Restaurants in Sydney
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A
Churrasco
At this swanky Brazilian barbecue, illuminated by a strange mix of trendy hanging globes and chandeliers, black-clad waiting staff proffer wave upon wave of South American-spiced chorizo, chicken and tender steak skewers. Share a salad (around A$11) to avoid meat overload. The vegetarian version (at the same price, which hardly seems fair) swaps in vegetables and haloumi.
reviewed
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B
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.
reviewed
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C
Single Origin Roasters
These impassioned, bouncing-off-the-walls caffeine fiends love to chat about the fair-trade or environmental credentials of their beans. The menu's full of cutely described yummies such as the 'salad of weeds, waxies and scratchies' and the 'fish finger sarnie innit'. Unshaven graphic artists roll cigarettes at the little outdoor tables in the bricky Chicago-esque hollows of deepest Surry Hills.
reviewed
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D
La Disfida
This humble local pizzeria of 13 years' standing serves decent pasta as well as pizza, but don't even think about it. Head straight for a delicious traditional thin-crust pizza, hot out of the wood-fired oven. It's been rated the best in Sydney, so don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table. The staff aren't renowned for their charm, but the pizza is worth it.
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E
Erciyes 2
The cafe up front serves quick takeaway meat pies and kebabs, along with some excellent dips - try the jajik (cucumber, yogurt and garlic). If it's good Turkish pizza you're after, you won't go away hungry. For something fancier, come at night, when the BYO restaurant does similar fare but with belly dancing as well (Friday and Saturday only).
reviewed
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F
Don Don
For years we’ve thumbed our way through diminutive Don Don’s photo menu, discovering consistently delicious dishes. Expect everything from katsudon (rice with deep-fried chicken, beef or pork, egg and condiments) to sashimi, mostly served with rice, miso and Japanese pickles on the side. Be prepared to queue.
reviewed
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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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H
Otto Ristorante
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 century with dishes such as strozzapreti con gamberi (artisan pasta with fresh Yamba prawns, tomato, chilli and black olives). Bookings essential.
reviewed
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Grappa
The culinary highlight of Leichhardt, Grappa has an open kitchen, a snazzy bar and cream leather seats – it’s the setting for rich, succulent dishes (such as baked snapper in a rock-salt crust) and bounteous wood-fired pizzas. If it’s warm, sit outside on the terrace, sip chianti and think of Tuscany. Ahhh, Tuscany…
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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.
reviewed
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Relish On Regent
This little deli in the backstreets of Paddington has a large communal table and sunny window seats. Chose from the enticing salads, filo pastries and frittatas at the counter or direct the construction of your own sandwich from the fresh ingredients. This is a great place to assemble a picnic on the way to Centennial Park or the beaches.
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L
Gelbison Pizzeria Ristorante
'Mel Gibson's', as it's often called, is an old favourite with beach bums, film industry types and assorted gluttons looking for great Italian staples. Gelbison never seems to change and in Bondi that's a rare thing. There are pizzas and pastas galore, and sidewalk tables within the ocean breeze's reach won't hurt your enjoyment either.
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Park Café
With McEvoy St’s fumy factory fray just a block away, this surprising little mod cafe is a great spot to take time out from shopping with a glass of wine on the sunny terrace. The food’s fresh and fabulous with Mediterranean pep (try the seafood and potato risotto and the custard tarts), and the coffee’s excellent.
reviewed
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N
Toko
Toko dishes up superb modern Japanese otsumami (tapas) such as soft-shell crab, eggplant with miso and meaty options from the robata (charcoal grill). Settle into a communal table, make a selection from the extensive wine and sake list, and expect to spend around $30 on food – more if you're a sashimi junkie.
reviewed
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O
Golden Century Seafood Restaurant
This is the place for an upmarket Chinese dinner, especially if you like your seafood fresh - it's sitting in nearby tanks (check out the abalone and giant crabs!). This is a favourite late-night eating spot for many of Sydney's chefs and hotel workers, who come for the exotic, engaging flavours, fast service and fancy Asian decor.
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East Ocean
Insanely popular on weekends for its yum cha (over 100 kinds), this massive Chinese restaurant can seat hundreds of hungry folk – mostly discerning Asian diners. A few trolleys trundle around, but mostly it's a case of ticking your selelctions on cards provided. Aside from dim sum, the seafood is also excellent.
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Q
Barzura
Frequented by retired Australian cricketers in dark sunglasses, Barzura has views that have to be the best of any cafe in Sydney (if not the world!). The sunbaked stretch north along Coogee Beach to Bondi is a stunner, as are deliciously uncomplicated salads, pides, pasta dishes and generous breakfasts, all served with a smile.
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foodgame
Whether you sit at the steel deli counter, in the plush lounge area, at the communal table or outside, you'll enjoy the salads (Thai to Caesar), burgers (satay to steak) and pasta (ravioli to fettuccine). And don't even think about leaving without dessert (lemon tart, sticky date pudding, lime-infused coconut panna cotta...)
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Bentley Restaurant & Bar
The reincarnation of this old corner pub as an upmarket restaurant hasn’t thrown the bar out with the bathwater. You can still just drop by to sample from the extensive wine list, or settle in for the beautifully presented food at the highly regarded restaurant. Portions are small but inventiveness is high.
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Buon Ricordo
Remember the good old days, when local restaurateurs knew you well enough to select your meal for you? Well, Buon Ricordo is very 'good old days'. Let bearded chef Armando Percuoco decide whether you want the zuppa di pesce or the tagliata con rucola. The best Italian in Sydney? Reservations essential.
reviewed
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Bar Coluzzi
Legendary Coluzzi has been here since 1957 and still attracts an odd-ball mix of old Italian gents, judges, Kings Cross dealers, Darlinghurst gays, students and suits. The food is fine (bagels, focaccias and pastries) but what you’re here for is the spoon-standing-up-straight-in-the-cup coffee.
reviewed
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V
Blue Orange
A fave with Hall St regulars and travellers alike, Blue Orange has a casual, sandy vibe and a silly name, belying its delicate, complex cooking. Start with the blue cheese and walnut brûlée, then savour the slow-cooked Flinders Island lamb with roasted eggplant, fetta and mint. Divine.
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Jones the Grocer
Bob the Builder, Jones the Grocer – some things just make sense. JtG offers high-end groceries, cookbooks and gourmet goodies galore. Munch into a caramel slice with a serious coffee at the cafe, then double-wrap some double brie and hotfoot it to Centennial Park for a picnic.
reviewed
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Green Gourmet
Green Gourmet is a self-serve, pay-per-kilo, kind-to-animals eatery, plating up Chinese-Malaysian vegetarian food at affordable prices. On weekends, grab a few morsels of cruelty-free yum cha and wash it all down with one of the excellent teas on offer. Alcohol-free, too.
reviewed
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Y
Jellyfish
There are much better places for coffee, but this similarly surfboard-strewn café is a good choice for a light lunch or heftier dinner. Keep an eye on the surf as you munch on salt and pepper squid or a tasty smoked salmon and avocado wrap (around A$11).
reviewed