Forks at the ready! There’s always a new foodie adventure to be had on the lower North Shore and here’s the latest. We’ll keep adding to this very exciting list of new local cafes and restaurants!
Sake Zen by Kaido, Chatswood
Almost hidden away up a flight of stairs on Neridah Street, Sake Zen by Kaido is Chatswood’s newest Japanese dining destination, bringing an authentic izakaya experience to the North Shore from the team behind popular local favourite Sushi Kaido.
Founded by brothers Hikaru and Yasuaki, Sake Zen combines the quality, attention to detail and fresh flavours that Sushi Kaido is known for with a more intimate and relaxed setting inspired by traditional Japanese izakayas.
“I really wanted to bring back the izakaya experience that I enjoyed in Japan here,” says manager Hikaru. “My brother and I had a shared vision. He’s been a sushi chef for the last 18 years and wanted to open his first ever restaurant. We wanted to create the kind of restaurant we would enjoy dining in as well.”
The menu showcases a mix of Japanese classics and creative house specialties, alongside the sushi that has earned Sushi Kaido its loyal following. Start with appetisers such as grilled chicken meatball skewers, garlic butter potato, bluefin tuna sashimi, crispy gobo chips with yuzu mayo, chicken karaage and Sake Zen ceviche infused with bright yuzu citrus.
Heartier dishes include lobster popcorn, grilled Storm Bay clams, slow-cooked duck confit, grilled Hokkaido scallops with homemade garlic butter and ponzu, pork kakuni and Kagoshima A5 Wagyu beef tataki.
With winter settling in, warming bowls of Duck Soba and Sake Zen Chicken Broth Ramen are also expected to become crowd favourites.
Fresh, seasonal and always evolving, the menu will feature limited-run dishes and new specials throughout the year. Guests can pair their meal with a carefully curated selection of Japanese sake and whisky, whether dropping in for a drink after work or settling in for a leisurely evening.
Sake Zen is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm at 56/47 Neridah Street, Chatswood.
Sake Zen by Kaido
📍 56/47 Neridah Street, Chatswood
📸 @sakezen
Willoughby’s Vibe Cafe, Willoughby
A fresh new energy has arrived on Mowbray Road with the opening of Willoughby’s Vibe Cafe, now welcoming locals at 130 Mowbray Rd, directly opposite Willoughby Girls High. Taking over the former Halo Halo Cafe site, this exciting new spot is already winning fans in the neighbourhood.
Owned and operated by Luiz Henrique Friolim de Castro – better known as Henry – the café represents a long-held dream realised. After spending years working in hospitality, Henry is thrilled to finally open a venue of his own. “We did choose Willoughby as we knew the shop before and the great location and neighbourhood there. The community is really great,” he says.
The kitchen is a true family affair, with Henry’s cousin – a qualified chef – leading the cooking. The menu blends classic café favourites with a subtle Brazilian twist, reflecting Henry’s heritage. The standout dish? “It’s my favourite as well, it would be the Brazilian Steak Sandwich,” Henry shares.
Early visitors are already raving, with one Willoughby Living member declaring they tried “the best burger ever” at Willoughby’s Vibe. Açai bowls are also on offer, which will be handy for our Willoughby Girls High students just across the road.
Coffee lovers will be pleased to know they proudly serve The Grounds coffee. And Willoughby’s Vibe Cafe plans to be open seven days a week from 6.30am.
Willoughby’s Vibe Cafe
130 Mowbray Rd, Willoughby
@willoughbysvibecafeRumi Persian Kitchen, Crows Nest
Alireza Bathaei has operated the 32 Falcon Street site for more than seven years. Previously home to high-end Japanese restaurant, No. 32 Restaurant & Bar, the space retains a refined interior aesthetic, now paired with a menu centred on Persian cuisine.
Rumi Persian Kitchen’s menu has been designed to welcome both newcomers and those already familiar with Persian food.
For first-time diners, the grill section provides an accessible starting point, including Koobideh kebabs made from finely minced, spiced meat cooked over flame.
The Lamb Shank served with Baghali Polo – fragrant rice with broad beans and dill – is another of the restaurant’s featured dishes.
Ghormeh Sabzi, one of Iran’s most recognised stews, also appears on the menu. Made with herbs, slow-cooked meat and dried lime, it reflects the layered, herb-driven flavours associated with Persian home cooking.
Across the menu, traditional dishes are presented with a contemporary sensibility, aligning with Alireza’s aim of offering a more modern Persian dining experience.
Unlike many Persian restaurants in Sydney, Rumi includes a dedicated bar with Persian-inspired cocktails. The Anar Highball incorporates pomegranate and citrus notes, while the Queen of Hearts references rosewater, an ingredient long connected to Persian culinary traditions.
Rumi Persian Kitchen
32 Falcon Street, Crows Nest
0448 550 918
Open 6:30pm – 9:30pm Wednesday to Friday, 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 9:30pm on Weekends.
Mr Hotpoter ‘Hotpot Train’, Chatswood
“Imagine a sushi train, but with hotpot ingredients! Get ready for a unique dining experience full of fun and flavour. Are you ready to spice up your meal game?”
The novel new Mr Hotpoter at Chatswood Mandarin Centre takes the sushi train concept and applies it to hotpot – which works perfectly.
A popular dish in Asia, hot pot is usually “a communal dining experience where raw ingredients are cooked in a pot of simmering broth at the table. Essentially, it’s a “cook-it-yourself” meal where diners share a pot of broth and cook their own ingredients to their liking.”
The vibrant, open restaurant space certainly feels communal and the dining experience begins with opting for which broth base you’d like.
Taking a seat at the ‘train’ while you wait for your hot broth, the various ingredients parade past you and the choices are both fascinating and numerous and include meats, seafood, vegetables, noodles and more. If you’re feeling adventurous there’s definitely lots here to test your palate.
The ingredients move slowly by on the train in front of diners, but the hotpot is delivered via fast train on top, whizzing around once it’s ready. It then sits on a stove in front of you and simmers away whilst you opt for your preferred ingredients from the train and pop them in to cook.
If you venture over behind the entry you’ll find a serve-yourself sauce and salad bar and a complimentary hot snack bar with spring rolls, hot chips, steamed rice and more.
The staff are friendly and helpful, bringing regular top-ups of broth around as well.
If you’re looking for a novel, quick and inexpensive dining experience Mr Hotpoter is one to try.
Address: Chatswood Mandarin Centre, Level 2
Instagram: @mrhotpoter_australia
El Jefe, North Sydney
If tacos, empanadas, and Latin beats sound like your vibe, El Jefe is calling. This new Latin American eatery in North Sydney is all about fresh flavours and a chilled environment that makes you want to order another margarita.
Expect slow-cooked barbacoa tacos, house-made churros, and plenty of share plates loaded with colour and spice.
With its casual vibes and modern Australian twist on classic Latin dishes, El Jefe is made for group dinners, weeknight dates, and post-work margies.
Must-try: Beef Barbacoa Tacos and those can’t-stop-at-one Churros.
Address: Shop 2/5 Ridge Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
Website: eljeferestaurant.com.au
Instagram: @eljefe_sydney
Red Lenny, St Leonards
For the pasta lovers and focaccia fanatics, Red Lenny is your new go-to. Run by two Italian expats who brought their Nonna’s recipes all the way to St Leonards, this Italian kitchen is serving up the kind of hearty, honest food you dream of on chilly days (or anytime, really).
Think crispy arancini, hearty pastas, loaded paninis, and old-school Italian desserts that will make you want to kiss your fingertips.
Must-try: Pannis, Lasagne al Forno, and the tiramisu (for obvious reasons). For something a little different but utterly delicious – order the house-made porchetta panino with provolone, red cabbage, apple slaw and potato cream. And for the sweet tooths, their Pistachio Basque Cheesecake is a green dream!
Address: Chandos Street, St Leonards NSW
Instagram: @redlenny48
Plan B Burgers & Booze, Crows Nest
When life falls apart, you need a Plan B. Whether your date ghosted, your boss scheduled another “quick Zoom,” or your homemade salad isn’t cutting it around lunchtime—Plan B Burgers & Booze is here to save the day (and your appetite).
Sitting next door to Luho, and a short walk from the Metro, Plan B is the place of your burger dreams. Think smashed beef patties with crispy edges, fried chicken stacked high, homemade hot sauce, and melted fried mozzarella that stretches impossibly long distances.
If hot dogs are more your speed, their loaded hot dogs won’t disappoint either. More than the usual kransky in a bun with T-sauce, Plan B’s dogs feature ingredients like jalapeño sausages, sauerkraut, diced onion, pickles, German mustard, ketchup, and crushed salted pretzels.
Pictured: The popular Nashville hot chicken burger and owner Jake pulling one of Plan B’s many craft beers on tap.
Must-try: The Nashville hot chicken and classic smash cheeseburgers, the signature classic margarita, and a pickleback shot (with rum and pickle brine) if you’re feeling brave.
Address: 79 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
Instagram: @planbburgersbooze
WaFire Grill, Neutral Bay
After 25 years in professional kitchens, including a decade in Dubai and eight years commanding the pans at Darling Harbour’s Kazbah, Chef Wasim Shaikh is finally doing things his own way.
His first solo venture, WaFire Grill, landed just before Christmas, bringing Middle Eastern cuisine to a corner of Neutral Bay that’s been crying out for something new.
Having competed in international chef competitions and worked at Dubai’s prestigious Burj Al Arab, Chef Wasim brings experience gained from Lebanese, Turkish, Iranian and Moroccan master chefs to the North Shore.
Wondering what Wasim’s cooking up? Expect delicious grilled meats, fresh salads, fragrant rice dishes, smoky baba ganoush, garlicky-good toum, house-made hummus (how divine does it look?), and freshly baked flatbreads.
A casual eatery with dishes that punch above their price range, WaFire feels right for both quick lunches and lingering feasts.
While the area’s never been short on great Asian and pub grub, it’s clear that Wasim’s 25 years in professional kitchens, both overseas and in Sydney, have shaped this new venture into something special.
For the lunch crowd, WaFire Grill offers a particularly tempting proposition with $15 lunch specials. The free BYO policy is another welcome touch, making it an easy choice for both casual meals and special occasions.
Wasim shares that he and the team love hosting events that celebrate Middle Eastern culture. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming cultural events featuring live Middle Eastern music and traditional belly dancing performances.
WaFire Grill
Location: Shop 1, 24 Young Street, Neutral Bay
Open: seven days a week from 11.30 am to 9.00 pm
Website: https://wafiregrill.com.au/
Fleur de Mizu, Northbridge
The team behind popular restaurant Sous Le Soleil have reopened as Fleur de Mizu at Northbridge – with a twist. Known for their scrumptious French fare, the team have added a new twist to Fleur De Mizu’s menu – it’s French/Japanese fusion!
‘Our innovative fusion approach ensures every dish is a unique masterpiece, offering an exquisite blend of French and Japanese flavours. Our cosy ambiance and attentive service create the perfect setting for unforgettable dining experiences,’ says Owner Etienne Fromentier.
Featuring a wide variety of meat, seafood and veggie-forward dishes, there is something for everyone. Seafood entrees include: Le Bonbon de Gambas King prawns – with bonbon as Gyoza, orange, Kombu dashi bisque, dehydrate chive and the St Jacques en Pelerinage Scallops – with lardon, pea, tarragagon, green asparagus & tamari veloute.
As for the appetisers, seafood lovers won’t be let down with oysters, sashimi platter, and caviar on the menu. There’s also a French-Japanese charcuterie board with Jamon Iberico, saucisson, miso braised house made pork terrine, cornichon, daikon pickle, and croutons.
Fleur de Mizu
Address: 6/128 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge 2063
Hours: Dinner – Wednesday – Saturday from 5:30pm. Lunch – Weekends from 12pm.
Website: www.fleurdemizu.com.au
Instagram: @fleurdemizu
Al Aseel, Chatswood Chase
From succulent small dishes and mixed plates to sweet delights, Al Aseel’s huge menu is intimidating in the best possible way. Whether you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you and your party will find something tempting to try—no matter their dietary requirements.
Don’t miss out on their hot and cold mezza, with dips, kibbe, meat and vegetable-filled sambousesk (deep fried pastry pockets) or famous crispy Fattoush salad. For something special, try the Samkah Harrah, Barramundi baked with traditional tahini, chili & coriander and served with seadieh rice, almonds and pine nuts.
Parents and young children will be very happy with the kids’ menu, which caters to chicken-nugget-and-chips-loving kids as well as those who might want to be more adventurous. We’re sure they’ll save room for the special kids’ ice cream with crushed Maltesers, marshmallows, and chocolate sauce.
And for the adults to finish, the dessert menu is filled with delectable Lebanese sweets, from the Halewet el jebel (rolled sweet cheese filled with kasha and strawberries) to the Osmalieh (roasted vermicelli filled with pistachio kashta cream and topped with edible flowers).
Al Aseel
Address: Chatswood Chase, Victoria Ave, Chatswood.
Website: www.alaseel.com.au
Instagram: @alaseelrestaurants
Dim Joy House, Chatswood
With a specialty in traditional Cantonese cuisine, Dim Joy House is already establishing itself as a hot new contender to Chatswood’s dining scene. With a wide variety of yum cha classics and a rotation of gorgeous specials, there’s something there for every palate!
In addition to this, Dim Joy House also offers an a la carte menu chock-full of both contemporary and traditional Cantonese cuisine, including Stir-fried Mongolian Beef and Honey-Glazed King Prawns, so they’re appropriate for just about any occasion.
And if the good food wasn’t enough, just look at the design! In a collaboration with Pony Design Co., the interiors are a sleek, contemporary and refreshing take on the traditional Cantonese dining house.
The result is a cozy yet sophisticated dining experience with a wide range of different foods to choose from. Dim Joy House can be found inside the Chatswood RSL club (and members of the club can enjoy 10% off their bill!) so be sure to check it out next time you’re there!
Dim Joy House
Where: Chatswood RSL Club, 446 Victoria Ave, Chatswood 2067
Opening hours: Wednesday – Monday. Open 11am-3pm for lunch, 5pm – 9:30pm for dinner
Website: https://chatswoodrsl.com.au/dining-bars/dim-joy-house/
Instagram: @dimjoyhouse
Bookings: To make a reservation, please call 8440 3248
The Funky Indian, Crows Nest
Crows Nest has a new flavour sensation! The Funky Indian restaurant is serving up a sizzling mix of authentic Indian cuisine, vibrant atmosphere, and mind-blowing cocktails.
The team are on a mission to redefine what it means to experience Indian cuisine. You can expect all your street food favourites, but with a contemporary twist. Get ready to tantalise your taste buds with bold flavours bursting with spices.
Indulge in mouthwatering curries or for something truly unique, try their innovative takes on classic Indian food, such as the crispy and flavourful Samosa Chaat or the succulent Tandoori Lamb Chops.
And don’t forget to quench your thirst with one of their show-stopping dry ice cocktails, a perfect complement to your meal. The cool interiors feature a neon-lit bar, cosy seating, and super welcoming staff. The Funky Indian is the perfect spot for a night out with friends, date night or a special occasion.
The Funky Indian
Where: 469 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5-10pm
Website: https://thefunkyindian.com.au/
Instagram:@thefunkyindianrestaurant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funky-indian
The Captain’s Balcony, Crows Nest
Prepare to embark on a whisky journey like no other as one of Sydney’s finest boutique whisky bars, The Captain’s Balcony, drops its anchor on Willoughby Road this August. Owners Akash and Isabella opened their first bar on Erskine Street, Wynyard in 2015 and are excited to embark on this new venture in Crows Nest, eight years later.
“We are first and foremost a bar, specialising in whisky,” Akash explains. “We have an eye-watering range of Japanese whisky and more from all corners of the globe (500 to begin with and more on the way), as well as craft beers, wine, boutique gins and accompanying bar snacks to soak it up.”
Those eager to explore the world of whisky can set sail on a crafted tasting flight – each acting as a guided tour through various tastes, profiles, regions, and countries.
“Come for the barrel-aged Old Fashions and Negronis, then stay for the neat serves and top-shelf snacks,” Akash says.
In many ways, the opening of this Crows Nest venue is a heartfelt homecoming for Akash and Isabella who currently reside in the neighbourhood with their baby Airen.
Akash explains, “When Isabella first landed in Australia, her life revolved around Willoughby Road and North Sydney – studying English at TAFE, hospitality in North Sydney and falling in love with food, particularly Japanese food, in the many Asian eateries of the North Shore in the ’90s.”
This Asian influence runs through their bar menu with everything from wagyu cheeseburgers and K-pop spicy chicken burgers to prawn rolls and chargrilled skewers.
The couple hopes that The Captain’s Balcony, Crows Nest bar can be a “home away from home” for locals and invite them to book for private parties and events. With a bar room, a whisky room, a captain’s lounge and an outdoor courtyard, there’s a space for every mood and occasion.
The Captain’s Balcony will open in Crows Nest on Tuesday, August 8, welcoming both booked guests and walk-ins. Keep your eye out for whisky masterclasses and exclusive tastings in the future.
Where: 116 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 4 – 10.30pm
Website: https://www.thecaptainsbalcony.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaptainsbalcony/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_captains_balcony/
Nem Kitchen, Crows Nest
There’s a buzz already with the opening of Nem Kitchen on Willoughby Road in Crows Nest, as many locals have already tried their Cammeray restaurant and love it. Nem Kitchen has been around since 2008, and is also wowing Vietnamese food fans in their Waterloo, Glebe and North Sydney locations.
Owner Tracy Nguyen is greeting and serving patrons personally in Crows Nest, and it’s a lovely warm and welcoming interior with a lovely fit out.
Entrees to try including Quails in Butter; Beef Betel Leaf; Sugarcane Prawns and some of the best Spring Rolls you’ll find – including Hanoi Crab & Pork, Net Seafood and Vegetarian.
For mains, choose from Pho (rare beef, beef brisket, beef balls), Noodle Soups (crispy chicken, spicy hue beef, pork chop and more), Vermicelli Salads (bbq pork and spring roll, chicken and avocado, sugarcane prawn, grilled lemongrass chicken and more) and some wonderful Chefs Recommendations, including:
- Shaken Beef Cubes
- Spicy Butter Porkchop
- Salt and Pepper Squid
- Chilli & Lemongrass Chicken/Tofu
- ‘La Vong’ Ling Fish
- Slow Cooked Beef
There are also rice plates (seafood, sate chicken, bbq pork and more), plus they’re licensed so beer and wine are on offer, too.
Nem Kitchen
Open Hours: 11am to 9pm
Address: 96 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
Ph: 0477218318
Crescent Croissanterie, Crows Nest
Everyone else may be holidaying in Europe but you don’t need to travel that far to try delicious French pastries. Crescent Croissanterie in Crows Nest opened last year, and its limited amounts are baked fresh every day.
Named after the croissant shape similar to a crescent moon, Crescent’s menu includes pain au chocolat and almond croissants, tiramisu croissants, savoury croissants, the ‘dirty chocolate’ croissant, cinnamon buns and more.
It’s the first time owner Elly has run her own business after working for 10 years in Sydney bakeries, and says she loves the North Shore location where every croissant is baked fresh every morning.
“It’s a lovely neighbourhood! People are so kind, even though we are new in town, people are welcoming and supporting us very well,” she said. “Our signature item is Earl Grey custard. If you are more like a savoury person, I would recommend our house made basil pesto with cherry tomatoes and bocconcini.”
There’s something to tempt your taste buds and transport you to Paris but try to visit before 11am, and take a seat outside in their new seating area with a coffee to enjoy your special treat!
