Must-see restaurants in New South Wales

  • Est

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Part of the Establishment complex of bars, restaurants and a hotel. Pressed-tin ceilings, huge columns, oversized windows and modern furniture make the…

  • Pilu Baretto

    Northern Beaches

    It may be attached to the upmarket Pilu restaurant, but this casual deck cafe is an altogether more relaxed, beachy affair. It's a top spot for Italian…

  • China Doll

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Gaze over the Woolloomooloo marina and city skyline as you tuck into deliciously inventive dishes drawing inspiration from all over Asia. The setting on…

  • Chiswick

    Sydney

    Though owned by celebrity chef Matt Moran, the real star of this show here is the kitchen garden that dictates what's on the menu. Meat from the Moran…

  • Farmhouse

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Occupying a space between restaurant and supper club, this narrow sliver of a place has a tiny kitchen and charming hospitality. Diners sit at one long…

  • Bang Bang

    Byron Bay

    Byron's gone bonkers for Bang Bang and it's obvious why: outdoor eating on high benches, hot and tasty Asian food served up plate after sizzling plate and…

  • Estabar

    Newcastle

    The punchy single-origin coffee, refreshing frappés and delicious gelato are great at this hugely welcoming spot, and the location right opposite…

  • Tathra Beach Tapas

    Tathra & Around

    In a brilliant location staring onto Tathra Beach, this charming seaside shack serves food made to share: flavourful feta-spiked salads, calamari and lip…

  • Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza

    Katoomba

    Bringing visitors and locals together, this is an upbeat spot that combines three happy things – craft beer, pizza and live music (on Friday and Saturday…

  • Trio

    Sydney

    Brunch in Bondi has become de rigueur in Sydney in recent years, and this friendly, unpretentious cafe is one of the top spots to do it. The menu covers…

  • Il Buco Cafe & Pizzeria

    Byron Bay

    The best pizza in town with authentic thin-crust wood-fired pizzas sparingly topped with outstanding flavours using as much local produce as possible –…

  • Thub Thim Thai

    New South Wales

    This Thai restaurant is the kind of hidden gem that you hope to stumble across in a rural town, off the tourist trail. Gracious service and indubitable…

  • Sydney Madang

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Down a teensy Koreatown lane is this alleyway gem – an authentic, good-value BBQ joint that’s low on interior charisma but high on quality and quantity…

  • Silica

    South Coast NSW

    Directly opposite the northern pocket of the main beach, Silica is Kiama's finest seafood restaurant, emphasising subtle flavour and elegant presentation,…

  • Chat Thai

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Cooler than your average Thai joint, this Thaitown linchpin is so popular that a list is posted outside for you to affix your name to should you want a…

  • Baccomatto Osteria

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Sleek and modern, this smart Italian restaurant nevertheless conserves the warm and genuine welcome of your favourite trattoria. There's a real verve to…

  • Miss Lee

    South Coast NSW

    The daughter of a local Cantonese matriarch oversees this big, buzzing restaurant which re-creates the fast, cheap, authentic diners of Southeast Asia for…

  • Quarterdeck Marina

    South Coast NSW

    This 'little red house of tunes' overlooking Forsters Bay is a dreamy venue, ideal for farewelling the sun and welcoming a plate of lime-buttered scallops…

  • Golden Lotus

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Delicious bowls of pho, crunchy textures and fresh flavour bursts make this one of the best of Newtown's sizeable crop of vegan and vegetarian restaurants…

  • Scratch Patisserie

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    All-organic flours, butters and fresh produce go into the region's favourite sourdough, beautiful pastries and gourmet sausage rolls, served along with…

  • Marrickville Pork Roll

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Some of Sydney's best bánh mì are served out of this little hole in the wall, where the crisp bread rolls are baked on-site. The pork rolls are delicious,…

  • Factory Espresso

    New South Wales

    Egg dishes with a twist; inventive toast toppers; delicious, local-made cakes; and coffee that is worth coming back for – this industrial-style cafe hits…

  • Wild Ginger

    South Coast NSW

    The most urbane restaurant in the Jervis Bay area, appealing to a Southeast Asian palate, Wild Ginger is a showcase of flavours complemented by trendy…

  • Sweet Sour Salt

    New South Wales

    This modern Asian eatery is a crowd pleaser. Perhaps start with Korean spicy chicken wings, then move to wok-fried XO mussels and Sumatran chicken? Save…

  • Press Dubbo

    New South Wales

    This buzzy cafe located in a beautiful heritage building is usually swarming with people enjoying their meals (made mostly from local produce) and the…

  • Alchemy Art & Food Hub

    New South Wales

    It's a predominantly vegetarian menu at this popular cafe, with plenty of al fresco seating in the leafy garden and a small gallery to peruse pre- or post…

  • IKON

    New South Wales

    Sure, it's a pricey option for town, but the modern and inventive menu will impress even the finickiest of eaters. The crispy skin pork belly and sumac…

  • Alby & Esthers

    New South Wales

    Down an alleyway is this supremely pretty courtyard cafe, serving up fine local produce and good coffee. The service is exemplary and it morphs into a…

  • Cafe de Jour

    New South Wales

    For a fancy night out in town, Cafe de Jour is all about fine modern Australian food and good service. Book ahead.

  • Alibi.

    Alibi

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Completely vegan and proud, LA celebrity chef Matthew Kenney has brought his plant-based-cuisine/raw-food concept to Sydney. It’s atmospherically sited in…

  • Potting Shed Restaurant in Alexandria

    Potting Shed

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Part of the verdant Grounds of Alexandria complex, this bar-eatery doesn't disappoint on the plant front; the waving fronds and squawking macaw give it a…

  • Combi's gelato-coloured exterior

    Combi

    Byron Bay

    Melbourne clean-eating icon Combi has brought its signature raw, organic and highly Instagrammable drinks, cakes and breakfast and lunch bowls to this…

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    Beach

    Byron Bay

    Beach does triple duty as post-surf coffee stop, fish-and-chips or egg-and-bacon-roll kiosk, and Byron's best dining-with-a-view option overlooking…

  • Targa restaurant.

    Targa

    Byron Bay

    At this reliable spot, the menu takes you through the day casually from build-your-own-breakfasts to tasty lunch salads, pastas and steaks, and antipasto…

  • Sugarcane.

    Sugarcane

    Sydney

    This relatively recent Coogee arrival has got the locals firmly on side with its winning combination of Southeast Asian dishes in a very appealing Bali…

  • Japonaise has a cool, izakaya feel

    Japonaise

    Byron Bay

    This is no standard sushi takeaway: the bustling little space with its open kitchen and rustic communal tables is a proper slice of ultra-urban Osaka…

  • Textbook Bakery

    Textbook

    Newtown & the Inner West

    A baker and a patissier have teamed up here to produce delicious bread, pies and pastries, and some absolutely amazingly vivid dessert creations: resist…

  • La Ricetta Italian restaurant in Enmore

    La Ricetta

    Newtown & the Inner West

    With close-packed tables, warm lighting and an authentic feel, this is a convivial venue for Italian in the interesting dining hub of Enmore. It is strong…

  • Stinking Bishops restaurant in Newtown

    Stinking Bishops

    Newtown & the Inner West

    A pungent array of artisanal cheeses is the raison d'être of this popular shop and place to eat. Choose the varieties you want, pick a wine or local craft…

  • The popular sushi bar has a prime spot on Byron's main street

    Kinoko

    Byron Bay

    Choose something from the sushi train or let the Japanese chef slice up a plate of fresh sashimi at Byron's most popular Japanese place. You can also dig…