sydney cantonese

Queen Chow Manly Wharf

MANLY

Merivale’s waterside Cantonese joint, complete with live seafood tank, oyster bar and dim sum. The views across the water make for an ideal setting year-round.

Duck & Rice

SYDNEY

Its star dish is a roast duck that takes four days to prepare.

Golden Sands

HURSTVILLE

Exceptional dim sum with glistening, seafood-stuffed dumplings and saucy pork ribs. Completed by a homely RSL vibe, this is the yum cha king of the south-west.

The Taphouse

DARLINGHURST

It’s all about “taps, tunes and Chinese” at this legendary 130-year-old pub. Head in for 17 local beers matched with Shandong-style chicken and prawn wontons from a Hong Kong chef. Don't miss the breezy open-air terrace on top.

Work in Progress

SYDNEY

This Merivale bar reinterprets the feel of a New York City gallery opening.

Golden Century BBQ

HAYMARKET

For fans of the legendary, now-closed Golden Century restaurant, this Cantonese barbeque joint is a sight for sore eyes. But the sequel is not like the original – get some of its most famous dishes in a fast-casual format.

Eaton Chinese Restaurant

ASHFIELD

A lone, late-night Cantonese star among Ashfield’s strip of Shanghai dumpling dealers. Some say it goes head-to-head with Golden Century on quality and price.

Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant

HAYMARKET

In the old Golden Century site, this 400-seat Cantonese diner is ushering in a new era for Chinatown. The seafood tanks are full, the yum cha trolleys are back in action and late-night dining runs until 3am.

Pearl Dining

SYDNEY

The Lotus Group really stepped it up a notch with this lavish Cantonese diner. Come for refined dishes from Guangzhou and Hong Kong and a sweeping 30-seat balcony overlooking the harbour.

Kowloon Cafe Chatswood

CHATSWOOD

The north-shore eatery from the Hong Kong-inspired chain is geared towards takeaway – but it still offers all the hits including "pineapple" buns, and French toast with condensed milk, maple syrup and honey.

Taste of Canton

ZETLAND

This fluorescent-lit slither of a diner, which shares its corner site with a car wash, serves the silky cheung fun owner Lingqi Yang remembers fondly from her childhood in Guangdong, China. You’ll also find classic Cantonese street food like siu mai and black bean spare ribs.

Song Bird

DOUBLE BAY

Neil Perry pays tribute to Cantonese cuisine at this elegant, multi-level restaurant. Come with a group and tackle as many dishes from the menu as possible, from classic dim sum to live seafood from the tank.

Golden Century

SYDNEY

This Cantonese institution has served fresh seafood since 1989. Famous for its queues, lobster tank and mind-boggling wine list. The XO pippies here are lauded by world-beating chefs such as David Chang.