Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - In SYD for a Weeekend

What to do? I am there for a few days on business and then staying over the weekend for pleasure. What are the must-sees? Eating is a pastime to me.

What to do? I am there for a few days on business and then staying over the weekend for pleasure. What are the must-sees? Eating is a pastime to me. When are you coming?

Dave

What to do? I am there for a few days on business and then staying over the weekend for pleasure. What are the must-sees? Eating is a pastime to me.

The Coffee Festival is almost here, worth a sample if you are going to The Rocks.

Aside from ferry rides to Manly (and a walk across to Manly Beach from there), a walk up Oxford St to Paddington (and on to Bondi Junction, for a bus to Bondi Beach), then a walk along the cliffs to Coogee...

Bridgeclimb just before dusk if you want to see it all; otherwise it depends on what you like.

Food - remember Sydney is the most multicultural city in Oz and there is a great variety of cuisines and foodie suburbs. Look at www.eatability.com.au for some tripadvisor-style user reviews and rankings, to find restauarants and bars by location or cuisine.

Avoid Darling Harbour's Harbourside precinct but walk around King St Wharf on the city side. The new zoo next to the Sydney Aquarium might be worthwhile if you are stretched for time to see wildlife.

Try to get out of the CBD and up to Crows Nest (or Manly if you're there after you beach walk) for more food or Mosman for Sydney's own version of Carmel, CA.

Read a lot of info already here, in earlier threads on Sydney!
Thre have been many memorable nights had by FTers around the traps (with thanks to BEYflyer and kauakau for the most recent ones at Cafe Sydney and Coast)

Do you have a budget on restaurants?

I am arriving on the 11th and leaving on the 17th. I am on an expense account for the entire trip, but it isn't huge as I won't be entertaining clients. I could do a couple $100 meals but then would like to be generally in the $50 range. A couple nice restaurants (Tetsuyas? comes to mind) and some awesome cheap eats would be ideal.

Thanks for the suggestions BizBB!

I am arriving on the 11th and leaving on the 17th. I am on an expense account for the entire trip, but it isn't huge as I won't be entertaining clients. I could do a couple $100 meals but then would like to be generally in the $50 range. A couple nice restaurants (Tetsuyas? comes to mind) and some awesome cheap eats would be ideal.

Thanks for the suggestions BizBB!

I think you may have to set the bar a little lower or get the budget up. Tetsuyas is well above your budget, but there are plenty of other great places. try this thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308330

Well, that is my expense account. I can use it to subsidize a part of my meal if I wanted to go all out one night. I don't mind shelling out some of my own cash if I need to.

Well, that is my expense account. I can use it to subsidize a part of my meal if I wanted to go all out one night. I don't mind shelling out some of my own cash if I need to.


Oh definatley go for Tetsuya's then. If you want a knock your socks off view and pretty decent dining then its hard to beat Altitude at Shangri-La (http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/sydney/shangrila/dining/restaurant/altituderestaurant).

I second the Bridge Climb. I had a blast doing that.

Also, if you are on a budget, the Sydney Pass (gets you unlimited rail, jet cats, harbor cruises, buses, Sydney Explorer, and Bondi Explorer) is a great deal and the explorer buses are a quick way to see a lot. The harbor cruises are also fun.

www.sydneypass.info/ (http://www.sydneypass.info/)

I am arriving on the 11th and leaving on the 17th. I am on an expense account for the entire trip, but it isn't huge as I won't be entertaining clients. I could do a couple $100 meals but then would like to be generally in the $50 range. A couple nice restaurants (Tetsuyas? comes to mind) and some awesome cheap eats would be ideal.

Thanks for the suggestions BizBB!
Depends where you're staying but King Street Newtown or Chinatown in the CBD are great options for cheap eats! Tetsuya's is a must if you don't mind blowing the budget as is 41 (Level 41). Enjoy!

BBQ King in China Town is a great spot for Chinese food.
A basic looking place but the food is first class and its open late.
I also second using www.eatability.com.au ,its a great site and offers pretty accurate reviews

Have a wander around the Rocks as there are plenty of pubs and places to eat including the famous restaurant Rockpool $$$$ it has won 3 chefs hats.

Definatley do a ferry ride to Manly as it only costs $10-$15 return and you get to see the best views on the harbour.Manly has a lot of eating places and plenty of Bars on the Beach.


Tetsuya's ,Rockpool and Aria are definetly some of Australias best Restaurants.

Also, still on food you must do Bills for brekkie in Darlinghurst for the best scrambled eggs in the world!

Highly recommend the Sydney aquarium. It's not huge, but there are two large tanks for seals and sharks, and clear tubes that you can walk through on the floor of the tanks. The animals seem to enjoy brushing up against the tube walls, you can be literally inches away from enormous sharks and rays.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbyerly/751075181/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbyerly/751073823/

Highly recommend the Sydney aquarium. It's not huge, but there are two large tanks for seals and sharks, and clear tubes that you can walk through on the floor of the tanks. The animals seem to enjoy brushing up against the tube walls, you can be literally inches away from enormous sharks and rays.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbyerly/751075181/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbyerly/751073823/

Take advantage of 2-for-1 admission to the Sydney Aquarium and many other venues through August 31 with the Qantas "Your Guest is our Guest." promotion by presenting your QF ff card! Click here: http://www.seesydney.com/default.aspx?PageID=1286

Forget wanky plastic fake trendoid places like Tetsuyas .... you are in AUSTRALIA, not Toyko for goodness sakes. @:-)

Blow your budget here (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/State_of_New_South_Wales/Sydney-1869538/Restaurants-Sydney-Harrys_Cafe_de_Wheels_Pies-BR-1.html) and you'll remember this a lot longer than a $50 cracker with a tiny slice of tuna on it and 10 grains of rice. :D

See all the green stars? NO sydney visitor should miss this place. 5 bucks a meal - and you'll never forget it. ;)

Having a good time here so far and have not eaten at any place recommended yet, but have had good street malay and thai and decent italian on liverpool. Will have to try the pies on wheels!

I did a stroll around Darlington harbour (it is close to the hotel) and while it is a bit commercialized, they did have that Earth from Above exhibit showing which is particularly interesting. I also walked around Newtown yesterday morning and thought it would be a great place to come back to. A co-worker has a gig there on Saturday night, so I think I will wait until then.

I have also gone for a nice jog through the gardens and down by the opera house. Very nice! Now to go find some breakfast in CBD.

Oh coffee and caramel at Mecca on King and York was delicious. Highly recommended.

Will have to try the pies on wheels!



Its a great setting but there are better pies around....if you get the chance for lunch walk across the bridge or even take the train from Wynyard to Kirribilli and then ask where to find the Colonial Bakery...then you'll know a pie.

Blow your budget here (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/State_of_New_South_Wales/Sydney-1869538/Restaurants-Sydney-Harrys_Cafe_de_Wheels_Pies-BR-1.html) and you'll remember this a lot longer than a $50 cracker with a tiny slice of tuna on it and 10 grains of rice. :D

See all the green stars? NO sydney visitor should miss this place. 5 bucks a meal - and you'll never forget it. ;)

What is the green stuff? Mystery green curry? What are these pies? Scary!

That said, I'm in SYD this weekend as well. How about a FT brekkie at Bills Sunday morning? Or drinks tomorrow evening? Is Colonial Bakery open Sunday afternoon?

What is the green stuff? Mystery green curry? What are these pies? Scary!

That said, I'm in SYD this weekend as well. How about a FT brekkie at Bills Sunday morning? Or drinks tomorrow evening? Is Colonial Bakery open Sunday afternoon? I will be in Sydney for the Swans v Carlton game, should be over by around 4pm, if anyone wants to catch up.......

Dave

I rented a car for tomorrow and am going to head up to Hunter Valley so I'm out. I think after my run this morning that I deserve a pie. I think I might head to that Colonial Bakery for lunch. There is a corresponding thread on chow at http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419980

BTW - I went to Danks St Depot yesterday for breakfast. Quite good and even picked up a cookbook. I also went to Toko at 490 Crown St for what was one of the best Japanese meals of my life. The miso chicken, soft-shell crab and pork skewers were to die for. Delicious.

I will be in Sydney for the Swans v Carlton game, should be over by around 4pm, if anyone wants to catch up.......

Dave

I'm game. I'm at Darling Harbour so anything in the city or with easy rail access is good. I thought about going to the footy but I don't have clothes that are appropriate for that much time outdoors. I went in the Telstra Dome in MEL and it was great.

Its a great setting but there are better pies around....if you get the chance for lunch walk across the bridge or even take the train from Wynyard to Kirribilli and then ask where to find the Colonial Bakery...then you'll know a pie.

I went to Kirribilli on saturday but couldn't find the bakery. Asked a few people but none knew. *shrug* I enjoyed the view of the water from under the bridge and had a nice walk through quiet north sydney and across the bridge to the rocks.

Went up to Hunter Valley yesterday and had a great time. It is really beautiful up there and the wines I tried were all at least good (except maybe the rose at roche). I had a great tapas lunch at Calais consisting of some Sydney rock oysters, fried zucchini blossoms and a Moroccan lamb and mushroom dish. All very tasty. With a little willpower, I was able to hit about 6 wineries and afterward just spent time enjoying the view of the vineyards and surrounding landscape. While I was sitting there, a kangaroo hopped across the path in front of me. A perfect ending to my trip to Oz.

So I'm on my last 30 hours here in the CBD and still don't have a pie. Any thoughts of a pie near the CBD?

So I'm on my last 30 hours here in the CBD and still don't have a pie. Any thoughts of a pie near the CBD?

George Street. Between King and Market. Just up from the corner licorice store. Left side (with your back to The Rocks). Inside shopping mall. Antique, vintage building - 3 levels. On level 1 - ground floor - coffee cart with delicious pies. Hope this helps.

I think kaukau is referring to the Strand Arcade aka The Strand (http://www.strandarcade.com.au/IPOH/STRAND/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE115).

If you really want a pie just go for a walk down to Harry's Cafe De Wheels at
Woolloomooloo, any cabbie will know exactly where it is it's a bit of a Sydney institution.
If you want to blow some money next door to it is the Finger wharf which is home to some great restaurants
Otto,China Doll etc.
Lovely place for lunch today sitting in the sun overlooking the big boats.
Russel Crowe lives there but dont let that put you off!

I think kaukau is referring to the Strand Arcade aka The Strand (http://www.strandarcade.com.au/IPOH/STRAND/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE115).

Mahalo, BiziBB! That would be the one. I ate 3 pies from that coffee cart during the six days we were at the Grace Hotel on York St.! Each time, they were delicious.

Aloha from Lahaina!

Thanks! I have dinner plans at Aki's tonight on the finger wharf, so i think i might just stay local for the pie. Thanks again for the quick turnaround.

I grabbed a Chicken and Mushroom pie at the Baker's Oven Cafe (http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Places_to_eat_and_drink-Cafes-Baker_s_Oven_Cafe.htm) on Saturday. When I was growing up in the US my mother used to serve is these pie and call them Pot Pies. My sister and I, of course, called them Popeyes!

Now I understand what y'all are talking about and will have to try Harry's at some point. Lunch plans today are at La Grillade (http://www.lagrillade.com.au) so my trip to Harry's will have to wait a few weeks when I return to Sydney.

...Lunch plans today are at La Grillade (http://www.lagrillade.com.au) so my trip to Harry's will have to wait a few weeks when I return to Sydney.

Good choice from a very reliable restaurant. Please report on your experience! ^

So I'm on my last 30 hours here in the CBD and still don't have a pie. Any thoughts of a pie near the CBD?

Read post 14 and other comments.

Harry's is CBD pretty much. @:-)

I ended up getting a pie at Hannah's on Harris st. I got the tiger and was very happy with it.

Good choice from a very reliable restaurant. Please report on your experience! ^

I figured the report would be better over on the Sydney restaurants (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8062839#post8062839) thread.

I ended up getting a pie at Hannah's on Harris st. I got the tiger and was very happy with it.

Thats where Harry gets his pies from too.

It is like a hot dog.

200,000 places sell Hot Dogs in the USA. They taste exactly the same from most of these places.

There is only one Nathan's on Coney Island however. @:-)

It is sometimes nothing to do with the food, but all about the location.

Why is why Harry's was suggested to you. Oh well .........

And had I had another day in Sydney, I would've made it to Harry's but as it were, I had a limited resource, time. By the time I came to actually find a pie shop (my searches for Colonial and the one in the Strand were bust) , i only had 24 hours left. I took what I had.

And had I had another day in Sydney, I would've made it to Harry's but as it were, I had a limited resource, time. By the time I came to actually find a pie shop (my searches for Colonial and the one in the Strand were bust) , i only had 24 hours left. I took what I had.

Glad you got to try one! They're also readily available at the snack shops around the CityRail station and ferry slips at Circular Quay.

Did anyone mention there is another Harry's Cafe opposite the Capitol theatre, near Central Station?

I miss Sydney...

I miss Sydney...

BEYFlyer... it's coat and glove weather this week, hence the pies!
You're most welcome any time.

Speaking generally of weekends in Sydney - please avoid the city for the first Friday of September (Sept 7-9 inclusive):- APEC will mean our icons are off-limits except for very few guests!

We miss you too. :)

My co-workers said Tuesday was the coldest day on record for Sydney in the last 10 years. It was 32F/0C. Not too bad if you ask me :)

Coldest June/July since 1986! So much for global warming....errrrr climate change.

Well, except that global warming would actually cause events like this to occur. Along with a general warming, you see more 'extreme' events because of the change.