sydney european

Dainava Lithuanian Club

BANKSTOWN

There’s only one place to eat Lithuanian food in Sydney, Bankstown’s Lithuanian Club.

Stuyvesant's House

CROWS NEST

This German restaurant, which opened in 1961, has a 4000-bottle cellar-slash-dining area you have to see to believe. There’s seven sorts of schnitzel and a killer pork knuckle too, plus a smattering of Dutch-Indonesian dishes. And with 48 hours notice, chef Max Dietz will oblige any special request for an off-menu German dish.

Wellington Cake Shop

BONDI

Hungarian treats have been front and centre at this bagelry and pretzel-maker ever since it opened in 1979. Here you'll find exquisitely layered chocolate cakes and strudels, plus bagels good enough to stand up to any of Sydney’s flashy new-school bagelries.

Balkan Butler

SURRY HILLS

Macedonian food, including burek made by a master.

Kyiv Social

CHIPPENDALE

This casual diner by social enterprise Plate if Forward is providing hospitality training and support to Ukrainian refugees who’ve found a home in Sydney. Chicken Kyiv and handmade dumplings are highlights on the home-style Ukrainian menu.

The Wedge Glebe

GLEBE

One of the suburb’s enduring venues for good reason, this local gem puts European spins on classic brunch dishes. The dinner menu, combined with the cosy digs, make it a solid date-night contender.

Kittyhawk

SYDNEY

The liberation of Paris is the theme behind this polished cocktail bar from the team behind The Lobo. Settle into sophisticated surrounds for rum and rye Old Fashioneds and French-influenced dishes with modern Australian flair.

Son of a Baker

SANS SOUCI

It’s serving creamy burek, and grilled scallops with lobster tail, avocado, black caviar and orange gel.

Bar Vincent

DARLINGHURST

You can always count on fresh oysters, complimentary bread and a razor-sharp wine program at this exemplary neighbourhood diner. Come for an Italianate menu, served in one of the inner-city’s most romantic dining rooms.

No. 92

GLEBE

A handsome wine bar in a former boot factory and private eye’s office.

Poetica

NORTH SYDNEY

Thanks to a glowing custom hearth, this 180-seater is firing out premium steaks dry-aged in house and beautiful Aussie seafood. Don't miss the dessert reminiscent of a summer’s day Splice.

Menzies Bar

SYDNEY

The first of three stunning venues to arrive at the refurbished Shell House building. This one draws inspiration from the grand eateries of Europe, in the form of a daily Martini hour, lobster rolls and a 2am licence.

Rafi

NORTH SYDNEY

Rafi is the kind of venue that lets you choose your own adventure. Oysters and cocktails on the terrace? Grilled seafood and seasonal vege in the elegant dining room? This 300-seat stunner from the group behind Bopp and Tone and The Butler has it all.

The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar

SYDNEY

Under soaring ceilings in an art deco building, The Charles evokes Europe’s grand brasseries with plenty of thoughtful touches – including a roaming dessert trolley, and tableside saucing and carving. Order the whole dry-aged duck for a show-stopping signature.

Brasserie 1930

SYDNEY

Inside Sydney's Capella hotel, the team behind Bentley and Monopole are turning out modern Australian takes on classic brasserie dishes. There's an encyclopaedic wine list to match, which accesses all the rare drops stashed in the Bentley Group cellars.

The Charles Bar

SYDNEY

The sister venue to Charles Brasserie and luxe basement bar Tiva evokes old-world European drinking and dining dens. Visit for bar snacks like kingfish crudo, and full-blown bistro meals such as flat-iron steak. A Martini here is a great idea, too.

The Old Fitzroy

WOOLLOOMOOLOO

Woolloomooloo’s great-grandfather of a pub has fine-dining chefs in the kitchen and a celebrated indie theatre downstairs. The 150-year-old boozer has outlasted many of its operators, but its latest incarnation – from the team behind Newtown's Odd Culture – might be the best one yet.

Jacksons on George

SYDNEY

The overhaul of this once notorious late-night dive was a long time coming. And the chic public bar, elegant European bistro and sunny rooftop were all worth the wait. The best part? You’ll actually want to be there during daylight hours, too.

Wharf St Kitchen

MARRICKVILLE

Eighteen-hour-braised beef brisket lasagne isn’t what you’d expect from a suburban golf club. But the team behind Dulwich Hill favourite The General are serving just that at Marrickville Golf Club – along with legit steak frites, stellar schnitzels and more honest pub grub.

Ken’s Continental

POTTS POINT

Linger at a table below leafy trees over a continental plate loaded with cold-cuts, house-made pickles, olives and baguette, or a serving of fried eggs with black pudding and mortadella.

Morrison’s

SYDNEY

This heritage corner site has lived many lives – but its most recent one is arguably its best. Come for freshly shucked oysters from the cabinet, premium Australian steaks and a focus on local and French wine varieties.

Lil Sis

CHIPPENDALE

The Abercrombie’s ground-floor wine bar is where you can shop fun wines or hole up for the evening. Take your vino home, or settle in at the communal table or upstairs in the cosy bar. Gildas, charcuterie from LP’s and locally made cheese are on the snacks menu.

Table Manners

BRONTE

Euro-leaning Table Manners is the shiny jewel on Macpherson Street where snacks, cocktails and luxe dinners are all possibilities. Go for a fancy club sandwich, the crispy "assassin’s" spaghetti and a killer fit-out.