• First look: pioneering Greek Australian chef Peter Conistis returns to the CBD with Ela Ela, his take on a mezedopolio at the Bristol Arms. Expect his mum’s-recipe spanakopita and dirty Greek Martinis.

• First look: Torori, the Osaka-born chain famous for warabi mochi, arrives Down Under. The less chewy, more jiggly style of mochi is melt-in-your-mouth soft, and tossed in your choice of flavoured topping behind a glass window in Haymarket.

• First look: stop at Leon for globetrotting groceries and hearty ready-made meals. Will it be Iraqi dumplings or a schnitzel challah? Hungarian paprika or a jar of smoked honey?

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• Meet Don’s Katsu, the Bones team’s pop-up where hefty cuts of pork are in the top spot. The katsu set is the only thing on the menu – but it comes with plenty of sides, and there’s a size for different appetites and budgets.

• Song Bird was the most stressful opening of Neil Perry’s 42-year career. We asked the chef whether it was worth it.

• First look: the six-part Prefecture 48 arrives with a kitchen team straight from Tetsuya’s. No detail’s been spared in the Japanese precinct, where there’s a sushi master from Ginza in residence and the Maybe Sammy team on drinks. Find our picks of dishes (and drinks) across the precinct too.

• First service: at Joji, it’s panoramic city views and Wagyu sloppy joes from top chef Paul Farag. The Aalia exec chef’s pushing snacks straight off a custom robata too, and he’s joined by a bar manager with a nod from World’s 50 Best.

• At Arta Atelier, a fine patisserie on a suburban street, an ex-Rockpool chef is pushing glossy gateaux and artful choux buns. There are impressive pies and sausage rolls too, and bureks on the way.

• First look: Delta Rue, a buzzy Vietnamese French 210-seater, makes a strong case for a staycay. It’s the place for zingy beef-filled rice cakes and turmeric-roasted John Dory, plus banh mis made tableside.

• First look: adored Brissy brewery Felons hits a beachy Sydney locale. We’ve got our own lively beer scene, but the team’s bagged Corey Costelloe for the menu and there’s on-wharf brewing incoming – so we’re listening.

• First look: Cut Lunch Deli is now the place to be after hours. The team’s swapped coffee for natty wine, and sangas for salty snacks.

• The Shadow Baking team’s firing up a Gozney in a Marrickville car park. Head to the “permanent pop-up” for the faves (custard danishes and Vegemite scrolls with fermented chilli egg jam), plus tarte flambé-style pizza pockets.

• While not a new venue, The Bar at Oncore is in a fresh à-la-carte-friendly era. Experience Clare Smyth’s spectacular potato on its own, or in a four-part tasting menu (that’s less than half the price of the OG). Lean in with a bespoke set of cocktails to match.

• House of Papi is the Tita team’s new meryenda, and it’s another piece in a Filipino food hub in Marrickville. Find spam musubis, ube cruffins and Filipino toasties in the bright-green digs.

• Tilda’s $39 bread and butter might actually be worth it. The swish new CBD restaurant (and Bar Tilda next door) just opened in the revamped Sofitel Wentworth, with a starter elevated to main event.

• Serva was never supposed to be a cafe, but there was a blueberry chutney so funky that customers wanted more. Now, it’s a spot in Seaforth for condiments, a ripper egg and cheese English muffin and house-roasted coffee.

• Into strawberry matcha? Make a date with More in Rosebery. They’ve got the two-toned iced lattes on tap, along with toasties and bagels.

Additional reporting by Lucy Brewer, Aimee Chanthadavong, Jasmine Crittenden, Dan Cunningham, Monique Foy, Alice Jeffery and Pilar Mitchell.