This month, be transported to the neon-lit streets of Japan or a cosy bar in Istanbul; eat your way around The Rocks; connect with a local surf crew or take a seat in the city’s most famous performance space.

NEW EXPERIENCES

An icon reborn
Sydney’s most iconic performance space, the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall, is ready to enthral music lovers once again, reopening after a two-year renovation. The $150 million overhaul includes state of the art technology and staging systems, which will immerse audiences in a captivating cascade of sound. The refurbishment is part of the Sydney Opera House’s $275 million Decade of Renewal project, due to be completed in time for its 50th anniversary in 2023.

NEW FOOD AND DRINK

Turkish delight
The neighbourhood kebab shop has been given a sleek upgrade at Tombik, a new 45-seat eatery in Barangaroo from Turkish-Australian celebrity chef Somer Sivrioğlu and the teams behind Anason and Efendy. Diners will be transported to central Istanbul, with a street-food inspired menu of meats grilled over coals, puffy woodfired tombik bread and cocktails with a Turkish twist.

Get to know negronis
Arguably the ‘it’ cocktail of the last few years, the negroni will be celebrated in an exclusive showcase at moody underground bar Apollonia. The negroni is the signature drink of this Sicilian-inspired venue – named after the wife of Michael Corleone in The Godfather – and now some of the world’s best bartenders will be contributing their own versions as part of the Negroni Series. Try the Beetnik from Jeff Bell of New York bar PDT, which features tequila and fresh beetroot juice.

Moonlit nights at Tsukiyo
Tsukiyo brings a little slice of Japan to Darling Square, serving up street food under neon lights down Little Hay Street. The menu focuses on just two dishes: the savoury takoyaki, fried balls of batter with various toppings; and taiyaki, sweet fish-shaped waffles filled with red bean or custard. With a name that means ‘moonlit night’, Tsukiyo should make diners feel as if they are wandering down the busy back streets of Osaka.

Go foraging in The Rocks
Take a journey through the flavours and fortunes of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood in August with Forage The Rocks. The month-long event includes masterclasses, a pop-up cinema, meal deals, happy hours, live music and more. There are also special events for dogs (like free puppycinos and doggy yoga) and $10 food vouchers to claim as part of The Wednesday Social.

Jinja brings spice to Macquarie Park
Up the ante on the classic san choy bao at Jinja, a glamorous new Cantonese restaurant in Macquarie Park. Here, pork is replaced with decadent lobster in the signature dish from executive chef Sebastian Tan (ex-Silks at Crown Sydney). Other indulgent choices include king crab fried rice, truffled spring rolls and wagyu-stuffed charcoal buns. Wash them down with a huge range of teas, wine or baijiu, a Chinese spirit rarely found in Australia. Named for its owner, entrepreneur Jinghua – known as Jinja – the opulence continues with the design, all gold-accented black walls and velvet booths.

Lifesaving meets lifestyle
Post surf refuels on Sydney’s Northern Beaches are soon to be found at the revamped Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club as the $10 million revamp nears completion, creating a new hub for the local community and visitors to connect over a meal or a drink. The modern design features three elevated glass pavilions that capture sweeping views of the coast. Inside, the Cook Terrace bar is the perfect place to watch the sun go down and get surf tips from the club members. More delicious eating options are incoming: the Basin Dining Room and Bright Side Cafe will open soon.

RAFI brings style to North Sydney
This spring, head to North Sydney for cocktails in the sun, fresh seafood and time spent with friends. RAFI, an ambitious 300-seat venue from Applejack Hospitality (behind The Butler, The Botanist, SoCal and more) is designed by Luchetti Krell, with multiple areas to choose from like the outdoor tree-lined terrace, spacious dining room, chef’s kitchen, al fresco greenhouse and private dining spaces.

Locale favourite
A tiny suburb with serious gourmet credentials, Bronte has added another cafe to its offering with the opening of Locale. Taking over the former site of Pilgrims, Locale is bright and beachy, with a compact menu of breakfast classics, burgers, salads and pasta. The coffee comes courtesy of Pablo & Rusty, and there’s a short wine list for when lunches turn long. Grab a seat by the window to watch the surfers.

S'wich it up
The humble sandwich gets a very stylish Bondi makeover at S’wich. Following a hugely successful pop up in 2019, childhood friends Jay Fink and Jordan Abram have opened a permanent outpost just a few blocks from Bondi Beach. The schnitzel sandwich is the star of the menu, alongside a handful of other sandwiches, salads and snacks. There’s also a natural wine list and pre-mix cocktails, plus a turntables and vinyls to keep the good times rolling.