Sydney Restaurants

  1. 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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  2. Clove

    Owner Nash has been cooking up a mean mountain of curry here for 14 years, filling his tables without so much as a hint of advertising. Word of mouth is a powerful force, almost as powerful as Nash's special lamb shank and chicken curries.

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  3. Don Don

    We've worked our way backwards and forwards through the handy photo menu for years and have only had consistently delicious dishes at this tiny Oxford St eatery. Expect everything from chicken katsu-don to sashimi, with most meals served with rice, miso and Japanese pickles on the side. It's a popular spot, so be prepared to wait.

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  4. Emperor's Garden BBQ & Noodles

    Here's a sizeable, busy eatery specialising in meat and poultry dishes. The little takeaway section out the front has many goodies, including some crimson-hued offerings hanging in the window; give the decadent roast duck and rice a try. There are plenty of vegetarian offerings as well, along with a healthy seafood list.

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  5. Jaipur Sweets

    While Jaipur has plenty of Indian desserts on offer, it dishes up excellent meals as well. Vegetarian options dominate, with plenty of thali and curry to choose from. You can't get better value than the around A$6 'dhal of the day' - served with two roti, a small salad and spicy lime chutney.

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  6. Maya Tandoori

    On a strip of mainly vegetarian Indian restaurants, Maya Tandoori is proof that the prettiest is not always the best. Don't be put off by the bright lights, nasty furniture and general lack of ambience. The food's authentic, spice-tastic and one hell of a bargain (around A$13 for four curries, raita, pickles, rice, two roti and dessert).

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  7. Oh! Calcutta!

    Oh! Goat curry! This place has won more 'Sydney's Best Indian' accolades than you've had vindaloos. Jazz plays as patrons tuck into tandoori quail and duck curry with kipfler potatoes and leeks. Owner Basil is as spicy as his cooking.

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  8. Sea Bay Restaurant

    Sea Bay has slipped the touristy tethers of Chinatown and drifted a few blocks north, but the aesthetic is the same. Expect brightly lit, basic surroundings and simple, satisfying food. The shredded potato with chilli is a winner, as are the pancakes and dumplings.

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  9. Super Bowl

    Take it as an extremely good sign that this is the place on Dixon St always crammed with Chinese diners. From the street-side tables you're well positioned to soak up the Chinatown vibe and slurp up a bowl of noodles. It's a good place for a post-midnight snack.

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  10. Toko

    Great sushi, quick and easy, is on offer at this small but popular place. Warm up with a bowl of miso soup, then grab those rolls and nigiri morsels as they pass by. More substantial noodle soups, along with gyoza , yakitori and teriyaki, are also on the menu. End it all with dessert: tempura banana with green tea and vanilla-bean ice cream. Yum.

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  12. Toko (Surry Hills)

    A new concept for Sydney, Toko dishes up delicious modern Japanese tapas - such as a superb soft shell crab (around A$16 ) and eggplant with miso (around A$9 ). Expect to spend upwards of around A$30 a meal, more if you're a sashimi junkie. Check out the brilliant lighting feature made of chopsticks in the so-cool-it-hurts cocktail bar.

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  13. Uchi Lounge

    Dress up creatively - your server certainly will, and the decor will reflect that. Blissful Japanese food takes centre stage; however, start with chilled udon with lime ponzu and follow with kingfish sashimi, seared tuna or tempura oysters. The raspberry lychee or ginger sake goes down real smooth.

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  14. Zaaffran

    Indian food doesn't come fancier than this, with Chef Vikrant Kapoor (of Singapore's Raffles fame) whipping up an unfaultable assortment of both traditional dishes and his own creations. Case in point is the tempting dessert menu featuring Indian twists on European favourites. The Darling Harbour views spice things up even further.

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