For the Foodies: Sydney Food & Drink News

The Sydney food scene is THRIVING. 2023 was a bumper year for new openings with more than a handful becoming hatted in their first year and 2024 is looking just as good. With a swathe of talented chefs choosing to make their home in our harbour city and bringing us the best flavours from around the world and locally, it's never been a better time to be a Sydney sider. If you're keen to stay abreast of the must-know food news in Sydney, we're here to help. 

Late Night Ramen by Dion Lee x Cho Cho San 

Celebrate Australian Fashion Week with The Signature Set, the chicest meal in town. Available exclusively throughout Australian Fashion Week, the set, curated by Dion Lee himself and Cho Cho San, includes a Dion's Martini, complete with black olive, a Tokyo-style shoyu ramen and black sesame and cocoa soft serve. Combining everything Dion loves most, from textures to flavours, the set is a fun way to celebrate one of the best weeks of the year! 

Monday 13th May to Thursday 16th May, 5pm to late

$50 per person

73 Macleay Street, Sydney

Sammy Junior x Salumerie Pop-Up 

In what may well be one of the dreamiest collaborations of all time, Sammy Junior and Salumerie have teamed up to create something special. Throughout May you'll be able to score one of Salumerie's already famous focaccia sandwiches from your favourite inner-city coffee and cocktail stop, Sammy Junior. Choose from mortadella, the classica, the caprese, porchetta and parmigiana - or better yet, swing by and taste all five. 

Monday 6th May to Friday 31st May 

66 King Street, Sydney 

Dine on Disney Classics at NEL with their iconic 'Once Upon a Time' Menu

Chef Nelly Robinson is at it again, this time taking us on a nostalgic culinary journey through some of Disney's most beloved films and moments by way of a decadent 11-course degustation - or multi-course narrative, if you will.

Experience culinary magic with the Disney-inspired 'Once Upon A Time menu' menu at NEL and bask in the flavours, colours and memories that are invoked with each bite. From Mulan's Lucky Cricket to Frozen's Nordic cured ocean trout. Delight in Cruella de Vil's black and white ricotta gnocchi and delight in Jungle Book's King Louie dessert. Each dish is a story and a journey, meticulously crafted by Nelly and his team.

Available now until August 10

$185 per person (with optional $165 per person for beverage pairing)

75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney

Manly Pavilion (Image Credits: Jessie Ann)

Manly Pavillion Launch New Menu Perfect for A Winter Feast 

Just because the cooler weather is setting in doesn't mean we're looking to hibernate, and there's no better place to perch yourself for a cocktail and feed - rain, hail, or shine - than Manly Pavilion. Sit and watch the iconic Manly ferry pass by or take a seat inside by the cosy fireplace as the sun goes down. Boasting coastal-cool interiors (their iconic shell mirrors are a must for the 'gram) and food good enough to make you do that little happy dance as you taste it, this Manly stalwart never disappoints.

Stop by for their new menu, which includes taramasalata with smoked paprika, salmon roe and chives or grilled octopus with charred pimento, salsa verde and parsley. The Butterflied Rainbow Trout with crispy skin, Yarra Valley butterflied boneless rainbow trout, fried capers, dill, and lemon butter can't be missed, or for the meat lovers, the ribeye with charred spring onions, eschalot & red wine jus is where it's at.

Sitchu Tip: Don't skip the sweets, you'll be dining off memories of the tiramisu for days.

West Esplanade, Manly

Sydney Has Just Scored a New Wine Boutique from Master Sommelier Adrian Filiuta 

Did you know there are only six Master Sommeliers in Australia? Well, one of them is former Group Sommelier of Merivale Adiran Filiuta and he's just opened an incredible wine boutique that you should pop straight to the top of your weekend hitlist.

Instore you'll be able to browse over 1000 wines and other bevvies curated from the finest drops the world over. Local and ethical wines take pride of place as do Australian varietals and global gems. 

Pop in-store for personalised recommendations from Adrian himself who can pair you up with your perfect drop. Weekly wine tastings and meet-the-wine-maker events are on the cards so be sure to keep abreast of Hunters Hill Wine Room's socials to get in on the action. Just dipping your toe into the wine world? This boutique gem caters to all budgets and tastes. 

5/35 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill 

Gozney Announce Two New Australian Stops For Their Secret Outdoor Supper Club World Tour

The only thing we love more than a supper club is an outdoor supper club and Gozney is bringing the best to Australia's shores. Gozney will be flying in legendary chefs to host their Aussie events which are set to take place in Sydney and Melbourne. The locations? Top secret. Truly, it could be anywhere. The 2023 series saw diners feasting 8,250 feet up a mountain in Utah.

Tassie chef Analiese Gregory will be hosting guests in Sydney whilst Matt Stone takes over in Melbourne. Last year the event sold out in two minutes so be sure to register your interest for Sydney here and Melbourne here to be in the running to score a ticket. The destination will be revealed to lucky ticket holders one week prior to the event. 

Tickets go on sale at 9am AEDT on 15th October (Sydney) and 3rd December (Melbourne)

$150 per person (multi-course dinner and drink pairings) 

Event dates: Thursday 14th November (Sydney) & Thursday 30th January 2025 (Melbourne) 

Bay Nine Omakase Welcomes New Head Chef Kim Kihoon 

One of Sydney's most exclusive omakase restaurants has just welcomed Chef Kim Kihoon (ex-Besuto) whose extensive skillset in crafting Japanese cuisine will contribute to further solidifying Bay Nine Omakase's esteemed culinary status in Sydney. 

Alongside introducing group dining to Bay Nine, Chef Kihoon aims to bring a particular approach to his food. "Chefs often tend to get overly elaborate with their plating", he notes. "The surprise is in the flavours, but upon presentation of food, I believe in clarity." 

For a limited time, Bay Nine will be celebrating Chef Kihoon's arrival with an exclusive offering of live lobster served two ways (butter-drizzled lobster head and sashimi-style lobster tail). If you haven't experienced Bay Nine Omakase yet, now is the time! 

Bay 9, 7-27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks 

North Sydney's Newest Hospitality Precinct to Open this June 

People North of the Bridge, this is good news indeed. Etymon Projects, the wonderful people behind Poetica and LouLou, have something very special in the works - a whole new foodie precinct. The precinct, which will make its home in North Sydney, will include a bakery and cafe, Sol, as well as a wine bar and artisanal providore, Una, an LA-inspired all-day dining joint, Soluna, and Japanese eatery, Genzo. A little something for every time of day!

Opening mid-June 2024

168 Walker Street, North Sydney

Pont Dining Room Opens at the InterContinental Sydney

Replacing Meat & Wine Co at the iconic InterContinental Sydney is Pont Dining Room, offering a sophisticated yet welcoming approach to hotel dining. With refreshed interiors, new life has been breathed into the heritage-listed Treasury Building with a blue colour palette and botanical accents, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

Led by Chef de Cuisine Kanishka Amunugama, the menu champions high-quality, locally sourced produce from across NSW. Modern Australian flavours shine through a diverse selection of seafood dishes and grilled meats prepared with char, smoke, and flame. Signature dishes such as Kimchi Fermented Fries with Gruyère sauce and Sourdough Crumpets with white anchovy chutney, whipped goat cheese, and lemon thyme add a distinctive touch to the menu.

117 Macquarie Street, Sydney 

If you loved this edit of Sydney food news and are looking for more openings around the city, be sure to check out our edit of the best new restaurants, cafes and bars in Sydney.