- Australian Traveller
- NSW
- Sydney
- 32 of the best restaurants in Sydney in 2024
30 August 2024
26 mins Read
The dining landscape in this city is vast, varied and constantly evolving. From reimagined restaurants playing on the unique skills of world-renowned chefs to pretty-as-a-picture fit-outs and electrifying ambience, here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Sydney.
Eastern suburbs | Inner West | Sydney CBD | Western suburbs | Northern suburbs
Flashy scenes to be seen complimented by elegant menus, elevate wining and dining to sophisticated heights.
Price: $$
Best for: Authentic Italian food that will transport you straight to Rome.
Sister restaurant of Surry Hills favourite Via Napoli, 170 Grammi has opened only 600 metres down Crown Street. While Via Napoli is famed for its Neapolitan-style pizzas, 170 Grammi is bringing Roman-style pizzas to the forefront. Made using only 170 grams of dough (hence the name), the pizzas are thinner, crunchier and oh-so-delicious. Owner Luigi Esposito has added his own creative flair to the menu, turning some of the most famous kinds of pasta into pizza toppings. Think cacio e pepe, carbonara and amatriciana.
170 Grammi is bringing Roman-style pizzas to the forefront. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)
Must-order items include the carbonara pizza with pecorino romano, guanciale, egg yolk and black pepper, and the melt-in-your-mouth parmigiana al tegamino (eggplant parmigiana). But a visit to 170 Grammi isn’t complete without a maritozzi. These fluffy, classic Roman-style desserts are soft and light and filled with whipped cream. Don’t mind if I do…
A visit to 170 Grammi isn’t complete without a maritozzi. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)
Address: 428 Crown St, Surry Hills
Been yearning for your Chef Neil Perry fix ever since Rosetta in the CBD shut its doors? Same. This is just one reason why Margaret evokes instant cheeriness the moment you clap your eyes on it. Bright, light-filled and endlessly chic can best describe not just this gorgeous Double Bay fit-out but also the warm staff who greet you before guiding you through the culinary veteran’s refined modern Australian menu.
Pop into the light-filled dining setup at Margaret. (Image: Petrina Tinsley)
Start with small local catches splashed with Asian flavours like the spicy tuna tartare, trevally ceviche with chilli and coconut milk and the fried coral trout wings, before moving to larger wood fire entrees and mains meat lovers could possibly cry over —in signature Chef Neil Perry style, the steaks are always that good.
Relish in modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours at Margaret. (Image: Petrina Tinsley)
Price: $$$$
Best for: A buzzy Italian date night.
While this cosy corner trattoria popped up on many people’s radars once Taylor Swift dined there, Pellegrino 2000 has been rated by Sydney’s hospitality scene as the place to go if you’re in the know since it opened in 2022. The eatery dishes up some of the city’s most authentic Italian, including one killer prawn ravioli dripping with a brown butter and sage sauce that you’ll pray never ends. The team is slick and generous with their time before leaving you and your date to bask in the romance of red wine, good vibes and excellent food.
Try Pellegrino 2000’s signature Italian dishes.
The Fritto Misto is delicately battered to perfection, the artichokes are drenched just the right amount of herby oily goodness and the veal alla parmigiana will transport you straight to the shores of Sicily.
Pellegrino 2000 is a garage-style trattoria in Surry Hills.
Address: 80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
Price: $$$
Best for: Modern Australian fare in the thick of hipster central.
A cosy neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall whipping up inventive, mouth-watering dishes utilising quality local produce, Jane is a Surry Hills favourite. Along leafy Bourke Street, the restaurant pops up out of nowhere, blending right into the multi-million-dollar terrace homes. But while it feels casual, the food itself is anything but.
Feast your eyes and palate when you dine at Jane. (Image: Cameron Carter)
Expect plenty of native ingredients paired with fresh seafood and top-notch meat, including the kangaroo tartare with bush tomato harissa and the beef dumplings with saltbush, chilli and yoghurt. Jane is delightful, personable and overflowing with personality.
Sink into exquisite meals at Jane. (Image: Cameron Carter)
Address: 478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Price: $$$
Best for: Italian done with understated elegance, every time.
Speaking of sensational Italian, 10 William Street is the long-loved neighbourhood bistro of your La Dolce Vita dreams. Squeeze inside the discreet shopfront to score a table either upstairs or downstairs and prepare to be spoiled in the way of food and vino at one of the best restaurants in Sydney.
Staff will be surprised if you don’t order the pretzel with whipped bottarga — a cult favourite — but other knockouts include the tagliatelle al ragu and the ocean trout with fennel and onion puree.
It would be a sin to neglect the heavily European wine list too. Allow one of the very knowledgeable team to help you pick the perfect match to send you soaring.
Address: 10 William Street, Paddington
Josh and Julie Niland have turned up the dial at their innovative sustainable seafood restaurant Saint Peter with their recent move to new premises at Sydney’s Grand National Hotel. The relocation to the Paddo pub expands capacity at the pioneering pescatarian fine diner from 20 to 85, which includes a 40-seat dining room, 20-seat bar and 15-seat private dining room.
This pescatarian fine diner made it into the World’s 50 Best longlist for 2024. (Image: Christopher Pearce)
Let the journey begin in the front bar with oysters, where the briny bivalves are shucked to order. Niland’s passion for seafood is also evident with the rock flathead grilled over coals and served with a rich and flavourful sauce Diane. King George whiting arrives in a pond of beurre blanc enlivened with pops of sudachi citrus, finger lime and tapioca. The Meyer lemon tart makes for a fine finish.
The Bergamot Meringue Tart is a must-try. (Image: Christopher Pearce)
Price: $$$$
Best for: Sensational modern Australian in a homely setting.
Tucked away in the postcard-perfect tree-lined backstreets of Paddington lies Ursula’s, a quietly confident Sydney restaurant local’s wish nobody knew about.
Feel at home when you dine at Ursula’s Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)
Focused on doing fine seasonal produce total justice through serious technique and flair (this is, after all, the brainchild of Chef Phil Wood, an ex-Rockpool rockstar), this best restaurant in Sydney dishes up endlessly chic comfort food.
Delight in a roast Sovereign lamb with green curry vinaigrette and braised eggplant, the popular chicken with creamed corn, vegetarian masterpieces and delicate seafood splashed with subtle Asian flavours.
Try the Moreton Bay bug pasta crustacean butter at Ursula’s Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)
Address: 92 Hargrave Street, Paddington
White horses are mythic symbols, often imbued with extraordinary qualities. So too is The White Horse, a Sydney stalwart that’s been a beloved watering hole for close to a century. It’s transfigured over the years, from piano bar to live music venue and brasserie, reopening this year in its newest iteration after a cool $6 million makeover.
The Surry Hills fixture has received a slick, contemporary update. (Image: Gavin Green)
The Surry Hills fixture has received a slick, contemporary update with French oak tables, Scandi chairs and elegant quartz countertops. The White Horse isn’t quite a pub, nor is it a fine dining establishment, but a new entity that blends the best of both.
The building is an iconic landmark of Surry Hills. (Image: Gavin Green)
You can amble upstairs for a breezy beer on the luscious terrace or park yourself on a plush velvet ottoman at the bar. Or dine at the pared-back yet stylish restaurant downstairs, where dishes such as razor-thin snapper ceviche and succulent Manjimup marron with sweetcorn give the menu a fine dining slant, but at an affordable price point that knocks traditional high-end dining off of its high horse.
Price: $$$
Best for: Getting more pork on your fork in fabulous French flair.
The name says it all but there’s so much more to Porcine than sensational French food inspired by the kitchens of Europe. Sure, the daily menu features masterstrokes with pigs, like the double smoked pork jowl dressed in dainty micro blooms and floating in a sea of elderflower honey, the revolving door of stunning Pate En Croutes (pastry wrapped around pate), and mouth-watering Berkshire pork chops but they’re also doing wonders with seafood, seasonal vegetables and roast birds. Take a seat by the fireplace and strap yourself in — this is intelligent and inspired dining at one of the best restaurants in Sydney.
Dine classic, sensational French meals at Porcine.
Address: 268 Oxford Street, Paddington
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Elevated plant-based dining.
A freshest-of-fresh menu at Alibi Bar & Dining in Woolloomooloo’s Ovolo Hotel has been spearheaded by renowned plant-based aficionado Shannon Martinez.
Alibi’s dining interior gives off a chic and sophisticated vibe.
Filled with a seasonal, colourful and innovative selection inspired by the Mediterranean, signature dishes include a Cotoletta Parmigiana, fried eggplant with toasted hazelnuts, grilled stone fruits with radicchio and garlic labneh and oyster mushroom pinchos.
Alibi has plenty of chairs plus good lighting.
For dessert (we know you’re interested), think quince-filled doughnuts, tiramisu and the delectable Crème Catalana.
Take your pick.
Address: Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Casual, welcoming Italian.
Lola’s Italian and Bar is the newest eatery to grace Bondi, and boy is it a good ‘un. With views over Bondi Beach, Lola’s is the place to be as the weather warms up.
Sit on the terrazzo for views of Bondi Beach. (Image: Nikki To)
The menu serves fun and elegant Italian classics along with a provocatively curated wine and cocktail list. Don’t miss the semolina spaghetti with vongole and ‘nduja, and the octopus ‘alla amatriciana’. Not looking for a full meal? Guests can also have a seat at the marble bar for a quick drink and snack.
The food is warm and inviting at Lola’s. (Image: Craig Wall)
Address: Level 1, 180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Spinning new takes on food influences from right around the globe, the Inner West excels at a variety of cuisines.
Price: $$$
Best for: Easy-going neighbourhood dining done right.
Who knew tinned fish and cold cuts were the stuff of hanger dreams? Just ask anyone who’s dropped into Continental Delicatessen, famed for levelling up the city’s lunch game with 12 tinned fish varieties slurped down alongside epic deli meats and cheeses.
The evening bistro menu steals hearts too with its lavish take on humble ingredients, and it’s that distinct out-of-the-box genius from the boys behind the marble-topped deli counter that lingers long after you’ve kissed this best restaurant goodbye.
Keep the good times rolling with the team’s canned cocktails (a ‘Mar-tinny’ is never a bad idea) or ask for Mike who’s often behind the bar knocking your socks off with his mad skills for shaking together big, bold, boozy liquid art.
Get hold of Continental Delicatessen’s grape and cheese platter. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 210 Australia Street, Newtown
Price: $$
Best for: Woodfired pizza and cocktails on a sunny rooftop setting.
The Imperial Hotel has long been a Sydney institution, and now there’s even more reason to settle in for a Sunday sesh or unwind over dinner. Popular food truck, Pizza Bros, has settled into the rooftop kitchen as its first brick-and-mortar location.
Watch brothers John and Jason Chammas make your pizza.
Run by brothers John and Jason Chammas, watch your pizza being prepared and cooked in the large, open woodfired oven as you sip on a cold beer or fun and fruity cocktail from the bar. Soak up the sun or stay cool under fringed yellow umbrellas as floating disco balls reflect the light around you.
The pizzas bring new, adventurous flavour combinations to that classic woodfired pizza taste – the Cacio E Pepe with double cream, truffle and pecorino is a must-try, while the Margho Picasso keeps it classic.
Settle in to decor as fun as the pizzas. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)
Address: 35 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Contemporary Asian cuisine.
Located in the heart of Marrickville, The D’s Bar and Dining is a slice of paradise that combines NYC decor with diverse Asian flavours. Chef Lucas Doan, of Mr Wong and Luna Lu fame, opened The D’s with family at the forefront, not only by returning to Marrickville where his family lived when they first migrated to Australia, but also by having his sister by his side managing the restaurant.
Dine here on a Friday or Saturday night to be delighted by live jazz while you feast on the extensive menu. With a Vietnamese background and experience cooking at various kitchens across Asia, The D’s menu is as diverse as it is delicious.
Don’t miss the Merimbula appellation oysters, the crispy tempura eggplant, the beef suon black Angus short ribs or the crab fried rice. The crab fried rice isn’t your traditional fried rice though, it’s (intentionally) wet which I initially thought was a mistake, but it was delicious and a must-try.
The D’s crab fried rice and crispy eggplant are must-try dishes. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Address: Shop 1, 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
Move over, Melbourne. The beating heart of this city plays home to the most wonderous, envelope-pushing culinary experiences in Australia.
Love or hate the $10 ‘fancy Jatz’ that sparked controversy when Kiln unveiled the appetiser on its a la carte menu at the end of 2022, this is a restaurant unlike anything else in Sydney’s CBD.
Found on the roof of Ace Hotel, 18 levels up, it’s literally elevating seasonal produce to unexpected new heights. The Jatz, topped with anchovy and smoked butter, is undeniably delicious as is everything else on the sophisticated menu including a whole flounder prepared with miso brown butter and a wagyu tartare with smoked mayo and mustard greens.
The vibe is rocking with a DJ spinning tunes and the glittering carpet of the city’s lights providing the ultimate backdrop to a guaranteed great time.
Opt for rooftop dining at Kiln. (Image: Anson Smart)
Price: $$$$-$$$$$
Best for: Extraordinary modern Australian inside a truly iconic destination.
Australia’s finest culinary star Chef Peter Gilmore continues to stun Sydneysiders and visitors alike with his utterly refined Bennelong experience. Sure Quay’s spectacular overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour, but the intimate buzz of Bennelong, found inside the sails of the Opera House itself, cannot be replicated.
The award-winning food celebrates native ingredients and brilliant seasonal produce, all the way down to the must-order Cherry Jam Lamington which dances over spoilt tastebuds as you start dreading the fact it’s all about to end.
Chefs at Bennelong meticulously curate dishes. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Price: $$$$$
Best for: World-famous seafood with world-famous views.
It’s incredible to think just one restaurant could present so many iconic moments. The location, smack bang in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, is unrivalled yes but the food, oh the food.
Dine at Quay Restaurant while overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Image: Nikki To/Destination NSW)
Home of the now-retired snow egg, God rest her soul, Quay Restaurant excels in crafting cult dishes to utterly rock Australia’s food scene. Pulling from the most excellent seafood to be found in our nation’s waterways, this is dining that continues to make waves right around the world.
You can go the four-course menu but it’d be foolish to skip any of the eight courses on offer at this unforgettable space, a best restaurant in Sydney like no other.
Be at the beating heart of Sydney. (Image: Nikki To/Destination NSW)
Address: Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: Rowdy, atmospheric Cantonese with amazing cocktails.
They’re not joking when they say to book three months in advance. Although Mr. Wong opened its doors more than 10 years ago, the crowds refuse to tire — and doesn’t that say it all?
Enter the enormous, dimly lit Sydney institute from a lane behind George Street and brace yourself for energy overload as some of the city’s finest Chinese fare rolls out of the kitchen thick and fast.
All your classic noodle dishes, dumplings, stir-fries, curries and roast meats are there (just prepared way yummier than you’ve ever had them) and then there’s the freshest of seafood drenched in layer upon layer of flavoured goodness. A sensory overload every visit.
Dine Cantonese dishes at Mr Wong.
Address: 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney
Allta is a portmanteau of ‘all’, the Korean word for ‘right’ and ‘ta’ the slang word for thank you in English. And there’s a lot that’s right and a lot to be thankful for when it comes to this Korean fine diner in Sydney’s CBD. The sister venue to Funda recently received two hats in the Good Food Guide and is considered one of the best new restaurants to open this year.
Experience elevated Korean gastronomy.
Allta seats no more than 12 guests each night all of whom have ringside seats to watch Michelin-trained chef Jung-su Chang (ex Jungsik, Seoul) making sure everything is just so. Forget the #cossylivs crisis for a moment and commit to the intimate 15-course degustation while being waited on by venue manager John Kuak and sommelier Sebastian Brogren.
The dining room boasts modern elegance.
You’re offered the choice between five excellent champagnes or premium blends of tea in the elegant space, defined by handcrafted ripples of wood and marble. Highlights include the buttery toothfish on a bed of mussel-infused ‘porridge’ and a guk bap soup of beef shin served with grilled oyster mushrooms and sticky rice. Yep. Right. Ta.
Cuisine Korean
Price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated
Review: 5/5
Location: 62 Clarence Street, Sydney
Address: 259 George Street, Sydney
Price: $$
Best for: A quality Southeast Asian pre-show feed.
Located inside The Star Sydney and right opposite the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Rumble celebrates the four classic flavours that permeate Southeast Asian culinary culture – sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. The menu is simple yet punchy, and the inventive cocktail list incorporates a range of spirits infused with spices, herbs, teas and fruits from across Asia.
Pick from an array of Southeast Asian dishes at Rumble. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Don’t miss the Suea Rong Hai (crying tiger), a Japanese A5 wagyu sirloin with Nam Jim Jaew. Think melt-in-your-mouth and bursting with flavour. This winning spot is open for lunch, dinner, drinks and pre-show snacks, seven days a week.
Nab a spot at the dimly lit dining interior of Rumble, The Star Sydney. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Address: Level G, Harbourside, The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Arguably Sydney’s most underrated fine dining restaurant, Oborozuki is an eatery to take those you want to impress. Serving up a sophisticated menu of French-Japanese bites such as Glacier 51 Toothfish with pipis, fennel and Jurassic Quail with Shio koji, salsify, beluga lentils, kumquat, jus gras Shinshu miso, and celeriac terrine.
The restaurant offers glimpses of the Harbour Bridge. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
For the full experience, we recommend ordering a side of Sake with your meal – you can select your own delicate Sake crystal glasses from their Louis Vuitton case.
The sleek interior is equally as stunning as the menu and features a dramatic spiral staircase, slatted curved ceilings, and walls lined with sake magnums.
This refined restaurant serves Japanese-French fare. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
King Clarence is about as cool as Sydney restaurants come with its pink neon accents, industrial-chic aesthetic, DJ, and menu crafted by executive chef Khanh Nguyen (formerly Aru and Sunda). Nguyen presents a generous line-up of dishes that take inspiration from Korean, Japanese and Chinese flavours with an Australian twist; think Murray Cod teamed with ma la tang, sugarloaf cabbage, and peanut and Davidson’s plum ice served alongside matcha, blackcurrant, strawberry gum, and puffed rice.
Hiramasa Kingfish, Sweet Miso, Wasabi, Green Pea Furikake.
Stand-out dishes include the fish finger bao, an elevated and delicious take on Macca’s Filet-O-Fish, and the creamy mango pudding which makes a strong case for plant-based cooking.
Former Head Sommelier at Cirrus, Polly Mackarel has curated the wine list which features 40 drops by the glass and pays particular attention to rieslings, chardonnay and medium-bodied reds.
The 100-seat dining room was designed by Pascale Gomes-McNabb
For special occasions, the curved semi-private dining area will ensure the vibes are high with its playful spinning disco ball.
Price: $$$$
Best for: A civilised dining experience.
Helmed by chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, the menu at Glass Brasserie provides guests with an exquisite culinary experience from the moment you enter the loft location above the Hilton Sydney’s lobby.
Be surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls at Glass Brasserie. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just the interiors alone, designed by New York’s Tony Chi, are enough to get you excited. The 240-seat space features a 13-metre floor-to-ceiling glass wall and perfectly positioned booths that offer views of the Queen Victoria Building.
Serving modern Australian cuisine, emphasis is placed on local and seasonal produce. Kingfish sashimi and tiger prawns are entrée heroes, followed by an ‘off the grill’ section that will really start some dinner table conversation. The staff are warm, attentive, and helpful – writing the book on how elevated dining should be done.
Experience elevated dining at Glass Brasserie. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Level 2, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney
Price: $$$-$$$$
Best for: A slick seafood dinner done different.
If you’re yet to experience the flavour bombs of Italian cuisine splashed with Asian spices, you may be dubious learning it’s the basis of Lana’s culinary chops. But dive in and don’t look back because this is pure brilliance unleashed and Sydney is hooked.
Opt for a satisfying seafood dinner at Lana. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
While the dreamy, pastel-trimmed fit-out looks, the business blending exposed brick and dark timbers with slivers of gold, ocean blue and the restaurant’s signature blush pink, the atmosphere is light thanks to warm service and a menu that is relentlessly playful. Start with the very reasonably priced banquet and level up your experience with added extras, all exquisitely crafted and Instagram-perfect.
Pop into Lana, a dreamy, pastel-themed Sydney restaurant. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
Address: Level 1, Hinchcliff House, 5-7 Young Street, Sydney
Price: $$$$
Best for: Impressing colleagues and clients in the middle of the city.
The CBD is spoiled for great business lunch spots but Aalia might just be our favourite. Treat your senses to a journey through the Middle East and North Africa with meals finessed to utter perfection.
Raw dishes include Persian caviar before moving on to delicious mezze plates you’ll struggle to avoid licking off the dish, stunning seafood creations and top-notch meats. And if you really can’t hold back on licking those plates, you’ll be quickly forgiven. The vibe here is relaxed and upbeat as opposed to stuffy, hence eliminating the awkward small talk that comes with every working lunch.
Cap off your busy week with a toast at Aalia. (Image: Jason Loucas)
Address: Shop 7.07 and 7.08, 25 Martin Place, Sydney
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Versatility across three levels.
Jacksons on George is the newest venue taking Sydney by storm. Occupying three unique levels, Jacksons on George is ready to accommodate all kinds of diners.
On the ground floor you’ll find the Public Bar which welcomes guests into its doors for a cocktail or three, on the first floor is the flagship restaurant Bistro George, and on the top floor is the delightful Rooftop Bar which provides views over the city.
Jacksons on George’s Rooftop Bar is the place to be this summer. (Image: Tom Ferguson)
Head Chef Steven Sinclair (formerly Icebergs Dining Room and Bar) leads the food menu across all three spaces, with European-influenced bistro dishes with classic Aussie fare as the common theme.
Must-try dishes at Bistro George are the clams casino with Goolwa pipis, guanciale and pangritata, the gin rigatoni with fermented chilli, the 200-gram David Blackmore wagyu short scotch and the passionfruit tart with cultured cream to finish.
Jacksons on George is the first venue by new hospitality group DTL Entertainment Group, fronted by Icebergs Dining Room and Bar owner Maurice Terzini as the creative director and Michael Broome as the general manager.
The clams casino with Goolwa pipis, guanciale and pangritata is a must try. (Image: Jason Loucas)
Address: 176 George Street, Sydney
Helmed by Three Michelin-starred British chef Clare Smyth, Oncore is the successor to the esteemed London fine dining restaurant Core. Sitting pretty at twenty-six levels high in Crown Towers, diners enjoy sweeping 180-degree views of Sydney Harbour and unparalleled fine dining service.
Smyth and her team champion exceptional dining using sustainable ingredients.
There are two menus to choose from at Oncore; The Classic menu which highlights iconic Clare Smyth dishes with Australian influences such as ‘Potato and roe’ with seaweed beurre blanc, herring, and trout roe, or the Seasonal menu.
Attention to detail and sentimentality is showcased throughout the entire dining experience from the tableware which is embossed with Smyth’s fingerprint, to the delicate dishes that hark back to her Irish heritage.
The venue boasts spectacular Sydney Harbour vistas.
The city’s culinary heartland nails international flavours and techniques with total authenticity.
Price: $-$$
Best for: Cheap and cheerful Indian for the family.
Renowned throughout the city and beyond as one of the best restaurants in Sydney for Indian food, Chatkazz is unmissable thanks to its queue of hangry families crawling out the door.
Inside, the tables may be a little bit sticky, and the vibe feels a bit churn-and-burn but the food comes as flavour hits so delicately paired and generously dished that all you’ll be wondering is why you haven’t visited before.
Don’t fill up on the flatbreads, as difficult as it is to pass on perfectly puffed wheat flour stuffed with taters and spices. You’ll need ample stomach space for mouth-watering curries, stir fried rices and all your other Indian favourites.
Have a glass of the fruity berry drink at Chatkazz. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: Shop 4-6/14-20 Station Street East, Harris Park
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Tapas and charcuterie with serious party vibes.
A rooftop infinity pool, killer cocktails, pumping music and beautiful people everywhere. Have we stumbled into a Los Angeles rager? Theo’s Rooftop Bar is the place to be in Penrith, offering a menu of mouth-watering share plates to split with mates as you’re flooded by stunning Blue Mountains vistas.
Head to Theo’s Rooftop Bar if you love pasta.
Arrive before dusk to score a table as the sun sinks and build your spread from aged meats, excellent cheeses, and traditional tapas. Really hungry? A small list of mains includes modern Australian favourites done with plenty of love.
Pair your meal with a glass of wine at Theo’s Rooftop Bar.
Address: Level 8, Astina Suites, 21-25 Woodriff Street, Penrith
With more nature at its feet, Sydney’s Northern suburbs play home to legendary spots mastering exceptional local catches and produce.
North Sydney has had somewhat of a renaissance in recent years with fantastic eateries popping up in the area. One such gem is the 2-hatted restaurant RAFI. Applejack Culinary Director, Patrick Friesen and Executive Chef, Matias Cilloniz (formerly Central) serve the freshest of menus inspired by the coastal elements of Sydney.
The menu focuses heavily on seafood from ceviche and oysters to whole fish, lobster, and prawns, but there are also plenty of meat and vego options to satisfy all.
The menu focuses heavily on fresh seafood. (Image: Steve Woodburn)
Stand-out dishes include hummus with crispy chickpeas and green chilli and South Coast tuna with tomato, tahini and fragrant chilli oil.
And while the restaurant and bar generously seats 300 patrons, design firm Luchretti Krelle thoughtfully calved-out nooks that foster more intimate dining settings perfect for dates or special occasions. There’s also a lush wraparound terrace for warm summer days.
Luchetti Krelle designed the richly layered space.
Price: $$$
Best for: One-of-a-kind creekside dining.
Just a 50-minute zip from the city is Berowra Waters Inn, a destination restaurant held alongside Australia’s best since its 1984 inception. Housed on Berowra Creek, the rugged gorges and gum-tree-lined site is only accessible to diners by boat or seaplane.
Head chef Brian Geraghty owns and runs the space, which boasts a frequently changing menu based on availability. If you’re a stickler for cuisine, however, you could say it’s a mix of classic French with modern Australian.
The degustation menu heroes the venue, explained ever so pleasantly by the delightful staff. And with floor-to-ceiling windows, every table has a window seat.
Address: 1 Calabash Point, Berowra Waters
The hottest spot to dine on the Northern Beaches, Bert’s is lighting up the lives of locals just a 45-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD. The spotlight shines brightly on the freshest of seafood and seasonal ingredients like the hand-picked mud crab with lemon and mayonnaise, a daily raw fish selection, grilled whole fishes and the most delicious of shellfish. It’s also very tempting to indulge in caviar on brioche toast and lobster tagliolini, so be sure to budget accordingly.
Bert’s is definitely one of the best in town for your carnal craving. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Make it on a Thursday night and be treated to live jazz plus a limited-edition range of cocktails, shaken and stirred to perfection just like everything else this best restaurant in Sydney does.
Head to Bert’s for elevated casual dining. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
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