The Best Surry Hills Restaurant to Dine at Now

Nestled in the heart of Sydney, the restaurant scene in Surry Hills has become an unparalleled dining destination.

While Sydney is no stranger to incredible eating experiences, Surry Hills stands as a testament to the city’s unique culinary landscape, and promises an epicurean adventure of diverse flavours, aromas and experiences. Each of Sydney’s revitalised precincts has something wonderful to offer, and Surry Hills restaurants’ cater to every taste and budget, making it a gastronomic haven. Whether you’re visiting for the first time, or are a seasoned local, Surry Hills invites you to savour the extraordinary. Here are our top picks for where to eat.

1. Firedoor

Best for: Seasonal cuisine cooked over coals

Fire is the blazing focal point of Firedoor restaurant, awarded three hats in this year’s Good Food Guide Awards. Dinner here is a particularly unique experience as everything is cooked by fire, with the flame’s embers used to enhance the natural characteristics of the seasonal ingredients on offer.

diners enjoying a meal at Surry Hill's Firedoor restaurant — Pull up a chair inside Firedoor restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

The open-plan kitchen encourages diners to watch on and marvel as food is prepared, encouraging the same sense of wonder and fascination with fire that drives owner and chef Lennox Hastie to do what he does best.

Chef Lennox Hastie in the kitchen at Surry Hill's Firedoor restaurant — Watch Chef Lennox Hastie as he prepares the food. (Image: Nikki To)

Address: Firedoor , 23-33 Mary Street, Surry Hills

2. Kiln

Best for: Sydney skyline views and modern Australian cuisine

Kiln is a marvel, positioned 18 stories high above the Ace Hotel and with glittering views extending out over Sydney. The open kitchen and woodfire hearth nod to the restaurant’s namesake as one of the colony’s earliest kilns, and the native timbers and earthy palette capture the colours of the Australian landscape.

the rooftop dining at Kiln restaurant, Ace hotel — Dine at Kiln and enjoy rooftop views over Sydney . (Image: Anson Smart/Destination NSW)

While diners may come curious to try the Australian classic with a twist, Jatz biscuit with smoked butter and anchovy, they also find a contemporary menu featuring seasonal produce and woodfire cooking.

the elegant dining interior at Kiln restaurant, Ace hotel — The restaurant’s interior is filled with native timbers and earthy palettes. (Image: Anson Smart/Destination NSW)

Address: Kiln , 53 Foy Lane, Sydney

3. The Rover

Best for: East London classics

The Rover offers the best of both worlds, with an inviting restaurant upstairs that combines liveliness with a sense of intimacy, and a vibrant cocktail floor on the ground floor downstairs to either begin or end the night.

the classy dining interior at The Rover, Surry Hiils — Start or end your meal in the downstairs bar. (Image: Dominic Loneragan)

The menu showcases refined East London classics, bistro staples, and seafood specials reflecting produce in season.

pouring wine into the glass with food on the table at The Rover, Surry Hills — Get your seafood fix at The Rover. (Image: Dominic Loneragan)

Complemented by attentive service and a thoughtfully curated wine list and world-class cocktails, dining here feels like you’ve stepped into the charming coast of the British Isles.

the restaurant interior of The Rover, Surry Hiils — The dining interior at The Rover exudes class and charm

Address: The Rover , 75 Campbell Street, Surry Hills

4. Chin Chin

Best for: Contemporary South East Asian cuisine

The Sydney outpost to Melbourne’s original restaurant, Chin Chin in Surry Hills captures the imagination from the moment you enter the heritage-listed Griffiths tea building.

the exterior of Chin Chin, Surry Hills — Chin Chin evokes vibrant and eccentric vibes. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Chin Chin’s buzzy ambience is unparalleled, creating a space where industrial warehouse chic, music, and pink neon lights seamlessly collide. The creative, extensive menu focuses on offering South-East Asian bold flavours, and sharing plates is recommended. Attentive staff and a dynamic drinks menu make this a high-energy experience to be remembered.

a table-top view of food on the table at Chin Chin, Surry Hills — Feast on Southeast Asian flavours at Chin Chin. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Address: Chin Chin , 69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

5. Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant

Best for: Rustic Italian charm

An iconic staple of Crown Street, Mille Vine has emerged from its recent interior facelift and shines with bustling rustic charm. Mille Vine’s impressive new menu showcases authentic flavours with a focus on classic recipes, including the poached octopus salad and truffle pecorino drizzled with blossom honey.

dripping sauce into a dish at Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant, Surry Hills — A drool-worthy dish at Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant.

The adventurous cocktail list and curated wine selection, with an emphasis on local producers with Italian varieties, has been designed to complement the food menu.

a spaghetti dish at Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant, Surry Hills — The Mille Vini Spaghetti is bursting with bold flavours.

While the vibes are high here every night, Wednesday evenings offer a set menu with live Jazz from 6-9 pm. Fancy brunch instead? The two-hour drink and food package is to die for, featuring bottomless limoncello or mulled wine, depending on the season.

a bartender pouring wine into the glass at Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant, Surry Hills — Find an adventurous cocktail list and curated wine list.

Address: Mille Vini Wine Bar & Restaurant , 397 Crown Street, Surry Hills

6. NOMAD Sydney

Best for: Fine dining with a focus on sustainability

Nomad’s food is inspired by travels through the Middle East, Spain and Morocco. Famous for their charcuterie and flatbread staples, Nomad’s commitment to sourcing the very best produce from local growers and pursuing sustainability shines through their dynamic menu.

a table-top view of food at NOMAD Sydney — Savour a well-curated menu at NOMAD Sydney.

The focus of the thoughtfully curated wine list is on emerging producers and those with a dedicated commitment to organic farming practices, both locally and internationally. Nomad Sydney turned 10 this November, and their commitment to excellence in the Surry Hills culinary scene was marked by being awarded one hat in the SMH Good Food Guide Awards.

the dining interior at NOMAD Sydney, Surry Hills — Book a table for two at NOMAD Sydney.

Address: Nomad , 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills

7. Mark and Vinny’s

Best for: Experimental Italian classics

Mark & Vinny’s takes the call of “don’t be upsetti, eat some spaghetti" very seriously, offering a buzzy, bustling experience that delights the senses in all the best ways.

chili watermelon margarita at Mark and Vinny’s, Surry Hills — The drinks menu is as tantalising as the food.

Greeted by Vinny at the door, diners are offered an innovative Italian menu that pops with unexpected colour and offers sustainable, ethical culinary delights that cater to vegans, celiacs and carnivores alike. Mark & Vinny’s creativity also delivers in their extensive spitz menu.

a plate of Gnocchi at Mark and Vinny’s, Surry Hills — Vegans, celiacs and carnivores are well taken care of here.

Address: Mark & Vinny’s , g07/38-52 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills

8. The Blue Door

Best for: Ethical, producer-focused cuisine

With a seating capacity of only 18, The Blue Door celebrates ethical dining and sustainability in an intimate setting. The seven-plus course tasting menu changes each week, reflecting what Head Chef and owner Dylan Cashman is sent from farmers he has personally visited.

the entrance of The Blue Door restaurant, Surry Hills — Slip behind the blue door into the intimate dining space. (Image: Amanda Michetti)

Complementing this meticulously planned menu is a curated wine list showcasing the best of around 150 New South Wales wines selected by wine aficionado Angelica Nohra, winner of the 2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year, demonstrating the Blue Door’s commitment to pairing local food with local wine.

the dining at The Blue Door restaurant, Surry Hills — The Blue Door celebrates ethical dining and sustainability in an intimate setting. (Image: Amanda Michetti)

Address: The Blue Door , 8/38 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills

9. Spice I Am

Best for: Authentic, innovative Thai cuisine

Spice I Am embodies authentic Thai cuisine innovation, with Head Chef Sujet Saenkham regularly travelling to Thailand to stay at the forefront of culinary developments. This is reflected in the menu, which features delicious dishes made with fresh and zesty vegetables and herbs grown in the Spice I Am farm.

a farm-to-table dish with fresh veggies at Spice I Am — The Surry Hills restaurant serves dishes made with produce from the Spice I Am farm.

Address: Spice I Am , 90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

10. Don’t Tell Aunty

Best for: Traditional food with a contemporary twist

Holding firm to the sacred gesture of serving others, Don’t Tell Aunty marries the traditional with the unconventional by taking the finest ingredients and breaking the rules. The restaurant ambience resonates with the pulsating energy of the kitchen, and the menu showcases creativity and thoughtful experimentation. A decadent bottomless brunch option is also on offer.

lamb chops at Don’t Tell Aunty, Surry Hills — Find an eclectic menu that blends the unconventional with the traditional at Don’t Tell Aunty.

Address: Don’t Tell Aunty , 414 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

11. Bad Hombres

Best for: Vegan and gluten-free refined Mexican

The team at Bad Hombres deliver on their promise of “Bad Hombres Good food" with their Mexican plant-based restaurant. With a fully vegan and gluten free kitchen, this inventive and mouth-watering menu caters to everyone.

a close-up of Mexican food at Bad Hombres, Surry Hills — Enjoy vegan Mexican delights at Bad Hombres.

A friendly and frenetic atmosphere brings a party vibe that caters to big groups and couples, and diners are kept happy with the range of weekly specials, including Taco Tuesdays (3 tacos for $15) and Tequila Thursdays ($13 Margaritas).

tacos at Bad Hombres, Surry Hills — Carnivores won’t be disappointed.

The small wine list is vegan and mostly natural, and there is a range of tequila/mezcal cocktails on offer too, including a classic frozen margarita for the hot summer months.

a margarita drink at Bad Hombres, Surry Hills — Cap off the night with a cocktail.

Address: Bad Hombres , 40 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills

12. Gogyo

Best for: Date night elegance

Ramen sensation Gogyo may be a chain, but it is one of a kind in the Sydney culinary scene. Founded by the acclaimed ‘Ramen King’ Shigemi Kawahara in 2003, this Surry Hills restaurant is the first location for Gogyo in Australia, following in the footsteps of restaurants in Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Hong Kong.

the exterior of Gogyo, Surry Hills — Step into the traditional Japanese restaurant, Gogyo.

With a wide selection of traditional and contemporary Japanese dishes, the standout is kogashi-style ramen, where fragrant flavours are evoked using a unique charring technique. The interior of this restaurant reflects a meticulous eye for detail, thoughtfully combining tradition with elegance.

a bowl of ramen at Gogyo, Surry Hills — Slurp authentic Japanese ramen at Gogyo.

Address: Gogyo , 52 – 54 Albion Street, Surry Hills

13. Nour

Best for: Chic and playful Lebanese flavours

Nour, a Lebanese restaurant established in 2016, has become a vibrant fixture in the Surry Hills scene. The dedicated culinary team, spearheaded by Executive Chef Paul Farag in collaboration with Head Chef Gianluca Lonati, strives to showcase traditional Middle Eastern favourites with a playful, fresh twist.

the restaurant interior of Nour, Surry Hills — Dine inside the lavish light-filled space at Nour.

The soft, pastel colours and crisp lines of the lavish light-filled space appeal to small groups and couples alike. Tantalising bottomless brunch sharing packages are also available, should you wish to start enjoying the food earlier in the day.

raising a cocktail glass at Nour, Surry Hills — Raise a glass at Nour. (Image: Jiwon Kim)

Address: Nour , 3/490 Crown Street, Surry Hills

14. Porteño

Best for: Award-winning dry-aged steaks

The two-hatted restaurant, Porteño, currently ranks an impressive 40th in the 2023 World’s Best Steak Restaurants list. Exuding authenticity and excellence, Porteño belongs to the Porteño Group, the same team behind Bastardo, Wyno x Bodega and Humble. Co-owned by chefs Elvis Abrahanowicz and Ben Milgate, the menu showcases not only tantalising steaks but a range of hand-cut speciality meats prepared on traditional grills. The lively ambience that comes from an open-plan kitchen and thoughtful selection of wines make Porteño a memorable dining experience.

Address: Porteno , 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills

15. 170 Grammi

Best for: Roman-style pizzas

If you’ve ever wondered what your favourite pasta dishes would taste like on a pizza, wonder no more! 170 Grammi, sister venue to Via Napoli, has now opened and is serving up some seriously flavoursome pizzas with an inventive twist. There’s cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana and the signature porchetta di ariccia.

Food from 170 Grammi in Surry Hills — The wood-fired pizzas are made using only 170 grams of dough. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)

With 13 wood-fired pizzas on the menu, all made using only 170 grams of dough, and the unmissable maritozzis that are making a name for themselves, 170 Grammi is a Surry Hills destination in and of itself.

maritozzis from 170 Grammi in Surry Hills — A visit to 170 Grammi isn’t complete without a *maritozzi*. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)

Address: 170 Grammi , 428 Crown St, Surry Hills

For more of Sydney’s best eats, read our pick of the best restaurants in Sydney.

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

15 restaurants in Surry Hills to dine at now