A Canberra Girl’s Guide to great places to eat in the Sydney CBD
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Foodies, gather around! If you’re visiting Sydney anytime soon, book a table at these restaurants and you’ll enjoy life to the fullest (literally).
There’s always one person in the group – whether it be with friends or family – who ends up finding and booking all the restaurants for the Sydney trip weeks in advance.
Well, that person is ALWAYS me, because I’m usually the foodie of the group who can’t fathom missing out on delicious food just because we didn’t make a reservation. So, if you’re reading this, I will safely assume you can relate one way or another because we know all too well that a Sydney trip is mostly about the food!
Now, because Sydney’s food scene offers a dizzying number of options, this curated list of restaurants could only have been achieved by spending excessive hours on TikTok, through recommendations from friends and family, and by some miracle, stumbling across them over the years. So, consider this list as the ultimate gateway into this wonderful, flavour-filled world, but enter with caution, because you’ll be experiencing food coma after food coma from day one!
Bornga Korean BBQ Restaurant (Haymarket)
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This one’s a popular choice, and for good reason! Unlimited sides, thick and juicy pieces of pork belly, and some of the best quality meat I’ve had at KBBQ – all at a reasonable price. To top it off, their service is fantastic, because they’ll race over to your table if you look like you’re even remotely struggling with cooking your meat, because no burnt meat is allowed here!
If you’re looking to impress your friends and family, bring them to Bornga and they won’t stop bragging about it, even when the trip has come to an end.
Level 1/78 Harbour Street, Haymarket | @bornga_aus
Mensho Tokyo Ramen (Sydney CBD)
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Have high expectations for this one, because when I tried Mensho Tokyo Ramen for the first time recently, their ramen easily took a spot in my top three for the best I’ve ever had. And if you know me, that says A LOT.
The house-made ramen noodles are bouncy, the broth is perfectly rich, fatty, and umami, and the pork is satisfyingly thin and tender. And I won’t stop the compliments there! The egg is well-seasoned, the yolk is creamy just the way I like it, and those bamboo shoots are the freshest I’ve ever had. If you’re convinced (how could you not be?!), get in line – it’s worth the wait!
2 Temperance Lane, Sydney | mensho.com.au
Uncle Ming’s Bar (Sydney CBD)
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If you’re looking for a unique experience in Sydney, this is it!
As you descend the stairs and enter through the door, you’re transported to an intimate, funky bar decorated with unique pieces of Chinese art. You’re bathed in intense red light coming from the lanterns hung above you, and you sink comfortably into one of the many couches scattered around the venue. Here, you can order an infinite number of delicious dumplings, accompanied by out-of-the-box cocktails to kickstart your night out in style. Honestly, nothing will prepare you for how breathtaking that first step into the bar is, because you’ve likely never experienced anything like it.
Basement/55 York Street, Sydney | unclemings.com.au
Holy Duck! (Chippendale)
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I am a massive fan of duck, but surprisingly, it can be such a hit or miss because the meat can be too dry, the skin may not be crispy enough, or it’s just incredibly overpriced. But without any over-exaggeration, this spot offers the best roasted duck I’ve tried by far, and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. They have so many delicious dishes with or without duck on their menu that are worth a try, but the Crispy Holy Duck!, their signature Peking duck pancakes, is a must-try. I repeat, a MUST-TRY.
So run over to Chippendale and have some of the best duck you’ll ever be graced with.And if you aren’t usually a duck person, you very well could be converted after visiting this spot!
Ground Floor, 10/2 Kensington Street, Chippendale | holyduck.com.au
Mr Wong (Sydney CBD)
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If you’re on a trip to Sydney with your loved ones, you’re guaranteed to impress if you spoil them with a meal at Mr Wong’s. Here, they offer Cantonese share-style dishes that will knock your socks off with its presentation, craftsmanship, and of course, mind-blowing flavour. If you’re not sure where to start when it’s time to order, have the steamed dim sum platter, Peking duck pancakes, and the Char Siu BBQ pork on your radar, because these are my personal go-to plates of goodness that shocks my taste buds in the best way possible EVERY time.
And while the venue has 240 seats, you’ll need to book a table up to three months in advance because it’s a full house more often than not!
3 Bridge Lane, Sydney | merivale.com/venues/mrwong
Mango Coco (Haymarket)
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If you’re a Bingsu fanatic like me, you better keep on reading!
I tried Mango Coco’s Creamy Mango Bingsu for the first time in a takeaway box at 10 pm in a hotel room. My friend and I opened up the container and while it was half-melted, we quickly dug in and I swear we had an out-of-body experience because it was THAT tasty. We decided to go back and try it again at Mango Coco recently, and as expected, it was divine. We finished every last drop of that Bingsu to the point where a couple sitting next to us leaned in and said, “We’ll have to get that next time, what was it called?”. And the rest is history.
421 Pitt Street, Haymarket | siampalettegroup.com.au/mango-coco
BOON Café and Restaurant (Haymarket)
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You’ll find me here when I’m severely hungover or just in dire need of some comfort food. At BOON Café, they spoil you with so many delicious Thai dishes to suit your taste, but personally I always order two things: the rice porridge with shiitake mushrooms and century egg, and for my sweet fix, I refuse to order anything else besides the pandan croissant.
To understand how AMAZING the pandan croissant is, let me explain. It is a crisp, warm, and buttery croissant drenched in this magical pandan custard that is just the right amount of richness so that you don’t feel sick after eating it (if you know, you know). I urge you to try it yourself when you’re next in Sydney, because no words can do this dessert justice!
1/425 Pitt Street, Haymarket | @booncafe_official
Andiamo Trattoria (Chippendale)
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When you’re craving Italian and find yourself in the heart of the Sydney CBD, take a seat at Andiamo Trattoria in Chippendale. Their menu offers an array of dishes to suit your taste, including a variety of handmade pasta dishes and stone-baked pizza options. And for those of you who are living your best vegan life, they offer a mouth-watering vegan menu as well!
If you’re visiting for the first time, I’d highly recommend the Prosciutto Cotto Arancini and the Premium Truffle Mushroom Gorgonzola pizza to start. As for mains, the Traditional Homemade Lasagne or Chilli Crab pasta are my top picks. Now go on, load up on those delicious carbs, and never look back!
9 Kensington Street, Chippendale | andiamotrattoria.com.au
Beom Beom (Haymarket)
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I stumbled across Beom Beom on TikTok earlier this year when I was trying to find dinner spots for an upcoming Sydney trip (typical me). When I saw the show-stopping galbi (grilled short-rib in Korean cuisine) on my screen, I made a booking with lightning speed, and low and behold, we ordered the galbi as soon as we sat down. Three words to describe my experience. I. Want. More.
My friend and I absolutely demolished the rich, tender galbi, and barely had room for the potato pancake, which was astonishingly crispy and was paired with the tastiest truffle sauce. All I’m thinking now is ‘take me back’!
Shop 16/72 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket | beombeom.com.au
Holy Basil Darling Square (Haymarket)
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When you step through the doors at Holy Basil, it’s like you’re being transported into a Thai paradise – Sydney where? I don’t know her!
The décor is incredibly extravagant, the service is efficient (I’m looking at the hangry-prone people out there), and you can tell they take flavour very seriously. But to top it off, their cocktails are so beautifully presented that once you have the whole spread on your table, it would be a crime not to take photos and put this on your Instagram story! But make it snappy, you’ll want to dig in the second you lay eyes on the food.
51 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket | holybasil.com.au
Auvers Dining (Haymarket)
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If you’re looking for a café that takes brunch to the next level, Auvers Dining is about to be your favourite spot. Here, I had one of the best dishes I’ve ever tried in Sydney, and I must admit it was quite the splurge – the Wagyu Noodles. The grilled and melt-in-your-mouth slices of wagyu beef paired with the handmade egg noodles covered in a creamy, savoury sauce, and most importantly, those chilli parmesan crisps…let me just take a moment. Those parmesan crisps were so good that if I could buy those in a bag and eat them daily for the rest of my life, I would.
But of course, let’s not forget that they have salmon pasta, a lobster omelette, cheesy Bolognese baked eggs and more delectable options for your enjoyment. So go forth, fellow foodie, and experience brunch like never before!
Shop 4/12 Nicolle Walk, Haymarket | auverscafe.com.au
Felix (Sydney CBD)
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What I would describe to be a high-end French restaurant located in the heart of Sydney, Felix makes you feel like a million bucks as soon as you sit down. The menu offers an array of homey and wholesome dishes to give your soul a big, warm hug – from a classic steak and fries to roast chicken served with pancetta, peas, pickled baby onions, and thyme jus – there’s something for everyone! This is the sort of place I would put money aside for when planning a Sydney trip, because it’s sure to please every time you visit.
2 Ash Street, Sydney | merivale.com/venues/felix
Special Mention: Uncle Tetsu (Sydney CBD)
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While this isn’t a restaurant that needs a booking, I feel this list wouldn’t be complete without including Uncle Tetsu!
I’ve stopped by this dessert hotspot almost every time I’ve taken a trip to Sydney since 2016, and I always take their best-seller home – the most jiggly and buttery Japanese cheesecake with several delicious flavours to choose from! But wait, they have more. Grab some baked cheese tarts and rich Japanese pudding to snack on during the ride home, and if you have time, join the line to try the Crepe Brûlée, which is a must-try in my book. It’s pieces of cheesecake, whipped cream, and strawberries wrapped in a vanilla crepe and topped with rich custard cream and caramelised sugar to smash through! But just a head’s up, it’s only available between the 3 pm and 6 pm daily, so line-up before it sells out!
501 George Street, Sydney | @uncletetsusydney
Feature image: Mr Wong. Via Facebook.
