Appellation Oysters at Magma

5 refined new Sydney restaurants for your dining radar

10 Feb 2026

Journalist

From stylish casual gems to inventive high‑end cuisine, these restaurants are setting the tone for the city’s culinary landscape right now

With 2026 well underway, Sydney’s dining scene is as vibrant and as full of culinary experiences as ever. From ambitious fine-dining venues, to informal yet slick spots, these are the new restaurants every true foodie should have on their radar. Aambra

Aambra

Inside a beautifully restored 120-year-old church in Rose Bay, you’ll find one of Sydney’s newest dining gems: Aambra, a contemporary Levantine restaurant headed by Executive Chef Gianluca Lonati, formerly of Nour. Step inside and you immediately feel the warmth of the candlelit dining room, with colourful stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings, while the open kitchen reveals the chefs at work. On the plate, you’ll find the flavours of the Middle East with modern twists, like börek made with Moreton Bay bug, or smoky, comforting carrot hummus served with pickles and cumin oil. Larger plates feature whole market fish and wood-fired meats. Whether indoors or out on the veranda among olive trees, Aambra is full of charm waiting to be discovered.

Flaminia

Flaminia reveals itself slowly: first, the harbour lights across Circular Quay catch the eye, before the dining room comes fully into view. Set within the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, near the Opera House, it’s the perfect spot for a pre-theatre meal. Opened in December 2025 under the guidance of chef Giovanni Pilu, the restaurant specialises in refined Italian dining. The menu feels like a journey along the Italian coast, from Venice down to Naples: think creamy baccalà mantecato, porceddu, handmade pastas and grilled seafood. So, Italy feels close, even if Sydney Harbour remains just beyond the glass.

Grill Americano Sydney

Chris Lucas’s Grill Americano opened in late 2025 in Qantas House and has quickly become one of Sydney’s most exciting new spots for anyone craving bold Italian flavours and seriously good steak. The impressive space hums with energy, with double-height ceilings, a marble bar and a grill station that’s a show in itself. Cicchetti (Venetian small dishes) make the perfect start and the handmade pasta is like a warm cuddle, but the not-to-miss house speciality is the steaks, from classic grass-fed cuts to buttery wagyu. The extensive wine list is curated by Master Sommelier Paolo Saccone.

Magma

Magma by Dany Karam at Cabravale Club Resort Novotel Sydney Cabramatta, is all about fire. The charcoal grill glows at the centre of the classy, lively space, as the brigade turns carefully sourced Australian produce, like Blackmore Fullblood Wagyu, into smoky, mouthwatering dishes. For something new, try inventive dishes like QLD spanner crab with umami-rich dashi cream, coriander and lime. If an open-flame dining experience is what you’re after, Magma is not to be missed.

South End

This casual yet refined new bistro, led by chefs Hussein Sarhan and Alex Tong, brings a European touch to Newtown. From the décor to the food, South End keeps things simple but high-quality. Sip a drink at the central bar before heading to your table and discovering the regularly changing menu of seasonal and creative dishes. You might find sides such as aubergine caviar with crème fraîche, mains like White Pyrenees lamb rump with slow-cooked Roman beans, or a pork chop with grilled cabbage and pickled walnut ketchup to share. South End is the neighbourhood spot to visit now, before it gets completely booked out.