If you’re looking for a bite to eat when you’re visiting one of Australia’s most prominent cities, quality restaurants in Sydney are never in short supply. From the hipster cafes of Bondi Beach to the Michelin starred restaurants in the CBD, you are all but guaranteed a gourmet delight in a city that proclaims itself as a foodie haven.
The trends in Sydney’s hottest restaurants are ever-fluctuating, but several names have remained in the spotlight as some of the city’s best dining establishments.
Aria Restaurant
With exceptional views of the Sydney Opera House, you cannot go wrong with this legendary fine dining establishment. With a quintessentially Australian menu, Chef Tom Gorringe utilizes the freshest local produce to create his seasonally driven menus which are perfectly paired with one of Australia’s best wine menus.
Yebisu Bar & Grill
In line with the worldwide craze over Japanese food, Yebisu Bar & Grill offers a trendy tapas-style menu of sumptuous Japanese delicacies, which is indicative of the Izakaya food style. Perfectly paired with the finest Sake and Japanese vodka (Shochu), you are guaranteed an incredibly authentic dining experience in Sydney’s Central Chinatown district.
The Stables Bistro
There’s no doubt that Australians love their horse racing and the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney is home to some of the finest gourmet dining establishments in the city. Alongside a delectable menu, your server might also be able to slip you the Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds so you can enjoy a bet or two while you dine.
Bambini Trust & Wine Room
Located in Sydney’s bustling CBD, the Bambini Trust Restaurant & Wine Room have won multiple awards for their delicious Italian fare, served in an elegant series of rooms located within the historic St James Building. Years of serving Sydney’s elite of the business world has made this establishment a key player in the local culinary scene.
Feast at Sheraton Grand
Being a harborside city means that Sydney has access to some of the country’s finest seafood offerings. Feast at the Sheraton Grand in Sydney offers a delectable seafood buffet with the freshest local seafood on offer so lovers can indulge in a great Australian culinary experience.
M.I.M. by 1821
With Australia’s ethnically diverse core make-up, it’s no wonder that the gourmet dining experience in Sydney can be so varied. M.I.M. by 1821 offers a mezzanine style setting with some of the city’s best Greek fare on offer. Perfect for larger groups to share and enjoy the traditional flavours, this is a staple in the culinary scene for the city and has been for many years.
The East
Located at the popular Circular Quay, The East offers the finest authentic Chinese recipes to hungry diners. With a lengthy menu to choose from, just one visit to The East will never be enough. The food is designed to tantalize your taste buds, and the atmosphere is ideal for keeping you coming back over and over again.
Cali Press
Surrounded by the light sea air, Cali Press offers a range of freshly pressed gourmet juices and a cooked-from-scratch menu on the shores of Bondi Beach. Known locally for its sustainable ethos and use of the freshest produce, Cali Press is the healthy and delicious choice for beachgoers all year round.
Of course, the list of Sydney’s incredible fine dining establishments could go on and on, but these top players have been real game-changers in the culinary scene for the city. As their menus continue to evolve with the seasons and the produce and ingredients become more and more locally sourced, these are the locations that will remain as institutions for years to come.
If you’ve tried all of these restaurants, try these cafes that claim to be the most Instagrammed cafes in Sydney.