Sydney’s hospitality scene is set to explode with new openings this spring. Here are 10 of the most exciting, from blockbusters like Wunderlich Lane, a six-venue hospitality precinct in Surry Hills, and The Grounds Coffee Factory in Everleigh, to small-town charms like After Hours, a Randwick sandwich shop-turned-bodega, and House of Papi, selling Filipino pandesal bread in Marrickville.

10 spring openings

After hours, Randwick

As the sun begins to set, celebrity chef Matt Moran’s favorite local sandwich shop, Cut Lunch Deli, transforms into After Hours: a casual wine bar serving slightly more imaginative versions of favorite sandwiches, along with glasses of minimal-intervention wine and Australian craft beer. Come in your swimsuits, after a gym session, or with your buddies for a cruise hangout.

Why we’re excited: The popular Schnitz sandwich will brighten up the evening with cabbage salad and sweet chili, nut and shallot sauce served in an Organic Bread Bar potato roll.

When to go: After Hours will start on Thursday 12th September and will be open from Thursday to Sunday, from the end of the lunch break until approximately 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.

220 Clovelly Road, Randwick, cutlunchdeli.com.au

AP Supply, Surry Hills

Smaller takeaway outlet AP Bakery sells an exclusive new range of baked goods alongside old favourites such as Aleppo rolls and sourdough loaves. It is a joint venture between AP head baker Dougal Muffet, Russell Beard of Reuben Hill, chef and owner Ester Mat Lindsay and baker Jin Ng, who recently left his position at Tenacious in Darlinghurst.

Why we’re excited: They sell croissant-flavored ice cream, served in choux pastry rolls with croissant and black sesame crumbles and plenty of salted caramel sauce.

When to go: AP Supply opened in early spring and is open every weekend from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

106 Commonwealth Street Surry Hills,apbakery.com.au

Bsp’eria, Maroubra

What started as a small pizzeria in Penshurst Station, with an electric oven, a few crates of milk to sit in and a strict neo-Neapolitan menu that sold out almost every night, now one of Sydney South’s best pizzerias is coming to Maroubra Junction. Expect a takeaway pizza place with 10-12 seats and a large wood-fired oven.

Why we’re excited: That means carb-loading after a long day at the beach and unique menu items like the pizza with vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, creamy stracciatella sauce, basil and chili oil.

When to go: From Thursday 12 September, Bsp’eria Maroubra will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 5pm to 9pm, and until 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

665-667 Anzac Parade, Maroubra, bsperia.com

Lune Croissanterie, Rosebery

When Melbourne croissanterie Lune opens its flagship bakery in Rosebery Engine Yards later this year, it will be a “state-of-the-art, world-class experience,” says founder Kate Reid. It will also be the first time Sydneysiders will be able to buy Lune’s buttery, delicious croissants without having to travel interstate.

Why are we excited:Anticipating huge demand (fans have been known to queue for up to three hours for a croissant), Lune in Rosebery will be the bakery’s largest to date, with the capacity to bake more than 38,000 croissants a week.

When to go: A Lune spokesperson confirmed that the opening will likely take place in the spring.

Rosebery Engine Yards, 115/151 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery, lunecroissanterie.com

Papi’s House, Marrickville

When Donut Papi announced it would close this winter, it was devastating news for doughnut fans. But it was less a closure and more of a pivot—owner Kenneth Rodriguez later revealed plans to reopen the Marrickville location as “House of Papi”: a bakery and cafe serving doughnuts, Filipino afternoon teas, and sandwiches.

Why we’re excited: If the test menu is to be believed, the menu will feature an array of super-soft Filipino pandesal breads in flavors like ube, coconut pandan and pimiento cheese.

When to go: A spring re-launch date is not yet known, but keep an eye on social media for tastings.

139 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, instagram.com/houseofpapi_sydney

Neptune’s Grotto, Sydney

Hospitality trio Andy Tyson, Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clift have clearly mastered the formula for a great restaurant experience – their steakhouse Clam Bar has won two Good Food Guide hats for 2024, and Taylor Swift has dropped in at their Surry Hills restaurant Pellegrino 2000 during her tour. Neptune’s Grotto will be their fourth venture, a 70-seat Northern Italian restaurant below Clam Bar.

Why we’re excited: “This is our best spot yet,” says Tyson’s co-founder. Expect lots of hand-rolled pasta.

When to go: Tyson confirmed that Neptune’s Grotto will open before summer.

44 Bridge Street, Sydney, instagram.com/neptunes.grotto

Grounds Coffee Factory, Eveleigh

The Grounds is known for creating highly aesthetic spaces for the social media age, and their new addition Eveleigh is no exception. It’s a 150-seat locomotive-themed roastery and café with meticulous film-set detail, serving pastries from a moving cart, 11 types of coffee beans, and a full American breakfast.

Why we’re excited: This may be the ultimate boozy brunch experience, with a long list of drinks including the “morning martini” (with vodka, honey and espresso) and the “matcha collada” (dark rum, coconut, pineapple and matcha).

When to go: Since opening on September 4, the café has been open daily from 7am to 4pm.

2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, thegrounds.com.au/the-roastery

Pelicano, Potts Point

As part of Sydney’s nightlife revitalisation, the sprawling old Hugos Lounge on Bayswater Road is set to be reborn as a restaurant and nightclub. The restaurant’s culinary flavour will be Mediterranean with a strong Italian twist. The interior will have a “similar nautical feel” to the original Double Bay.

Why we’re excited: Pelicano aims to boost Sydney’s night-time trading with a ‘Come early, stay all night’ strategy.

When to go:The first stage of Pelicano – a restaurant and terrace, which will be open from 5pm and until late in the evening – will open on 17 September, followed by the opening of the neighbouring Pelicano nightclub over the long weekend in October.

Level 1/33 Bayswater Road, Potts Point, pelicano.com.au

Wunderlich Lane, Surry Hills

Wunderlich Lane is a new food and lifestyle development next to boutique hotel The EVE. This one location will feature six new eateries, all set to open before summer. Here are the details: The team behind the two-hat restaurant LuMi Dining will open Regina La Pizzeria with former Da Orazio piazzaolo Matteo Ernandes in October; omakase restaurant R after Raita Noda, and they were joined by the House Made Hospitality team (Grana, Lana) Island Radio (a pleasant culinary experience with Southeast Asian cuisine) and Baptist St Recreation Club (Australian 80s cocktail and wine bar). And then there’s OlympusGreek restaurant from The Apollo team designed for large groups, Messina ice cream for dessert! Phew.

Why we’re excited: This is your night, settled.

When to go: Facilities are expected to open in phases, starting in early October and ending in late November.

Postino Osteria, Summer Hill

The heritage-listed Summer Hill building, which until late last year was home to western favourite One Penny Red, is set to reopen as a restaurant and wine bar after one of Sydney’s leading Italian chefs, Alessandro Pavoni (a’Mare), bought the former post office. Pavoni has created a menu of comforting Italian classics, designed for casual evenings in the area.

Why we’re excited: A six-course menu is available for $79 per person, which includes homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

When to go: As of Friday, September 13, the restaurant will be open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for lunch Friday through Sunday. Reservations are now open.

2 Moonbie Street, Summer Hill, postino.au

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