400 metres down Macpherson Street from Table Manners and across the road from renowned sourdough bakery Iggy’s, Alex Cameron will open the doors to his second solo venture, Fishnets. Set to open in mid-April, Fishnets will bring a playful Japanese neighbourhood restaurant to the heart of Bronte.
Following the warm reception of Table Manners, which introduced relaxed European refinement to the area in 2024, Cameron is turning his attention to Japan, drawing on Japanese technique and Australian produce to create a venue that is moodier and more nocturnal, yet still unmistakably local.
“Opening Table Manners was about bringing new energy to post-5pm Bronte, an area with a vibrant daytime atmosphere but very few venues open beyond lunchtime” said Cameron. “With Fishnets, we’re building on that vision, creating a reason for people to come to Bronte without a set plan, start with a drink at one venue and perhaps end the evening with dinner at the other, forming a mini precinct in its own right.”
Fishnets sits somewhere between the precision of fine dining Japanese restaurants and the ease of a local haunt. The menu, led by former Sokyo omakase chef Sanghyeop Kim in collaboration with group executive chef Luke Churchill, spans elevated nigiri, hot dishes and a selection of Australian and Japanese Wagyu. The result is a sushi offering that champions technique while remaining relaxed and generous in spirit.
The drinks program remains an important pillar for Cameron. While the wine list will be more focused than the 400-bottle offering at Table Manners, it will continue to champion thoughtful producers, including a section dedicated to Japanese winemakers working around the world. A concise sake selection will sit alongside the wine list, encouraging guests to settle in with a bottle and explore the menu at their own pace. The cocktail bar, led by Russell Downie (ex Fred’s), will highlight Japanese ingredients through a refined, technique-driven approach to classic and contemporary cocktails.
Designed once again in collaboration with renowned interior designer Blainey North, Fishnets further establishes Cameron’s distinct hospitality identity in Bronte. The space is darker and more intimate, designed primarily for evening energy. Curves, layered fabrics and leather booth seating soften the room, while a dedicated cocktail bar anchors the space. Custom sconces from Melbourne maker Joanne Odisho and New Zealand-based Frangere Studios cast a warm glow throughout. Wall art by local artists Nix Francia and Rebecca Fernon adds a contemporary layer, alongside an homage to Japanese folklore reimagined through an Australian lens.
“For me, Fishnets is about creating a Japanese restaurant that feels genuinely at home in Bronte,” said owner Alex Cameron. “It is elevated in technique but relaxed in spirit. Somewhere you can drop in midweek for nigiri and a glass of wine, or settle in for a long dinner with old friends.”
Fishnets will be open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch over the weekend. Further details around the menu and offer will be announced in the lead up to opening in mid-April.
