Home to one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks; the Sydney Opera House, over 100 beaches and the 2000 Olympics, it is no wonder millions of people visit Sydney every year, or that Sydney is Australia’s undisputed tourism capital.
Where is best to eat whilst there, though? Here at Globehunters we’ve have compiled 16 of the best restaurants and cafes to suit all budgets, travellers and diets. Just don’t forget to book your cheap flights to Sydney with us!

1. est.

As the trendy name suggests, est. offers a high end dining experience and specialises in serving fresh and contemporary French fusion cuisine.
Supporting head chef, Peter Doyle at est. is the Young Australian Chef of the Year, Jacob Davy. Together this duo create and execute menus that make est. a must visit for anyone travelling to or through Sydney.

2. Tetsuya’s

Tetsuya’s is a truly unique restaurant owned and run by Japanese born, Tetsuya Wakuda and which provides the perfect place for couples to enjoy a romantic evening out whilst vacationing in Sydney. Tetsuya’s beautifully designed and thought-out décor reflects the Australian-Japanese fusion cuisine served there.
Designed to a minimalist spec’ and with walls replete with elegant artwork, the restaurant overlooks a stunning Japanese garden and features glass walls which provide fantastic views and transports those dining at Tetsuya into a Japanese oasis.

3. The Gantry Restaurant and Bar

Elegant, open restaurant situated on Sydney’s waterfront and yet another restaurant to offer stunning views, The Gantry Restaurant and Bar is hailed for its dedication to using fresh and locally sourced produce, and for knocking up some of the best cocktails in Sydney.

4. Mr Wong

Mr Wong’s is one of Northern Sydney’s largest restaurants.
Whilst Mr Wong’s restaurant occupies a rustic French colonial styled restaurant complete with exposed brick interior and whimsical yet subtle wall art, this is in fact one of Sydney’s most popular Cantonese restaurants.
For first class and authentically made dim sum and the best mud crab in all of Sydney, and to enjoy a laid back atmosphere along with some great wine, Mr Wrong’s makes an ideal choice.

5. 4Fourteen

Combining industrial interior design with chic décor, 4Fourteen is a much loved and always bustling Sydney bistro that consequently is the ideal place to eat for those looking for great tasting yet pretention free modern Australian cuisine, and a lively atmosphere.

6. Café Sydney

For unrivalled views over Sydney Harbour and the awe inspiring Sydney Harbour Bridge, there are few better places to head than Café Sydney.
Café Sydney is an indoor rooftop restaurant that despite its casual café moniker is sophisticated in style and offers a fantastic contemporary Australian dinner menu.

7. Sokyo

Sokyo is by far Sydney’s most innovative and adventurous Japanese restaurant and specialises in providing Sydney’s locales and holiday makers with a superb Kaiseki styled menu.
Kaiseki, or kaiseki-riori cuisine, is served as a multi course dining experience and is traditional and much loved in Japan.
Sokyo manages to bring the most celebrated aspects of traditional Kaiseki eating to Sydney whilst fusing it with locally sourced Australian ingredients.

8. Altitude

Altitude is far more than a restaurant; offering an award winning fine dining menu, Altitude occupies the upper levels of one of Sydney’s most popular and luxury resorts, the Shangri-La hotel, and is situated a staggering 36 levels above Sydney Harbour.
As well as superb food, Altitude is also well known for its equally impressive wine menu which has been awarded the highest rating of ‘three goblets’ by the Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine.

9. Felix Bistro & Bar

Tucked into Sydney’s ash Street Laneway is the award winning Felix Bistro & Bar.
Specialising in serving up beautifully fresh French cuisine, Felix’s features a sophisticated décor and benefits from a relaxed and ambient atmosphere, making it an ideal romantic dining option for couples looking to share a decent bottle of wine and enjoy a relaxed evening in Sydney.

10. Graze MCA

Serving up affordable yet high quality Australian themed fare, Graze MCA is situated in Australia’s Museum of Contemporary Arts and as such makes a brilliant lunch or evening dining option for anyone who has just explored the museum itself or is looking forward to after grabbing a bit to eat, or just a well brewed coffee.

11. Nel. Restaurant

The super trendy Nel. Restaurant operates out of vintage-chic surroundings that create a stylish and sleek atmosphere, making this a much loved place to eat amongst Sydney’s young professionals and couples as well as discerning couples and friends holidaying in the area.
Whilst Nel. Restaurant specialises in serving Australian cuisine it takes a creative and innovative approach to traditional Australian favourites and as such is not a restaurant to miss out on experiencing whist vacationing in Sydney.

12. Malabar South Indian Restaurant

Sydney is not well known for its Indian food. That said, and one restaurant going all out to challenge this and provide Sydney’s locals and tourists with a superb place to sample some authentic and fragrant Indian fare is definitely Malabar South Indian Restaurant.
Located in north Sydney and focussed on introducing real South Indian flavours and dishes to the region, Malabar’s provides the perfect lunch or dinner option for families and couples alike, as well as also providing vegetarians and vegans looking for somewhere to eat with a brilliant option.

13. Glass Brassiere & Wine Bar

One place that is definitely not for the kids, but likely to wow the adults is Sydney’s Glass Brassiere & Wine Bar.
Seating guests in is opulent and grand dining hall and headed by Melbourne born celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, the only thing as impressive and tantalising as the food served up at the Glass Brassiere is its superb choice of wines.

14. Mamak

A Malaysian focussed restaurant, Mamak operates a shared table policy which creates a fantastic and social atmosphere and makes this a great dining experience for tourists in Sydney and locales alike who wish to meet new and diverse company as well as eat and enjoy colourful, exciting and delicious Malaysian food at equally great prices.

15. The Bridge Room

Situated a stone’s throw from Sydney’s circular Quay, The Bridge Room’s cuisine is officially modern Australian, but head chef Ross Lusted’s unique vision means that the menu also takes inspiration from both Asian and European flavours and ingredients which gives The Bridge Room a unique edge and flavour.
The Bridge Room also operates an open kitchen providing diners with an exciting and immersive dining experience and creates a lively atmosphere that foodies vacationing in Sydney will love.

16. Saké Restaurant & Bar The Rocks

Show stopping sushi and super fresh sashimi, arty and intelligently formulated cocktails and all served in a rustic chic dining room, Saké Restaurant & Bar The Rocks is about the most refreshing place to eat in all of Sydney.
Better yet, despite the misconception that sushi must contain fish or cod roe and soy sauce contains wheat, vegetarians and those who practise a gluten free diet are both as well catered for.
Then, sushi being one of the world’s best foods to share and enjoy as part of a group, this means that Saké Restaurant & Bar The Rocks is the ideal place to head as a couple, family or with friends whilst in Sydney.