Whether it’s opened in the past few weeks or is unfolding over the next weeks, we’ve listed the best new restaurants and bars in Sydney for this month for when you feel like deviating from your tried-and-true favourites.
As Sydney’s love of multi-concept venues continues with the The International and recently opened Prefecture 48, the age of one-stop-shop nights out is upon us. While the best way to play around the harbour city is typically by hopping between restaurants and bars, this surprising new trend is becoming much more prevalent around town.
Then we’ve got major openings like Joji and the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth restaurants to keep us all busy this month as the city pushes for a more diverse, exciting night time economy.
Where to eat and drink in Sydney this November
1. Delta Rue
Located on level five of the newly refreshed Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Delta Rue is a French-Vietnamese restaurant with an old-world style, playing to the hotel’s rich legacy and ritzy social scene. Sandwiched between an intimate Champagne bar and a vibrant open-air terrace, the dining room is splashed with colourful design and smart ambient details like a vintage banh mi trolley.
The kitchen has obviously had fun with the menu. You’ll find classics like market-price whole roasted snapper with coriander, lime butter and optional Asian basil, and wok fried pipis ($39) with lemongrass sate, Thai basil and tapioca noodles. But there’s also the likes of Da Nang-style fried chicken ($26), stir fried mushroom egg noodles ($28), duck and foie gras spring rolls ($15 each) and chargrilled pork neck skewers ($26).
You’ve also got a bookish list of Champagne to focus on the French side of the equation, best explored when you’re sitting at the opulent bar near the entrance.
Address: Level 5 61/101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 9228 9188
Opening Hours: Monday (12pm – 3pm); Tuesday – Wednesday (12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm); Thursday – Saturday (12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 11pm); Sunday (12pm – 3pm)
Read More: Are hotel restaurants in Sydney finally getting better?
2. The International (opening November 7)
Coming from the same team behind Sydney favourite Shell House, The International is a highly anticipated, multi-floor opening with three new venues to explore: The Wine Bar, The Grill and the rooftop Panorama Bar. Taking over the former site of Botswana Butchery at 25 Martin Place, the splash of lavish hospitality will open across two weekends this month with both The Wine Bar and The Panorama Bar opening on Thursday, November 7 and The Grill the following Thursday.
With direct views of Harry Seidler’s unique “mushroom” building shouldering the rooftop bar’s vista, the stylish three-floor venue headlines this month’s run of big-ticket openings.
The European-style wine bar and restaurant takes a global approach with small plates and several distinctive areas including a 40-seat wine bar and a 60-seat dining. Meanwhile, chef Joel Bickford favours fire-cooking and provenance at The Grill. The Panorama Bar will crown the building with an energetic sip-and-snack menu while unlocking a new perspective of Sydney’s skyline.
Address: 25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
3. Tilda Dining
Like Delta Rue, Tilda Dining is another big moment for the new-look Sydney Sofitel Wentworth. But while Delta Rue skews French-Vietnamese, Tilda Dining commits to the dynamic story of Australian produce with close ties to boutique farms and a modern Australian menu.
Much hype has surrounded the $39 bread and butter service, prepared tableside with AP saltbush focaccia, Pepe Saya, macadamia, jersey milk cheese, wildflower honey and wattleseed. Although the exciting menu has plenty of gems like crab toast ($18) with seaweed butter, avocado and caviar, burrata ($29) with wood fired beetroot, pineapple and pistachio.
Then you’ve got pastas like a lush tiger prawn ravioli ($39) with tomato, lime and coriander, a curated selection of high-end steaks, and fresh seafood cooked over coals and served simply with lemon and Kangaroo Island olive oil.
Address: 61-101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 8530 0138
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday (7am – 10pm); Wednesday – Friday (7am – 11pm); Saturday – Sunday (5:30pm – 10:30pm)
4. Joji
Joji is a new Japanese-flavoured rooftop bar on the corner of George and King Streets. Esca Group (AALIA, Nour) carved out a nicely sized space above the Cartier watch boutique for this one, dressing it with smart acoustic design, a breezy wraparound balcony and sharply defined spaces including a lounge area behind the DJ booth.
AALIA’s super dependable Paul Farag has taken care of the food, which takes a playful approach to Japanese comfort classics like a sticky Japanese curry bun ($12 each) and a scallop and bug sando ($32). Best of all, some food is served right up until 1:30am. With a prime CBD location, a rotating roster of top DJs and late trading hours, Joji is unquestionably – and unsurprisingly – the talk of the town right now.
Address: Level 5, 388 George Street, Sydney
Contact: (02) 8353 9788
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday (4am – 2am); Wednesday – Friday (12pm – 2am); Saturday – Sunday (4pm – 2am)
5. Prefecture 48
Four restaurants, a patisserie and a requisite whisky bar make Prefecture 48, an exclusively Japanese mega-venue from the Azabu Group, one of the city’s most unique venues. And a first for the harbour city.
Never before has the city seen a 6-in-1 dedicated entirely to breaking apart, recreating and redefining an entire country’s hospitality scene. The name pays homage to Japan’s 47 prefectures, slotting in as the unofficial 48th with enough scope to take people straight to Tokyo without the mileage.
The depth of creativity necessary to pull off something like this is impressive enough. To help, Azabu Group has engaged ex-Tetsuya chef Derek Kim to handle the kaiseki offering at Garaku, while sushi masters Akira Horikawa and Tomoyuku Matsuya run the show at the venue’s omakase restaurant. With a robata-fuelled izakaya, a European-Japanese restaurant, a classic patisserie, and a whisky bar (with cocktails from Maybe Sammy) rounding out the offering,
Address: 230 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 8552 2888
