A WORKER’S GUIDE TO SYDNEY LUNCHES
As an office worker, I can vouch for the never ending search for more and better lunch spots. I for one will not stand for stooping to low levels of shitty lunches, I just will not have it. Variety is the spice of life and I have a known addiction to spice. The list you’re about to consume is a culmination of many lunchtime curators, all with varied tastes and regular cravings, what you need to do now is throw a pre-emptive CONTROL + D (bookmark) on this page and use this as a base to cure all of your lunchtime fixes. (Please note this is a list that will cater to Sydney city and south-eastern suburb surrounds)
The Sandwich Shop, 44 Reservoir St, Surry Hills, +61 2 9211 8710 (see map)
New kids on the Reservoir St block, is the tiny Sandwich Shop that packs an artillery of great sandwiches and salads. The most exciting is the Rueben and pulled pork sandwiches, although lest not forget the rest of the menu judging by the quality of the ingredients, they are not to be sneezed at. Try all the sandwiches!
Petaling Street – Malaysian Hawker Food, 760 George St, Haymarket +61 2 9281 6508 (see map)
You may not think you have time for a full meal at a Malaysian restaurant, but hitting this for an in and out laksa or plate of bbq grilled chicken for $10.90 is totally within your limits. The chicken is so so great, the laksa is as great. If you’re looking for a lunch witha difference or a cheap dinner, this is your spot.
Spice I Am, 90 Wentworth Avenue (corner of Campbell Street and Elizabeth Street), Surry Hills +61 2 9280 0928 (see map)
In the theme of spice and variety, this has to be it. If by variety you can be bound by thai flavours, then yes, many varieties can be had. I would recommend simply a takeaway lunchbox special or the crispy rice pork salad (Nam Khao Tod). Have a coke or a coconut juice in handy, it gets fiery. (The crispy pork belly is pretty ridiculous).
House, 202 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9280 0364 (see map)
Sister restaurant to Spice I Am, you can find most of the same dishes (if not more and fancier here) if Spice I am is too busy.
Deus Ex Machina, 344 Bourke Street, Surry Hills (see map) or 98/102-104 Parramatta Road, Camperdown (see map)
They don’t just build mean as fuck custom motorbikes, they also build a pretty mean sandwich, fairly cheap too. Hit the pastrami sandwich with pickles for the good times. (Leave with a nutella doughnut)
City Edge, 80 Reservoir Street, Sydney +61 2 9282 9399 (see map)
This place is an absolute gold mine! Cheap and more than cheerful with its fresh juices and thick loaf slice sandwiches with an array of fillings to satisfy your daily cravings. (You can even hit it in the morning when you can’t be bothered making breakfast) The chicken schnitzel with added bacon and chilli sauce on thick brown bread is a certified banger.
Malibu, 62-64 Foster Street, Surry Hills +61 9280 2233 (see map)
Hungry? How hungry are you on a scale of 1 – 10? If you’re in the 8 to 10 realms of hunger, then go ahead and take on the sandwich. It’s the size of your head and is always delicious. They also do fresh-made salads with a healthy(ish) dollop of potato salad. You could/would easily go halves with someone on the sandwich and for $10, that ain’t half bad, it’s half great.
Chargrill Charlies, 134 Queen Street, Woollahra +61 2 9327 1008 (see map)
If you don’t know about Chargrill Charlies, I instantly feel bad for you. Just go and get a half roasted chook and some chips and maybe a side of salad and thank me later.
Pasteur, 709 George Street, Haymarket, Sydney +61 2 9212 5622 (see map)
If you’re feeling the Pho vibe, this is the joint. Easily the best in the Sydney city-sphere without having to go south-west for the real authentic shit.
Cafe Belgenny, 197 Campbell Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9360 0043 (see map)
Situated cross from Taylor Square, pull up a bit of footpath and sink your teeth into some foot traffic and one of the many fine sambo’s, however you like on whatever you fancy. The BLT rates really high on the BLT scale.
Yokozuna, 159 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst +61 2 9357 7808 (see map)
Tiny little super cute granmumma and grandpops style japanese eat-in or takeaway place on Oxford street. They do a great slow cooked beef ramen, which when it’s available simply smashes any craving of beef and noodles. Great sushi bentos and the like as well.
Erciyes, 409 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9319 1309 (see map)
Hung-over? Make tracks to Erciyes for a chicken or lamb kebab or maybe even a Pide pizza? Either way, you’ll be healed. May want to have a disco nap after it.
El Loco, 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9211 4945 (see map)
I mean really, the pork sandwich is unrivalled in the Sydney pork sandwich world and for $10, that leaves plenty of room for a few tacos which by the way are great. The special taco menu changes constantly, just try whatever the special is, don’t ask what’s in it.
Mama’s Boy, home delivered in Surry Hills (link)
Feeling lazy or under the pump? Live/work in Surry Hills? This is probably your bag of lunch tricks then. They drum up the menu, you express your interest with a text message. That’s it. Get in your belly.
Din Tai Fung, 644 George Street Sydney +61 2 9264 6010 (see map)
Maybe you want to do an all out dumpling lunch? Try the best Sydney has to offer, fuck the rest.
Out of the Blue, 294 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly +61 2 9315 8380 (see map)
If you’re in the south eastern suburbs or up for a destination feed, you simply must go to Into the Blue for the Merguez burger, which features a spicy lamb sausage pattie, tabouli and spicy mayo. Amazing.
Iku, 62 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst +61 2 9360 5351 (see map)
Maybe healthy is your only option, I’m guessing if you’re a dedicated healthy person, you’ll already know about Iku, but for those that don’t, now you know.
Zeno, 389 Crown Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9331 5040 (see map)
Go visit old mate for a falafel kebab, he’s a moody ole legend so just don’t go asking him if he has eftpos or if the felafels are gluten free, just eat it. They’re made fresh and it’s good. Shut up and don’t be a picky sook.
Bunker, 399 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst (see map)
Take-away sandwiches with some of the best ingredients served up daily. They are what they is.
By Toby Allen
