Sydney’s best new restaurants of 2024 revealed
Despite a cost of living crisis, many Sydney restaurateurs decided to throw their hat in the ring with new ventures in 2024. Here are 15 of the best.
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When one restaurant closes, another one opens. Well, at least that seems true for Sydney. Despite many hospitality professionals declaring 2024 to be one of the most challenging years on record, and many established businesses closing, that hasn’t stopped a host of new venues opening across the city.
Here are 15 of the best eateries that opened this year:
LUNE CROISSANTERIE, ROSEBERY
When people are bringing chairs to line up and try food, you know it’s a big opening. After five years of anticipation and a few false starts, Lune Croissanterie finally opened its doors in Sydney — and hundreds queued to get a first taste.
Known for its “cult” following, Lune is one of Australia’s most popular croissant bakeries, with hour-long lines outside its stores nothing new. Its grand opening in Rosebery was no different, with the line stretching 350m — even in the drizzling rain.
GOOD LUCK, CBD
The latest project from Mike Eggert at Merivale is hard to describe — and that’s why we love it.
Inspired by Hong Kong and New York, the basement restaurant in the CBD’s standouts are the noodles, seafood and spectacular soft serve dessert.
FIOR, GYMEA
We’ve long believed that Tristian Rozier is one of this city’s most underrated chefs and that his Surry Hills restaurants, Arthur and Jane, are our little secret.
While the former venues are where Rozier showcases his philosophy about Australian cuisine (that is, only using ingredients that are naturally found in the land of Oz), Fior sees him branching out into Italian cuisine and into the suburbs. And it’s good!
AMMOS, BRIGHTON LE SANDS
Greek chef Peter Crinis shouldn’t be working as hard as he is — but for the people of southern Sydney we are glad he is!
Greek restaurant Ammos has completely transformed the Novotel in Brighton and we can’t wait to see what the impact of this stellar restaurant has on the food scene in the whole area.
SAINT PETER AT THE GRAND NATIONAL HOTEL, PADDINGTON
Is it fair to call it a new restaurant, if it’s moved? We don’t care because restaurant titans Josh and Julie Niland really are in a league of their own. Niland launched his first overseas restaurant in November. He netted a spot in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants long list in May.
And now, the pearl in the crown — the opening of his flagship fine diner Saint Peter at the Grand National Hotel in Paddington. But what’s been a welcome discovery is the bar in the hotel. You get Niland’s groundbreaking food in a more fun, and value for money, way.
BISTRO GRENIER, NEWTOWN
The loft space of Newtown’s Odd Culture has been turned into a chic Parisian restaurant.
And if you’re thinking, Sydney doesn’t have space for another Paris bistro, well you’re wrong. Bistro Grenier is a cut above many of them.
SANDY’S AND RAFI URBNSURF, HOMEBUSH
Applejack Hospitality gave us more than one reason to head to the new Urbnsurf complex at Homebush — and you don’t have to get wet.
The team behind The Butler and North Sydney’s Rafi have brought their quality food in a laid back dining experience to Homebush. Sandy’s is more casual, while Rafi Urbnsurf is a sister venue to their popular North Sydney restaurant.
GRANATA, MERRYLANDS
A long-time favourite at Pemulwuy, the Mediterranean-inspired cafe expanded at Merrylands in September with a stylish marble-laden venue where authentic “nonna-approved” Italian cuisine is served at the Gladstone Village apartment complex
ORIBU, PARRAMATTA
The “Nobu of Parramatta” opened its doors atop the Heritage Lounge in the heart of Church St in 2023 but this year — its first full year of operation — has cemented its growing reputation as a fine dining Japanese destination.
Skilled chefs Bryan Paul Nery, Jay Lee and Jaybert Teves bring imaginative dishes to the table. Think salmon and caviar tartare, kingfish and pineapple tacos and watermelon-cured snapper.
SONG BIRD AND BOBBIE’S, DOUBLE BAY
It was iconic chef Neil Perry’s biggest — and last — project, and after many many hurdles he opened his three-level Chinese restaurant Song Bird and ultra-cool bar Bobbies in Double Bay in August.
THE VENUES INSIDE WUNDERLICH LANE
From House Made Hospitality’s Island Radio to new Greek restaurant Olympus, there are so many good food venues inside the new Surry Hills $500m precinct that we decided not to choose just one, and instead cheat and name the area.
SYDNEY COMMON, CBD
This woodfire grill restaurant by head chef Jamie Robertson inside the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park caught many by surprise.
It’s a fresh take on hotel dining which celebrates contemporary, ingredient-focused woodfire cooking, with an Australian accent.
CASA ESQUINA, BALMAIN
The latest offering from the Tequila Mockingbird and Esteban team, occupying Balmain’s landmark corner building on Elliot Street, formerly home to L’Unico and Efendy.
The bar and restaurant focuses on fire-cooked Argentinian dishes with a monthly asado in the courtyard.
FABBRICA PASTA BAR, NEWTOWN
There is no keeping a good thing down. What started off as a pasta making factory for CBD restaurant Ragazzi, has turned into an enviable brand for the Love Tilly Group.
In September, they opened a restaurant in Newtown at the old Rowda Ya-Habibi site owned by property developed Greg MaGree. Since then, they’ve also set up a bread shop in Coogee.
CALA, THE WINSTON
Already one of northwest Sydney’s favourite hotels, The Winston elevated its status when the beach-inspired bistro Cala opened after a $5m makeover in October — the venue’s most significant spruce-up in 52 years.
Patrons can indulge in cocktails and dishes including fried burrata, mussels and grilled sole with sage butter or classic pizza and steaks.
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