Elliot Baker With Matt Shea

A pretty Lebanese eatery, deli and plant nursery; a huge roastery for Australia’s highest awarded coffee roaster; a permanent home for a beloved lockdown-era pop-up; and a Brisbane outpost for Melbourne’s world-famous croissants.

After a relatively quiet 2020 for new boozers, they’ve come back with a vengeance – from a bright rooftop bar with a cocktail list designed by one of the world’s best bars to a neighbourhood wine den from two coffee professionals.

Despite the occasional snap lockdown, there’s been a bunch of exciting new additions in the first half of the year. From a homey cafe with a Filipino twist to a handsome bakery with an ex-Rockpool chef turning out doughnuts, cruffins and braided challah, here’s the best of them.

From a tiny four-seat wine bar to a massive 89-tap venue in a 132-year-old heritage-listed building, here’s where to wet your whistle this summer.

Despite a difficult year, the city’s cafe scene has managed to raise the bar yet again. There’s a Colombian coffee specialist, a bright-pink croissanterie, a handsome all-day bistro, and a fancy kiosk in a beautiful urban park.

Despite all the challenges facing the hospitality industry this year, there were still some cracking openings. From a moody underground izakaya to a rooftop Mexican restaurant pop-up and a fully fire-powered restaurant, here are the best of them.