If you're planning to visit Sydney or study there, you should explore the food scene. When we think of Australian food, we think of Vegemite, BBQs, and meat pies. The food scene in Australia is far richer than you may think. The city offers excellent food and views to go along with your dining experience! Sydney currently houses around 6 million people and currently houses over 180 different nationalities. This mix of cultures created a vibrant food culture, not to mention the coffee culture. Through this guide, Casita, the student housing company, will provide a detailed Food Tour in Sydney, giving you insight into where to find good food in Sydney.

Restaurants in Sydney:

Sydney has multiple fantastic restaurants and dining spots. In this section of the food tour in Sydney, we will detail all the best restaurants from various cuisines. The cuisines discussed will be Australian, Asian, Italian, Fast food, Middle Eastern, Vegan, and Latin. We will also discuss some of the cheapest eats in the city. 

Australian Restaurant:

Australian food is characterized by its international influence, such as the Italian-inspired food staple Chicken Parmigiana. They also have a large section of food items, including many barbecue items and meat dishes. Here are some of the best Australian food restaurants. 

Bentley Restaurant and Bar: 27 O'Connell St, Sydney

This prize-winning restaurant is a must-try if you're looking for good Australian food in Sydney's CBD. It's known for its delicious food and unique and stylish interior. The atmosphere is phenomenal. This restaurant has an A la Carte and a tasting menu and serves the finest Aussie cuisine. 

Butcher and the Farmer: Shop 7/1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge

This restaurant is made for meat lovers; it serves everything from steaks to meat pies to delicious sides and desserts. It offers the freshest ingredients out there and has an exceptional laid-back atmosphere. 

Asian Restaurant:

Due to its proximity to Asia, Sydney has attracted many Asian immigrants, which has led to a vast Asian food and cultural scene in Sydney. Here are our top picks for the best Asian food in Sydney.

MAMAK (Malaysian restaurant): 15 Goulburn St, Sydney.

This Malaysian restaurant takes inspiration from Malaysian street food carts and serves unique dishes, notably Roti and Satay. They have fantastic service and provide an exceptional dining experience. This restaurant is also home to some of the cheapest eats if you want to dine on a budget.

CHACO RAMEN: 238 Crown St, Darlinghurst.

This ramen place serves up fantastic Ramen dishes and Yakitori. This Ramen place is known for its excellent food and Japanese-styled interiors.

SPICE ALLEY: Kensington St, Chippendale

Spice Alley is an Asian-themed alleyway that consists of budget-friendly Asian eateries serving eight different cuisines. There you can have Singaporean food at Alex Lee Kitchen and Ginger and spice. Vietnamese food at Viet, Thai food at Bang Luck Thai Street Food, Chinese at the Shanghai Dumpling Bar, Cantonese at Hong Kong Diner, Malaysian at Sedap, Japanese at KYO-TO Ramen and Sushi, and South-East Asian at Yum Yum.

Italian Restaurant:

Sydney has a large Italian community which allowed them to influence the food scene in Sydney; in 1945, they were the second-largest migrant group after the British. Here are our top picks for Italian restaurants.

ROSSO POMODORO: Balmain and Bondi

This Italian restaurant serves up affordable and authentic Italian pizza. It is located at 94 Bronte Road, 2022 Bondi Junction, and 360 Darling St, Balmain. It also serves up delicious salads and Antipasto.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach

This Italian restaurant offers fantastic Italian food with beautiful views of Bondi beach. It has an A la Carte menu and Vegetarian and Vegan menus. The ambience is both cosy and stylish, with stunning, wide window views. 

A'Mare: Crown Sydney, Level 1/1 Barangaroo Ave.

This Italian restaurant has jaw-dropping interiors that showcase luxury. It also has an extensive food selection with a variety of options to choose from. It also has beautiful large windows that showcase the beautiful green outdoors. The restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes and desserts and has a Vegetarian and Vegan menu.

Fast food:

BURGER PROJECT: Alfred st.

This American-inspired fast food restaurant offers excellent and affordable fast food in Sydney's CBD and specializes in Burgers. Feel free also to try their amazing desserts. 

BELLES HOT CHICKEN: 5/33 Barangaroo Ave.

Known for its iconic Nashville-style Fried chicken, this restaurant serves delicious American-inspired fast-food staples and does it with talent, as they have some of the best chefs in town. It has a retro American style that takes you back in time. They serve high quality at a low cost, making it one of the cheapest eats in the city.

Middle Eastern:

Sydney's middle eastern restaurants are a must-try, here are our top picks.

AALIA: Shop 7.07-7.08/25 Martin Pl

This award-winning Middle eastern restaurant is located in Sydney's CBD; it has a beautiful, stylish modern interior and blends the traditional with the new, which is reflected in the restaurant's take on traditional middle eastern food. 

Above Par: 215 Clarence St, Sydney

This restaurant is one of the most recognizable Middle-eastern restaurants in Sydney. They serve up delicious Mezzes, which are little traditional side dishes. They also serve modern takes on classic dishes and ingredients with iconic dishes such as the Halloumi tart and the roasted cauliflower on sweet potato puree. It is a culinary experience.

Al Aseel

This restaurant has seven locations and offers a family-style dining experience. This restaurant specializes in Lebanese cuisine and has the freshest and most authentic middle eastern ingredients from the restaurant's private retail store, Mazati; the restaurant can also host events.

Vegan:

Flyover Fritterie And Chai Bar:88 Regent St, Redfern

This Indian-inspired restaurant serves up some of the best Vegan food s well as their must-try Chai. You can visit this Indian street food-inspired restaurant at Redfern. 

Bad Hombres:40 Reservoir St, Surry Hills

Bad Hombre is what happens when Mexican food meets Vegan. It offers some of the best Mexican-inspired Vegan dishes.

The Sunshine Inn:180 Redfern St, Redfern

This Vegan restaurant offers some of the best side dishes and sandwiches in town. It's got everything from Pasta to plant-based sandwiches to Vegan desserts.

Latin:

Porteño:50 Holt St, Surry Hills

This Latin restaurant works with local farmers to provide the freshest meats and ingredients. They are well known for their steaks and entrees and retro Latin-inspired interior. Feel free to also ask about the chef's selection.

La Paula: 1/9 Barbara St, Fairfield

This Chilean restaurant serves delicious Chilean empanadas and cakes. They also have a wide range of pastries, wraps, and sandwiches.

Tentaciones Latin Restaurant:50-52 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

This Colombian restaurant serves unique dishes, breakfast options, and a fantastic dinner menu with traditional dishes such as Arepas, Mute (soup) Picada, and Chuleta Valluna, among many other Colombian dishes.

Breakfast and lunch spots:

If you're looking for unique breakfast spots, here are our top picks on places to have breakfast in Sydney.

Brown Sugar: 06 Curlewis St

This bistro found on Bondi serves some of the most creative breakfast options. They are well known for their pancakes and wide selection of egg options; they also have bowls and breakfast platters. For lunch/brunch lovers, they have an all-day brunch menu.

The Grounds of Alexandria:7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria

This breakfast spot is located in a former pie factory; the atmosphere there is phenomenal with its beautiful and stylish wood and brick interior and its green garden with a classic fountain. It will set the mood right at the start of the day. They also pride itself on its speciality coffee, bakery, and breakfast menu. They've also got everything from light breakfast options to an egg section. To go big, you can order the Big Brekkie.

Yellow:57 Macleay St, Potts Point

Once an art gallery built in the 1950s, this award-winning European-inspired bistro serves delicious lunch options and has a cosy atmosphere with a rustic interior. It specializes in Vegan food.

Coffee shops:

In this section, we'll list the best coffee shops in Sydney. As mentioned earlier, Australia has one of the biggest coffee cultures worldwide, so it is no surprise that it would have some of the best coffee shops.

Room Ten:10 Llankelly Pl, Potts Point

This place is one of the best coffee shops in Sydney. It is well known for its fantastic coffee and signature breakfast items, such as the smashed Avocado on toast. Most of those who tried this coffee shop describe it as offering high-quality food and memorable experiences. It's known to have one of the best coffees in town.

Gumption: Shop 11, The Strand Arcade, city centre

Located in the historic Arcade shopping centre, this coffee shop serves delicious coffee and some of the best food in Sydney CBD. They also have their coffee roasters and speciality blends.

Artificer: 547 Bourke St, Surry Hills

This coffee shop's primary focus is serving delicious coffee, and they pay close attention to their coffee bean selection and roasting. That's why they are known to serve regular coffee and speciality roasted coffee. 

Dessert shops:

And, of course, we wouldn't forget those with a sweet tooth. In this section, we'll list shops, cafes, and restaurants serving the best desserts in Sydney.

Blackstar Pastry: 500 George St

This pastry has delicious and Instagram-worthy pastry and is one of the most Instagrammed pastries in town. Its primary focus is on cakes, tarts, and other pastries, which are extremely popular. The cakes themselves are carefully crafted and very eye-pleasing.

Pasticceria Papa:145 Ramsay St, Haberfield

This Italian cafe serves some of the most iconic Italian pastries and desserts in Sydney and is famous for its Ricotta Cake. It also got a wide range of Italian cakes, pastries, gelato, and granita.

Koi Dessert Bar: 6 Central Park Ave, Chippendale

Koi's dessert creations are unique and experimental; the atmosphere is modern, chic, and creative. Their dessert options are bursting with flavour and are unique. They have some of the best cakes and other marvellous dessert creations in town.

We hope this food tour has helped you get acquainted with Sydney’s food scene. At Casita, the student housing company, we aim to help our students get allocated to their perfect student accommodation in Sydney as quickly and efficiently as possible; through our extensive experience and multilingual staff. For more information regarding Sydney and where to find Sydney accommodations, feel free to contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What‘s unique about a food tour through Chinatown in Sydney?

Chinatown in Sydney represents the Chinese community in Sydney; through Chinatown, you’ll find unique and authentic Chinese food and ingredients.

2. How can you have a middle-eastern food tour in Syndey?

Sydney has a wide range of Middle eastern options. Middle eastern food is unique as it has many vegetarian and Vegan options. You can search for the nearest Middle eastern restaurants by using our blog or Google Maps.