Sydney is a multicultural culinary haven with an abundance of choice between Modern Australian, Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern and the list goes on! Join me in this delicious guide where I take your taste buds on a journey through Sydney’s Best Bars & Restaurants.
The Ultimate Guide to Sydney’s Best Bars & Restaurants
Chin Chin Sydney
69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
My ultimate favourite place on this list of Sydney’s best Bars & Restaurants! An overload for the senses, Chin Chin is quintessentially Australian with a South-East Asian injection of a carefully blended mix of freshness, spice, heat and exotic herbs. Housed in a beautiful, historic and heritage-listed Griffiths Tea building this place is bound to make you call up all your friends for a fun day or night out in town.
Must Try: Rendang Curry of Beef (pictured) and Kingfish Sashimi.
Maranello’s Woodfired Pizza Restaurant
Pacific Square Shopping Centre, 51/737 Anzac Parade, Maroubra NSW 2035
For the best Italian I can 100% guarantee you will love and be back for more is this homely little restaurant tucked away in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Maranello’s Woodfired Pizza Restaurant hits the top of the list for Sydney’s best bars & restaurants! After spending a beautiful day out at Maroubra beach order some delicious carbs and feast on some of the best pasta and pizza in Sydney.
Must Try: Olive Ascolani, Fettuccine Carbonara (pictured), Gamberi Alla Crema, Tortellini Boscaiola (pictured) (there isn’t anything on this menu that isn’t good!)
Plan your trip to Sydney 👇
Boon Cafè
1/425 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000
A bright cafe with a grocery offering Thai specialties with a modern twist. They offer a variety of flavoursome dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner where the food is always fresh and always tastes amazing.
Must Try: Croissant Pandan Custard (pictured), Pineapple Fried Rice (pictured), Khao Gatah- pan-baked eggs with tomato fried rice, bacon and pineapple (pictured), Duck Noodle Soup (pictured)
Ready to plan the rest of your trip?
Use this Australia travel guide to build your full itinerary beyond Sydney.
The Rook – Rooftop Bar
Level 7, 56 – 58 York Street, Sydney
This cool rooftop bar is is nestled above the CBD’s busy streets accessible by a small elevator inside a tiny little hallway that can be easily missed! This highly sought after Sydney Bar is known for its inventive cocktail list, gin tasting events, top notch bar food and bespoke range of liquors. Enjoy views of the skyline and the stars through the atrium-style retractable rooftop.
Must Try: Charcuterie Board and the Angus Beef Burger with Parmesan Truffle Fries
Blu Bar on 36 | Shangri-La Hotel
176 Cumberland St, Sydney NSW 2000
Enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine sitting high above the harbour with uninterrupted views across the city. This Cosmopolitan lounge set with soaring windows and harbour views is a great place for classic cocktails and delicious bar bites.
Want everything planned for you? My 7-day Sydney itinerary breaks down exactly what to do each day, plus local tips to help you make the most of your trip.
Dutch Smuggler
200 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ok, so not technically a restaurant however this place needs to be included in this guide to Sydney’s Best Bars & Restaurants due to their mouth watering signature Mi-Goreng Toastie! There’s new toastie options added each and they also do turn into a bar at night with beers, house wines and cocktails on tap.
Fratelli Fresh
Multiple restaurants located all over Sydney
Fratelli Fresh is a casual Italian restaurant heroing the very best of Italian cooking. The menu combines simplicity, robust flavours and beautiful produce.
Bentley Restaurant & Bar
Corner Pitt + Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000
Fine dining at its best, this upscale restaurant offers Modern Australian cuisine, plus an acclaimed wine list, in an industrial-chic luxury hotel. Visit on a Saturday for their awesome tasting menu that is both eccentric as it is appetizing.
Establishment Bar
Ground Floor, 252 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
With magnificent columns lining the walls and a 42-metre-long marble bar as its center-piece, Establishment Bar exudes style and sophistication. This historic venue is a Sydney icon, and a unique place to enjoy a drink. The menu has everything from traditional Thai to classic Aussie pub food.
Must Try: The Fried Rice is one of the best I’ve had.
Candelori’s
685 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164
About a 30 min drive out of Sydney’s CBD but well worth the distance, Candelori’s makes the list on Sydney best bars & restaurants thanks to the hand made bread and pasta made in-house every day.
Must Try: zucchini flowers, hand cut pappardelle with osso buco ragù (pictured) and potato gnocchi (pictured).
Travel Essentials for Your Trip
Planning your trip just got easier—these are the trusted tools I personally use to save money, stay connected, and book everything in one place:
📱 Stay Connected with an eSIM
- Airalo– My personal choice! Instant data as soon as you land, straight onto your phone—no need to buy a SIM at the airport.
- Promo code: MIA1656 for $5 off
🏨 Accommodation
- Trip.com– Great for both budget and luxury stays, with flexible cancellation.
- Booking.com– Perfect for a huge range of stays with free cancellation options.
Tip: Book early for the best rates.
🚗 Car Rental
- Booking.com – Compare multiple providers to find the best and cheapest deals
🌍 Travel Planning
- Tripadvisor – Perfect for finding top-rated things to do, eat, and see
***
As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep this site going!
***
More on Australia:
- Hiking the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track to find the Bruny Island Arch
- What to do on Bruny Island: The Best Day Trip from Hobart
- The Perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
- The Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List
- A Taste of Africa at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo
- The 5 Best Things To Do in Dubbo (2020 Update)
- Tips on Visiting the 12 Apostles
- These Photos Prove Why You Should Visit the Yarra Valley
- Sydney Fine Dining; Bentley Restaurant & Bar
- Restaurant Review: Rockpool, Melbourne
- Checking In; Staying at Crown Melbourne


