Restaurants and Bars

Sydney is a city that enjoys good food and entertainment. The city's restaurants and cafes truly reflect its multicultural influence and diverse population. The choices read like an atlas, so enjoy authentic flavors and cooking styles from across the world.

Australian Cuisine

Traditional Australian fare is reputedly a meat pie and a can of beer, and in keeping with tradition, legendary locations like Harry's Cafe de Wheels provide the best pies. Meanwhile bush-tucker, which reflects the Aboriginal flavors of Australia—is only now featured on a handful of menus. It was not until 1993 that restaurants were allowed to serve Kangaroo meat.

Seafood

Being a harbour city, seafood is a main dining feature, and the Sydney Fish Market ensures a fresh and plentiful supply of barramundi, snapper, mussels, prawns, calamari and octopus. Restaurants such as Fishface and Five Dock Seafoods Cafe serve only fish. The seafood-serving king Doyles, is not only one of the oldest fish restaurants in town, it also has a fantastic view from its beachside location in Watsons Bay.

Italian Cuisine

The city's booming cafe culture has an overtly Italian influence. To sample some of the best coffee, head for Darlinghurst, Potts Point and Bondi Beach. Bar Coluzzi, bills, La Buvette and Tropicana are just some of the hip coffee spots. There are some central-city cafes also worth discovering, such as MoS Cafe. If you prefer tea however, then pay a visit to Sejuiced in Bronte or Tea Temple and the Tea Centre of Sydney.

The pick of Italian restaurants includes Gelbison and Mezzaluna. Norton Street in inner city Leichhardt, is also known as Little Italy, and if you have a passion for pasta, this is the place to go to.

European Cuisine

The European influence does not stop with Italy. Bistro Moncur and Sel et Poivre offer some excellent French cuisine whilst Mykonos on Crown and Capitan Torres reflect the Mediterranean flavours of Greece and Spain, respectively. Sample Eastern European cuisine with a visit to Corner 75.

Asian Cuisine

Asian cuisine is also very popular in Sydney. Chinatown in Haymarket, and the newer version in Chatswood, ensure a constant supply of excellent Chinese eateries. From massive yum cha (dim sum) restaurants such as Dragon Star Seafood and Marigold Restaurant, to the Chinese Noodle Restaurant, aficionados of chop suey and roasted duck are spoilt for choice. Sydney's Asian cuisine also includes Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Filipino, Indian, Iranian and Cambodian, to name but a few. Establishments such as The Malaya, Chinta Ria, Lebanon & Beyond and Blue Elephant offer oodles of noodles, a suffice of rice, free tea and flavors to be savored.

Japanese Cuisine

Then there is Japanese…with well-established trade links, Japanese food has a long-held tradition in Sydney's eating culture. Sushi, sashimi, noodles, tempura and teriyaki—it is all here. Sushi Suma, Shimbashi, Dragonfly and Raw Bar are some of the recommended venues.

Restaurants Per District

In terms of restaurants per district, this is the basic rule—the western suburbs offer plenty of Cambodian and Turkish, whilst in the south, there is Greek and Lebanese. Head north for Indian, African and Japanese, and east for Indonesian and European. Dine with a view at The Boathouse, Catalina, and The Summit. Go vegetarian at Govinda's or Harvest, and be seen in the trendiest spots like Bayswater Brasserie Restaurant and Hugo's. To top it all, unique features such as Bring Your Own wine (BYO), cook your own steak, milk crate seating on the pavement, and harbour views, simply add to what is already an exceptional dining experience.

Smoking

In accordance with the New South Wales Smoke Free Environment Act 2000, smoking is prohibited inside Sydney restaurants.

Drinking

Rulings in the late 1990s, allowing gambling in drinking establishments, have seen many pubs stripped of their traditional identity. Some pubs do, however, manage a mixture of everything, for example the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay offers gambling, pool, live music and a great outdoor drinking and eating area. There are still some traditional pubs, as well as some very trendy, modern ones. Also note—many pubs are called hotels—some offer accommodation, others are just drinking establishments.

Hotspots in Sydney

For a taste of traditional drinking visit Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, as well as the Fortune of War Hotel, The Dry Dock and Mercantile Hotel. Whilst Scruffy Murphy's, Kitty O'Sheas Hotel and Cock 'N' Bull are testament to the fact that Irish pubs are everywhere. A city centre favourite is Jackson's On George. Many pubs also serve great food. The Slip Inn has a noted restaurant, as does The Australian Heritage Hotel.

Something For Everybody

There are pubs dedicated to sport and pubs with beer gardens and beach or city views like The Coogee Bay Hotel. There are bars in swanky hotels, like the Lobby Bar at the Swiss Grand, and modern, gleaming bars with harbourside locations such as Pontoon. There are live music venues, such as Bat & Ball Hotel, lesbian bars like the Lava Lounge and pubs for lounge lizards including Burdekin Hotel. For that extra something, sip a margarita at the 25th Floor Cocktail Bar or enjoy some of the best Australian wines in the Grace Wine Bar.

So the list is endless, and whatever your poison—however you like to drink it, the Sydney scene offers a liquid for all tastes.