Esther
Location: Chippendale
A table at Esther is one of the most coveted bookings in town. The Chippendale restaurant has garnered a reputation as one of Sydney's best fine-diners, known for its wood-fired eats (think hot potato bread with cool trout roe and kefir cream, and calamari and lardo skewers), natural-leaning wine list and relaxed, unfussy vibe.
Restaurant Hubert
Location: Sydney CBD
In the heart of Sydney CBD, this clandestine underground restaurant and bar is heaving come Friday nights. The menu is typically French but there's plenty of international influence (roasted snails come with XO sauce) that extends to Bar Hubert's interiors which are plastered with artsy posters and Time-Life photographs.
Bennelong
Location: Sydney CBD
One of the city's most iconic dining venues, Bennelong boasts extensive harbour views and a menu that's equally as impressive. The perfect place to take out-of-towners.
Cho Cho San
Location: Potts Point
One of Potts Points' most lauded dinner spots, Cho Cho San serves up Japanese-inspired dishes with flair. Perfect for group bookings; find a spot around the restaurant's concrete-slab table and order a mix of plates off the izakaya snack menu (our favourite: juicy grilled pork steam-bun sandwiches) and a glass of red from a globetrotting wine list. A perfect place for date night too.
Nomad
Location: Surry Hills
A place for in-the-know foodies, Surry Hills' Nomad offers a refined take on Mediterranean fare. With a focus on local produce and incredible Australian wine (including many lesser-known wines), Nomad's menu is fuelled by fantastic flavours and smart pairings. If you're after something light, don't skip the Nomad Charcuterie board.
Firedoor
Location: Surry Hills
The perfect wintertime dining choice, Firedoor's menu is cooked over coals. Chef Lennox Hastie has become renowned for his specialty cooking method and bespoke ingredient list. Menu highlights include the smoked burrata, yellowfin tuna with pear and shiso, and rhubarb bombe Alaska—all done over coals, of course.
10 William Street
Location: Paddington
A favourite of many Sydney gourmands, 10 William Street takes bar snacks seriously. The charming hole-in-the-wall Italian bar-cum-fine-diner offers precisely executed pasta dishes (the ragu gnochetti is a must-try) and a killer drink list. Don't miss the warmed pretzel with whipped bottarga.
Quay
Location: Sydney CBD
A quintessential Sydney dining experience, Quay reopened in late 2018 after a three-month long renovation, revealing a brand new menu and fresh fitout—the update allows guests even greater vistas of the Harbour Bridge. With a much raved-about menu by Chef Peter Gilmore (whose clever play on texture makes every dish a talking point), you can rest assured your meal will be as inspired as your views.
Bentley
Location: Sydney CBD
Dubbed by Gourmet Traveller as the 'best place in Australia to drink wine', Bentley promises to surpass all your expectations. An eclectic wine list makes its bar stools some of the most sought after within the CBD come 5pm, while an extensive tasting menu (plus a dedicated vegetarian alternative) deem it one of Sydney's most exciting restaurants.
Bert's
Location: Newport
If you're headed for a weekend up on Sydney's northern beaches, make sure you include Bert's on your itinerary. One of Merivale's many feats, the brasserie and bar is headed by chef Jordan Toft and offers a European-inspired menu framed with fresh seafood and a succulent wine list—not to mention; seriously Instagram-able interiors.
