The Cut Bar & Grill (Sydney – pictured, above)
Nestled in the basement of a historic former bond store, The Cut Bar & Grill offers a premium steakhouse experience in a space defined by heritage sandstone and timber accents.
With its timeless elegance and versatile layout, The Cut caters to various dining occasions, from intimate dinners in classic wooden booths to group gatherings around spacious marble tables. A 10-person private dining room provides an exclusive setting for special celebrations, while the bar offers a relaxed space for quick lunches, evening drinks and casual snacks.
The menu reimagines classic steakhouse traditions with a modern, refined touch, showcasing premium Australian ingredients and woodfire cooking. The standout slow-cooked standing prime rib – carved tableside – is complemented by lighter options such as tuna aguachile and roasted scallops with kombu butter.
Luxurious small plates, including caviar with potato hash browns, lead into mains such as Milly Hill lamb cutlets and eastern rock lobster with herb butter, while indulgent sides such as chicken fat potatoes and cacio e pepe mac and cheese complete the experience.
Balancing tradition and contemporary flair, The Cut appeals to steakhouse enthusiasts and diners seeking a fresh take on a classic restaurant experience.
Miji Bar and Grill (Sydney)
Miji Bar and Grill is North Sydney’s newest Japanese izakaya, having opened for business in February 2025. Located on Miller Street, its Japanese-imported bright neon lights and vibrant atmosphere make it impossible to miss.
The restaurant provides a dining experience that captures the essence of Japan with a unique local twist to its innovative menu designed by executive chef Jacob Lee. Honing experience across Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Seoul, Lee focuses on high-quality ingredients and refined techniques. Some of his signatures include rainbow trout, kingfish crudo and kanimiso okonomi.
Miji is also home to one of Sydney’s first self-serve wine bars, which allows guests to pour their own drinks from a selection of 24 wines, sakes and mocktails. Conveniently positioned opposite bar seating, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink, enjoy it at your own pace and leave whenever you’re ready – just like an authentic izakaya in Japan.
Wayfarer’s Bar & Café (Sydney)
A stylish and relaxed cafe by day, with wine bar vibes at night, Wayfarer’s Bar & Cafe at Aiden Darling Harbour, in Sydney’s inner-city Pyrmont village, offers a cosy and welcoming space to sip and eat at any time of day.
Tuck into a plush lounge with a barista-made coffee in hand, enjoy lunch alfresco on cafe seating out front overlooking Pyrmont Bridge and the city, or pull up a black leather-studded stool at the marble-topped bar and order a cocktail or Australian wine.
Savour a dish from the all-day and evening snacks menu, such as confit duck soba or prawn croquettes, while admiring the art-filled surrounds, with highlights including the golden 200-piece sculptural light over the bar and the enchanting oil painting of Blackwattle Bay in 1788 by Archibold finalist and artist in residence Jess Le Clerc.
Oaks Cypress Lakes Bistro and Bar (Pokolbin, Hunter Valley)
Located at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in the NSW Hunter Valley, this popular dining establishment is set among rolling golf greens, vineyards and the picturesque Brokenback Mountain Range.
Ideal for intimate retreats and large-scale launches and events, the resort’s bistro makes every meal a celebration of flavour. From hearty breakfasts to leisurely lunches and delightful dinners, it offers a welcoming atmosphere among the scenic beauty of wine country.
Lunches feature burgers, sandwiches and salads, while evenings are a hub for the resort’s golf club members, guests and locals to come together to enjoy a drink and savour an evening of relaxation and tastes from the Australian fusion menu.
oakshotels.com/en/oaks-cypress-lakes-resort
Donna Chang (Brisbane)
Donna Chang is a delicious fusion of the old and new located in Brisbane’s CBD. Centuries-old traditions of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines are interpreted with modern takes, techniques and premium Queensland produce.
The restaurant’s unique dining experience takes place in a 1920s-era, heritage-listed former bank that dazzles with contemporary interior design. Its light and spacious dining room boasts dramatic high ceilings with intricate carvings and spectacular chandeliers. Plush pastel upholstery and hanging greenery are additional eye-catchers.
Ascend the sweeping staircase to three mezzanine-level private dining rooms that can host intimate groups or merge to become interconnected bigger spaces, including an exclusive function area that spans the upper level.
Chelsea Social (Perth)
Housed inside the newly reimagined ibis Hotel in the heart of Perth, Chelsea Social prides itself as one of the city’s premier destinations for work and play. With punchy colours, playful finishes and a London-meets-Perth attitude, this vibrant venue brings something new to the city’s dining and social scene.
Chelsea Social serves up a feel-good menu of UK-inspired classics with a modern slant. With hearty breakfasts, an all-day dining menu and curated share platters, it’s food that suits every occasion. Sip on signature cocktails, explore the private collection of wines, or take comfort in the familiar with a line-up of pub favourites, all done Chelsea-style.
With space for up to 150 guests, Chelsea Social is a vibrant new venue comprising three distinct spaces – Chelsea Dining Hall, Chelsea Bar and Chelsea Events. Open to ibis Hotel guests and the public, this all-day spot invites locals and visitors to soak up its bright, welcoming energy and panoramic views of Murray Street.
