As we enter the festive season, there is no better time to explore the restaurants, wineries and bars that have recently opened across Australia. Book your next celebratory lunch or party at one of our top finds as rounded up below.
The Richmond Inn – New South Wales
Award-winning hospitality group Tilley & Wills has created the biggest beer garden in Sydney's Richmond area at The Richmond Inn. The dog-friendly space is ideal for enjoying a drink from their extensive list. There are various entertaining areas in the venue, including the front porch, airy homestead, a “naughty corner”, bistro and even a petting zoo. Sit down with the dedicated functions manager and choose a space for your next celebration or event – the beer garden can take up to 200 people.The group’s executive chef Brad Sloane has created an affordable pub menu, including a Sunday Roast, 1m pizzas for group bookings, chicken schnitzel and more. Guests can also observe the spit roasts and displays of smoked meat. Open late every day, here you can follow your meal with a boogie to live music and DJ performances, or watch a footy match on the 100-inch stadium-sized screen.
Tilley & Wills CEO Nick Wills says: “I love the Hawkesbury area and have been keeping an eye out for the perfect opportunity to create something special in Richmond. I wanted to create a welcoming place that has its own unique style, somewhere for everyone to enjoy – whether that's for a family day-trip, visiting for a quiet meal, or with your crew for a bit of cheeky fun.”
90 March St, Richmond NSW
Matilda Bay Brewery – Victoria
After months of rumours floating around the Australian beer scene, renowned brewer and winemaker Phil Sexton has re-established his former much-loved Matilda Bay brand via the Matilda Bay Brewery in the Yarra Valley's Healesville. The new brewery had been commissioned for March 2020, which spelt bad luck due to the chaos that came with Covid over 2020 and 2021. But head brewer Harry Sexton was working behind the scenes, alongside his father Phil, to create a new range of Matilda Bay beers and establish the new brewery.The beer menu boasts some of the brand's greatest hits, including the original Owl, Redback Summer, Alpha Pale Ale and Dogbolter Winter, which can be tasted at once by ordering the tasting paddle. If visitors need to refresh their palate, they can choose from flagship wines from Phil’s former winery Giant Steps, and other local wineries in the Yarra Valley. Pair a drink with a meal from the pub-inspired menu, such as the Matilda Bay burger or beef short rib with chimichurri and gherkins.
As Australia’s original craft brewery, Harry and Phil are looking to remaster the favourites, as well as produce new classics in the future to reflect the brand's longstanding reputation.
336 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC
4 Pines at the Farm – New South Wales
The country’s most visited wine region, the Hunter Valley, is now home to a new taproom and bistro by the 4 Pines Brewing Company. By putting down roots on the Hunter Farm, the 4 Pines team is ready to host visitors, with more than three million visitors passing through the region each year. The venue can host up to 300 guests in its indoor and outdoor spaces, which feature recycled timber and a weathered facade. The venue will be available for walk-ins, but on weekends and during peak season, bookings are recommended.Guests can enjoy views across the vines and valley from the wide verandahs, perhaps sipping on one of the 12 4 Pines beers on tap. The drinks offer also includes local Hunter Valley wine and a handful of cocktails. The menu includes burgers, pizzas and Aussie pub classics.
4 Pines Brewing Company Hospitality Manager, Adam Dearing says: “The Hunter has been crying out for something other than a wine and food offering, and with the Hele’s rich hospitality history and strong local connection, we’ve created a new offering for both the local community and thriving tourism market, which will uniquely operate seven days a week.”
Corner Hermitage Rd &, Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin NSW
Sasso Italiano – Queensland
In the growing South City Square precinct in Woolloongabba, Sasso Italiano has opened its doors, serving Italian food, natural wine and a special Negroni menu. The family-style old-school Italian menu changes each season, featuring fresh pastas, salads, charcuterie, a grill selection, crudo and woodfired pizzas. Head chef Gabriele Di Landri will man the kitchen, having worked in some of Australia’s biggest restaurants including Sydney's Dolphin Hotel and Matt Moran’s Chiswick Restaurant and Aria.Jared Thibault helms the bar as Bar Impresaro and also oversees the restaurant as managing partner. He has curated the restaurant’s extensive beverage offering featuring natural wines, cocktails and more than 10 takes on the Negroni. For those who prefer a cold beer, the venue also offers an exclusively-brewed beer, Birre Cazino – the first Italian-style lager crafted in Australia.
Director Jared Thibault says: “We’ve created Sasso to be a place where you come for good food and drinks, and you stay for the ambience, place and the people. It’s all about connection. The Sasso team is delighted to welcome guests and share the Sasso experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a passion to every dish and drink.”
Shop 4/148 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba QLD
Nieuw Ruin – Western Australia
Celebrating the notion of “weird wine”, this new small bar and eatery is in the largely beer-centric Fremantle and ready to shake things up. Step inside the restored cottage with more than 150 years of history, wrapped with an extensive verandah. It’s here that head chef Blaze Young has curated a menu celebrating fresh local produce, aimed to shift from casual snacks at the bar into lavish dinners at their communal tables.Alongside the seasonal cocktail menu, inspired by native produce and small-batch spirits, the wine list hosts over 300 bottles, showcasing boutique, independent producers globally. With most bottles sourced from small winemakers, they are extremely limited, offering a unique wine experience. If you’re looking for something a little kooky in the beer realm, the restaurant also offers an array of lagers, hop-laden craft brews and some of the best non-alcoholic options as well.
Head chef Blaze Young says: “My excitement for food has always stemmed from the beautiful produce that we have access to in WA. Being able to work with fresh mushrooms that were harvested a few hours before they arrive in your kitchen, or a pristine pink snapper that came off the boat that morning, that's what gets me excited.”
12 Norfolk St, Fremantle WA
Oliver’s Taranga Vineyard’s Cellar Door – South Australia
Once a tiny workers cottage, the cellar door at Oliver's Taranga has undergone a significant renovation and is now open for visitors. Overlooking the 120-hectare property, the renewed cellar door now includes a 10m long tasting bench featuring jarrah timber ribbing, a stone bench top and brass touches. The new renovation blends the rich Oliver family history, which dates back to the 1850s here, with a fresh new vision.Guests are encouraged to make their way into one of the private tasting suites to indulge in one of their tasting options – Tastes of Taranga and The Greats Reserve Series. For $10 a head, the Tastes of Taranga takes people through the family history and varieties of the vineyard, showcasing emerging alternative grapes and traditional McLaren Vale favourites. People can also go all out and try The Greats Reserve Series, which offers four of Taranga’s finest single-vineyard wines for $25 a person.
Corrina, Sam and Brioni of Oliver's Taranga say: “We decided as a family to ensure we had a good news story to come out of Covid and we feel that we certainly delivered something to be really proud of. More importantly, we hope our guests will love what we have created.”
246 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale SA
