemade baklava, so do yourself a favour and order one of everything.
Four Brave Women
Summer Hill
Aptly named Four Brave Women, after the four nuns that founded the organsation after arriving in Australia by boat 155 years ago, this new Summer Hill locale is bringing a culture shock in the most delicious way to the Inner West’s already pumping restaurant scene. With Ethiopian breakfast and Iranian lunch and dinner, the rotating menu is delivering all of the choice you so rightly deserve. The eats will depend on who is behind the pans, with refugees from different cultures bringing their unique flavours to your plate.
Wish Bone
Enmore
Husband and wife duo, Gregory Llewellyn and Naomi Hart (also known as the legends behind Hartsyard) have opened Wish Bone and fried chicken as the headline act. This Enmore eatery is serving quality and quick-service food, making it the perfect destination for a meal and a yarn. On the menu, you can find Llewellyn’s famous smoky fried chicken in its natural (perfect, may we add) form or as a Birdy Sando—a burger with guts. Chicken is not all you can expect, with poutine, and sides like mac ‘n’ cheese and creamed corn also making an appearance. Side note: slushies and thickshakes come virgin, with bourbon or tequila… we know which option we’d choose.
Every New Opening We Were Excited About In April
Alibi
Woolloomooloo
Woolloomooloo’s latest addition, Alibi, is an entirely plant-based restaurant and when carb-tastic offerings like burgers, tacos and lasagne are on the menu, how can you say no? That’s right, you can’t. On top of this, the tipple menu is all about indulging in guilty pleasures so get ready for an epic gin and tonic range, a beetroot mixture featuring chocolate and a ridiculously good concoction by the name of the Enchanted Forest. And yes, you’ll want to order up a dozen.
Mark+Vinny’s
Surry Hills
This brand new neighbourhood gem, Mark + Vinny’s will be a little treasure trove for when you’re craving old-school pasta classics or some experimental takes for when you’re feeling more adventurous. We’re talking about vegan carbonara and all of the health-promoting ingredients thrown into (yep) pasta. And just so you know, the menu will feature a hefty and glorious list of over 50 spritz.
Bar Tapa
Darlinghurst
Sydney, you just scored a fresh Spanish tapas (AKA paella) bar you need to get there stat. Eating at Bar Tapa will basically feel like taking an exotic holiday where you can indulge in banderillas, patatas bravas, tostadas and embutidos (FYI these dishes haven’t been subjected to the mighty Aussie-touch #authentic). Plus, jamon hangs from the ceiling. Just ‘cause.
Nighthawk Diner
Chippendale
You know it as the American food diner on wheels and #woohoo this gem has just parked shop in Chippendale, home of all the best grubby and delicious feeds ever. Keeping with tradition, the menu here is short n’ sweet with nachos, sambos (the Cuban and fried chicken kind) and yah-huh, dessert too.
Redline Taphouse And Kitchen
Forest Lodge
You’ll definitely want to hang around here for breakfast, lunch and dinner but let’s just say that after the sun goes down, this place really comes alive. You’re in for local craft brews and classic cocktails, Americana feeds and just some damn solid and glorious service. All dishes are cooked from scratch including (and yes, we’re hinting you should try) the cider-braised pork cheeks. Just do it.
Barbetta
Paddington
This Paddington newbie is serving up everything from lasagne (that’s actually worth ordering) to a Sicilian-style breakfast that’s more than a couple of pastries and a poorly made coffee. This place has a deli too and that’s where you’ll find hearty take-home meals, the requisite cold cuts, cheeses and pasta sauces. Basically, everything you need to cook up a Barbetta-quality meal at home.
Aloha Mate
Manly
As the name so perfectly suggests, Aloha Mate brings the tropical flavours of Hawaii straight to Aussie shores and just quietly (although it’s already been a hit over the summer) the power couple here have completely nailed it. The bowls (yes, we mean poké), juices and smoothies here are a complete kaleidoscope of deliciousness.
Pizza De Alfredo
Glebe
The legends at Pizzeria De Alfredo really do make the real deal when it comes to cooking up a mean Neapolitan feed. Expect the famous thin, springy base and puffy crust mastered to a tee. Pizzas here are simple but you’ll also find metre-long beauties, a so-called ‘mystery pizza’ which is different every night and some extra menu options for anyone rolling into this joint who isn’t craving a doughy and delicious pizza feed (cue the moreish seafood linguini and the truffle polenta chips served with a four cheese sauce).
Manly Greenhouse | Now Opening In June 2018
Manly
Well Sydney, you’re getting another rooftop-beachfront bar and restaurant. Manly Greenhouse is squeezing into the place of the old Shore Club Hotel and FYI it’s going to take up three whole entire levels. The ground floor calls for coffee and pizza (just ‘coz), the second level means business for some serious charcoal grilled goodies and a cocktail bar featuring the ocean air and all the greenery will quite literally be the cherry on top. How’s that for some good karma?
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Image credit: Ortzi | Supplied, The Stables, Barbetta & Ketchup Canteen | Caitlin Hicks