Must-see restaurants in Sydney

  • Longrain

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Devotees flock to this century-old, wedge-shaped printing-press building to feast on fragrant modern Thai dishes, and to sip delicately flavoured and…

  • Gigi Pizzeria

    Newtown & the Inner West

    This block is Sydney meat-free central and this cool corner spot turns out authentic Neapolitan pizzas with all-vegan toppings. They are delicious, and…

  • One Ford Street

    Sydney

    Tucked away behind the Cricketers' Arms pub is this curious indoor-outdoor hideaway. Gloriously fresh, colourful and inventive modern Italian food is a…

  • Momo Bar

    Manly

    Delicious Nepalese dumplings and build-your-own poke bowls get locals queuing at lunchtime at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a handful of outdoor…

  • Happy Chef Seafood Noodle House

    City Centre & Haymarket

    In the Sussex Centre food court, which has a few decent options, Happy Chef has been drawing in the punters for years to slurp on seafood noodles and…

  • Phamish

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Packed with locals most nights, Phamish serves delicious rice-paper rolls, dumplings, pancakes, salt-and-pepper squid and Vietnamese curries.

  • Roast duck and pork at BBQ King, Chinatown.

    BBQ King

    City Centre & Haymarket

    This Chinatown staple is low on frills but big on flavour. The duck on the logo gives a hint: a half comfortably feeds two and is delicious. Suckling pig…

  • 500px Photo ID: 99678427 - A cup of coffee latte art casting a shadow on the tiles table. Photo was taken in a local coffee shop in Sydney, Australia.

    Sample Coffee

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    If the alpine scene on the wall induces the urge to yodel, quickly shove one of Sample's deliciously moist muffins in your mouth. The food is limited to…

  • A Fish Called Coogee.

    A Fish Called Coogee

    Sydney

    This upmarket fish and chipper offers much more than your standard deep-fried cod. There’s everything from barbecued shrimp and peppered marlin to…

  • Barzura cafe restaurant and bar interior.

    Barzura

    Sydney

    Barzura's views are among the best of any cafe in Sydney. The sunbaked stretch north along Coogee Beach is a stunner, as are the deliciously uncomplicated…

  • Great Aunty 3 Vietnamese eatery in Enmore

    Great Aunty 3

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Cheerful and upbeat, this is a top budget lunch stop for Vietnamese street food, whether it be delicious pork rolls, steaming pho or refreshing rice paper…

  • Tin Humpy

    Newtown & the Inner West

    The specialities at this breezy cafe are the fantastic pastries, lovingly made by owner Yvette Lever, who also bakes the scones, banana bread and muffins,…

  • Cottage Point Kiosk

    Sydney

    This historic no-frills spot at Cottage Point caters for both national park visitors and passing boat traffic. It's got a lovely deck overlooking the…

  • Norfolk Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    There are plenty of reasons to visit this old pub – the cosy beer garden, sangría jugs, $10 lunches, the interesting crowd – but it's the cheap and tasty…

  • Bower Restaurant

    Manly

    Follow the foreshore southeast from Manly’s ocean beach to this salty little cafe/restaurant, so close to the sea that the windows often get sprayed (a…

  • Athol Hall Cafe

    Sydney

    Near Taronga Zoo, this handsome building has lovely harbour views from its verandah. Essentially a function space, it makes a tempting lunch stop on a…

  • Ash St Cellar

    City Centre & Haymarket

    One of the many tendrils of the Ivy complex, Ash St Cellar is an urbane, laneside wine bar that does excellent cheese, charcuterie and shared plates at…

  • Altitude

    Circular Quay & The Rocks

    The top-notch cuisine at Altitude, on the 36th floor of Shangri-La hotel, is liable to send your taste buds soaring as high as the fabulous views over the…

  • Tramezzini Espresso

    Circular Quay & The Rocks

    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…

  • SeaChange

    Northern Beaches

    Our favourite cafe on the Dee Why beachfront, this is a pleasant inside-outside place with a wide range of food. Dishes range from frittata, eggs and…

  • Mad Spuds

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Generously proportioned fry-ups make a great morning-after solution at this friendly cafe whose speciality is a range of good-value dishes using delicious…

  • Chiswick at the Gallery

    City Centre & Haymarket

    An offshoot of Matt Moran's smart-casual Woollahra eatery, at the Art Gallery of NSW. Enjoy the two-level vistas over Woolloomooloo Bay as you tuck into…

  • Oceans

    Northern Beaches

    Making the most of its position just across the road from the beach, this handsomely designed place opens up its sea-facing side and entices all comers…

  • Zaaffran

    Darling Harbour & Pyrmont

    In a city with a gazillion cheap Indian joints, Zaaffran is a standout. Authentic and innovative curries by chef Vikrant Kapoor are served up with awesome…

  • bills

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Part of the lively eating scene along this part of Crown Street, this is the Surry Hills branch of Bill Granger's legendary Darlinghurst eatery. Breakfast…

  • Pure Wholefoods

    Manly

    This whole-food minimart has a great little street cafe serving mainly organic vegetarian goodies, including flavoursome flans, salads, nori rolls, cakes,…

  • Macelleria

    Sydney

    An interesting casual-dining concept, Macelleria is a butcher's shop that will cook for you. Line up and pick your steak, chicken, sausages or burger then…

  • Felix

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Waiters bustle about in black ties and long aprons in this faithful French bistro, with Parisian subway tiles on the walls and a solid list of tried-and…

  • Rubyo's

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Comfortably elegant, with striking, well-placed art on the walls, this corner spot offers inventive, tasty modern Australian fare designed for sharing…

  • Hurricane’s Grill & Bar

    Sydney

    Good luck getting a seat at this hugely popular steakhouse that specialises in juicy Australian beef steaks, and racks of ribs marinated and grilled in a…

  • Yuga

    Newtown & the Inner West

    What a sweet-smelling combo: a florist and a cafe that's stylish, reasonably priced and friendly. The menu at sophisticated and serene Yuga starts with…

  • Deus Cafe

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Strewn with vintage motorcycles and kooky two-wheelin’ art, Deus Cafe is an extension of an eccentric motorbike shop on frenzied Parramatta Rd. The menu…

  • La Buvette & Spring Espresso

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    This elbow-to-elbow pair of linked microcafes is always crammed with the beautiful, the famous and the guppies (gay urban professionals), all clad in…

  • Botanic Gardens Restaurant

    Circular Quay & The Rocks

    Upstairs at the centre of the Royal Botanic Gardens, this offers very appealing balcony tables among the fronds. The food is competent Modern Australian…

  • Gelbison

    Sydney

    Legendary enough for a local rock band to name themselves after it, Gelbison entertains local families and backpackers with great-value pizza and pasta…

  • Mother Chu’s Vegetarian Kitchen

    City Centre & Haymarket

    Shimmering in plastique splendour, Mother Chu’s blends vegetarian Taiwanese, Japanese and Chinese influences to ensure the perfect tofu or claypot hit…

  • Hyde

    Kings Cross & Potts Point

    Rather unobtrusively located by a gym on a seldom-transited Kings Cross street, this spacious restaurant attached to a hotel has restrained style and…

  • Sabbaba

    Sydney

    Easy Middle Eastern comfort food draws surfers up the hill to this spot. Falafels served in pitta bread, a bowl or on a plate are a quick-fire bargain,…

  • Bronte Belo

    Sydney

    This friendly cafe does decent breakfasts and sandwiches but it's best for its handful of Brazilian dishes. Delicious moqueca (fish stew) and feijoada …

  • The Shop

    Sydney

    This well-loved diminutive space serves cooked breakfasts, pastries, sandwiches, salads and evening antipasti as well as daily specials. It serves food…