12 Sydney Restaurants Worth Your Next Booking
From beachside Bondi to the multicultural lanes of Newtown, Sydney's restaurant scene spans everything from Italian and Korean to Mexican and Middle Eastern. This guide covers a dozen venues across the city's key dining precincts, each offering something distinct. Whether you're after a casual meal or a night out, there's a table here for you.
- 1Restaurants Bondi
1. Makaveli Bondi
Visit for a restaurant experience right in Bondi, one of Sydney's most visited beachside suburbs.
View venue5.0(1,445)· Google71Spot ScoreGreat 
2Restaurants Sydney CBD2. Primi Italian
Head here if you want Italian dining in the heart of the CBD, putting you steps from the city's main shopping and business precincts.
View venue4.8(4,427)· Google$$$$70Spot ScoreGreat
3Restaurants Darling Harbour3. Alegre Bar and Dining
Located at Darling Harbour, this spot works well if you're after a waterfront setting or combining dinner with a walk around the precinct.
View venue4.8(3,467)· Google70Spot ScoreGreat
4Restaurants Chatswood4. Myung Jang Chatswood
Choose this for Korean food on Sydney's North Shore, in the busy Chatswood shopping district.
View venue4.8(2,517)· Google70Spot ScoreGreat
5Restaurants Surry Hills5. NOUR
Surry Hills has become a serious dining destination, and NOUR fits into the suburb's cosmopolitan restaurant landscape.
View venue4.8(3,338)· Google$$$$70Spot ScoreGreat
6Restaurants Newtown6. Alba Restaurant
Newtown's restaurant strip is one of Sydney's most eclectic, and Alba offers another option in this vibrant neighbourhood.
View venue4.8(1,587)· Google69Spot ScoreWorth a Look
7Restaurants Newtown7. Thai Pothong Restaurant
Thai cuisine in Newtown, where the suburb's diverse food culture means quality options across many cuisines.
View venue4.7(5,878)· Google$$$$68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
8Restaurants Sydney CBD8. Esteban
A second CBD option if you're working in the city or based there for the evening and want dining nearby.
View venue4.7(1,845)· Google68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
9Restaurants Newtown9. don Fred
Another Newtown venue, adding to the suburb's reputation as a casual, variety-focused dining neighbourhood.
View venue4.9(691)· Google68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
10Restaurants Newtown10. Hecho en Mexico Newtown
Mexican food in Newtown, reflecting the neighbourhood's commitment to international cuisine diversity.
View venue4.7(2,112)· Google$$$$68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
11Restaurants Surry Hills11. Shaffa
Middle Eastern dining in Surry Hills, a suburb with established strength in this cuisine.
View venue4.7(1,552)· Google$$$$68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
12Restaurants The Rocks12. Hooked and Harvest
The Rocks is Sydney's historic precinct, and dining here puts you in one of the city's most atmospheric neighbourhoods.
View venue5.0(391)· Google68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
At a glance
| Venue | Spot Score | Price | Suburb | Top feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makaveli Bondi | 71/100 | 5.0(1,445) | — | Bondi | — |
| Primi Italian | 70/100 | 4.8(4,427) | $$ | Sydney CBD | — |
| Alegre Bar and Dining | 70/100 | 4.8(3,467) | — | Darling Harbour | — |
| Myung Jang Chatswood | 70/100 | 4.8(2,517) | — | Chatswood | — |
| NOUR | 70/100 | 4.8(3,338) | $$$ | Surry Hills | — |
| Alba Restaurant | 69/100 | 4.8(1,587) | — | Newtown | — |
| Thai Pothong Restaurant | 68/100 | 4.7(5,878) | $$ | Newtown | — |
| Esteban | 68/100 | 4.7(1,845) | — | Sydney CBD | — |
| don Fred | 68/100 | 4.9(691) | — | Newtown | — |
| Hecho en Mexico Newtown | 68/100 | 4.7(2,112) | $$ | Newtown | — |
| Shaffa | 68/100 | 4.7(1,552) | $$ | Surry Hills | — |
| Hooked and Harvest | 68/100 | 5.0(391) | — | The Rocks | — |
Frequently asked questions
What's the Spot Score?+
Spot Score rates venues on factors including quality, consistency and community feedback. Scores shown here range from 68–71, indicating solid, well-regarded venues.
Which suburb has the most restaurants on this list?+
Newtown leads with five venues: Alba Restaurant, Thai Pothong Restaurant, don Fred, Hecho en Mexico Newtown, and a mix of other cuisines. It's known as one of Sydney's most diverse dining neighbourhoods.
Do you have opening hours or booking info?+
Operating hours and booking policies vary by venue and change seasonally. Contact each restaurant directly or check their social media before you visit.
Are these venues suitable for large groups?+
Suitability depends on the individual venue's layout and capacity. Reach out directly to confirm they can accommodate your group size.
Which venue would suit a special occasion?+
Several venues—like those in The Rocks and Darling Harbour—offer atmosphere suited to celebrations, but check directly about private bookings, pricing and their approach to special occasions.
Keep exploring
Sydney guides
roundupSydney Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
From hidden CBD cocktail rooms to Bondi beachfront drinks, these are Sydney bars worth choosing for their setting, speciality and atmosphere.
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Sydney
Plan a free Sydney day around harbour walks, coastal views, beaches, parks and lookouts, with honest notes on the paid experiences worth considering.
Read guide →roundupSydney With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From harbour parks and Northern Beaches to Sydney Park and hands-on challenges, these family outings make it easier to plan a day with kids.
Read guide →The best of Sydney, in your inbox
New openings, hidden gems and weekend ideas. One thoughtful email a week. No spam.