New on Resy: The Mayflower, Bitter Phew, Momofuku Seiobo, Saint Peter, and More

Somewhere between a neighbourhood cafe and a high-end restaurant, this striking new corner spot in Darlinghurst boasts artsy, minimal interiors punctuated with lush florals and onyx, superb coffee, and food that befits chef Jihwan Choi’s pedigree. A Momofuku Seiobo alum, Choi preps casually luxe dishes like a cheese toastie that arrives beneath a shower of black truffles; kingfish sashimi with pomelo, nori paste and dashi; and a caviar service that somehow feels totally in sync with its relaxed surroundings. 

This Paddington fine diner’s post-lockdown transformation into a chef’s counter-style bar sets the stage for Josh Niland’s pitch-perfect seafood cookery, each dish created to showcase the best in sustainable Australian catches. Go deep on exceptional raw shellfish and cooked dishes, or pop in for a drink and snack at the bar. 

Stock up your wine cellar (or, let’s be honest, your cupboard) with bottles from one of Sydney’s favourite wine bars. A natural-leaning list, with plenty of skin-contact and Italian varieties, acts as a perfect foil for chef Trisha Greentree’s outstanding bar menu and refined bistro cooking. It’s intimate, friendly, and a lot of fun. 

A darling of Sydney’s South Asian food scene, LFS is legendary for its assertive Sri Lankan sambals, curries, and rotis. Equally so is its fun dining room — a balm for lockdown-induced isolation — and banquet-style menu, perfect for gathering a social bubble of friends. The black crab curry is legendary, and takeaway is also available. 

Twice named Restaurant of the Year and one of Sydney’s premiere dining experiences, this is one destination that consistently lives up to the hype. Now one of the world’s great culinary figures, chef Paul Carmichael’s reinterpretations of regional Caribbean dishes (like a playful twist on doubles, a classic Trinidadian snack) take shape in thrilling tasting menus that show his kitchen’s breadth and depth. 

An institution for craft beer devotees, yes, but also a fantastic bar for casual drinkers, Bitter Phew has garnered a reputation for its no-compromise approach to quality. Twelve taps are in constant rotation for fresh pours, while hundreds of bottles — many local, but also international — span a range of styles. There’s a cosy outdoor deck for al fresco drinking, while the main bar feels like snuggling up in a friend’s well-appointed living room. 

Always buzzing, this busy pub in Lane Cove boasts upscale pub dishes, a dedicated menu of fancy schnitzels, and a spectacular new patio with a retractable roof that’s arguably one of the best in town. Perfectly timed for summer, it’s excellent for catching up with friends and casual hangs. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows, acres of patio space, and ocean views make a compelling case for lingering at Corretto’s restaurant a few metres from Dee Why beach. By day, there’s satisfying brunch and gentle seafood-centric dishes like tuna tacos perked up with sriracha aioli and edamame hummus; for lazy afternoons that last all night, there’s a bevy of award-winning cocktails for sipping in the sun to the sound of waves crashing on the beach. 

The DNA of Bills original Darlinghurst branch can be found across the world, with its corn fritters and oft-imitated (but never bettered) hotcakes a staple on brunch menus from London to Singapore. His breezy Bondi location is as good as the original, with artfully minimal decor and relaxed, precise service making the restaurant a pleasure to meet friends and pay homage. 

This old-school bistro in Newtown has been open for over 20 years — and there’s little reason to change the formula. With classic French dishes executed to a tee (the barbecue lamb with garlic mash and romesco is superb), BYO wine, and the odd cabaret night, it’s the kind of unpretentious fun that’s earned it a fiercely loyal clientele. 

This tribute to Tel Aviv and its surrounding regions from owners Kirk and Nick Mathews Bowden (Bistro Rex) and chef Ben Sears riffs on the latter’s time at Paper Bird and New York’s Momofuku Ko, with dishes like miso-marinated flounder and an outstanding hummus and smoked egg dish winning plaudits. There’s plenty of outdoor space, too — perfect as the weather heats up.