There’s a buzz sweeping through Sydney’s dining scene and it’s not just the sizzle from a wood-fired grill or the crackle of rotisserie chicken. A new crop of ambitious restaurateurs is stepping into the spotlight, bringing bold concepts, inventive dishes and a fresh energy to some of the city’s most iconic suburbs.
Whether you're after a taste of Tuscany, crave Modern Australian flair or want rotisserie chicken with attitude, these new venues are turning heads for all the right reasons. Here’s your guide to the restaurants making noise and making it onto your must-dine list.
Tucked away on Spofforth Street, Il Palio feels like a lovingly wrapped care package from Tuscany complete with sun-drenched charm, hand-crafted dishes and an atmosphere that draws families, couples and food lovers alike. With rustic timber finishes, warm lighting and the comforting scent of slow-cooked sauces hanging in the air, this Mosman newcomer doesn’t try to reinvent Italian dining, it perfects it. It’s where Italian tradition meets modern hospitality, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Start your meal with the kind of antipasti that would make a Nonna proud - perhaps Wagyu veal with tuna and pickled onion - or a traditional octopus and olive combination kissed by garlic. The real revelation lies in the porcini mushroom and Parmesan ravioli. Luxuriously silky with an earthy porcini sauce and creamy béchamel, it’s a dish that lingers in memory long after the last bite. For those seeking comfort food elevated to an art form, Il Palio is your next essential booking.
Reserve your table soon seats fill faster than a pot of boiling pasta.
Just off the lively thoroughfare of Central Park Avenue, DIZZYBIRD is flipping the humble roast chook on its head. More than just a pit stop for poultry, this casual-yet-cool eatery boasts serious culinary swagger and a neighbourhood charm that invites repeat visits. Equal parts beer bar, brunch hub and dinner den, DIZZYBIRD brings a kind of rotisserie renaissance to Chippendale where good vibes, cold brews and juicy birds go hand in hand.
The rotisserie chicken is the kind of dish that redefines what chicken can be crispy-skinned, succulent and seasoned with a spice blend that nods subtly to the Middle East. Whether paired with golden shoestring chips or wrapped up in a fluffy pita with charcoal eggplant and fresh herbs, this chicken sings. Add a Pacific Pale Ale to the mix and you’ve got yourself a meal worth shouting about.
Don’t wing it, lock in your booking before word spreads.
Sidando By Mani – Milsons Point, NSW
If you’re after a restaurant that captures the pulse of Sydney’s evolving palate, look no further than Sidando By Mani. A stone’s throw from the harbour, this venue is the latest creation from the team behind MANI and it’s every bit as impressive. Think Modern Australian cuisine laced with Asian flair, a leafy green interior that soothes and energises and a menu that pushes boundaries without losing sight of comfort. From morning to night, it hums with a quiet confidence and creative edge.
The standout here is the lo mien noodles - a vibrant tumble of prawns, boiled egg, broccolini and spring onions in a punchy XO sauce that walks the tightrope between heat and umami. Whether you’re settling in for scallion pancakes at brunch or exploring the seafood-forward mains by night, Sidando delivers thoughtful, daring flavours with every dish.
Seats by the window go fast make your reservation today and eat like you're in the know.
These aren't just restaurants, they're love letters to ambition, craftsmanship and the spirit of a city that never stops evolving. From Tuscan kitchens to fire-kissed rotisseries and bold, modern mashups, Sydney’s new wave of restaurateurs isn’t just worth watching they’re worth dining with. So book ahead, bring your appetite and prepare to be impressed.
