Simply put, Sydney is a foodie’s dream, with a wide range of high-quality restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. You’ll find restaurants aiming to serve completely authentic cuisine alongside ventures looking to push the boundaries and create something new. Talented chefs from all over the world set up shop in this beautiful city, so narrowing down the best restaurants in Sydney is a tall order. Still, we’ve collected a list of just a few of Sydney’s best food offerings so you can choose which seats you want to book.
The best restaurants in Sydney: Tetsuya’s
Opened by Tetsuya Wakada in 1989, this French-Japanese fusion restaurant is still one of the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney. It received two Michelin stars in 2017 from Michelin Singapore and has received a host of other awards and accolades over the years. Tetsuya’s menu marries French techniques with the Japanese philosophy of utilising seasonal, natural ingredients and flavours.
With a test kitchen on-site, Tetsuya Wakada is constantly testing out new recipes or enhancing old ones, so there’s always something fresh and exciting to try. With expert sommeliers and one of Sydney’s most thorough wine lists, you can easily find the best match for your meal to create the perfect night out.
Bennelong
If you’re planning to see a show at the famous Sydney Opera House, why not have dinner at the iconic restaurant inside it? Sitting on the city-side of the Opera House, it’s a fantastic place to get great views of the city while you eat aged Kurobuta Pork or Redclaw Yabbies. Round your meal off with classic Australian sweet treats like chocolate crackles, lamingtons, or a pavlova. For dinner and a show, book seats for Sunday between 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., when they run the Bennelong Presents Sunday Jazz show, with live performances by Australia’s best jazz musicians.
Oncore by Clare Smyth
Clare Smyth is the first British female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars (for her restaurant Core, in Notting Hill), and now she’s brought her talents to the 26th floor of Crown Tower in Sydney. One of the menu highlights is the Potato and Roe dish, which first started at Core in Notting Hill and was made with potatoes from the Southern Highlands. As you might imagine, being situated on floor 26 of the Crown Tower makes for some fantastic views of the city.
Besuto
Situated in the Quay Quarter Lanes precinct at Circular Quay, Besuto is a Japanese omakase restaurant, meaning you leave your dinner plans in the hands of the chef. Here they’ll serve you from a rotating menu of sushi, yakitori and much more. They choose their menu based on what products are in season and at their best, so you always get a carefully selected dish with fresh ingredients. Other excellent omakase restaurants include Sokyo in Pyrmont and Kisuke in Potts Point.
Firedoor
The clue is in the name of this rustic restaurant that cooks all its meals with fire in its wood-fired ovens, grills and hearth. Head chef Lennox Hastie trained at Michelin star restaurants across Europe, and now, he’s brought his skills to Sydney. You’ll find smoky lamb, fresh bread, cod and Oyster mushrooms on offer. The offerings change daily, so you’ll want to come back time and time again. It’s also one of the most popular restaurants in Sydney, so booking in advance is a must.
Beckett’s
The moody atmosphere created by its brick walls and heavy curtains will lull you into a feeling of relaxation and indulgence. Chef Jeff Schroeter offers a seasonal bistro menu that always offers something to delight any visitor. With a particular talent for seafood, this is the perfect place to bring your partner for a relaxed, romantic evening. There’s always a range of excellent wines and delicious cocktails on offer, so you can always find the perfect drink to pair with your meal.
Best restaurants in Parramatta, Sydney
Parramatta, in the centre of Greater Western Sydney, is well known for its food scene and nightlife. It offers a wide range of food options, from simple and straightforward to extravagant and indulgent. One thing is for sure; you won’t go hungry in this creative corner of Sydney.
Temasek
Temasek is a Parramatta restaurant serving Singaporean-Malay meals influenced by cuisine across Asia since 1992. It still sits in the same, unassuming laneway as when Susan Wong opened it, and it’s still offering the same delicious meals. They serve a wide variety of meals from Chinese fried rice to Indonesian nasi goreng, but their most iconic meal is probably their Singapore-style laksa served with chicken, prawns or both. It’s busy but not so busy that you have to book (unless you’re with a large group), so swing by the next time you’re in Parramatta and taste some of the best laksa and nasi goreng you’ll find in Australia.
Harvey’s Hot Sandwiches
Sandwiches are on the rise in the Sydney foodie scene, and Harvey’s Hot Sandwiches is a super retro addition. They have a range of signature subs they put together with delicious cold meats, dressings and cheeses when you arrive. It’s situated in the Parramatta Square precinct, making it the perfect place to stop for an on-the-go meal while you go about your day. Plus, the Nutella fountain is the perfect way to add a fun dessert to your lunch.
Bay Vista Dessert Bar
Speaking of dessert, if you’re looking for a place where you can skip straight to it, then head to Bay Vista Dessert Bar. They serve classic desserts like cakes and banana splits, pancakes, and waffles that you can customise with whatever toppings you desire. Choose between eighteen flavours of sorbet and ice cream, or drink your desert with their milkshakes, smoothies and frappes. Of course, you can always keep things light with cannoli or choc-dipped fruit, but Bay Vista is the place to indulge.
Best restaurants in North Sydney
North Sydney is packed with a variety of fantastic restaurants that visitors to the city who stick to the main CBD area might miss. From hole-in-the-wall noodle places with queues up the block to Indian restaurants with scenic views of Sydney harbour, North Sydney is sure to delight any foodie.
Chedi Thai
Find it on Blues Point Road and join the many regulars that make Chedi Thai their go-to dinner spot. Emphasising authentic ingredients and Thai traditions, Chedi Thai uses fresh, locally sourced produce to create dishes that delight your tastebuds. Round out your meal with a selection from their full-service bar with affordable wines from around the world (BYO wine is also allowed). It is one of the most popular restaurants in Northern Sydney, so book your table ahead of time or opt for takeaway instead.
Ryo’s Noodles
Before you see this small, inexpensive restaurant from the inside, you’ll first notice the queue. This hugely popular Japanese restaurant focuses on pork and chicken ramen from owner Ryo Horii’s hometown of Fukuoka. The noodles are house-made (with a secret recipe!) and absolutely delicious. Once you’ve had your fill of ramen, try their sides like deep-fried soft shell crab and karaage marinated fried chicken.
Lavendra
A smaller offshoot of the ever-popular Rose of India, Lavendra positions itself as a ‘new age’ Indian restaurant, offering fusion food and a seasonal tasting menu. Lavendra merges traditional and modern techniques using local, fresh ingredients. The seasonal menu changes every three months and always has roots in traditional Indian dishes with unique interpretations. You’ll fall in love with the food and the scenic views of Sydney harbour for an all-around memorable experience.
Best Chinese restaurants in Sydney
Sydney has some excellent Chinese restaurants, from quirky chains to more upmarket banquets. So whether you’re after a heart-warming hot pot or Peking duck with a view, you’ll find it in Sydney.
Spice World
Spice World is one of the biggest hot pot chains in China, and this restaurant in Haymarket is the first in Australia. Spice World is the place for you if you’ve ever wanted to peel wagyu beef off a barbie doll or be served mints by robots with pixel smiles. Beyond the quirkier offerings, you’ll love the fresh seafood platter and the attentive customer service. The tables are large, so bring a group of friends and dive into everything Spice World has to offer.
China Doll
This restaurant is perfect for slightly more formal group outings, located at Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo. The restaurant provides pretty views of the wharf and the thoroughfare that runs alongside it. They offer a wide range of delicious dishes, and why stick with just one when you can order the banquet and sample a bit of everything? They aren’t only a Chinese restaurant; they have dishes from across Asia, including cobia yellow curry from Bali and crispy pork belly with priknampla from Thailand. One of their best Chinese dishes is the Peking duck pancakes, best enjoyed with a sunset view and a delicious cocktail in hand.
XOPP
XOPP was the sister venue of the now-closed Golden Century, and while it continues to serve Golden Century’s beloved pippies, XOPP has comfortably made a name for itself. Located in Haymarket, in the Exchange building on the first floor, XOPP serves delicious Cantonese classics that hit the spot time and time again. The bar has a separate snack menu you must check out, and their fried mantou buns will have you asking for seconds. For dessert, why not try a bubble tea pannacotta?
