Directory

The dumpling mega-chain is popping up all over Sydney, with a massive restaurant in Chatswood. Din Tai Fung is known for their super fresh dumplings and speedy service, making it a great place to go in your lunch break or for a quick pit stop between shopping marathons.

Elbow Room Espresso brings the hipster coffee scene to the suburbs, serving up cold drip, aero press, and chemex along with the standard mochas and lattes. The friendly staff are committed to great coffee and good food, offering a range of inventive breakfast and lunch dishes as well as a range of pressed juices and alternative tea blends.

The fantastic Mexican produced by the team at El Loco just couldn’t be contained to Surry Hills, and so El Loco at Slip Inn was born, taking over a massive outdoor space with multiple bars, plenty of tables and great music. It’s the perfect place to go with a group for tacos and margaritas, and they always have different specials on to keep your wallet as happy as you!

Pla Rojratanavichai has some serious kitchen credentials, spending time at Ms. G’s, Mr. Wong and Spice I Am before opening up his own Thai venture in Chatswood. The snug space is constantly busy with people getting their fix of stir fried pork belly, chargrilled baby octopus and heavenly sweet and sour pork ribs that have earnt themselves a cult following. Add some 90’s hip-hop playing in the background and you’ve got a fun restaurant serving standout Thai food.

Online butchers, the Meat Society, source their meat from the same suppliers as Sydney's top restaurants and deliver the fresh, quality cuts right to your doorstep, helping lazy people be healthy is just what they do. Join the society and view the ever-changing variety of cuts available online for supermarket prices and hatted-restaurant quality. Score.

This American style restaurant in Sydney serves lobster rolls so legit that you might think you’re on a boat in Maine. Located in Potts Point, the focus at Waterman’s Lobster Co is on fresh produce used simply to create delicious food. There are a range of American inspired cocktails and beers, as well as local beers and wine to wash down all the seafood deliciousness.

Conveniently located on the south side of Town Hall Station in the CBD, Two Black Sheep pride themselves on good coffee and friendly service. If you can get down to this Sydney café personally, they do catering and online orders, so you can get your coffee and food fix without even leaving your desk. However, if you do visit, you’ll be sweetly rewarded with a little cookie when you order a coffee (yay!).

Located in the heart of the CBD, Bambini Trust Restaurant & Café is the perfect spot to enjoy an indulgent breakfast or lunch. The space itself gloriously decadent with dark and moody interiors, however for those wanting a bit more sunlight, there is also outdoor seating available.

Luke Mangan’s glass brasserie sits proudly within the Hilton Hotel in the CBD. The expansive dining room is perfect for an indulgent long lunch or a special dinner, and the bar is a great spot to enjoy a few of their 440 strong wine list (although we don’t suggest trying to get through all of them in one sitting).

Charlie & Franks is a Sydney CBD café that is serving up top notch brekkies and coffees to city workers. If you’re after a good coffee (which can be hard to find in the city), you’ve come to the right place. Using Pablo & Rusty’s house blend, you can be assured that your cuppa Joe is going to perk you up properly (and deliciously).

Unlike its name suggests, Smalltown is biggest café in the beach side suburb of Avalon, this coffee hub is a favourite among locals for their always-on-point Single Origins coffee, trendy interiors and friendly vibes. The biggest selling point is their creative seasonal inspired menu, which offers all the Sydney favourites (yes, a delicious version of avocado on toast is on there) and some exciting others too. If you’re there for breakfast, the house muesli with sous vide rosewater pears, honey ­yoghurt, toasted macadamias, coconut shreds and fruit goes down a treat.

Once known mainly for its iconic beach and vacation vibes, Manly now boasts some of the best cafes in the North Shore of Sydney, and Moustache Café is definitely one of them. Convenient beach proximity and quirky interiors aside, this buzzing casual eatery boasts an incredibly dynamic menu.

Situated at St Peter's in the suburb of Lane Cove North, this modern café is child-friendly, yet makes the kind of food that satisfies every age group. For an ideal start to your day, place yourself in the outdoor alfresco area and soak up the gorgeous lighting and atmosphere while sipping a warm latte brewed by none other than Toby’s Estate.

When we're craving a fat feed, The Stuffed Beaver is one of our go-to bars in Bondi for a tail-thumping good time. It's all about beers, burgers and bloody good poutine. 

Johnny Lobster is the coolest seafood joint on the North Shore. Whether you are into crab, fish, lobster or even fried chicken, they’ve got you covered. As well as being home to some of the crunchiest, glass-like chips in Sydney, there is a fantastic hip-hop playlist and a decent drinks list which features a large and impressive range of gin. We're sold!

Rell’s Kitchen is a family friendly local café in Randwick, focused on making delicious food made with lots of love and the best produce they can get their hands on. There is a whole kids corner filled with toys and games to get them out of your hair while you dig into something more grown up than runny eggs and soldiers, like a chorizo and haloumi burger, then reward them with one of the prettiest babycinos you've ever seen. 

Get away from Pitt Street Mall crowds by ducking into this beautiful Sydney boutique. Perfectly fitting into the artisanal, Victorian-style Strand Arcade, everything on the Megan Park rack is designed and tailored in-house. Home to some of Sydney’s best unique fashion, why not find some peace and quiet in this gorgeous boutique? 

This Castle Hill café takes comfort food to a whole new level. Serving up food that combines the best of South American and Middle Eastern cuisine, it’s the hotspot that will nourish your soul and your tastebuds. If that’s not enough, the coffee is one of the best in Sydney's norwest.

If you want a taste of genuine Mexican food, with the heart, soul and spice that comes with it, then Azteca’s Mexican in Randwick is the restaurant for you. It’s the only place where you’ll find delicious, traditional food served alongside great, cultural Mexican music.

This Australian based cold pressed juice and cleanse company is all about making raw, fresh, unpasteurised juice accessible to everyone. With simplicity as their guideline, Lucky You Cleanse uses the best raw fruit and vegetables juiced using the best equipment available.

An Enmore favourite since 2004, The Sultan’s Table makes traditional Turkish food that has been around for hundreds of years. The team is dedicated to serving food of the highest quality with the best customer service to see you leave with a smile.

Perfect for any visiting Brits or recently returned backpackers, The Traditional Chip Shop is serving Sydneysiders authentic Irish and British fish and chips with all the trimmings you would expect to see at the local chipper over in the mother country.

Hannibal is a family owned business that has been passed down through the generations since their first opening in 1972. Each generation inherits the secret family recipes, providing a truly authentic Middle Eastern dining experience.

No longer shall we have to travel to Newtown to get a taste of one of Sydney's best burgers, for Mary's is officially a resident of our CBD. It's a little bit of a different set up, but it's every bit as life-changing.

Crown Street Fish Shop is a classic chippie with a Surry Hills twist. There is a well stocked bar in the clean and casual seating area, where you can get a crisp, cold bottle of white to wash down your seafood. The fish is super fresh and can be grilled or fried in their light and crunchy batter.

Just around the corner from its popular parent in Marrackville, Pho PHD Vietnamese restaurant specialises in traditional pho beef noodle soup. In its new modern setting, they also serve other fresh and flavourful Vietnamese dishes such as prawn rice paper rolls and crispy skinned chicken with tomato rice.

Inside a vintage warehouse on Botany Road, Alexandria is D C Eno Hair Studio. This retro barbershop has a funky garage feel, and sits among vintage knick knacks and antiques, so you can have a browse after you get your mane tamed. You can find yourself having really down to earth conversations with the friendly and professional staff dedicated to giving you the luscious locks you deserve.

Transform your house into a home with a mixture of fun and original retro furniture, vintage collectables and modern home décor from Collectika in Enmore.

Skimpy speedos are not an uncommon sight at Bondi, but if you’re looking for something more pleasing to the eye, Speedo’s Café is here to the rescue. Whether you have niggly dietary requirements, live the clean eats lifestyle or are looking for a full-blown foodie feast, this local institution has got all bases covered.

Boasting a mighty impressive view of Sydney’s Circular Quay area, the MCA Cafe’s simple approach to Australian cafe fare hits the mark for a post-gallery nibble.

Simon Johnson has long been the namesake of delicious, gourmet food products, homewares and gifts. Simon Johnson is celebrating 25 years of selling exceptional ingredients, with their newest store within Northbridge Plaza just opened. Boasting a complete redesign, an extensive cheese counter, a collection fresh produce seasonally driven and locally sourced foods as well, means that this newest locations makes for one of the best quality shopping experiences in Sydney.

Beloved interior design aficionados Kartell from Space Furniture have recently opened their very first flagship store in Chatswood Chase. Created in 1949, Kartell's Italian designers have been a leading manufacturer of furniture classics around the world, with an emphasis on plastic materials. With memorable and unique items that have graced the pages of many an interior magazine, it’s a welcome addition to growing interiors precinct of the shopping complex. 

The Balmain Hotel is celebrating their second birthday with a rebooted menu thanks to new head chef, Mark Ferraro. A neighbourhood favourite, much loved for its quirky tiki-inspired interiors and now for its delicious new food options, it's the perfect pub in Sydney to enjoy a bevvy and a meal.

An elegant dining space within a grand Rococo style building, Embers Mezze Bar is located in the heart of Darlinghurst and serves up tasty and contemporary Lebanese cuisine, together with an exotic middle-eastern influence. Bringing to life a truly unique and traditional shared dining experience, Embers is inspired by the authentic flavour combinations of middle-eastern culture and emphasises the rich textures of mezze.  

Aboutlife in Double Bay is a haven for all things organic and nourishing in Sydney. Inside this health mecca, you'll find a supermarket full of everything you'll need to get your pantry and diet looking clean as a whistle, as well as a full sized cafe, herbal dispensary, and catering service.

This Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney’s Surry Hills is doing some great things with this popular cuisine. From a range of rice paper rolls to bowls of comforting pho, this is the kind of food Mum would make (if your mother were Vietnamese). Not to be missed are the banh mi, which are only available for breakfast and lunch and will certainly get you through the day. With Vietnamese conical hats lining the ceiling, and a cute and cosy interior, this is one Sydney Vietnamese restaurant you’ll want to add to your hit list.

91 Oxford Kitchen & Bar offers a new vibe to Darlinghurst’s party scene. The menu is globally inspired and offers a fresh take on modern faves – think share plates and burgers with sophistication and flair!

For some of the best Middle Eastern food in Sydney, venture to Baraka. Choose from a set menu for lunch or dinner, or be creative with the range of delicious al a carte options. With a focus on grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood and ancient grains, this Pyrmont restaurant will inspire your taste buds and your green-thumb.

A love of food inspired the opening of this little gem in Wetherill Park, and it sure does live up to expectations. Pick up a Nutella cronut with your morning Will & Co. coffee if you arrive early, or come for a range of healthy lunch options that will keep those 3pm cravings away.

Whether you’re after a takeaway Italian coffee and Panini or a filling sit down meal of gnocchi with funghi misti and truffle, Bertoni Ristorante and Bar will take you on the best modern Italian dining experience, from the convenient location of Sydney.

This Surry Hills Italian restaurant has been a favourite among the locals for more than a decade and it just keeps getting better. Serving up the finest quality Italian dishes is what they do best, so order the signature pappardelle with duck ragu for a meal that’s sure to satisfy even the worst of pasta cravings. If that’s not your style, then have a go at the mix and match homemade pasta – there’s an array of options from gnocchi to penne and all the classic Italian sauces. Hint: finish off the evening with a cheeky tiramisu to make your evening a stand out.

If you’re in the mood for some Taiwanese food but are lacking in the funds to take a spontaneous trip to Taiwan (wouldn’t that be nice!), then Shihlin has the answer. Its menu features the best of Taiwan’s street food; think crispy chicken, seafood tempura and egg crepes. It’s even conveniently located in multiple spots across Sydney, so wherever you are when the craving hits, Shihlin has you covered.

Finally, a buffet in Sydney that doesn't serve questionable slop! Sitting on Erskine Street in the CBD, Per Kilo serves authentic South food, and you you can grab as much or as little as you like and have your bill calculated by weight.

Nestle yourself among gorgeous fig trees in the heart of Sydney and enjoy your yum cha with a side of tranquillity at Bodhi. Their menu is completely vegan and made of only the finest locally grown organic produce to make your experience good for the body and the mind. Even the most carnivorous of you Sydneysiders will enjoy this vegetarian restaurant in Sydney.

If you love Japanese food as much as we do, then eating at this Redfern restaurant is a must. The menu features all the best Japanese classics including ramen, karaage chicken and gyoza, so your experience will never be less than delicious. 

Italian Bar is all about great atmosphere and good music where the best food and drink are served all day long. The lively addition to the Paddington scene is run by the Franchi brothers, who always greet you with an energetic smile, whether you come for a coffee and panini or an aperitivo.

The Lord Gladstone is one of Chippendale’s prized pubs. With a new makeover, it’s back and ready to serve hungry students and workers. This bustling joint serves lunch and dinner everyday, and is open until 3am Thursday and Saturday for those late-night food cravings. Their relaxed environment and menu of up-scale pub food will have you forgetting any work/study/life stress.

Talk about classy! Barrel Bar & Dining in Cremorne brings a sophisticated touch to Sydney’s bar and dining scene on the lower North Shore. Headed up by the guys behind Public Dining Room in Balmoral, this new Sydney restaurant is breaking the mould and offering BYO Sunday through Thursday, and a stellar wine list on Friday and Saturday. They can even reccommend dishes to go with your wine, no matter if it's a $20 number or a bottle you've been saving for a special occasion. 

This cool Woolloomooloo hangout is all about simple and sustainable food and drinks, so that you get the best and most delicious experience possible. The folks behind Old Growler are mates with the brew kings of Young Henrys, so they take care of the beer, and very well.

It’s hard to miss the long lines that quickly form around the doors of Home Thai on Sussex Street, Sydney. If you’re amongst the unlucky masses that are part of the line, you can still enjoy watching the chefs prepare and steam the fresh dumplings, or plate together a bowl of steaming hot soup from the open kitchen.

If you can’t stray away from the ritual lunchtime sandwich, then Little Vienna in Martin Place is sure to please. Despite its name, Little Vienna ironically offers large inexpensive sandwiches overfilled with fresh ingredients in between toasted or soft bread.

While we appreciate the severity of labelling something as some of Sydney’s best pizza, a list we take very seriously, we can guarantee that Lucio Pizzeria in Darlinghurst definitely deserves a spot. Serving up traditional Napoli-style pizza, these guys will sort out any craving you have. Invite some friends, crack open a bottle of wine and make it a pizza party!

Italian food in Sydney is not hard to get, but fresh pasta made daily by singing Italian chefs, is definitely a unique find. Chefs at Baccomatto Osteria in Surry Hills literally take matters into their own hands.

Enjoy the finer things in life at the Deli Wine Bar in Surry Hills. A simple yet well-designed menu offering oysters, cheeses, charcuterie meats and artisanal bread, are the perfect accompaniment to your choice of drinks from the extensive wine bar.

Perfect for the social butterfly, tuck into some tasty tapas and delicious drinks at The Local Bar in Neutral Bay. Boasting an impressive team of owners, George and Erica Gregan, Sam Neill, David Wenham, Andrew Mehrtens, Phil Waugh and Michael Campbell have created a perfect spot to crack open a bottle (or two) with friends and family.

It is really music to our ears when we hear the words: All You Can Eat Buffet. And it’s a challenge that we’re always more than willing to accept. So, prepare to loosen your belt and wear extra stretchy pants because Se Jong Korean BBQ Buffet is a real feast. Come hungry and with the intention of eating everything, because it’s really the only way to enjoy a buffet. Order one of your favourites, or just devour all of the fresh meats available (no judgement), and you can just keep going back for more, and more, and more (yeah, you get it). 

It appears the explanation for every perfect physical form is a firm and resounding 'Pilates'. After huge success in their Surry Hills studio, KX Pilates has set up shop in Bondi Junction, offering beginner and intermediate classes that will whip you into shape and give you buns of steel in no time. 

Why fly to New Zealand when you can eat your way across the country from the comfort of Sydney? Thank goodness this gem of a restaurant has landed in Newtown – to satisfy our tastebuds and our wallet.

This Mediterranean-style bar and restaurant in Sydney has quickly become a Cammeray favourite, giving a breath of life and fun to the up-and-coming north side. The interiors have a slick, almost Scandinavian vibe while the menu reflects both coastal European snacks in the form of taramasalata or chargrilled octopus, and classic Australian pub grub like towering burgers and the crunchiest of schnitties.

Searching for a great wine bar in Sydney's CBD can be difficult at the best of times, but Small Bar on Erskine Street knows exactly what you want, and isn't aftaid to give it to you. Think delicious cocktails, moreish tapas plates and enough wine and beer to get you through the week, all week.