Explore the newest Sydney openings and find your next favourite place to eat, drink or play. From incredible restaurants offering menus inspired from all over the world to luxury retreats in the city or on the coast, here’s our guide to what’s new in Sydney this month.

NEW FOOD AND DRINK

A pocket of New York in Surry Hills
Former Surry Hills dive bar The Wild Rover has reopened as The Rover, a sophisticated NYC-style cocktail bar, as part of the Liquid & Larder group (Bistecca, The Gidley). The food menu champions seafood, with Batemans Bay oysters and hot-smoked sardines, while drinks focus on whisky and an extensive list of biodynamic and organic wines.

Omakase-style Korean
Inspired by Japanese omakase (chef’s menu), new CBD restaurant Kobo serves up a refined Korean banquet at its eight-seater restaurant – the first of its kind in Sydney. Chef Jacob Lee serves up dishes inspired by his home of Jeolla, in Korea, including abalone claypot rice and pork belly bossam.

Paddington’s newest Italian
Former Pilu and Jonah’s chef Matteo Zamboni has opened his new neighbourhood Italian restaurant, Civico 47, in Paddington. The seasonal menu is inspired by Italy’s most famous regions as well as local Australian produce – think king prawn mafalda pasta, market fish with orange and saffron emulsion, and sage milk gelato.

Say cheers to Bob Hawke
Hawke’s Brewing Co. have opened the next chapter of their Marrickville brewery: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre. The sweeping space features ground floor Public Bar, the Bob Hawke gallery and museum in The Pool Room, upscale 1980s-themed cocktail bar at Sanctuary Cove on the mezzanine, and Australian-Chinese restaurant Lucky Prawn. The restaurant, headed up by ex-Cho Cho San chef Nic Wong, plays on 80s-era Chinese takeaway meals, including crispy skin chicken, XO noodles and a deep-fried Viennetta.

Da Orazio reopens in Bondi
Celebrated chef Orazio D’Elia has reopened Bondi’s much-loved restaurant, Da Orazio, after Sydney restauranteur Maurice Terzini’s Cicciabella (which occupied the pizzeria’s former space) closed last year. Da Orazio 2.0 will feature beloved classics as well as new dishes, like brick chicken and osso buco pappardelle.

Open the Blue Door
With a philosophy focused on provenance, executive chef Dylan Cashman has personally visited all the farmers that provide produce for his menu at Surry Hills restaurant The Blue Door. To accompany the all-NSW food menu, sommelier Angelica Nohra’s wine list features NSW-only wines by the glass, and a 90 per cent Australian wine menu.

Greek on the beach
Inspired by the islands of the Mediterranean, new Greek taverna Topikós Dining Room & Bar has opened its doors on Bondi Beach. Launched by the hospitality group behind Shell House and The Dolphin, the new restaurant features a charcoal grill and woodfire oven, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and share plates.

From Highlands to Harbour
Former two-hatted Biota Dining chef James Viles has made a sea change from Bowral to Sydney, becoming the new culinary director of the Park Hyatt’s The Dining Room. The produce-focused chef will redesign the restaurant’s menu, as well as transforming all other food and beverage offerings at the five-star harbourside hotel.

NEW EXPERIENCES

A coastal safari
A must for marine animal lovers, My Sydney Boat’s new Sydney Sea Safari experience cruises the coast in search of fur seals, dolphins, penguins, sea eagles or migrating humpback whales (depending on season). The private boat tour takes a thrilling ride past secluded beaches and coves and through the headlands into the Pacific Ocean toward Bondi or Manly.

Design by the harbour
Upmarket design store Koskela has opened its new home in North Sydney, a two-storey concept space at a former submarine base. Featuring ethically curated Australian-designed homewares and furniture, as well as art, the heritage-listed harbourfront space will also feature rotating exhibitions by First Nations artists.

NEW ACCOMMODATION

French luxury in Sydney
After a significant refurbishment, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has reopened its doors to offer five-star luxury in the city. All 436 rooms and suites have been upgraded with new mattresses, linens and soft furnishings, while the property’s Garden Restaurant reopens on May 1.

Palm Beach escape
Surrounded by serene bushland and with a premium design focus, new five-bedroom Crane Lodge offers guests ‘wild luxury’ in Palm Beach. Guests can relax in a heated swimming pool or 38-degree cedar hot tub, or cosy by an open fire pit with forest views. Concierge can arrange private yoga or meditation classes on the large deck, while the native landscape garden offers potential for forest bathing experiences.