If you've watched a season of The Bear then you likely know the relevance of the Michelin star guide overseas. It's the pinnacle of success for a restaurant, hotel or hospitality venue – but in Australia, you simply can't get them.
Enter: the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, who's 2025 awards took place earlier this week. With 19 new restaurants entering the guide this year across NSW and ACT, there are plenty of venues to add to your dining list in and around the area.
So, if you're looking for a delicious new plate, these are the new hatted restaurants in 2025 that we'd recommend making a reservation at, stat.
1. Allta (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: Two
Only having opened two months ago, Allta in Sydney’s CBD earned itself not one but two hats this week for their blend of casual, unfussy vibes and sophisticated Italian-inspired small plates.
2. King Clarence (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: Two
King Clarence has become a two-hat dining destination this week, specialising in contemporary dishes cooked on a custom BBQ and from a live seafood tank.
3. 20 Chapel (Marrickville)
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Hats: One
Nestled in neighbourhood Marrickville, 20 Chapel’s one-hat menu offers a fresh, seasonal approach that celebrates the vibrancy of the Inner West’s culinary spirit.
4. Ammos (Brighton)
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Hats: One
With its breezy, seaside feel, Ammos in Brighton brings Greek-inspired dishes to life, earning a hat for its vibrant and authentic flavours.
5. Attenzione! (Redfern)
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Hats: One
Attenzione! delivers a one-hat experience with playful yet sophisticated plates, making it a must-visit for Redfern locals seeking inventive food and wine pairings.
6. Comedor (Newtown)
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Hats: One
Newtown’s Comedor offers a laid-back, one-hat experience, blending Latin American flair with a focus on sustainably sourced, local produce.
7. Cricca (Windsor)
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Hats: One
Italian-ish is the way Cricca self-describes their culinary offerings, serving Italian classics with a modern twist.
8. Firepop (Enmore)
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Hats: One
Firepop’s open-flame cooking and bold flavours have earned it a hat this week, making it a sizzling addition to Enmore’s vibrant culinary offerings.
9. Good Luck Restaurant Lounge (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: One
Good Luck is another of Merivale's dining gems, combining sleek interiors with creative cocktails and Asian-inspired dishes, right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
10. Ito (Surry Hills)
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Hats: One
Smack bang in the centre of Surry's Crown Street is Ito, a Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant that spans two floors of minimalist, omakase-style dining.
11. Matkim (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: One
A Korean BBQ Chef's table of sorts, Matkim’s fusion of modern Korean dishes with a playful edge has secured it a hat this week, making it a standout in the city’s ever-evolving food landscape.
12. Morena (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: One
Morena has opened up shop in Sydney after the success of their Melbourne restaurant, brining together a menu that highlights Latin American flavours with a sophisticated twist.
13. Pearl (Circular Quay)
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Hats: One
Overlooking the iconic Circular Quay, Pearl’s one-hat recognition reflects its exquisite seafood dishes and prime harbour views, making it a new city favourite.
14. Sinclair’s (Penrith)
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Hats: One
Sinclair’s, part of the historic Log Cabin hotel, has earned a hat for its refined take on classic pub fare.
15. Song Bird (Double Bay)
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Hats: One
Blending delicate Cantonese flavours with Neil Perry’s signature modern Australian touch, Song Bird's is set across three levels in the heritage-listed Gaden House in Double Bay.
16. Sydney Common (Sydney CBD)
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Hats: One
Contemporary, ingredient-driven wood-fire cooking with a distinctly Australian flair is what's on offer at Sydney Common, offering a stylish dining experience in the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.
17. White Horse (Surry Hills)
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Hats: One
The freshly renovated White Horse in Surry Hills, now a chic dining room filled with art and designer furniture, features creative dishes like beetroot millefeuille, veal tongue with smoked maple syrup, and Adelaide Hills brie ice-cream.
18. Norma (Albury)
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Hats: One
Norma’s focus on wine and pasta has earned it a hat, becoming a go-to for Albury diners seeking comforting, seasonal Italian dishes.
Looking for other great restaurants to visit in NSW? Check out out our list of cool Sydney restaurants.
