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With some of our city’s most beloved restaurants sitting on the water’s edge (including the soon-to-close stalwart Quay), Sydney’s harbour-front dining scene is no stranger to big statements. Aori, opening today on King Street Wharf, looks like it’s following suit – a wildly beautiful 240-person venue that could well be in the running for the most beautiful new dining room in the city. Taking over the vast waterfront spot at 39 Lime Street, the new Japanese restaurant/ bar is the latest outpost from the team behind Alegre and Callao, and from what we can tell, it’s looking like a very solid addition to Sydney’s Japanese dining options.
Leading the kitchen is an experienced senior team: Head Chef Kim Chi (ex-Saké Restaurant & Bar), Head Sushi Chef Eric Lee (ex-Nobu and Sokyo) and Bar Manager Owen Glover. On the food front, Aori marks a deliberate shift from the brand’s other venues, zeroing in on Japanese techniques and flavours. The menu moves between raw, grilled and flame-cooked dishes – the golden triad of Japanese treats. According to the team, standout dishes include a koji-marinated Glacier 51 toothfish with ponzu, daikon oroshi and wasabi; Tasmanian lamb rack paired with miso eggplant, black garlic and brown butter; and a selection of premium Australian and Japanese wagyu cuts finished tableside with jus, freshly cut wasabi and black garlic purée.
Behind the bar, the focus sounds equally refined. Japanese whisky and saké anchor the drinks program, with more than 50 whiskies on offer (including rare pours like Hibiki 30 and Yamazaki 18 Mizunara) alongside curated saké flights and a strong line-up of signature cocktails.
The venue’s tagline “precision meets pulse” gives us an idea of the vibe we should expect, but the immaculate interiors have really got us across the line – a gorgeous, timber-trimmed space flooded with golden hour light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Inspired by Japan’s onsen and ryokan traditions, the open-plan space blends timber, stone and sculptural finishes, with space for up to 240 guests across dining rooms, lounges, balcony areas and private spaces and a resident DJ setting the tone.
If you can’t afford a trip to Japan this year (us neither), Barangaroo’s vast new venue might scratch the itch in the meantime. Doors open today (Monday, February 9) and you can book over here.