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JapaneseCbd
Late-night izakaya on Bridge Street, Sydney CBD. Wagyu tartare, sake-driven cocktails, dark room with a constant playlist of 80s J-pop classics.
OrderWagyu tartare and miso-glazed eggplant.
TipBar walk-ins after 9pm; kitchen open till midnight Friday and Saturday.
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AmericanNewtown
Mary's pub burger on Mary Street, Newtown, Sydney. Cheeseburgers, fried chicken and mac and cheese in a former church-turned-rock-bar. Daily till late.
OrderThe Mary's cheeseburger and a side of fried chicken.
TipLoud room; sit upstairs if you want conversation.
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ItalianPaddington
Italian-leaning wine bar on William Street, Paddington, Sydney. Antipasti, daily pasta, the city's first natural-wine bar by-the-glass list since 2010.
OrderPasta of the day and a Lambrusco.
TipLimited bar stools; arrive early or settle for the bench seats outside.
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VietnameseMarrickville
Vietnamese banh mi counter on Illawarra Road, Marrickville, Sydney. Hank and Nancy Tran (ex-Coogee Hot Rolls) opened in 2026 in the old Alex'n'Rolls site.
OrderClassic pork banh mi with extra chilli.
TipCash and card; quick service even at the lunch peak.
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ItalianNewtown
Italian wine bar on Enmore Road in Newtown, Sydney. Pasta, aperitivo, a small-producer Italian wine list curated by the team behind Marta and Cucina.
OrderPasta of the day and a glass of Etna Rosso.
TipWalk-ins at the bar; book ahead for the tables on Friday and Saturday.
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ChinesePotts Point
Suburban-Cantonese on Llankelly Place, Potts Point, Sydney. The Cantonese duck and roast pork are the house specials; open Tue-Sun lunch and dinner.
OrderPrawn toast and Mongolian lamb.
TipBookings open four weeks ahead; the lunchtime yum cha is the easier ticket.