Izakaya Gaku is a japanese sushi restaurant in Five Dock, Sydney.
Editorially verified June 5, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Five Dock omakase-style izakaya from a Tetsuya alumnus. 12 seats, sake list deep enough for a third bottle, far enough from the city to remain a local secret.
Tip: Bookings open four weeks ahead; ask for the bar counter to watch the line.
Address: 175 First Avenue, Five Dock NSW 2046, Sydney
Ester Bar is the walk-in stand-up bar inside ester on meagher street, chippendale, sydney. same wood-fired snacks as the dining room, no booking required.
Why locals love it: The walk-in stand-up bar inside Ester on Meagher Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Same wood-fired snacks as the dining room, no booking required.
Tip: Sit at the bar after 9pm; the natural wine list is the same as the dining room.
Bistecca is florentine-style steak house hidden under glasshouse on spring street, sydney cbd. bistecca alla fiorentina by the kilo, no menu posted online.
Why locals love it: Florentine-style steak house hidden under Glasshouse on Spring Street, Sydney CBD. Bistecca alla Fiorentina by the kilo, no menu posted online.
Tip: Bookings open one month ahead; ask for the Florentine carved tableside.
Clarence & V on Clarence Street is a Sydney CBD European cellar with bar seats, charcuterie and a quiet 2025 opening the food press flagged only late.
Why locals love it: European cellar restaurant on Clarence Street, Sydney CBD. Bar seats, charcuterie, an under-the-radar 2025 opening that the food press flagged only late.
Tip: Walk-in seats at the bar are the fastest way in; book ahead for a table.
Infinity by Mark Best is chef Mark Best's revolving restaurant on Level 4 of Sydney Tower, serving an all-Australian modern menu high above the city.
Why locals love it: Modern Australian dining 250 metres above the city in Sydney Tower, where the room slowly revolves through a full 360-degree view that locals tend to leave to tourists.
Tip: An early sitting gives the clearest light through the windows; the room takes about 70 minutes to complete one rotation.
Grappa The Rocks is italian pizza-and-pasta room above the rocks on argyle street. the salt-baked snapper is the off-menu sleeper; ask the waiter.
Why locals love it: Italian pizza-and-pasta room above The Rocks on Argyle Street. The salt-baked snapper is the off-menu sleeper; ask the waiter.
Tip: The salt-baked snapper for two needs 24 hours notice; ring ahead.
Pepito's is tucked into a side-street terrace on marrickville road, the rockabilly peruvian taberna runs nightly live music and pisco-driven cocktails.
Why locals love it: Tucked into a side-street terrace on Marrickville Road, the rockabilly Peruvian taberna runs nightly live music and pisco-driven cocktails.
Tip: No bookings; the Friday-night live-music slot is the busiest.
