A neighbourhood diner celebrating native produce, while giving equal weight to invasive species such as rabbit and boar. Relaxed, inviting and decked out with Australiana touches, this is an essential Sydney restaurant.
The don bowls at this minimal diner are sophisticated versions of the classic Japanese comfort dish. But the real signature here is tea, from delicate senchas to tannin-heavy oolongs. Tasting notes and pairing suggestions will guide your palate.
Don’t let this sleek eatery fool you – it serves honest Mexican street-food including tacos, nachos and burritos stuffed with slow-cooked beef, chipotle or quesabirria with consomme. Pair those with a tart Margarita for the full experience.
A visit to Fontana is like taking a Mediterranean holiday. The menu is a love letter to regional Italian dishes, backed up by a thoughtful curation of natural wines and aperitivo. To find it, ascend the classic red-carpeted staircase between a Mexican diner and a kebab shop.
A two-level diner influenced by the nameless street food stalls that sit under overpasses in India. Visit for the classic pakoras and chai, then come back for the jaffles with potatoes and peanut chutney, and lentil stews.
A convivial neighbourhood spot for nostalgic French dining. There's no pretension here, just homey Gallic standards backed up by a cracking list of French wines from Burgundy and beyond. Find this gem on a tree-lined inner-city backstreet.
Seasonal, Japanese-tinged breakfasts by former Bills head chef Kenny Takayama. Come for an exemplary katsu sando, comforting omurice, and sponge cake coated in a secret green tea mix (almost like a matcha lamington). Younger sibling Kentaro is also worth your time.
George St Deli brings a slice of New York's bagel scene to Redfern. Tuck into a classic lox number packed with house-made cream cheese and smoked trout, paired with house-made lemonade. Then follow it up with a giant, chewy, double-choc-fudge cookie.
Good Ways Deli’s petite second sanga shop lives inside a heritage-listed corner spot on a leafy residential street. Like the original it’s doing updated versions of Aussie classics, plus exclusive menu items including creaming soda spiders, a very oozy cheese toastie, and cheese-and-spinach rolls.
A cafe, deli and bakery serving up sangas and treats inspired by school canteens, country bakeries and other nostalgic Australian references. There's a big emphasis on native ingredients, plus you can grab pickles, condiments and more from the tidy little retail section to take home.
Toby Wilson now serves his Sydney-famous tacos out of a century-old corner pub – and we’re stoked about it. Come on Sundays for carne asada in the leafy courtyard, or head upstairs for drinks and disco till late.
Inside the Norfolk Hotel’s former sports bar is a vibrant wine nook inspired by the Barcelona suburb it’s named after. Expect a range of vermouths, plus mussels and chips, crackers topped with Cantabrian anchovies, and skewers cooked over a flat grill. From the team behind Love, Tilly Devine.
In the old Redfern Continental space, find a breezy front bar serving casual day-to-night bites and an intimate back room with a fancy-yet-accessible diner. The kitchen follows a minimum-waste ethos, and you can get Australiana cocktails and budget-friendly meals.
Atomic is the east coast debut from WA brewery giant, Gage Roads. Set within a vast mid-century warehouse, it’s pouring drink-now styles that occasionally veer into experimental territory. There's also a beer-friendly menu of burgers and Asian-inspired share plates to go with them.
An elegant homewares shop with beautifully crafted items from around the globe. Expect unique pieces for your home in ceramic, wood and glass. They’re made by both small Aussie and Japanese artisans, as well as globally known brands.
