Authentic, innovative and more sustainable than ever, the latest trends on the Australian culinary scene can also be used to describe the passionate Aussies who are leading the charge. Australia’s food scene is all about locally sourced and high-quality produce, and the dedicated chefs and producers who champion sustainable practices behind the scenes. Serving up local produce with designer flair, discover the best new Restaurants to visit in Australia in 2022.
LOTI
St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria | Opened June 2022
LOTI has opened its doors in the seaside suburb of St Kilda. Celebrating the best of Australia’s coastal surroundings, LOTI is infused with Mediterranean influence and an atmosphere of relaxed luxury and local community that is distinctly Melbourne.
Head Chef Elijah Holland (Lume, Noma Australia, Aria, Quay) is behind the flame, bringing his own artful interpretation of food cooked over fire, striving to make everything from scratch and using ancient techniques of fermentation, preserving, curing and serving food in the freshest and purest form. Head to the website to make a booking.
EXPLORE DESTINATION: LOTI
Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar
Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria | Opened May 2022
FREYJA
Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria | Opened June 2022
Collins Street in Melbourne, welcomes Freyja, a new two-level restaurant offering a sophisticated ‘new Nordic’ approach to Australian dining with Michelin-cred Chef Jae Bang (Norway’s Re-naa, New York’s Daniel, Spain’s El Bulli and Arzak) at the helm. Freyja delivers an elevated and approachable dining experience, emphasising an innovative menu aligning classic Northern European techniques with new culinary philosophies, and interiors that reflect raw Scandinavian simplicity. Creating bold and contemporary combinations using traditional methods such as pickling, curing, smoking, preserving, and skills honed during his Michelin training; Bang delivers a lineup of à la carte dishes focusing on layering flavour profiles and showcasing native ingredients and local producers. Freyja is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, reflecting the Scandinavian work culture and providing a work/life balance for its team. Head to the website to book.
Ele
Sydney/Warrane , New South Wales | Opened March 2022
The Star has welcomed a dynamite new restaurant to their list of heavy-hitters. ELE, short for the elements of earth, wind and fire, will deliver a tsunami of flavours in art-driven surrounds. Diners will progressively relocate through different spaces during their meal, with matching sounds and projected art installations. The dining experience will start in the bar, where a cocktail might arrive with snacks such as sourdough crumpet topped with wagyu tartare, before shifting into the art-projected dining room to dine upon dishes such as a dry-aged Murray cod served with roasted bone sauce.
Alcove
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Opened March 2022
Alcove Aptly named, Alcove is Canberra’s newest cosy corner, tucked at the back of the new Branx building in the city centre. Enclosed by an enormous wall of glass at the back and shaded by oak trees, this spot is perfect for a few candid pictures too. Alcove has a generous cocktail and wine menu, and its canapés can be ordered in any permutation you like, depending on hunger levels. But it’s the pairing menu that sets a new bar for Canberra, matching inventive cocktails to each bespoke morsel. Highlights include the sashimi paired with a shiso of yuzu, champagne and aromatic fog, designed to get the most out of the fresh, subtle flavours. Other showstoppers include the Canton chicken with scallion, daikon and wakame, paired with a cocktail of chrysanthemum, pear, sake, and citrus. Head to the website for more information.
HUBERT ESTATE
Yarra Valley, Victoria | Opened March 2022
