5 must-try sharing menus in Sydney to dig into this festive season

For Sydneysiders, the holiday season is all about getting together and sharing a meal with the important people in our lives, because good food and good company go hand-in-hand. From group-friendly destinations, occasion-worthy gems, private dining rooms and vibrant hotspots for a fun night out, some top-notch restaurants have prepared the best sharing menus in Sydney to book for the holidays.

Spare yourself the hosting this year and enjoy the best group sharing dishes Sydney has to offer, like vegetarian-friendly Turkish mezzes, pasta platters worthy of an Italian nonna’s kitchen, or exquisitely marbled wagyu cooked at the table over charcoal. Whether you’re booking out a private dining room to fit the extended family for a feast, getting together with workmates for a pre-holiday last hurrah or taking your partner on a rooftop date with views of the city, Sydney has something for everyone.

These are the best sharing menus in Sydney to book on OpenTable this festive season.

The best sharing menus in Sydney to try for the holidays – read on for our top 5

For a playful dining experience – book Tajima Yakiniku in Sydney CBD

Don’t be fooled by the pared-back, refined finishes of this CBD eatery. Tajima Yakiniku‘s Japanese-style barbeque is a playful dining experience. Bring a group for the wagyu feast, featuring five different cuts of marble score 9+ wagyu, plus salmon sashimi, fresh lettuce wraps and sides. 

Japanese barbeque is an interactive experience, with diners cooking meat over smokeless grills set into the tabletops. And while Tajima’s moody ambiance makes for a lovely date night spot, the cooking style of Japanese barbeque means visiting with a group gives you the best of the menu.

For a sultry sharing menu for romantic date nights – get a table for two at Babylon Restaurant in Sydney CBD

Sydney has myriad choices for date night venues, but few will dazzle like a rooftop oasis in the middle of the CBD. Middle Eastern restaurant Babylon Restaurant spans 2,000 square metres atop Westfield Sydney, and whether you choose the sultry indoor dining or the rooftop lit with festoon lights, the experience is sure to impress. 

Split into sections like mezze, flora, ocean and fauna, Babylon’s menu is impressive. Try the premium taste menu, designed for two to share. Turkish bread is house-made, and the perfect vessel for hummus and smoky babaganoush.

Golden fried pieces of savoury haloumi are served warm with local honey and fig jam, while the Fattoush salad riffs on the classic side, adding melon and qukes to the herbaceous original. The final main – served just before shatteringly crisp baklava – is Babylon’s take on hunkar begendi (Sultan’s Delight), here made from angus beef stew served over an eggplant sauce. A truly celebratory meal.

For a budget-friendly feast the whole family will love – gather the gang at Andiamo Trattoria in Rhodes

What’s almost as good as going to nonna’s house for an Italian family festa? Nonna’s favourite feast share menu at Andiamo Trattoria. At this popular Rhodes eatery (that also has locations in Summer Hill and Chippendale) the atmosphere is all about friends and family gathering over rustic, simple Italian food. Served over three courses, the feast is sure to satisfy big holiday appetites. Choose from crowd-pleasers like spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, or the silky, social media-famous penne alla vodka. Pizzas include the humble margherita or the capricciosa, generously topped with ham, artichoke hearts and olives for a briny finish. 

Want to get away from bustle of strangers? Book the private dining area for up to 80 guests

For a memorable garden party for the festive season – book out at The Potting Shed in Alexandria

The Potting Shed in Alexandria knows how to throw a garden party. The greenery is lush and the cocktails pretty at this stunning venue. Fairy lights and chandeliers brighten evening affairs while the daytime is full of flowers. 

The three-course set menu is a feast. Charcuterie platters, lamb skewers and roasted pumpkin begin the meal alongside freshly baked focaccia. The shared mains are just as substantial. There’s gnocchi with tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella; charcoal-roasted chicken thighs; or wagyu rump and vegetable sides to round off the meal. Finish with a chef’s selection of sweet desserts.

For a party, the Potter’s Corner is perfect. A long timber table surrounded by Parisian café chairs and hanging plants is the centrepiece. And after the meal, the vine-covered archway makes the best backdrop for a group photo.

For one of the best sharing menus in Sydney for a Turkish feast with vegetarian options – book at Konak in Newtown

This compact Turkish restaurant on King Street makes some of the most authentic pides in Sydney – all cooked in a woodfire oven. Fillings like sucuk (Turkish sausage) and egg, or lamb mince and vegetables are a good, everyday reason to visit, but during the holidays it’s all about a set menu so versatile that it can cater to vegetarians and omnivores alike. 

Dip charred housemade flatbread in creamy hummus or muhammara (a red pepper and walnut dip) before moving on to woodfired spinach and cheese pide.

A mixed charcoal shish platter of adana (ground meat) kebabs plus chicken and lamb shish is a good feed for meat-eaters, while vegetarians can opt for crisp, golden falafel and vegetarian pide. If your group prefers an early start, Konak is also well-known for a breakfast banquet that includes a selection of cheeses and olives, baked menemen, a shakshuka-like egg and sucuk dish, plus fruit and clotted cream for a palate cleanser. Turkish tea finishes the meal.

With so many options to select from this approaching holiday season, make sure you are booking ahead on OpenTable to celebrate special moments and make new memories with your loved ones.

Looking for more great places to celebrate in Sydney during the holidays? From NYE parties to Christmas, read on to find out the best places to go to:

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