Restaurants in Sydney

Tetsuya’s

Tetsuya Wakuda’s name is synonymous with exceptional dining in Australia. Located in a heritage listed building in the heart of the city, and furbished with Japanese-inspired furnishings, Tetsuya’s focuses its Japanese cuisine on natural seasonal flavours, finished with French technique. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the bar before dining before an exquisite Japanese garden.

Aria

The exquisite view of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge is matched only by the exquisiteness of the fare at this jewel in Sydney's fine-dining crown, Aria. This intimate restaurant dishes up an innovative and contemporary menu that has Australian and international critics raving. Fresh seasonal produce, unusual dishes and a sensational wine list, matched to the chef’s menu, make this restaurant the talk of the city.

Marque

If food is the way to your other half’s heart, then the pricey (but undeniably worth it) degustation menu at the French-focused, three-hat Marque restaurant should definitely ensure a happy ever after. The unassuming exterior belies a foodie heaven where a seemingly endless stream of mouth-watering course after mouth-watering course is served. And, best of all, dishes tend to come in lots of one-fork bites - perfect for feeding each other.

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, as is Mrs Jang’s home-style fried eggs, but you won't go wrong whatever you choose from the menu.

Acme

With plates made to share, Acme offers dishes bursting with creativity and flavour. Located in a harbourside inner-Sydney suburb, a neon sign that hangs from the restaurant’s vibrant blue exterior welcomes guests in. On the inside, exposed plaster, barstool seats and black leather décor creates an urban feel. One of the most popular items on the menu is the baloney sandwich, but diners can also go for more exotic choices like macaroni with pig’s head and egg yolk.

Tokonoma

From the same team that brought wildly popular Toko Restaurant & Bar to Sydney (don’t get confused!), Tokonoma offers a modern Japanese menu. Here, night after night, the plush dining venue is filled with casual, but too-cool-for-school Surry Hill types. Delicious Japanese food and an astonishingly comprehensive range of cocktails and sake is the order of the day here. Canapé menus are available and the eight-course degustation menu comes highly recommended. Don’t forget to check out the light feature made from 500,000 resin-coated lentils. Yes, really.

Bondi Icebergs Club Bistro

Positioned on the southern end of Bondi Beach is this bustling, bright and airy club that's a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The laid-back atmosphere, tasty food and spectacular, uninterrupted view over Bondi Beach makes for a very enjoyable day or night out. Pair modern Australian fare – a seafood platter perhaps - with a local brew or glass of vino all at reasonable prices.

Mamak

Expect to join the queue at this modern Malaysian Chinatown institution, particularly on weekends and at dinnertime. Yes, the food is that good. It’s also seriously great value for money. Chefs expertly twirl and cook roti in an open kitchen to the masses of salivating customers assembled in the tightly packed restaurant. The roti canai flatbread served with two curry dips and a spicy sambal sauce is a must-try, particularly with its $5 price tag.

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.