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The Top Restaurants In Sydney to visit

Restaurant Quay in front of the Sydney Opera House
Restaurant Quay in front of the Sydney Opera House | © Image Professionals GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

Australia’s culinary culture is relatively unknown when compared to its Pacific neighbors and European settlers. With its multicultural population and young identity, modern Australian cuisine encompasses a wide range of dishes created through a freedom in creative license. We look at 10 of the best Australian culinary experiences in Sydney, highlighting their cultural prestige and artistic merit.

Red Lantern

Decadence and conscience connect at Red Lantern, not only one of Sydney’s most awarded Vietnamese restaurants, but also a pioneer in the sustainability movement. Here visitors can enjoy fresh, line caught fish or succulent free range pork, complemented by perfectly cooked organic vegetables. The restaurant is powered by renewable energy and serves Vestal Water, which is an innovative system that eliminates the need for bottled water.

Tetsuya’s

Transporting its guests to Japan through both its creative, delicate dishes and its stunning design, Tetsuya’s is renowned for serving the best Japanese food in Sydney. Chef and owner Tetsuya Wakuda has previously been awarded the prestige of three chef hats 17 years in a row and has especially designed a ‘test kitchen’ in the restaurant to continue his exploration of gastronomy.

Glass

Opened by the internationally renowned Australian chef Luke Mangan, Glass provides visitors an incredible experience in both its flavours and visuals. Tony Chi’s design explores the transparent and elegant aspects of the restaurant’s name with a floor to ceiling glass wall and its sophisticated modern interior. Meanwhile, Mangan’s kitchen constantly pushes the boundaries of Australia’s culinary culture with inspiration from French and Asian cooking.

Quay

With a plethora of awards including Restaurant of the Year by The Australian Gourmet Traveller, the dishes served at Quay are forefront examples of artistic gastronomy. Experimenting with rare plants and organic ingredients, Peter Gilmore crafts his meals into stunning sculptures inspired by nature. The restaurant also offers breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, further adding to this unforgettable experience.

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Priding itself on being Australia’s most beautiful dining room, Rockpool Bar & Grill is set within an American-style art deco skyscraper, designed by Emil Sodersten in 1936. This awe-inspiring aesthetic continues through to the interior design, with its high ceiling and beautiful marble pillars. Meticulous with quality, head chef Neil Perry dry ages the restaurant’s beef on the premises, allowing Rockpool Bar & Grill to consistently serve some of Sydney’s best steaks.

Moo Gourmet Burgers

Moo provides outstanding burgers in a more relaxed, iconic Australian setting. Facing Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, visitors can enjoy their specialty burgers such as the 100 per cent kangaroo, or the double decker wagyu beef. Moo also prepares a range of shakes and cocktails, making it a perfect lunch spot for those hot Sydney beach days.

Bar and Dining

Set in Sydney’s tallest standing structure, 360 Bar and Dining provides breathtaking panoramic views of New South Wales’ capital. Diners are able to see Sydney in all directions as the whole restaurant rotates around the Sydney Tower. The sophisticated and modern interior adds to this unforgettable experience, while the kitchen impresses with standout modern Australian dishes.

Bennelong

Set under the sail-inspired architecture of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong is the best place to enjoy award-winning dishes before seeing a show. Guests can indulge in fusions of contemporary French and Australian cuisine while admiring the blissful views of the surrounding Sydney Harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens, and Circular Quay. Exactly 18 months after the doors closed on Guillaume Brahimi’s Bennelong in 2013, chef Peter Gilmore and restaurateur John Fink re-opened in 2015 for the first official customers to walk through the door after a multi-million dollar refit.

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About the author

Andrew is a writer and editor with several years experience in print, web and live performance. Born in Scotland, he moved to Australia where he studied creative arts at the University of Wollongong and majored in creative writing. Being passionate about art, culture and travel, Andrew has lived and worked around the world including Sydney, Tokyo, Edinburgh, Barcelona and London. Through these travels, he has not only focused on writing about the arts, but also on pursuing his own creative projects. His plays have been performed in multiple theatres around the world, including at The Arts Theatre in London’s West End.

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