Food

As a multicultural, diverse and buzzing city, Sydney offers some of the best culinary delights the world has to offer – our take on old favourites, European and Asian cuisine ensures modern Australian dishes are on everyone’s wish list. This and the illustrious dining options - anything from five-star style, waterside dining, a traditional pub feed or cool rooftop bar and our infamous café culture places Sydney on the map as a great dining destination. Spoilt for choice, here are some of our top dining options depending on your style and tastes.

Fine Dining:

Even the bread and butter at these gourmet dining options in Sydney are of the highest quality – as you would expect. The food is sophisticated, ultra-seasonal and the views are incredible at Quay Restaurant. Perched above the Harbour, with the Bridge to the left and the Opera House to the right, Quay with its emphasis on nature is an award winning dining experience. Every bite is better than the next, with rare local ingredients and seasonal fresh products, the balance and harmony on every plate is just as spectacular as the views.

For Australia’s take on modern-Asian dishes look no further than China Doll. It is the perfect mix of fantastic views, elegant styling and generously portioned Modern Asian Dishes. The best way to experience all the mouth-watering dishes on offer is to try the range with a buffet. Located on Woolloomooloo Wharf, China Doll is the ultimate place to sip of an Asian-inspired cocktail whilst watching the sun go down and people-watch.

China Doll is also featured at The Championships within Little Sydney alongside top Sydney resturants Chiswick and Icebergs. For the food-raceday experience, visit Grand Cuisine.

For a sophisticated, personalized and uber exclusive meal, dining at The Star is exciting and spontaneous. Chef David Chang’s first restaurant outside of New York City, Momofuku Seiobo is a roller coaster of flavours with a daily tasting menu, served by the chef’s themselves, it is inspired by the bounty of Australian ingredients and Sydney’s diverse food culture. Take a seat around the gleaming kitchen and watch as Seiobo, the Japanese goddess of the west takes you on a true culinary experience.

Sydney Cafes:

Welcome to the city of a café culture – relish in the abundance of freshly brewed coffee, innovative weekend brunches and high quality baked goods. Sydney is your mecca for sought-after cafes and the world knows it, with talented baristas, the Aussie favourite flat white is now internationally loved.

Brighten up your morning at Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills, these guys truly love their coffee as passion is infused with a range of freshly roasted coffee and served alongside fresh sourdough bread, eggs and the sweetest condiments.

If a quick stop is all you have time for, pop in to Bourke Street Bakery, this Sydney institution lures visitors in with shelves piled high with freshly baked breads and pastries. Fall in love with the tarts, pizzettas, quiches and pies on offer; be sure to grab an organic sourdough loaf to take home.

However, for a true Sydney brunch experience, Burnt Orange in Mosman is the perfect combination of retail therapy and upmarket café dining. Set in a Federation mansion with stunning views of Sydney Harbour, a must is the homemade scone with jam or the signature Burnt Orange fish pie, follow this with a browse through some of the latest homewares and gifts, ladies fashion, books, jewellery, and food hall.

Cheap Eats:

Sydney food is just as multicultural as its people – diverse in flavor and price range. These inexpensive, budget friendly eats are just as satisfying for your tastebuds.

To truly capture the colour and excitement of the Asian influence in Sydney and Australia, a visit to the spectacular Chinatown is a treat for all the senses. Offering an interesting mix of restaurants, food halls and noodle bars, the busy streets of Sydney City combine the best of Cantonese, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Anything from Yum cha, ramen, dumplings, crispy ducks and chili chicken stir-frys makes a visit to Chinatown and Haymarket, a downright irresistible bargain!

In you are in the mood for Italian then Cipro Pizza al Taglio in Alexandria is the best place to be – with veteran Rockpool group chefs Khan Danis and Catherine Adams delivering the goods! Designed as a local eatery, open from 8am to 8pm, this is where locals and tourists alike go to enjoy the best of pizza, baked goods and gelato. Or for American-style burgers, hotdogs and fried chicken with good old-fashioned prices The Soda Factory in Surry Hills, offers a fun atmosphere and great food.

Best of the Pub:

For great brew and a substantial meal, look no further than one of Sydney’s great pubs. No matter where you find yourself in Sydney, one of the local pubs will surely satisfy any craving - from an old English favourite to Aussie staple, you are spoilt for choice for a great pub feed.

The stylish Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills offers great food at a reasonable price, as the Merivale Group takes pub dining up a notch. The Italian-inspired trattoria menu features all your standard Sydney pub meals such as seared barramundi and a selection of gourmet salads, and a sizable wine list. Perfect for both intimate dinners and large groups, The Beresford Hotel is a real crowd pleaser.

For a pub classic, the street-front balcony at the London Hotel Balmain is a great spot to perch yourself and enjoy nachos, fish and chips or four kinds of schnitzel. That’s in there low key dining area downstairs, upstairs is where steak is the draw card as the friendly staff ensure it’s cooked just the way you like it!

To enjoy a traditional English country pub atmosphere head to the Lord Dudley in Paddington which serves a cosy dose of British character and terrific pub meals. Take a seat at the bar and nibble on some pork scratching’s, pork pie or Branston pickle. For those a little hungrier, English favourites – sausage and mash, beef pie or steak frites will be sure to compliment your pint of one of the 18 local or imported beers on tap.