Food and Wine in Sydney

Food and wine in Sydney

Creative chefs, fresh produce and stunning outdoor locations are the essential ingredients that make eating out in Sydney so enjoyable. Find five-star harbouside restaurants, bars and cafes as well as culinary quarters and eat streets where you'll get a taste of Sydney's famed style. Inner-city dining spots including Dank Street in Waterloo, Crown Street Surry Hills, King Street Newtown and Glebe Point Road Glebe.
Where to eat in Sydney
Dessert at Quay Restaurant, Circular Quay. Image Penelope Beveridge

Treat yourself to a mouth-watering taste of Sydney's best food and wine, served outdoors in stunning natural locations around the city. An ever-growing list of beautiful fine-dining restaurants, boutique cafes and casual pub fare means you'll never be short of inspiration on where to eat in Sydney. For a few years now, Sydney has had three restaurants in the S.Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants list; Tetsuya's, Quay and Marque.

If you're visiting Sydney, discover the delicious cuisines of Italy, Greece and Turkey on a tour with Gourmet Safaris, or meet local producers-boutique brewers and coffee roasters, to spice merchants and smallgoods specialists-on an Ultimately Sydney Gourmet Tour. Food events and weekly farmers markets give you the chance to buy local produce or find out how to become a master chef at a short cooking class, also the perfect gift for food lovers.

Looking for a unique Sydney dining moment? Try fish'n chips from The Boathouse at Palm Beach, modern Vietnamese at Luke Nguyen's Red Lantern in Surry Hills, organic, biodynamic and sustainable fare at Billy Kwong's in Surry Hills or a full vegetarian degustation menu from Becasse at Westfield Sydney. Sweet and unique? Adriano Zumbo's Lab in Rozelle produces a sublime chocolate Cocoon, chocolate forest floor is on offer at Sepia in the city and Black Star Pastry in Newtown has fabulous chocolate cakes.

Five star by the beach

Great food and beautiful water views are the essence of Sydney dining at any time of the year. Combine both at Jonah's luxury ocean retreat located on Sydney's northern beaches or at Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant at Balmoral. At Bondi Beach, Icebergs Dining Room is perched above the famous beach.
Bather's Pavilion at Balmoral beach, Mosman. Image Andrew Gregory

Gourmet dining

Treat your tastebuds to the gourmet flavours of Sydney at a range of restaurants where service, food and atmosphere come together perfectly. Don't miss Matt Moran's Aria overlooking Sydney Opera House, Neil Perry's award-winning Rockpool in The Rocks and Cafe Sydney on the top level of Customs House where superb harbour views are well matched by contemporary Australian cuisine.
A dish served at Aria Restaurant, Circular Quay

Sydney bars

Some of Sydney's best bars are in the city's best locations. Opera Bar at Sydney Opera House is where you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail as the sun sets over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At Bondi, sip on an aperitifo at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar where ocean and beach views are sublime.


New cafes

If you're keen to seek out great coffee, check out these hot spots sprinkled around the city. There's Bell Jar Coffee in Newtown, Sample Coffee Bar in Surry Hills, Barefoot Coffee Traders in Manly and Coffee Alchemy in Marrickville.
Sydney cafes
Dining at the Opera Kitchen below the Sydney Opera House. Image James Pipino

Sydneysiders love cafes. You'll find cafes that are coffee temples such as The Grounds in Alexandria and cafes that are also bakeries such as Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills and Black Star Pastry Cafe in Newtown. There are cafes by the harbour and by the beach, even at outdoor pools. One of the best locations is right by the harbour where you can soak up spectacular views from Opera Kitchen at the Sydney Opera House. Other Opera House fare includes dishes from Becasse Bakery and Justin North's Charlie & Co, amongst others.

North of the bridge, reward yourself with lunch after a few laps in a harbourside pool at Ripples Cafe or enjoy homemade scones and jam on the heritage verandah of Burnt Orange, an elegant 1920s cafe in Mosman. If you're serious about your espresso, pop over to Barefoot Coffee Traders in Manly or continue along the peninsula to Clareville Kiosk, an airy cottage cafe on Pittwater.

Cafes in the eastern suburbs offer plenty of choice-favourites include the Crabbe Hole near Bondi Icebergs, fish and chips at Neilsen Park's kiosk, and Three Blue Ducks near Bronte Beach. In the inner west, discover the talented baristas at Campos Coffee in Newtown, brunch with motorbikes at Deus Cafe, or give into temptation at Adriano Zumbo's patisserie cafe in Balmain.
Harry's Cafe de Wheels
Eating a tiger pie at Harry's Cafe de Wheels, Woolloomooloo. Image Pierre Toussaint

This Sydney icon has been serving tasty pies and peas from a caravan cafe in Sydney's Woolloomooloo since 1938. A favourite of late-night revellers and celebrities alike, Harry's is now classified by the National Trust of Australia. Why not try Harry's signature pie, the tiger, a beef pie served with mushy peas, mash and gravy.

1.Cafe at Fort Denison

Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Fort Denison Cafe, located on a small island in the middle of Sydney Harbour. This historic site offers magnificent habour views and a contemporary Australian menu that's just right for sharing with friends over a long, leisurely lunch.
Cafe on Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour. Image Hamilton Lund

2.Best of Bondi cafes

Work up an appetite in the surf, go for a run along the beachfront promenade or follow the clifftop walk from Bondi to Coogee before indulging in a delicious breakfast at one of the many cafes at Bondi Beach. Find them along Campbell Parade, Curlewis Street and Bondi Road.


3.Cafes by the beach

Sydney beaches are likely to have as many great cafes as they do great waves. Popular cafes are Crabbe Hole Cafe at Bondi Beach, Jellyfish Cafe at the North Steyne end of Manly Beach, Bacino Bar at Dee Why, Pilu Kiosk at Harbord and Ham at Cronulla.

Saturday food market

Join the crowds who love good street food at Saturday's Eveleigh Farmers Markets. The highlight has to be Kylie Kwong's delicious breakfast pancakes with eggs and pickled veg but you'll find plenty of other fresh organic produce as well.
Shopping for gourmet produce in Sydney
The Rocks markets. Image James Pipino

Have fun discovering your inner foodie in Sydney. Make sure you head to a local farmers market, provedore, organic grocer or authentic deli to enjoy an incredible selection of fresh, seasonal produce.
Farmers markets in Sydney can be found at Frenchs Forest, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Pyrmont, Redfern and EQ in the eastern suburbs. They're the perfect place to enjoy produce sourced from local suppliers and many are organic. Wander through the Rocks Foodies Market on Fridays from 10am to 4pm; the Sydney Morning Herald Grower's Market is held on the first Saturday of each month in Pyrmont.

In the eastern suburbs, the EQ Village Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday, while Eveleigh Artisan Markets in Redfern on Saturday mornings have delicious breakfasts, flowers and fruit and vegetables direct from the growers.

The huge Sydney Growers Market at Homebush is well worth a visit. 394 growers within the Sydney basin travel here daily to sell their produce. The mix of fruit and vegetables traded reflects Sydney's multicultural diversity-in the 1950s, 60s and 70s a distinct European flavour was evident. Now Asian and Middle-Eastern growers offer an array of different Asian vegetables and exotic fruits.

If you can't get to the markets, you'
ll still be able to find the best of the best in the David Jones food hall on Market Street, or at Quarter Twenty-One in Westfield Sydney. Looking for the most authentic Italian ingredients? Fratelli Fresh at Waterloo and Walsh Bay serves up delicious homestyle food as well as being an incredible Italian providore.

The Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail
Fruit picking at Schofield's orchards, Windsor. Image James Pipino

Did you know that you can taste some of NSW's best produce just an hour's drive from the centre of Sydney? Tailor your own itinerary or join a tour, and discover the Hawkesbury Harvest Trail. Taste farm-fresh apples, blueberries, figs and strawberries, sample fine wines, choose the perfect Christmas tree, and meet local artisans, cheesemakers, beekeepers and more.

1.Picnic on the harbour

Looking for a way to combine eating and sightseeing in Sydney? Pack a picnic with fresh burritos, sushi and sashimi, or cheese and sourdough, and catch a ferry to one of Sydney's harbour islands where you'll be able to do both in style!
Picnic at Mrs Macquarie's Chair overlooking the harbour. Image Pierre Toussaint

2.Sydney Fish Market

The best place to find sweet juicy seafood is at the Sydney Fish Market at Pyrmont. The largest seafood market in the southern hemisphere is also the perfect place to learn how to cook seafood at the Sydney Fish Market Cooking School where a wide range of classes is offered for all skill levels.
Buying fresh seafood at the Sydney Fish Market. Image supplied by Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd

3.The Rocks Markets

Wander through The Rocks area on Fridays and you'll be able to enjoy great street food from lamb kebabs and paella, to Turkish gozleme and BBQ trout and couscous wraps. The historic laneways of the Rocks are busy with musicians, food stalls and outdoor dining.

Coffee and chocolate tours

Join a chocolate espresso walking tour and you'll taste the delicious work of Sydney's best chocolate-makers. Some tours include coffee tasting or you may prefer to try a coffee cupping
(tasting) session at Campos Coffee in Newtown.
Cooking schools in Sydney
Fresh produce at Fratelli Fresh. Image Dan Boud

Sydneysiders love their food and, with great restaurants, creative chefs and quality produce, why wouldn’t they? While you're in Sydney, spend some time in the kitchen of an expert, and enjoy the fruits of your labours with a delicious lunch or dinner to complete the experience. You'll find Sydney's best cooking schools in restaurants, patisseries, markets and private homes all over Sydney.

You might spot some celebrity chefs at one of Australia's leading cooking schools, the Sydney Seafood School at the Sydney Fish Market. It's a great place to learn new ways to cook the catch of the day, from paellas to the classic summer barbecue. For Italian home-style cooking, head to Fratelli Fresh. Sydney's mecca for all things deliciously Italian also runs popular classes three times a week. Or, learn how to make the perfect home-made pasta at Cucina Italiana, in a beautiful Tuscan-style home in Annandale.

If you'd like to know more about fine wine appreciation, head to Wine Odyssey Australia in The Rocks and taste some of Australia's best wines. You'll hear from the winemakers themselves, and learn the art of food and wine matching.
Food tours in Sydney
Gourmet produce. Image Rob Blackburn

Taste your way through Sydney's multicultural neighbourhoods on a Gourmet Safari Tour discovering the vibrant cuisines of Italy, Greece and Turkey. Eat and drink your way around some of Sydney's favourite food quarters on an Ultimately Sydney Gourmet Tour where you'll learn how to make the perfect coffee and uncover a whole world of cheeses, olives and breads.

Cocktails in Sydney

The ideal time to learn how to mix the perfect sundowner cocktail is.anytime. Learn from Sydney’s best mixologists in a cocktail class at Cruise Bar by Sydney Harbour, Longrain Restaurant & Bar or the Shangri La Hotel, Sydney.
Longrain Huricain Pearl cocktail. Image Petrina Tinslay courtesy of Longrain

Gourmet kayaking

For the ultimate Sydney Harbour picnic, join a gourmet kayaking tour with Sydney Harbour Kayaks. It's an easy paddle through secluded waterways, with a reward of freshly-brewed coffee and snacks on a deserted harbour beach.
Kayaking near Manly. Image James Pipino

Eating out at Westfield Sydney

Quarter Twenty-One is Sydney's newest foodie precinct in the city, and some of Australia's best chefs share classic French cooking technique and fresh seasonal produce. Led by MasterChef's Justin North, you can also taste the flavours of his signature restaurant, Becasse.

Sydney pubs to visit

Some of Sydney's best pubs are by the harbour or by the beach, and many are heritage-listed. Check out The Tilbury Hotel at Woolloomooloo, The Welcome Hotel at Rozelle, The Carlisle Castle in Newtown and The Shakespeare in Surry Hills.

Best Sydney pubs
Durty Nelly's Pub in Paddington. Image James Morgan

Sydney's thriving pub scene includes many beautifully restored heritage pubs and boutique venues with live music. The city's mild climate is just right for making the most of their balconies, roof terraces and courtyards with cold beer on tap or a glass of local wine and a delicious meal.

The Rocks is the perfect starting point for a heritage pub tour. The Fortune of War, Hero of Waterloo, Lord Nelson and the Orient all date back to Sydney's colonial days, and now serve great pub food and drinks in a lively atmosphere. Also in the city the elegant Arthouse Hotel is a former School of Arts dating back to 1836.

Harbourside Balmain was once a working-class suburb with many pubs whose names reflected Australia's colonial heritage-Cricketer's Arms Hotel (now The Monkey Bar), Dry Dock Hotel, Forth & Clyde Hotel, Kent Hotel, Shipwright's Arms Hotel to name a few. Today, many of these pubs mix historical charm with delicious modern-Australian menus. Don't miss the Royal Oak and the London, or relax on the upstairs balcony at the Town Hall and watch the buzz of Darling Street below. Enjoy the funky atmosphere and great bar food at the Three Weeds in Rozelle.

In Paddington, head to the Lord Dudley to enjoy a traditional English country pub atmosphere, or to the popular Four in Hand. One of Sydney's best pubs with a view is the Woolwich Pier Hotel where you can take in scenic Sydney Harbour from the upstairs balcony.

Manly Wharf

Manly wharf at Manly Cove. Image Andrew Gregory

You don't have to go far to enjoy some of Australia's best pub-with-a-view dining experiences-just head to the wharf at Manly. If you're looking for stylish outdoor dining, check out Hugo's Manly for a modern take on classic pizzas. Combine beer by the stein with pretzels at the Bavarian Bier Cafe, or chill on the waterfront deck at the Manly Wharf Hotel. Don't miss the Four Pines microbrewery just across the road.

Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks
's more to this heritage-listed art deco hotel than the stunning harbour views. Take in all the bustle of the harbour and bridge-climbers while you enjoy a glass of wine and a hearty mod-Oz lunch or dinner in the bar.
Harbour View Hotel in The Rocks.

Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel

Live music, delicious seasonal menus and amazing harbour views. This heritage hotel has it all- reward yourself with a sundowner on the balcony after a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens nearby.
Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel. Image Tony Yeates

Watsons Bay Hotel

A Sunday barbecue lunch at the Watsons Bay Hotel is a Sydney must, although you can enjoy it any day or night of the week. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay, and take in the views from one of the best beer gardens in the world.


Bars in Sydney
Courtyard at Ivy. Image Murray Fredericks for Merivale

A profusion of intimate bars can be found in Sydney's laneways and inner city suburbs. You'll discover an unsual tipple, unusual venues and cute names from one end of the city to another. But where to start? Stitch Bar is located via a shop front on York Street in the city centre - it's filled with sewing materials and machines as well as a staircase that leads you down to the cool basement bar. Meanwhile, Grandma's on Clarence Street is a retro haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded granny glamour where you can kick back and relax, once you've found it - there's no street signage.

There are beautiful old bars such as the Marble Bar, built in the 1890s, and the glamourous Rockpool Bar located in an American-style deco building on Bligh Street. Zeta Bar in the Hilton Sydney is fabulously new in style while Blue Bar on 36 of the Shangri-La Hotel is an exclusive cocktail lounge located high above the city, with views of Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Popular bar neighbourhoods include Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Newtown, Potts Point and Bondi Beach. Gardel's Bar located above Porteno on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills is the Argentinean barbecue hotspot and offers you a unique cocktail experience with an Argentinean twist. Mille Vini in Surry Hills is ideal for fine wine and delicately sized food offerings while the pretty garden setting of The Winery in Surry Hills and the rooftop poolbar at The Ivy are popular outdoor bars. The Zanzibar in Newtown has cocktails and beer on tap at its rooftop bar in this inner-city neighbourhood.
Harbour bars
View from Cockatoo Island. Image Hamilton Lund

Escape to the harbourside to soak up the languid atmosphere of a city that's absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to bars. Start at Water Bar in the Blue Hotel on Woolloomooloo Wharf. In The Rocks, Wildfire stocks rare tequilas and rums while The Argyle attracts the uber-cool crowd. At Pyrmont there are views, views and more views from a string of bars including Astral Bar in The Star and Flying Fish Bar.

Best of Bondi bars

After a day chilling out at Sydney's most famous beach, hit Bondi's bar scene. Enjoy munching on a tasty tapas menu or crusty pizzas, with views and vibes at one of the many bars near the beach. Stylish hole-in-the-wall bars include Speakeasy, The Rum Diaries and Flying Squirrel.
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi

Cocktails at Sydney Opera House

One of Sydney Opera House's many attractions is Opera Bar. Located in the forecourt of the iconic building, this relaxing bar serves up great food and creative cocktails with sensational harbour views and live music on weekends.
Opera Bar at Sydney Opera House. Image Mark Pokorny

Manly bars

Casual Manly has a great mix of bars where you can chill out in venues packed with beachside chic. Manly Wine by Gazebo on the beachfront offers a quirky assortment of flavours such as fish and chips and soda-pop siphons. The Jetty Bar at Manly Wharf Hotel is perfectly located on the harbourside of Manly with fantastic views and a cruisey outdoor setting.

Best of Sydney dining by the water
Le Kiosk on Shelly Beach, Manly. Image Andrew Gregory

With so many beautiful waterside locations choose from, you could spend your holiday enjoying sparkling water views with your main course in Sydney. For the ultimate in luxury, Jonah's at Whale Beach combines a luxury ocean retreat and European cuisine with expansive views across the ocean. You can only get to the Cottage Point Inn on the Hawkesbury River, famed for its riverfront degustation menu, by ferry or seaplane. Other stylish waterfront options include Catalina in Rose Bay, Sails at McMahons Point and The Wharf Restaurant@Pier 2 at Walsh Bay.

For a more casual approach to Sydney dining, head to Le Kiosk on Shelly Beach near Manly, the perfect spot for fish and chips while you take in the north-facing beach views. Sean’s Panaroma at the northern end of Bondi Beach has postcard views of the beach and a great contemporary menu.

You'll find terrific beachside cafes at most of Sydney's beaches. A few popular ones include Blue Water Cafe at Manly Beach, Swell at Bronte Beach, Seasalt at Clovelly Beach and the Crabbe Hole at Bondi Beach. Because Sydney has a year-round, mediterranean-style climate, beachside dining is popular from Palm Beach and Narrabeen Beach to Coogee and Cronulla at any time of the year.
Fly and dine in Sydney
Catching a Sydney Seaplane to Berowra Waters Inn. Image Sydney Seaplanes

You'll know you're in Sydney when you head off for lunch in a seaplane over Sydney Harbour and along the coastline to the north of the city. Visit Cottage Point Inn, located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, drop in to Jonah's Whale Beach or the Boathouse at Palm Beach where you'll enjoy ocean views and casual dining at its best.

Woolloomooloo Wharf dining

This heritage-listed wharf, located on Sydney Harbour, is home to many stylish bars and restaurants. Sink into comfortable lounges at Water Bar as you sip on cocktails, or dine outdoors at Manta, Otto Ristorante and China Doll where spectacular views of the city accompany your meal.
Woolloomooloo Wharf. ImageTony Yeates

Restaurants at The Star

For a taste of Monte Carlo in Sydney, head to The Star at Darling Harbour. Celebrate your roll of the dice with a meal at one of the fabulous restaurants located here, right by the harbour. Don't miss Stefano Manfredi's Balla, fine Japanese cooking at Sokyo, Golden Century and Black by ezard.
Stefano Manfredi's Balla at The Star

Northside dining

Balmoral Beach is home to delightful waterside restaurants such as Public Dining Room and Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant. Just up the hill, Mosman's Military Road has a string of stylish cafes and restaurants while nearby Georges Heights and Chowder Bay have spectacular harbour views as well as great places to eat.