Amuro Darlinghurst Team Opens Second Venue Winter at Oxford, 2026

Key Points

• The team behind Amuro, Darlinghurst’s intimate sake-led restaurant, will open their second venue this winter
• The new venue will be located in the Oxford and Foley development in nearby Darlinghurst
• Amuro is a 20-seat boutique saké (nihonshū) diner inspired by 深夜食堂 (Midnight Diner)
• The original Amuro located at 2/255 Crown St, Darlinghurst opened in 2023 with minimalistic design
• Oxford & Foley is a mixed-use precinct featuring 2,300 m² retail space, 9,200 m² commercial office space, and 1,600 m² cultural zones
• The development reinvigorates Oxford Street between Hyde Park and Taylor Square
• Oxford & Foley includes a 75-room luxury hotel, new restaurants, bars, and retail stores
• The project maintains heritage buildings while introducing contemporary design
• New food and beverage tenancies will energise Foley Lane with walkable pathways
• The winter 2026 opening marks expansion for the intimate Japanese izakaya known for rotating snack lists

Oxford(Oxford Daily) May 21, 2026 – The team behind sake-led restaurant Amuro in Darlinghurst will open their second venue this winter in the nearby Oxford and Foley development, according to Hospitality Magazine. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the intimate 20-seat Japanese diner that has cultivated a dedicated following since its 2023 opening on Crown Street.

As reported by Hospitality Magazine, the announcement confirms the winter 2026 opening timeline for the new venue, which will be situated within the Oxford and Foley precinct at 60-120 Oxford Street. The development represents one of Sydney’s most significant heritage restoration projects, transforming three heritage blocks into a mixed-use commercial, retail, and creative space.

Why Is This Expansion Significant for Darlinghurst’s Hospitality Scene?

Amuro’s original venue at 2/255 Crown Street has operated as walk-in only since opening, with bookings permitted for regular guests only upon invitation, as noted by The Urban List. The intimate diner offers a rotating snack list alongside boutique saké (nihonshū), operating Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm until late, with kitchen last orders at 21:30.

As reported by Surry Hills News in April 2023, Amuro is a “new intimate and welcoming space to enjoy conversations over a glass of sake and authentic Japanese snacks and rice dishes.” The venue opened with solo diners in mind, catering toward people dining alone or groups of two looking for an intimate meal, according to Sydney.com.

The expansion to a second venue represents considerable growth for a business that has maintained its exclusive, invitation-only booking system and minimal capacity. The original venue’s 20-seat configuration emphasizes the team’s commitment to intimate dining experiences rather than mass appeal.

What Does the Oxford and Foley Development Offer?

The Oxford & Foley project transforms a historic section of Oxford Street and Foley Street into a mixed-use precinct, as documented by Murray Property in March 2026. The initiative encompasses approximately 2,300 m² of retail space featuring cafes, bespoke stores and laneway dining, exceeding 9,200 m² of commercial office space designed for business and creative tenants, and cultural and creative zones totalling approximately 1,600 m² to support arts, design and innovation.

As reported by fjcstudio in January 2025, “Oxford and Foley is set to breathe new life into Sydney’s creative precinct, balancing heritage restoration with contemporary innovation.” The ambitious project focuses on reinvigorating the iconic Oxford Street strip between Hyde Park and Taylor Square, providing dedicated culture and creative spaces along with workspaces for both emerging and established industries.

Time Out Sydney reported in August 2022 that the precinct will feature a 75-room luxury hotel, a swathe of new restaurants and bars, and plenty of retail stores. The development respectfully integrates into existing Darlinghurst surrounds while injecting new working, creative, and hospitality spaces to the area, joining ranks with major Sydney developments like Quay Quarter, 25 Martin Place, and Barangaroo.

How Does the Development Preserve Heritage While Modernising?

The project maintains and enhances the precinct’s heritage fabric while introducing thoughtful contemporary design, according to Murray Property. Through thoughtful design and sensitive adaptation, the initiative aims to enhance the area’s cultural and economic vibrancy, as reported by fjcstudio.

Oxford and Foley incorporates existing heritage fabric while introducing modern extensions that harmonise with the streetscape. The design prioritises reducing the perceived scale from Oxford Street by sculpting new additions to align with the parapet, creating a visual hierarchy that complements the existing context. The striking curvilinear roof forms blend heritage and contemporary design while reactivating Oxford Street and Foley Lane with retail, art, and vibrant community connections.

The project improves connectivity by activating Foley Lane, introducing through-site links, and enhancing permeability across the site. New food and beverage tenancies will energise Foley Lane, providing walkable pathways and safer pedestrian experiences.

When Will the Second Venue Open and What Can Diners Expect?

The second venue will open this winter 2026, though specific opening dates have not been publicly announced. The original Amuro operates Monday through Friday from 16:00 to 22:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00, with kitchen last order at 21:30, according to the restaurant’s official website.

As reported by Instagram reviews, “Amuro is the type of place that hits the mark every time – from the… A cute lil Japanese restaurant/bar in the middle of Darlinghurst.” Patrons have described the venue as “super intimate space” and “my new favourite find,” with the menu changing weekly so there is always something new to try.

The original venue’s minimalistic design approach aims for guests to feel at home, enjoying conversations about Japanese culture over a glass of saké and snacks. Inspired by 深夜食堂 (Midnight Diner), the venue offers nostalgic vibes and relaxed service.

What Does This Mean for Sydney’s Sake and Izakaya Scene?

Amuro represents Sydney’s growing appreciation for boutique saké and authentic Japanese izakaya experiences. The venue offers a range of boutique saké (nihonshū) without a traditional drinks list, focusing on curated selections that complement the rotating snack menu.

As reported by The Urban List in April 2023, “There’s room for 20 guests, and no drinks list.” This approach distinguishes Amuro from conventional Japanese restaurants, emphasizing the team’s expertise in saké selection and their commitment to guided tasting experiences.

The expansion suggests growing demand for intimate, specialized Japanese dining experiences in Sydney’s Inner East. The original venue’s success with walk-in only service and invitation-only bookings for regulars demonstrates that the market supports niche, high-quality offerings over mass-market approaches.

Background: The Development of Amuro and Oxford & Foley

Amuro opened at 2/255 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, 2010 in 2023, according to Surry Hills News’ April 2023 coverage. The venue was established by a team focused on creating an intimate diner experience centered around boutique saké and authentic Japanese snacks. The restaurant’s name references the Japanese pronunciation of “Amuro” (あムロ), maintaining cultural authenticity in its branding.

The Oxford & Foley development began construction in 2022, originally slated for completion by mid-2023 in time for the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. However, as reported by The Star Observer in December 2024, the project faced delays and was still underway in December 2024, now slated to open in the middle of 2025. The development encompasses three heritage blocks at 60-120 Oxford Street, transforming the area into Sydney’s latest creative and hospitality precinct.

The development developers TOGA and AsheMorgan designed the project to pay homage to Darlinghurst’s cultural significance as a LGBTQIA+ heritage site and creative mecca. The project includes 7,600 sqm of commercial space with enhanced connectivity through pedestrian links between Oxford and Foley Streets, as reported by Build Australia in October 2020.

Prediction: How This Development Will Affect Sydney Foodies and Darlinghurst Residents

Amuro’s expansion to a second venue will likely increase accessibility for diners who have struggled to secure spots at the intimate 20-seat original location. The new venue’s larger capacity within Oxford & Foley will allow more Sydneysiders to experience the team’s curated saké program and rotating snack menu without the exclusivity of invitation-only bookings.

For Darlinghurst residents and workers, the Oxford & Foley precinct’s completion will transform Oxford Street into a vibrant混合-use destination with improved pedestrian connectivity. The activation of Foley Lane with new food and beverage tenancies will create safer walkable pathways between Hyde Park and Taylor Square, benefiting daily commuters and local businesses.

The hospitality sector in Inner Sydney will see increased competition as premium venues like Amuro establish presence in the new precinct. This concentration of quality food and beverage offerings will likely draw more visitors to Darlinghurst, potentially increasing foot traffic for existing businesses like Oxford Art Factory, Sandoitchi, Eternity Playhouse, and Shady Pines Saloon.

For sake enthusiasts and Japanese food lovers, the expansion signals growing market validation for specialized, intimate dining concepts in Sydney. Other restaurants may follow suit with focused concepts rather than full-service models, potentially diversifying the city’s dining landscape beyond conventional restaurant formats.

The winter 2026 opening timing positions the venue to capture post-holiday dining demand and establish presence before Vivid Sydney 2026, which runs from 22 May to 13 June 2026 according to TikTok coverage. This strategic timing could establish Amuro as a destination for international visitors attending the festival.