Restaurants in Sydney
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A
Tabou
French right down to its lacy curtains, the flatteringly-lit Tabou is perfect for a low-key romantic dinner. Chef Jacob Brown whips out popular entrees like sauteed sweetbreads and cheese souffles, along with main dishes like the black pudding and veal fillet. Service is typically Gallic, meaning you'll either be flirted with or barely acknowledged.
reviewed
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B
Jack & Jill's Fish Café
Like Jack and Jill - go up the hill - then close to the north end of Coogee Beach you will see this simple, homely and unpretentious place, lying away from the maddening crowds. It's perfect for folks looking for good seafood dishes at reasonable prices. We recommend the Cajun-spiced barramundi with rice, but the tandoori perch is also worth a bite.
reviewed
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C
Mahjong Room
Siblings Billy To and Erika Chan offer up fresh, wholesome and creative Chinese cuisine at this atmospheric eatery. Choose one of the three cosy dining areas and dive into the steamed fish with ginger, or wok-fried lamb, and don't forget the Peking duck starter. In winter the mixed seafood hot pot is mandatory. Monthly mah jong classes are offered.
reviewed
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D
Sailors Thai Canteen
Wedge yourself into a gap between arts-community operators, politicians and media manoeuvrers at Sailors' long communal table and order from the fragrant menu of Thai street-food classics. The balcony tables fill up fast, but fortune might be smiling on you. Downstairs the vibe's more formal and the prices higher.
reviewed
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E
Tramezzini Espresso
There aren’t a lot of decent downtown places for a reasonably priced, healthy bite, so this Italian cafe in the foyer of the AMP building is worth remembering. Unsurprisingly, the clientele is extremely suity but don’t let that and all the ostentatious marble get in the way of a flat white and a zingy egg-and-parmesan breakfast roll.
reviewed
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F
Katipo Coffee House Deluxe
Named after New Zealand's only poisonous spider this unassuming café offers a little extra bite in everything it does. Even the tap water is subtly flavoured with fresh fruit and delivered with a smile. For breakfast try the Nouveau Hippy Vego Feast - a banquet of eggs, herb-roasted tomato, garlic mushrooms, kumera and wilted greens.
reviewed
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G
Wharf
Postcard views, nouveau-industrial design, sexy staff and photoworthy Mod Oz – the Wharf has it all on tap, but manages to remain unpretentious and grounded. Perfect for a romantic occasion (such as your holiday), or a pre- or post-theatre drink or bite (salt-and-pepper squid like you ain’t never had before). One of our favourites.
reviewed
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H
Fratelli Paradiso
This underlit trattoria has them queuing at the door (especially on weekends). The intimate room showcases seasonal Italian dishes cooked with Mediterranean zing: lots of busy black-clad waiters, lots of Italian chatter, lots of oversized sunglasses – somehow Rome doesn’t seem so far away… No bookings.
reviewed
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I
Cafe DOV
Opening onto the leafiest part of Victoria St, L-shaped Dov will tempt you into lingering all morning over your newspaper and caffeine. If they sleep through breakfast, locals, backpackers, style mongers and film-makers squish in for lunch and dinner.
reviewed
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J
Limoncello Ristorante
Start with the antipasto or homemade tagliani with scampi, and proceed to main dishes like the grilled lamb fillet, stuffed calzone or one of 24 traditional and gourmet pizza choices. Flavours will take you straight to southern Italy, especially if you sit in the airy covered patio out the back or snag an outdoor seat up front.
reviewed
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K
Sappho Books, Cafe & Wine Bar
Sequestered in the back of a raggedy bookshop, Sappho is a beaut bohemian garden cafe, its walls scrawled with generations of graffiti. The coffee’s excellent, the staff’s good-lookin’ and the food is a healthy selection of salads, panini and light breakfasts. Wine and tapas kick in after 6pm.
reviewed
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L
Crabbe Hole
Tucked within the Icebergs pool complex (there's no need to pay admission if you're only eating), this crab-sized nook is the kind of place locals would prefer wasn't in this book. Toasted sandwiches, muesli and banana bread star on the small but perfectly formed menu; coffees are automatic double shots unless you wimp out. The views are blissful.
reviewed
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M
Yuga
What a sweet-smelling combo: a florist and a cafe that's stylish, reasonably priced and friendly. Sophisticated and serene Yuga serves Aussie breakfasts morphing into Japanese- and Italian-flavoured lunches.
reviewed
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N
Sydney Kopitiam
Kopitiam (meaning 'coffee shop') isn’t going to win design awards (low ceiling, daggy tiled floor, plastic furniture and Malaysian Airlines tourism posters), but the great-value, authentic Malaysian soups, stir-fries and curries are spectacular.
reviewed
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O
Ampersand Café & Bookstore
Which are better, the books or the cooks? Either way, you’re guaranteed to find a good read (30,000 books over three floors) and a good coffee here. Muffins, toasted sandwiches, wraps, croissants, salads and smoothies round out the experience. Try to score one of the little orange tables in the alleyway off to the side.
reviewed
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P
Sabbaba
There are more boardshorts than black coats on view at this Middle Eastern joint in Bondi's main Hassidic strip. Falafels served in pitta are a quick-fire bargain, and there's a sticky-sweet array of baklava to finish off with. There are branches in Westfield Sydney and Newtown.
reviewed
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Q
Earth Food Store
An organic cafe, deli and naturopath under one roof, this eatery serves up a healthy range of salads, quiches, sushi, panini and tennis-ball-sized felafel balls, plus takeaway nuts, herbs, spices, teas, fruit and veg. We're so glad they don't serve any of that awful Martian food; we hear the food miles are astronomical. Counter seating is limited.
reviewed
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R
Bistro Moncur
Minimoguls and luncheon ladies while away long afternoons beneath Bistro Moncur’s vaulted ceilings and monochromatic mural. Chef Damien Pignolet’s menu changes seasonally but signature dishes such as French onion souffle gratin and grilled sirloin Cafe de Paris delight diners year-round. The wine list will make you want to take up mogulling, too.
reviewed
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S
La Buvette
Like its sister Spring next door, La Buvette is absolutely teeny. That doesn't stop it being crammed with the beautiful, the famous and the guppies (gay urban professionals in the latest designer sunglasses). The menu features salads, sandwiches and crepes, but our favourite is the baked eggs with chorizo. Excellent coffee.
reviewed
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T
Lure
This small fish shop will make you look good eating fish 'n' chips and sipping organic coffee, right on Taylor Square. Its gleaming sidewalk tables are airy and attractive, while a fancier back area offers privacy for the celebrity in you. Order the salmon teriyaki salad or salt 'n' pepper squid and feel even more special.
reviewed
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U
Cafe Sopra
reviewed
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V
Betty’s Soup Kitchen
An unpretentious retro diner in the Oxford St maw, Betty’s serves a simple menu of soups (d’uh), pies, pastas, stew, bangers and mash, and fish fingers, with a salad bar on the side. Awesome value. We’re not convinced the photo of Betty on the menu is legit – she seems too regal somehow…
reviewed
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W
Zinc Bar
Corner bistros don't come fancier than this joint, and if you score an outdoor table you'll be sitting among the prettiest people in Potts Point. Luxurious breakfasts (think pancakes with spiced plum sauce and creme fraiche, or poached-pear muesli) are served until mid-afternoon on weekends, when you'll fight for a spot.
reviewed
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X
Concrete
This slick, minimalist joint boasts tasty offerings like buttermilk pancakes with grilled pineapple for breakfast, while lunch means eggplant and roasted almond ravioli or Mediterranean lamb skewers. Enjoy it all at a shady outdoor table. The location is a bit off the tourist path, just a few blocks from Darling Harbour.
reviewed
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Y
Fu Manchu Restaurant
Think 21st-century Hong Kong slick chic, with chopsticks and elbows getting a workout. Here you will find some of the best Asian eating in Darlinghurst, and it won't kill your wallet. Wrap your fingers around some steamed barbecue pork or ginger buns for a heavenly treat. Plenty of vegetarian options are also available.
reviewed