What’s open on New Year’s Day in Sydney

Love bagels? Then you’re in for a treat at this sunny Bondi retreat featuring 7 types of bagels baked fresh in-house with flavours like seeds & spices and poppy. They also do fresh-baked challah, sourdough rye and paninis, but that’s another (delicious) problem of its own.

Your first brekkie of 2022 deserves no less than their brioche french toast, and zucchini omelette that has almonds in it. Catch up over a Mediterranean-style lunch of fattoush (vegetable and herb salad with spices, nuts and za’atar) or raw tuna served on puffed black rice with macadamias and a bucketload of other toppings. If you love carbs (and who doesn’t?), dig into a smoked turkey sandwich if you love carbs to cure post-Christmas sadness and wash it down with barista special chai dandelion.

Dish Cult Recommends: The $15 Free Range Eggs & Bagel

It seems only fitting that one of Sydney’s favourite steak (and French!) places would grace this New Year’s list. Bistro Rex made some serious waves in the foodie scene with their Potts Points digs, solidifying their status as one of the best places city-wide for a fancy feed.

French-inspired menu’s line the tables here and it would be remiss to leave without a taste of their famous Steak Frites served with cafe de Paris butter.

Other delectable things on the menu include spatchcock fricassee, lobster tail gnocchi, and spanner crab omelette. Bistro Rex sports a deeply romantic vibe and one that’s perfect for all sorts of celebrations, new beginnings included.

Dish Cult Recommends: The House Fat Aged Cote de Boeuf

Japanese craft beer and pan-fried gyoza has got to be the best way to start the New Year, right? Warm Japanese food in vibey digs is a big plus.

Heralded as some of the best dumplings in the city, these gyoza specialists take their art seriously, and you’ll find just about every filling imaginable. There are classics like pork and prawn, and then there’s lemongrass chicken, duck, mozzarella, and cheeseburger gyozas.

They’ve also got a selection of sides and share plates to go with your dumplings, and you can grab chicken karaage, lotus chips, and tempura, or even opt for a hearty chicken katsu rice bowl. Pick your poison, but either way, you’ll leave with a joyous food coma.

Dish Cult Recommends: The Pork Gyoza

Ho Jiak needs no introduction. One of the biggest showings of Southeast-Asian cuisine in Sydney, this buzzy spot is a Malaysian food institution that’s a cult favourite of foodies across the city.

Penang-born head chef Junda Khoo leads the way here with beloved family recipes matched with top-tier Australian produce. This spot filled with street art and waiters flitting about almost always sees a crowd of aficionados.

Famous here is the Nasi Lemak with wagyu rendang, laksa dumplings, and king prawn char koay teow. Premium renditions to street food they might be, but rest assured it loses none of its authentic classic flavours.

Dish Cult Recommends: The $33 Jumbo Nasi Lemak

Originally a Melbourne-based brewhouse, Mountain Goat has since expanded to the buzzy suburb of Newtown. One of the most lively locales to knock back a drink with your buds, the team here are certifiable masters of craft beer and you’ll enjoy their expertise in a range including Summer Ale and Organic Steam Ale.

Snack on their selection of bar food in the airy industrial-esque space or take your drink outdoors with pints long into the night at their contemporary beer garden. Finger-food here is a massive line-up of burgers, pizza, schnittys, and steaks. No matter what you get, you’ll leave here on a high that’s from more than alcohol.

Dish Cult Recommends: The Organic Steam Ale