Joanna James
As one of Australia's most popular food hubs, the sheer volume of award-winning restaurants in Sydney make is a highlight for foodies around the world. Here are 10 of the city's must-dine venues.
Tipped to be the city's top Japanese restaurant, Cho Cho San transports diners to the streets of Tokyo with its eclectic menu full of favourites including prawn toast, eggplant miso sticks and matcha tiramisu. Don't forget to sample the king crab omelette and other seafood delights as well as its Asian themed cocktails including Fukushima Fizz and Yuzu Spritz.
As its name suggests, The Apollo just maybe the best Greek food hub in the city if its classic shared plates and its traditional decor was anything to go by. Serving up a delectable mix of conventional Greek dishes including Loukoumades doughnuts and taramasalata mullet roe dip which comes with sides of pita bread, the venue is also the only place in Sydney where contemporary Greek fare is also part of the menu.
Revered as one of the most romantic locations in all of Sydney, its location inside the Sydney Opera House is just one of the many attributes that set it apart from similar eateries. Ideal for cocktails and champagne celebrations the venue also serves up Sydney rock oysters and other local favourites in its decidedly plush setting. Dressing up is a must when heading to the Bennelong Restaurant so leave the shorts behinds.
The interesting fusion of Asian and Italian flavours is what makes a dinner date at Acme a truly memorable experience. The pasta and macaroni dishes are nothing to scoff at either although the true heroes of the menu and its desserts and wines. With so many meats infused treats, the venue is not exactly a vegetarian favourite but carnivores with voracious appetites for Italian meals with an Asian twist will find no other restaurant quite so enticing.
Housed within a traditional Argentinean setting, Porteño is a barbeque fanatic's dream dining hub in Sydney. The flame cooked meats and the grilled fare is not the only options available, however, as its orange and buttermilk ricotta salad and vegetarian side dishes are also the talk of the town. Order the crispy Brussels sprouts with mint and lentils salad for a true surprise while the Guatemalan rice tamale is no less impressive.
Explore chef Lennox Hastie's modern Australian grill menu with a dinner reservation at Firedoor. Cooking seafood, meat and fish items to order the speciality of Firedoor is the different types of wood used to grill and char the meats which include chestnut, apple and cherry wood.
Prepared with ingredients from the chef's own produce garden, the menu at Sean's Panaroma changes with the seasons and is spontaneous, to say the least. With an extensive choice of starters and desserts, the mains served at the venue include Barramundi with preserved lemon and roast chicken served with pureed parsnips.
Thai food lovers should not miss the chance to wine and dine at this iconic restaurant run by Chef David Thompsom. Try the many noodle dishes, satays and curries at this Thai restaurant where fish cakes are a preferred favourite.
Easily accessible to those based at Oaks On Castlereagh or any other similar apartment hotel in Sydney, Ester is the best place to dig into modern Australian cuisine in the city. Burnt Pavlova and cauliflower in the almond sauce are top eats at Ester which also specializes in vegetarian dishes.
Looking out over Bondi Beach, the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is another fine dining hotspot with a wonderful bar.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
