THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN SYDNEY

Best Restaurants in Sydney

Sydney’s culinary landscape is an enchanting tapestry of flavours, a fusion of cultures, and a testament to the city’s vibrant food scene.

In our guide to the Best Restaurants in Sydney, we embark on a gastronomic journey through the harbour city, exploring the best restaurants that Sydney has to offer. From intimate neighbourhood gems to elegant fine dining establishments, Sydney’s culinary treasures are as diverse as its neighbourhoods.

AALIA

CUISINE: Arabian
ADDRESS: ground level of 25 Martin Place, previously known as the MLC centre.
OPENING HOURS: LUNCH Tuesday – Saturday 12.00pm – 2.30pm | DINNER Monday – Friday 5.30pm – 9.00pm Saturday 5.00pm – 9.30pm
INSTAGRAM: @aaliarestaurant

AALIA seamlessly merges modern design with Harry Seidler’s MLC architecture, creating a unique space. Led by Executive Chef Paul Farag, the culinary team explores lesser-known Middle Eastern and North African regions, reviving ancient ingredients and recipes from centuries-old cookbooks. AALIA’s cuisine blends tradition with modern techniques, offering diners an intriguing journey through Arabian nomadic cuisine.

Best Restaurants in Sydney - Aalia — Image by Aalia

THE DINING ROOM BY JAMES VILES

CUISINE: Modern Australian
ADDRESS: Park Hyatt Sydney 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
OPENING HOURS: BREAKFAST Monday – Saturday: 6.30am – 10.30am, Sunday: 6.30am – 11am | LUNCH Thursday – Friday: 12pm – 2:30pm | Saturday and Sunday: 12:30pm – 2:30pm | DINNER Wednesday – Sunday: 5:30pm – 9.30pm
INSTAGRAM: @diningbyjamesviles

The Dining Room by James Viles offers a unique and upscale culinary journey that takes you on an exploration of diverse Australian regions. What sets their cuisine apart is the use of ingredients sourced directly from their native environments. Positioned in one of the most unique buildings in Sydney, this celebration of ingredients truly highlights the seamless fusion of human artistry, environmental stewardship, and the delightful flavours originating from the abundant landscapes and oceans of Australia.

Best Restaurants in Sydney — Image by Dining Room by James Viles

RESTAURANT HUBERT

CUISINE: French
ADDRESS: 15 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
OPENING HOURS: LUNCH Thursday – Sunday from 12pm | HAPPY HOUR 5pm – 6pm daily | DINNER HOURS Daily 5pm – Late
INSTAGRAM: @restauranthuber

As you descend below street level, you’re transported into a bygone era, reminiscent of a Parisian bistro from the 1930s. The ambiance is richly evocative, featuring dim lighting, vintage decor, and the soft melodies of live jazz music, creating an intimate and nostalgic atmosphere. In the realm of culinary offerings, Hubert’s menu artfully marries French and eclectic global bistro influences, with a distinct emphasis on artisanal craftsmanship evident in the preparation of many dishes.

BAR TOTTI’S

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 330A-330B George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
OPENING HOURS: Sunday – Wednesday 12pm – 12am, Thursday – Saturday 12pm – 2am
INSTAGRAM: @tottis.merivale

Indulge in an authentic Italian escapade at Bar Totti’s, where the spirit of Italy comes alive. Under the culinary guidance of the renowned Mike Eggert, this establishment offers an inviting selection of Italian wines and artisanal cocktails that perfectly complement a menu brimming with uncomplicated yet exquisite dishes. From house-made antipasti featuring sardines, kingfish crudo, and burrata, to grilled delights like chilli and fennel-infused king prawns, and halloumi with beetroot, oregano, and lemon, every bite is a testament to the artistry of Italian cuisine. Don’t forget to savour Totti’s signature wood-fired bread, crafted to perfection upon order.

ICEBERGS DINING ROOM & BAR

CUISINE: Modern Italian
ADDRESS: One Notts Avenue Bondi Beach
OPENING HOURS: LUNCH Tuesday – Sunday from 12pm | DINNER Tuesday – Sunday 6:30pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @icebergsdiningroomandbar

Icebergs’ intimate and elegant Dining Room offers a front-row seat to the iconic Bondi view, a breathtaking backdrop that enhances the dining experience by day or night. Inspired by Maurice Terzini’s Italian heritage, the menu is a testament to the restaurant’s legacy of redefining perceptions of Italian cuisine and reshaping the Australian palate. With a focus on seasonal evolution, the menu invites diners on a journey through the depth of Italian culinary traditions, showcasing the best Australian produce, from sustainable seafood to artisanal ingredients, occasionally enriched with a touch of native Australian flavours. At Icebergs, the ever-evolving menu is a symphony of taste, where each visit offers a unique opportunity to savour the essence of Italy in the heart of Bondi.

KILN

CUISINE: Contemporary Australian and Italian-ish
ADDRESS: 53 Foy Lane, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Friday: 5:30pm – late, Saturday: 12pm – 4PM & 5:30pm – late, Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
INSTAGRAM: @kilnsydney

Kiln, under the skillful hand of Chef Mitch Orr, stands atop Ace Hotel Sydney on the 18th floor, offering a unique blend of contemporary Australian and Italian-ish cuisine, infused with influences from Japan and Southeast Asia. Emphasizing top-notch regional ingredients, including meats and seafood, Chef Mitch brings an inventive yet approachable culinary style to the table, breaking down the traditional boundaries of high and low dining with playful and innovative dishes.

CLAM BAR

CUISINE: Fusion
ADDRESS: 44 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 12pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @clambarsydney

Amidst a city teeming with New York-style steakhouses, Clam Bar offers a fresh take on the genre. While they serve the classics like Josper-grilled steak and seafood, Clam Bar infuses creativity into their dishes, like zucchini-flower empanadas with gooseberry hot sauce and zesty corn and Gruyère gratin. Their clam spaghetti, cooked to perfection, rivals even renowned Italian restaurants. Beyond the cuisine, the restaurant boasts a unique “pool-hall cool” ambience with retro decor, making it a captivating blend of nostalgia and innovation.

MR WONG

CUISINE: Cantonese
ADDRESS: 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 3pm & 5:30pm – 10pm, Friday – Saturday 12pm – 3pm & 5:30pm – 11pm
INSTAGRAM: @mr.wongsydney

Mr. Wong serves Cantonese cuisine on a grand scale, accommodating 240 guests across two levels with a menu featuring nearly 80 dishes. Despite its size, the restaurant maintains an intimate ambience, thanks to cozy corners, dim lighting, and moody jazz. Executive Chef Dan Hong brings creativity to the kitchen, offering favourites like barbecue ducks and a lunchtime dim sum menu by Michael Luo. With such an extensive menu and wine list, diners should be prepared to make some delightful choices during their visit.

ALBERTO’S LOUNGE

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 17—19 Alberta Street, Sydney NSW
OPENING HOURS: Monday -Sunday 10am – 6pm
INSTAGRAM: @albertoslounge

Alberto’s Lounge is a place where good food, music, wine, and company come together. It’s both an Italian restaurant and bar, blending Italy’s charm with Australia’s spirit. They make fresh gelato and pasta daily and offer a diverse wine selection. Alberto’s Lounge is a dreamy mix of Italian and Australian influences, offering an intimate space for people to enjoy good times, from art to music, and sake to mezcal.

ANTE

CUISINE: Jazz Cafe
ADDRESS: 146 King Street Newtown, NSW 2042
OPENING HOURS: Thursday & Friday 5pm – late, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @ante_syd

ANTE beckons diners to embark on a shared culinary journey, as their menu is ingeniously designed for communal feasting, ensuring that every bite becomes a delightful conversation starter. But it’s their sake collection that truly shines; an incredible showcase of over 65 sake varieties hailing from 21 different breweries in Japan. This carefully curated selection includes some of Australia’s finest, boasting the greatest and most exceptional sake this side of the Pacific.

SOUL DINING

CUISINE: Contemporary Korean
ADDRESS: 204 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 5pm – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @souldining

Located in the heart of Surry Hills, Soul Dining is a culinary gem that seamlessly blends uniquely Korean dishes with modern Australian techniques and the freshest local produce. Soul Dining is a harmonious medley of Korean, German, and Italian influences, a culinary groove that may sound unconventional but proves undeniably brilliant. While the menu boasts imaginative creations that lean toward fine dining, the overall atmosphere remains refreshingly casual, inviting patrons to revel in an eclectic blend of flavours and cultures.

BAR VINCENT

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 174 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney NSW 2010
OPENING HOURS: Wednesday – Friday 12:30pm – late, Tuesday & Saturday 5pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @barvincentsydney

Nestled in the heart of Darlinghurst, Bar Vincent stands as the quintessential neighbourhood restaurant, drawing patrons in night after night. Here, you’ll discover a menu that constantly evolves, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, showcasing the provenance of each element, even to the farmer’s name. Regardless of when you choose to visit, expect an enticing offering of fresh oysters and pasta. The restaurant’s charm lies in its simplicity, featuring stone floors, charming archways, and abundant natural light. It’s a place where you can savour a solo pasta lunch accompanied by a sprightly Nebbiolo or indulge in a leisurely, drawn-out feast.

FRED’S

CUISINE: Italian/European
ADDRESS: 380 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW, 2021, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday & Wed 5:30pm – 11pm, Thursday – Sunday 12pm – 4pm & 5:30pm – 11pm, Saturday 8am – 11am, 12pm – 4pm & 5:30pm – 11pm
INSTAGRAM: @fredspaddington

Fred’s, on Oxford Street in Paddington, has a friendly and rustic atmosphere, like a cozy country home. They cook with fresh, local ingredients in an open kitchen, and you can watch them cook over a fire. They serve simple, delicious food like fresh vegetables, handmade pasta, and daily-baked bread, all while being mindful of sustainability. Their wine list features a variety of wines that are made with care, whether they’re organic or follow eco-friendly practices.

RAGAZZI

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: Shop 3, 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney CBD
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Saturday 11:30am – midnight, Sunday 11:30am – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @ragazziwinepasta

Tucked away on Angel Place in the Sydney CBD, Ragazzi stands as a charming neighbourhood haven, a wine and handcrafted pasta bar born from the creative minds behind Love, Tilly Devine, and Dear Sainte Eloise. This 38-seat wine bar offers an enchanting showcase of small Italian producers and Australian wines that incorporate Italian grape varietals, all within an intimate setting that beckons you to unwind. Begin your culinary journey with a delectable starter of anchovies on toast, elevated with a tantalizing drizzle of chilli oil, setting the stage for a delightful exploration of the six meticulously hand-rolled pasta offerings gracing the menu. At Ragazzi, you’re not just dining; you’re embarking on a flavorful sojourn where every sip and bite transports you to the heart of Italy’s culinary traditions, right in the heart of Sydney.

MARGARET

CUISINE: Fusion
ADDRESS: Bay St. Corner Guilfoyle Ave. Double Bay, Sydney
OPENING HOURS: LUNCH Thursday – Sunday 12pm – 3pm | DINNER Wednesday – Sunday 6pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @margaretdoublebay

Located in Sydney’s Double Bay, Margaret stands as a culinary gem where the commitment to excellence shines through in every dish. With a dedication to sourcing the finest quality Australian produce, Chef Neil Perry AM has forged deep-rooted relationships with the country’s top suppliers, ensuring that only the best finds its way onto Margaret’s menu. As a seafood-focused establishment, Margaret takes pride in receiving its seafood directly from local fishermen, caught sustainably and expertly dry-filleted onsite, preserving the love and care that goes into each catch. The diverse menu at Margaret is a testament to Neil’s 45+ years in the industry, drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of flavours.