04 June 2024
29 mins Read
The dining landscape in this city is vast, varied and constantly evolving. From reimagined restaurants playing on the unique skills of world-renowned chefs to pretty-as-a-picture fit-outs and electrifying ambience, here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Sydney as navigated by suburb or region.
Eastern suburbs | Inner West | Sydney CBD | Western suburbs | Northern suburbs
Flashy scenes to be seen complimented by elegant menus, elevate wining and dining to sophisticated heights.
Price: $$$$
Best for: French on a very special occasion.
This Potts Point powerhouse is the brainchild of world-renowned chef Opel Khan, so the bar is high at Metisse before you even walk through the door. But when you do, get set for spectacular.
A luxury degustation combines chef Opel’s French gastronomic techniques with his fondness for spices and salts which stems back as far as his childhood. The team sources local produce so fresh it bounces from plate to plate, and the degustation features a premium French wine pairing curated by an incredible sommelier.
Check out Metisse’s white truffle custard with caviar.
The Fruits de Mer, a severely tricked-up seafood platter compiling Yamba prawns, octopus carpaccio, salmon confit and sea scallop is magical. Burnt butter ties every inch of the flavour medley together and sparks goosebumps the moment your first forkful touches your lips.
Consider the premium Kobe beef score 12, another ridiculously delicious choice. Melt-in-your-mouth doesn’t even cut it. Artful presentation, purposeful flavours and innovative flair tell a story of triumph, on full display at one of the best restaurants in Sydney right now.
Dine authentic French cuisine at Metisse.
Address: 5-9 Roslyn Street, Potts Point
Price: $$$-$$$$
Best for: Fine modern Australian fare from a world-class chef.
Been yearning for your Chef Neil Perry fix ever since Rosetta in the CBD shut its doors? Same. This is just one reason why Margaret evokes instant cheeriness the moment you clap your eyes on it. Bright, light-filled and endlessly chic can best describe not just this gorgeous Double Bay fit-out but also the warm staff who greet you before guiding you through the culinary veteran’s refined modern Australian menu.
Pop into the light-filled dining setup at Margaret. (Image: Petrina Tinsley)
Start with small local catches splashed with Asian flavours like the spicy tuna tartare, trevally ceviche with chilli and coconut milk and the fried coral trout wings, before moving to larger wood fire entrees and mains meat lovers could possibly cry over —in signature Chef Neil Perry style, the steaks are always that good.
Relish in modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours at Margaret. (Image: Petrina Tinsley)
Address: Bay Street, corner Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay
Price: $$$
Best for: A buzzy Italian date night.
Rated by Sydney’s hospitality scene as the place to go if you’re in the know, Pellegrino 2000 is a very cosy corner trattoria dishing up some of the city’s most authentic Italian (including one killer prawn ravioli dripping with a brown butter and sage sauce that you’ll prey never ends). The team is slick and generous with their time before leaving you and your date to bask in the romance of red wine, good vibes and excellent food.
Try Pellegrino 2000’s signature Italian dishes.
The Fritto Misto is delicately battered to perfection, the artichokes are drenched just the right amount of herby oily goodness and the veal alla parmigiana will transport you straight to the shores of Sicily.
Pellegrino 2000 is a garage-style trattoria in Surry Hills.
Address: 80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
Price: $$$
Best for: Modern Australian fare in the thick of hipster central.
A cosy neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall whipping up inventive, mouth-watering dishes utilising quality local produce, Jane is a Surry Hills favourite. Along leafy Bourke Street, the restaurant pops up out of nowhere, blending right into the multi-million-dollar terrace homes. But while it feels casual, the food itself is anything but.
Feast your eyes and palate when you dine at Jane. (Image: Cameron Carter)
Expect plenty of native ingredients paired with fresh seafood and top-notch meat, including the kangaroo tartare with bush tomato harissa and the beef dumplings with saltbush, chilli and yoghurt. Jane is delightful, personable and overflowing with personality.
Sink into exquisite meals at Jane. (Image: Cameron Carter)
Address: 478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Price: $$$
Best for: Italian done with understated elegance, every time.
Speaking of sensational Italian, 10 William Street is the long-loved neighbourhood bistro of your La Dolce Vita dreams. Squeeze inside the discreet shopfront to score a table either upstairs or downstairs and prepare to be spoiled in the way of food and vino at one of the best restaurants in Sydney.
Staff will be surprised if you don’t order the pretzel with whipped bottarga — a cult favourite — but other knockouts include the tagliatelle al ragu and the ocean trout with fennel and onion puree.
It would be a sin to neglect the heavily European wine list too. Allow one of the very knowledgeable team to help you pick the perfect match to send you soaring.
Address: 10 William Street, Paddington
Price: $$$
Best for: Exceptionally prepared fish in a relaxed setting.
Dishing up some of the most acclaimed fish-based handiwork of any Australian kitchen, Saint Peter has built quite a reputation since opening its doors on trendy Oxford Street in 2016.
Pull up a chair at Saint Peter. (Image: Josh Niland)
Laser-focused on delivering ethically sourced seafood and outstanding seasonal produce to elevate the show’s stars, the team here is passionate and endlessly slick.
Treat your senses to sea urchins, shellfish, spectacular vinaigrettes with fish you never knew existed and more. Pretty much everything good under the sea can be found celebrated here.
Grab a spoonful of their signature Chocolate and Murray Cod Fat Caramel slice. (Image: Josh Niland)
Address: 362 Oxford Street, Paddington
Price: $$$
Best for: Sensational modern Australian in a homely setting.
Tucked away in the postcard-perfect tree-lined backstreets of Paddington lies Ursula’s, a quietly confident Sydney restaurant local’s wish nobody knew about.
Feel at home when you dine at Ursula’s Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)
Focused on doing fine seasonal produce total justice through serious technique and flair (this is, after all, the brainchild of Chef Phil Wood, an ex-Rockpool rockstar), this best restaurant in Sydney dishes up endlessly chic comfort food.
Delight in a roast Sovereign lamb with green curry vinaigrette and braised eggplant, the popular chicken with creamed corn, vegetarian masterpieces and delicate seafood splashed with subtle Asian flavours.
Try the Moreton Bay bug pasta crustacean butter at Ursula’s Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)
Address: 92 Hargrave Street, Paddington
Price: $$
Best for: Hearty Italian that’s always affordable.
Bar Reggio has attracted a loyal following since opening in 1992, luring people from all over Sydney with its authentic, abundant and absolutely minimal-fuss Italian fare.
Affordable and always delicious, the food is rivalled only by the ambience which is always buzzing with laughter, birthday celebrations and plenty of overexcited groups.
Bar Reggio evokes a rustic but classy charm.
It’s like you’ve stepped into a street party at Nona’s house — bellies are full and life is sweet.
Select from an extensive menu of pizzas done with Napoli sauce and fresh mozzarella, classic pastas and traditional mains including Cotoletta Milanese and eye fillets with the creamiest of sauces.
Their shrimp pasta is shrimp-ly delectable.
Address: 135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
Price: $$$
Best for: Getting more pork on your fork in fabulous French flair.
The name says it all but there’s so much more to Porcine than sensational French food inspired by the kitchens of Europe. Sure, the daily menu features masterstrokes with pigs, like the double smoked pork jowl dressed in dainty micro blooms and floating in a sea of elderflower honey, the revolving door of stunning Pate En Croutes (pastry wrapped around pate), and mouth-watering Berkshire pork chops but they’re also doing wonders with seafood, seasonal vegetables and roast birds. Take a seat by the fireplace and strap yourself in — this is intelligent and inspired dining at one of the best restaurants in Sydney.
Dine classic, sensational French meals at Porcine.
Address: 268 Oxford Street, Paddington
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Elevated plant-based dining.
A freshest-of-fresh menu at Alibi Bar & Dining in Woolloomooloo’s Ovolo Hotel has been spearheaded by renowned plant-based aficionado Shannon Martinez.
Alibi’s dining interior gives off a chic and sophisticated vibe.
Filled with a seasonal, colourful and innovative selection inspired by the Mediterranean, signature dishes include a Cotoletta Parmigiana, fried eggplant with toasted hazelnuts, grilled stone fruits with radicchio and garlic labneh and oyster mushroom pinchos.
Alibi has plenty of chairs plus good lighting.
For dessert (we know you’re interested), think quince-filled doughnuts, tiramisu and the delectable Crème Catalana.
Take your pick.
Address: Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Casual, welcoming Italian.
Lola’s Italian and Bar is the newest eatery to grace Bondi, and boy is it a good ‘un. With views over Bondi Beach, Lola’s is the place to be as the weather warms up.
Sit on the terrazzo for views of Bondi Beach. (Image: Nikki To)
The menu serves fun and elegant Italian classics along with a provocatively curated wine and cocktail list. Don’t miss the semolina spaghetti with vongole and ‘nduja, and the octopus ‘alla amatriciana’. Not looking for a full meal? Guests can also have a seat at the marble bar for a quick drink and snack.
The food is warm and inviting at Lola’s. (Image: Craig Wall)
Address: Level 1, 180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Price: $$$
Best for: Fresh produce with a waterfront view.
Fresh doesn’t even come close to describing what you’ll receive when dining at Manta. Moments after ordering the whole lobster pasta from their spring lobster menu, our friendly waitress brought over Henry the lobster, straight out of the tank and on his way to the kitchen.
Caught slightly off-guard by Henry’s appearance, my apprehension turned to excitement as we awaited his return by devouring half a dozen Sydney rock oysters with cabernet sauvignon mignonette.
The whole lobster came out served on a bed of Mafalda pasta with ginger, chilli and Dashi. Cooked to perfection, every bite was better than the last and the sauce tied everything together so flawlessly. Manta Restaurant also has an à la carte menu if you’d prefer.
Try the whole lobster pasta from Manta’s spring lobster menu. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Address: 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Spinning new takes on food influences from right around the globe, the inner west excels at a variety of cuisines.
Price: $$$
Best for: Easy-going neighbourhood dining done right.
Who knew tinned fish and cold cuts were the stuff of hanger dreams? Just ask anyone who’s dropped into Continental Delicatessen, famed for levelling up the city’s lunch game with 12 tinned fish varieties slurped down alongside epic deli meats and cheeses.
The evening bistro menu steals hearts too with its lavish take on humble ingredients, and it’s that distinct out-of-the-box genius from the boys behind the marble-topped deli counter that lingers long after you’ve kissed this best restaurant goodbye.
Keep the good times rolling with the team’s canned cocktails (a ‘Mar-tinny’ is never a bad idea) or ask for Mike who’s often behind the bar knocking your socks off with his mad skills for shaking together big, bold, boozy liquid art.
Get hold of Continental Delicatessen’s grape and cheese platter. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 210 Australia Street, Newtown
Price: $$
Best for: Casual Asian cuisine from one of Sydney’s most iconic chefs.
News of Billy Kwong’s closure broke hearts right across the nation’s foodie circles but nobody doubted that Chef Kylie Kwong’s next venture would spark a cult following all over again. This is why Lucky Kwong, her latest eatery, brought along one of the most anticipated launches in recent years.
The verdict? It’s fuss-free soul food straight from the culinary master’s heart. Paying tribute to her heritage, dumplings, silken tofu, savoury pancakes, sung choi bao, ‘Uncle Jimmy’s Steamed Hokkien Noodles’ and the other items on her menu are all varying shades of flavour-packed bliss.
Savour Asian favourites at Lucky Kwong.
Address: 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Catching up with friends over sophisticated comfort food.
One evening at The Charlie will have you wanting for many, many more. Part restaurant, part cocktail bar, this place delivers on all fronts, making it one of the best restaurants in Sydney.
The Charlie is one of the most-loved restaurants in Sydney. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)
To start with, there’s an awesome menu to dive into. Think melt-in-your-mouth Korean fried chicken, kingfish ceviche, steak frites with herb fires, and delicious tacos, complemented by some of the most mouth-watering cocktails in the inner west.
In terms of decor, The Charlie is a slice of tropical heaven, combining industrial elements with Barbie pinks and a touch of mint green, plus eye-catching fernery.
With so many food choices, you don’t know where to start. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)
Address: 199 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Price: $$
Best for: Woodfired pizza and cocktails on a sunny rooftop setting.
The Imperial Hotel has long been a Sydney institution, and now there’s even more reason to settle in for a Sunday sesh or unwind over dinner. Popular food truck, Pizza Bros, has settled into the rooftop kitchen as its first brick-and-mortar location.
Watch brothers John and Jason Chammas make your pizza.
Run by brothers John and Jason Chammas, watch your pizza being prepared and cooked in the large, open woodfired oven as you sip on a cold beer or fun and fruity cocktail from the bar. Soak up the sun or stay cool under fringed yellow umbrellas as floating disco balls reflect the light around you.
The pizzas bring new, adventurous flavour combinations to that classic woodfired pizza taste – the Cacio E Pepe with double cream, truffle and pecorino is a must-try, while the Margho Picasso keeps it classic.
Settle in to decor as fun as the pizzas. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)
Address: 35 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Contemporary Asian cuisine.
Located in the heart of Marrickville, The D’s Bar and Dining is a slice of paradise that combines NYC decor with diverse Asian flavours. Chef Lucas Doan, of Mr Wong and Luna Lu fame, opened The D’s with family at the forefront, not only by returning to Marrickville where his family lived when they first migrated to Australia, but also by having his sister by his side managing the restaurant.
Dine here on a Friday or Saturday night to be delighted by live jazz while you feast on the extensive menu. With a Vietnamese background and experience cooking at various kitchens across Asia, The D’s menu is as diverse as it is delicious.
Don’t miss the Merimbula appellation oysters, the crispy tempura eggplant, the beef suon black Angus short ribs or the crab fried rice. The crab fried rice isn’t your traditional fried rice though, it’s (intentionally) wet which I initially thought was a mistake, but it was delicious and a must-try.
The D’s crab fried rice and crispy eggplant are must-try dishes. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Address: Shop 1, 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
Move over, Melbourne. The beating heart of this city plays home to the most wonderous, envelope-pushing culinary experiences in Australia.
Price: $$$
Best for: Food that surprises at every angle.
Love or hate the $10 ‘fancy Jatz’ that sparked controversy when Kiln unveiled the appetiser on its a la carte menu at the end of 2022, this is a restaurant unlike anything else in Sydney’s CBD.
Found on the roof of Ace Hotel, 18 levels up, it’s literally elevating seasonal produce to unexpected new heights. The Jatz, topped with anchovy and smoked butter, is undeniably delicious as is everything else on the sophisticated menu including a whole flounder prepared with miso brown butter and a wagyu tartare with smoked mayo and mustard greens.
The vibe is rocking as a glittering carpet of the city’s lights below provides the ultimate backdrop to a guaranteed great time.
Opt for rooftop dining at Kiln. (Image: Anson Smart)
Address: 53 Foy Lane, Sydney
Price: $$$$-$$$$$
Best for: Extraordinary modern Australian inside a truly iconic destination.
Australia’s finest culinary star Chef Peter Gilmore continues to stun Sydneysiders and visitors alike with his utterly refined Bennelong experience. Sure Quay’s spectacular overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour, but the intimate buzz of Bennelong, found inside the sails of the Opera House itself, cannot be replicated.
The award-winning food celebrates native ingredients and brilliant seasonal produce, all the way down to the must-order Cherry Jam Lamington which dances over spoilt tastebuds as you start dreading the fact it’s all about to end.
Chefs at Bennelong meticulously curate dishes. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Price: $$$$$
Best for: World-famous seafood with world-famous views.
It’s incredible to think just one restaurant could present so many iconic moments. The location, smack bang in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, is unrivalled yes but the food, oh the food.
Dine at Quay Restaurant while overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Image: Nikki To/Destination NSW)
Home of the now-retired snow egg, God rest her soul, Quay Restaurant excels in crafting cult dishes to utterly rock Australia’s food scene. Pulling from the most excellent seafood to be found in our nation’s waterways, this is dining that continues to make waves right around the world.
You can go the four-course menu but it’d be foolish to skip any of the eight courses on offer at this unforgettable space, a best restaurant in Sydney like no other.
Be at the beating heart of Sydney. (Image: Nikki To/Destination NSW)
Address: Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: Rowdy, atmospheric Cantonese with amazing cocktails.
They’re not joking when they say to book three months in advance. Although Mr. Wong opened its doors more than 10 years ago, the crowds refuse to tire — and doesn’t that say it all?
Enter the enormous, dimly lit Sydney institute from a lane behind George Street and brace yourself for energy overload as some of the city’s finest Chinese fare rolls out of the kitchen thick and fast.
All your classic noodle dishes, dumplings, stir-fries, curries and roast meats are there (just prepared way yummier than you’ve ever had them) and then there’s the freshest of seafood drenched in layer upon layer of flavoured goodness. A sensory overload every visit.
Dine Cantonese dishes at Mr Wong.
Address: 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney
Price: $$
Best for: A lively date night or quick mid-week lunch.
Kanade is a vibrant new place to be if you’re in the middle of town. The menu is a seamless blend of traditional Japanese flavours with contemporary twists from an experienced team of chefs who have honed their craft in venues like LuMi Dining in Pyrmont and Kuon Omakase elsewhere in the city, making it one of the newest best restaurants in Sydney.
The special sake barrel cocktail was lethal and absolutely to die for.
Try the roasted duck breast with corn salad and sesame miso sauce, the fluffy miso cream carbonara with onsen egg and the wagyu beef steak with yakiniku sauce for the ultimate party in your mouth.
Wash it all down with a delicious drinks list expertly crafted by top dogs in Sydney’s mixology scene from Maybe Sammy. The special sake barrel cocktail is lethal, and we can’t get enough of it.
Try the roasted duck breast with corn salad and sesame miso sauce.
Address: 62 Clarence Street, Sydney
Price: $$
Best for: Pan-Asian share plates with friends.
The much-loved Goji from Penrith has set up digs in the big smoke, opening a second venue in the heart of the city. Taking inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisines, the menu is cleverly crafted by head chef Sam Chang who has 20+ years’ experience across all Asian disciplines.
The menu takes inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisines.
Everything is designed to be shared so pick a few plates and get stuck in with your nearest and dearest at one of the best restaurants in Sydney. Standout dishes include the stir fry noodles with kung pow chicken and chillies, twice-cooked green beans with garlic and chilli, slow-cooked wagyu beef brisket rendang and one heavenly Ferrero Rocher fried ice-cream.
The Ferrero Rocher fried ice-cream is a must-try.
Address: 259 George Street, Sydney
Price: $$
Best for: A quality Southeast Asian pre-show feed.
Located inside The Star Sydney and right opposite the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Rumble celebrates the four classic flavours that permeate Southeast Asian culinary culture – sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. The menu is simple yet punchy, and the inventive cocktail list incorporates a range of spirits infused with spices, herbs, teas and fruits from across Asia.
Pick from an array of Southeast Asian dishes at Rumble. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Don’t miss the Suea Rong Hai (crying tiger), a Japanese A5 wagyu sirloin with Nam Jim Jaew. Think melt-in-your-mouth and bursting with flavour. This winning spot is open for lunch, dinner, drinks and pre-show snacks, seven days a week.
Nab a spot at the dimly lit dining interior of Rumble, The Star Sydney. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Address: Level G, Harbourside, The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Price: $$
Best for: Aperitivo dining.
Recently opened in Sydney’s Quay Quarter, Caffe Q’s is bringing Europe to Sydney. Inspired by the Italian aperitivo tradition, Caffe Q’s is a destination that encourages connection. In the morning it’s your coffee go-to with Little Marionette providing the beans, and of an afternoon, unwind with a delicious cocktail and some thoughtful tapas.
Caffe Q’s is bringing Europe to Sydney. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Owner Quynh Nguyen brings his impressive bar expertise to the table, formerly working at Margaret, Icebergs, and Fred’s, and more recently he was responsible for the drinks program at Goji’s Sydney CBD outpost.
There will be spritzes galore and a handful of cocktails to try – the Aussie Faux Pas is to die for – and the food completes Nguyen’s vision. With charcuterie, cheese and antipasti boards, breakfast pinxtos and fresh sandwiches on display, Caffe Q’s has you covered from morning to evening.
Caffe Q’s is a destination. (Image: Jayden De Araujo)
Address: 50 Bridge St, Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: Flavour-packed dining when you can’t settle on a specific cuisine.
As it turns out, a seat at this cocktail bar will get you a ticket to some of the world’s most famed culinary destinations. Get to know Jackalberry, a restaurant found within the Hyatt Regency Hotel and a place where cultures come together in celebration of discovery and exploration.
The menu derives inspiration and flavour from some of the tastiest plates from around the world, accompanied by a cocktail menu that will transport your taste buds both near and far. Simply pick out a country and the mixologist will whip up an ode using the finest local ingredients.
From Havana to Norway, there’s a recipe for even the most well-travelled among us, from Moroccan lamp chops and soy glazed salmon to the Thai pork salad and fresh burrata.
Talking décor, the botanical design boasts moody tones, with emerald velvet booths and safari wallpaper ready to welcome guests.
Address: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney
Price: $$$$
Best for: A civilised dining experience.
Helmed by chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, the menu at Glass Brasserie provides guests with an exquisite culinary experience from the moment you enter the loft location above the Hilton Sydney’s lobby.
Be surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls at Glass Brasserie. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just the interiors alone, designed by New York’s Tony Chi, are enough to get you excited. The 240-seat space features a 13-metre floor-to-ceiling glass wall and perfectly positioned booths that offer views of the Queen Victoria Building.
Serving modern Australian cuisine, emphasis is placed on local and seasonal produce. Kingfish sashimi and tiger prawns are entrée heroes, followed by an ‘off the grill’ section that will really start some dinner table conversation. The staff are warm, attentive, and helpful – writing the book on how elevated dining should be done.
Experience elevated dining at Glass Brasserie. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Level 2, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney
Price: $$$-$$$$
Best for: Elegant waterfront seafood.
There’s plenty going on at Barangaroo but choosing Cirrus over anywhere else in the business district is always a smooth move. Arrive in the day, like many inner-city workers do, and you’ll be treated to sensational views across Sydney Harbour, a beautiful backdrop to a menu that’s constantly evolving yet reliably exquisite.
The order of the day is fresh-caught marvels transformed into edible art like the fried steam bun with raw tuna, a whole lobster with scallop XO sauce or the extremely brilliant Hiramasa kingfish with salted strawberry. Can’t stand people taking photos of their food? We’re sorry to say you’ll be tempted to join them here.
Address: 23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: Dimly lit French with ample atmosphere.
Located in the heart of downtown Sydney, Restaurant Hubert is the kind of vintage hole-in-the-wall that will make you feel as though you’ve accidentally stumbled onto the set of a movie. The interiors at allow you to truly dislocate from the outside world.
Upon entering, 4000 miniature liquor bottles line the spiral staircase that transports you into an alternative post-war Europe universe. The wood-panelled space is dazzling, romantic and topped off with a 100-seat theatre complete with a grand piano perched atop a stage.
Hubert is much about the ambience, good conversation and laughter, as it is the quality of the wine and the food. About which they also have plenty to brag. To truly get the grand Hubert experience, we suggest travelling in a group. The banquet menu requires at least four people – and with the amount of food you get, you’ll also need at least four stomachs at the table. Whether it’s the whole garlic chicken, prime beef tartare or the can’t-leave-without-trying Escargots XO, make sure you wear your stretchy pants.
Restaurant Hubert is a vintage hole-in-the-wall eatery serving French cuisine. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 15 Bligh Street, Sydney
Price: $$$-$$$$
Best for: A slick seafood dinner done different.
If you’re yet to experience the flavour bombs of Italian cuisine splashed with Asian spices, you may be dubious learning it’s the basis of Lana’s culinary chops. But dive in and don’t look back because this is pure brilliance unleashed and Sydney is hooked.
Opt for a satisfying seafood dinner at Lana. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
While the dreamy, pastel-trimmed fit-out looks, the business blending exposed brick and dark timbers with slivers of gold, ocean blue and the restaurant’s signature blush pink, the atmosphere is light thanks to warm service and a menu that is relentlessly playful. Start with the very reasonably priced banquet and level up your experience with added extras, all exquisitely crafted and Instagram-perfect.
Pop into Lana, a dreamy, pastel-themed Sydney restaurant. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
Address: Level 1, Hinchcliff House, 5-7 Young Street, Sydney
Price: $$$$
Best for: Impressing colleagues and clients in the middle of the city.
The CBD is spoiled for great business lunch spots but Aalia might just be our favourite. Treat your senses to a journey through the Middle East and North Africa with meals finessed to utter perfection.
Raw dishes include Persian caviar before moving on to delicious mezze plates you’ll struggle to avoid licking off the dish, stunning seafood creations and top-notch meats. And if you really can’t hold back on licking those plates, you’ll be quickly forgiven. The vibe here is relaxed and upbeat as opposed to stuffy, hence eliminating the awkward small talk that comes with every working lunch.
Cap off your busy week with a toast at Aalia. (Image: Jason Loucas)
Address: Shop 7.07 and 7.08, 25 Martin Place, Sydney
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Versatility across three levels.
Jacksons on George is the newest venue taking Sydney by storm. Occupying three unique levels, Jacksons on George is ready to accommodate all kinds of diners.
On the ground floor you’ll find the Public Bar which welcomes guests into its doors for a cocktail or three, on the first floor is the flagship restaurant Bistro George, and on the top floor is the delightful Rooftop Bar which provides views over the city.
Jacksons on George’s Rooftop Bar is the place to be this summer. (Image: Tom Ferguson)
Head Chef Steven Sinclair (formerly Icebergs Dining Room and Bar) leads the food menu across all three spaces, with European-influenced bistro dishes with classic Aussie fare as the common theme.
Must-try dishes at Bistro George are the clams casino with Goolwa pipis, guanciale and pangritata, the gin rigatoni with fermented chilli, the 200-gram David Blackmore wagyu short scotch and the passionfruit tart with cultured cream to finish.
Jacksons on George is the first venue by new hospitality group DTL Entertainment Group, fronted by Icebergs Dining Room and Bar owner Maurice Terzini as the creative director and Michael Broome as the general manager.
The clams casino with Goolwa pipis, guanciale and pangritata is a must try. (Image: Jason Loucas)
Address: 176 George Street, Sydney
Price: $$
Best for: Comfort food
For anyone craving some hearty, British-style comfort food with the occasional Australian twist It particularly shows itself in the cocktail and dessert menu), Birdie Bar & Brasserie is the place for you. Dine on Wagyu Brisket with fermented black bean, cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding or share the Skull Island King Prawn Cocktail. I would happily have the garlic bread with provolone black garlic for starters, mains and dessert.
The cocktail list is inventive – find ingredients like meringue foam and tropical shrub – if not always hitting the mark. There are plenty of beer and wine options to make up for it though.
The decor is light and bright, with a tropical feel – mainly thanks to the fun and loud wallpapered feature wall, covered in ferns and birds.
Dine on Wagyu Brisket with fermented black bean, cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding.
Address: 7-9 York Street, Sydney
The city’s culinary heartland nails international flavours and techniques with total authenticity.
Price: $-$$
Best for: Cheap and cheerful Indian for the family.
Renowned throughout the city and beyond as one of the best restaurants in Sydney for Indian food, Chatkazz is unmissable thanks to its queue of hangry families crawling out the door.
Inside, the tables may be a little bit sticky, and the vibe feels a bit churn-and-burn but the food comes as flavour hits so delicately paired and generously dished that all you’ll be wondering is why you haven’t visited before.
Don’t fill up on the flatbreads, as difficult as it is to pass on perfectly puffed wheat flour stuffed with taters and spices. You’ll need ample stomach space for mouth-watering curries, stir fried rices and all your other Indian favourites.
Have a glass of the fruity berry drink at Chatkazz. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Shop 4-6/14-20 Station Street East, Harris Park
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Tapas and charcuterie with serious party vibes.
A rooftop infinity pool, killer cocktails, pumping music and beautiful people everywhere. Have we stumbled into a Los Angeles rager? Theo’s Rooftop Bar is the place to be in Penrith, offering a menu of mouth-watering share plates to split with mates as you’re flooded by stunning Blue Mountains vistas.
Head to Theo’s Rooftop Bar if you love pasta.
Arrive before dusk to score a table as the sun sinks and build your spread from aged meats, excellent cheeses, and traditional tapas. Really hungry? A small list of mains includes modern Australian favourites done with plenty of love.
Pair your meal with a glass of wine at Theo’s Rooftop Bar.
Address: Level 8, Astina Suites, 21-25 Woodriff Street, Penrith
With more nature at its feet, Sydney’s Northern suburbs play home to legendary spots mastering exceptional local catches and produce.
Price: $$$
Best for: One-of-a-kind creekside dining.
Just a 50-minute zip from the city is Berowra Waters Inn, a destination restaurant held alongside Australia’s best since its 1984 inception. Housed on Berowra Creek, the rugged gorges and gum-tree-lined site is only accessible to diners by boat or seaplane.
Head chef Brian Geraghty owns and runs the space, which boasts a frequently changing menu based on availability. If you’re a stickler for cuisine, however, you could say it’s a mix of classic French with modern Australian.
The degustation menu heroes the venue, explained ever so pleasantly by the delightful staff. And with floor-to-ceiling windows, every table has a window seat.
Address: 1 Calabash Point, Berowra Waters
Price: $$$$-$$$$$
Best for: A waterfront seafood extravaganza.
The hottest spot to dine on the Northern Beaches, Bert’s is lighting up the lives of locals just a 45-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD. The spotlight shines brightly on the freshest of seafood and seasonal ingredients like the hand-picked mud crab with lemon and mayonnaise, a daily raw fish selection, grilled whole fishes and the most delicious of shellfish. It’s also very tempting to indulge in caviar on brioche toast and lobster tagliolini, so be sure to budget accordingly.
Bert’s is definitely one of the best in town for your carnal craving. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Make it on a Thursday night and be treated to live jazz plus a limited-edition range of cocktails, shaken and stirred to perfection just like everything else this best restaurant in Sydney does.
Head to Bert’s for casual dining. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport
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