Sydney, New South Wales — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Sydney, New South Wales
Restaurants
Expensive
Catalina Rose Bay
Catalina Rose Bay is a must for lovers of seafood and ocean views - every year, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins under the very noses of its patrons. Japanese and Spanish influences alternate over a range of fish and shellfish creations that melt in the mouth, such as crépinette of crab and snapper and sea scallops with smoked quail. Closed Sunday night.
1 Sunderland Avenue, Rose Bay
Tel: (02) 9371 0555.
Website: www.catalinarosebay.com.au
Flying Fish
The venue, in a restored wharf facing the harbor, is definitely one of the slickest in town. Fortunately, the menu doesn't disappoint either. Head Chef Peter Kuruvita presents an ever-changing menu inspired by fresh seasonal produce and daily seafood selections; Humpty Doo barramundi and Sri Lankan king prawn curry are just two examples. As with any self-respecting seafood joint, there's a raw bar with oysters opened to order.
Jones Bay Wharf
Tel: (02) 9518 6677.
Website: www.flyingfish.com.au
Guillaume at Bennelong
The only Sydney restaurant that is also a world architectural icon, Guillaume at Bennelong is the smallest of the three soaring structures making up the opera house. Under the direction of Guillaume Brahini, a three-Michelin-starred chef, the restaurant's menu embraces local produce cooked with French techniques. The chef's signature dish is the mouth-watering basil-infused tuna with mustard seed vinaigrette. Booking well ahead is essential. Closed Sunday.
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Tel: (02) 9241 1999.
Website: www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au
Quay
Located in the Overseas Passenger Terminal, a meal at Quay is as much about the location as it is about Peter Gilmore's food - particularly if you're fortunate enough to get a table in the Tower section, which has 320 degree harbor views. The innovative dishes include mud-crab-stuffed zucchini flower, poached quail with truffle custard and a heavenly five-textured Valrhona chocolate cake.
Overseas Passenger Terminal, West Circular Quay
Tel: (02) 9251 5600.
Website: www.quay.com.au
Tetsuya's
Tetsuya Wakuda's is one of Australia's most renowned chefs and his 12-course dégustation menu is one of Sydney's most celebrated culinary experiences. The Japanese and French inspired set menu consists of numerous small dishes, including the now famous confit of Tasmanian ocean trout with ocean trout roe, as well as lobster ravioli with seaweed vinaigrette. Advanced bookings are essential. Closed Sunday and Monday.
529 Kent Street
Tel: (02) 9267 2900.
Website: www.tetsuyas.com
Aria
If you really want to seal the deal then take your business associates to Aria, the jewel in Sydney's fine-dining crown. Situated on the edge of the harbor, this intimate restaurant dishes up an innovative and contemporary menu that has the critics raving. Fresh seasonal produce and unusual dishes such as duck and pea pie ensure that the punters are satisfied as well.
1 Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay
Tel: (02) 9252 2555.
Website: www.ariarestaurant.com
Moderate
Bayswater Brasserie
More than one ex-prime minister has been spotted at this Kings Cross stalwart that has been keeping on top of Sydney's dining trends for over 20 years. The menu is traditional with a twist and highlights include the grilled sirloin with porcini butter and the blue swimmer crab lasagne. The cocktail bar is a popular spot for a pre- and post- dinner drinks.
32 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross
Tel: (02) 9357 2177.
Website: www.bayswaterbrasserie.com.au
The Summit
Claiming to be the world's largest revolving restaurant, The Summit has 360 degree views of Sydney, retro-futuristic design based on the space station in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and a good-times atmosphere. The menu is more than adequate, if a tad overpriced, with such dishes as grilled snapper fillet, venison loin baked in pastry and seafood risotto. A seafood buffet is available for Sunday lunch and dinner.
Level 47, 264 George Street
Tel: (02) 9247 9777.
Website: www.summitrestaurant.com.au
Sushi e
Set on the 4th floor of The Establishment complex, Sushi e is a world-class sushi bar ideal for both a quick business lunch and a long boozy dinner. Head chef Nobuyuki Ura and his team work in the center of the white marble counter presenting a selection of sushi specialties such as soft shell crab rolls and wafer-thin snapper sashimi topped with a lime and sea salt dressing.
Level 4, 252 George Street
Tel: (02) 9240 3041.
Website: www.merivale.com
Longrain
Housed within a converted warehouse space, this Asian-style restaurant simply oozes cool. Long wooden dining tables, polished floorboards and a DJ make a meal at Longrain a unique Sydney dining experience. The menu is a blend of Thai and Southern Chinese influences with dishes such as softshell crab with a green mango salad and peanut curry of braised wagyu beef being particularly popular. Dinner bookings are not taken so arrival before 1930 is advised.
85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Tel: (02) 9280 2888.
Website: www.longrain.com
Bodhi
Positioned between the church and the swimming pool in Cook & Phillip Park is this Asian eatery that serves up tasty yum cha by day and mod-Asian by night. Set outside under a canopy of fig trees, it's a world away from the hustle and bustle of traditional Asian restaurants. The vegetarian menu features all the usual suspects in addition to a few signature dishes such as sweet Japanese pumpkin and fresh snowpeas.
2-4 College Street, Cook & Phillip Park
Tel: (02) 9360 2523.
Billy Kwong
Always busy, this restaurant owned by celebrity chef Kylie Kwong churns out delicious Chinese-inspired food of fantastic quality. The dishes are based on traditional Chinese recipes but Kwong adds her own contemporary twist that appeals to a hip, young audience. The signature dish of crispy-skin duck with plum sauce is out of this world but you won't go wrong whatever you choose from the menu.
3/255 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Tel: (02) 9332 3300.
North Bondi Italian
Positioned on the northern end of Bondi Beach is this bustling restaurant that's a favorite with locals and celebrities alike. Although it can get noisy at times, the laid-back atmosphere and excellent food make for a very enjoyable night out - especially if you manage to grab one of the tables outside. The modern Italian menu features dishes such as parmesan crumbed flathead and farfalle with braised game, porcini and peas.
118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach
Tel: (02) 9300 4400.
Website: www.idrb.com
Oscillate Wildly
Oscillate Wildly offers a high-quality dining experience at absurdly cheap prices. Tucked away just off the boho bustle of King Street, Newtown, this tiny art deco dining room serves up modern Australian fare, such as wild barramundi with pancetta and red wine butter, and some of the best value desserts in town. The service is expert, even if the one waiter is rushed off his feet at times.
275 Australia Street, Newtown
Tel: (02) 9517 4700.
Seans Panaroma
Seans doesn't look like much from the outside but it's the beach cafe feeling that makes this place so special. This cosy restaurant is packed to the doors and the old photos and beach memorabilia make it seem more like a friend's beach shack than a restaurant. That said, the food is excellent. Wholesome and hearty, the modest menu features dishes such as King George whiting, organic chook and Greenham grass fed scotch steak. Open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Booking essential.
270 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Tel: (02) 9365 4924.
Website: www.seanspanaroma.com.au
Cheap
Arthur's Pizza
Nothing satiates the hunger after a day's shopping in the chi-chi boutiques of Paddington like a big traditional pizza or pasta at Arthur's Pizza. All the classics are served here, along with unusual combinations such as duck sausage with provolone and potato. If the place is full (and it often is) staff are prepared to come and fetch patrons from the pub next door when a table becomes free.
260 Oxford Street, Paddington
Tel: (02) 9332 2220.
Website: www.arthurspizza.com.au
BBQ King
Peking duck hangs in the window and it is Peking duck that attracts the crowds to the authentic if slightly tatty BBQ King on the northeastern border of Chinatown. Open until 0200, the menu includes a superb suckling pig and plenty of out-there Chinese delicacies. Frills are not to be expected, although a great meal can.
18-20 Goulburn Street
Tel: (02) 9267 2586.
Bill & Toni's
Old school charm and a no frills menu keep the punters coming back to this East Sydney institution. Generous portions of pasta, schnitzel and meatballs are served up in a dining room that looks like something out of Goodfellas. The downstairs cafe pours steaming cups of rocket fuel-strength coffee throughout the day.
72-74 Stanley Street, East Sydney
Tel: (02) 9360 4702.
Harry's Cafe de Wheels
Not a restaurant but a waterfront meat pie stand, Harry's has been serving the Aussie staple of pies with peas, mash and gravy to sailors, hoodlums and late-night party casualties since 1945. Consequently, it has become a tourist attraction and is decorated with photographs of famous visitors - including, oddly enough, Colonel Sanders. And the pies? Bloody good tucker, mate. Harry's is open until 0400 Friday and Saturday.
Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Tel: (02) 9357 3074.
Manna
Sometimes you want the vaunted Sydney cuisine without the Sydney attitude. That's when a trip down Parramatta Road to this cosy bistro is a welcome respite. This former corner shop has excellent staff whose laid-back welcome puts you in exactly the right mood for a quartet of lightly seared scallops topped with crunchy string chips followed by a classic prawn, garlic and chilli linguini. Closed Monday.
Station Street (Corner of West Street), Petersham
Tel: (02) 9568 4644.
Thai Pothong
King Street in Newtown seems to have more Thai restaurants than Bangkok but Thai Pothong still stands out as the biggest and the best for value. Standards such as chicken cashew nut and tom yung soup, are as good as they come, the service is swift and attentive, and there's the happy buzz of contented diners who know they're getting great food for very reasonable prices.
294 King Street, Newtown
Tel: (02) 9550 6277.
Website: www.thaipothong.com.au
Nightlife
Nightlife in Sydney is legendary. Oxford Street, the heart of Sydney's gay area, buzzes with cafes and clubs (gay, straight and mixed) while the established red-light district spans out from Kings Cross. The Rocks, is more upmarket; drinks at the harborside terraces are expensive but worth it for the views.
Sydney's night owls are predominantly designer clad. Bouncers at the more fashionable clubs enforce strict dress codes and ID checks. The days of the six o'clock swill are long gone - Sydney's licensing hours are extremely relaxed.
For up-to-date listings, free weekly entertainment guides Drum Media (www.drummedia.com.au) and 3D World (www.threedworld.com.au) are available at most city-center bookshops and record stores, as is the gay and lesbian Sydney Star Observer (www.ssonet.com.au). The arts and entertainment magazine Time Out (www.timeoutsydney.com.au) is an excellent guide to what's on in the city. The Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au) also carries a comprehensive entertainment guide, 'Metro', in the Friday edition.
Bars
Middle Bar
Middle Bar in Kenselas Hotel plays host to many beautiful young things. Renowned for its sleek style, it offers an extensive cocktail list, a sunken lounge and a VIP area.
383 Bourke Street
Tel: (02) 9331 3100.
Website: www.kinselas.com.au
East Village
This watering hole offers a sophisticated take on the classic Sydney pub. It offers four different sections - the Manhattan Roof Top bar and the Westside Lounge with fantastic city views, the more intimate Greenwich Bar, and the East Village Bar with its retro style.
234 Palmer Street East
Tel: (02) 9331 5457.
Website: www.eastvillage.com/au
ECQ
This place has stunning views of the Harbour Bridge - and equally as stunning prices.
69 Macquarie Street
Tel: (02) 9256 4000.
The Stonewall
The Stonewall is another good place to start a gay night out in Sydney - there are DJs, drag shows and friendly faces galore.
175 Oxford Street
Tel: (02) 9360 1963.
Website: www.stonewallhotel.com
Clubs
Home
Home has four different sections featuring funk, techno, two-step and disco.
Cockle Bay Wharf
Tel: (02)9266 0600.
Website: www.homesydney.com
Soho
Another notable venues is Soho featuring massive weekend headliners across two different floors.
171 Victoria Street
Tel: (02)9358 6511.
Website: www.sohobar.com.au
Arq
The gay dance scene revolves around Arq featuring resident DJ Alex Taylor, plus special events.
16 Flinders Street
Tel: (02) 9380 8700.
Website: www.arqsydney.com.au
Live Music
Annandale Hotel
The Annandale Hotel is one of the best centrally located venues for up-and-coming bands.
17 Parramatta Road
Website: www.annandalehotel.com.au
Sydney Entertainment Center
Leading Australian and international acts perform at the Sydney Entertainment Center.
Harbour Street
Tel: (02) 9320 4200.
Website: www.sydentcent.com.au
Basement
Jazz fans can find world-class performers at the Basement. 29 Reiby Place
Tel: (02)9251 2797.
Website: www.thebasement.com.au
