Starting the year off on a delicious note.

If you thought that 2019 was tasty, then you’re in for a sweet treat. Just as the new decade started off with a bang, so will Sydney, Perth and Melbourne as they welcome a range of wonderful new eateries. From New Orleans inspired bars and premium gelaterias to two new openings from Australia’s leading hospitality group, Australia, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

So settle in as we serve you the best restaurant openings Australia has to offer in January 2020.

Bar Tottis

After it’s sister venue (Tottis) took Bondi by storm, Merivale, led by CEO Justin Hemmes, will announce the arrival of it’s newest venue to revolutionise George Street festivities, Bar Tottis. Headed by chefs Mike Eggert and Jake Ahrens, Bar Tottis will feature an impressive range of new menu additions alongside favourites from the much-loved original Italian restaurant, including its renowned wood-fired bread and house-made antipasti. As for tipples, inside the white-washed-walled venue, guests can enjoy Italian inspired favourites such as spritzes and after-dinner cocktails. Split into two spaces and open 12pm until late every day, upon visiting Bar Tottis the hardest choice will be deciding on which sibling-venue is your favourite.


Bar Tottis – ivy – 330 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000


The Big Easy

Tucked along Stanley Street in Sydney’s Darlinghurst is the city’s newest New Orleans-inspired cocktail bar that’s seasoning up a storm. Led by Doug Laming (The Smoking Panda, Brix Distillery and Rabbit Hole Bar), The Big Easy showcases a Cajun and Creole-inspired food and drink menu serving up a range of comfort classics including Tajima Wagyu Beef Jerky ($10), Big Easy Jambalaya ($28) and Sweet Potato Fries ($12) tossed in rosemary and paprika served with a side of green tobacco aioli. We recommend making your way to the outdoor terrace, underneath the stringed lights to sink your lips into The Big Easy’s impressive cocktail list with the most delectable options including the Basic Bitch ($20) with elderflower liqueur, lychee and rhubarb bitters; and the GV&T ($21) tippled with earl grey tea leaves, mallow flower and Massenez Crème De Violette.


The Big Easy – 77 Stanley St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2020


Chargrill Charlie’s Dee Why

If you love chicken, then you’ll love this. Last December, Howard Avenue in Sydney’s Dee Why was blessed with the best – Chargrill Charlie’s Dee Why store grand opening. That’s right, the legends behind one of Sydney’s most finger-licking favourite chicken shops opened their 14th store – the third to open in 2019. Home to award-winning chargrilled chicken, Chargrill Charlie’s will serve up a range of Australia’s favourites including chicken schnitzels, seasonal salads, hot chips, wedges, burgers and of course, classic desserts including Chargrill Charlie’s homemade apple pie. Don’t cluck around, try it for yourself!


Chargrill Charlie’s Dee Why – 3/10 Howard Ave, Dee Why, NSW 2099


Coogee Pavilion

Just shy of six years since their first initial opening, the masterminds behind Coogee Pavilion will be blessing the bellies of Sydneysiders once more with their long-awaited, much anticipated, middle floor opening to the public on Friday 17 January. After five years in the making, Coogee Pavillion’s middle floor will see the opening of three unique venues, including restaurant Mimi’s, a new cocktail bar, Will’s and the Pav’s very own wine and tapas bar, Una Más. The three new venues inside the pavilion are accredited to a collaboration between Merivale’s CEO Justin Hemmes, executive chef Jordan Toft and Merivale’s design team, including Bettina Hemmes, Vince Alafaci, Caroline Choker and Amanda Talbot.


Coogee Pavilion – 169 Dolphin St, Coogee, NSW 2034


Fratelli Fresh Miranda

Joining Sydney’s already impressive line-up of restaurants, Fratelli Fresh has now made their way into level two of Westfield Miranda. Opening for the first time on Friday 13 December, Fratelli Fresh Miranda comfortably accommodates 200 seated guests which stretch out on to an alfresco terrace. The rooftop space along Westfield Miranda has also welcomed Scoop & Shake by Fratelli Fresh – serving house-made gelato, milkshakes and coffee to go. Accustom to the Italian cuisine, the menu features the likes of antipasti to share; a combination of white and red sauce pizzas including the Bresaola e Burrata ($30) that’s topped with 24 karat gold burrata; and of course, a smorgasbord of mains including pasta, salads and sides.


Fratelli Fresh Miranda – Level 2 Westfield Miranda – 600 Kingsway, Miranda, NSW 2228


Gusto Gelato

From studying the art of gelato making at the Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna to opening his first gelateria six years ago in Leederville, gelato guru, Sean Lee, has come a long way. Perth’s newest haven hailing from East Victoria Park opened their doors to gelato lovers mid-December 2019. Now, a month into their triumphant opening, Gusto Gelato’s newest store scoops up the freshest, most creative gelato flavours in town. With 25 flavours to choose from, visitors to Gusto Gelato East Victoria Park will be able to sink their teeth into a rotating range of flavours such as Cookie Monster, Chocolate Brownie, Apple Pie, Coconut Milk and Mango Ripple to name a few.


Gusto Gelato – 845 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park, WA 6101


Marsden Hotel, Burwood

Towering over Sydney’s inner west, just under 30-minutes from the CBD, the Marsden Hotel has found its new home in the heart of Burwood. Joining its sister boutique hotel in Parramatta, Marsden Hotel is the first luxury hotel to open in Burwood in over a decade. Apart from the 90 rooms to choose from including a luxury suite adorned in marble furnishing with accents of gold, the Marsden Hotel Burwood also boasts a delectable range of dining offerings including an in-house patisserie, Artisaint, with an eclectic range of French pastries and cheeses; Onyx Grill that focuses on premium meat led by executive chef Jeffrey Forrest as well a impressive wine selection sourced by Joe Chen; and last, but certainly not least, Burwood’s very own rooftop terrace, Skye Bar, featuring a mesmerising pool, champagne bar and of course, expansive city views.


Marsden Hotel, Burwood – 60 Burwood Rd, Burwood, NSW 2134


Prince Public Bar

80 years after their original opening, Managing Director of Prince Public Bar, Andrew Ryan, announced that the Melbourne bar would begin the rejuvenation of the historical complex. Three years later on Monday 20 January, Prince Public Bar opened their doors once again for locals and beyond. Today, Prince Public Bar features a new, expanded kitchen, open for breakfast through to dinner; a premium event space, Prince Deck; a 39-room boutique hotel; Prince Dining Room Restaurant; Aurora Spa and the popular rooftop space, Rain Room. But it doesn’t stop there. Amid late February festivities, Prince Public Bar will also introduce their hidden, 60-person-capacity wine bar elegantly hosted in an underground cellar adjacent to the pub.


Prince Public Bar – 2 Acland St, St Kilda, VIC 3182


WingHAÜS Sydney

After the success of opening their first venue in Brisbane, Sydney’s Gateway will now welcome the American-inspired, chicken wing-praising, finger-licking sports bar, WingHAÜS on the 26th of January. The Circular Quay precinct is already home to an expansive collection of dining options and will see WingHAÜS serve up their sauce-doused specialities (chicken wings of course) alongside an impressive side of other treats and snacks to nibble into. Accommodating 145 guests, WingHAÜS Sydney will be pouring an assortment of tipples including a whopping 40 draught beers on tap, cocktails and wine – perfect for watching games on the 20 large-screen TV’s. When they say ‘the bigger the better’, at WingHAÜS they mean it.


WingHAÜS Sydney – Gateway Sydney – Alfred St, Sydney, NSW 2000