Best new restaurant openings across the country for 2025
Summer is in full swing and drinks are flowing freely – leave lunch and dinner to the professionals at some of the best new restaurant openings in Australia.
Is there anything better than a long and lazy meal with your nearest and dearest during the Australian summer? A cocktail in hand by the beach, a luxe date-night spot down an inner-city alleyway, or a smorgasbord of shared plates among friends at sunset?
The new year brings with it a raft of new trends to look out for. A rise in – or return of, in some instances – roving dessert trolleys, simpler seasonal menus, and tableside preparation as diners seek out experiences and interactivity in the restaurants they choose to visit.
As the weather warms up, the list of the hottest dining openings across the country gets longer – which means all the more variety to pick from. Just make sure you book ahead where possible.
Sydney & NSW
Tilda
The hotly-anticipated reopening of the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth brings with it a lavish dining experience at Tilda. It boasts a refined menu with a Mediterranean focus – and bread and butter service with a $39 price tag.
61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney, tilda.sydney
Olympus
Olympus Dining is a Greek haven situated within the walls of Wunderlich Lane, a newly-opened precinct set to shake up Redfern. At the helm of Apollo Restaurant Group’s latest venture is head chef Ozge Kalvo, who most recently left the newly-hatted team at inner west institution Baba’s Place.
Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist St, Redfern, olympusdining.com.au
Lottie
From Liquid & Larder, the team behind iconic Sydney steakhouses Bistecca and the Gidley, comes Lottie. This Mexican restaurant and bar is set to take over the rooftop of The Eve Hotel in Redfern. All tortillas are made in-house alongside a raft of vibrant options like slow-cooked pork jowl and Murray cod cooked in banana leaf.
8 Baptist St, Redfern, liquidandlarder.com.au/lottie (opening January 20)
The Grill
The Grill at The International delivers an opulent dining experience in the heart of Sydney’s bustling centre. It’s the kind of place you want to be seen at, where the extensive wine list and extravagant menu match the luxurious atmosphere.
25 Martin Place, Sydney, internationalsydney.com
Neptune’s Grotto
Dan Pepperell, Mikey Clift and Andy Tyson are riding a high – and it doesn’t look like they’ll be coming down any time soon. The three restaurateurs are behind Sydney institutions like Bistro 916, Pellegrino 2000 (a Taylor Swift-approved trattoria), and most recently Clam Bar in the CBD. Neptune’s Grotto focuses on a heartier style of cooking that takes inspiration from northern Italy, particularly the famous Emilia Romagna region.
Corner of Young St & Bridge St, Sydney, neptunesgrotto.com
Benny’s
Cronulla, the beach hub at the epicentre of Sydney’s south, welcomes a new laid-back restaurant overlooking Gunnamatta Bay. Benny’s opens at time of culinary rejuvenation for the Shire, joining other recent openings like Pino’s Cucina al Mare, Bobby’s, and Fior in Gymea (from the team behind hatted restaurant Arthur). Try out their classic fish and chips and Mediterranean-inspired plates after a dip down by the bay.
27 Tonkin St, Cronulla, bennyscronulla.com.au
Letra House
A new wine bar joins Sydney-based Love Tilly Group’s chic stable of venues. Letra House riffs on Spanish tapas-style dishes ranging from small to large plates. The culinary stage is shared with an approachable but extensive wine list featuring drops from around the world.
344 Kent St, Sydney, letrahouse.com
Golden Century at The Crown
It takes a rare restaurant to leave as much of a gap in the Sydney dining scene as Chinatown’s Golden Century did when it went into voluntary administration in 2021. The institution makes its return in a new home at The Crown – but the nostalgic menu (and wall-to-wall fish tanks) remain the same.
1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo, crownsydney.com.au/restaurants/golden-century
Bistro Penny
The Newcastle hospitality scene only gets better with each swanky new opening. This time it’s neighbourhood joint Bistro Penny, which brings timeless French classics to the NSW mid-north coast. Expect to see steak tartare, boudin noir and creme brulee on the menu.
8/10 Bolton St, Newcastle, bistropenny.com.au
Bar Superette
The Sapphire Coast is stepping out of Sydney’s shadow to become a dining destination in its own right. Bar Superette joins a list of local dining spots serving quality local produce – others include Merimbula favourite Valentina and Pambula’s Banksia Restaurant. Come for a fresh, easy-to-drink natural wine, stay for the laid-back but high quality fare.
16/20 Market St, Merimbula, barsuperette.com
Melbourne & VIC
Maison Bâtard
An exuberant and opulent four-level ‘dining house’ has become the buzz of Melbourne’s Bourke St. Maison Bâtard is the brainchild of restaurateur Chris Lucas and his wife Sarah, who are first-time collaborators on a professional level. This lavish labour of love is an all-day dining destination with a French-leaning menu.
23 Bourke St, Melbourne, maisonbatard.com.au
Bar Spontana
A contemporary Thai diner tucked in the backstreets of Brunswick? Yes please. A refreshing suite of cocktails, an exciting wine list, and cool warehouse decor to suit, Bar Spontana is a hidden gem.
4 Saxon St, Brunswick, barspontana.com
Reed House
Nostalgic Anglo-Australian food is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance among new restaurants. Reed House, which is located in the former Wesleyan Church and neighbour to award-winning bar Caretaker’s Cottage, is bringing this charm to its tables with Welsh rarebit, Scotch eggs and roast chicken.
130 Lonsdale St, The Manse Building, Melbourne, reedhousemelbourne.com
R.Harn
From the team behind beloved Thai diner Soi 38, which gained popularity for its car park location to mimic dining out in the streets of Bangkok, R.Harn will bring southern Thai flavours to Melbourne’s CBD. Think not-so-common dishes with a more coastal profile such as sweet-sour fish curry, or a moreish crab meat and betel leaf curry. Plan ahead because there’s sure to be queues at this no-bookings spot.
264 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/r.harn
Gigi
Understated is not the word you’d use to describe the new bar by the team behind Entrecote and Hopper Joint in Melbourne suburb Prahran. Gigi is an escapist dream. Styled as an old-world brasserie with antique chandeliers, Persian carpets, and white tablecloths, the food menu is classic French and the wine list has everything from champagnes to drops from Burgundy and beyond.
143 Greville St, Prahran, gigimelbourne.com.au
Juni
This cool new diner takes its cues from the tastes of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and China. Acclaimed chef Michael Lambie, who has manned the pans at Melbourne institutions like Lucy Liu and Stokehouse, is behind this contemporary Asian venture.
136 Exhibition St, Melbourne, junimelbourne.com.au
Kolkata Cricket Club
Kolkata Cricket Club is an ode to India’s historic members’ clubs with its white tablecloths and charcoal-fired tandoor. In partnership with Crown Melbourne, chef Mischa Tropp – alongside his business partner Dave Mackintosh – focuses largely on regional Bengali cuisine but puts his creativity to work with pan-Indian dishes too.
Level 1, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Avenue, Southbank, kolkatacricketclub.com
Terrae
Bendigo has just stepped up its dining game with a new restaurant in the luxurious Hotel Ernest, set within one of the town’s original bank buildings. Terrae restaurant celebrates local and regional produce, offering a distinctly Australian spin on European cuisine, including daily house-made pasta.
10/12 View St, Bendigo, terraebendigo.com.au
Brisbane & QLD
Supernormal
As if it wasn’t enough that chef-turned-restaurateur Andrew McConnell completely transformed Melbourne’s dining landscape, he’s now the new kid on the Brisbane block. Buzzy Melbourne eatery Supernormal is bringing its slick spin on Asian dishes to this Brisbane river location. Added bonus: its sister spot Bar Miette, a laid-back all-day diner, is slinging European (ish) dishes right next door.
443 Queen St, Brisbane, brisbane.supernormal.net.au
August
A heritage-listed West End church has been given a second life with European-inspired restaurant August. Brad Cooper and Matilda Riek, the duo behind this highly-anticipated opening, formerly worked at trendy Brisbane spots like Bar Francine and Florence.
19 Dornoch Terrace, West End, augustwestend.com
Lúc Lắc
This Indochine-inspired eatery should be added to your list of riverside restaurants in the revamped Queen’s Wharf precinct. Try their twist on the diner’s namesake dish, peppered beef, which has been tossed with lemongrass and betel leaf.
The Star Brisbane, Queen’s Wharf Road, Brisbane, luclac.com.au
Petite
This neighbourhood bistro is right in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. From the team behind Happy Boy and Snack Man, this French-style spot pushes the brother duo into a new culinary direction. Their by-the-glass wine list is also more extensive than most, filling diners with joie de vivre.
Corner of East St and Ann St, Fortitude Valley, petiterestaurant.com.au
Central
Bring together the broad range of flavours from Hong Kong with the classic taste of Cantonese cuisine (and just a dash of modern Australian flavour), and you have one of Brisbane’s most talked-about openings for 2024 – Central. It doesn’t get much better than an underground bar serving delectable dumplings with a side of futurist decor.
340 Queen St, Brisbane, centralbne.com.au
Attimi by Dario Manca
At the helm of this fine diner is chef-owner Dario Manca, who has worked under the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Heinz Beck. Attimi sees Manca trace his Italian roots through eight or 12 course degustation menus. Each course is inspired by a different region of Italy so there’s no shortage of surprise.
224 Given Terrace, Paddington, attimi.com.au
Marble Korean Steakhouse
Korean barbecue has certainly been all the rage for quite some time now. In February, Marble will up the stakes – blending grilling techniques with Korean flavours.
Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules St, Hamilton, marblekoreansteakhouse.com (coming February 2025)
Perth & WA
Ah Um
Turn down an alleyway in Northbridge’s Chinatown and walk through record bar Astral Weeks, and you’ll soon find the hum of a hidden 25-seat diner. Ah Um pays homage to the intimate, dimly-lit jazz bars of yesteryear but boasts a menu filled with playfully modern flavours. The artisanal sake list is diverse and bound to excite.
Shop 12/60-66 Roe St, Northbridge, ah-um.com.au
Gibney
Gibney is the crown jewel of Perth’s pristine coastal suburb Cottesloe. Inspired by Californian country club luxury and the flavours of Parisienne brasseries, this dining spot comes with all the frills. Think marble and brass decor with jacketed wait staff and white tablecloths.
40 Marine Parade, Cottesloe, gibneycottosloe.com
Miss Chow’s Margaret River at Edwards Estate
The famed Margaret River region welcomes a new winery restaurant focusing on contemporary Asian flavours to pair with Edwards Estate wines. Sit among the rolling vineyards as you tuck into dishes like Margaret River venison tartare, lamb and lemongrass dumplings, and abalone from Augusta.
687 Ellen Brook Rd, Edward’s Estate, Cowaramup, misschows.com.au
The Bridge House
Located in the port city of Fremantle, new restaurant The Bridge House sets itself up in a heritage cottage that had been converted into a gallery and cafe. Soak up the sunshine in the lush front garden or have a wine at the window seat.
1 Harvest Rd, North Fremantle, bridgehousefreo.com.au
Little Creatures at Perth’s Elizabeth Quay
Joining the vibrant precinct located on Perth’s sparkling Elizabeth Quay is local craft brewery Little Creatures. Fitted with an on-site brewery and taproom, the new dining room will boast an alfresco space perfect for summer days.
Nine The Esplanade, Elizabeth Quay, Perth, littlecreatures.com.au
Adelaide & SA
The Botanic Lodge
If Adelaide institution Restaurant Botanic takes the cake for being one of Australia’s best dining experiences, The Lodge next door scores its points on recreating childhood dishes that drip with nostalgia. New takes on old classics abound – try a fancy play of fish and chips or barbecued lamb skewers with pickled beetroot and burnt onion paste (just like dad used to grill it), or even the Golden Gaytime semifreddo.
Main Lake, Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide, botaniclodge.com.au
Station Road
Mother Vine has been fuelling the Adelaide East End with quality drops for years now. The team behind the beloved wine bar make their foray into the west end with Station Road, a brasserie-style restaurant. Head chef Baine Stubbs mans the pans after a successful stint in Paris at dining rooms like Clamato, sister restaurant to one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Septime.
Festival Tower, Adelaide, stnrd.com.au
Asha
This vibrant diner is dishing up contemporary Middle Eastern and North African fare to the locals of Adelaide’s inner-south suburbs. It’s only two doors down from sibling wine bar Good Gilbert, which made waves for its extensive natural wine list and homey feel when it first opened.
135 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood, asharestaurant.com.au
Thelma
Former Summertown Aristologist chef Tom Campbell is joined by James Spreadbury and Olivia Moore at this relaxed diner in the Adelaide Hills. On offer? Country cooking at its most honest. While there, the baked goods are a must-try.
176 Piccadilly Rd, Piccadilly, thelmapicadilly.com.au
LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand
Set among the rolling Adelaide Hills, LVN is a refined dining experience that perfectly accompanies Bird in Hand’s wines. Former Restaurant Botanic head chef Jacob Davey has taken up the post of executive chef at LVN. The food is vibrant, earthy and experimental.
150 Pfeiffer Rd, Woodside, birdinhand.com.au/lvn
Canberra, ACT
Carlotta
It has been an enormously successful year for restaurateur Chris Lucas, who has continued to expand his hospitality repertoire along the east coast with new Canberra hotspot Carlotta.
A second restaurant from the LUCAS restaurant group – with a French-inspired focus – will be opening in the nation’s capital in the new year.
20 Scotts Crossing, Canberra, carlotta.com.au
Flui
This casual fine diner is playfully experimental, bringing together European and Asian flavours to create distinctly modern Australian dishes. Owners Lina Shou and Leon Panefs met while working at Corella, a culinary mainstay on the Canberra dining scene.
39/41 Northbourne Ave, Canberra, flui.com.au
Lunetta
Nestled atop Canberra’s Red Hill is the iconic mid-century modernist structure that used to house the Carousel restaurant. After years of renovations led by top architecture studio ACME, Lunetta, an Italian-focused dining room, has opened. On ground level, sister restaurant Lunetta Trattoria provides a refined yet laid-back alternative for diners.
60 Red Hill Drive, Canberra, lunetta.au
Hobart & Tasmania
Biji Dining
Chef Harry Mangat began his first Biji Dining pop-up in 2016. Almost a decade on his Indian-Australian dining concept has made its way down to Swansea’s renowned Waterloo Inn. Run, don’t walk. Mangat’s pop-up is only in Tasmania until April this year.
Waterloo Inn, 1a Franklin St, Swansea, bijidining.com.au
Ranita Ramen
This intimate nine-seat ramen bar has been generating serious buzz – expect a queue of hungry bodies waiting for a golden bowl of goodness at peak hour. The homemade noodles in silky broth, however, make it all worth the wait.
206 Liverpool St, Hobart, instagram.com/ranita.ramen
Sylvie
Taking inspiration from Nordic and Japanese flavours, this Hobart newcomer has an entirely pescatarian focus. With a constantly changing menu, diners can expect creative dishes that hero seasonal produce and local catches of the day.
9/11 Murray St, Hobart, sylviehobart.com.au
Oirthir
Late last year, one of Tasmania’s most highly coveted restaurants, Van Bone, announced its closure. This Bream Creek site will soon be home to another husband-wife duo’s culinary endeavour, Oirthir. Slated to open next month, Oirthir’s menu will fuse its owners’ Scottish roots with classic French cooking and quality Tasmanian produce.
357 Marion Bay Rd, Bream Creek, oirthir.com
Darwin
Tucker at Flick’s, The Cinema Collective
MasterChef alum Daniel Lamble is behind the pans at the new foodie spot Flick’s. It’s the newest fixture in the reinvigorated Mitchell Street hub, now known as The Cinema Collective. The menu celebrates the Northern Territory’s diverse culinary culture and features lots of fresh local ingredients.
74 Mitchell St, Darwin City, thecinemacollective.com.au/flicks
Ella by Minoli
A new eatery by another former MasterChef contestant Minoli De Silva has landed, spicing up Darwin’s food scene and bringing a modern twist to classic Sri Lankan cuisine. Look out for the 1000 layer curried potatoes or the spice-driven main plates like braised beef cheek with dark roasted spices. The menu is also extremely vegan-friendly.
20 West Lane, Darwin City, ellabyminoli.au
Prickles
Not so much a new opening as it is a change of hands for this Darwin dining institution. The Parap-based Prickles, which has been feeding Territorians since 1981, is the Top End’s oldest Mexican restaurant and offers an exciting yet laid-back experience.
9 Parap Pl, Parap, Darwin, pricklesmexican.com
Dock One
This waterfront bar-restaurant takes over the iconic Stokes Hill Wharf space in Darwin – the only watering hole with 180-degree views over the vista. Look out for the smoked lamb ribs with Davidson Plum BBQ sauce or the half roast chicken marinated in buttermilk.
Dock One, Stokes Hill Road, Darwin, dockonebar.com.au
