34 of the best bars in Sydney right now

Our round-up of the best bars in Sydney gets updated every month and covers every corner of the city.

The best bars in Sydney are those that offer a sense of place. Whether it’s a rooftop bar that offers iconic harbour views, a hidden bar that serves world-class whiskies or a burlesque bar in the ‘burbs, here are the best bars in Sydney dotted everywhere between Kings Cross and Cronulla.   In no particular order, these are the drinking dens we think you should hit up next.

1. Wentworth Bar @ Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

The horseshoe-shaped Wentworth Bar at the swanky new Wentworth Hotel blends colonial grandeur with contemporary elegance. The new hang at the ‘hotel for the arts’ is one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney for city views. It also features a gleaming new copper and glass awning that protects guests from inclement weather and frames the central courtyard. Find a peaceful space amid the plantings or go with a rowdy group and order the ‘cocktail explosion’. The menu is Vietnamese-French as evidenced by the banh mi trolley that does laps of the terrace.

Address: 61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney

2. El Primo Sanchez

El Primo Sanchez is another award-winning Maybe Group venue leading the local craft cocktail movement. The bar has really made its mark on the drinks front thanks to the execution of the classics and devotion to sourcing seasonal ingredients. El Primo Sanchez has a karaoke room, a ceiling festooned with disco balls and a colour palette inspired by a Mexican pueblo. Get stuck into snapper ceviche and tacos and down a few margaritas to work up the courage to croon your sweetheart in the private karaoke booth.

Address: 27-33 Oxford St, Paddington

3. Maybe Sammy

chic pink bar — Maybe Sammy is one of the city’s most beloved pit-stops for a bubbly night out.

Coming in hot at No. 26 on the World’s 50 Best list is this swanky bar by owners Stefano Catino and Vince Lombardo. Maybe Sammy has bolstered Sydney’s bar scene thanks in part to the hip bartenders clad in pastel pink jackets who offer old-fashioned service and theatrics while serving world-class cocktails. Slick your hair down with pomade until it glistens before entering this adult portal to good times. Bond with fellow bar groupies over a round of Maybe Margaritas and a lobster roll.

Address: 115 Harrington St, The Rocks

4. Hacienda Sydney

Hacienda. Best bars in Sydney — The sleek Hacienda Sydney is conveniently located at Circular Quay. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Whether you have family visiting, you’re on a date, or you’re a local, the enviable Sydney Harbour views from Hacienda Sydney always impress. This popular haunt received an elevated refurb at the end of 2024 that took it from great to spectacular, now adorned in sophisticated neutrals, gold accents, palms, and Latin American flair. Park yourself by the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the views and indulge in Latin-inspired dishes such as poached prawns with espelette pepper, lobster tostada, and crab linguine with charred habanero. These tasty morsels are to be washed down with a list of punchy cocktails, including the Pisco Disco, a vibrant concoction of BarSol Pisco, pineapple, limoncello and soda.

Need of somewhere to retire for the night? Hacienda Sydney sits within the luxurious Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.

Address: Level 3, 61 Macquarie St, Sydney

5. Apollonia

Best bars in Sydney Apollonia — Apollonia’s latest menu draws inspiration from *The Godfather*, and it unfolds in four acts.

Any bar that is styled in the manner of ‘Sicilian bandits drinking den’ deserves our devotion. The name of the bar, Apollonia , is a nod to the character of the same name from The Godfather, and the Hinchcliff House venue even has its own signature scent laced with gunpowder.

Scoff yourself to the gills by grazing on elevated bar bites such as pane fritto with prosciutto, pineapple and parmesan and chicken liver parfait with pickles. Stay till midnight when the bartenders invite the room to come together for a toast. Salut!

Sydney’s underground don is back with an offer you can't refuse. Think four acts of Godfather-inspired flavour, mood lighting to-die-for and drinks you’ll be loyal to for life.

Address: 5-7 Young St, Sydney

6. Jackalberry

jungle-inspired interiors of Jackelberry — This jungle-inspired bar offers an unparalleled sense of escape. (Image: Daniel Mueller)

Escape from the bustle and hum of Sydney and head into the Jackalberry Bar on the lobby level of Hyatt Regency Sydney. The bar is named after a large evergreen tree that is native to Africa. Pass through the doors on Sussex St and collapse on a velvet banquette. As your eyes recover, you will notice the jade-green jungle vibe inspired by the bar, which is dedicated to the ‘age of exploration’. Jackalberry represents the changing face of hotel bars by blending the on-trend with the traditional. Take your tastebuds on an adventure with a crafted cocktail such as the Jackalberry’s Totem and a menu of bar food that roams the globe.

Address: 161 Sussex St, Sydney

7. High & Dry Bar, Hickson House Distilling Co.

You won’t find the native negroni on the chalkboard at High & Dry Bar at Hickson House in The Rocks. It’s the negroni for those in the know. In addition to helping develop new gins, Belgian-born venue manager Raphael Redant acts as a tutor during tours of the distillery, which is housed alongside the bar within the heritage-listed Metcalfe Bond Stores. Expect conversation and drinks to flow freely at the bar, which is home to more than 600 bottles.

Address: 6 Hickson Rd, The Rocks

8. bar tilda

interior of Bar Tilda — bar tilda is the perfect spot for an ambient evening of slow sipping. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Order a pre-dinner drink at bar tilda to really feel like an A-lister (many stayed here during the hotel’s heyday). The 90-seater bar is one of four House Made Hospitality venues to open at the reimagined Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Designed by Fender Katsalaidis, bar tilda is a mix of dramatic stone finishes, dark burgundy hues and curved banquettes. Book the Martini Experience for the theatre of having a bartender stir or shake your martini tableside. The menu is every bit as inspired: think cacio e pepe popcorn, a colourful chopped salad or a cheeseburger with fries.

Address: 61-101 Phillip St, Sydney

9. Promenade Bondi Beach Bar

view from Promenade Bondi Beach bar — For elevated drinks with an elevated view, look no further than Promenade Bondi Beach. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)

Wait till the colour in the sky has turned the colour of a ripe peach before arriving at Promenade Bondi Beach Bar . Watch groms stomping past in a chattering, laughing knot. English backpackers bumping past loudly FaceTiming their family from Bondi. And the cast of Bondi Rescue, sleeves rolled up over their ham-hock forearms. Promenade Beach Bar is a sun-splashed see-and-be-seen kind of hang. Delete your dating apps. Promenade is a prime spot for an IRL hook-up. Swing by for seafood platters, pizzas, and pretty AF salads.

Address: Shop 4, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive

10. Martinez Rooftop Terrace Bar

Martinez Rooftop Terrace Bar in Sydney’s Quay Quarter is something special. The terrace bar boasts views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and has a lounge-like vibe that brings a bit of Riviera flair to Sydney. Watch office workers loosen their ties as the mixologists and DJs curate the TGIF vibe. Grab a stool at one of the long tables at the expansive watering hole and work your way through vibrant cocktails such as the Spicy Paloma and Bizarro Spritz. And dig into platters of charcuterie with pickles and crispbread to share.

Address: 50 Bridge St, Sydney

11. Percy

food menu at Percy — The selections of tapas and cocktails are a delight. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Percy in Pyrmont is an intimate, 50-seater venue that captures the spirit of pintxos and tapas bars you might stumble upon down a cobblestoned street in San Sebastian. While the wine list brings easy drinking minimal-intervention native Spanish varietals to the fore, the menu led by executive chef Eli Lozada (ex-Rockpool Dining Group) includes pintxos bites such as Padron peppers with labneh and croquetas del dia. Percy is housed within the revamped Hotel Woolstore 1888 and is all polished concrete, timber beams and burgundy tones.

Address: 139 Murray St, Pyrmont

12. Brooksy Bar

brooksy bar interior — This hidden gem doesn’t skimp on the glamour. (Image: Chad Konik)

Forget the formal hotel wine bars that followed a certain formula a decade or so ago. And raise a glass to Sydney’s new gold standard. Brooksy at the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney is an intimate speakeasy lounge that provides patrons with a portal back to the 1920s. A cocktail menu of this calibre – curated by award-winning beverage director Brendon Hill – deserves sophisticated snacks such as wagyu beef tartare, Cajun spuds with Manchego and aioli and yuzu scallops with salmon roe and wasabi ponzu. Grab your gal pals to enjoy the dazzling Absinthe Tower.

Address: 19 Jamison Street, Sydney 

13. The Magpie Enmore

The iconic magpie is not as common a sight on the streets of Enmore as it is in our city’s bush and parklands. And The Magpie named in honour of the black-and-white native bird is totes worth swooping on. Part of the bar’s appeal is its simplicity. Expect framed portraits of sporting legends and TVs blaring out live sport. And unlike the magpie, which is known for being a mad mimic, Pasan Wijesena and Russell Martin (behind Earl’s Juke Joint, Jacoby’s Tiki Bar and The Cliff Dive) have delivered a bar that is like no other in Sydney. Think fantasy sports bar from the 1980s.

Address: 156 Enmore Road, Enmore

14. Verandah Bar

food at Verandah bar — The menu and vibes are solid, making this a go-to pub for downtime with colleagues and friends.

Can’t afford the airfare to Costa Rica? Head to the hipster-chic jungle vibey breezy patio that is the Verandah Bar instead. It doesn’t have the elevation of a Sydney rooftop bar. But we love it because it transports you away from the corporate crud you’ve endured all week and provides a genuine escape. This is not the kind of place to sip on a dram of Scotch in the shadows. Opt instead to sit in the neon-lit ‘naughty corner’ in the saffron-tinged evening to enjoy calamari fritti, gnocchi acqua pazza and salt and vinegar onion rings.

Address: 55-65 Elizabeth St, Sydney

15. Bar Copains

Bar Copains is an informal French word that can mean friend or mate. And the name of this hatted Surry Hills bar is a nod to the ongoing bromance between Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone, who transformed a cutesy corner cafe into a chic-chi corner wine bar. You will want to lick every last drop off the plate (handmade and glazed by McGlone, of Belles Hot Chicken) of liver parfait enlivened by Madeira and port. And the oh-so-slurpable jus surrounding the two slabs of 2GR wagyu flank steak. Expect the food to be best buds with the wine, a lot of which is natural.

Address: 67 Albion St, Surry Hills

16. McRae Bar

interiors of mcrae bar — The intimate bar is a modern rendition of a Victorian-era drinking den.

You need a bit of swagger to make an entrance at McRae Bar where any visiting A-listers tend to strut in with their entourage. The exclusive Capella Sydney lounge bar is named in honour of George McRae, the original architect behind the hotel. Expand your trust in the mixologists and ask them to create something that is suitably glam for the elegant environs. No guanacos were harmed in the creation of the Meadow by Drift; the installation trailing from the ceiling is an arrangement of dried flowers. Celebrate the golden age of hotel bars at McRae which is all brass and marble checkerboard flooring and smartly dressed bar staff.

Address: 2/4 Farrer Pl, Sydney 

17. Baptist Street Rec. Club

Tucked above Island Radio in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane precinct, Baptist Street Rec. Club is a nostalgic yet offbeat neighbourhood bar bringing the carefree energy of 80s and 90s Australia to Sydney’s bar scene. Designed as both a laid-back local haunt and a lively party spot, it’s decked out with vintage gig flyers, cult movie posters and iconic TV moments, making it feel instantly familiar yet undeniably fresh.

The drinks menu, curated by industry heavyweights Dan Cramsie and Jason Williams, reinvents classics with a twist – think a Japanese Slipper with native finger lime, or beer lovers can sip on the house-made Reccy Lager, while the wine list leans into small-batch producers and bold flavours. When hunger strikes, Thai-inspired pub snacks are a cheeky nod to the quirky pub menus of yesteryear. Whether you’re settling in for a quiet midweek drink or hitting the dancefloor under the glow of the Trophy Room’s vintage trophies, Baptist Street Rec. Club is the kind of place that guarantees a good time.

Step into a time warp at Baptist St Rec. Club – where 80s and 90s nostalgia meets Sydney’s bar scene in the best way possible.

Address: Corner of Cleveland and Baptist St, Redfern

18. Arm’s Length

food at Arms Length — This neighbourhood wine bar draws inspiration from NYC’s vibrant bar scene. (Image: Take Studios)

Rebecca O’Shea (ex-director of Rockpool Dining Group) and sister Rosie run the show at Arm’s Length, which is under the outstretched arms of a giant fig tree in a colourful corner of Kings Cross. The kitchen at Arm’s Length is led by head chef Keno Perlas whose CV includes a stint at Monopole followed by a tenure at Margaret. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly night out in Sydney, Arm’s Length is it. There are $8 house wines all day, $2 oysters every Monday from 6pm and a $59 bottomless brunch every Sunday. The rustic eatery is on the site of the old Dean’s Lounge and continues the venue’s tradition of serving jaffles late into the night.

Address: 7 Kellett St, Potts Point

19. Mountain Culture

Mountain Culture Beer Co . has opened a third venue in Redfern, in the heart of Sydney. Come in from the midday heat of the street with a bit of colour in your cheeks to sink a cold one at the brewery that launched in Katoomba in 2019. The Redfern Bar serves a core range of award-winning beers as well as a rotating roster of limited releases on tap. The venue also has cocktails, spirits, wines and sodas. Order off the ‘fancy kebab’ menu and sink a few tinnies of beer produced by the two-time GABS Hottest 100 winner.

Address: 158 Regent St, Redfern

20. Disco Pantera

Disco Pantera interior — Prepare to be transported back to the whimsy of a vintage discoteca.

Those with a penchant for nostalgia can enjoy a little supper while clinking glasses and listening to high-energy dance music at Disco Pantera . The bar is themed like a discoteca from the 70s. The hues of pink and butterscotch in the lively New York-style bar may as well be drawn from Kim Wilde’s eyeshadow palette. It’s all electric blue banquettes and chrome bar stools in the upstairs bar where venue manager Andy McCorquodale (ex-Old Mate’s Place, Tio’s) curates the good vibes. While Pantera is synonymous with night magic, downstairs leans toward Barcelona. Put the needle in the groove.

Address: 11 Young St, Sydney

21. PS40

This hidden cocktail bar has been going strong for almost a decade. Its co-owners Michael Chiem (ex-Lobo Plantation) and Thor Bergquist (Ex-Bulletin Place) are like a couple of wizards conjuring up cocktails (and sodas) that have cult followings. While the production of soda is now done offsite to meet demand, PS40 (which means Pop Soda) still has its core range on tap: think wattle cola, bush tonic, smoked lemonade and blackstrap ginger. The list of 10 top-tier cocktails changes on the regular, and there are organic wines and local beers too. If the world starts to fall apart, you’ll find us in this hidden King St gem sipping soda. Order a Dark and Stormy to match the mood of the black-clad walls.

Address: 40 Skittle Lane, Sydney

22. Cantina OK!

Cantina OK! feels more Coyoacán than Sydney CBD. The 20-seat cocktail bar is an artfully scuffed shoebox of a space down the dead end of a delivery laneway run by mescal masters Alex Dowd and Jeremy Blackmore (of Tio’s Cerveceria) and mezcal PhD student Alex ‘Happy’ Gilmour. Mezcal is having a moment. Expect a tutored tasting of the spirit made from agave (which takes up to 12 years to reach the age of harvest) as you work your way through the mezcal menu which is all about place and provenance.

Address: Council Pl, Sydney

23. Double Deuce

Double Deuce Lounge is a basement cocktail bar that pulls inspo from 70s porn chic. Those seeking respite from the daily grind of swiping left on dating apps should come here on the off chance they’ll meet the polyamorous person of their dreams. It might be near the kissing booth clad in fur. Or while draped over one of the plush lounges with leather-lined booths admiring the framed Playboy covers lining the walls. Expect a funky wine list curated by P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants and a playlist that will make you weak at the knees.

Address: 40 King St Enter, Skittle Lane

24. Ante

ante bar — Visit this saké bar for both the drinks and the atmospheric music.

Talking about upping the ante. Hip without being too haughty is this sake bar offering a unique experience that takes the imagination straight to Tokyo. Ante is all about ‘Sake & Sounds ‘ an oh-so Newtown celebration of Japanese design aesthetics and atmospheric listening bars. Go to sip on sake and stay for the blue mackerel, fennel, bergamot kosho. Ante blends the concept of bar and restaurant together in one excellent smoothie. As well as being celebrated for its sake, the hatted haunt is known for great Australian bites.

Address: 146 King Street, Newtown

25. The Wine Bar CBD

The tables that line the edges of The Wine Bar at The International , which looks out over Martin Place, are coveted places to perch at The International in Sydney CBD. Bend an ear toward your neighbour and whisper about the A-lister who is holed up in the corner with her young lover. Add to the soundtrack of merry laughter over an aperitivo at the 40-seat wine bar. At dinner in the 60-seat dining room. Or over a digestivo in the courtyard around a Charles Perry sculpture. It’s all enough to remind us that we are at the apex of a glorious era of change being ushered into the city centre.

Address: 25 Martin Place, Sydney CBD

26. Bobbie’s Double Bay

drinks at Bobbies Double Bay — This nightspot’s name makes it endearing for Rock ‘n’ Roll fans.

It’s always going to be a Bobbie dazzler when you add Neil Perry’s name to the mix. The chi-chi Double Bay basement bar is annexed to his Cantonese diner Songbird and attracts savvy urbanites from all over Sydney. The intimate venue in iconic Gaden House is aimed at those keen to spread their wings in the eastern suburbs. Channel Australian hall-of-famer DJ Bob Rogers whom the bar is named, and linger over lunch and martinis from the comfort of a plush velvet lounge. and mid-century furnishings.

Address: 30-36 Bay Street, Double Bay

27. The Waratah

Want to know one of the best spots to maroon yourself during Mardi Gras? It’s The Waratah , an LGBTQI+-friendly bar and restaurant housed in a double-storey terrace in Darlinghurst. The ‘Tah was conceived of by Pollen Hospitality co-founders Cynthia Litster and Evan Stroeve (Australian Bartender of the year 2021 and ex-Bulletin Place, The Baxter Inn, Re and Shady Pines). Stay downstairs for burgers and beers. Head to the wraparound terrace for the signature Spritzers on tap and lamb cutlets and mint pesto to share. Be prepared to be impressed with the kitchen’s focus on sustainability, which is as closed a loop as a daisy chain.

Address: 308-310 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst

28. Grain Bar

interior at Grain Bar — Grain Bar is another perennial favourite for its alluring setting and ingenious cocktails.

Grain Bar is a stylish habitat for gathering for a round of drinks while in Sydney for business or pleasure. The bar is all wooden beams counterbalanced by a central bar that blends contemporary glamour with a throwback to retro elegance. The lobby bar within the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney reflects the changing face of hotel bars in Australia. Grain Bar is also setting an example when it comes to sustainability, working with ecoSPIRITS to reduce its carbon footprint. Embrace this new conscious form of hospitality over a few Epic and Signature cocktails.

Address: 99 George St, The Rocks 

29. Pleasure Club

Follow the psychedelic prisms of light downstairs to the Pleasure Club , the concrete basement bar by Odd Culture that was the first bar to be awarded a 4 am licence in Newtown in more than 100 years. The space designed by Bianco Isgro (whose work we love at the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre in Marrickville) is well-placed to pivot from pre-dinner drinks to late-night partying. Find a corner that is as dark as the underwing of a beetle to be as weird as you like. You’re in good company.

Address: Basement, 6 Wilson St, Newtown

30. Dean & Nancy on 22

interiors of Dean and Nancy — This chic bar exudes NYC charm.

Sydneysiders started spreading the news about Dean & Nancy on 22 the nanosecond the bar opened atop the A by Adina hotel. This place pulses with an energy that tells us that Sydney hotel bars have very much found their rhythm. Old Blue Eyes would have loved this place, which pays tribute to a golden era of classic hotel bars. It’s impossible not to be thrilled by the mid-century and modern detail at this award-winning cocktail bar, which is framed by views of the Sydney skyline. Besides being one of Sydney’s best rooftop venues, Dean & Nancy in 2022 is an intimate spot for late-night antics.

Address: Level 22, 2 Hunter St, Sydney

31. Rockpool Lounge

Rockpool Lounge by Rockpool Bar & Grill in Sydney — Rockpool Lounge is a sultry, sophisticated space. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Rockpool Bar & Grill has introduced a new elevated drinking experience – literally. Perched above the iconic restaurant, Rockpool Lounge is a sultry, sophisticated space with plush velvet armchairs, black suede bar stools and an atmosphere that evolves from a relaxed afternoon refuge to a live music-fuelled lounge from 8 pm Thursday to Saturday.

The cocktail list is as curated as the interiors. Expect a cheeky, dirty frozen martini made with house-made olive brine, more than 40 wines available by the glass, and the rotating spirits club that keeps things interesting for serious drinkers. Colombian-born executive chef Santiago Aristizabal adds flair to a menu that includes a decadent wagyu tongue taco. Pair it all with the cult-status Rockpool cheeseburger with bacon and dill pickles.

Perched above the iconic restaurant, Rockpool Lounge is a sultry, sophisticated space set against a backdrop of soft live music and city views.

Address: Level 1, 66 Hunter St, Sydney

32. Sophia’s

Sophia’s has brought a bit of risqué theatre and burlesque to Baulkham Hills. Located on Level 2 inside the Mullanes Hotel, this glamorous venue, named after bombshell Italian Sophia Loren, offers classic cocktails, Italian-inspired bites and a relaxed atmosphere. Expect DJs doing their thing on Friday nights, and highly choreographed burlesque performances replete with fuchsia-pink feather boas every Saturday. Order the Sophia’s Board of charcuterie and cheese and signature sips such as The Sophia, which arrives tall, bright and fizzy.  

Address: Level 2/36 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills

33. Cruise Bar + Restaurant

the Sydney Opera House as seen from Cruise Bar + Restaurant, Circular Quay — See the Sydney Opera House from Cruise Bar + Restaurant.

Find your way to the Cruise Bar + Restaurant in the hope you’ll clock one of your favourite A-listers. The harbourside institution has hosted everyone from Kylie Minogue to Fleetwood Mac and is primed to reclaim its place as the ultimate harbourside celebrity hangout. The bar and restaurant recently reopened after a makeover worthy of a Hollywood star, with award-winning design firm Luchetti Krelle performing the nip and tuck. Head chef Han Chen (ex-Amare, Felix) is at the helm at Cruise Bar & Restaurant and draws inspiration from Australia’s native pantry. Think bush tomato butter mussels, pan-seared Humpty Doo barramundi with macadamia cream and confit duck risotto. Invite your Ozempic-loving friend to share the Grande Cruise Seafood Tower so their loss is your gain at the fancy watering hole. Head outside to hobnob harbourside, where the Sydney Opera House will make a great background for your incognito pic of a superstar.

Address: Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

34. Opera Bar

Opera Bar Sydney at sunset — Sydney’s ultimate sundowner spot is back, fresher than ever. (Image: Steve Woodburn)

Sydney’s most famous harbourside bar has had a glow-up. Under the stewardship of Applejack (the team behind The Butler, RAFI and Bopp & Tone), Opera Bar has relaunched with fresh energy, a menu that champions NSW producers and a music program that hums seven nights a week. The offering is distinctly local: think antipasto platters stacked with Pino’s mortadella from Kogarah, La Stella mozzarella from Auburn and Westmont pickles from Thirlmere, alongside an elevated seasonal sashimi platter. Long-fermented pizzas topped with sustainably grown ingredients are classic crowd-pleasers.

Adding to the charm is the Seagull Patrol : a team of highly trained Border Collies and Kelpies who swoop in (so the birds don’t) to keep your meal safe. You’ll catch them on duty before 4 pm on weekdays and 7 pm on weekends.

Address: Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay

Originally written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Rachael Thompson and Emily Murphy.

Hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Sydney.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.