Eats in Sydney

Sydney is a foodie paradise waiting to be explored. From trendy waterfront eateries to hidden laneway gems, Sydney offers a tempting array of dining experiences that will leave your taste buds craving more. We offer our suggestions to help you start your culinary adventure through Sydney.

For those eager to discover the best restaurants and eateries, several resources are available to guide your gastronomic journey

Websites
  1. First Table (https://www.firsttable.com.au/): Offering exclusive early bird dining deals, First Table allows you to book tables at popular Sydney restaurants and enjoy significant discounts on your meal, making fine dining more accessible and affordable.
  2. Time Out Sydney (https://www.timeout.com/sydney): A trusted source for restaurant recommendations, reviews, and guides to the city’s dining scene, ensuring you never miss out on the latest culinary hotspots.
  3. Broadsheet Sydney (https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney): An online magazine that covers all things food and drink in Sydney, offering insightful articles, reviews, and curated lists of must-visit restaurants and cafes.
  4. Urban List Sydney (https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney): A go-to destination for discovering Sydney’s latest dining trends, hidden gems, and upcoming food event.
Fine Dining experience

Start your culinary journey at Bennelong, nestled within the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House. This architectural marvel hosts an equally impressive dining experience where modern Australian cuisine takes centre stage. Indulge in dishes crafted with the finest local ingredients while taking in breathtaking views of the harbour

Other suggestions for fine dining options:

Quay – Located at Circular Quay, Quay offers modern Australian cuisine, emphasising seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques, with stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Aria – Situated in the heart of Circular Quay, Aria showcases contemporary Australian cuisine by renowned chef Matt Moran, featuring elegant dishes crafted with precision and finesse.

Tetsuya’s – Tucked away in a heritage-listed building in the CBD, Tetsuya’s offers a Japanese-inspired degustation menu that celebrates the harmony of flavours and textures.

Sepia – In the bustling suburb of Darling Harbour, Sepia delivers a sophisticated dining experience with its avant-garde dishes and impeccable service, earning it multiple accolades, including a coveted Michelin star.

Bentley Restaurant + Bar – Combining fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere, Bentley in Surry Hills offers a seasonally driven menu featuring inventive dishes and an extensive wine list curated by award-winning sommeliers.

Flavours from around the world

Head to Spice Alley in Chippendale to taste Sydney’s multicultural flavours. This bustling laneway is a melting pot of Asian cuisines, with aromatic aromas wafting through the air as you navigate between hawker-style stalls. From fragrant Thai curries to mouthwatering Malaysian satay, Spice Alley promises a feast for the senses.

As a vibrant waterfront precinct near the International Convention Centre, Barangaroo, Sydney, offers diverse dining options. From Spanish tapas to Italian pasta and Turkish delights, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Alternatively, Darling Square is nearby and offers a vibrant precinct where dining and entertainment collide. Between Chinatown and Darling Harbour, Darling Square is a dynamic hub buzzing with energy and excitement. Here, you’ll find an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, and bars serving flavours from around the globe.

Other suggestions for flavours from around the globe:

Mamak – Located in Haymarket, Mamak is famous for its authentic Malaysian cuisine, including crispy roti canai, flavourful satay, and fragrant nasi lemak, served in a bustling atmosphere.

Chat Thai – With multiple locations across Sydney, Chat Thai serves traditional Thai street food favourites like pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Encasa Restaurant – Located in the heart of Sydney CBD, Encasa Restaurant offers an authentic Spanish dining experience with a menu featuring classic tapas dishes, hearty paellas, and an extensive selection of Spanish wines.

Tokyo Taco – Japanese tradition meets Mexican flair. Located in the heart of Sydney, this vibrant eatery offers a fusion of bold flavours and innovative dishes, from sushi burritos to teriyaki tacos.

Machiavelli Ristorante Italiano – A Sydney institution for over 30 years, Machiavelli in Clarence Street serves traditional Italian cuisine in a classic setting, featuring antipasti, pasta, and hearty meat dishes.

Anason – Nestled in Barangaroo, Sydney, Anason brings the vibrant flavours of Turkey to the waterfront with a modern twist. Sample an array of mezes, grilled meats, and seafood dishes inspired by the streets of Istanbul, all served with warm Turkish hospitality and breathtaking waterfront views.

 

Seafood

If you’re craving seafood, look no further than Sydney’s iconic Fish Market. Here, you can sample the freshest catch of the day straight from the ocean, whether succulent Sydney rock oysters or plump, juicy prawns. Pull up a seat at one of the market’s waterfront eateries and savour the sea’s bounty while soaking in the lively atmosphere.

Other suggestions for fresh seafood:

Epicurean Crown Casino Barangaroo – Situated in Barangaroo, Sydney, Epicurean offers a lavish seafood buffet experience within the luxurious confines of Crown Casino.

Doyle’s on the Beach – Located in Watsons Bay, Doyle’s is a Sydney institution known for its fresh seafood platters, including Sydney rock oysters, prawns, and grilled fish, all enjoyed with stunning views of the beach.

Saint Peter – In Paddington, Saint Peter is a seafood-focused restaurant offering a daily changing menu of sustainably sourced fish and shellfish prepared with care and attention to detail.

Sydney Cove Oyster Bar – Situated on Circular Quay, Sydney Cove Oyster Bar is renowned for its freshly shucked oysters, served with a variety of accompaniments, as well as other seafood specialties like grilled barramundi and seafood paella.

Flying Fish – Nestled in Jones Bay Wharf, Flying Fish showcases the best Australian seafood with a modern twist, offering innovative dishes such as seared scallops with cauliflower puree and miso-glazed toothfish.

 

Modern Australian: Show-casing our wine regions

To taste Australia’s world-renowned wine regions, venture to Nomad in Surry Hills. This rustic-chic restaurant celebrates the best of Australian produce, emphasising locally sourced ingredients and natural wines. Feast on wood-fired dishes bursting with flavour, paired perfectly with a Barossa Valley or Margaret River glass of boutique wine.

Other suggestions to explore Australian wines in Sydney:

Rockpool Bar & Grill – With a wine list boasting over 3,500 bottles, Rockpool Bar & Grill in The Rocks offers an extensive selection of Australian and international wines, perfect for pairing with their premium steak and seafood dishes.

10 William St – In Paddington, 10 William St is a cozy wine bar known for its eclectic selection of natural and organic wines from Australia and beyond and delicious Italian-inspired small plates.

Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant – Located in the CBD, Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant boasts an impressive wine list featuring over 2,000 bottles, focusing on boutique Australian producers and rare international finds, complemented by a menu of modern Australian cuisine.

Wine Library – Situated in Woollahra, Wine Library offers a curated selection of fine wines worldwide, with regular tastings and events showcasing different regions and varietals.

Love, Tilly Devine – Named after a notorious Sydney underworld figure, Love, Tilly Devine in Darlinghurst is a cozy wine bar specialising in small-batch Australian wines, accompanied by a menu of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.

 

Pubs and Bars

Head out to discover one of Sydney’s many pubs and bars. The pub is the heart of Australian social culture. Australian pubs embody a relaxed and convivial atmosphere where locals and visitors alike come together to unwind, share stories, and enjoy good company. Grab a drink at the Harbour View Hotel, nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With its historic charm, waterfront views, and friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a cold beer or classic pub meal while soaking in the beauty of Sydney Harbour.

Other suggestions for pubs and bars:

The Glenmore Hotel – Located in The Rocks, The Glenmore Hotel offers stunning rooftop views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, along with a wide selection of craft beers, cocktails, and hearty pub grub.

The Baxter Inn – Tucked away in a laneway off Clarence Street, The Baxter Inn is a hidden gem known for its extensive whiskey collection, cozy ambiance, and skilled bartenders who serve up classic cocktails with a twist.

The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel – Australia’s oldest pub brewery, The Lord Nelson in The Rocks boasts a rich history dating back to 1841, serving up handcrafted beers brewed onsite alongside traditional pub fare in a charming heritage setting.

Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice – A lively and retro-inspired bar in the CBD, Frankie’s Pizza serves up New York-style pizza by the slice, along with an impressive selection of craft beers and live music that keeps the party going late into the night.

Opera Bar – Situated on the iconic Sydney Opera House forecourt, Opera Bar offers unparalleled waterfront views and a vibrant atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to enjoy cocktails, wine, and shareable plates while soaking in the beauty of Sydney Harbour.

Dessert

Other suggestions for dessert:

Gelato Messina – With multiple locations across Sydney, Gelato Messina is a gelato lover’s paradise, offering a rotating selection of inventive flavours like salted caramel and white chocolate and decadent cakes and desserts.

KOI Dessert Bar – Founded by former MasterChef contestant Reynold Poernomo, KOI Dessert Bar in Chippendale serves up stunning desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious, including intricate cakes, tarts, and petit gateaux.

Bourke Street Bakery – Known for its artisanal bread and pastries, Bourke Street Bakery has several locations across Sydney, where you can indulge in buttery croissants, flaky sausage rolls, and irresistible sweet treats like chocolate ganache tarts.

Kurtosh – Located in Darling Square, Kurtosh specialises in traditional Hungarian chimney cakes, freshly baked and coated in various delicious toppings such as cinnamon sugar, Nutella, and crushed nuts. These sweet treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while exploring Darling Square’s vibrant precinct.

Meet Fresh Haymarket – A beloved Taiwanese dessert chain known for its commitment to quality and authenticity, with each dessert crafted to perfection and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re craving a warm bowl of grass jelly served with chewy taro balls or a refreshing herbal jelly topped with fresh fruit, Meet Fresh has something to satisfy every sweet tooth.