Sydney’s Eastern Beaches have no shortage of good places to eat, but every so often a restaurant arrives that feels like it belongs in the neighbourhood from day one. Fishnets, the latest addition to Bronte’s growing food scene, aims to do exactly that by pairing refined Japanese cooking with the relaxed pace of beachside dining.
A short trip from Clovelly, the new restaurant offers an alternative to heading into the CBD for premium Japanese cuisine. Instead, diners can settle into a welcoming space where seasonal seafood, carefully prepared sushi, and share-style dishes encourage a slower meal with family or friends.
A Familiar Name Behind Bronte’s Newest Dining Spot
Fishnets is the second venue from hospitality operator Alex Cameron and his Overwhelming Hospitality group, following Table Manners, Cameron’s earlier Bronte venue. Rather than repeating the same concept, Cameron has taken the restaurant in a different direction by focusing on Japanese flavours while keeping the atmosphere approachable and neighbourhood-focused.
Leading the kitchen is Sanghyeop Kim, formerly the head omakase chef at Sydney’s well-known Sokyo. The restaurant’s culinary team has developed a menu that reflects Japanese precision while making the experience feel comfortable enough for a casual weeknight dinner or a long weekend lunch.
Rather than presenting a traditional omakase experience, Fishnets positions itself as a neighbourhood restaurant where guests can enjoy high-quality Japanese-inspired dishes in a relaxed setting.
Seasonal Seafood Shapes the Menu
The menu celebrates Australian seafood through a Japanese lens. Nigiri takes centre stage, with selections that reflect seasonal produce and quality seafood sourced for the restaurant. Early coverage has highlighted premium seafood alongside carefully prepared sushi that draws on traditional Japanese techniques.
Beyond the sushi offering, the menu features larger dishes designed for sharing. Highlights include tuna katsu, seafood-focused mains, and Australian and Japanese Wagyu, giving diners a mix of lighter and more substantial options.
Dessert continues the Japanese influence with flavours such as matcha and hojicha, while Sydney gelateria Mapo supplies sorbets that round out the menu.
Although the cooking draws inspiration from Japan, Australian ingredients remain central to the restaurant’s approach. The result is a menu that reflects a style of dining becoming increasingly popular across Sydney, where local produce meets international cooking techniques.
A Space Designed for Long Lunches and Relaxed Evenings
The restaurant’s interior has been designed by Blainey North, who has created a dining room with leather banquettes, warm lighting and a dedicated cocktail bar. The space feels equally suited to an evening meal with friends or a special dinner close to home.
The drinks menu follows the same thoughtful approach. Diners can choose from Japanese-inspired cocktails, sake, Australian wines, Japanese whisky and a selection of local and imported beers.
Fishnets welcomes guests for dinner Wednesday to Friday, then offers lunch and dinner service across the weekend. This makes it an easy addition to a day spent exploring Bronte, Clovelly or the surrounding coastline.
Another Stop on Bronte’s Evolving Dining Scene
For Clovelly locals, one of the biggest attractions is simply the location. Instead of planning an evening in the city, residents now have another destination only minutes away that brings together quality food, welcoming hospitality and a coastal setting.
Whether you’re meeting friends after a coastal walk, planning a date night or looking for somewhere new to celebrate a special occasion, the restaurant offers another reason to stay close to home and enjoy what the eastern suburbs have to offer.
Published 1 July 2026
