Sydney Restaurants

  1. A Fish Called Coogee

    This busy little fishmonger sells fresh seafood cooked many different ways. Grab some great takeaway fish 'n' chips, crumbed calamari or battered prawns and sit on the beach, 'cause you probably won't be able to snag one of those gleaming outdoor tables - and with the sands so close by, you won't want to.

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  2. Aki's

    First cab off the rank as you walk onto Woolloomooloo's wharf is Aki's. Walk no further: this is beautifully presented, intuitively constructed high-Indian cuisine, supplemented by a six-page wine list showcasing local and international drops by the glass or bottle. The Kerala chilli beef is a simmering sensation.

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  3. Alhambra

    Equal parts Spanish and Moorish, at Alhambra tapas compete with tagine for your attention. In the later part of the week, live guitar and flamenco dancers add to the atmosphere. In winter it's closed from Monday to Tuesday evening.

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  4. All About… Ramona's

    It's all about the vibe in this groovy café, with cool art on the walls and a fish-tank fashioned from a 1950s TV set. It's a great place to kick back with a free newspaper, coffee and a slice of their exquisite cheesecake. Sam I Am fans should try the green eggs and ham (scrambled with pesto).

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  5. Almustafa

    With belly dancers on the weekends and water pipes for afters, Almustafa is a fun place to eat - which wouldn't matter if the food wasn't first rate. Try not to fill up on the more-ish hummus and baba ghanooj dips; save room for stuffed vine leaves, sizzling lamb kofta, chicken shwarma and the other greatest hits of Lebanese cuisine.

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  7. Altitude

    London chef Michael Kean plates up top-notch Mod Oz at Altitude, sending your taste buds soaring as high as the harbour views. If you've only got a day or two in Sydney, make this your last hurrah.

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  8. And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon

    Local yuppies cram into this charming little Paddington deli to lunch on beauties like great pasta or organic chicken and tofu burgers. It's a primo spot to pick up picnic fixings or takeaway lunches and dinners, and breakfast is served all day. Try the low-fat 'skinny burger' - it tastes too good to be true.

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  9. Aqua Dining Restaurant

    You'll be hard pressed to find a flashier restaurant design, but it's the astounding view of the bridge and Opera House (plus the Olympic swimming pool below) that will take your breath away. Expect sterling service and fancy food (the hickory-smoked Yamba prawns are especially good), plus a worthy wine list. Reservations are recommended.

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  10. Aria

    Carrying on the operatic theme of its famous neighbour, Aria offers a winning combination of artful dishes (the roasted duck breast with rhubarb tarte tatin, parsnip puree and black pepper sauce (around A$52 ) is music for the mouth), superb harbour views, an award-winning wine list and flawless service. Reservations essential.

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  11. Arthur's Pizza

    For some reason Arthur's sign was originally installed upside down. Then some do-gooder turned it right-way-up. Now it's topsy-turvy again. Immune to this sign-writing schizophrenia, Art's pizzas continue to impress. Try the 'Zorro' (olives, ricotta, red onion, spinach and semi-dried tomato).

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  13. Badde Manors

    This long-established corner haunt is especially hectic on market day, when footpath tables are the holy grail. There are plenty of choices to make: lentil or tofu burgers, focaccias, bagels, frappés, smoothies, cakes, gelato and sticky date fig ginger pudding, among many other things. Just don't expect great service - they seem to revel in their name.

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  14. Bakery Café

    It doesn't look like much, but this little bakery serves satisfying breakfasts, fresh baguettes and filling pasta meals. It's well positioned for the backpackers down the road and a friendly change from other too-cool cafés on the strip.

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  15. Bar Coluzzi

    One of Sydney's legendary cafés, Coluzzi's been here since 1957 and still attracts an odd-ball mix of older Italian gentlemen, judges, shady Kings Cross 'characters', Darlinghurst gay guys, bohemians and suits. Chose from the tasty selection of bagels, foccacia and pastries available at the counter and grab a table on the street.

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  16. Bar Quattro

    As you sit admiring Hyde Park, you wouldn't think that less than a decade ago this pleasant sandstone café was one of Sydney's most notorious public toilets. The goings on are much more genteel these days - generally involving chatting, drinking coffee and choosing items off a traditional Italian menu. It's a lovely spot and the seafood pasta is delicious.

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  17. Bar Reggio

    While most of East Sydney's celebrated Italian restaurants have closed or gone upmarket, Bar Reggio has kept its old-school atmosphere. Try for a seat in the courtyard lined with travel brochure murals and dig in to a traditional pizza, pasta or grill. For a cheap, satisfying lunch try a half or full foccacia.

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  19. Barzura Café and Ristorante

    Airy and modern, this popular cafe offers pleasant meals any time of day. Breakfast means corn fritters with bacon, tomato and avocado; lunch may be an open salmon sandwich with capers; dinner tempts with grilled lamb's liver with pancetta or the chorizo and saffron risotto. The specials board offers more interesting choices, and outdoor tables are pure gold.

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  20. Bathers' Pavilion

    Perhaps it's the beachside setting that lends an appealing casualness to this finest of dining experiences. The menu is highly seasonal, focussing on produce from small local providers, with plenty of seafood. There's a full alternative menu for vegetarians, including a complete eight-course degustation. A two-course option is available for weekday lunches (around A$75 ).

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  21. BBQ King

    Vegetarians should give this place a wide berth: carnivores, enjoy! The roast duck and barbecued pork are the main attractions here, and they are deliciously decadent. It's an old-school eatery, with bustling service, generous pots of tea and a lack of fancy decor. Since it closes late, it is popular as a post-cinema haunt.

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  22. Beanrush

    A small blue box with a little outdoor space, this café serves great coffee made from wonderfully exotic, organic beans; the snacks are mighty fine, too. Worth a visit if your engine needs revving.

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  23. Bécasse

    As you enter through the heavy black velvet drapes you'll know you're somewhere special. The bling of crystal chandeliers brings Sydney sparkle into an elegant but austere dining room, currently ranked Sydney's best. Try the degustation menu (around A$120 ); it's ten courses of gustatory heaven, superbly created by chef Justin North and complemented by unsullied service. Book ahead and dress up.

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  25. Bel Mondo

    Expect Mediterranean cuisine perfectly executed by chef Andy Ball in dramatic surrounds - space, views, elegance and pizzazz; very Sydney. For a more relaxed meal, the cool and casual bar is perfect for an after-work bite or a late-night supper.

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  26. Bentley Restaurant & Bar

    The reincarnation of this old corner pub as an upmarket restaurant hasn't thrown the bar out with the bathwater. The mains are an artful take on English pub fare (roast chicken and duck, slow cooked pork loin, pan-roasted jewfish), while imaginative tapas (around A$4 -12) takes the place of bar snacks. Add to the mix faultless service and an extensive wine list.

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  27. Bill & Toni's

    Folks come to Bill & Toni's because it's a traditional destination for basic Italian cuisine, and, in our opinion, a national treasure. The service is lightning-fast, you still get your orange cordial for free and the cafe downstairs brews some of the best coffee in town.

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  28. Bills

    Although it's now cloned throughout the Eastern Suburbs, the original bills still has the best vibe. The tucked-away location and large communal table lend a casualness not normally associated with celebrity chef establishments. Bill Granger is Mr Scrambled Egg, so dropping in for brunch is an affordable way of sampling the best bits of one of Sydney's iconic culinary talents.

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  29. Bills Surry Hills

    The loyal and eclectic crowd has followed Bill Granger's success from his Darlinghurst eatery to this shiny new upstart. This equally chic joint offers outdoor seating and some tasty selections which may include the roasted lamb rump with baked eggplant or black mussels with romesco sauce. Take it all in, and enjoy; your fellow diners certainly will.

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