Forgot Vegemite, shrimps on the Barbie and Fosters beer; Sydney’s food and drink scene is one of the most sophisticated on the planet, with a distinctly Australian twist on the best France, Italy and Japan have to offer. Not forgetting famous Australian beef, too, which is always high on the city’s mouthwatering menus thanks to 27-million cattle nationwide, as well as wine, best sourced from the Hunter Valley and Margaret River. And when it comes to hosting superchefs, Sydney’s in no short supply; Neil Perry, Guillaume Brahimi and Tesuya Wakuda hold the foodie fort.
1. Duke Bistro
A mindblowing menu of modern Australian cuisine – deep-fried chicken wings, coleslaw, sardines and baby globe artichokes — is matched by an equally mindblowing cocktail list at Duke Bistro. One of the hippest spots around, the restaurant and bar are manned by some of the best in the business, including Mitch Orr (2010 Young Chef). For something a bit different, try the Kingfish G&T, a heady mix of sashimi, cucumber and jelly made from Hendrick’s Gin. The toast of the town, and truly worthy of celebration.
For food of the Asian persuasion chow down at China Doll; with waterside views, Iain Halliday-designed interiors and a fusion menu that draws influence from Asia’s most culinarily interesting cities, it’s a slick spot for slurping down more than just noodles. Expect a crowd of power-lunchers talking stocks over their Sichuan-style salt and pepper prawns. Polish off a dish of drunken chilli beef with something strong from the Ying & Yang cocktail list.
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Fine-dining and people-watching with a lower-case ‘e’. Modern Australian dishes come courtesy of chef Peter Doyle – the five-course sampler is a belt-buster, and the Rangers Valley beef with wasabi-imbued butter is to-dine-for – and there’s a wine list to sate even the most refined palate. Ring ahead to snag one of the hottest tables in town, or book a room at the adjoining Establishment Hotel.
A man with a van – and a plan – founder Harry certainly knew what he was doing. Soak up the booze from a night out in Kings Cross with a legendary ‘tiger’ meat pie from Harry’s Café de Wheels; made from meat layered with mash, gravy and mushy peas, it’s as Australian as the Opera House and damn good to boot. No wonder Elton John and other ‘slebs have dropped by.
A cosy, neighbourhood bistro that has foodies flocking in droves. Chef Dave Pegrum turns out flawless plates of French bistro fare in a light ‘n’ airy setting; opt for the charcuterie plate in the kind-of al fresco atrium or better yet, while propping up the bar with a glass (or two) of expertly-chosen vino.
6. Flinders Hotel
This dive bar is a favourite among Sydney’s locals. With bent signs, stacks of beer cans and plenty of graffiti, this is certainly not a classy joint: but for hard drinking, there’s nowhere quite like it for a rough ‘n’ ready night on the tiles. And it’s bound to be a long one: at the weekends, people party here until five in the morning. The Pickle Back cocktail — a shot of Jameson followed by a shot of pickle juice — is a must, if just to say you’ve done it.
7. Fico
Charm that special someone in the warm, intimate surroundings of Fico; the candlelight, cosy seating arrangement, lipsmackingly good wines (36 Aussie and Italian varieties – but who’s counting?) and soft jazz will help melt the hardest of hearts. And then there’s the delectable bar menu for pre-drinking stomach-lining or post-drinking soaking up; highly recommended are the grilled pork and fennel sausages, though clever clients come before 7pm when every glass of wine is served with a complimentary antipasti.
