Sydney’s dining scene has had a year. There have been excellent newcomers, round two for a few teams and, sadly, a few closures of places we continue to miss (looking at you Cornersmith and Lucky Kwong).
But the openings march on. Neil Perry opened Song Bird and Bobbie’s yesterday, and the following 20 are set to open in the last four months of 2024.
Neptune’s Grotto, CBD
Easily one of the most anticipated openings of the year is the north Italian basement diner from Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson and Mikey Clift, of hotspots Pellegrino 2000, Clam Bar and the soon-to-be-demolished Bistrot 916.
Experience Broadsheet in a new way. Join Broadsheet Access.
SIGN UP“It’s an Italian restaurant which, comparatively to [Roman trattoria-style] Pellegrino, is a little more northern Italian,” Tyson told Broadsheet in March. “It’ll be handmade pastas and a lot more butter.” When it hits the old Tokonoma space, below Clam Bar, our money’s on it delivering the same bravura the team is known for.
Olympus, Surry Hills
Swish new precinct Wunderlich Lane is nearly here, and with it comes Olympus, the 200-seat Greek diner from Jonathan Barthelmess (The Apollo, Cho Cho San, and Brisbane’s Yoko Dining and Greca). Expect food from the mountains with a “touch of Athenian flair” under a staggering oculus that allows year-round al fresco dining. Expect to be eating here by summer.
Island Radio, Surry Hills
House Made Hospitality is having a bumper year. Along with running Lana, Grana, Apollonia, Martinez, Bar Mammoni in the city, and Bondi’s Easy Tiger and Promenade, the team’s venturing into Surry Hills via the new Wunderlich Lane precinct. “Eating house and noodle bar” Island Radio, led by Andrianto “Andy” Wirya (ex-Easy Tiger, Mr Wong), will bring together the flavours of Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia in a dining room big enough for 140. It’ll be a big win for the area once it opens – along with Olympus – in late spring.
Baptist St Rec Club, Surry Hills
Directly above Island Radio you’ll find a “neighbourhood cocktail and wine tavern” for “drinks and hoopla”, with local drops, live music on weekends and room for 120. Expect nods to the eccentricity of ’80s and ’90s Australiana, through a playful cocktail menu, ice-cold brews and the private party-ready Trophy Room. Just like Island Radio, the Rec Club’s expected in late spring.
The International, CBD
The Shell House team is transforming the old Botswana Butchery site with The International, a sprawling multi-level venue that spans wine bar, restaurant and rooftop bar. It’ll be ready to open in November, in one of Sydney’s biggest hospo launches of the year. Expect a big, bright vibe with nods to renowned Sydney architect Harry Seidler.
Postino Osteria, Summer Hill
It was a good news day when we heard who’d be moving into the adored One Penny Red space: chef and restaurateur Alessandro Pavoni, together with his wife and business partner Anna Pavoni and business partner Bill Drakopoulos. The menu will be big on salumi and small plates, pairing well with its breezy stand-at-the-bar energy. “That’s the kind of casual dining we’ve done in Italy for centuries,” Pavoni tells Broadsheet, “with places that customers visit a few times a week. Every neighbourhood should have one or two of those types of places. It’s what Italian eating is all about.” Postino Osteria will open in mid-September.
Cibaria, Manly
As he readies Postino Osteria, Pavoni is also opening a Euro-style joint by the beach. Aimed at re-creating the casual social atmosphere of an Italian piazza, Cibaria will morph between cafe, wine bar and restaurant. “In Italy, every street-food outlet finishes with ‘-ria’,” Pavoni tells Broadsheet. “Trattoria, osteria, pescaria.” Ciba means food, with Cibaria an amalgamation of all kinds of Italian street cooking. Beyond the expansive restaurant and bar, there’ll be a private dining room and rooftop terrace – all in time for summer.
Kariton Sorbetes, Eastern Creek Quarter
After debuting in Sydney with a Burwood shop, the Kariton team is getting ready to open number two for the state in the Eastern Creek Quarter. There’ll be out-there scoops like turon (a banana-based gelato with a muscovado butterscotch swirl, chunks of jackfruit and caramelised spring roll pastry) and a silky vegan taho. The western store is slated to open on Friday September 13.
Lune, Rosebery and CBD
We were expecting the beloved Melbourne croissanterie to hit a heritage Oxford Street site in Darlinghurst. Instead, it’s coming to inner-south neighbourhood Rosebery, in the flash, heritage Engine Yards precinct. You’ll be able to dine in on-site, but just-baked laminated beauties will also travel to the satellite spot in the Sydney Metro Martin Place precinct. Lune’s first Sydney stores are expected to open in spring 2024.
Alma’s and Bessie’s, Surry Hills
Morgan McGlone and couple Nathan and Sali Sasi – of Broadsheet favourite Bar Copains – are opening two more venues in Surry Hills this December. Cocktail bar Alma’s and Med-leaning restaurant Bessie’s will take over the old Chef’s Warehouse site on Albion Street. “It’s such an iconic space for the hospitality industry,” Nathan tells Broadsheet. “I was thinking, I would hate to see this disappear into the fabric of Sydney, just to become some kind of corporate office.”
Fabbrica, Newtown
The Love Tilly Group is adding a second King Street pasta bar to its stable, a Newtown version of its CBD original. The new inner-west number will have a similar vibe to the Darlinghurst outpost – with house-made pasta and a fun wine list – but there’ll be more of a bar focus. So feel free to stop in, whether you’re after a meal or not. It’s set to open in September.
Tilda and Bar Tilda, CBD
As we said, the House Made Hospitality crew is busy. Along with Island Radio and Baptist St Rec Club, they’re preparing to welcome four CBD venues to the stable. All are within Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, which is part-way through a $60 million refurb. Tilda is the 110-seat ground-floor restaurant with an Aussie seafood bent. This spring, it’ll be the spot for zesty calamari or spanner crab ravioli alongside your pick from many Aussie drops. The 90-seat Bar Tilda cosies up to the dining room with live jazz, cocktails and a major whisky library.
@tildadining.sydney
@bartilda.sydney
Delta Rue, CBD
Then the House Made team have this 150-seater – with additional 60-seat al fresco terrace – where you’ll find a menu with both Vietnamese and French influences. There’s banh xeo with sambal and Hanoi-style pork skewers, and an adjoining bar.
Wentworth Bar, CBD
Said bar to level-five Delta Rue is the mega Wentworth Bar, which has room for 250. The MO here is fresh cocktails, snacks and a rotation of DJs. See you in spring.
Martin 21 and Marty’s, CBD
Joining the Sydney Metro Martin Place precinct – along with Lune’s satellite store – is another two from the Etymon team. This is one more busy hospo group, fresh from opening North Sydney four-parter Sol, Soluna, Genzo and Una in July. For the cityslickers it’s an all-day spot for dining plus a canteen-style cafe.
Over two floors, Martin 21 takes you to the Med. There’s room for 130 and a menu that’ll suit coffee catch-ups, lunches, knock-off drinks and dinner. At little sibling Marty’s, the brief’s brekkie, deli sangas and coffee – best for quick takeaway. The pair are due to arrive in spring.
@martin21.sydney
@martys.sydney
The Eve, Surry Hills
A boutique hotel is destined for the heart of the Wunderlich Lane precinct, with rooftop, poolside and lobby dining coming too (plus room service, of course). Leading the offering is Liquid & Larder, the Sydney-based hospitality group responsible for some of our favourite steak restaurants (Bistecca, Alfie’s), the relaunched Gidley and The Rover. While details are yet to be shared, the team’s shared their spin on the lobby bar will “rival the world's best”. The Eve’s dining spaces will be ready for guests this November.
Cafes
Restaurants
Bars
Accommodation
Shop
Broadsheet Pick
Recently Opened