New South Wales is Australia's oldest and most populous state, home to Sydney, iconic beaches, ancient national parks, and diverse landscapes. From the Blue Mountains to the Hunter Valley wine country, the state offers an extraordinary range of experiences for every type of traveler.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Quay
Chef Peter Gilmore's flagship restaurant is consistently ranked among Australia's finest, with panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The degustation menu features exceptional produce-driven Australian cuisine with extraordinary technical skill. The signature Snow Egg dessert is iconic.
Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks NSW 2000
Tetsuya's
Chef Tetsuya Wakuda's legendary restaurant has been a pillar of Sydney fine dining since 1989. The 10-course degustation menu blends Japanese philosophy with French technique, presented in an intimate garden setting. One of Australia's most awarded and internationally recognised restaurants.
529 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Aria Sydney
Aria occupies a prime position on the waterfront at Circular Quay with sweeping views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. Chef Matt Moran's modern Australian cuisine showcases the finest seasonal produce. A two-hat restaurant that strikes an elegant balance between fine dining and approachability.
1 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Bennelong
Located inside the Sydney Opera House under Peter Jorgensen's iconic shell, Bennelong is one of the world's most spectacular restaurant settings. Chef Peter Gilmore leads a Modern Australian menu using the finest Australian produce. The bar menu offers more casual access to the extraordinary space.
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
Sepia
Chef Martin Benn's Sepia is an intimate fine dining experience that seamlessly merges Australian produce with Japanese and European techniques. The progressive tasting menu changes seasonally and features creative, beautifully composed dishes. Consistently rated among Sydney's best.
201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Eleven Bridge
Housed in a beautiful heritage sandstone building in the CBD, Eleven Bridge offers refined Modern Australian cuisine with an outstanding 2000-bottle wine list. The elegantly dressed dining room with high ceilings creates a special atmosphere for business dinners and celebrations.
Level 1, 11 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
The Grounds of Alexandria
Sydney's most beloved cafe complex occupies a beautifully converted industrial site in Alexandria and features multiple dining spaces, a florist, bakery, an urban farm with resident animals, and an incredible garden. Weekend brunch here is a quintessential Sydney experience with spectacular seasonal menus.
Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria NSW 2015
Bills Sydney
Bill Granger's iconic cafe is credited with creating the Sydney brunch culture and popularising smashed avocado toast to the world. The bright, open dining room in Darlinghurst serves beautiful Australian cafe food from breakfast through to lunch. Simple food done brilliantly in a relaxed setting.
433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Seafood
Flying Fish Restaurant
Sydney's premier seafood restaurant sits on a historic wharf at Darling Harbour with wonderful water views. The menu celebrates Australian seafood with dishes like Moreton Bay bugs, oysters from around the country and the freshest fish. The wharf location and nautical atmosphere make it uniquely Sydney.
Jones Bay Wharf, 19-21 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Fish at The Rocks
A relaxed seafood restaurant in The Rocks serving excellent Australian fish and chips, grilled seafood and waterfront views. More casual than Flying Fish but with very fresh, well-prepared seafood. The outdoor terrace is popular on sunny days.
29 Kent Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
Cirrus Dining
Chef Brent Savage's refined seafood restaurant occupies a stunning waterfront shed at Jones Bay Wharf. The menu exclusively focuses on NSW and Australian seafood with extraordinary attention to detail. Outstanding natural wine list and spectacular water views from the outdoor terrace.
Shed 10, 23 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009
The Boathouse Palm Beach
A stunning waterfront restaurant at the end of Sydney's northern beaches peninsula overlooking the Pittwater. Fresh seafood, excellent coffee and weekend brunches in one of Sydney's most spectacular locations. The drive up the northern beaches to reach it is itself a journey worth taking.
Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach NSW 2108
European
Porcine Surry Hills
A modern wine bar and restaurant inspired by European charcuterie traditions with an impressive selection of natural and minimal-intervention wines. The food celebrates pork and offal with skill and creativity, alongside excellent vegetable dishes. One of the most exciting restaurants to open in Sydney in recent years.
252 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Continental Deli Bar Bistro
A European-style deli, wine bar and bistro in Newtown beloved for its house-cured meats, tinned seafood, outstanding cheese selection and remarkable wine list including hard-to-find European bottles. Canned cocktails are a fun house signature. The space is intimate and always buzzing.
210 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Italian
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Perched above the famous Bondi Icebergs pool with sweeping views along Bondi Beach, this is one of Sydney's most coveted dining spots. The Italian-influenced menu uses exceptional produce and pairs perfectly with the dramatic ocean setting. The bar is more casual and perfect for sunset cocktails.
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Totti's Bondi
The most sought-after table in Bondi, Totti's serves outstanding Italian food in a beautiful, buzzing space. The woodfired bread with cultured butter is perhaps the best in Sydney, and the pasta is exceptional. The all-Italian wine list and naturally leavened pizza make it essential.
283 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026
Modern Australian
Cafe Sydney
A long-standing Sydney institution perched on the roof of Customs House with sweeping views across Circular Quay to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The menu is Modern Australian with excellent seafood and a comprehensive wine list. The outdoor terrace is one of Sydney's finest spots for a long lunch.
Level 5, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay NSW 2000
Nikki's in the Rocks
A welcoming all-day cafe and restaurant in the historic Rocks precinct serving excellent breakfast, brunch and modern Australian lunch and dinner menus. Good coffee, fresh juices and a solid wine list make it a versatile neighbourhood restaurant in a beautiful heritage setting.
66 Harrington Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
Specialty Coffee And Cafe
Single O Surry Hills
One of Sydney's founding specialty coffee roasters and cafes, Single O has been leading Sydney's coffee culture since 2003. The bright, industrial space in Surry Hills roasts all coffee on-site and serves outstanding espresso-based drinks and filter coffees. The food menu is tight but excellent.
60-64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
The Paramount Coffee Project
Set within the historic Paramount Pictures building in Surry Hills, this sprawling cafe is a Sydney institution. Multiple coffee bars serve different brewing methods and the food menu is creative and beautifully executed. The industrial-chic space with courtyard is always buzzing.
80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Artisan Market
Eveleigh Farmers Market
A curated artisan market held on select weekends at Carriageworks featuring specialty food producers, fermenters, cheesemakers, smoked meat purveyors and craft beverage makers from across NSW. A more boutique alternative to the regular Carriageworks Farmers Market.
Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Australian Bbq And Charcuterie
LP's Quality Meats
Sydney's best charcuterie and barbecue destination in Chippendale serves house-cured meats, smoked and grilled proteins, and exceptional craft beer. The casual, counter-service format with communal tables suits the meat-focused menu. All meat is sourced ethically from small NSW and Victorian producers.
16 Henderson Road, Chippendale NSW 2008
Australian Farmers Market
Carriageworks Farmers Market
Held every Saturday morning in the spectacular heritage train workshops of Carriageworks, this is Sydney's finest farmers market with 70+ producers selling fresh produce, artisan foods, prepared meals and specialty drinks. The market has a strict provenance policy ensuring everything is locally grown or made in NSW.
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Brasserie
Gowings Bar & Grill
The theatrical brasserie at QT Sydney serves Modern Australian food in a spectacular heritage setting with bold decor. The dry-aged beef, fresh pasta and excellent Sydney rock oysters are highlights. The space combines Art Deco grandeur with contemporary theatrical flair.
QT Sydney, 49 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Farm
The Farm Byron Bay
A working 80-acre farm on the Byron Bay hinterland with three restaurants, a bottle shop and farmgate store. Three Blue Ducks at The Farm is the flagship restaurant serving beautifully prepared food from the farm and surrounding area. Visitors can meet the animals, pick produce and buy direct from the farm.
11 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481
French
Bar Copains
A Parisian-style wine bar in Darlinghurst serving excellent charcuterie, fromage, steak tartare and rotating natural wines in an intimate neighbourhood setting. One of Sydney's most authentically French experiences with an exceptional selection of Burgundy and Loire Valley wines.
228 Crown Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Hunter Valley Regional
Brokenwood Wines Restaurant
The restaurant at one of the Hunter Valley's most iconic wineries offers beautiful food matched to Brokenwood's acclaimed Semillon and Shiraz. The outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyard is spectacular, especially in autumn.
401-427 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Japanese
Sashimi at Tokio Hotel
An excellent Japanese restaurant in North Sydney serving high-quality sashimi, sushi and cooked Japanese dishes at very reasonable prices. A favourite of local office workers and Japanese expats who appreciate the authentic preparation and fresh fish.
11 Ridge Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
Latin
Reuben Hills
One of Sydney's most popular breakfast cafes with a Latin-influenced menu and excellent specialty coffee. The chilaquiles, cemita sandwiches and churros are outstanding. The space is always buzzing and the coffee program celebrates Central and South American origins.
61 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Live
Firedoor
Chef Lennox Hastie's extraordinary restaurant cooks every dish exclusively over wood fire - no gas, no electric. The constantly changing menu celebrates Australian ingredients transformed by fire into something elemental and deeply satisfying. One of Australia's most interesting and talked-about restaurants.
23-33 Mary Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Market And Street Food
Paddy's Markets Haymarket
Sydney's oldest and largest market, Paddy's has operated since 1834 and hosts 800+ stalls across two levels of the Market City shopping centre. Fresh produce, seafood, Asian groceries, clothing, electronics and souvenirs. The surrounding Chinatown food courts offer excellent and cheap Asian street food.
9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
Market Food Stalls
The Rocks Markets
Sydney's most visited outdoor market runs along George Street in The Rocks every weekend with over 200 stalls selling handmade gifts, Australian souvenirs, artisan food, and street food. The market's historic setting beneath the Harbour Bridge approaches makes it particularly atmospheric.
George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
Mediterranean
Mimi's Coogee
An upscale Mediterranean restaurant inside the spectacular Coogee Pavilion venue with rooftop ocean views and an excellent seafood-led menu. The location at Coogee Beach makes it perfect before or after the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
Coogee Pavilion, 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee NSW 2034
Middle Eastern
Kazbah on Darling
A beloved Middle Eastern restaurant in the inner-west suburb of Balmain serving spectacular mezze, tagines and shared plates in a richly decorated space. The brunch menu is one of Sydney's most creative with dishes like baked eggs with merguez and pomegranate. A neighbourhood gem.
379 Darling Street, Balmain NSW 2041
Modern Australian Cafe
Grounds of the City
The Grounds' CBD outpost brings the famous Alexandria magic to the centre of Sydney with spectacular botanical decor, exceptional coffee and a beautiful menu celebrating Australian produce. Housed in the George Hotel building with high ceilings and lush indoor planting.
500 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Modern Australian Wine Bar
The Winery Surry Hills
A neighbourhood institution in Sydney's most popular dining precinct, The Winery is a relaxed wine bar with outstanding Australian wine list and excellent small plates. The sprawling space with courtyard and various seating areas is perpetually buzzy. Perfect for after-work drinks and sharing plates.
285a Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Regional Australian
Hunter Valley Harvest Kitchen
A celebrated farm-to-table restaurant in the Hunter Valley using produce grown on the surrounding property and sourced from local farms. The menu changes weekly to reflect what's growing in the kitchen garden. The wine list focuses exclusively on Hunter Valley producers.
2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Specialty Coffee
Artificer Coffee
A tiny, perfectionist specialty coffee bar in Surry Hills that is frequently cited as making Sydney's best espresso. The focus is entirely on the coffee craft with a rotating selection of single-origin beans. Minimal food but exceptional coffee in a beautifully designed small space.
547 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Specialty Coffee Cafe
Edition Coffee Roasters Newtown
Newtown's specialty coffee destination serving some of Sydney's finest espresso in a relaxed, neighbourhood setting. The cafe sources exceptional beans from around the world and roasts them with precision. A favourite of Sydney coffee enthusiasts who make the pilgrimage from across the city.
382 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Steakhouse
Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney
Neil Perry's flagship restaurant occupies the grand Art Deco banking chamber of the former Sydney Stock Exchange. The menu celebrates premium Australian beef with dry-aged whole animals butchered in-house. The wine list is exceptional with some of Australia's finest bottles. A CBD institution.
66 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Sustainable Australian Cafe
Cornersmith Marrickville
A pioneer of Sydney's sustainable dining movement, Cornersmith uses vegetables from its own garden, house-made ferments, pickles and preserves, and ethically sourced local produce. The menu changes daily based on what's seasonal and excellent coffee. A cafe with genuine ethics and outstanding food.
314 Illawarra Road, Marrickville NSW 2204
Thai
Longrain Sydney
A Surry Hills institution serving vibrant Modern Thai cuisine in a beautiful former industrial space. Long communal tables and a lively atmosphere make Longrain perfect for groups. The cocktail bar is excellent and the sharing menu of bold, aromatic Thai dishes is consistently outstanding.
85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Food tours & tastings in New South Wales
Eat your way through New South Wales with a guide.
Browse food experiences in New South WalesWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |