SYDNEY EATS
Nield Avenue, 10 Neild Avenue, Paddington +61 2 8353 4400 (see map)
The latest establishment from Maurice Terzini and Robert Marchetti, this is another great achievement to add to their growing list. Their decision to steer away from Italian cuisine for the first time and into the Mediterranean was an excellent one. This menu, combined with the layout, atmosphere, service, and bar are all things that will keep you coming back here over and over.
Eat House Diner, 306 Chalmers Street, Redfern +61 2 8084 9479 (see map)
Smack in the center of Redfern lies the quirky little establishment churning out great dishes. With the chef and co-owner hailing from Sean’s Panaroma and Longrain, you can say he knows his stuff. It has a diner feel with a great menu ranging from Jamaican Jerk to American diner food to everything in between.
Runcible Spoon, 27 Barr Street Camperdown, +61 2 9519 2727 (see map)
Located right behind Deus Ex Machina on Parramatta Road, is the tucked away Runcible Spoon. What you’re looking at above is the mouth watering Thai fried eggs with pork belly, and it is amazing. Crispy fillets of pork belly, soft and delicious in the middle wrapped in eggs with a side of chilli oil, worth walking a thousand miles for, and then walking it off for a thousand miles more. Delicious though.
The Dip, 55 Liverpool St, Sydney +61 2 9283 8792 (see map)
The brain child of Andrew Levins and Bianca Khalil. American eatery foods, the most legit hot-dogs, burgers with locality, pulled pork sandwiches and Mexican inspired delights. This place never fails to excite, and will make you feel like a kid being let loose by your parents upon all the ‘once in a while’ delights. Bookings essential, be sure to check it out.
Porteno, 358 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills +61 2 8399 1440 (see map)
This new Argentinean hotspot has raised the standard of Sydney dining. The coolest restaurant fit-out in the whole city (with probably the coolest staff), an enormous upstairs bar and lip-smacking-delicious suckling pig and lamb that roasts on an open fire then ends up on a wooden board on your table. We could go on forever, just go here.
Chat Thai, 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket +61 2 9211 1808 (see map)
Cheap, spicy, authentic, upmarket Thai in Haymarket. Has to be one of the best. Don’t think just do. Khao Grapao and some fresh hand rolled spring rolls, GO! Avoid the 1pm lunchtime rush (Go before or after the peak).
Quay, Upper Level Overseas Passengers Terminal, Circular Quay + 61 2 9251 560 (see map)
Undoubtedly one of, if not the best restaurant in Australia. Take in views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour while enjoying some complex gastronomic magic. Chef Peter Gilmore is one clever, clever dude.
EST. 252 George Street, Sydney + 61 2 9240 3000 (see map)
Fine dining at its best. The grandeur of the room with its white pillars, chandeliers, and marble finishings combined with a flawless degustation menu makes Est the ultimate special occasion restaurant.
Café Sopra at Fratelli Fresh, Waterloo, Potts Point, Walsh Bay 1300 552 119
A long list of fresh, seasonal Italian inspired fare. Do your fruit and veg shopping after.
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach +61 2 9365 9000 (see map)
The best view in Australia no matter what the weather’s doing. Top-notch produce, wine and service. The place to impress!
Sean’s Panaroma, 270 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach + 61 2 9365 4924 (see map)
If your mum was the finest cook in the world, she would be on the hot plates at this incredibly satisfying Bondi institution. The perfect restaurant for a long Sunday lunch. Have the roast chook if it’s on the menu.
The Bathers Pavilion, 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral + 61 2 9969 5050 (see map)
You can eat in either the café or the restaurant of the Bathers Pavillion, which sits right on Balmoral Beach. Great food, location, and atmosphere. This place is a must for anyone visiting Sydney.
Spice I Am, 90 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills +61 2 9280 0928 (see map)
Australia is full of generic Thai food, also known as “Ozzie Thai”. This is not Ozzie Thai. It is proper, amazing, street style Thai. They have also opened a fancier restaurant in Darlinghurst, but stick to the Surry Hills hole-in-the-wall.
Duke Bistro, 65 Flinders St. Darlinghurst +61 2 9332 3180 (see map)
This cool little quirky bistro is one of Sydney’s newest additions. It sits upstairs from the Flinders Hotel and is open until 2am on weekends. The fried chicken wings and tater tots will keep you coming back for more.
A Tavola, 348 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst +61 2 9331 7871 (see map)
A very cute, intimate Italian restaurant in the heart of Darlinghurst. There’s one large table but if you’re with an odd number then its best to reserve your own table in the private area at the back. Incredible handmade pasta and a fine selection of Italian wines.
Busshari, 119 Macleay Street, Potts Point +61 2 9357 4555 (see map)
A refreshingly authentic Japanese restaurant which stands out amongst dozens and dozens of average sushi places in Sydney. Dark and moody, Bushari has a ‘fancier’ feel to it than your average Japanese venue, but the delicious food and great atmosphere still comes at a very reasonable price.
North Bondi Italian Food, 118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach +61 2 9300 4400 (see map)
Relaxed Italian food right on Bondi Beach. In summertime it’s a hotspot on Sunday afternoons, where a Negroni doesn’t go down too badly after a swim in the ocean. Try to get there early for a table, or be prepared to get squashed at the bar.
Lucio’s, 47 Windsor Street, Paddington +61 2 9380 5996 (see map)
If you want to have lunch amongst some amazing Australian art, with an impossibly hospitable host, eating food made for folk that would ordinarily reside in Northern Italy, come here. It’s leafy, relaxed and just perfect in a Spring kind of way.
Sailor’s Thai, 106 George Street, The Rocks +61 2 9251 2466 (see map)
Owner and Chef David Thompson is the reigning king of authentic Thai in Oz. This is his home. Ask for the chicken omelette (its not on the menu).
Fish Face, 132 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst +61 2 9332 4803 (see map)
This place is tiny but it serves up some of the freshest and most interesting seafood in town. The menu is forever changing and there’s also a 7-seater sushi bar.
Golden Century, 393 Sussex Street, Sydney +61 2 9212 3901 (see map)
Sydney’s Chinese institution. Go with a group so you can try as much as possible. The pippys with XO sauce and the coral trout are both winners. Open daily till 4am.
The Carrington, 538 Bourke St, Surry Hills +61 4 0007 7792 (see map)
Beba Y Cene is the new (refurbished) kid on the block, releasing hits for your tastebuds like it’s 1986, and double denim jumpsuits are still a formidable force to stylistically reckon with. The menu is Spanish influence and we can tell you first hand that absolutely everything on the menu is worth sampling.
The Forresters, 336 Riley Street, Cnr of Foveaux and Riley Sts, Surry Hills +61 2 9212 3035 (see map)
Freshly invigorated with the touch of the James’ (Wirth and Miller), the place has been given a breath of new life and the bustling crowds of Surry Hills are not mad at all. The kitchen uses the same model as the Norfolk and the Carrington, simple good food, done really well, at a very decent price. What’s even better though is the $10 lunchtime specials, eat the whole menu one day at a time, go on. You would if you looked at the menu. Pizza’s, pasta, sandwiches and rotisserie meats! Yum.
Guillaume at Bennelong, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point +61 2 9241 1999 (see map)
Situated at the Opera House, this is another of the finest restaurants Sydney has to offer. Decadent French inspired cuisine and a prime position over Sydney Harbour – what more could you ask for?
Rockpool Bar and Grill, 66 Hunter Street, Sydney +61 2 8078 1900 (see map)
Yes, the size of the menu can be a little baffling, but rest assured that you can’t make a bad choice here. Miles better than the original Rockpool at The Rocks, this architectually stunning restaurant will have you won over from the minute you step through its doors.
Flavour of India, 128 New South Head Road, Edgecliff +61 2 9326 2659 (see map)
One of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney. No need to eat in, get it takeaway. Try the Special Dahl and the Tandoori Fish Tikka, but it’s all good.
Four in Hand Dining Room, 105 Sutherland Street, Paddington +61 2 9362 1999 (see map)
Rustic, hearty meals on white tablecloths in a charming room next door to the Four in Hand pub.
Gumshara, Eating World Foodcourt, 25-29 Dixon Street, Haymarket (see map)
The most amazing Japanese Ramen you’ll find in Sydney. Super cheap, super filling, just super duper.
Chiswick, 65 Ocean Street Woollahra +61 2 8388 8688 (see map)
Fresh, seasonal fare grown in the restaurant’s adjoining 150 square meter garden, Chiswick has an ever-changing menu depending on the fruits it bears. A light, breezy space by day yet cozy and moody by night, with a communal table and wood fire oven.
Pasteur Vietnamese, 709 George St, Haymarket +61 2 9212 5622 (see map)
Fresh, fast, fuss-free Vietnamese food. The special beef soup is what this place does best. Order a side of the fried spring rolls and you’ll have a huge meal fit for a king (or two) for under $20.
Manly Pavillion, West Esplanade, Manly Cove, +61 2 9949 9011 (see map)
Located near Manly wharf, the restored old bather’s pavilion is an absolute must if you are in the Manly area. The food is Italian with a Mediterranean twist, and don’t leave without having a cocktail in the bar. Once again the harbour views deserve a mention – Sydney just does them so well.
Kings Lane Sandwiches, 28 Kings Lane, Darlinghurst +61 2 9360 8007 (see map)
MASSIVE sandwiches here. Order from the board, build your own, or order from a stellar lineup of sandwich ingredients (roasted veggies, marinated cabbage, schnitzels, salads…) Always packed at lunchtime, so be prepared to line up and know what you want once you get your turn.
Fratelli Paradiso, 12-16 Challis Ave Potts Point +61 2 9357 1744 (see map)
If you want perfect Italian fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner – and you like to look, stare and mingle – well, this is your place. Honest food, great service, always busy, on point.
Phamish Vietnamese Café, 248 Palmer St, Sydney +61 2 9357 2688 (see map)
You can’t go wrong at Phamish, unless you get there too late. Very popular, very busy, very yummy. They do takeaway as well.
Billy Kwong, 355 Crown St, Surry Hills +61 2 9332 3300 (see map)
No, you can’t book. Yes, you can wait in the pub across the road and yes, yes, yes it is worth it. Kylie Kwong and her team present modern Chinese food to die for; it’s squishy, it’s spicy, it’s luxurious, it’s simple and it’s really, really good… oh, and it’s organic and sustainable too!
Balkan, 217 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst +61 2 9331 7670 (see map)
In spite of a few family squabbles this legendary Sydney meat and seafood joint just can’t help but pull a loyal following of foodies/families/queers/straights/you-name-it!!! Reliable hearty fair close to all the action… and we mean all of it.
Apollo, 44 Macleay Street, Potts Point +61 2 8354 0888 (see map)
Jonathan Barthelmess of Manly Pavilion and Sam Christie of Longrain bring you authentic fare of the Mediterranean that you can only otherwise find inside a small taverna on the Greek islands. The presentation is far less rustic, you don’t feel like you’re eating the same homemade cuisine of the women in a taverna kitchen, but the flavours are the same. At last some great Greek food outside of the Western suburbs – Apollo definitely fills a void.
