Saigon Things is a vietnamese restaurant in Strathfield, Sydney.
Editorially verified June 5, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Strathfield Vietnamese cafe with a tight pho-and-banh-mi menu and a Vietnamese iced coffee that the inner-east doesn't yet know about.
Tip: Order the iced coffee and the special pho; ask for extra herbs.
Address: 28/45-47 The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW 2135, Sydney
Olympus Dining on Baptist Street is the Greek hatted Redfern room sitting below the inner-easts radar; walk-in bar seats are the way in for solo diners.
Why locals love it: Greek hatted dining on Redfern Street that sits below the inner-east's radar.
Tip: Walk-in seats at the bar are the way in for solo diners every night.
Kolkata Social is bengali street-food cafe on king street, newtown, sydney that the inner-west missed for two years before the food press caught up.
Why locals love it: Bengali street-food cafe on King Street, Newtown, Sydney that the inner-west missed for two years before the food press caught up.
Tip: Order the kati roll and the kosha mangsho; it's a tight kitchen, takeaway moves faster.
Izakaya Gaku in Sydney: japanese sushi room. Five Dock omakase-style izakaya from a Tetsuya alumnus. 12 seats, sake list deep enough for a third.
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.
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.
