Directory

Here to change the jewellery game in Sydney, Sarah & Sebastian just opened their first flagship store on Oxford Street in Paddington. These are the guys behind the super fine jewellery you’ve probably seen on Insta and if you’ve been stuck on what to buy your mum/friend/girlfriend (you get it), you’ve just found it.  

Everyone’s favourite freak-shake-making Bondi locale is heading south and that means you’ll never be far from things like mac ‘n’ cheese doughnuts, wild burger inventions and Ferrero Rocher cocktails. Yep, you guessed it—Milky Lane is opening in Cronulla and The Shire just got even better. 

If you care about your hair, you need to care about é SALON. Tucked away in Wahroonga, this multi-award winning studio is what your hair has been missing all its life. Whether you’re after a slick new ‘do or a complete colour overhaul, it’s the kind of place where you feel instantly at home and leave looking (and feeling) like a million bucks.

Prepare yourselves, people, Merivale has just taken over Hotel Centennial so you know it’s gonna be good. They’ve assembled a couple of their best two chefs for the revamp: The Paddington’s Executive Chef Ben Greeno and Fred’s Danielle Alvarez. No guesses for the style of the menu, when they’re longtime lovers of local produce and restrained simplicity. We’re listening.

Far from the school lunchbox staple, the guys at Loaf Sandwiches have reinvented the trusty sanga in ways you (let’s be real) never would have thought of yourself. House-made is their mantra, and anything they simply couldn’t produce on-site is sourced locally.

What better way to enjoy our favourite time of year than a brand new waterfront restaurant whose name literally translates to ‘summer’? You’re right, there’s no better way. ‘Été’ is one of Barangaroo’s newest recruits and with quarterly shifting produce, floral installations and contemporary artwork chosen to perfectly match the menu, Été will transport you to that French summer holiday you’ve been dreaming of lately.

Devon Cafe has just hoppped over The Bridge to North Sydney and you know you’re already planning your visit here. You’ll know these guys from their raging success in both Surry Hills and Barangaroo, and before you ask, they’re bringing a couple of their signature dishes with them.

We’re about to let you in on a hidden bar and yes, you should be excited. Word on the street is you’ll need to make your way down a flight of stairs, a long AF corridor, make a right turn and knock three times on a brass pineapple to get into this joint. But trust us, the sketchy orienteering is all worth it—we know you love the novelty anyway. Especially if you have a knack for tippling yourself up with sherry, fortified and natural wine. And you do.

If you’re looking for somewhere to kick off on a night out, In Situ in Manly is about to become your new go-to. For starters, we love the rustic bohemian vibes but also, cocktails. 

FYI, Sydney just scored an epic all-day Latin American-style bottomless brunch. Yep, that’s right this new addition to Bondi’s #iconic Campbell Parade is ultra calienteeeee (basically Spanish for this place is hot hot hot, people).

In Redfern, you can score decent dumplings (Happy D’s), pasta (Redfern Continental), bánh mì (Yellow Fever) and gelato (Ciccone and Sons). But there’s been a ramen-sized hole in this inner-city suburb...until now. 

PSA: You can score yourself a bowl of pasta, salad and Italiano soft drink for only $25 every day of the week at The Pavilion Restaurant right now! Yes, we’re serious and yes, it’s tasty AF.

This little hole-in-the-wall café is sitting on the main road-side of Dee Why, so if you’re not from the area, we recommend you head here on your way to the beach. If you are from the area, well, maybe you should settle in here more regularly.

Maurice Terzini has done it again. Bondi get keen for summer because Bondi Beach Public Bar has arrived and you better believe you’ll be heading here for a spritz every weekend. This pub is (like The Dolphin) a post-mix free zone, so every cocktail is fresh AF, plus the wine list, created by sommelier James Hird, is damn good.

Love.Fish in Barangaroo is where to head in Sydney for seriously delicious food and cocktails that are just as good. Before we dive into the food though, we need to tell you allllll about our favourite thing, the salted macadamia espresso martini. We know. 

Oh yeah, you read that right, Sydney just scored a late-night dumpling pop-up and 2018 is officially a winner. If you’re familiar with Harbin-style restaurant, Chulin, in Ultimo then you’re about to get really excited because they’ve just opened in Darlinghurst and that means it’s feast time. 

Put down whatever it is you’re eating and save any space you’ve got in your stomach for Westfield Sydney’s newest recruit, Yayoi, AKA your fave Japanese Teishoku Restaurant. With over 343 locations in Japan, these legends are the real deal, so yes, you 100% need to find yourself a seat there, STAT.

The Japanese cheesetart epidemic is ramping up in Sydney and it’s all thanks to new kid on the block, PABLO. Our stomachs are so ready. If you’re tired of the old pastry routine and prefer something on the more savoury side of town then you need this in your life. Think perfectly buttery pastry filled with gooey cheesy goodness.

From the guys behind Chica Bonita, the Manly waterfront is turning it up in the flavour stakes with Sunset Sabi. Taking inspiration from the izakayas of Tokyo, this Manly restaurant is modern Japanese at its best.

There are a couple of things that will always get us a little hot under the collar and baked Greek treats are one of them. So bellies at the ready South Sydney because you just scored yourself a bakery that’s pumping out exactly that. The Good Filo makes everything in-house and for those of you playing at home, we’re talking about alllll of your favourite things. 

ICYMI, the coffee legends behind Brewtown Newtown have come to Crown Street and yes, this is important okay. You may know this one as Gnome Café (which was always owned by Brewtown FYI) but now they’re officially part of the family and you’ve just found your new local. 

Sydney is flying high when it comes to new pubs and adding to the already extensive and impressive line-up is Highfield Caringbah. Trust us, this one’s the whole package. Combining classic pub vibes (here’s to the 80 tellies that will screen all major sporting events) and a luxe rooftop terrace complete with fireplace, cocktail bar and living garden, these guys know how to have a bloody good time.

There’s a new hotel in town team and it is lush AF. This is the first in Hilton’s Curio Collection to hit Sydney and it’s bagged prime real estate in the CBD. Greenery takes centre stage at West Hotel, with an open-air garden dominating the lobby.

Paddington locals will, no doubt, be verrrryyy well acquainted with Jackies—she’s a damn institution. The courtyard café is nestled in behind Oxford Street and since recently being taken over by new owners, the menu is (dare we say it?) even better than the O.G. They’ve held onto some of the old faithful menu items that made this place such a hit.

Everyone’s favourite go-to eat street has just welcomed its latest addition and FYI, it’s full of sweet treats. Let’s introduce you to Chefs Pastry. This bakery combines century-old French-style pastry techniques with the incredible Asian flavours that Spice Alley is known for. 

North siders, you can quit your crying—you no longer have to cross The Bridge to score some good ol’ fried chicken. Suburbia is officially at your service. This place has that classic American burger joint feel mixed with the ultra cool vibes of Cali’s Venice beach, so basically, it’s like the OC with an edge.

Cue the meat! Tender, mouth watering, mind blowing meat. Hughes Barbecue has arrived in Sydney and is more than ready to deliver on your every meaty desire. And vegans, don’t you dare avert your eyes—we even have a little something for you too.

Get ready to whip yourself into shape team—The Barre Project have opened a second studio in the CBD and you need it in your life right now. Just like their first CBD outpost, this one is all about the burn, with extreme barre classes that’ll get your heart rate (and glutes firing). 

They say a new workout wardrobe is the best way to motivate yourself back into the gym and TBH we’ll take any excuse to kit out our wardrobe. 

Penrith people get ready to dive into this eccentric new space inspired by Captain Watkins Tench, the 17th Century Explorer of the area. Oh yeah, we couldn’t even make that up if we tried. 

Superfood-haters, brace yourselves (again), this is gonna be another rough one. Verd in Barangaroo has a new baby sister and she’s ready to strut the streets of Surry Hills doing all the things she does best. Yes, we’re talking #foodporn. 

Got a special event coming up, but nothing to wear? Never fear—Your Closet, an online rent-a-designer-dress service, has opened its first brick and mortar store in Neutral Bay. 

With a motto like ‘to Eat is Human, To Eat Well is Divine’, you’d have to think there are some pretty delish things coming out of Preach on Bondi’s foreshore. This whole-food eatery has been serving up colourful and delicious all day breaky, brunch and coffee.

A bar and bistro dedicated completely to Vermouth has opened at Barangaroo.

A classic, 19th century-inspired English pub has just opened in the CBD and this is where to head for a classic feed this weekend. We’ll start with the good stuff—The Duke of Clarence has a 500-strong line-up of spirits but that’s not where the fun ends. They’ve also got a pretty hefty selection of sherry, port, and sparkling wine as well as six vintage Pimm’s products from the 1960s and 70s (you’ll want to try every one).

If you’ve ever had dumplings (um, who hasn’t?!), you’ll know that just like your favourite chip, once you pop, you can’t stop. Soon you’ve scoffed down your fifteenth dumpling, are questioning all of your life decisions and your self-restraint is long gone. 

The latest addition to Sydney’s speciality coffee scene, Caffeine Villains Espresso Bar have just thrown open their doors in Newport and it's right across the road from the beach (winning!).

It’s been three decades and a cool $6 million in the making, but The Imperial Erskineville is finally unveiling the third phase of its epic redevelopment and we couldn’t be more excited.

Don’t call ZADI a gym. It’s a fitness concept of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that’s designed just for the ladies. 

Another week, another cracking (and iconic) Sydney pub has had a face lift. And team, you’ll want to know about this one because it’s in the heart of The Rocks and serving up some seriously epic pub grub. The Observer has been overhauled by the same team that made Meat & Wine Co. great. 

Stop everything, team! Your favourite fried chicken joint is heading over the bridge and dear-sweet-baby-cheezus this is good freaking news. If you’re a Parra local, listen up, because Parra just got good, and by that we mean you now have the crazy good fried chicken sandwiches Surry Hills does. What a time to be alive. 

Sydney, meet the literal cherry on top of Barangaroo House. Smoke is the rooftop bar with all the harbour and city skyline views you could need in a lifetime. And you’ll be happy to know that this bad boy is all about smoky beverages and hella smoky feeds to match (yeah, you should be scheduling after-works drinks here immediately).

We’re not going to lie, we’re kind of (ok, totally) excited about this tiny bar that’s actually one helluva gin palace. To put it bluntly, if you’re a fan of the G and T, you’re going to love this gem. And if you’re not a fan—these guys will be changing your mind toot sweet. That’s not even an exaggeration. Plus, all the drinking vessels here are absolute perfection including the G and T fishbowl and a little something they like to call smokin’ watering cans.

Name a better duo than all-day brunch and specialty coffee. No really, we’ll wait. The Factory Grind in Surry Hills is the kind of place where the people are lovely, learn your name and remember your damn coffee order as well (we know—it’s the dream). They’re serving up the good stuff all day long, from classic smashed avo to cappuccinos and to be totally honest, there’s a reason this place is our local. 

Whenever we get word that a new Japanese joint is opening in Sydney, we pretty much line up at the front door. So imagine our excitement when we heard that Motto Motto (aka one of Brisbane’s best) was moving into Macquarie Centre. Spoiler alert: excitement levels were unbelievably high.

Sydney’s sushi dream team has arrived in Barangaroo and FYI, they’ve brought a robata grill with them. We’re talking about the gang from Lotus Dining, of course. Meet your new fave Japanese spot, Fujisaki. 

Upper East Side Bondi has just landed in Bondi and it’s throwing all kinds of tropical vibes. If you’re looking for a lush oasis with incredible food and cocktails, right near the beach no less, then get here STAT.

4 Ounces Burger Co has just opened a brand new burger joint in the Inner West and lovers of their delicious (seriously) menu should be damn pleased about it. 

The freshest addition to the iconic Walsh Bay finger wharves, Seventeen is a café by day and contemporary restaurant by night. Also featuring an in-house concierge, dine-out options and a fully stocked deli (just saying).

Prepare to throw any semblance of healthy eating out the window, team. There’s a new ice cream truck in town and (wait for it) they’re serving pimped scoops of deep fried ice cream. We still have no freaking idea how deep fried ice cream really works, but what we do know is a creamy scoop of goodness wrapped in a crispy shell is a damn good idea. Always. 

This is it, guys. Here is where the magic of LUXE all began. This is the home of the famous LUXE poached chicken sandwich, the LUXE plate with avocado, tomato and goats feta or ricotta, and some of the best coffee and baked items, right in the heart of Westfield Bondi Junction.

The Baron boys have just opened a bagel café in Bella Vista and oooooh boy, you need to head here. If you’re a local then you already know how freaking good this place is (these guys wouldn’t have it any other way), but for those of you who couldn’t fathom crossing the bridge for something like a bagel, welllll all that’s about to change. 

Prepare your taste buds for some seriously delicious eats people because from the ashes of Bao Stop, rises Cloud Thief!

Tucked away on the quieter end of Darlinghurst Road, you’ll find the unassuming Black Bottle. Described by the owners as a cave á manger (French for a wine shop that doubles as a restaurant), this slick tapas style bar is everything Sydney has been waiting for.

Add Nirvana, Radiohead and Blur to your playlist, because there’s a brand new 90s rock ‘n’ roll-inspired Japanese restaurant in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. From the same guys who brought us Indu and Mejico, Kid Kyoto is the third instalment of this legendary foodie trifecta.

Bea opens inside a beautiful AF three-storey building in Barangaroo and honestly, let the feasting begin. The restaurant itself seats 180 so there’s plenty of room for you and your crew. And in true Matt Moran fashion, everything on the menu is home style with a twist—that twist being a little bit special and all kinds of delish. Expect all your favourite seafood, meats and veggies from Australia’s very own backyard.

Ever felt embarrassed about your super-specific coffee order, or had your barista raise an eyebrow when you request an extra half shot? If you’re a fan of the java juice who likes to be a little extra sometimes, you’ll froth (pun intended) on the “coffee tailoring” concept at Haven Tailoring Coffee Joyously. In case you couldn't tell from the name, judgement is out the window at this bright and airy Surry Hills café, where they’ll tailor every brew right down to each single element (body, sweetness, aroma, acidity, and aftertaste) to ensure you have the perfect bespoke cuppa.

The three most romantic words in the English language: chocolate gift box. Gift-giving just got a whole lot easier (and prettier) with the beautiful little handcrafted truffles from Good Measure Co.