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These are the best new restaurant openings in Sydney this year

These are the best new restaurants in Sydney in 2024

As a self-professed foodie (i.e someone who spends far too high a percentage of their pay check on eating out), there's nothing more exciting than finding a new restaurants in Sydney to spend my hard-earned dime at. In a place as vast and diverse as this city though, it's hard to keep on top of all the newest, coolest and hottest openings happening across town, but that's what we're here for – to give you the insider intel on the best new new restaurants in Sydney to check out.

 

1. Fabbrica (Newtown)

 

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Fabbrica makes their return to the Inner West with their latest outpost opening in Newtown. Seating 70 guests, the fourth iteration of the Love Tilly Group's beloved pasta bar is centred around a 10m-long central, travertine bar, and a smattering of HAY-lamp lit tables with all the ambience you could ask for in a pasta bar.

Of course, all the menu favourites are there – their famous Cacio e Pepe and fresh Fabbrica bread – but there are also some location-unique dishes like a a kingfish puttanesca and scoops from neighbouring Mapo gelato, tucked into  golden brioche buns. For washing it all down, a 200-bottle strong wine list of course.

 

2. Pelicano (Potts Point)

Pelicano is set to make a vibrant return, reopening at the iconic Hugo’s Lounge in Potts Point on October 25th. The venue will feature a stunning alfresco terrace and a Mediterranean-inspired menu, crafted by renowned Chef Jose Saulog, designed to transition seamlessly from casual dining to energetic nightlife. With its refreshed interiors and lively atmosphere, Pelicano aims to once again become a go-to spot for Sydney’s social scene, offering everything from after-work dinners to late-night celebrations.

 

3. Bistro Grenier (Newtown)

 

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Bistro Grenier, perched above one of Newtown’s chicest wine bars, brings a playful twist to French classics, courtesy of the team behind Pleasure Club. The menu dazzles with dishes like boudin noir featuring confit onion and spiced pork jowl, alongside a soy-glazed bavette steak served with triple-fried chips. The wine list leans heavily French, with exclusive vintages and Ricard Pastis poured theatrically at your table for a perfect prelude to dessert.

 

4. Attenzione Food & Wine (Redfern)

Attenzione is a vibrant wine bar and diner created by four friends with experience across Sydney's most beloved venues, offering a menu that reaches beyond its Italian name. The standout dish is the Pico XL, a hearty twist on pasta, tossed in a scallion crema and topped with crunchy soba cha for a unique bite. With a wine list that makes choosing fun and playful, plus a speakeasy-style back bar with cozy red booths, Attenzione delivers a dining experience full of charm and surprises.

 

5. Tacos Tacos Tacos (Potts Point)

Tacos Tacos Tacos is exactly what it promises – tacos, but with a messy, flavourful twist that sets them apart from the rest of Sydney’s scene. The standout cochinita taco features tender slow-braised pork shoulder paired with crunchy crackling and a simple onion garnish, while all sauces (except those on the self-serve table) are house-made. Inside, chef Valero grills tortillas and assembles each taco at lightning speed, sending them out on silver plates to be enjoyed standing at the bar, no frills, just flavour.

 

6. CANVAS (The Rocks)

 

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Located on Level 4 of the MCA in The Rocks, Sydney, CANVAS will be offering a rotating Chef-in-Residence program showcasing talent with experiential dining against a stunning view of Circular Quay. This season, ex-Tetsuya’s Executive Chef Josh Raine presents a menu featuring innovative dishes like Asparagus with nori and his signature Tomato essence risotto. Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and transforming into an event space by night, CANVAS promises a vibrant fusion of food, art, and culture.

 

7. Prefecture 48 (CBD)

 

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Prefecture 48, a new six-in-one Japanese venue from Azabu Group, has opened on Sussex Street in the CBD, drawing inspiration from Japan’s 47 prefectures. The star of the three-storey space is Garaku, a 42-seat kaiseki restaurant led by former Tetsuya’s executive chef Derek Kim, featuring a menu of 12–18 courses rooted in traditional Japanese techniques. The moody space includes an 18-seater chef’s table and a pixelated art installation, delivering a dining experience that’s as much a performance as it is a meal.

 

8. Penelope's (Circular Quay)

 

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Having opened at Quay Quarter Tower alongside Pearl, Lana, and Apollonia, this new spot ditches neutrals for a lilac and earth-toned palette, reflecting designer Kathryn Ashley's bold vision. Celebrating diversity, Penelope’s menu draws on the rich cultural backgrounds of its team, including Vietnamese, Indonesian, British, and Irish influences, aiming to redefine the concept of "Australian cuisine."

 

9. Kushi (Manly)

Manly's latest addition, Izakaya Kushi, brings a laid-back vibe to Belgrave Street with its yakitori-style menu, featuring skewers of Wagyu and chicken thigh, plus a line-up of sake and Japanese whisky. Nicknamed "Kushi 2095," this casual spot from the team behind Jizakana offers fresh sashimi, tempura, and standout skewers brushed with a house-made tare sauce, delivering a smoky, umami-packed flavor. Swing by after the beach for small plates, grilled veggies, and a taste of relaxed coastal dining.

 

10. Fat Pomelo (Narrabeen Beach)

 

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Fat Pomelo, located opposite the Northern Beaches' Narrabeen Beach, is set to open later this week. It's a new culinary venture by the owners of Paddington's Chubby Cheeks and Armchair Collective, offering vibrant Asian flavours crafted by ex-Mimi’s chef Julian Luczyc-Wyhowski. With a buzzing interior by Giant Design inspired by the Asian symbolism of the pomelo fruit, it’s set to be the Northern Beaches’ go-to for relaxed meals and family gatherings.

 

11. Fabbrica Bread Shop (Coogee)

Fabbrica Bread Shop is opening a second location on November 18 at 214 Coogee Bay Road, partnering with Maloneys Grocer for a beachside debut. To celebrate, they’ll be giving away free Coffee Supreme brews from 6:30am, along with exclusive new offerings like Roman pizzas, maritozzi buns, and a DIY focaccia bar.

 

12. Suki (Mona Vale)

 

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Suki is the newest addition to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, offering a refined modern Asian dining experience with world-class fusion cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere. From elegant weeknight dinners to lively bottomless Saturdays and family-friendly Yum Cha Sundays, Suki is set to be a true neighbourhood favourite celebrating quality ingredients and authentic flavours.

 

12. Fabbrica (Chatswood)

 

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Fabbrica will open its latest Pasta Bar in the newly renovated Chatswood Chase later this week on November 27, marking the group's first venture into Sydney's North Shore. The 48-seat venue channels the energy of a fast-paced Tokyo-style ramen bar, reimagined for pasta lovers, with an open kitchen, travertine counter, and vibrant blue accents. The menu features Fabbrica favourites like Cacio e Pepe alongside exclusive new dishes, such as Tonnarelli with crab and caviar, complemented by a curated wine list of organic and biodynamic varieties.

 

13. Letra House

 

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Letra House, the latest venture from the Love Tilly Group, opens on 9 December beneath the CBD’s Palazzo Salato, offering a heritage-rich, late-night wine bar experience designed by Studio Vista’s Sarah Watt. With a dynamic, ever-evolving wine list, Spanish-inspired dishes, and an inventive cocktail menu, Letra House promises to be a vibe-y haven for curious palates and late-night revellers alike.

 


Needing more inspiration for your next night out? Check out our list of last-minute tables in Sydney, or book a reservation at one of the spots we think are the coolest restaurants in Sydney.

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