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.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

15 restaurants in Surry Hills to dine at now