Revealed: the new restaurants, bars coming to Sydney’s north

A night at a bar or restaurant may seem like a distant reality right now. But exciting times are ahead for Sydney’s north with these 8 projects on the cusp of opening.

It’s been a tough few months for the food and hospitality industry, but that hasn’t slowed the number of new restaurants and cafes planning to open their doors in Sydney’s north.

New bistros, burger joints and bars are among the newest venues set to launch in suburbs including Chatswood, Crows Nest and Lavender Bay with the eateries specialising in cuisines ranging from fine French food to the flavours of Mexico and popular Chinese delicacies.

Despite the current lockdown in Sydney, some of the owners say they are confident in a bright future ahead with local foodies expected to make a big return to local dining precincts when restrictions are eased.

The North Shore Times takes a look at some of the new haunts set to make their mark on the region.

LOULOU

A concept plan of the new restaurant.

Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie and Traiteur is set to bring French vibes to Lavender Bay with plans for a 120 seat restaurant, deli and bakery.

The venue is set to open on the ground level of the ritzy Blue building at 61 Lavender St and will offer an all-day bistro menu, trading as late as midnight.

The kitchen will be led by head chef Billy Hannigan, who has previously worked at Michelin star and three hatted restaurants including The Ledbury in London as well as Guillaume at Bennelong in Sydney.

Along with the restaurant, the eatery will also include a bar, delicatessen and bakery where locals can pick up French favourites such as baguettes, croissants and batards.

“The boulangerie and traiteur may be a new concept for some but we’re confident they’ll be top of the list for weekly, if not daily visits,” the venue’s culinary director Sebastien Lutaud said.

“From a dining perspective, the bistro will offer an experience quite unlike anything you will find in the area but at the same time, retain the approachability you want from a local restaurant.”

An opening date is not confirmed but expected in six to eight weeks time.

A GAN GUO KUI

A photo included in the store’s development application.

A popular Chinese eatery with outlets in Burwood and Hurstville is planning to expand its Sydney footprint to the north shore.

A Gan Guo Kui is set to take over the prominent Sussan store in Chatswood Mall after the clothing outlet closed last year.

Plans show the restaurant will specialise in guo kui – a baked crispy flatbread that will be freshly made in front of customers by using an ancient method of charcoal roasting.

The delicacy is a popular street food in China, similar to Indian naan bread, with a history dating back more than 1000 years when it was prepared in helmets before the advent of modern cooking techniques.

Development plans for the new restaurant were lodged to Willoughby Council earlier this month and are currently pending approval.

MACNGEES

Macngees is returning to Crows Nest.

A popular north shore kebab restaurant is set to reopen with big plans in the works for a prominent Crows Nest site.

Plans have been approved for a new Macngees bar and eatery at 23 Willoughby Rd – a stone’s throw from the venue’s previous outlet in Falcon St

Along with a menu of kebabs, burgers and other popular food choices, the restaurant will feature light entertainment, live music and a bar serving cocktails and other drinks.

Despite the current lockdown, owner Chris McNally sees a bright future ahead for the local dining scene.

“We decided to go from a 12 seater restaurant (at Falcon St) to a 120 seater – we always wanted to go to the location where we’re moving to – it’s a larger commitment and we can’t wait to open,” he said.

“I’m feeling positive – we saw it briefly last year when restrictions were lifted, people were excited to get out of the house and didn’t want to venture too far from their homes.

“Once restrictions are eased I think we’ll see the same this year.”

Mr McNally said there were also plans in the works to expand Macngees to further locations across Sydney.

An opening date of October 21 has been pencilled in for the Crows Nest store.

GOOGIES

A sneak peak of the new store.

The venue will be located at Westfield Chatswood.

The Chatswood dining scene is set to welcome another addition with a new burger joint coming to Westfield.

Called Googies, the restaurant will feature a menu of sandwiches, fried chicken, burgers along with other food favourites.

Some of the menu items have already been given tongue in cheek names such as the ‘Bon Jovi’, the ‘Toast Malone’, the ‘Pablo Eggsabar’ the ‘Egg Sheeran’ and the ‘Cluck Norris’.

A spokesman for the venue said Chatswood will be the first for Googies with plans to open 90 further restaurants across Australia over the next two years.

The Westfield outlet is due to open in October.

SAYULITA

The restaurant is due to open soon.

A photo of the food offerings.

West coast modern Mexican seafood and slow cooked meats will feature on the menu at Lane Cove’s newest restaurant.

Sayulita is making the final preparations to open its doors at The Canopy dining precinct, located in the shopfront previously occupied by Peanut Butter Jelly.

The venue will also offer popular Mexican drinks including tequila, mescal, cocktails and more.

On social media, the restaurant last week confirmed it was planning to open “within days”.

FORT DENISON

The venue will offer some pretty spectacular views.

Fine dining is set to make a return to Fort Denison under bold plans for a late night restaurant, bar and new visitor experience on the historic island.

Point Group – the hospitality group behind Bondi Beach Public Bar – has taken on the lease to run a new dining venture on the Sydney Harbour fortification, marking the latest chapter in the island’s history.

The new venue, called Fort Denison Dining, will cater for up to 400 guests at a time and feature revamped outdoor dining areas, a bar, a wine room and exhibition areas

Point Group chief executive Brett Robinson said the venue has been two years in the making and is due to open next year.

“We want to make the world take notice – it’s not just the opera house and harbour bridge that are landmarks in Sydney Harbour, we want to recognise that Fort Denison is a key part of a trilogy of iconic landmarks,” he said.

MAD MEX

Mad Mex. is coming to Hornsby.

Mexican eatery Mad Mex. is set to expand to the upper north shore with plans for a new outlet at Westfield Hornsby.

On the menu there’ll be burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and other Mexican favourites.

The Max Mex. chain was launched in Australia back in 2007 and has dozens of other restaurants across greater Sydney including Macquarie Park.

Scentre Group, which operates the Westfield shopping centre, confirmed the restaurant will open by Christmas.

L’AMERICANO

The venue will be fashioned after Italian bistros.

A new Italian inspired cafe is set to open its doors as part of plans for a Coco Republic outlet in Balgowlah.

The new L’Americano cafe is described as taking the inspiration for its design from the 1999 film Talented Mr Ripley and would serve coffee, pastries and other Italian staples.

Plans for the new outlet stated the cafe would offer a “private dining space with speak-easy vibes and an exclusive menu.”

An opening date has yet to be confirmed

OTHER MENTIONS

Plans have been approved for a new eatery called Butterfly Ave Cafe in Chatswood.

Not much is known about the new venue, but will be located on the ground floor Silkari Building at 88 Archer St.
Cammeray Square is set to welcome a new addition to its dining scene with a new restaurant planned at the shopping centre. Plans show the La Taqueria restaurant would seat 74 people.

Meet Fresh is also set to open at Chatswood Place with plans approved for a 80 seat venue, trading as late as 11.30pm with a menu offering a range of Asian desserts. Chatswood Place said the restaurant will be located at The Mix and is due to “open soon”.