Every year it seems more and more impossible to top the kind of restaurant calibre that exists in Sydney already, and every year the city bristles with excitement at a slew of new openings – late-night underground bars, harbourside eateries and fine dining precincts – that reinvigorate our love for food all over again.
While we're only halfway into the year of 2026, there are already a bunch of new openings to be excited about that you might have missed over December. Luckily, we miss nothing. And we've rounded up the best new restaurants opening in Sydney this year, below.
1. CÀ PHÊ MAI (Double Bay)
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Opened: early June 2026
Double Bay's newest 30-seat restaurant and wine bar combines Vietnamese favourites with Australian cafe sensibilities. Here you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner – open from 7am-5pm Sunday - Tuesday, and 7am-10pm Wednesday - Saturday. The menu features standouts like toasted banana bread with Vietnamese coffee butter, miniature fish burgers, bánh mì and fresh vermicelli canteen bowls. There's also a perfectly paired wine list of 80 bottles – including the odd find from further afield, including a Vietnamese sparkling rice wine from Sông Cái.
2. Tera Bar (Surry Hills)
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Opened: soft opened early May 2026
The newest joint in Surry Hills is this neighbourhood wine and sake bar from chef Takahiro Teramoto and his wife, Wanaka Teramoto. Of course, there's a sake-focused drinks list and a menu that combines Aussie produce with both a French and Japanese essence – think potato mochi, Wagyu tartare and spatchcock fricassée.
3. Pizza Studio Tamaki (CBD)
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Opened: 16 May 2026
Tsubasa Tamaki's signature Tamaki pizza features a 30-hour fermented dough, smoked mozzarella, pecorino romano, basil and whole cherry tomatoes. It's become Tokyo's cult Neapolitan pizza, and now, it's opened its doors to a new location at 259 George St, Sydney. The new restaurant is also his largest, with 78 seats.
4. Lo Presti’s (Redfern)
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Opening: July 2026
A former Baba's Place head chef is opening a new 50-seater spot on the corner of Redfern and Elizabeth Streets called Lo Presti's. The menu is expected to have a strong Greek and broadly Mediterranean influence (think crudités, seafood and braised vegetables), and the atmostphere, casual-leaning. If you're itching for a taste, the duo at its helm are popping up at Bar Demo on Sunday 28 June from 4-8pm, where you can try iterations of their upcoming dishes, and even a cocktail straight off menu.
5. Itadakimasu Onigiri & Bar (Darlinghurst)
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Opened: February 2026
Sandoitchi's new neighbour is a made-to-order onigiri bar that seats only six, but which dishes up the Japanese lunch favourites while still warm. They also do snacks and more generous set menus (think katsu fish and miso soup) for those hoping to sit down. A not-to-be-missed menu items is their salt and vinegar karaage. They also do a great Hojicha or Matcha latte too. Or you could opt for sake, beer and cocktails a little later in the day.
6. Temu Kangen (Haymarket)
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Opened: 18 January 2026
Here you'll find cuisine from across the Indonesian archipelago like nasi kapau, char kway teow or nasi kuning iga bakar. You'll find golden towers of turmeric rice, deep fried vegetable fritters (Bakwan Sayur) and even a range of bubble teas that cater to those with a sweet tooth. The restaurant is halal and on Uber Eats (in case you want to have your feast at home).
7. Aori (King Street Wharf, CBD)
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Opened: 9 February 2026
AORI is the latest dining destination from the team behind some of Sydney’s most respected contemporary restaurants, Alegre and Callao. The new 240 seat waterfront dining venue features roaming steak trolleys (that allows guests to select premium cuts without leaving your seat), a raw bar and sushi offering from world-class chefs, tableside cocktails and a resident DJ booth. There's also a lounge, alfresco balcony dining and semi-private and private dining rooms inspired by the intimacy of a ryokan.
8. The James at The Langham Sydney (Millers Point)
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Opened: late February 2026
The James, contemporary British restaurant, will soon be opening at The Langham, Sydney, introducing a refined dining experience that honours the hotel’s heritage. Led by Head Chef Sam Tuchband, whose menu is shaped by his time in London, the restaurant will reimagine British comfort classics with a contemporary Australian sensibility, complemented by a wine list spanning Old World favourites, standout Australian producers and a dedicated focus on English sparkling wine.
9. Hamsi Taverna (Glebe)
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Opened: 19 January 2026
Located at the brand-new Sydney Fish Market precinct in Glebe, Hamsi Taverna is led by celebrity Turkish chef Somer Sivrioğlu and is an homage to Istanbul’s seaside taverns. Designed to shift from long lunches to late-night, DJ-soundtracked evenings by the water, the seafood-forward menu is built around crudo, cured, and flame-grilled dishes designed for sharing – including baked vodka sauce conchiglie with spanner crab and kadayif prawns with muhammara.
10. Las Palamas (Manly)
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Opened: Saturday 21 February 2026
Bringing a sun-soaked taste of coastal Mexico to Manly’s West Esplanade – just steps from Manly Wharf and a 15 minute ferry from Sydney’s CBD – this new garden bar and taqueria is set to be the locals and visitors hottest destination for tacos, margaritas, and live music from day into night. Tacos are at the heart of the experience, but the bar packs just as much of a punch, featuring tequilas and mezcals from Olmeca Altos, Código, and Del Maguey, plus a custom Las Palmas x Balter Brewing Company beer.
11. Bronte Road Fish (Waverley)
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Opened: Tuesday 10 February 2026
Transforming a former French bistro into a laid-back, cheffy fish and chip spot, the newly opened Bronte Road Fish serves everything from crispy fish burgers and tuna smashburgers to zingy potato scallops and Hokkaido milk soft serve.
12. Mary's Hot Pizza (Moore Park)
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Opened: early February 2026
Mary’s has expanded its Sydney footprint with the opening of Mary’s Hot Pizza at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. The new spot is a bright, high-energy venue serving Detroit-style squares and New York–style sourdough rounds by the slice or whole. The menu pairs cult-favourite and new toppings – from stracciatella and nduja to ‘roni cups and premium local produce – with a considered drinks list of natural wines, beers and cocktails.
13. Sit Cafe (Marrickville)
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Opened: Saturday 28 February
The famed Baba's Place team are opening a brand-new cafe called, simply, Sit, in Marrickville. The venue is community-driven and with a focus on seasonal ingredients (they even ferment their own yogurt and cream). The menu features Greek and Levantine classics with a spin – think Spanakopita omelettes and Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts.
14. Ard Bakery (Stanmore)
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Opening: 28 January 2026
You may know Christiana from her cake-making adventures over on @ardsydney_ – but the baker has recently soft-launched her own outpost in Stanmore (set to officially open on 28 January). Here, you'll find freshly whisked matchas and baked treats from cakes and cookies to cinnamon buns. And of course, it's entirely plant-based, so your vegan friends can enjoy them too.
15. Sydney Fish Market (Glebe)
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Opened: 19 January 2026
The new $836 million Sydney Fish Market is reopening in Glebe, adjacent to its former home on Blackwattle Bay. It now hosts more than 40 retailers, including restaurants Little Red, Stitch Coffee, Tavira Bakehouse and Touch Wood among others. There's also a Sydney Seafood School where you can take cooking classes, and more than 19 fresh seafood wholesalers on site.
