Suggestions for really good restaurants in Sydney
Oct 29, 2009, 10:54 am
#1
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Suggestions for really good restaurants in Sydney
I know it's a subjective topic but I'd like suggestions for really nice restaurants with good local food and ambience. Thanks.
Oct 29, 2009, 1:05 pm
#2
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http://www.smhshop.com.au/food-reviews.php
Tetsuya's is always up there. Quay is quite nice, excellent view and relatively speaking, not too expensive. Altitude is good too.
Aria is also rated highly, but I found that food and service average, then again, I haven't been there for a while.
Tetsuya's is always up there. Quay is quite nice, excellent view and relatively speaking, not too expensive. Altitude is good too.
Aria is also rated highly, but I found that food and service average, then again, I haven't been there for a while.
Oct 30, 2009, 12:53 am
#4
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There are really only 2 really good high-end restaurants in Sydney: Flying Fish and Tetsuya (with the latter double the cost of the former and next to impossible to book). The rest (such as Rockpool) are mostly disappointing. Sydney has many fine cheap local restaurants -- much easier to get a fine $50 meal there than a fine $150 meal. Of course the best food in Sydney is in Melbourne 
Oct 30, 2009, 4:51 am
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I think we need to know what the OP's tastes and budget run to before jumping to that conclusion.
Personally, my tastebuds are more than satisfied by a large number of Sydney restaurants. Many more than two anyway
Oct 30, 2009, 10:10 am
#6
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I think he may have forgotten to add "IMO", I've been to Flying Fish 4 or 5 times (never my idea) and have never thought it was that great.
Oct 30, 2009, 11:31 am
#7
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Thanks for the replies, everyone. It doesn't have to be the fanciest or most expensive place. If anyone knows of a great $50 meal I'd be happy to try that. I want something organic to Sydney with good food. Price is not the main barometer as much as quality and overall experience.
Oct 30, 2009, 5:36 pm
#8
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You may want to check out this recent thread.
I also was at Becasse this week, and noticed they have a $65 three course lunch menu. Well worth it IMO.
I still think the Friday set lunch at Assiette for $35 is one of the best deals in Sydney (they've just been awarded two hats).
I also was at Becasse this week, and noticed they have a $65 three course lunch menu. Well worth it IMO.
I still think the Friday set lunch at Assiette for $35 is one of the best deals in Sydney (they've just been awarded two hats).
Last edited by bensyd; Oct 30, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Oct 30, 2009, 9:25 pm
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Oh, so you meant "really good value" as opposed to fine dining. That is something that Sydney shines at. Some choices that you probably won't find in your research (they are all small, crowded and kept as a secret):
Mint (moroccan) http://www.cafemint.com.au/
Miso (Japanese, very cheap, in world trade center and astonishingly good) http://www.masuya.com.au/en/index.html
There is a GREAT italian cafe near Star City casino but it only has a few tables and 2 or 3 dishes a night .... you eat what they cook and it is always fabulous, forget the name but it is a couple of blocks from the casino and always jammed.
Whenever a pub in Sydney offers GRILLED flatheads (not fried) it has invariably been quite good. This has become my acid test for pub food (get a nice meal for $20).
Mint (moroccan) http://www.cafemint.com.au/
Miso (Japanese, very cheap, in world trade center and astonishingly good) http://www.masuya.com.au/en/index.html
There is a GREAT italian cafe near Star City casino but it only has a few tables and 2 or 3 dishes a night .... you eat what they cook and it is always fabulous, forget the name but it is a couple of blocks from the casino and always jammed.
Whenever a pub in Sydney offers GRILLED flatheads (not fried) it has invariably been quite good. This has become my acid test for pub food (get a nice meal for $20).
Oct 30, 2009, 9:28 pm
#10
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Anything anyone writes on FT is IMO or even IMHO sometimes, as nobody who actually knows can post here .... one of the rules of the web and non-disclosure agreements
Of course some write things sometimes that aren't even in their own opinion
Of course some write things sometimes that aren't even in their own opinion
Dec 4, 2009, 2:32 am
#11
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Sake
A new high-end Japanese fusion restaurant just opened a few weeks ago in the Rocks, and it is SENSATIONAL. The sashimi etc. is impeccable and the sake the finest in the southern hemisphere, however the real star are the crossover fusion dishes. Things like kingfish jalapeno with yuzu sauce that I was very suspicious of prior to trying (far too faddy a description!) and the result is superb flavour that melds east and west. And a japanese inspired desert that works (in a green tea baked alaska with fairy floss). Not cheap (over AUD 100 per person) but well worth it. Wish I lived in Sydney, I'd book it for NYE.
SMH review is understated (or it has improved since it opened): http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertain...614995331.html
SMH review is understated (or it has improved since it opened): http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertain...614995331.html
Dec 4, 2009, 9:44 am
#12
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Thanks for the replies, everyone. It doesn't have to be the fanciest or most expensive place. If anyone knows of a great $50 meal I'd be happy to try that. I want something organic to Sydney with good food. Price is not the main barometer as much as quality and overall experience.
Dec 6, 2009, 8:40 pm
#13
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Sydney has lots of great places. Don't listen to the melbourne lovers.
My favourite at the moment is the Rockpool Bar and Grill. Best steaks in Australia and probably the best wine list as well. And in the most fantastic art deco room it's hard to go wrong.
I like Tetsuyas, Quay, Aria, Catalinas and Pier (latter two in rose bay), Icebergs (Bondi).
For something the next level down, you can't beat Cafe Sydney which surely has the best view in Sydney.
My favourite at the moment is the Rockpool Bar and Grill. Best steaks in Australia and probably the best wine list as well. And in the most fantastic art deco room it's hard to go wrong.
I like Tetsuyas, Quay, Aria, Catalinas and Pier (latter two in rose bay), Icebergs (Bondi).
For something the next level down, you can't beat Cafe Sydney which surely has the best view in Sydney.
Dec 8, 2009, 9:48 pm
#14
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Sydney does consistently rank in the top 10 cities in the world for food (but also consistently behind Melbourne). Personally I put both in the top 5. No other country has 2 cities in the top 5, to put it into perspective!
Rockpool is great without the hype, but with the hype it is disappointing. Same for Tetsuya. In that class Melbourne has them both firmly beat with Vue de Monde, at the moment. Actually that has a shot at making the "10 best in the world" list, which is a bit higher than Michelin 3 star.
Rockpool is great without the hype, but with the hype it is disappointing. Same for Tetsuya. In that class Melbourne has them both firmly beat with Vue de Monde, at the moment. Actually that has a shot at making the "10 best in the world" list, which is a bit higher than Michelin 3 star.
