Along with stunning coastlines, scenic coves and a thriving urban centre, Sydney is also home to some of Australia’s best restaurants. You’ll find plenty of global cuisines, from traditional Mediterranean fare to mouth-watering sushi and seafood. Choose from a great range of restaurants with a relaxed beachy feel, as well as fine dining spots that are dripping with charm. A strong focus on local and regional produce makes Sydney’s restaurant scene stand out and showcases the massively varied food culture on offer. For celebratory special occasions or casual meals with a group, the best restaurants in Sydney promise a memorable time.
Make date night special at a romantic Italian restaurant that specialises in decadent pasta dishes and fresh seafood. If you’re planning a family day out, casual dining at a fish restaurant by the beach is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, a New York-inspired steakhouse and wine bar is the ideal spot for a sophisticated evening with friends. These dining hotspots are the best Sydney restaurants that you should book right now.
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Want to find the best Sydney restaurants? Read on for the full rundown
For one the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney – try Ursula’s in Paddington
Ursula’s Paddington is a charming restaurant located in a stunning, vintage townhouse just a short distance from the city centre. The menu is small and brilliantly executed, showcasing the best in modern Australian cuisine. Tuck into roast Wollemi duck breast served with farm fresh figs and apple balsamic dressing. Elsewhere, a shared main of roast chicken, crab mousse and sweetcorn risoni is perfect for an intimate date. The dessert menu features luxurious options, like lemon meringue pie or golden syrup dumplings with a rum and raisin sauce. The signature Negroni cocktail made with amaro herbal liqueurs and Poor Tom’s gin offers a taste of classic mixology. Ursula’s Paddington has a smart casual dress code and an elegant dining room with plenty of natural light that makes it an airy and welcoming space. It’s a great spot for a quiet catch-up with friends or a special lunch.
For one of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney – don’t miss Zushi in Barangaroo and Surry Hills
Dine out on delicious Japanese food made with the freshest Australian produce at Zushi in Barangaroo and Surry Hills – one of the best Sydney restaurants for sushi and Asian fare. Visitors at the Barangaroo Zushi can dine alfresco or enjoy the sleek, traditional Japanese decor inside. Popular menu items include the caramelised honey prawns and the signature ocean sushi roll, made with salmon, flying fish roe and avocado. You can also book in to try the sharing tasting menu for $88 per head for groups of 10 or more. At Surry Hills Zushi, diners can enjoy the omakase menu option. Omakase means chef’s choice in Japanese and features a curated selection of sushi made from the freshest local seafood. Both restaurants have a modern-meets-classic Japanese feel and serve a range of tropical and Asian-inspired signature cocktails and a selection of Japanese beers.
📍 Barangaroo — Check availability
📍 Surry Hills — Check availability
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney for pasta and fine wines – try 10 William St in Paddington
With a relaxed atmosphere and a chic, modern feel, 10 William St in Paddington is one of the best Sydney restaurants to enjoy delicious Italian food and a glass of fine wine. Inspired by traditional Mediterranean cuisine, 10 William St’s menu is simple yet elegant and features must-try dishes, like the crudo di mare – fresh raw seafood – and the tonnarelli and lamb alla Genovese – slow-cooked lamb pasta. For dessert, diners can indulge in a classic Italian tiramisu or a tart apple terrine with vanilla ice cream. Along with the mouth-watering food, 10 William St is known for sourcing high-quality wines from vineyards and suppliers around the world. The detailed wine list and knowledgeable servers can help you choose a vintage that complements your meal. Don’t forget to finish off your night Italian-style, with a digestif from the amaro liqueur selection.
For one of the best steak restaurants in Sydney CBD – head to Clam Bar in Sydney CBD
Inspired by stylish New York steak houses, Clam Bar in the fashionable CBD area is one of the best restaurants in Sydney for a surf ‘n’ turf extravaganza. Seafood lovers can start their meal off with crab cake appetizers or sample something from the raw bar. Spectacular shellfish options include oysters Rockerfeller – Sydney oysters prepared with parsley and garlic – or a raw seafood platter. Juicy steak options include a classic New York strip or the 1kg porterhouse served with a choice of bernaise or diane sauce. A bottle of crisp white wine pairs perfectly with shellfish, while a bold red from the extensive wine list is ideal to drink with steak. The relaxed yet elegant ambience and central location make this an ideal spot for a business lunch or a celebratory dinner. The restaurant also offers a set menu for groups of 8 or more.
For one of the best Sydney restaurants for beachfront seafood platters – visit Doyles on the Beach in Watson’s Bay
With stunning views and direct access to the white sands and surf at Watson’s Bay, Doyles on the Beach is one of the best Sydney restaurants for fresh seafood. This family-owned fish joint is one of the city’s oldest restaurants and originally opened its doors in 1885. The incredible beachside spot, great food and warm service have transformed Doyles into a Sydney institution, loved by locals and visitors alike. Popular menu items include the hiramasa kingfish crudo and Tasmanian scallops with roasted tomatoes and nduja butter. Vegan diners can tuck into plant-based fish alternatives, including vegan fish tacos. Shellfish fans, meanwhile, can enjoy the entrée platter, which comes with prawns, scallops, calamari and oysters. Dine indoors or enjoy cocktails alfresco on the beachfront terrace. Fruity specials, like a blend of passion fruit vodka and champagne, or a classic bellini, give off fun vacation vibes.
For Mediterranean-inspired dining and a lively atmosphere – head to Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point
If you love classic Italian food, Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point is one of the best Sydney restaurants to visit for fine Mediterranean-inspired dining. The menu features a range of traditional, Italian dishes cooked with premium ingredients. Spaghetti served with scampi in a cherry tomato bisque is a delightfully fresh first course. Meanwhile, the tagliatelle with pork and beef meatballs is a hearty treat. If you want to sample fresh seafood prepared Italian-style, try the swordfish with prawns and clams or the calamari Sant’ Andrea. The wine list features a range of imported fine wines, so you can choose a bottle that complements your meal. Streetside alfresco dining means you can eat outside when the sun comes out. Chic, modern decor and a lively, bustling atmosphere make this a great spot for a sophisticated date night or a fun meal with friends.
For one of Sydney’s best restaurants for special occasions – try Margaret in Double Bay
With a strong emphasis on sourcing fresh, local produce, Margaret in Double Bay is one of the best Sydney restaurants to try market-fresh seafood cooked with modern Australian flair. Freshly shucked Sydney oysters with lime salsa is a perfect way to open your meal. You could also try the albacore tuna sashimi or the ceviche of New Zealand Kingfish. Entrees at Margaret are made extra special using the in-house wood fire grill to bring out the smoky flavours. Try the grill-fired Dhufish with peanut and chilli salsa or the harissa-marinated chermoula-crusted lamb cutlets with a bottle of fine wine. Under the guidance of renowned Australian chef Neil Perry, AM, Margaret won the Good Food Guide Award in 2024. The interior offers stunning modern decor that still maintains a classy, yet relaxed feel and is perfect for a special occasion.
For one of the best date night restaurants in Sydney – don’t miss Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills
Specialising in elegant yet simple Italian dishes, Pellegrino 2000’s stylish, intimate atmosphere makes it one of the best Sydney restaurants for a memorable date night. Treat your other half to Pellegrino 2000’s indulgent set menu del giorno, which features artichokes alla Romana with crudo di mare – raw seafood – and ravioli with prawns in brown butter. If you’re a fan of classic pasta dishes, the pappardelle alla Bolognese and the rigatoni carbonara are definitely worth a try. Pellegrino 2000 also offers something sweet after your meal, with desserts like the banana crème caramel and the affogato – vanilla ice cream topped with espresso and liqueur. The well-stocked bar and wine cellar features a range of premium vintages and traditional Italian amaro. Situated inside a stunning red-brick building, the dining room and bar have a warm, charming feel.
For relaxed dining at one of the best casual restaurants in Sydney – visit The Boatshed La Perouse in Little Bay
With beautiful ocean views from Botany Bay, The Boatshed La Perouse is one of Sydney’s best seafood restaurants for high-end casual dining. Open for breakfast between 7 am and 11 am Monday-Saturday, The Boatshed La Perouse offers diners a great start to the day. Tasty morning meals include the breakfast bruschetta made with avocado, spinach and feta and the seafood omelette. Satisfying lunch and dinner options include the 200g wagyu rump picanha and the whole grilled snapper with Greek yogurt and lemon dressing. If you fancy pushing the boat out, the seafood platter comes with Sydney rock oysters, scallops, baby octopus, and blue swimmer crab and can be ordered for parties of one, two or four. Take in the beach views with a cocktail from the signature bar menu. A zingy limoncello spritz is a perfect summer quencher, while the berry vodka mixer is sweet and sophisticated.
For one of the best brunch restaurants in Sydney serving a must-try afternoon tea – head to The Grounds of the City in Sydney CBD
Gorgeously decadent decor and a bustling location in the stylish Sydney CBD area makes The Grounds of the City a great place for a fancy brunch or an elegant afternoon tea. Luscious brunch items include a buttermilk pancake stack with soft fruits and vanilla Chantilly or wagyu steak and eggs. Breakfast cocktails, like classic mimosas and gin and marmalade martinis, are served from 10 am. If you’re visiting for lunch, try unique entrees, like the steamed Patagonia toothfish served with mussels, abalone sauce and leeks or the 300g wagyu sirloin with fries. You can also indulge with cakes from the tea trolley, or a personalised coffee whipped up by the bar’s sommelier. The Grounds of the City is the second location of its type in the city and is owned by the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria in South Sydney.
From the stylish CBD area to the sandy coastal districts, Sydney is a city with a ton of great restaurants. Whether you love the combo of Old-World European vibes and fresh Australian produce or you want to experience traditional Asian food in a modern setting, you’ll find Sydney restaurants to accommodate your tastes. The best places to eat in Sydney are ready and waiting for you to try.
