Sydney's food scene
Flavours, textures and good times are intermixed, whether you're at the beach or dining in style.
Sydney food ticks every box on the wish list, plus a few more. From a multicultural feast in a tram carriage to a distillery bar where you blend your own gin, every meal or cocktail hour develops into a great travel story you'll love to retell.
Breakfast by the beach
Start the day with freshly roasted coffee and a leisurely brunch at one of Sydney's gorgeous beaches. Check out Balmoral Beach and Manly to the north, or Bondi and Coogee Beach to the east. Breakfast out is part of the Sydney way of life, so you'll find plenty of innovative options to choose from, whether you're a lover of healthy acai or bircher breakfast bowls, an avocado smash connoisseur or someone who can never go past delicious things served with eggs. Refreshed and relaxed, you'll be ready for a little seaside shopping, a leisurely stroll along the beach or an afternoon of sun, sand and surf.
Take a food journey
When the Rozelle Tramway Depot was established in 1904, it was the golden age of travel. The depot's rebirth as the Tramsheds is surely a sign that Sydney's golden age of gastronomy has arrived.
A meal at the Tramsheds is pure theatre. Enjoy the drama of pasta being made at Flour Eggs Water, the smell of coal-roasted beef at Butcher and The Farmer, the sizzle of fried chicken at Bells, the swoosh of cocktail shakers and the buzz of community spirit. It's all spread around (and sometimes in) the beautifully restored tram carriages.
You'll find world famous chefs and young innovators at the Tramsheds, which means there's always a delicious interpretation of international food at every price point. And it's open from 7am 'til late, seven days a week, so you're guaranteed to find something satisfying for every meal. Aptly, the best way to get to the Tramsheds is by light rail.
Cocktail hour with a touch of DIY
Fancy a Cuban bar overlooking Sydney's most iconic view? Maybe you're keen to learn the secrets of gin blending at a class where you can also order at the bar? Whatever you're into, you'll find something fun to do in Sydney's creative cocktail scene. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.
Inspired by 1950s Miami and Cuban art deco architecture, Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar + Lounge located in the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour Hotel is an elegant nod to the golden age of hotel bars. Surrounded by glass exterior walls, there are panoramic views of the city and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from every seat. The menu has an unmistakably Cuban accent, with rum-inspired cocktails like the Coco Loco and authentic bites like Cuban Reuben and yuca fries. Pop in for a lunchtime drink after exploring Circular Quay, or come to watch the sun go down and the city light up.
Ever wanted to embrace your inner bootlegger in a totally legal way? The guys at Work-Shop have teamed up with Archie Rose Distillery to offer a gin blending course. Enjoy a Signature Dry Gin and Bush Tonic on arrival, take a full tour of the distillery and learn more about gin than you thought possible before creating your personal blend. Extra drinks and snacks can be purchased at the bar and you get to take home two 200mL bottles of your very own blend.
Five-star restaurants and Barangaroo
For a big night out, book ahead to secure a table at one of the best restaurants in Sydney. If you love Asian flavours, Mr Wong, MuMu or China Doll will find you fumbling for new ways to say delicious. For modern Australian cuisine, look for The Blue Door in Surry Hills, Lana or Felix - restaurants that take great ingredients and combine them artfully, so that your eyes and palate are simultaneously overjoyed.
Down at Barangaroo, Sydney's newest eating precinct, there are multiple dining experiences within easy reach of Wynyard Station. 12-Micron has 270° views of the harbour, Barangaroo House is Matt Moran's baby and Crown Sydney offers 11 restaurants and bars including Oncore by Clare Smyth, Nobu, Woodcut and the delightful Teahouse.
