Finding somewhere quality to eat deep into the night can be a serious challenge, but with lockouts a thing of the past, Sydney is finding new life that stretches a little further into the night. More than knowing where to go for a dance or a few cocktails—there's nothing quite like a great late-night feast.
Here are the best spots in Sydney for late-night food and dining.
Big Poppa's
Darlinghurst
After a three-month hiatus, Big Poppa's is back. Since opening back in 2016, this iconic Sydney restaurant established itself as one of the best joints in the city for outstanding cocktails and a proper late-night feed. In fact, don't be surprised if you walk through a packed upstairs restaurant at 2am on a weeknight. There's no late-night menu here; you can order from the whole thing right up until 2.30am. That means hand-cut pasta, endless cheeses, cured meats, gelato, Italian vino, and hip-hop playlists into the wee hours of the morning every night of the week.
A refresh of the menu for July 2023 includes fan favourites like the pappardelle with lamb shoulder ragu, and new items like a cacio e pepe with pink peppercorn and a boujee set menu option for two or more featuring lobster pasta, whole roast duck, and Black Onyx ribeye with truffle butter. Stick around after 10pm on Sundays for Big Poppa's famous Late Night Dinner Party with hiphop DJs, and great vibes.
Late-night trading hours: 3am every day
Hey Chú
CBD
An ode to Vietnamese nightlife, Hey Chú is all about the late-night bites and good vibes, operating from within Hotel Downing with a 3am license on weekends. After 9pm a late-night menu kicks in, which involves tableside hibachi grills and a selection of cold smoked meats to pair with signature cocktails like the Karaoke with Hennessy VS, Crème De Gingembre, mint, ginger, green tea and peach tea jelly. Dressed up with Vietnamese street art and handmade lanterns, with local artists performing through the week and DJs on weekends, you'll feel as if you've left the city and landed on the streets of Hanoi.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Monday–Thursday, 3am Friday and Saturday
Zaffi
CBD
Taking the phrase “raise the roof” to new heights, Zaffi is a late-night alleyway venue bringing good vibes over two levels. OIn the ground-level restaurant, indulge in a modern Middle Eastern menu, with raw dishes, mezze including grilled halloumi in honey and thyme za’atar, slow-cooked and char-grilled short ribs in a pomegranate dressing, and show-stopping desserts like baklava soft serve. Downstairs in the basement bar, which kicks on until 4am on weekends, the modern bunker-like space literally had its roof raised to allow for dancing on tables—which really sums up the vibe.
Late-night trading hours: 4am Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes 3.30am), 12am Tuesday and Thursday
Nakano Darling
Haymarket
In the sprawling Darling Square foodie precinct, Nakano Darling is serving up the late-night food of Japan's izakayas in a warm, timber-clad setting plucked straight out of Shinjuku's back streets. Fried chicken, gyoza and specialty highballs are the go, making it a late-night haven of fried eats (and a nightcap or two). Karaage and gyoza come in multiple serving sizes, as well as classic drinking snacks like lotus root chips, octopus karaage, corn butter cheese and fried udon with pork slices.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Sunday–Wednesday, 2am Thursday–Saturday
Rekōdo
Barangaroo
Restaurant and vinyl bar Rekōdo offers a substantial menu of Japanese-influenced eats, including omakase options, and its late-night food offering doesn't compromise on the winning formula. Kicking in after 10pm, the late-night food menu offers a range of raw and smaller dishes perfect as bar snacks, including market sashimi, prawn gyozas, and pork belly baos to devour in between dancing to vinyl DJs and enjoying creative cocktails.
Late-night trading hours: 10pm Tuesday and Sunday, 12am Wednesday–Saturday
Caffe Roma
Potts Point
An Italian institution in a charming terrace house setting, Caffe Roma has been serving up the goods (antipasti, pizza, pasta, and more) till late for over 30 years. Swing by after dark for an Aperol spritz and plates of burrata and prosciutto, steaming gnocchi tartufo and dense tiramisu served in generous portions (exactly what need when it's approaching bedtime).
Late-night trading hours: Monday–Friday 2am, Saturday 2.30am, Sunday 12am
Honey
Haymarket
If you like your late-night fried chicken with a side of K-Pop and lashings of neon, pop Darling Square's Honey on your radar. Loud, vibey, and literally drenched in neon lights, Honey is inspired by the nightlife of Seoul and serves a menu of Korean pocha or late-night food. The highlight of the snack menu is the Korean fried chicken, served crispy and juicy and best enjoyed with Honey's house beer. Otherwise, there are also Korean Bulgogi pizzas, with bulgogi beef served on a fluffy pizza base and topped with mozzarella, kimchi, and other prime late-night ingredients.
Late-night trading hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12am
Kissuu
Darlinghurst
For Japanese snacks and share plates followed by a good old-fashioned boogie, add Kissuu on Oxford Street to your after-dark checklist. On level one, chef Adam Burke is serving a modern Japanese menu featuring tempura Balmain bug lettuce cups with umami mayo and caviar, stuffed chicken wings with prawn and wasabi kimchi, and kingfish sashimi with mandarin ponzu and charred plum.
Upstairs, Kissuu becomes a lush, Studio 54-inspired lounge with selectors and DJs spinning disco tunes, with Japanese bar snacks on offer until late. The drinks menu is punchy, with signature cocktails spotlighting Japanese flavours like yuzu and sake, Australian and European wine, and local and Japanese beer.
Late-night trading hours: late, Tuesday–Saturday
Jimmy's Falafel
CBD
Merivale's casual Middle Eastern joint is perfect for soaking up the booze on a night out. Conveniently located on George Street, Jimmy's Falafel serves up mighty fine falafel, as well as pita, mezze plates, charcoal-grilled meats and fish, and, for dessert, baklava. While you can get your feed to-go, we recommend hanging out in one of the leather booths and ordering a share-style feast or the $68 banquet. And you may as well get a spicy watermelon margarita while you're at it.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Monday–Wednesday, 2am Thursday–Saturday
The Barrie
Chippendale
Seamlessly taking over the old Freda's space in Chippendale, The Barrie opened earlier this year and is making the absolute most of its late-night license. The Regent Street bar is low-key, cosy, dimly lit, and all about good times. Alongside local craft brews and creatively concocted signature cocktails, you'll find live music most nights. Food-wise, there's plenty to be excited for with The Barrie doing its best to support neighbouring Chippo businesses. For instance, you can order burgers from nearby Sneaky Possum until 11.30pm every night. Or snacks and share-plates provided by LP's Quality Meats like charcuterie and cheese boards and a smoked mortadella cheese toastie on Friday and Saturday nights. The combo of late-night booze, cheese, and music is as good as it gets in our books.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Wednesday–Thursday, 3am Friday–Saturday
Old Mate's Place
CBD
Up a few flights of stairs and through an unmarked door, you'll find one of the city's best late-night haunts for food and drinks. Inside, the CBD's Old Mate's Place is a serious vibe, with leather-bound booths and candlelit bookcases. Further up is the killer date spot rooftop bar with leafy 360-degree views of the city. The Clarence Street legends offer their full menu until 1.30am every night to keep the good times rolling past your usual bedtime. We probably buried the lead by not mentioning that the kitchen specialises in cheesesteaks. From a classic Philly Cheesesteak to a spicy Portuguese chicken option or the "Devils Three Way" with pork, Tennessee spices, caramelised onions, roasted capsicum, provolone cheese, and smoked hickory sauce.
Late-night trading hours: 2am Tuesday–Sunday
Apollonia
CBD
Hiding away in the basement of Hinchcliff House is a definite must-do on any late-night adventure. The moody underground bar is inspired by Apollonia, the Sicilian wife to Michael Corleone in Mario Puzo's The Godfather. In fact, nearly every aspect pays homage to the romantic but tragic love story, from each menu chapter to the bar's decor. You'll even toast to Michael's love at first sight "thunderbolt" or "colpo di fulmine" late on Fridays with the whole bar and a Negroni. And if you want to pair your vino with a late-night bite, Apollonia has you covered as well .
Late-night trading hours: 1am Monday–Wednesday, 2am Thursday–Saturday
Indian Home Diner
Paddington
To call Indian Home Diner a late-night cult favourite would be an understatement. The Oxford Street eatery is the obvious choice if you're in or around Paddington and need a late-night Friday or Saturday feed. Look for the orange sign and a line out the door and go straight for the crowd-favourite Indian kebab with your choice of curry sauce, a chicken tikka, and aloo chop or onion bhaji, all beautifully wrapped up in a garlic naan.
Late-night trading hours: 11pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sun, 3am Friday and Saturday
Employees Only
CBD
When iconic New York City speakeasy bar Employees Only decided to open a Sydney outpost back in 2018, it's fair to say we were pretty jazzed. Making its way to Barrack Street, Employees Only brought with it plenty of the intimacy and sophistication of the OG West Village haunt. But it also brought a late-night dining attitude very familiar to NYC. On Friday and Saturday nights, mains like crackled pork belly or the 1.3kg tomahawk steak stop serving at midnight, but the rest of the menu carries on until 2.30am. So, walk in late on an empty stomach and enjoy salmon ceviche, baked bone marrow or sesame-crusted halloumi well into the night.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Tuesday–Thursday, 3am Friday–Saturday
Goros
Surry Hills
Goros, simply put, is an abundance of late-night fun. Head into the Surry Hills bar for sake, games, karaoke, DJs, yakitori, gyoza, burgers, craft beer, and a touch of neon. The Japanese-themed bar is certainly not short on good times. And if you're staying put and in need of a food-based recharge, you can still order from the late-night menu—with options like burgers or chicken karaage—served up until midnight.
Late-night trading hours: 1am Thursday–Saturday
Zigi's Wine Bar
Chippendale
Bringing a lot of Middle Eastern flavour and heart to Chippendale, Zigi's Wine Bar serves its full menu through to midnight, including an epic selection of cheeses from all around the world. Drop in late to dine on six-hour braised Moroccan Chicken, 42-hour sous-vide Jerusalem Lamb, or small plates of
housemade labneh, authentic Israeli hummus and more. Pups who like to stay up late are also welcome.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Wednesday–Sunday
Bar Suze
Surry Hills
Halfway up Foveaux Street sits Bar Suze, a casual restaurant that plates up a Swedish-Australian-inspired monthly rotating menu and gives off major European bistro vibes. The Surry Hills eatery fast established itself as a local favourite with Scandi flavours, an always-inviting atmosphere, and a thoughtful wine list. Best of all, the team wants to feed you as late as they possibly can—that means you can order from the full menu until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and on Wednesday and Thursday nights if they're busy (which they usually are).
Late-night trading hours: 12am Wednesday–Saturday
Palmer & Co
CBD
There's no shortage of underground, prohibition-themed cocktail bars in Sydney—and we're absolutely not complaining about that. Merivale's Palmer & Co is unapologetically decked out with 1920s NYC décor and vibes, with exposed brick face walls, cocktails celebrating the boozy era, and plenty of champagne on offer. Drop in late for a steak tartare, a prawn cocktail, or a grilled three-cheese toastie.
Late-night trading hours: late Tuesday, 2am Wednesday and Thursday, 3am Friday–Sunday
Old Town Hong Kong Cuisine
Haymarket
Spread over two levels in the heart of Chinatown's Dixon Street, Old Town Hong Kong Cuisine should be top of the list for any late-night Chinese food hankerings. Serving up authentic Hong Kong cuisine, the Haymarket eatery's pages-long menu doesn't muck around. Dumplings, bao, Hong Kong-style street food, noodles, fried rice, omelettes, and a must-share roast duck–walk in before 3am on a weekend night and be ready to eat.
Late-night trading hours: 1am Tuesday–Thursday and Sun, 3am Friday and Saturday
El Loco
Surry Hills
El Loco lines Foveaux and Bellevue Streets with colourful tables and chairs and with pretty happy folks. Inside it's much of the same, and why wouldn't people be happy with margarita slushies flowing and tacos piling out of the kitchen into the hands of hungry patrons? El Loco offers a substantial 'after dark' menu, with plenty of options like chicken wings, nachos and endless taco options right up until close.
Late-night trading hours: late Monday–Wednesday, 1am Thursday, 3am Friday and Saturday, 10pm Sunday
Pancakes On The Rocks
The Rocks
Breakfast food connoisseurs Pancakes On The Rocks is the true definition of late-night dining. Or anytime dining, we should say. Waltz into The Rocks outpost at literally any time of your night and order up a plate of fluffy pancakes covered in chocolate and peanut butter or bacon, eggs, and a hash brown. Enough said.
Late-night trading hours: 12am Monday–Thursday and Sun, 2am Friday and Saturday
Thirsty? Check out Sydney's best bars.
Image credit: Big Poppa's, Big Poppa's, Hey Chu, Zaffi, Nakano Darling, Caffe Roma, Honey, Kissuu, Jimmy's Falafel, The Barrie, Maclay Heriot, Employees Only, Goros, Mr Crackles, Palmer & Co, El Loco