Good for solo diners
- Review
- Newtown
‘You’re meant to slow down here’: The day-to-night cafe bringing country vibes to Newtown
Former Rolling Penny chef Robin Butler swapped King Street for the Central Tablelands over a year ago. Now he’s back with a new cafe by day, restaurant by night.
- Lenny Ann Low
- Review
- Melbourne
Andrew McConnell’s genre-defining dining room comes of age, and is as buzzy as ever
Cumulus Inc. invented the Melbourne wine-bar-slash-restaurant game, and remains a standard-bearer of great service, fantastic wine and exciting share plates.
- Besha Rodell
- Review
- Glen Huntly
‘Perfect golden, crisp finish’: Katsumo will satisfy your cravings for killer katsu
Former two-hatted chef Jaejun Kim’s hunch about this one dish has been vindicated. But you’ll need to travel to a not-very-foodie suburb to experience his craftsmanship.
- Dani Valent
- Review
- Schofields
Protein-maxxing is just a bonus at this fairylit food truck serving eggs 20+ ways
Whichever way you like your eggs, this spot in an unexpected location is bound to serve a riff on it.
- Lee Tran Lam
- Review
- Surry Hills
Bubble tea in cocktail form? It’s the drink on everyone’s lips at this fun Surry Hills bar
Taiwan’s most famous export is given the grown-up treatment at Linla. Serve with crispy chicken, and you’re set.
- Kevin Cheng
- Review
- Potts Point
Chicken salt doughnuts? These plush, herby snacks are so much better than they sound
Find hand-rolled rings fried to order and bulging jam-and-cream-filled doughnuts at this new hot spot in Potts Point.
- Erina Starkey
- Review
- Sydney
If you’re looking for new, fun and exciting date night options, this bar nails the brief
Live jazz, a friendly crowd and a crisp, briny and savoury spin on the daiquiri are the order of the day at Odd Culture’s brand new York Street bar.
- Myffy Rigby
- Review
- Carlton
Eight seats, three staff, impossibly light dumplings: Tiny shop leaves a big impression
There are dumplings and then there are Aunty’s. Squeeze into this family-run shop for a dreamy experience where everything is made fresh that day.
- Emma Breheny
- Review
- The Rocks
Sahtein’s food is made to luxuriate over, but its dining room still lacks one thing
In the age of the two-hour turnaround, this beautiful new venue lets you linger. But something’s missing from this landmark site.
- Myffy Rigby
- Review
- Haberfield
Where does a food critic take his baby for her first big day out? This retro diner, of course
While this new venture shares DNA with its Haberfield sibling, it has a new menu starring Philly cheesesteak, house-made Cheez Whiz and tallow-fried hash browns.
- Callan Boys