A meal at Bennelong lets you feast inside the renowned Sydney Opera House, making it one of the country’s most sought-after restaurant reservations. Choose from a formal dining room, bar-style seats, or an exclusive space (for larger events) at this multi-level stunner. Australian produce and wine take centre stage on the three-course à la carte menu, designed by celebrated chef Peter Gilmore.

After opening in 2012, The Grounds of the City (the CBD outpost of an Alexandria favourite) became one of the city’s most popular brunch spots for its charming old-school service. But Sydneysiders also adore it for the Parisian bistro vibes, evident in an indulgent all-day menu. That includes fresh pastries and house-roasted espresso in the mornings and a lunch and dinner lineup featuring steak frites, filet mignon, and banoffee mousse.

Rengaya introduced Sydney to Japanese-style barbecue in 1993 and still rules the roost when it comes to yakiniku in Australia. Each table is equipped with a coal-fired grill where diners cook premium cuts of beef, ox tongue, and seafood before dipping them into sweet and umami-rich sauces. There are also deluxe sashimi plates, freshly shucked oysters, premium caviar, and wagyu sushi—and Rengaya’s home-matured rum to wash it all down with.

Acclaimed chef Luke Mangan gets many things right at this glamorous Sydney stalwart. But nothing stands out more than his seasonal degustation menu, which bucks fleeting culinary trends to focus on fresh, simple food instead. For front-row seats to the cooking action, book a seat at the marble chef’s table—it seats just 10.

It’s hard to imagine a more breathtaking spot than the Quay, one of Australia’s most-awarded restaurants with unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The inimitable six- and eight-course tasting menus come courtesy of hospitality legend Peter Gilmore. Expect innovative Australian plates such as bone marrow noodles with mud crab and confit pig jowl with seaweed.

At first glance, Pellegrino 2000 seems like an unassuming neighbourhood trattoria. In addition to the unexpected interiors and warm service, there are other reasons why delicious. 100 honoured it as the best NSW restaurant in 2022. Whether you’re here for snacks and Sangiovese or a full-fledged Italian feast, a booking at this sought-after Surry Hills hotspot is practically mandatory.

Channel a stately English parlour with a sophisticated high tea spread on the ground floor of the Langham hotel. Tourists and locals are equally lured by this timeless tradition. The elegant CBD hotel replicates an experience that’s offered at its flagship London location, complete with delicate finger sandwiches and warm buttermilk raisin scones.

This restored Victorian corner terrace was once the site of a private investigator’s office and a boot factory. Today, it’s a charming neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant dishing up top-notch Mexico-inspired delicacies by head chef Alejandro Huerta (whose resume includes stints in impressive establishments including Pujol in Mexico and Noma in Denmark).

A meal at Anason is a traditional Turkish affair with a parade of shared mezze plates and raki galore. Sydney’s iconic Barangaroo waterfront subs in for Istanbul’s renowned Karaköy pier. Chef Somar Sivrioglu’s ever-changing creations, which could include tender roasted cauliflower, smoked beetroot tartare, monkfish kebabs, and flaky baklava for dessert, are tributes to Istanbul’s meyhanes, or taverns.

OTTO is a Sydney star for its soothing wharfside setting and elegant Italian dishes highlighting Australia’s finest seafood. All pasta is made fresh daily, such as Moreton Bay bug linguine and smoked duck ragu mafaldine. Carnivores, pescatarians, and vegans are all well taken care of thanks to larger mains by esteemed chef Richard Ptacnik (a MasterChef Australia alum). On sunny days, OTTO’s outdoor seats are prime Woolloomooloo real estate.

For many locals, Alpha’s dill-forward spanakopita set the golden-brown standard for Greek food in Sydney. Other standout dishes on renowned chef Peter Conistis’s Mediterranean menu include eggplant scallop moussaka and an 11-hour slow-roasted lamb. Enjoy it all in a multi-level space in the city’s Hellenic Club, decked with a cantina section, a marble-topped mezze bar, cafe, and outdoor dining space. Image credit: