Sydney Eat Street: Best new dining spots for all budgets
From fancy to casual dining, NSW has plenty of new places to enjoy a formal dinner, or some funky new desserts like the Insta-famous Thai fairy floss dish. See the list.
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From on-trend to off-the-cuff, NSW has plenty of new places to enjoy a formal dinner, or some funky new desserts.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
Ed Ae’ Unique Thai
For those yet to travel again, let the abundance of colour and fragrance at this two-month-old Thai eatery in Haymarket be a subtle reminder to revisit Thailand. And if that doesn’t get you, the authentic food sure will.
“Ed Ae’ is this amazing new Thai cafe with unique and delicious sweet and savoury dishes,” says Olivia Wong, a self-confessed foodie whose honest reviews have made her Instagram account @Olivia.food.blog (75K + followers) a must for the straightforward scoop on Sydney eateries.
Olivia suggests starting with savoury snacks such as mian gong, bite-size morsels of prawns, finger lime and coconut in a crispy golden cup, followed by wagyu noodle dishes, and last but not at all least, their Insta-famous bingsu saimai – a combination of bingsu (or bingsu), the Korean version of shaved ice (often frozen milk or tea), and saimai (or sai mai) silky threads of fluffy Thai fairy floss that constructed in the shape of a bread loaf and served with ramekins.
— 704A George St, Haymarket; edaethai.com.au
ELE by Federico & Karl
Dinner and a show gets redefined at ELE by Federico and Karl, where the theatrics of their progressive dining menu takes centre stage. Owner/chefs Federico Zanellato (LuMi, LODE Pies & Pastries) and Karl Firla (Leo, Oscillate Wildly) have teamed up again.
They embrace their affinity for the arts and innovation, by marrying food, sound and projections to craft a culinary experience that engages every sense.
Diners quite literally progress through different parts of the restaurant, where you’ll be served a dish or drink inspired by one of the four elements (earth, wind, fire and water).
The sustainably-focused Australian menu begins with a cocktail and canapes such as sourdough crumpet topped with wagyu tartare and confit egg yolk.
From there, advance to standout dishes such as dry-aged Murray cod and Western Australian marron, followed by the grand finale, an intricate plating of an ornate dessert at The Chef’s Table. Expect the menu to change throughout each season. ($230pp; Atmospheric Beverage package, an additional $170pp).
— 80 Pyrmont Rd, Pyrmont; elesydney.com.au
Nanyang Malaya
Billy Chong, co-owner of casual Malaysian/Singaporean eatery, Nanyang Malaya Cafe, got through lockdown by offering top class deliveries when Covid hit just days after he opened for business.
For a time, the inner-west was the only area to benefit from his Malaysian and Singaporean classics such as laksas and Hainan chicken rice.
But fortunately they have now ventured north to Macquarie Park where you can get all the faves plus their newly added vegan option, the ramen-based Ramly Rendang Burger.
— 297 Lane Cove Rd, Macquarie Park; nanyangmalaya.com.au
Neighbourhood Dinner at Refettorio OzHarvest
Food nourishes our bellies but also our hearts and minds. Some of our fondest memories are sitting at the dinner table with family and friends, sharing a laugh or hearing the same story several times over.
At Neighbourhood Dinner at Refettorio OzHarvest, the goal is to capture that spirit by offering free lunches to those in need and hosting Neighbourhood Dinners.
These paid three-course meals come with non-alcoholic beverages and all are created with zero-waste and rescued ingredients.
Glendon, an OzHarvest Volunteer, said the zero-waste policy was at the heart of the charity mission, and that “the OzHarvest in Surry Hills combines the forces of food rescue and repurposing charity OzHarvest, with the global ambitions of chef Massimo Bottura with his Food for Soul charity, to create a beautiful space that warmly welcomes anyone in need of a feed for free lunchtime meals”.
Glendon explains how the paid Neighbourhood Dinner events fund OzHarvest’s important daytime work, plus they’re a great way for the chefs to showcase the restaurant zero-waste philosophy by transforming rescued produce into such delectable dishes as XO and mozzarella arancini with miso ginger pumpkin and cabbage mallang. ($80pp + online booking fee).
— 481 Crown St, Surry Hills; ozharvest.org/refettorio-ozharvest-sydney/dinners/
Edition Izakaya
This daytime cafe known for its house-roasted coffee beans and Insta-famous (and unbelievably delicious) Japanese souffle pancakes, is venturing to the dark side, joining a collection of establishments behind Darling Square’s burgeoning night scene.
From 5.30pm-11pm, Wednesday-Saturday, Edition Izakaya will be serving Japanese snack size portions of fried chicken, kingfish sashimi and prawn udon as well as an impressive selection of sake and Japanese whiskey
— 60 Darling Dr, Haymarket; editionroasters.com
Mary’s Burgers
Over the bridge and through the burbs, to Mary’s new venue we go. Yes, it’s true, you needn’t be south of The Bridge to get your hands on those classic burgers, whole chooks, mash-n-gravy, crispy fries, and a slew of vegan offerings.
— 7/250 Old Northern Rd, Castle Hill; marys69.com/castle-hill
Jinja
With the sultry bespoke art, and head chef Sebastian Tan’s (Silks and Teahouse,) modern Cantonese menu, this new restaurant in the Grosvenor Hotel is the story of Jinja who like so many others in a multicultural city, embrace their new-found home, but also hold tight to their heritage.
Tan’s dishes pair old-world flavours and recipes with contemporary techniques and influences, evidence in signature dishes such as 20 dim sum including sesame prawn brioche, live seafood such as lobster and coral trout, BBQ dishes of Cantonese roast duck and Jinja signature BBQ smoked pork ribs, grilled Wagyu with black truffle Yakiniku sauce, and a variety of Chinese rice and noodles.
Jinja also has a ceremonial tea tasting dispensary and a vast array of teas, along a large selection of baijiu (“clear liquor”), cocktails and a 100+ bottle wine list.
— Level 1/9 Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park; jinja.com.au
Mount Pleasant Cellar Door
Old grapes, new digs. Mount Pleasant, a Hunter Valley institution has finally unveiled its new and totally reimagined cellar door. The space has been redesigned to emphasise the expansive vineyard view and make room for larger tasting areas and a members’ lounge.
To round out the elevated offering, chef Kyle Whitbourne who, in collaboration with renowned chef Justin North from Concept Hospitality, has created five tasting menus with Mediterranean-inspired dishes, each designed to complement the wines of Mount Pleasant’s four historic vineyard sites.
— 401 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin; mountpleasantwines.com.au
Enoteca Ponti
Not so much a Roman Holiday as a reprieve from the moody decor of its prior tenant, Enoteca Ponti channels The Eternal City’s wine bars of the 1950s with burgundy leather banquette seating, tiled bar, and arched design elements.
Chef Aldo Farroni’s (Shell House Sydney) menu reflects his childhood on the Italian West Coast north of Rome. The dishes are a blend of Roman classics with contemporary touches such as lasagne spring rolls with fermented chilli oil, house-made focaccia and pasta, charcuterie and larger mains.
While sharing a meal with great food and wine is encouraged, space is tight (65-diners, 14 bar seats), best book in now.
— 71A Macleay St, Potts Point; enotecaponti.com
SLIMS
No need for the ostentatious toppings and height, as the burgers at SLIMS get your attention the old fashion way – with quality local ingredients including Angus beef, and Slim’s secret sauce served alongside thick milkshakes and sundaes in a delightfully nostalgic American diner-style venue.
WHAT’S FRESH – Jana Restaurant & Bar
Like any new business, those first few days (or even weeks) can be a bit quiet – minus the purchases from well-meaning family members of course – but at Jana Restaurant & Bar, chef Massimo Speroni and the team at QT Newcastle got the buzz going well before its June opening, making the hotel’s signature restaurant with its Italian-inspired modern Italian menu a “must-book-now” dining experience.
According to one recent diner, Daniel Goldstein, a communication specialist, “the star of the menu is The Pukara Estate lamb”.
“It’s served with wattle seed and garlic jus. And for dessert, the Jana Torta is a great way to finish. It’s served warm with Amaretti and Marsala Zabaione. Perfect way to beat that winter chill.”
But, once the weather warms up, the rooftop bar is sure to be the hot ticket for cool cocktails.
— QT Hotel, 185 Hunter St, Newcastle; qthotels.com/newcastle/eat-drink/jana
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.