The mostly hotly anticipated Sydney restaurants set to open in 2023

It’s a case of new year, new venues for Sydney’s eatery scene, with another busy year of restaurant openings slated for 2023. Here’s the ones we’re most excited about.

If 2022 was one of the busiest years for restaurant openings in Sydney in recent memory, than this year shows no signs of slowing down.

Here are some of the new openings we are excited about in 2023.

PETERMEN and the new SAINT PETER

Celebrated Sydney Chef Josh Niland and wife Julie have a big 2023. Picture Credit: Rob Palmer

Famed husband and wife team Josh and Julie Niland are going to have a busy 2023, opening two new venues to join their esteemed stable that includes Saint Peter, Fish Butchery and Charcoal Fish.

The duo are heading across the bridge to open Petermen, a 60-seater restaurant in St Leonards that of course will have a seafood focus.

Then, in the later part of the year, they will move their Paddington restaurant Saint Peter to a new, and bigger, location to Grand National Hotel. As well as opening up the restaurant in the 1890s pub, they will open a 14 boutique hotel rooms too!

Retro image of Grand National Hotel in Paddington. Source: Architect Zoltan Kovacs

PROMENADE BONDI BEACH

After what was rumoured to be an incredibly competitive tender process, House Made Hospitality will reveal their transformation of Bondi Pavillon later this summer.

The Promenade plans to recapture the convivial spirit which made the Pavilion a cornerstone of the community back in the 70s. And, as director Scott Brown told Kitchen Confidential, it will offer something for every time of the day and every budget. Whether that’s the morning coffee from the takeaway kiosk to a special occasion lunch with friends.

PUBLIC HOSPITALITY’S PLANS FOR NOAH’S BACKPACKERS

Bondi’s Noah's Backpackers on Campbell Parade will be transformed under Public Hospitality Group.

As previously reported, Bondi Beach is, arguably, the centre of Sydney’s hospitality scene and new player Public Hospitality will move in this year.

New pub baron heavyweight Jon Adgemis bought the famous Noah’s Backpackers sight in the middle of last year for a whooping $68m after months of negotiations.

And with one of public hospitality group’s business strategies to be a quick turnaround from purchase to making profits, the venue (which will include both a restaurant and accommodation) is expected to openly imminently.

ALESSANDRO PAVONI TAKES ON PUB GRUB

Alessandro Pavoni poses for a portrait outside the Town Hall Hotel, Balmain

Still with Public Hospitality, the group plans to open another refurbished pub, the iconic Town Hall Hotel in Balmain later in the year, with acclaimed chef Alessandro Pavoni at the helm.

Pavoni, who is behind Ormeggio at The Spit and Crown Sydney’s a’Mare has become the culinary ambassador for the group and will be leading the food charge, which will of course have an Italian flair, at the pub.

ST SIANDRA

St Siandra’s private beach set up.

Sydney does love a waterfront venue and there is a new one, complete with it’s own private beach - coming to The Spit.

St Siandra is a Mediterranean inspired, multi-level beachfront restaurant that has former Nomad chef, Sam McCallum, at the helm.

The menu at St Siandra

The restaurant is named after a Middle Harbour-based yacht which won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race double in the 1950s and 1960s, so, fittingly, it will also have access to private moorings for those who plan to arrive at the venue via boat.

St Siandra is due to open in February.

JACKSONS ON GEORGE

Jacksons on George will relaunch at Sydney Place at Circular Quay under the eye of Maurice Terzini.

So not technically new -- but more a rebirth. Restaurateur Maurice Terzini knows how to turn a venue into an iconic destination (hello, Icebergs!) and in mid 2023 he will relaunch the famous Sydney CBD watering hole which has been closed since 2018.

The relaunch is part of the new Sydney Place development, which, will also include a new Lodes Pies outpost (so more people can try their viral $20 pie) and a Japanese-inspired whiskey bar and dining by Joel Best.

LUNE CROISSANTERIE

Pastries from Lune Croissanterie.

Sydney, get ready to queue.

While we think Sydney’s food scene is the BEST in Australia (if not, the world!) we will admit to be a tad excited about the arrival of a venue from South of the border.

Melbourne’s famous, and cult like, Lune Croissanterie is coming to Oxford Street in Darlinghurst this year.

The venue will include their signature glass cube, where pastry chefs craft the croissants under climate controlled conditions.

THE NEW PELLEGRINO 2000

Surry Hills restaurant Pellegrino 2000 was voted the best restaurant in Sydney by delicious, and now, the owners (who also have Potts Point’s Bistrot 916) plan to open another venue this year.

In an art deco space that was formerly home to The Bridge Room in the CBD, the trio of chef’s Michael Clift, Dan Pepperell and sommelier Andy Tyson will open up a NY-Inspired seafood grill and steakhouse.

Pellegrino 2000.

QUAY QUARTER TOWER

Quay Quarters, down at Circular Quay, is home to Hinchcliff House’s popular selection of venues as well as charming French bistro Bouillon L’Entrecote and omakase restaurants Besuto and Kobo. Now the linchpin of the Quay Quarters precinct, Quay Quarter Tower, is set to open with an array of venues.

House Made Hospitality (who have Hinchcliff House) will open Club Martinez, which is a bar and eatery inspired by the beach clubs of Saint Tropez.

They will be joined by a new Lotus Dining, the popular Chinese restaurant and Caffe Q, a cafe and aperitivo bar.

EL PRIMO SANCHEZ

The group behind Australia’s best bar, Maybe Sammy, have teamed up with Public Hospitality group to open its fifth venue this year.

El Primo Sanchez, which is due to open in February, is set to be a laid back, Mexican inspired bar on the ground floor of The Rose Hotel on Oxford Street (next door to Public Hospitality Groups very buzzy Oxford House boutique hotel!)

It promises to serve expert cocktails in handmade clay jugs and a huge array of agave spirits.

Originally published as The mostly hotly anticipated Sydney restaurants set to open in 2023