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29 Best Restaurants in Sydney

Restaurant Sydney Firedoor

Sydney's food reputation precedes it: these days, it's as much of a factor for visitors as its long-established sights and cultural attractions. For your trip-planning pleasure, we've collected the places we endorse no matter what time of year, no matter which visit (first or fifth).

Restaurant Sydney The Apollo

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The Apollo has put contemporary Greek food on the local map. Shared plates are designed to bring the table together—start with the more traditional taramasalata mullet roe dip with warm pita and olives or the more innovative saganaki cheese with honey and oregano. Heartier mains are cooked over wood and charcoal, from barbecued octopus and white beans to oven-baked lamb shoulder with lemon and Greek yogurt. Loukoumades donuts make a divine dessert.

Restaurant sydney Acme

Italian-meets-Asian fusion in Acme's small but beautifully plated dishes. Pasta-centric mains like macaroni with pig's head and egg yolk, or linguine with black garlic and burnt chili center the meal, while starters and desserts funk things up—think a bologna sandwich or a carpaccio 'halal snack pack’ and chamomile ice-cream with stone fruit. A smart selection of wines by the glass or bottle will appeal to unconventional types, including skin-contact varieties from Australia and Europe.

Cho Cho San Restaurant Sydney Australia

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This alternative izakaya will whisk you straight to Tokyo. Standout dishes include the eggplant miso sticks, pork katsu steam buns, and prawn toast to start, and the king crab omelet and charcoal chicken with sesame yogurt for mains. Leave space for matcha tiramisu or the Instagram-famous green tea soft serve. The cocktail list, meanwhile, teams classic spirits with quirky Asian ingredients—order the Yuzu Spritz, Fukushima Fizz, or Kimono Vol.2.

Restaurant Sydney Porteno

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Designed to be shared the traditional Argentinean way, Porteño’s menu highlights fabulous flame-cooked meats from grass-fed sirloin and wagyu skirt steaks to short ribs with charred red cabbage. Fish and seafood also get the fiery treatment—think fried and spiced octopus. Even a salad of oranges is cooked in embers then tossed with buttermilk ricotta. Vegetarian sides are surprisingly strong, including the signature crispy fried Brussels sprouts with lentils and mint. For something entirely new, order the Guatemalan rice tamale with wood-fired pumpkin, mozzarella, and mole Colorado.

Bennelong Bar Sydney

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The soaring and gorgeous Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House has four options for dining and drinking: the restaurant, the bar, the cured and cultured section, and the chef's table in the kitchen. Bennelong Bar is perfect for a pre- or post-theater seasonal cocktail or glass of fancy Champagne. At the restaurant, you'll need a reservation, but for the bar, you can just walk in and enjoy the jaw-dropping views of Sydney Harbor while sipping bubbly and sampling some Sydney rock oysters. The space is dotted with couples celebrating anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions; after all, this is an elegant place—so be sure to dress your best.

Restaurant Sydney Ester

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Mat Lindsay’s innovative modern Australian cooking is the reason you’re here. The short, ever-evolving menu features original combinations like raw scallops with sea lettuce and finger lime, or king prawns with fermented shrimp butter and capers. Vegetable plates, like cauliflower with almond sauce and mint aren't just boring side dishes here, either. Desserts, including the burnt pavlova, are just as seductive. Share a selection of plates or go for the set menu.

Restaurant Sydney Long Chim

Long Chim Sydney Arrow

Chef David Thompsom (formerly of Bangkok’s Nahm) knows the ins and outs of Thai cuisine, from long-forgotten heritage recipes to fiery street food dishes. He brings the heat with a tastebud-tingling menu of satays, stir-fries, salads, noodles and curries. If you're going à la carte, start with an order of fish cakes before diving into barramundi red curry and black sticky rice with coconut. For a chef's selection of the best dishes, opt for the "Maa Long Chim" menu, which includes steamed jasmine rice, dessert, and an optional wine pairing.

Restaurant Sydney Chin chin

Chin Chin Sydney Arrow

Chin Chin is famous for feisty pan-Asian flavors from Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Bali. Share small plates like kingfish sashimi with lime, chilli, coconut, and Thai basil, or corn and coriander fritters before moving onto heartier dishes like Southern Thai goat curry. Leave room for dessert, especially the palm sugar and burnt caramel ice cream sundae with salted honeycomb and lime syrup.

Restaurant Sydney Icebergs Dining Room and BAr

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar Arrow

With its lofty setting overlooking Bondi Beach’s sweeping surf, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar flaunts one of Sydney’s most dramatic locations. Inside, the space is white-walled and minimalist, letting the views take center stage (floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony tables are perfect for taking in the jaw-dropping ocean scenes). Turn left for the bar or right for the dining room. The name hails from iconic Icebergs saltwater pool right below.

Restaurant sydney Automata

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You’re here for the artfully plated five-course tasting menus that change regularly and are crafted by chef Clayton Wells (formerly of Sydney’s Momofuku Seiobo). Showcasing surprising produce and contemporary Australian flair, they’re clever and delicious, yet don’t drag on like the 15-plus-course tasting menus elsewhere. Example dishes include peach with dried tomato, dashi, mustard oil, and marjoram, or Murray cod with fermented daikon and kohlrabi. Add in an optional cheese course or drinks pairing, and don't overlook the cherries and rème fraîche dessert

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Restaurant Hubert Arrow

Chef Dan Papperell gives classic French food a modern twist at Hubert, where snails are served with the house XO sauce, duck parfait comes with maple syrup jelly, and a side of gratin is mixed with kimchi. Dinner and lunch is available à la carte or, if you have a minimum of four-people, family-style. It's best to come with a group and order the large, shareable plates like whole chicken with green garlic. Dinner reservations are available for six or more only, otherwise it’s first come, first served; any size group can reserve a table for lunch.

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Spice I Am Arrow

A dedicated following is drawn to the spicy flavors of Spice I Am, where signature Thai dishes include jungle curry, basil crispy pork belly, and pad prik king (a stir-fried curry paste with green beans, sliced kaffir lime leaves, and pork rinds). Som tum, a green papaya salad, simultaneously refreshes and blasts the palate. Sweet and sour tom yum goong soup, filled with tangy prawns and mushrooms, is always a winner.

Restaurant sydney Aria

Hello, Sydney Harbour Bridge views! With vistas over the shells of the Sydney Opera House too, Aria would be worth a visit just for those postcard panoramas. Chefs Matt Moran and Joel Bickford deliver stunning seven-course seasonal tasting menus with optional wine pairings, plus multi-course set menus for the pre- and post-theater crowd. Popular dishes include yellowfin tuna with sea urchin and silken tofu or Champagne lobster with French toast and Sterling caviar. Don't miss quirky desserts like popcorn cheesecake with raspberry and yogurt sorbet.

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Sean's Panaroma Arrow

Great Australian produce–much of it from Sean’s own garden–is prepared simply but oh-so-well here. The regularly changing menu is displayed on blackboards on the wall. There’s usually a choice of four entrées, mains, and desserts, or a spontaneous, five-course chef's tasting menu. Large plates like barramundi with baby leeks and preserved lemon, or roast chicken with parsnip puree are recurring favorites.

Restaurant sydney Billy Kwong

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Kylie Kwong’s menu changes with the seasons, giving Cantonese cooking a fresh identity through the use of native Australian ingredients, including indigenous bush foods. This is new-wave Chinese, featuring organic and biodynamic produce, house-made sauces, pickles and dumplings, and all-around fabulous flavors. Daily specials hail from the market, with a choice of à la carte or a larger 10-course banquet menu. Typical dishes include organic saltbush cakes, crispy skin duck with orange and Davidson’s plum, and stir-fried Australian native greens.

Restaurant Sydney Momofuko Seiobo

Momofuku Seiōbo Arrow

Part of The Star casino complex in Pyrmont, Momofuku Seiobo is Sydney’s branch of American restaurateur David Chang’s global empire. Executive chef Paul Carmichael whips up the quirky, contemporary delights that form the multi-course tasting menu here. Dishes change often but always reflect the restaurant's Asian-fusion origins, the chef’s Caribbean roots, and Sydney's subtropical produce. Leave at least two hours to enjoy the 12-course meal.

Restaurant Sydney Firedoor

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Owner/head chef Lennox Hastie is the creative force behind Firedoor, where he's serving Australia’s first fire-powered menu. The local meats, fish, and seafood are all cooked to order here, and the kitchen uses different types of wood to flavor the food, from apple, cherry, and chestnut to wood-salvaged from aged wine barrels. If the 147-day, dry-aged, grain-fed rib of beef is too pricey, consider the fire-roasted eggplant or the Murray cod with spinach and Hakurei turnips.

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Executive chef Peter Gilmore is the magician behind Quay’s dazzling menus, which deliver modern Australian dishes that look as good as they taste. You can currently choose between a four-course dinner or multi-course tasting menu, with optional wine pairings. The three-course lunch is easier on the wallet. A three-month redesign of the space in March 2018 will bring more intimate dining enclaves, and you can expect a more personal, reinvented menu too. Fingers crossed the Snow Egg dessert will survive.

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Fred's Arrow

Stellar reviews mean international visitors are making a beeline for Fred’s, but it’s a firm favorite with local foodies too. The price tag is on the high side, but respected chef Danielle Alvarez’s tasty food is worth it. Combining tradition with new techniques, the team draws on freestanding Tuscan grills and a custom-made hearth to create dishes like fire-roasted lamb leg with turnips and lemon salsa verde. There’s a menu of the day with optional drink pairings and two multi-course Saturday menus.

Mr. Wong Arrow

Chef Dan Hong is behind the traditional-with-a-twist Cantonese food at Mr. Wong. Among his 80 mouthwatering dishes, roasted duck is a crowd favorite, as is seafood like mud crab and rock lobster selected from the restaurant's tank. Sweet and sour crispy pork hock will delight carnivores while tofu and vegetable dishes appeal to vegetarians. For maximum fun and good value, go for one of the four banquets that require a minimum of four people. A lunchtime dim sum menu is also available.

Restaurant Sydney Nomad

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Nomad’s delicious food celebrates regional New South Wales and Australian produce sourced seasonally from farmers and local providors. Breads are baked in-house, and charcuterie and cheeses are made by the team. The à la carte menu spans small plates and share-friendly dishes from the wood-fired grill, oven, and garden. Perhaps zucchini flower with pecorino cheese and truffle honey will tempt? Barbecued spatchcock with harissa, and spiced cauliflower captures the Mediterranean spirit of the kitchen.

Tetsuya's Arrow

Tetsuya’s offers a pocket of zen in the heart of the city. Sophisticated Japanese-inspired interiors mirror the food on the plates, and most tables overlook a verdant Japanese sculpture garden. There are four main dining areas plus private enclaves. Marrying the Japanese love of natural, seasonal flavors with traditional French techniques and Australian produce, chef Tetsuya Wakuda delivers a set degustation meal to remember. It consists of around eight courses, starting with beloved black truffle butter on malt bread.

Restaurant Sydney The Bentley

Bentley Restaurant + Bar Arrow

If you like your food experimental and innovative, then Bentley’s modern Australian dishes will speak your language. Dine à la carte or enjoy the eight-course tasting menu (there’s a creative vegetarian version too); Saturday nights also offer a five-course tasting menu. Quirky entrées include Jerusalem artichoke with yolk and burnt pear, while mains feature swordfish with pickled mussels, zucchini stem, and kelp butter. Australian ingredients rule, with quality meats grilled over charcoal.

Rockpool Bar & Grill Arrow

Rockpool Bar & Grill wows guests with one of the most eye-catching interiors in Sydney, thanks to its location in the opulent Art Deco City Mutual Building. Huge windows, lofty pillars and atmospheric lighting set the scene, with a dining room and adjacent bar beckoning you to linger. A chandelier made from 2,682 Riedel Riesling glasses is suspended over the space, suggesting a drink might be in order.

Restaurant Sydney Cirrus

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Cirrus champions fresh, sustainably caught seafood and fish. Vegetarians and meat-eaters will also be satisfied though, with the menu representing diverse local ingredients, from pumpkins to plump steaks. Swing by for lunch or dinner daily, with the choice of à la carte or the Cirrus tasting menu (whole-table only). Get the party started with oysters, then order a starter of cured swordfish with pea and lemon myrtle, followed by a main of Ora King salmon with charred cabbage and black garlic. A Cirrus Platter, heaped with ocean-fresh seafood, works well if you’ve brought your crew.

The Bridge Room Arrow

The Bridge Room is open for lunch, pre-theater meals, and dinner. Guests choose between two, three, or four course menus, or a full tasting with two levels of optional wine pairings. The chef fuses Asian flavors with Australian produce to create dishes like ocean trout with silken eggplant, sesame, puffed rice, organic soy sauce, and grilled rock kelp. Many dishes are slow-smoked over binchotan charcoal in the Japanese robata grill style.

Restaurant Sydney Chiswick

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Celebrating the best of Australian produce, Chiswick serves seasonal ingredients grown in its own kitchen garden, as well as quality lamb from chef Matt Moran’s family farm. The result is simple but delicious cooking, from starters of zucchini flower with goat’s curd lemon or Sydney rock oysters to mains of whole John Dory fish with rocket and spring vegetable broth.

Paddo Inn Bar & Grill Arrow

Take a seat in the Front Bar’s sociable wood-flanked booths for a quick lunch, lazy dinner, or after-work drink. Standouts on the gastropub menu include the Paddo Caesar salad and chicken schnitzel with chips. On the main menu, top-notch beef and seasonal seafood star in dishes like Bloody Mary tuna tartare, grilled snapper with summer greens, and wagyu Rump Cap steak with minted kipfler potatoes.

Barangaroo House Bar Sydney

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The stunning Barangaroo House, designed to look like wide bowls stacked on top of each other, is actually made up of two bars and a restaurant: the House Bar, on the bottom level; restaurant Bea, in the middle; and Smoke, a rooftop cocktail bar. You'll want to visit them all, trust us. The low-key House Bar has 12 beers on tap, a small, but solid, cocktail list featuring the classics, and lamb on the spit for all-day kebabs. Bea serves up elevated Australian cuisine in a refined pub-like space. At Smoke, there's an impressive wine list with more than 400 wines, a huge champagne list, and more than 50 cocktails.

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35 of the best restaurants in Sydney

Kristie Lau-Adams

Travel Journalist

24 July 2024

Time

Meticulous technique, iconic vistas and nothing but fresh produce make the best restaurants in Sydney unforgettable culinary celebrations.

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 as navigated by suburb or region.

Eastern suburbs |  Inner West |  Sydney CBD |  Western suburbs |  Northern suburbs

The best restaurants in Sydney’s eastern suburbs

Flashy scenes to be seen complimented by elegant menus, elevate wining and dining to sophisticated heights.

Price:  $$$$

Best for:  French on a very special occasion.

This Potts Point powerhouse is the brainchild of world-renowned chef Opel Khan, so the bar is high at Metisse  before you even walk through the door. But when you do, get set for spectacular.

A luxury degustation combines chef Opel’s French gastronomic techniques with his fondness for spices and salts which stems back as far as his childhood. The team sources local produce so fresh it bounces from plate to plate, and the degustation features a premium French wine pairing curated by an incredible sommelier.

a White truffle custard with caviar on white background, Metisse

Check out Metisse’s white truffle custard with caviar.

The Fruits de Mer, a severely tricked-up seafood platter compiling Yamba prawns, octopus carpaccio, salmon confit and sea scallop is magical. Burnt butter ties every inch of the flavour medley together and sparks goosebumps the moment your first forkful touches your lips.

Consider the premium Kobe beef score 12, another ridiculously delicious choice. Melt-in-your-mouth doesn’t even cut it. Artful presentation, purposeful flavours and innovative flair tell a story of triumph, on full display at one of the best restaurants in Sydney right now.

the dining interior of Metisse

Dine authentic French cuisine at Metisse.

Address:  5-9 Roslyn Street, Potts Point

2. Margaret

Price:  $$$-$$$$

Best for:  Fine modern Australian fare from a world-class chef.

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.

a waitress walking with a tray in hand at Margaret

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.

a chic dining setup at Margaret

Relish in modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours at Margaret. (Image: Petrina Tinsley)

Address:  Bay Street, corner Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay

3. Pellegrino 2000

Price:  $$$

Best for:  A buzzy Italian date night.

Rated by Sydney’s hospitality scene as the place to go if you’re in the know, Pellegrino 2000  is a very cosy corner trattoria dishing 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 prey 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.

Italian dishes on the table at Pellegrino 2000

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.

a dimly lit dining interior at Pellegrino 2000, Surry Hills

Pellegrino 2000 is a garage-style trattoria in Surry Hills.

Address:  80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills

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.

a table-top view of a dish at Jane, Surry Hills

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.

a table-top view of food at Jane, Surry Hills

Sink into exquisite meals at Jane. (Image: Cameron Carter)

Address:  478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

5. 10 William Street

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

6. Saint Peter

Best for:  Exceptionally prepared fish in a relaxed setting.

Dishing up some of the most acclaimed fish-based handiwork of any Australian kitchen, Saint Peter  has built quite a reputation since opening its doors on trendy Oxford Street in 2016.

the seating area at Saint Peter, Paddington

Pull up a chair at Saint Peter. (Image: Josh Niland)

Laser-focused on delivering ethically sourced seafood and outstanding seasonal produce to elevate the show’s stars, the team here is passionate and endlessly slick.

Treat your senses to sea urchins, shellfish, spectacular vinaigrettes with fish you never knew existed and more. Pretty much everything good under the sea can be found celebrated here.

a Chocolate and Murray Cod Fat Caramel Slice at Saint Peter, Paddington

Grab a spoonful of their signature Chocolate and Murray Cod Fat Caramel slice. (Image: Josh Niland)

Address:  362 Oxford Street, Paddington

7. Ursula’s

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.

a chic dining setup at Ursula’s Paddington

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.

a Moreton Bay bug pasta crustacean butter dish at Ursula's Paddington

Try the Moreton Bay bug pasta crustacean butter at Ursula’s Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)

Address:  92 Hargrave Street, Paddington

8. Bar Reggio

Price:  $$

Best for:  Hearty Italian that’s always affordable.

Bar Reggio  has attracted a loyal following since opening in 1992, luring people from all over Sydney with its authentic, abundant and absolutely minimal-fuss Italian fare.

Affordable and always delicious, the food is rivalled only by the ambience which is always buzzing with laughter, birthday celebrations and plenty of overexcited groups.

a rustic but classy interior at Bar Reggio

Bar Reggio evokes a rustic but classy charm.

It’s like you’ve stepped into a street party at Nona’s house — bellies are full and life is sweet.

Select from an extensive menu of pizzas done with Napoli sauce and fresh mozzarella, classic pastas and traditional mains including Cotoletta Milanese and eye fillets with the creamiest of sauces.

a shrimp pasta dish at Bar Reggio

Their shrimp pasta is shrimp-ly delectable.

Address:  135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst

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.

a dish at Porcine, 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.

a look inside the dining interior at Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo

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.

a bright dining interior with plenty of chairs at Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo

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.

a table-top view of the dishes at Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo

Take your pick.

Address:  Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo

11. Lola’s Italian and Bar

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.

Interior of Lola's Italian and Bar in Bondi Beach

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.

Black pasta with wine at Lola's Italian and Bar in Bondi

The food is warm and inviting at Lola’s. (Image: Craig Wall)

Address: Level 1, 180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

12. Manta Restaurant

Best for:  Fresh produce with a waterfront view.

Fresh doesn’t even come close to describing what you’ll receive when dining at Manta. Moments after ordering the whole lobster pasta from their spring lobster menu, our friendly waitress brought over Henry the lobster, straight out of the tank and on his way to the kitchen.

Caught slightly off-guard by Henry’s appearance, my apprehension turned to excitement as we awaited his return by devouring half a dozen Sydney rock oysters with cabernet sauvignon mignonette.

The whole lobster came out served on a bed of Mafalda pasta with ginger, chilli and Dashi. Cooked to perfection, every bite was better than the last and the sauce tied everything together so flawlessly. Manta Restaurant also has an à la carte menu if you’d prefer.

whole lobster with Mafalda pasta, ginger, chilli and dashi

Try the whole lobster pasta from Manta’s spring lobster menu. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Address:  6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

The best restaurants in Sydney’s inner west

Spinning new takes on food influences from right around the globe, the inner west excels at a variety of cuisines.

13. Continental Delicatessen

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.

a grape and cheese platter at Continental Delicatessen

Get hold of Continental Delicatessen’s grape and cheese platter. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address:  210 Australia Street, Newtown

14. Lucky Kwong

Best for:  Casual Asian cuisine from one of Sydney’s most iconic chefs.

News of Billy Kwong’s closure broke hearts right across the nation’s foodie circles but nobody doubted that Chef Kylie Kwong’s next venture would spark a cult following all over again. This is why Lucky Kwong , her latest eatery, brought along one of the most anticipated launches in recent years.

The verdict? It’s fuss-free soul food straight from the culinary master’s heart. Paying tribute to her heritage, dumplings, silken tofu, savoury pancakes, sung choi bao, ‘Uncle Jimmy’s Steamed Hokkien Noodles’ and the other items on her menu are all varying shades of flavour-packed bliss.

a table-top view of food at Lucky Kwong

Savour Asian favourites at Lucky Kwong.

Address:  2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh

15. The Charlie  

Best for:  Catching up with friends over sophisticated comfort food.

One evening at  The Charlie  will have you wanting for many, many more. Part restaurant, part cocktail bar, this place delivers on all fronts, making it one of the best restaurants in Sydney.

people dining at The Charlie, Sydney

The Charlie is one of the most-loved restaurants in Sydney. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)

To start with, there’s an awesome menu to dive into. Think melt-in-your-mouth Korean fried chicken, kingfish ceviche, steak frites with herb fires, and delicious tacos, complemented by some of the most mouth-watering cocktails in the inner west.

In terms of decor, The Charlie is a slice of tropical heaven, combining industrial elements with Barbie pinks and a touch of mint green, plus eye-catching fernery.

a table-top view of food at The Charlie

With so many food choices, you don’t know where to start. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)

Address: 199 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

16. Pizza Bros on The Imperial Hotel Rooftop

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.

Pizza Bros, Imperial Rooftop sydney

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.

Imperial Rooftop sydney

Settle in to decor as fun as the pizzas. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Address: 35 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville

17. The D’s Bar and Dining

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 Bar and Dining crab fried rice and crispy eggplant

The D’s crab fried rice and crispy eggplant are must-try dishes. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Address:  Shop 1, 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

The best restaurants in Sydney’s CBD

Move over, Melbourne. The beating heart of this city plays home to the most wonderous, envelope-pushing culinary experiences in Australia.

Best for:  Food that surprises at every angle.

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 as a glittering carpet of the city’s lights below provides the ultimate backdrop to a guaranteed great time.

a classy dining interior at Kiln

Opt for rooftop dining at Kiln. (Image: Anson Smart)

Address:  53 Foy Lane, Sydney

19. Bennelong

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.

chef de cuisine, Rob Cockerill placing the finishing touches on a dish at Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney

Chefs at Bennelong meticulously curate dishes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address:  Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney

20. Quay Restaurant

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.

the view of Sydney Harbour Bridge from Quay Restaurant

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.

the view of Sydney Harbour Bridge from Quay Restaurant

Be at the beating heart of Sydney. (Image: Nikki To/Destination NSW)

Address:  Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney

21. Mr. Wong

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.

two plates of food at Mr Wong

Dine Cantonese dishes at Mr Wong.

Address:  3 Bridge Lane, Sydney

Best for:  A lively date night or quick mid-week lunch.

Kanade  is a vibrant new place to be if you’re in the middle of town. The menu is a seamless blend of traditional Japanese flavours with contemporary twists from an experienced team of chefs who have honed their craft in venues like LuMi Dining in Pyrmont and Kuon Omakase elsewhere in the city, making it one of the newest best restaurants in Sydney.

special sake barrel cocktail from Kanade in Sydney

The special sake barrel cocktail was lethal and absolutely to die for.

Try the roasted duck breast with corn salad and sesame miso sauce, the fluffy miso cream carbonara with onsen egg and the wagyu beef steak with yakiniku sauce for the ultimate party in your mouth.

Wash it all down with a delicious drinks list expertly crafted by top dogs in Sydney’s mixology scene from Maybe Sammy. The special sake barrel cocktail is lethal, and we can’t get enough of it.

roasted duck breast with corn salad and sesame miso sauce

Try the roasted duck breast with corn salad and sesame miso sauce.

Address:  62 Clarence Street, Sydney

Best for:  Pan-Asian share plates with friends.

The much-loved Goji  from Penrith has set up digs in the big smoke, opening a second venue in the heart of the city. Taking inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisines, the menu is cleverly crafted by head chef Sam Chang who has 20+ years’ experience across all Asian disciplines.

Twice cooked green beans with garlic and chilli from Goji

The menu takes inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisines.

Everything is designed to be shared so pick a few plates and get stuck in with your nearest and dearest at one of the best restaurants in Sydney. Standout dishes include the stir fry noodles with kung pow chicken and chillies, twice-cooked green beans with garlic and chilli, slow-cooked wagyu beef brisket rendang and one heavenly Ferrero Rocher fried ice-cream.

The Ferrero Rocher fried ice-cream from Goji

The Ferrero Rocher fried ice-cream is a must-try.

Address: 259 George Street, Sydney

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.

dishes at Rumble, The Star Sydney

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.

dining interior at Rumble, The Star Sydney

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

25. Caffe Q’s

Best for: Aperitivo dining.

Recently opened in Sydney’s Quay Quarter, Caffe Q’s is bringing Europe to Sydney. Inspired by the Italian aperitivo tradition, Caffe Q’s is a destination that encourages connection. In the morning it’s your coffee go-to with Little Marionette providing the beans, and of an afternoon, unwind with a delicious cocktail and some thoughtful tapas.

Exterior of Caffe Q's in Circular Quay Sydney

Caffe Q’s is bringing Europe to Sydney. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Owner Quynh Nguyen brings his impressive bar expertise to the table, formerly working at Margaret, Icebergs, and Fred’s, and more recently he was responsible for the drinks program at Goji’s Sydney CBD outpost.

There will be spritzes galore and a handful of cocktails to try – the Aussie Faux Pas is to die for – and the food completes Nguyen’s vision. With charcuterie, cheese and antipasti boards, breakfast pinxtos and fresh sandwiches on display, Caffe Q’s has you covered from morning to evening.

People dining and drinking at Caffe Q's

Caffe Q’s is a destination. (Image: Jayden De Araujo)

Address: 50 Bridge St, Sydney

26. Jackalberry

Best for:  Flavour-packed dining when you can’t settle on a specific cuisine.

As it turns out, a seat at this cocktail bar will get you a ticket to some of the world’s most famed culinary destinations. Get to know  Jackalberry , a restaurant found within the Hyatt Regency Hotel and a place where cultures come together in celebration of discovery and exploration.

The menu derives inspiration and flavour from some of the tastiest plates from around the world, accompanied by a cocktail menu that will transport your taste buds both near and far. Simply pick out a country and the mixologist will whip up an ode using the finest local ingredients.

From Havana to Norway, there’s a recipe for even the most well-travelled among us, from Moroccan lamp chops and soy glazed salmon to the Thai pork salad and fresh burrata.

Talking décor, the botanical design boasts moody tones, with emerald velvet booths and safari wallpaper ready to welcome guests.

Address:  Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney

27. Glass Brasserie

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.

people dining at Glass Brasserie in Hilton Sydney

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.

a waiter holding plates of food at Glass Brasserie

Experience elevated dining at Glass Brasserie. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address:  Level 2, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney

Best for:  Elegant waterfront seafood.

There’s plenty going on at Barangaroo but choosing Cirrus  over anywhere else in the business district is always a smooth move. Arrive in the day, like many inner-city workers do, and you’ll be treated to sensational views across Sydney Harbour, a beautiful backdrop to a menu that’s constantly evolving yet reliably exquisite.

The order of the day is fresh-caught marvels transformed into edible art like the fried steam bun with raw tuna, a whole lobster with scallop XO sauce or the extremely brilliant Hiramasa kingfish with salted strawberry. Can’t stand people taking photos of their food? We’re sorry to say you’ll be tempted to join them here.

Address:  23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, Sydney

29. Restaurant Hubert

Best for:  Dimly lit French with ample atmosphere.

Located in the heart of downtown Sydney,  Restaurant Hubert  is the kind of vintage hole-in-the-wall that will make you feel as though you’ve accidentally stumbled onto the set of a movie. The interiors at allow you to truly dislocate from the outside world.

Upon entering, 4000 miniature liquor bottles line the spiral staircase that transports you into an alternative post-war Europe universe. The wood-panelled space is dazzling, romantic and topped off with a 100-seat theatre complete with a grand piano perched atop a stage.

Hubert is much about the ambience, good conversation and laughter, as it is the quality of the wine and the food. About which they also have plenty to brag. To truly get the grand Hubert experience, we suggest travelling in a group. The banquet menu requires at least four people – and with the amount of food you get, you’ll also need at least four stomachs at the table. Whether it’s the whole garlic chicken, prime beef tartare or the can’t-leave-without-trying Escargots XO, make sure you wear your stretchy pants.

a vintage dining interior at Restaurant Hubert

Restaurant Hubert is a vintage hole-in-the-wall eatery serving French cuisine. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 15 Bligh Street, Sydney

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.

a seafood dish at Lana, Hinchcliff House in Sydney

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.

the bar at Lana, Hinchcliff House in Sydney

Pop into Lana, a dreamy, pastel-themed Sydney restaurant. (Image: Steve Woodburn)

Address : Level 1, Hinchcliff House, 5-7 Young Street, Sydney

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.

a dimly lit dining interior at Aalia, Sydney

Cap off your busy week with a toast at Aalia. (Image: Jason Loucas)

Address:  Shop 7.07 and 7.08, 25 Martin Place, Sydney

32. Jacksons on George

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

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 from Bistro George

The clams casino with Goolwa pipis, guanciale and pangritata is a must try. (Image: Jason Loucas)

Address:  176 George Street, Sydney

33. Birdie Bar & Brasserie

Best for: Comfort food

For anyone craving some hearty, British-style comfort food with the occasional Australian twist It particularly shows itself in the cocktail and dessert menu), Birdie Bar & Brasserie is the place for you. Dine on Wagyu Brisket with fermented black bean, cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding or share the Skull Island King Prawn Cocktail. I would happily have the garlic bread with provolone black garlic for starters, mains and dessert.

The cocktail list is inventive – find ingredients like meringue foam and tropical shrub – if not always hitting the mark. There are plenty of beer and wine options to make up for it though.

The decor is light and bright, with a tropical feel – mainly thanks to the fun and loud wallpapered feature wall, covered in ferns and birds.

Birdie Brasserie bar Wagyu Brisket

Dine on Wagyu Brisket with fermented black bean, cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding.

Address: 7-9 York Street, Sydney

The best restaurants in Sydney’s western suburbs

The city’s culinary heartland nails international flavours and techniques with total authenticity.

32. Chatkazz

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.

a Special Berry Mint at Chatkazz, Harris Park

Have a glass of the fruity berry drink at Chatkazz. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address:  Shop 4-6/14-20 Station Street East, Harris Park

33. Theo’s Rooftop Bar

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.

a pasta dish at Theo’s Rooftop Bar, Sydney

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.

meal at Theo’s Rooftop Bar, Sydney

Pair your meal with a glass of wine at Theo’s Rooftop Bar.

Address: Level 8, Astina Suites, 21-25 Woodriff Street, Penrith

The best restaurants in Sydney’s Northern suburbs

With more nature at its feet, Sydney’s Northern suburbs play home to legendary spots mastering exceptional local catches and produce.

34. Berowra Waters Inn

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

35. Bert’s

Best for:  A waterfront seafood extravaganza.

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.

a table-top view of steak dish at Bert's

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.

the dining interior at Bert's

Head to Bert’s for casual dining. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport

Written by Kristie Lau-Adams with updates by Emily Murphy and Kassia Byrnes.

Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.

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7 World-Famous Restaurants to Sample in Sydney

Australia's Food Scene Is Happening

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Often the best part of traveling to new places is checking out the local cuisine. In Australia, you can always get a meat pie or fish and chips at the nearest pub, but sometimes the occasion calls for a more memorable dining experience. Sydney has world-class eateries, so when you're visiting the Harbour City, enjoy the best.

The view of Sydney Harbour from Quay's dining room is spectacular, and the award-winning "nature-based" modern Australian cuisine created by Chef Peter Gilmore is equal to the setting. Unique menu items include reworked classic dishes and new dishes for each season, including such items as slow-cooked quail with fermented mushroom custard, wild Tasmanian green-lipped abalone, and congee of hand-dived scallops. The wine list is extensive, and wine and food pairings are offered. Quay has made the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants list more than once and is the winner of the 2017 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Restaurant of the Year Award.

Formerly helmed by Chef Peter Doyle (who has since retired), this restaurant creates contemporary Australian food that is seasonally driven and French-influenced. Dine in the heart of Sydney in est.'s elegant dining room with its soaring white columns and decorative ceilings. The dinner tasting menu includes such Australian specialties as sea urchin, poached squid, shaved abalone, and Blackmore wagyu beef, and wine pairing packages are available. The restaurant is just a short walk from Circular Quay wharf and is open for lunch and dinner, except on Sundays. Reserve in advance by phone or online.

Sydney Tower Buffet

A visit to the Sydney Tower Buffet is a must-do experience. It is buffet-style dining with 360-degree revolving views of the city below, so no matter where you sit, the sight of Sydney is breathtaking. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner so you can admire the city by day and see the city lights by night while choosing from more than 60 dishes, including Vietnamese, Australian, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. The buffet also offers a large selection of fresh local seafood.

Tetsuya's

This Michelin-starred Sydney restaurant offers traditional Japanese dining with a French-influenced twist. Set inside a refurbished heritage-listed building, it is famous for its ten-course tasting menu based on the Japanese philosophy of using natural seasonal flavors and classic French cooking techniques. Chef Tetsuya Wakuda designed his own on-site test kitchen where he creates such unique dishes as spanner crab with yuzu kosho and clam vinaigrette; Marron with Davidson plum and smoked butter; and confit of ocean trout with celery, witlof, and apple. This popular restaurant is often packed, so book well in advance.

Bill Granger's restaurant in the Darlinghurst section of Sydney offers relaxed dining with an emphasis on local seasonal ingredients. A native of Australia, Granger has created a casual atmosphere where breakfast starts the day early with ricotta hotcakes or sweet corn fritters. Or go native and order the Full Aussie: scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, roast tomato, bacon, miso mushrooms, and pork, chili, and fennel sausage. Try the fresh juices and smoothies, such as Bill's Beets with beetroot, carrot, fennel, and apple or the Sunrise with berries, coconut yogurt, and agave. 

Jamie's Italian Sydney

Founded by world-famous chef Jamie Oliver, Jamie's Italian in Sydney is an upscale dining experience with a casual atmosphere. The venue is on two levels: The lower level is a traditional restaurant setting, and the upper mezzanine has an open kitchen so diners can watch the chefs at work. Set menus of two or three courses are available, as well as an extensive a la carte menu of various kinds of pasta, entrees, contorni (side dishes), and desserts. The lunch menu features a pasta of the week, a fish of the day, and the "classic super food" salad with roasted beets, avocado, grains, broccoli sprouts, pomegranate dressed with harissa and ricotta.

Rockpool Bar and Grill

Rockpool Bar and Grill ranks high on the Australian Gourmet Traveller's list. Situated in the 1936 art deco City Mutual Building, the restaurant is a stone’s throw from Sydney Harbour. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Rockpool is a foodie’s dream. The menu features dishes based on an ever-evolving selection of quality local produce, matched with an awarding-winning wine list with over three thousand wines. Enjoy wood-fired grilled meats dry aged on site that is free of growth hormones and antibiotics. For a more casual meal, enjoy drinks and small plates at the bar, such as the Spanish-influenced potato and chorizo egg tortilla with aioli or clams steamed with Serrano ham and beans.

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gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

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GOURMET TRAVELLER’S RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR AND WINNERS OF THE 2023 RESTAURANT AWARDS REVEALED

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

CELEBRATING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN AUSTRALIAN DINING THIS YEAR

Australia’s leading luxury food title, Gourmet Traveller, last night unveiled the winners of the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards at the hospitality event of the year. South Australia’s Restaurant Botanic has taken out the top honour at this year’s Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, with chef Justin James accepting the award at a glittering gala event at Shell House in Sydney. “There’s no question that Restaurant Botanic is a bravura performance,” says Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin. “It combines fun and adventure with polish and poise. Chef Justin James doesn’t attempt perfection but rather embraces the beauty of irregularity and nature, making the most of the restaurant’s iconic location and using the garden’s bounty to create something uniquely of its place.” The country’s leading chefs and restaurant personalities came together to celebrate the annual awards, which are Australia’s longest-running restaurant awards and a highlight of the hospitality calendar. Neil Perry, Shannon Martinez, Ben Shewry, Brigitte Haffner, and Andrew McConnell were amongst the top chefs to attend the event, which marked the first time the awards have been announced in person, following more than two years of Covid restrictions and disruptions. It was a night of double celebration for Perry, whose Double Bay diner Margaret was named both Best New Restaurant and the NSW state winner of Restaurant of the Year. Tasmania claimed Best Destination Dining for Van Bone in Marion Bay, while Hobart’s Fico was named the state winner. In South Australia, Restaurant Botanic claimed both the state prize and was named Restaurant of the Year, while the creative duo behind Willunga wine bar Muni – Mug Chen and Chia Wu – were named Best New Talent. From Victoria, Thi Le was voted Chef of the Year in the night’s only peer-voted category, while Shannon Martinez was named Restaurant Personality of Year. Tedesca Osteria was named the state winner for the second year in a row. Gold Coast wine bar Paloma was singled out as the Wine Bar of the Year, while Essa was awarded the state prize for Queensland. Rounding out the state winners, Pilot was named ACT’s best restaurant for a second year running, while Perth’s Lulu La Delizia took out the honour for Western Australia. Full profiles of all the winners, along with the full 2023 Restaurant Guide, feature in the October issue of Gourmet Traveller, on sale now. The Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Award winners: RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: RESTAURANT BOTANIC, Adelaide STATE WINNERS: ACT: PILOT, Canberra NSW: MARGARET, Sydney QLD: ESSA, Brisbane SA: RESTAURANT BOTANIC, Adelaide TAS: FICO, Hobart VIC: TEDESCA OSTERIA, Red Hill WA: LULU LA DELIZIA, Perth CHEF OF THE YEAR: THI LE Ca Com & Jeow, Melbourne, Vic BEST NEW RESTAURANT: MARGARET, Sydney, NSW BEST NEW TALENT: MUG CHEN & CHIA WU Muni, Willunga, SA BEST DESTINATION DINING: VAN BONE, Marion Bay, Tas WINE BAR OF THE YEAR: PALOMA, Burleigh Heads, Qld RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: SHANNON MARTINEZ Smith & Daughters, Melbourne, Vic Profiles of the award winners will be published in the October issue of Gourmet Traveller, now on sale, along with the 2023 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide, which highlights the best dining experiences to be found in Australia in the year ahead. This year’s awards are sponsored by Winning Appliances, PorkStar, Oceania Cruising, Ilve & Fhiaba, and Furi.

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13 Of The Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Sydney

Profile picture of Chantal Walsh

Melbourne  may be known for its enchanting  bar scene  but Sydney’s fine-dining offering is at an all-time high.

Spliced with old favourites—now revered worldwide—and ambitious newcomers that revel in pushing the envelope and challenging the city palette, Sydney’s fine-dining players mean serious, and delicious, business.

Here is  marie claire ‘s guide to the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney.

Sydney’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants 

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Sydney Common

Location: cbd.

Although one may think Sheraton Grand Sydney’s tranquil grandeur would set the tone for its recently opened, already-hatted restaurant, Sydney Common is anything but your typical hotel eatery. From its circular Champagne bar and stunning Hyde Park view to the mini martini menu and ingredient-focused woodfire cooking, there’s something for every palate. We recommend their aperitivo hour boasting $8 mini martinis, $6 G&Ts and $12 negronis. If you’re staying for dinner, you can’t surpass the honey-roasted duck–marinated every six hours for days before being served on a smoking platter like a literal work of art.

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

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Esther restaurant Sydney

Location: Chippendale

A table at Ester is one of the most coveted bookings in town. The Chippendale restaurant has garnered a reputation as one of Sydney’s best fine-diners, known for its wood-fired eats (think hot potato bread with cool trout roe and kefir cream, and calamari and lardo skewers), natural-leaning wine list and relaxed, unfussy vibe.

Restaurant Hubert

Restaurant Hubert

Location: sydney cbd.

In the heart of Sydney CBD, this clandestine underground restaurant and bar is heaving come Friday nights. The menu is typically French but there’s plenty of international influence (roasted snails come with XO sauce) that extends to Bar Hubert’s interiors which are plastered with artsy posters and Time-Life photographs.

Bennelong

One of the city’s most iconic dining venues, Bennelong boasts extensive harbour views and a menu that’s equally as impressive. The perfect place to take out-of-towners.

pier-one

Location: Dawes Point

No view is more spectacular than that of Sydney harbour, and The Gantry, idyllically located right on the waterfront at Walsh Bay, is nothing short of a dream location. With a menu offering that can be tailored to your exact desires, be it a share plate situation or a bespoke menu curated by head chef Rhys Connell, you can expect a different experience each time you visit. Perfect for a date night or special occasion, with the open kitchen allowing you to watch the culinary talent at work, while enjoying the food they’ve so perfectly prepared. A must-visit. 

Nomad restaurant Sydney

Location: Surry Hills

A place for in-the-know foodies, Surry Hills’ Nomad offers a refined take on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. With a focus on local produce and incredible Australian wine (including many lesser-known wines), Nomad’s menu is fuelled by fantastic flavours and smart pairings. If you’re after something light, don’t skip the Nomad Charcuterie board.

Firedoor restaurant Sydney

The perfect wintertime dining choice, Firedoor’s menu is cooked over coals. Chef Lennox Hastie has become renowned for his specialty cooking method and bespoke ingredient list. While the menu changes daily, you can’t go wrong with anything smoked over coals. Yum.

10 William Street

10 William Street

Location: paddington.

A favourite of many Sydney gourmands, 10 William Street takes bar snacks seriously. The charming hole-in-the-wall Italian bar-cum-restaurant offers precisely executed pasta dishes (the ragu is a must-try) and a killer drink list. Don’t miss the warmed pretzel with whipped bottarga.

Quay

A quintessential Sydney dining experience, Quay reopened in late 2018 after a three-month long renovation, revealing a brand new menu and fresh fitout—the update allows guests even greater vistas of the Harbour Bridge. With a much raved-about menu by Chef Peter Gilmore (whose clever play on texture makes every dish a talking point), you can rest assured your meal will be as inspired as your views. 

Bentley Restaurant Sydney

Dubbed by Gourmet Traveller as the ‘best place in Australia to drink wine’, Bentley promises to surpass all your expectations. An eclectic wine list makes its bar stools some of the most sought after within the CBD come 5pm, while an extensive tasting menu (plus a dedicated vegetarian alternative) deem it one of Sydney’s most exciting restaurants.

Bert's Newport

Bert’s

Location: newport.

If you’re headed for a weekend up on Sydney’s northern beaches, make sure you include Bert’s on your itinerary. One of Merivale’s many feats, the brasserie and bar is headed by chef Jordan Toft and offers a European-inspired menu framed with fresh seafood and a succulent wine list—not to mention; seriously Instagram-able interiors.

cho-cho-san

Cho Cho San

Location: potts point.

One of Potts Points’ most lauded dinner spots, Cho Cho San serves up Japanese-inspired dishes with flair. Perfect for group bookings; find a spot around the restaurant’s concrete-slab table and order a mix of plates off the izakaya snack menu (our favourite: juicy grilled pork steam-bun sandwiches) and a glass of red from a globetrotting wine list. A perfect place for date night too.

rockpool-bar-and-grill-sydney-best-fine-dining-restaurants

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Located in a glamorous art deco building dating back to 1936, Rockpool Bar & Grill sits within one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. The fare matches the setting: classic and sophisticated. However, this isn’t the type of fine dining institution where one might leave hungry. Mains are hearty (and include a delicious selection woodfired meats and seafood) and the menu is large and varied for all palates. Then there is the highly-decorated wine list that is undoubtedly one of the most prized in Sydney. 

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No matter which cuisine you’re in the mood for, these restaurants are sure to satisfy. By Dani Maher , Tessa Ogle , Ella Sangster and Hayley Peppin

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

WITH ITS VIBRANT MULTICULTURAL population, Sydney is a hub for delicious eateries — from casual to fine dining, it’s safe to say we are thoroughly spoiled for choice.

And when you’re looking for the very best restaurants to indulge in, the city alone provides countless options that will leave you in awe.

If you’re looking for quality dining experiences while in Sydney, these are the culinary delights that promise not to disappoint.

Related: Best Indian restaurants in Sydney

AALIA MLC Centre, CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

It may have only opened a little over a year ago, but AALIA has quickly gained a cult following as a top Middle Eastern restaurant in Sydney. It’s also a two Hatted Restaurant, reinforcing its culinary prowess. By the ESCA Group, the delicious team behind Surry Hills restaurant Nour; AALIA’s Executive Chef,  Paul Farag ; thoughtfully fuses Middle Eastern and North African flavours through a shareable feast.

Diners’ could easily mezze their way through the A La Carte menu with simple yet delicious dishes such as Angelachu anchovy toast; smoked buffalo labneh, unpretentiously (and authentically) enjoyed with leaves in replacement of crackers or bread; and salty puffed bread to rival Tottis signature — best dipped in a particularly sumptuous eggplant mes ‘a’. Of bigger servings, there’s the unmissable lamb neck shawarma with tarator, pickles, and Saida saj as well as steamed coral trout with toum butter and burnt milk — and rest assured; there’s a sizeable wine menu featuring local and international drops to pair with plates as well as a expertly curated selection of cocktails. We suggest AALIA’s bespoke (and smokey) mezcal-based spicy margarita.

With helpful and friendly service, a dynamic and architecturally-designed space situated in the heart of the MLC; and of course, a menu to indulge — and later, dream about — AALIA isn’t just for city workers; it’s worthy of suburban-dwellers leaving their familiar favourites for a weekend booking.

Métisse 5-9 Roslyn St, Potts Point

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

‘Métisse’, which can be translated ‘mixed to race’, draws on a combination of French Avant-garde gastronomic techniques and renowned chef Opel Khan’s ( Acqua E Farina; Pizza Boccone ) childhood memories of spices & salts. For this reason, the restaurant’s name perfectly describes its mesmerising luxury offering.

From the recently introduced new degustation menu, you can expect elevated experimental dishes, straight from the creative mind of Khan. Each course pays homage to the owner and executive chef’s gastronomical style of cooking. Not to be missed is the Mosaïque, a signature dish served as one of the courses — a beautiful symphony of fish presented as edible art.

The degustation also has a premium wine pairing curated by an expert wine sommelier. Via the selection, you can expect to journey through the highlights of key wine regions in France.

And for those who don’t want to commit to the full degustation, a Petit Degustation, which is a smaller, faster experience for customers, is available. And better yet, menus can be made vegetarian and vegan upon request.

Restaurant Hubert 15 Bligh St, Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Arguably Sydney’s première French restaurant —  Hubert is considered a Francophile fixture for a reason. Epitomising Parisian culture both interiorly and menu-wise, the lavish underground restaurant summons the days of Hemingway and Oscar Wilde with its Roaring Twenties-inspired bistro.

Diners can devour their steak du Jour or chicken fricassé (its star dish) to the sweet sounds of French jazz. Hubert’s beverage list is equally impressive, hosting the largest miniature spirit collection in the Southern Hemisphere with 4,000 bottles.

The Gantry Sydney

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

If it’s a Harbourside luxury you’re after, the newly renovated The Gantry — with an elevated and flawlessly curated menu and wine list — certainly won’t disappoint. Situated within the Pier One heritage wharf, boasting views of Sydney Harbour’s Walsh Bay, The Gantry is far more than a hotel restaurant. With both indoor dining — within the stunning stained timbered Dining Room, The Terrace or alfresco on the pier — on offer, the experience is guaranteed be complimented by glistening ocean views which act as the perfect stage for the menu.

Head Chef, Rhys Connell, has constructed a menu that is ambitious, yet perfectly articulated. Expect the best local produce, favouring flavours of the ocean. The Yellowfin Tuna paired with slightly dried ox heart tomato, burrata and basil, is undoubtedly a highlight. It’s best described as a reinvented (and superior) bruschetta that’s available as part of the set menu — a worthy and delightful journey for the senses.

The extensive wine list, by enigmatic sommelier Ahmad Fahda, has been created with the care and thought reminiscent of that which an art curator would put into a gallery. Fahda offers bespoke pairing options, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike, and hits the nail on the head with every drop. From the environment and warmth of the staff to the sophistication of the menu and wine list, The Gantry is an unmissable Sydney dining experience.

10 William St Paddington

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

10 William St may be a wine bar at its heart — the perfect destination to explore reds, whites, skin-contact and pet nats by the glass or bottle — but its menu is certain to blow you away. Changing to suit the seasons, the menu always retains a heart of Italian-style cuisine and ingredients, with that classic Australian modern dining twist.

Nestled in a two-storey Paddington terrace, you’ll find crudités and salads, pastas and heart risottos, luscious tarts, fresh seafood, and more — all prepared to perfection.

Kittyhawk Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

The recently revamped and reopened Kittyhawk features a swanky cocktail bar area and a similarly luxe dining space. Operated by Merlino & Co, with the kitchen led by Head Chef Leonard Michaud, you can expect a premium drinking and dining experience with unpretentious, laidback vibes and regular live music.

The French-inspired menu has a modern Australian flair, with seafood highlights including caviar bumps with frozen Grey Goose, appellation rock oysters with mignonette, and king prawns with miso butter. If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, be sure to enjoy one of the unique and well-balanced cocktails while you’re there, or sip from the extensive wine list.

Ester 46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Redefining fine dining since its launch in 2013, Ester offers a relaxed setting with sparse interiors and unfussy meals — but each of them exemplifies culinary finesse.

Armed with a wood-fired oven and the very best of local produce, Chef Mat Lindsay creates seasonal menus with year-round highlights: Baked cauliflower with almond cream and mint perfect for the vegetarian; a daring blood sausage “sanga” sandwich for the carnivores; and roasted king prawns for the pescatarians. The wine list consists of exclusively organic and biodynamic wines and premium sakes, and the relaxed bar or kitchen-adjacent seating makes for a cool environment.

Bennelong Sydney Opera House

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

When it comes to memorable Sydney dining experiences, Bennelong is hard to beat. Housed in one of the most iconic Australian landmarks — the Sydney Opera House — the restaurant combines stunning architecture with equally stunning views of Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay.

Executive Chef Peter Gilmore’s is among Australia’s finest culinary experts, offering creative and delightful menus showcasing the best of Australian produce and wine, crafted in partnership with farmers, fisherman, breeders and providores across the country. Proudly ‘robust and direct’ menu concepts ensure that nothing is out of reach: You don’t have to be the most knowledgable or experimental gourmand to enjoy the dining experience.

ELE by Federico and Karl The Star, Pyrmont

The dim interior of a restaurant with projections on the walls

If you like your dinner with a side of theatricality, ELE by Federico and Karl is the new immersive culinary experience bringing together food, sound and projected art. Helmed by innovative chefs Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla, ELE’s modern and sustainable-focused Australian menu is inspired by the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. There’s an extensive wine list, but the elemental cocktails are particularly inspired (as are the premium non-alcoholic mocktails, for non-drinkers).

Diners move through the restaurant space as they eat, starting their night at the bar for a welcome cocktail and snacks like potato mille feuille (pictured); then to the dining room for the likes of dry-aged Murray Cod and Western Australian marron; and finally the chefs table, where they will watch the chefs meticulously construct their desserts. Each space offers conceptual lighting, visuals and audio inspired by the elements to create a unique sensorial dining experience.

Mille Vini 397 Crown St, Surry Hills

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Inside its beautiful sandstone dining room, Mille Vini offers the effortless cool of a wine bar with the delicious menu of your favourite Italian spot. Its new owners relaunched it in late 2021 with a strong emphasis on classic recipes spanning the entirety of Italy’s lush regions, with signature dishes including poached octopus salad, battered zucchini flower, and crostini stracciatella.

‘Mille Vini’ translates to ‘a thousand wines’ in Italian, so naturally, expect an extensive list of delicious drops. There’s a focus on local producers with Italian varieties, celebrating the restaurants Italian inspirations and Australian roots. A private dining area and large group booking capacities make it the perfect venue for any occasion.

Mr. Wong 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Merivale’s wide selection of eateries scattered across the city each have their own selling points, but Mr. Wong has to be among the best. Serving 240 diners over two buzzy levels, with up to 80 dishes on the menu at a time, the Cantonese-style restaurant still feels intimate with romantic couple-y nooks and moody jazz music.

Executive chef Dan Hong brings energy and creative flair to the kitchen, with barbecue ducks a common crowd favourite along with the lunchtime dim sum menu by Michael Luo. Of course delicious xiao long bao soup dumplings and fried ice cream hold coveted positions on the menu, each of which are among the best of their kind you’ll find in the city.

Besuto 6 Loftus Lane, Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

A tiny 12-seater restaurant restaurant, Besuto (that’s “best” in Japanese) offers a truly unique dining experience. That’s because it’s an omakase restaurant — Japanese for “I’ll leave it to you” — where the decision is out of your hands, resting in those of the expert head chefs who serve up 18-course set menus that vary by the day.

Hirofumi Fujita, specifically, is the man in whose hands your culinary fate will rest. He combines traditional and innovative takes on Japanese cuisine, with the likes of spiced coconut and cauliflower soup, Glacier 51 toothfish marinated in miso, torowith caviar, and refreshing yuzu sake sorbet among the menu regulars. Sashimi and sushi is to be expected too, along with a reserved wine list designed to pair perfectly with the dishes.

Long Chim Angel Place, Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Sure, everyone claims to have a ‘good’ local Thai joint — but Long Chim will blow them all out of the water. Dubbed by many to be the best Thai food in the city — it’s helmed by restauranteur David Thompson, who has managed Michelin starred joints across the world — it pays homage to Thai cuisine’s street-food roots to celebrate intense heat and intense flavour.

Expect more culturally authentic Thai fare than you’re used to — but worry not, you’ll still find pad see ew on the menu if you’re not feeling particularly adventurous.

Quay Restaurant Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

A hop, skip and a jump across Circular Quay from Bennelong, you’ll find the equally luxe Quay , housed in the upper level of the Overseas Passenger Terminal and offering beautiful views of the Harbour — Bridge and Opera House included.

Also led by executive chef Peter Gilmore, Quay celebrates nature-inspired cuisine — playing with textures, colour, flavour and harmony to bring life and vibrance to your palate. Again, local producers are carefully consulted with to ensure an authentic and exclusive menu is offered, with the tiniest of details — down to the dishes your meals are served in — all taken into consideration to provide the most refined experience.

Lola’s Italian and Bar 180/186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

In one of Sydney’s premier beach suburbs, you’re not hard-pressed to find a restaurant with stellar ocean views. But amid the myriad seafront eateries and host of Italian venues, Lola’s Italian and Bar is still one of Bondi’s best.

Formerly a Mediterranean restaurant known as Lola’s Level 1, the Bondi institution has been relaunched by Marco Ambrosino (the former co-owner of Fratelli Paradiso & 10 William St), with a sweet new name and hearty Italian focus. Helmed by Head Chef Toby Stansfield and under the guidance of Venue Manager and in-house Sommelier Mon Ditbunjong, the menu is anchored in 100 per cent Italian cuisine, with a top offering of wine, cocktails and aperitifs to match (try the spicy margarita and thank us later).

They’ve nailed the classic eats — creamy, flavoursome Burrata, to-die-for semolina spaghetti and arguably perfected lasagnetta di bolognese, to name a few — which can be enjoyed with panoramic views of the beach and promenade. The homely interior design — which features art drawings and ceramics by Ambrosino’s partner, Pina Ambrosino — make for an inviting space, perfect for a sun-drenched summer refreshment or long winter lunch.

Find your new date night venue tucked away from the bustling Bondi crowds above the suburb’s central hub on Campbell Parade. A top tip: be sure to pop in for ‘Pranzo Pronto,’ their Three-Course Launch Lunch Special for $49 per person from Friday to Sunday between 12pm and 4pm.

Indu 350 Angel Place, Sydney CBD

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

When you step into this dimly lit space smattered with terracotta details, mud bricks and bells hanging from the ceiling, first impressions tell you that it’s not just your tastebuds going on a trip tonight. At Indu , Head chef Bimal Kumar focus on rural flavours and cookery elements from villages in South India and Sri Lanka.

Inspired by the dissonance between Indian home cooking and rich colonial Indian restaurants, Indu curates just the right fusion of innovation and eloquence. Service and interiors satiate all the touch points a contemporary diner would yearn for while taking guests on a journey with traditional flavours that are steeped in a rich history and reframed for the now. 

Makaveli 179 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

The marker of any good contemporary Italian is a top-tier burrata and signature margarita. By both measures, Bondi’s Makaveli is a winner.

With Head Chef Jessica Young (whose resumé spans Michelin Guide-recognised venues in Scotland, East London, and now Sydney) at its helm, the new Italian-inspired and contemporary eatery is already making waves in the beach suburb.

Set back from the Beach on Glenayre Avenue, Makaveli makes for a cosy hub in which to enjoy a curated selection of snacks and share plates, paired with wines, creative cocktails — there are several negroni options, as well as the classics and house specials — and premium coffee. As mentioned, the burrata is a must-try, as well as the sourdough and smoked butter, Stracciatella di bufala and Kingfish Crudo. Vegetarians will be well looked after as well, with plenty of options on offer (we recommend the Zucchini Flowers). Swing by for an intimate date night or perch at the bar with friends for an evening working through the cocktail menu, between 5pm – 11pm Thursday through Saturday, and until 8pm on Sunday.

The venue is also open for breakfasts seven days a week (with some very pretty pastries on offer) between 6am – 12pm.

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7 Gourmet Experiences to Have in Sydney Australia

Sydney is one of the best cities in Australia in which to indulge in gourmet experiences. With its dynamic and ever-growing restaurant scene that boasts diverse, global, and award-winning food, you won’t be without options for amazing food in Sydney.

Are you ready to eat, because we’re ready to share with you 7 fantastic spots for a gourmet experience in Sydney. If you’re a foodie and want to indulge in all the gourmet dining you can while in Sydney , these ideas below will take you out for breakfast, lunch, dinner in some of the top spots in Sydney.

>> You may be interested in 7 Wineries to Visit in the Yarra Valley .

pork belly at Bennelong

If you do plan to visit one of these amazing restaurants during your stay in Sydney, we highly recommend making reservations far in advance, even up to a month before your trip, to ensure you can get a spot and won’t be disappointed.

» Planning a trip to Sydney? Take a look at our Sydney travel guide . You’ll also want to read about Sydney’s most scenic spots and its gorgeous rooftop bars .

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Grounds of Alexandria

Sydney gourmet experiences

Start your eating adventure at one of Sydney’s most Instagrammed cafes, located in an inner-city suburb south of the CBD. The Grounds of Alexandria occupies the grounds of a former industrial precinct in Alexandria offers a country escape in the middle of an urban setting, complete with a sustainable garden, coffee roastery, artisan bakery and even a small animal farm.

It’s a place popular with all sorts of crowds, from families who enjoy their stay letting the kids roam outside and look at animals, to hipsters and locals who adore its one-stop-shop for breakfast and cocktails and craft beer bar, to many international visitors attracted by its strong social media presentation.

For an enjoyable early start, you’ll be rewarded with seasonal dishes prepared with house-grown vegetables, fruit and herbs. The café’s breakfast essentials are avocado on toast, buttermilk pancakes, a burger on a brioche bun and a healthy bowl of organic black rice and kale.

You can complement your meal with a choice of house-roasted blends of coffee at the bar, or if you prefer to lounge in the garden, you’ll be served with smoothies , retro craft sodas, wine or beer.

Location: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Indulge in Brunch at Saint Peter

saint peter

Located on Paddington’s Oxford Street, the simple elegance of Saint Peter confirms the claim that less is more. Its intimate and sophisticated space allows for food, specifically fish, to be the real star.

Famous for its sustainably sourced, Australian seafood dishes, this place requires a reservation as all the local and international foodies flock there for a unique weekend brunch experience.

Its creative brunch menu changes daily and revolves around whatever is available at the given moment, so you’ll be able to sample oysters, smoked eel, barbecued octopus, as well as a regular offer of mackerel, trout, prawns and spanner crab.

Wash it all down with all-Australian wines, or if you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, go for the teas from the Berry tea Shop or coffee from Sydney’s Artificer roaster.

Location: 362 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia

Have a Fantastic Lunch at Arte Bianca

Arte Bianca

If there’s one dish that any cosmopolitan city must offer, it is certainly the mighty pizza and that’s exactly what you can have for lunch at Arte Bianca . This Sicilian-inspired pasta and pizzeria place does it so well, it could be named one of Sydney’s best.

As simple as it may sound, producing a perfect pizza is not that easy. Many get lost trying to strike the balance between a doughy, thick-based version and the thin, traditional style that focuses more on flavour. This is exactly where Arte Bianca’s owners excel, combining 40 years of experience, Sicilian heritage and the joined forces of its skilled chefs.

In addition to heavenly pizzas, you can also order prosciutto, seafood and mushroom risotto, and complement it house-made limoncello and a creamy tiramisu.

Address: 51 Bay Street Double Bay See Trip Advisor Reviews

Quay Restaurant

Quay Restaurant

A dinner at Quay Restaurant should be on the top of your list of gourmet experiences to have in Sydney. It’s definitely a special occasion kind of place, with a view to match. Quay is a world-class culinary experience, so be prepared to be wowed.

Splurge and order the 6- or 8-course degustation menus with matching sommelier wine pairings. It’ll run you about $400, but it’s worth it. You’ll also get to try the world-famous White Coral dessert.

This restaurant consistently gets 3 chefs hats in the Good Food Guide and regularly appears in lists of the worlds best restaurants. Chef Peter Gilmore continues to demonstrate he is a master of creating exceptional dishes. Plus, the view takes your breath away.

It’s imperative that you make a reservation far in advance.

Address: Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West, The Rocks Website

Bennelong Restaurant

Bennelong restaurant

Located inside the Sydney Opera House, this restaurant is the place to go for a fine dining experience that you can’t have any where else in the world. The venue is just stunning, with its high wooden ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor and bridge.

If you’ve already been to Quay Restaurant, I would say you could skip Bennelong, as they have the same head chef, Peter Gilmore. But if you can’t get in there, come here.

Bennelong has a three-course à la carte menu (~$170) in all three dining levels of Bennelong from Wednesday dinner to Sunday lunch, that showcases the flavor, diversity and quality of Australian produce, in one of Australia’s most iconic buildings.

Address: Bennelong Point Sydney Opera House Website

Shrimp at Ester

For a more low-key dining experience, away from the touristy waterfront, Ester is a fantastic choice. It’s located in an unassuming location in Chippendale, far from tourist central, so even if you are a tourist, you can feel like a local for an evening.

The service is exceptional. The food is phenomenal. The wine list is interesting. What more can you ask for. You have to try the fermented potato bread with kefir cream and dashi jelly, the blood sausage sanga, and the moreton bay bug. They have a very good set menu too that makes a really great dinner.

They’re open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday and for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 46 -52 Meagher St Chippendale Website

sixpenny

This isn’t the place you go for a casual, reasonably priced dinner. It’s a haven for creative and unique dishes, with an interesting wine list, and a price that’ll scare you away, unless you understand that it’s a special occasion restaurant, and one of only a few that are awarded the prestigious 3 hats in the Good Food Guide.

They collaborate with small-scale farmers, fisherman and producers to create an 11-course degustation menu that is influenced by the season, at $195 per person. Despite its high cost, it is worth it for the gourmet food experience that it is.

Prepare yourself for the sea bass with sour beer and lemon Myrtle and the housemade mead vinegar custard with raspberries and strawberry consommé.

Address: 83 Percival Rd, Stanmore Website

READ NEXT: 11 Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney with Spectacular Views

Wherever your food adventure takes you, Sydney restaurant scene will not disappoint your expectations. Have you tried any of these great Sydney food experiences? We’d like to hear about it. Leave us a comment.

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

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The Best New Restaurants In Sydney (May 2024 Update)

By Sammy Preston

16th May 2024

Morena Restaurant at Martin Place, a new restaurant in Sydney in May 2024

Looking for somewhere new to eat? Well, you're in luck. Sydney/Eora is brimming with new restaurants to try in May 2024.

In this update, you'll see some of Sydney's best hospitality groups expanding on what they do best with ambitious and excellent new venues across the city. Meanwhile, Circular Quay and North Sydney are bursting with new spots to try. Keep scrolling to see Sydney's best new restaurants as of April 2024. 

Mensho Tokyo

2 temperance lane, sydney cbd.

a bowl of wagyu ramen from Mensho Tokyo, a new restaurant in Sydney

Just in time for slurping season, world-famous ramen restaurant Mensho Tokyo has finally come to Sydney, joining its first Australian location in Melbourne and international venues in San Francisco, New Delhi, Shangai, and Arizona.

Created in 2005 by ramen master Tomoharu Shono, here you can try elevated noodle soups like a lobster bisque ramen topped with a whole lobster, a creamy toripaitan chicken ramen, a vibrant duck and matcha ramen, and a chocolate-fed Wagyu ramen, layering a soy-based truffle and Wagyu broth with juicy slices of Wagyu chashu. 

Shop 2, 752-756 Kingsway, Gymea

a plate of scallops from FIOR, a new restaurant in Sydney

The first thing you need to know about Fior  is that it is the third Sydney restaurant from Tristan Rosier and Rebecca Fanning of Surry Hills' Jane and Arthur. The second thing you need to know is that Fior is located in The Shire, in an old clock tower in Gymea—but don't let that stop you from making the trip. Here Fanning and Rosier will be doing their take on Italian, using their signature flair with fine local ingredients. 

Expect 18 seasonal antipasti dishes highlighting local producers, housemade pasta like spaghetti with pippies and bottarga and gnocchetti sardi with prawns and chilli, and a roaming gelato trolley full of housemade gelato and sorbet. Like sister venue Jane, Fior also does a cracking daily happy hour with $6 vermouth and soda, $12 spritz, $2 oysters, and more. 

Level 2, 6-8 Falcon Street, Crows Nest

People sit on the floor at Ramen Auru, a new restaurant in Sydney

From the team behind  Nomidokoro Indigo and Nakano Darling, this new walk-in-only ramen restaurant will transport you directly to the streets of Tokyo. At Ramen Auru , expect authentic tatami flooring—meaning, yes, you will be sitting on the floor—and a special custom-made ticket ordering machine, alongside three simplifed signature bowls. 

There's a rich tonkotsu ramen with all the usual toppings, a lighter yuzu shio ramen with chicken chashu, and an ebi (prawn) ramen with bisque, seafood broth, and prawn chilli oil. A few snacks and small dishes like the usual gyoza, karaage, and chashu donburi round out the menu, as well as a small selection of Japanese beers and soft drinks.

Bar Lettera

Level 5, 88 walker street, north sydney.

The pink hued dining room at Bar Lettera, a new restaurant in Sydney

Decked out in decadent blush tones and lush marble,  Bar Lettera is another new spot in North Sydney , giving this side of the bridge a little extra sparkle. The all-day restaurant and bar does familiar Italian made with top local produce, from breakfast through to dinner and drinks. 

Highlights on chef Ryan Perry’s (The Bridge Room, Momofuku Seiobo, and Longshore) menu include burrata with witlof, bottarga and pine nuts, bug fritto misto with house XO sauce, rigatoni with Wollemi duck ragu and Davidson plum gin, and dry-aged CopperTree Farms’ grass-fed rib eye with pale ale jus. To finish, there’s a Milo tiramisu with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, distilled up the road.

1 Martin Place, Sydney

a waitress takes orders at Morena, a new restaurant in Sydney

Farmer's Daughters chef Alejandro Saravia has officially opened is first Sydney venue. Located in the historic GPO building at Martin Place, Saravia has used his native Peru for inspiration, as well as Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil. 

Called Morena , the new 220-seat restaurant will follow Saravia's farmer-to-chef philosophy. He's working directly with Australia's best suppliers, layering over authentic ingredients from across Latin America to stay true to the flavours of those cuisines. 

Saravia is credited with bringing Peruvian cuisine to Australia. "I am so excited to open Morena in the heart of Sydney," he says. "With this new venue, we will be elevating the way Sydneysiders engage with the diverse cuisines from across Latin-American cultures.”  

New Restaurants Opening In Sydney Soon:

  • Postino Osteria By Ormeggio Chef Alessandro Pavoni
  • Neptune's Grotto By The Clam Bar Team
  • The Hook By The Piccolo Bar Team 

Good Luck Restaurant Lounge

11 bridge street, sydney cbd.

new restaurants sydney good luck restaurant lounge

Good Luck Restaurant Lounge is a Sydney CBD restaurant by Merivale tucked under the historic Burns Philp & Co building, inspired by the dining scene of the ‘70s in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Described as “great food with a side of party”, it's a 200-seat venue with a menu that a  menu  that transcends a singular cuisine, based more around key cooking formats: a huge wood-fired hearth, four-metre-long charcoal grill, and three blisteringly hot woks presenting dishes like fire-roasted prawns in tomato sambal with chicken skin and cereal crunch; smoked pork spring rolls; and a flame-kissed half-kilo 2GR Wagyu rump cap. 

On drinks, sommelier Jacqueline Doucette (formerly of the 2022 World’s Best Restaurant, Geranium in Copenhagen) has gone for variety, while genre-bending cocktails look like the Laat Jam—a riff on a spicy margarita inspired by the flavours of the kitchen—and the Matcha Kit Kat with vodka, green tea, white chocolate and coconut created tableside.

Sydney Common

161 elizabeth street, sydney cbd.

The dining room at Sydney Common, a new restaurant in Sydney

Overlooking leafy Hyde Park, Sydney Common is the latest in Sydney's growing list of excellent woodfire grill steak restaurants.

Up on the first floor of the Sheraton Grand Sydney, it is also an exceeds-expectations hotel restaurant, complete with a champagne bar, a long list of martini variations, and up-and-coming chef talent Jamie Robertson in the kitchen. 

With produce to the front and the woodfire grill as the centrepiece of the restaurant, elevated and original dishes come through—like the Kurobuta prosciutto served on the striking pink fleshy pulp of black figs, drizzled in white sesame oil, and dusted with sumac. 

Fabbrica Pasta Bar

348 victoria street, darlinghurst.

Fabbrica pasta bar, a new restaurant in sydney

Pasta favourite Fabbrica has expanded its footprint this month, opening a new pasta bar in Darlinghurst . Picking up where A Tavola restaurant left off, the second official Fabbrica outpost will have space for 80 across two floors, complete with an 18-seat communal dining table and a private dining room. 

Expect to see a menu filled with your Fabbrica and Ragazzi favourites—with handmade pasta and minimal intervention wines as the stars of the show. Think spaghetti cacio e pepe, mafaldine with ‘nduja and prawns, tonnarelli with blue swimmer crab and chilli, and lumache with Tathra Place pork and fennel sausage. 

For the Darlinghurst venue, executive chef Scott McComas-Williams and new head chef Damiano Balducci have added mozzarella-stuffed zucchini flowers topped with hot honey, cured meats sliced to order, an Italian ode to the pub schnitzel cotoletta alla Milanese, and a beef short rib braised in Nebbiolo.    

Casa Esquina

79 elliott street, balmain.

The leafy courtyard at Casa Esquina, a new restaurant in Sydney

From the group behind Tequila Mockingbird and Esteban, Casa Esquina is a sprawling Argentinian-inspired restaurant in the heart of leafy Balmain.

Built into the former Efendy site, Casa Esquina has revamped the courtyard and added an upstairs balcony, and an open kitchen with a flaming a flaming parrilla grill. Dishes getting the grill treatment include Tajima Wagyu rump cap, whole fish with anchovy gribiche and butter, and even whole suckling pigs, all calling for accompanying chimichurri and salsa criolla.

There are takes on Argentina’s local eats like fugazzeta (a version of stuffed pizza), various empanadas, house-made sausages, and a sweetbread and prawn paella.

Bar Infinita

10 st johns avenue, gordon.

The pizza oven at Bar Infinita, a new restaurant in Sydney

Bar Infinita is a neighbourhood Italian with a fiery edge. Namely, head chef Francesco Iervolino, who has spent time in the kitchens at some of Sydney's best Italian and wood-fired restaurants: Ormeggio and Firedoor. 

There's no pizza here—instead,  Bar Infinita's flame-licked pizza oven is used to crisp-up the house focaccia and a neat edit of steak cuts like a Tajima wagyu striploin and a Riverina Black Angus T-bone Florentina. This is backed up with handmade pasta, like lobster linguine, squid ink tagliolini, and a rigatoni Amatriciana.

And, it wouldn't be Italian without antipasti, and Bar Infinita goes all out. Think oysters with Limoncello granita and finger lime, short rib croquettes, crispy fried chicken with fermented chili mayo, and gnocco fritto with San Daniele prosciutto. 

King Clarence

171 clarence street, sydney.

Fish finger bao from King Clarence, one of the best new restaurants in Sydney

King Clarence  is the Bentley Group's second new venue following the opening of Brasserie 1930 at the Capella Sydney Hotel.

King Clarence is the group's first foray into Asian-inspired cooking—featuring dishes inspired by Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine. "This is new and exciting territory for us," Nick Hildebrandt, co-owner and sommelier, said in a statement.

On the corner of King and Clarence Streets in the Sydney CBD, the 100-seat venue features a custom-built BBQ and grill, a large live seafood tank, interiors by Pascale Gomes-McNabb, and, as with all Bentley Group venues, an extensive wine list, this time designed to be paired with Asian-style dishes. Since opening, the fish finger bao, inspired by the iconic McDonald's Filet-o-Fish, has become a major crowd favourite. 

Penelope's

Level 1, 50 bridge street, sydney.

new restaurants sydney - penelope's

From Hello Auntie's Cuong Nguyen,  Penelope's  is a new 132-seat venue that sees Nguyen expand on his signature bright and buzzy Vietnamese and examine what Australian cuisine is right now—not fusion, but a diverse plateful of influences from all around the world. 

Head chef Bremmy Setiyoko (Smeg Young Chef of the Year Finalist 2024, ex-Spice Temple, Sepia) does a standout Bakar chicken served with garlic toum and turmeric and lemongrass sambal, alongside a selection of dry-aged beef, and a rainbow of sauces and sides to pair. 

Drinks follow the modern Aussie theme. The wine list is a "hottest 100", with over a quarter of the list available by the glass. Signature cocktails reference Australian natives, like the "Bogan Old Fashioned" with aged rum, macadamia, wattleseed, and vegemite caramel. 

599 Darling Street, Rozelle

The front door of Chez Blue, a new restaurant in Sydney

Forget stuffy and structured French dining— Chez Blue is a relaxed French bistro serving charm in spades and croissant-washed mini martinis. 

In the kitchen, head chef Mark Williamson (ex-Bistro Moncur) is crafting a menu focusing on shared food, with revamped classics like Niçoise-inspired tuna tartare, chicken liver pate with a brûléed top and brioche, croque monsieur with melted comté for dipping, steak frites, and a one-kilogram NSW grass-fed ribeye.

French calls for a few glasses of the good stuff, so Solotel’s head of beverage and Master of Wine Annette Lacey’s wine list mostly comprises approachable Gallic drops, with a cocktail list of classics and signature sips. 

Alfie's

4/6 bligh street, sydney.

People dining at Alfies, a new restaurant in Sydney

Proving Sydney is entering her steak house era— Alfie's  has joined the growing edit of grill restaurants popping up around town. You can expect great things from this one: Alfie's comes from the crew behind The Gidley, Bistecca, and The Rover. 

Beef-fat candle-lit venues Bistecca and The Gidley are loved for their commitment to single cuts (the T-bone and rib-eye respectively), and Alfie’s will follow suit by exclusively offering sirloins from NSW’s Riverine region, butchered in-house in a new central butchery and steak ageing facility.

The vibe at Alfie's is fast and furious too—a great price point and dynamic experience starting with a steak in the restaurant and ending with an ice-cold martini in the bar. All within an hour, perhaps.

Charlotte Bar & Bistro

139 blues point road, mcmahons point.

The dining room at Charlotte Bar & Bistro, a new restaurant in Sydney

From the Azabu group, Charlotte is a luxe French bistro, adding to Sydney's growing collection of French-inspired diners. Here, you can indulge in classic French staples—like warm baguette and butter, tartare de boeuf mixed tableside, saucisson, chicken and duck liver parfait served with brioche, and, of course, steak frites. 

And with Michelin-trained, ex-LuMi Dining chef Hiroshi Manaka at the helm, you can expect some more avant-garde, Japanese influences to shine through on the menu too. Like the gyoza escargot—a snail gyoza with bone marrow, spinach, and red wine jus. 

The signature dish at Charlotte is the Boeuf En Croûte Royal—decadent duck and beef wrapped in fois gras, mushroom, and crisp puff pastry. If you're keen to try it, you'll need to plan ahead as Charlotte requires 24 hour's notice for this impressive dish. 

Khānaa

335 crown street, surry hills.

An artistic dish from Khanaa - a new restaurant in Sydney

From the talented father-daughter duo behind Métisse,  Khānaa is a stylish homage to Bengali food. Restauranteur and chef Opel Khan is a master of artful, storied dishes and, at Khānaa, his heritage and childhood in Bangladesh are the chief inspiration.

Leading the kitchen is Khan's daughter and head chef Lucinda Khan (Acqua E Farina), while Jasmine Khan is front-of-house. 

The menu is a series of stunning technical plates, like the standout duck leg confit samosa topped with pink petals of fermented daikon. There's also a crispy nest-like aloo pakora with ruby pearls of shiraz caviar and a sculptural bowl of bone marrow and ox tail consommé. The Khans know their way around a tasting menu, so while a la carte is on offer—we recommend settling in for the  Chef's Table -style nine-course experience. 

BTWN At W Sydney

31 wheat road, sydney.

the dining room at BTWN, a new restaurant in Sydney

The hype for the new W Sydney hotel is real. As well as its luxe suites and fancy five-star amenities, the property is locked to become a bit of a dining destination with mega restaurant "BTWN" (an abbreviation of "between") as the centrepiece.

Head chef Chris Dodd (ex-Aria, The Blue Door, and Bistrot Plume) will be doing locally sourced, sustainably-minded dishes like poached Aquna Murray Cod, with pickled Eden mussels and sauteed cavolo nero from Moonacres Farm, and slow-cooked yoghurt-rubbed Gundagai lamb shoulder. 

BTWN also features a late-night dessert bar headed up by Singaporean dessert queen Janice Wong. Called "2am Dessert Bar" the whimsical spot will be open for dinner until the wee hours, serving spectacular sweets alongside custom cocktails and local wines. Round out your experience with a visit to W Sydney's incredible rooftop bar, 29/30. 

Bistro George

176 george street, sydney.

The private dining room at Bistro George - a new restaurant in Sydney

Clams casino, fancy steaks, and an amaretto crème caramel for dessert. This is the vibe at Bistro George, the smart Euro bistro housed within the revamped Jacksons on George .

Gone are the sticky floors of the late-night CBD pub, which has been reimagined by legendary Sydney restauranteur Maurice Terzini (Icebergs) and Michael Broom's DTL Entertainment Group. Spread across three floors, there's a casual ground-floor public bar, a sleek rooftop terrace, and then Bistro George sandwiched in between. 

Heading up food is Steven Sinclair. As well as Icebergs, Sinclair brings experience from Michelin-starred restaurant L'Enclume. The bistro carries the flame of Jacksons on George's late-night days, flipping into a supper spot with live jazz after 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Itō 

413-415 crown street, surry hills .

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

When Toko moved to the CBD, Crown Street was suddenly deprived of a glam Japanese spot. The ESCA Group ( AALIA , Nour, Lilymu) has captured the gap in the market with their newest venue, Itō . Filling the two-storey space that used to house their buzzy cafe brand, Cuckoo Callay, Itō is inspired by the izakayas of Japan. 

Cool, bright, and casual, here you can sip from an extensive selection of sake, quirky Japanese wines, and Japanese-inspired cocktails, while you snack on sashimi and Hiramasa kingfish.

Head chef Erik Ortolani's heritage is Italian, but his passion is in Japanese cooking having clocked time in the kitchen at both Cho Cho San and Nobu. You can see the crossover come through with fusion dishes like aglio e olio spaghetti with garlic shoots and togarashi or the Wagyu mafaldine with white shimeji and miso. 

 66 Chandos Street, St Leonards

The dining room at Petermen - a new restaurant in Sydney

Acclaimed chef Josh Niland and his wife Julie have taken on the lower North Shore with a new 60-seat restaurant called Petermen . In line with Josh's noted commitment to championing sustainable seafood, Petermen focuses on the growers and producers that seek to elevate the standard, and change the culture of how we consume food.

The St Leonards spot is open for dinner during the week, then Saturday lunch, and—maybe most new and exciting for the Nilands—there is a Sunday brunch offering too. At dinner and lunch, there are raw options (like line caught bonito and "its bone soy"), a preserved section of cured delights (like Port Lincoln Berrima octopus and espelette pepper), a menu of charcoal grill items, and grand mains designed to share, like a yellowfin tuna Chateaubriand for four with sides like shoestring fries and garlic Warrigal greens. 

Meanwhile, the all-new brunch offering will re-introduce some cult favourites, like a sea urchin crumpet, a spanner crab croissant, and Manjimup marron scrambled eggs. New brunch items include smoked Murray cod bacon and maple pancakes (yum). 

Looking for more great restaurants to try? Check out:

  • The Best Restaurants In Surry Hills 
  • The Best Restaurants In Potts Point
  • The Most Beautiful Restaurants In Sydney

Image credit: Morena | Supplied 

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Food Awards in Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Australia

Sydney Cafes Editorial

Sydney’s Quay Restaurant, owned by chef Peter Gilmore (pictured above) has won the top ranking at the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards for two years in a row.

The annual awards were held in Sydney on 24 August 2009 with New South Wales leading the winners, while Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia gathered very few awards.

Australian Gourmet Traveller editor Anthea Loucas says Quay is a deserved winner and has gone from strength to strength since being named Australia’s top restaurant last year.

She says it’s now recognised not only as a local leader, but as one of the best restaurants in the world.

Restaurant of the Year – Quay, Sydney, NSW

Best New Talent – Ryan Squires, The Buffalo Club, Brisbane, Qld

Maitre d’ of the Year – Tom Sykes, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW

Wine List of the Year – Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW

Bar of the Year – Gerald’s Bar, Melbourne, Vic

Sommelier of the Year – Kjell Ove Almeland, Jackson’s, Perth, WA

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, Vic

Best New Restaurant – Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry – Leo Schofield, restaurant critic

The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide’s three-star rated restaurants:

Sydney: Becasse Claude’s Est. Guillaume at Bennelong Marque Pier Quay Rockpool Tetsuya’s

Melbourne: Vue de Monde

Close observers will notice that Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill won 3 awards – Maitre d’ of the Year – Tom Syke, Wine List of the Year and Best New Restaurant – as well as garnering three stars – congratulations folks and one can only imagine how greater the demand will be for a table – advice readers, book well in advance!!

Sydney Cafes Editorial

From Espresso to Latte: A Tour of Sydney’s Diverse Cafe Scene

Cultural fusion in a cup: exploring sydney’s multicultural cafe offerings, best mascot sydney cafes & restaurants: mascot dining, most popular, 6 best cafes in warragul, gippsland, cafe hopping in sydney: must-visit spots for coffee enthusiasts, recent comments, editor picks, popular posts, popular category.

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  • Modern Australian 36
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Australia’s best restaurants revealed

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Australia’s leading restaurants and culinary talent are being celebrated in the September issue of Gourmet Traveller, which has unveiled the finalists of its annual restaurant awards for 2023.

The winners will be announced at the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards which will be held 27 September at Sydney’s Shell House.

A highlight of Australia’s culinary calendar, the gala event will celebrate the country’s top restaurants, chefs and hospitality leaders, which continue to prove Australian dining is among some of the most dynamic and creative in the world, despite the challenges of the past year.

In addition to the above finalists, a further three awards will be presented on the night for Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality, Chef of the Year and the prestigious Restaurant of the Year, with award winners published in the October issue of the luxury food magazine.

The finalists for the Gourmet Traveller 2023 Restaurant Awards are:

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Arkhe, SA Di Stasio Carlton, VIC Frui Momento, WA Lana, NSW Margaret, NSW Onzieme, ACT Peppina, TAS Shell House, NSW Grill Americano, VIC

BEST DESTINATION DINING

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Armia Estate, WA Beach, NSW Blume, QLD Chauncy, VIC Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, SA Van Bone, TAS

BEST NEW TALENT

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Alex Wong, NSW Dennis Yong, VIC Ethan Ferris, QLD Elizabeth Mitchell, NSW Helly Raichura, VIC Mug Chen & Chia Wu, SA Rohan Park, WA

RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Andy Clappis, SA Elise Jacobsen, WA Laura Stucken, TAS Shannon Martinez, VIC Simon Gloftis, QLD

WINE BAR OF THE YEAR

gourmet traveller restaurants sydney

Bar Merenda, VIC Bar Rochford, ACT Casa, WA Good Gilbert, SA Paloma, QLD Paski Vineria Popolare, NSW

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Serena Williams Says She Was Denied Table at Restaurant in Paris, Restaurant Responds

"We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again," The Peninsula Hotel replied

Serena Williams expressed her disappointment with one fine dining restaurant in Paris.

On Monday, August 5, the retired tennis player revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that The Peninsula Hotel in Paris denied her and her children with husband Alexis Ohanian — Alexis Olympia Jr. , 6, and Adira River , 11 months — a table on Monday.

“Yikes @PeninsulaParis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places 🫠but never with my kids,” she wrote. “Always a first. 🙄 #Olympic2024.”

The restaurant then replied to the four-time Olympic gold medalist, 42.

“Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight. Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved,” read the company’s first reply on Monday.

“We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again. The Peninsula Paris,” a second post followed.

Representatives for Williams and The Peninsula Paris did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Monday.

An employee at L’Oiseau Blanc, Maxime Mannevy, told Variety that Williams looked “unrecognizable” when she arrived at the restaurant with another woman and a stroller.

Marc Piasecki/WireImage; Pierrick Rocher/BFA.com/Shutterstock

“When she came there were only two tables available and they had been reserved by clients of the hotel,” said Mannevy, who told the outlet she was not working when Williams was at the restaurant. “My colleague didn’t recognize her and feels terrible, but he told her what he would have told any other client, which is to wait downstairs in the bar for a table to become available. That was absolutely nothing personal.”

YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Peninsula Paris also issued a statement to TODAY . “In response to Mrs. Williams’ tweet, for whom we have the utmost admiration and respect, as we do for all our esteemed guests; we can only reiterate our deepest apologies for her perception of tonight’s situation," the hotel said.

The statement continued: “Today, August 5th, our rooftop bar was indeed unfortunately fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables at that time belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved tonight. She has always and will always be more than welcome with her family to The Peninsula.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Williams and her family arrived in Paris just before the Olympic opening ceremony. During the opening ceremony on July 26, the 23-time Grand Slam winner joined several athletes as a torch bearer.

After the opening ceremony, Williams stayed in the French capital and made appearances at different Olympic events . She attended the match in which Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and scored gold in the men’s singles tournament.

Before retiring from tennis, Williams won four Olympic gold medals for Team USA. At the London Games in 2012, she earned one in women’s singles and another in women’s doubles with her sister, Venus. The pair also won gold in women’s doubles at the Sydney 2000 Games and Beijing 2008 Games.

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Cupitts Estate, Ulladulla

The top wine tours from Sydney

Starting in sydney, these tour companies take you and your friends to renowned vineyards in the hunter valley, southern highlands and south coast. no matter how big the group, they'll organise it all..

Destination NSW

Destination NSW

The NSW countryside has some of the oldest, most acclaimed and spectacular vineyards in the country , many with wineries big enough to host a wedding party, your work team or your entire family. But organising a trip for so many can be logistically difficult. These wine tours from Sydney will handle everything, regardless of the size of your crew, from the early morning pick-up in Sydney to the final drop-off back to your hotel that night. Taking you to the Hunter Valley, the Southern Highlands or the South Coast, you’ll visit celebrated NSW wineries, and consume facts, snacks and views on the way. If the itinerary or schedule doesn’t quite suit your group, most can create a bespoke tour just for you.  

Hunter Valley  

Grapes were first planted among the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley in 1820. Now the area hosts more than 150 wineries, making it the biggest and one of the most varied wine regions in the state. If you’re a food-motivated traveller, sign up for a  Gourmet Getaway Tours  experience where your tour guide doubles up as a chef, using the bus’s kitchenette to whip up meals as you travel through the countryside. Like Gourmet Getaway Tours, award-winning tour company  Boutique Tours Australia  works best with more intimate groups, around five to 15, as their tours are dynamic, changing based on the group, day and vibe.  

Friends enjoying wine tastings with Gourmet Getaway Tours at Saddlers Creek Winery, Pokolbin

Gourmet Getaway Tours  at Saddlers Creek Winery, Pokolbin

If you’re travelling with the whole workforce,  Dave’s Tours  can take up to 100 guests to three wineries plus a distillery, with bonus cheese and chocolate to match the wines.  Urban Legends Tour Co  guides groups of up to 200 on specialised, budget-conscious, four-to-six-hour tours where you sample the wines of the Pokolbin or Broke Fordwich regions. If your wedding party or workmates want to visit multiple regions, Urban Legends can also help customise your trip: stay the night in the valley; or visit a brewery, distillery or cheese tasting on the way.  

Group of friends enjoying wine, cheese and chocolate tour with Dave's Tours, Hunter Region

Dave's Tours , Hunter Region - Credit: Dave's Travel Group

Zepher Tours  promises “no long boring commentary, just fun facts and local stories” over their full-day private tours, perfect for a hen’s, buck’s or work getaway of any size. Fuel used is offset by tree planting on Carbon Neutral’s Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. For a more opt-in, affordable adventure,  Go Beyond Tours  lets you pay for what you want – they take you to three to four wineries, plus chocolate, olive oil and cheese tastings, but the choice of lunch venue and wine tasting options are up to you to decide on and pay for. For a luxury experience, explore the countryside via air with  Sydney Bespoke Tours . This high-end tour company offers helicopter transport to and from Sydney, as well as a degustation lunch between vineyard visits. Or stay on the ground with  Australian Luxury Escapes , who mix in educational commentary and morning tea by the Hawkesbury into their private tours to the region’s most lauded wineries. Although designed for smaller groups, both tours can accompany large groups on request.  

Lunch, Cheese, Chocolate & Organic Vodka Tasting with Hunter Valley Wine Tours, Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley Wine Tours , Hunter Valley - Credit: Zepher Tours

Southern Highlands   

With the Great Dividing Range as a backdrop, the Southern Highlands shows off charming country scenes, a thriving food culture and more than 60 wineries. The cool, moderate climate has historically produced great chardonnay, riesling and cabernet sauvignon, but more recently it’s been praised for pinot noir drops. With  Kenny Escapes  you can join a tour of 10 or less or organise your own adventure (there is no maximum tour group size) that includes three winery visits, a cheese tasting and lunch at a premium Southern Highlands venue. If you have a large extended family (or work team), Urban Legends Tour Co guides up to 200 people on half or full-day trips, including three wineries.  

View of winery at Kenny Escapes Food and Wine Tours, Berry

Kenny Escapes Food and Wine Tours , Berry - Credit: Kenny Escapes

To ensure you get to one of the most spectacular sites of the region, the grand vineyard of Bendooley Estate , jump on the  Shire Shuttle Bus  day tour of the region, taking in three to four vineyard stops and a local cheese tasting. Group tours are for eight to 24 people and, despite the name, pickups and drop offs can be made to other areas of Sydney apart from the Shire. For a more general experience of the villages and countryside of the Southern Highlands region,  Splendour Tailored Tours  organises private day tours of the region for groups of eight to 20 that include a cool climate wine masterclass and an afternoon vineyard visit. If you have a smaller group,  Local Eyes  focuses on small-batch vineyards and local producers for groups of seven or less.  

Grazing platter at Bendooley Estate, Berrima

Bendooley Estate, Berrima

South Coast  

The Shoalhaven wine region combines the postcard coastal scenery of the South Coast and the rugged land of the Kangaroo Valley . The temperate climate first welcomed grapes in the 1970s and ‘80s and is now known for boutique wineries specialising in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, chambourcin and shiraz. Customise your own day – chuck in a brewery tour, lawn bowls with mountain views or a picnic by the ocean – with  Urban Legends Tour Co , an affordable tour company that caters to groups of any size. Whatever you decide, you’ll be treated to cheese platters and quintessential South Coast scenery on the way. Shoalhaven Shuttles  can pick up and drop off from Sydney locations for an extra fee, and take groups of between six and 28 on day trips to three South Coast winery locations including Cupitt's Estate , which is also a brewery, restaurant and boutique accommodation.

Group of friend enjoying Cupitts Long Lunch at Cuppitts Estate, Ulladulla

Cupitts Estate, Ulladulla

Kenny Escapes  offers a trio of South Coast day trips, either focusing purely on wine tastings or throwing in some oyster shucking or hen’s party-styled picnicking to spice up the day. The tour company, owned and operated by an Illawarra local, works with some of the best wineries in the region, like Coolangatta Estate , Two Figs and the historic Silos Estate , so whichever tour you go with you’ll have the chance to walk away with an award-winning bottle to share back home. With Shire Shuttle Bus, you can create your own atmosphere by connecting to the coach speakers and DJing between trips to the region’s acclaimed wineries. They accommodate eight to 20 people, and you can either help choose which vineyards and extra sites you want to check out or let them handle all the decisions and just come along for the ride.

Bus driving through the vineyard at Shire Shuttle Bus and Tours, Shoalhaven

Shire Shuttle Bus and Tours , Shoalhaven

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Finalists: Best New Restaurant

Profile picture of The Gourmet Traveller Team

Presenting the finalists for Best New Restaurant Next month, we will reveal our winners and the full guide to Australia’s best restaurants at a glamorous gala evening at Catalina in Sydney and in our September issue. To make sure you receive a copy, delivered to your door, subscribe now at magshop.com.au . And the nominees are…

Best new restaurant finalist Gibney grandeur dining room

When George Kailis puts his mind to something, the Kailis Hospitality Group
MD makes it happen. This autumn, that 
“it” was Gibney: an unapologetically grandiose restaurant and bar in Cottesloe that channels Hamptons glamour, five-star hotel opulence and coastal cool, yet stands alone as its own high-flying entity. The room is a masterclass in nailing the details; the cellar is deep 
and a menu stacked with brasserie 
and steakhouse classics gives major big-night-out energy. And Perth, unsurprisingly, is loving it. In short: The new place to be in the west.

Melbourne | VIC

Best new restaurant finalist Kadeneion

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Restaurant Awards Finalists graphic with dark purple curtain background

Finalists for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards revealed

Restaurant Personality of the Year finalists

Finalists: Restaurant Personality of the Year

Finalists: Best Destination Dining

Finalists: Best Destination Dining

Best New Talent finalists

Finalists: Best New Talent

Man walking through Otherness wine bar with A-frame roof

Finalists: Wine Bar of the Year

Quay restaurant Sydney dining room with Opera House in background

Finalists: Readers’ Choice Icon Award

Gourmet Traveller Readers’ Choice Icon Award — Voting closed

Gourmet Traveller Readers’ Choice Icon Award — Voting closed

Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards winners

Revealed: Winners of the Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards

Restaurant of the Year: Agnes, Brisbane, QLD

Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year: Agnes

It’s a measure of Kafeneion’s success that fried sweetbreads are suddenly up there as Melbourne’s go-to dish. But Con Christopoulos and Stavros Konis’ chic Greek diner is a pitch-perfect lesson in defying expectations and overturning taverna stereotypes. Dishes are deceptively simple and beautifully comforting. Slow-cooked meats and vegetables, whole fish, and orange fillo cake meld perfectly with artfully worn surrounds, unfussy service and Greek wine by the carafe. A supper menu that includes wonderfully fortifying avgolemono seals the deal. In short: A super supper club.

King Clarence

Sydney | NSW

Best New restaurant finalist King Clarence and its colouful dining room

On paper, a bao that mimics the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish or char-grilled chicken liver skewers atop Vegemite toast might sound gimmicky. On the plate at King Clarence, these things – and the rest of chef Khanh Nguyen’s borderless, boundlessly creative and reference-laden
menu – all make perfect sense. This being a Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt production, you’d expect a dynamic drinks list, suave service and schmick interiors. Of course, you’d be right on all counts. In short: Throne-worthy, indeed.

LVN Restaurant

Adelaide Hills | SA

Best new restaurant finalist LVN Restaurant in Adelaide Hills - dining table with striking painting behind

After departing Restaurant Botanic, Jacob Davey seems to have found his happy place in his executive chef role at Bird in Hand winery’s new onsite restaurant. Davey can often be spotted perusing 
the immaculately tended Adelaide Hills grounds and LVN’s extensive kitchen garden. Emphasis is on native Australian ingredients sourced from Peramangk and Kaurna land and waters, and the arrival of around 10 intricate dishes is at a gentle and rhythmic pace, much like the natural light shifting across statement art and subtle earthy décor. Stunning. In short: Next-level winery dining.

Hobart | TAS

Maria restaurant in Hobart - prawn dish with citrus on white plate

Chef Christian Ryan (who also helms Aløft, just upstairs) finds inspiration in dishes from Lisbon to Lebanon and makes them uniquely Tasmanian with local produce including wild fennel, kunzea, sustainable seafood and locally made cheeses. Each element of his multi-course chef’s menu 
is full of carefully crafted textures and flavours, with drinks from Greece, Italy and Tasmania to match. With its rough-rendered archways and walls, ’60s lounge soundtrack and waterfront location, Restaurant Maria is a breath of fresh Mediterranean air in Hobart. In short: Sunny flavours for a cool climate.

Brisbane | QLD

Pneuma restaurant's minimalist dining room with timber and black chairs

When Matt Blackwell left GOMA Restaurant to team up with Dan Arnold 
of Restaurant Dan Arnold and La Cache 
à Vin, many wondered how the two 
would collaborate. Fortunately, it’s not 
a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. While Arnold oversees operations, the food remains distinctively Blackwell’s, characterised by varied textures, acids, and unique flavour combinations – think rosemary sourdough with miso butter, 
or Appellation oysters with bonito 
vinegar and yuzu dressing. Turns out 
the Blackwell-Arnold partnership 
works seamlessly. In short: Two creative minds combine.

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

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