Eat in CBD, Sydney

Mr Wong ★ 4.8

Merivale's 240-seat Cantonese basement on Bridge Lane in the Sydney CBD. Peking duck carved tableside, yum cha at lunch, dim sum on tea trolleys.

Signature: Peking duck, Sang choi bow, Yum cha

Spice Temple ★ 4.6

Neil Perry's Spice Temple sits below the Art Deco City Mutual Building at 10 Bligh Street in the Sydney CBD. Regional Chinese, dark room, sichuan-heavy.

Signature: Stir-fried lamb with cumin, Mapo tofu, Salt-and-pepper squid

Lee Ho Fook ★ 4.7

Victor Liong's modern Chinese room in Sydney's Porter House precinct on Castlereagh Street. Crispy eggplant, glossy Peking duck and Sichuan share plates.

Signature: Crispy eggplant, Wagyu char siu, Mapo tofu

Aalia ★ 4.7

Paul Farag's two-hat modern Middle Eastern room on Martin Place, Sydney. Saj manakish on the open hearth, Iraqi masgouf and slow-roasted shoulder of lamb.

Signature: Hummus with smoked lamb, Saj manakish, Iraqi masgouf

Grandfathers ★ 4.3

Modern Chinese on Bligh Street in the Sydney CBD. Crispy poultry, Sichuan beef tongue and oysters in chilli oil, recommended booking on weekends.

Signature: Crispy poultry, Sichuan beef tongue, Oysters in chilli oil

Loulou Bistro ★ 4.1

French bistro on Martin Place, Sydney CBD. Long marble bar, escargots happy hour, steak frites and a Champagne list deep enough for a third bottle.

Signature: Beef tartare, Steak frites, Lemon tart

Ananas ★ 4.1

French brasserie in The Rocks, Sydney. Set menus under A$50 for escargots, French onion soup and steak au poivre with frites; a Champagne wall to match.

Signature: Escargots, Soupe a l'oignon, Steak au poivre

The Grill at The International ★ 4.6

Two-hat steakhouse and modern Australian grill on O'Connell Street, Sydney CBD. Dry-aged beef, large-format roasts, an old-school grand-dining room.

Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Lobster thermidor, Steak tartare

Eleven Barrack ★ 4.2

Two-hat steak and seafood room on Barrack Street, Sydney CBD. Bone-in steaks, fresh oysters, a polished room that landed two hats in the 2026 Good Food Guide.

Signature: Bone-in ribeye, Smoked oysters, Beef Wellington

Bennelong ★ 4.7

Peter Gilmore's two-hat Bennelong under the Opera House sails, Sydney. Native ingredients, harbour views, three-course or counter dining all year.

Aria ★ 4.1

Matt Moran's two-hat Aria has held its harbour outlook since 1999 on Macquarie Street, Sydney. Executive chef Tom Gorringe runs the line under Moran's name.

Shell House Dining Room ★ 4.4

Two-hat Mediterranean room atop Sydney CBD's Shell House. Joel Bickford runs wood-roasted seafood and seasonal Australian produce at rooftop level.

Bentley Restaurant + Bar ★ 4.1

Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt's two-hat Bentley on O'Connell Street, Sydney. Tasting menu, modern Australian produce and a 200-strong wine list.

Le Foote ★ 4.0

Swillhouse group Mediterranean room in The Rocks, Sydney. Wood-grilled fish, seasonal pasta and a long courtyard built into the 1840s sandstone walls.

Restaurant Hubert ★ 4.7

French underground bistro on Bligh Street, Sydney CBD. Dark wood, low lighting, a long bar and a French menu of charcuterie, confit and grilled steak.

Signature: Steak tartare, Confit duck, Tarte tatin

Order: Steak tartare and the daily plat du jour.

Tip: The downstairs bar takes walk-ins; the dining room books out two weeks ahead.

Nick's Seafood Restaurant ★ 4.0

Long-running waterfront seafood on Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney CBD. Whole grilled fish, prawn cocktails, the classic Aussie seafood restaurant by the water.

Signature: Whole grilled snapper, Salt-and-pepper squid, Mixed grill platter

Order: Whole grilled snapper with chips and salad.

Tip: Lunch service has a harbour-bridge view from the outdoor seating.

Kid Kyoto ★ 4.1

Late-night izakaya on Bridge Street, Sydney CBD. Wagyu tartare, sake-driven cocktails, dark room with a constant playlist of 80s J-pop classics.

Signature: Wagyu tartare, Miso eggplant, Karaage chicken

Order: Wagyu tartare and miso-glazed eggplant.

Tip: Bar walk-ins after 9pm; kitchen open till midnight Friday and Saturday.

Cabrito Coffee Traders ★ 4.3

CBD specialty cafe on King Street, Sydney. Rotating local and overseas roasters, breakfast bowls and a small counter for stand-and-drink commuters.

Signature drink: Filter coffee

Skittle Lane ★ 4.2

Skittle Lane specialty coffee bar in the Sydney CBD. Single-origin filter, espresso program and a regular booking of inner-city diners on weekdays.

Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia

How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail

Industry Beans ★ 4.0

Melbourne import's CBD flagship on York Street, Sydney: the Fitzroy crew's third-wave espresso, daily seasonal filters and an all-day coffee-bar food menu.

Sources from: Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil

How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription

Maybe Sammy ★ 4.8

Maybe Sammy on Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Italian-American mid-century cocktail bar, longstanding presence on the World's 50 Best Bars list.

Signature drink: Sammy's Negroni

Food: Bar snacks

The Baxter Inn ★ 4.7

Whisky basement on Clarence Street, Sydney CBD. Over 1,000 bottles on the back wall; the bartenders dress in arm-bands and braces. Mon-Sat from 5pm.

Signature drink: Whisky flight of three

Food: Snacks

Cantina OK! ★ 4.8

Twenty-seat mezcaleria on Council Place, Sydney CBD. On the World's 50 Best Bars extended list; rare agave-distilled spirits. Daily 4pm-2am, walk-ins only.

Signature drink: Mezcal flight

Food: Mexican snacks

Old Mates Place ★ 4.7

Two-level cocktail bar on Clarence Street, Sydney CBD with a rooftop terrace and Aussie native-ingredient cocktail program. Open Tue-Sat from 5pm.

Signature drink: Wellington 1873

Food: Snacks

Dean & Nancy on 22 ★ 4.7

Top-of-tower cocktail bar on Hunter Street, Sydney CBD. Floor 22 of A by Adina Hotel; harbour view, theatrical martini service, bookings essential.

Signature drink: Martini service

Food: Caviar and bar snacks

The Lobo Plantation ★ 4.5

Cuban-Caribbean tiki bar on Clarence Street, Sydney CBD. Rum-forward cocktails, jazz nights and the city's deepest rum back-bar. Open Wed-Sat from 5pm.

Signature drink: Rum punch

Food: Caribbean snacks

Ramblin' Rascal Tavern ★ 4.6

Cocktail dive on Park Street, Sydney CBD. Dive-bar aesthetic, top-shelf bar program; hot dogs at midnight and a sound system that runs loud.

Signature drink: Espresso martini

Food: Hot dogs

The Caterpillar Club ★ 4.2

Subterranean Pitt Street music lounge by the Frankie's Pizza crew: 10,000-LP collection, DJs deep into the night, dry-aged burgers and tuna melts till late.

Signature drink: Dive bar negroni and a vinyl set

Food: Diner classics, dry-aged burgers, tuna melts

Stitch Bar ★ 4.1

Below-street speakeasy on York Street, Sydney CBD. Hidden behind a haberdashery facade, American-leaning cocktails, peanut shells on the floor.

Signature drink: Pickleback shot

Food: American snacks

The Doss House ★ 4.3

Whisky-bar in 1840s sandstone cellars on George Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Single-malt regional flights and an underground room with stone walls.

Signature drink: Whisky flight by region

Food: Snacks

PS40 ★ 4.6

House-soda cocktail bar on King Street, Sydney CBD. The team distil their own sodas in-house; the rosehip-and-pepper soda highball is the bar signature.

Signature drink: House-made cola highball

Food: Snacks

The Glenmore Hotel ★ 4.1

Rooftop hotel bar on Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Wide-open harbour view to the Opera House, pub-grade lunch and pints from midday.

Signature drink: Beer with a harbour view

Food: Pub food

The Rook ★ 4.0

Seventh-floor rooftop bar on York Street, Sydney CBD. Mezcal-leaning cocktail program and a partly open-air courtyard above the city. Tue-Sun from 4pm.

Signature drink: Smoky margarita

Food: Mexican snacks

Bopp & Tone ★ 4.3

All-day restaurant-bar on Carrington Street, Sydney CBD. Italian small plates, oysters at the bar, the city's most reliable after-work spritz address.

Signature drink: Aperol spritz

Food: Pasta and small plates

Uncle Ming's ★ 4.0

Basement Chinese cocktail bar on York Street, Sydney CBD. Tea-infused cocktail program, dumplings to share, dim red glow and lantern-lit corners.

Signature drink: Tea-infused cocktail

Food: Dumplings

Rockpool Bar & Grill ★ 4.3

Bar inside Rockpool Bar & Grill on Hunter Street, Sydney CBD. Long marble bar, dry-aged beef snacks, old-school cocktail program that runs into the evening.

Signature drink: Manhattan

Food: Steak and bar snacks

Burrow Bar ★ 4.2

Underground cocktail bar on Clarence Street, Sydney CBD. Australian native-ingredient cocktail program, intimate basement room with leather banquettes.

Signature drink: Native-ingredient martini

Food: Snacks

Hoy Pinoy ★ 4.4

Filipino skewer pop-up at Barangaroo Reserve and seasonal Sydney events. Chicken inasal, pork barbecue and atchara pickle; check the Hoy Pinoy site.

Try: Filipino chicken inasal skewer

Mr Spanish Churros ★ 4.0

Spanish churros stall at Vivid Sydney's Fire Kitchen, Barangaroo Reserve. Crisp fried sticks dusted in cinnamon sugar, hot chocolate dipping sauce.

Try: Spanish churros with chocolate

The Rocks Markets ★ 4.2

Weekend artisan market on George Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Sourdough loaves, cheese stalls, native-ingredient honey and the city's best market location.

Good Food Month ★ 4.6

Sydney's monthlong food festival in October from the Good Food Guide team. Long lunches, chef collaborations and the Night Noodle Markets at Hyde Park.

Night Noodle Markets ★ 4.5

Pan-Asian street food market at Hyde Park, Sydney in October. Vietnamese pho, Singaporean laksa, Thai grills and Japanese izakaya across 40-plus stalls.

Bastille Festival Sydney ★ 4.4

Sydney's four-day Bastille Day food festival at Circular Quay and The Rocks, Sydney. French wine, cheese, charcuterie, oysters and live cabaret programming.

Good Food and Wine Show Sydney ★ 4.3

Three-day food and wine consumer show at ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour. Cheese, charcuterie, hatted-restaurant chef demos and Australian wine producer stalls.

Sydney Language Solutions Korean Cooking ★ 4.3

Korean home-cooking class at Sydney Language Solutions, George Street, CBD. Bibimbap, kimchi-making, japchae and Korean dessert across a three-hour session.

Sake Restaurant Sushi Masterclass ★ 4.1

Sushi-making class above Sake Restaurant, The Rocks, Sydney. Two-hour session: rice prep, knife skills, rolling maki and nigiri, then a tasting at the bar.

Bistecca ★ 4.5

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 ★ 4.2

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 ★ 4.0

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 ★ 4.1

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.

Frankie's Pizza by the Slice ★ 4.4

Sub-street rock-and-roll bar on Hunter Street, Sydney CBD. Live bands nightly, pizza by the slice, the city's most reliable 2am venue. Open Wed-Sun.

Try: New York-style slice

Kid Kyoto ★ 4.3

Late-night izakaya on Bridge Street, Sydney CBD. Open past midnight on weekends, walk-in friendly, sake list and yakitori counter for post-midnight diners.

Try: Wagyu tartare

City Extra ★ 3.8

Twenty-four-hour, two-level diner at Circular Quay East, Sydney CBD. 300-seater bistro food, the canonical Sydney late-night steak-and-chips room.

Try: Schnitzel and chips

Ramblin' Rascal Tavern ★ 4.5

Late-night cocktail dive on Park Street, Sydney CBD. Hot dogs at midnight, espresso martinis, the city's loudest sound system at 1am. Tue-Sat 5pm-3am.

Try: Hot dog at midnight