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Chiswick Woollahra
Located 15 minutes from downtown Sydney and in a greenhouse, the beautiful farm-to-table Chiswick Woollahra serves seasonal fare like house made focaccia, wood-fired eggplant with chickpea miso and flank steak with heirloom carrots.
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Gelato Messina
With several locations throughout Sydney, Messina Gelato is revered for its 40 ice cream flavors (think pistachio praline and panna cotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit) and milkshakes. The Surry Hills location is a great stop when shopping in...
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Hugo’s
Right on Manly Wharf where the ferries arrive from Sydney, Hugo’s is a fabulous waterside spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Its owners are a pair of Aussie celebrity chefs, Pete Evans and Massimo Mele, and their pizzas are...
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Mr. Wong
The latest venture from the Hemmes family, whose empire includes hotspots like Est and The Ivy, this on-point modern Cantonese den pays homage to yum cha (dim sum). The 240-seater, two-level, French Colonial-inspired restaurant has group tables, private dining rooms...
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Papi Chulo
Propped up on Manly Wharf, Papi Chulo sits on the water’s edge and offers a tasteful but relaxed ambiance ideal for an easy lunch or dinner. With checkered tile floors, copper fixtures and wicker-style benches, the space feels at once...
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Public Dining Room
Set in an off-the-beaten-path location in the suburb of Mosman, Public Dining Room is an elegant local eatery with its own swimmable beach and pier with boat access. The dining space is bright, airy and flooded with natural light thanks...
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Sean’s Panorama
There are two legendary restaurants on Bondi Beach, Icebergs and Sean’s Panorama. Whichever one you choose to dine at, you will not be disappointed. In fact, you may just feel that you are eating with the coolest crowd around yet...
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Sefa
A welcome addition to the Bondi dining scene, this Middle Eastern restaurant breathes new life into traditional Levantine meze dishes like humus, haloumi cheese and roasted eggplant. Try fragrant, spice-laced dishes like pumpkin fatteh with chickpeas and sour yogurt or...
Sydney

Courtesy Ripples
Sydney’s dining scene has gone stellar in the past decade or so, embracing cuisines as far ranging as Greek, Chinese and Middle Eastern, although “Mod Oz” cooking—innovative takes using fresh local ingredients with a nod to classic French technique—still reigns. It’s possible to eat better in Sydney than just about any other city on earth; visitors are often astounded by the creativity of the chef’s and the quality and choice of produce available. But typical Aussie anti-pretension still reigns at the most expensive restaurants, so you will notice a very casual dress code, including diners in shorts and sandals. In another nod to Australia’s deeply egalitarian mindset, some of the most popular spots, such as Longrain refuse to take reservations. Note: While servers in Australia are paid far more generously than their American counterparts, tipping is common, especially at the pricier establishments (10 percent is customary). For an abbreviated list of restaurants, read Top Tables Sydney.
Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Beyond…
Consider combining your trip with one of these destinations.
- Photo by Grant SheehanRead More
Wellington & Wairarapa
North Island’s Wellington and the Wairarapa region are a great combination for travelers who appreciate a small-city vibe framed by bucolic farmlands, a burgeoning wine region and one spectacular lodge, located right on scenic Palliser Bay.
- Courtesy of Laucala Island ResortRead More
Fiji
One of the most unspoiled places on earth, Fiji is an island nation whose tranquil beauty casts a spell. With lavish retreats and stunning natural landscapes, the heartbeat of the country remains its soulful, community-focused culture.
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Queenstown
Queenstown, the self-dubbed adventure capital of New Zealand, has a slew of activities, but, above all, it is surrounded by some of the country’s most glorious countryside, so hikers, fishermen, and outdoorsmen and women will be happiest here. Three nights...