Sydney's dining scene is second to none. If you spend nearly half as much time as the RUSSH team do dreaming of your next meal out, you'll know there's no shortage of restaurants to choose from dotted across the city.
Thanks to the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, your decision-making process just got a little easier. The annual awards act as Australia's answer to the Michelin star guide overseas, with hats (up to three) awarded to the cream of the restaurant crop each year.
While certain heavy hitters live on the Good Food list each year, there's also space for a few newcomers. Below, get acquainted with the newly-hatted restaurants for 2026 in Sydney.
Canvas, The Rocks
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Housed inside MCA Australia, this restaurant has one of the most iconic views Sydney has to offer. But the food is also worth raving about. There's a rotating seasonal Chef-in-Residence at the helm, bringing their distinct experiences and food philosophy to the evolving menu.
Cibaria, Manly
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Cibaria only opened its doors a year ago, but it has already been awarded one hat. The Italian restaurant is run by husband-and-wife duo Alessandro and Anna Pavon on Manly's picturesque waterfront. Expect to find classic Italian fare, from pizza to gelato.
The Grill at The International, CBD
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The Grill at The International was awarded two hats, cementing its place among Sydney’s finest dining rooms. Led by Culinary Director Joel Bickford and Head Chef Alex Keene, the Martin Place restaurant delivers a refined take on live-fire cooking that celebrates premium beef, pristine seafood, and seasonal Australian produce. Guests can expect an atmosphere of understated luxury, where exceptional technique meets genuine hospitality.
Corner 75, Randwick
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Corner 75 isn't an entirely new concept, but in 2025, it's long-time owner retired, and the team behind trendy institutions Baba's Place and Sixpenny took over. Under their leadership, the place has been transformed into one of the best and buzziest spots in Sydney. Visit for the famous schnitzel, if nothing else.
The Cut Bar & Grill, The Rocks
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Red meat takes centre stage at this steakhouse. The Cut re-opened its doors in 2024, after a four-year hiatus, and has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. The menu is modelled after a classic New York steakhouse, where the signature dish is a 12-hour slow-cooked black Angus prime rib, served with red wine sauce and horseradish cream. Yum.
Gran Torino, Double Bay
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Neil Perry pulled off the ultimate pivot, restaurant-wise. Earlier this year, he closed shop on hsi Chinese endeavour, Songbird, opening the doors to Gran Torino in its place. But the gamble paid off – the Italian restaurant has quickly became a favourite of Double Bay, and now has a hat to prove it.
Grandfathers, Sydney
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It might be unassuming from the street, but inside, the vibe at Grandfathers is electric. Dimly-lit, buzzing with waitstaff, and a slightly old-world feel thanks to the glow of the fish tanks that line the wall, it's hardly surprising that the space has been a hit, considering its the work of the team behind Neptune's Grotto, Pellegrino 2000, and Clam Bar.
Shell House, CBD
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Shell House has also been awarded two hats in the Good Food Guide. The ninth-floor Dining Room & Terrace, under Culinary Director Joel Bickford and Head Chef Jarrod Walsh, delivers a refined, Mediterranean-inspired menu that celebrates Australian provenance and seasonal produce. Guests can expect to dine in a grand yet approachable art-deco setting, overlooking the city skyline from its elegant terrace.
Ibushi, Sydney
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This moody Japanese grillhouse, tucked inside the sleek Prefecture 48, created fanfare when it opened with its fire-fuelled robatayaki cooking. Charcoal-grilled seafood, smoky skewers and dramatic plating are matched by a polished fit-out of dark stone, timber, and sculptural wire art. It’s theatrical but refined, and now officially hat-worthy.
Infinity by Mark Best, Sydney
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Mark Best returned to the spotlight with Infinity, his sky-high dining room perched at the top of Sydney Tower. Best’s signature modern Australian style is back in full force, set against one of the city’s most jaw-dropping backdrops. Fine dining with a view, and now, a hat to match.
Lottie, Redfern
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On the rooftop of the EVE Hotel, Lottie has brought serious flair to Redfern’s dining scene. The kitchen reimagines Mexican flavours through an Australian lens, from handmade tortillas and inventive ceviches, to mezcal-centric cocktails. It's all served under lush greenery and a retractable roof, which makes for a breezy dining experience.
Neptunes Grotto, Sydney
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From the team behind Pellegrino 2000 and Clam Bar comes this northern Italian hideaway. Tucked underground in the CBD, Neptune’s Grotto is all about rich pastas, classic regional fare, and moody atmosphere. It’s an underground hit in every sense – and clearly the Good Food Guide agrees.
Olympus Dining, Redfern
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Olympus brings a modern Greek spirit to Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane. The menu is a love letter to Hellenic hospitality, championing classics like charcoal meats, rustic dips and bread, and lots of saganaki. But it's the setting that's truly spectacular – skylights and a sprawling tree at the centre of the restaurant make you feel like you're dining outdoors, no matter the season.
Tilda, Sydney
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Tucked inside the Sofitel Wentworth, Tilda is something of a quiet achiever. The menu celebrates local produce, served in a warm, understated dining room. A hotel restaurant, yes, but not as you know it.
Loulou Bistro, Sydney
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Loulou made its name on the lower north shore, but its new two-level bistro in Martin Place has brought French fare right into the heart of the CBD. There's an all-day menu , spanning everything from buttery pastries in the morning to steak frites and escargot at night, plus classic interiors, so it’s no wonder Loulou’s Parisian polish now comes with a hat.
Mister Grotto, Newtown
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Tucked away on a quiet corner of Newtown, Mister Grotto keeps things small and seafood-focused,. With just 30 seats and a love for oysters, raw fish, and charcoal-grilled catch, it makes for a seriously delicious visit.
Omakase by Prefecture 48, Sydney
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With just eight seats, this omakase counter inside the elaborate Prefecture 48 precinct is one of Sydney’s most intimate dining experiences. Each service is a finely tuned performance, led by chefs with deep Tokyo credentials, and backed by top-grade produce and calm precision.
Osteria Mucca, Newton
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This space was once home to a butcher, and now serves food that's a love letter to Italy – fresh pasta, moreish antipasti, and creative specials. Expect big flavours and an intimate, warm vibe from a restaurant well-deserving of its first hat.
Postino Osteria, Summer Hill
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Postino Osteria has given Summer Hill locals something to cheer about – an Italian dining room, specialising in handmade pasta, grilled meats, and good wine. Set inside a beautiful old post office, it’s got an intimate local feel – and it's now officially hat-worthy.
R by Raita Noda, Redfern
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Forget your typical omakase – R is a theatrical, 10-seat dining experience staged by Raita and Momo Noda. Set in a dramatic, mirror-ceilinged room in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane, each meal is more like a performance, where every course is plated in front of you.
Vin-Cenzo's, Darlinghurst
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Bar Vincent is gone, but in its place comes Vin-Cenzo’s. This is Darlinghurst’s new go-to for a late-night bite, with a delicious menu, and a vibey atmosphere to match. Yes please.
Veneria Luisa, Enmore
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Vineria Luisa keeps things fun, casual, and very Italian. The menu leans light, and the vibe is all about good drinks (with an emphasis on gin, and Italian wines). It’s the kind of place that turns a quick glass into an all-night hang, now with a hat to its name.
You can brush up on the 2026 Good Food Guide in full here.
