Hot New Restaurants Opening in Australia this November

Akash Arora serves up Australia’s hottest new restaurants.

Sydney

Kid Kyoto

Food: Restaurateur Sam Prince  has given the Harbour City  a Mexican eatery, Méjico, and Indian/Sri Lankan diner Indu. Now, his Kid Kyoto is dishing  up “rebellious” Japanese:  cold squid udon with tomato dashi, say, or wok-smoked  mushrooms with walnut miso.

Drinks: Japanese-inspired cocktails with fresh, seasonal and colourful ingredients,  as well as international  and Australian wines.

Space: Pops of turquoise, magenta and yellow set the mood  at this vibrant eatery with teal-coloured booths.

Location: Bridge Street, a short walk from Circular Quay.

17-19 Bridge Street, Sydney

Hobart

Suzie Luck’s Canteen & Cocktail Bar

Food: One of Hobart’s most reliable restaurants, Smolt recently closed its doors to re-emerge as a pan-Asian establishment. Chef Joseph Koops is at the helm, serving dishes such as Bangkok chicken wings with sriracha mayonnaise and Vietnamese Wagyu carpaccio.

Drinks: There are 15 cocktails and  35 (mostly Australian) wines that lean towards aromatic whites and light reds.

Space: A smart, casual fit-out with  lots of timber, tiles and bright splashes of colour (above).

Location: Right where Smolt used to  be in Salamanca Square.

2 Salamanca Square, Battery Point

Adelaide

Bistro Blackwood

Food: Chef Jock Zonfrillo has reopened this approachable eatery in the same building that houses his fine-diner, Orana. Native ingredients are the  stars in dishes such as rib eye with eucalyptus potatoes and fire-pit kangaroo with broccoli leaves and spiced yoghurt.

Drinks: Sommelier Brent Mayeaux  has curated the concise wine list of 40 drops but guests  can also order from Orana’s 400-strong menu.

Space: White marble tables, timber chairs, booth seating and hues that range from marshmallow- pink to navy blue.

Location: The east end of  Adelaide’s CBD.

285 Rundle Street, Adelaide

Melbourne

Saxe

Food: Former Saint Crispin co-owner  Joe Grbac is behind this venue, which has a casual bar and restaurant on the ground floor and an intimate dining room upstairs that offers a classic three-course menu. The entrée of duck scrambled eggs with spanner crab is a standout.

Drinks: About 120 wines from  the Old and New worlds,  plus a tight saké menu.

Space: Timber, marble and brass contribute to the warm, sophisticated vibe.

Location: Melbourne CBD.

211 Queen Street, Melbourne