Must-see restaurants in Sydney

  • Cornersmith

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Devoted to community and ethical food production, Cornersmith presents a seasonal menu of delicious dishes, as well as pickles, sauces, preserves and…

  • Reuben Hills

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    An industrial design and creative Latin American menu await at Reuben Hills, set in a terraced house and its former garage. The star is the fantastic…

  • Grounds of the City

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Peddling everything from takeaway snacks and scientifically roasted coffee to fuller meals and cocktails in a striking curiosity-shop interior, this place…

  • Three Blue Ducks

    Sydney

    These ducks are a fair waddle from the water at Bronte Beach, but that doesn't stop queues forming outside the art-covered walls for weekend breakfasts…

  • Malabar

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Delicious dosas, piquant Goan curries and the soft seductive tastes of India's south make this sizeable, well-established Darlinghurst restaurant a…

  • 3 Olives

    Newtown & the Inner West

    There's something very life-affirming about a good Greek restaurant, and this family-run taverna ticks all the boxes. The decor is restrained, with olive…

  • Pablo & Rusty's

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Mega-busy and loud, with close-packed tables, this excellent cafe is high energy. The inviting wood-and-brick decor and seriously good coffee (several…

  • Boathouse Palm Beach

    Northern Beaches

    Sit on the large timber deck right by the sand at Pittwater or grab a garden table – either option is alluring at this casual seafood cafe. The food (try…

  • Fratelli Paradiso

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Striking a lovely balance between cosy neighbourhood trattoria and stylish upmarket restaurant, Paradiso offers very fairly priced, super-flavoursome…

  • Otto Ristorante

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Forget the glamorous waterfront location and the A-list crowd – Otto will be remembered for single-handedly dragging Sydney’s Italian cooking into the new…

  • Momofuku Seiōbo

    Darling Harbour & Pyrmont

    The first restaurant outside the USA opened by New York's gastronomic darling David Chang, this is a key foodie favourite. Bringing together the…

  • Firedoor

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    All the dishes in this moodily attractive sunken space are produced over a blazing fire, with chef Lennox Hastie matching different woods to the flavours…

  • Single O

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Unshaven graphic designers roll cigarettes at little outdoor tables in the bricky hollows of Surry Hills, while inside impassioned, bouncing-off-the-walls…

  • Black Star Pastry

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Wise folks follow the black star to pay homage to excellent coffee, totally brilliant cakes and a few very good savoury things (gourmet pies and the like)…

  • Koi Dessert Bar

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Having made the nation salivate on Master Chef Australia, Reynold Poernomo now produces his fabulous desserts for public consumption at this two-level…

  • Cross Eatery

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Given so many tiny, jam-packed cafes around, it's very pleasant to cruise in here and enjoy a bit of elbow room. Set in the lobby of an office building,…

  • Bentley Restaurant & Bar

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Its chic corporate veneer blending plush with industrial, Bentley has been turning heads in Sydney for the sheer quality of its imaginative dishes. Many…

  • Muum Maam

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Packing a punch for eyes and taste buds, this buzzy spot is beloved by creative types who work hereabouts. It has a double identity that really works,…

  • Glebe Point Diner

    Newtown & the Inner West

    A sensational neighbourhood bistro, where only the best local produce is used and where almost everything is made from scratch. The compact menu is…

  • Chaco

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    This little place has a simple, effortless Japanese cool and some seriously good food. The ramen is good, and there are very succulent gyoza and delicious…

  • Room 10

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    With a real neighbourhood feel, this tiny cafe is the sort of place where staff know all the locals by name. The coffee is delicious and the menu limited…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Faheem Fast Food in Enmore

    Faheem Fast Food

    Newtown & the Inner West

    This Enmore Rd stalwart offers a totally no-frills dining atmosphere but very tasty and authentic curry and tandoori options served until late. Its Haleem…

  • Fleetwood Macchiato

    Fleetwood Macchiato

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Top points for the name, but Fleetwood Macchiato backs it up with excellent coffee, delicious cooked breakfasts and heart-winning fusion flavour…