Best Restaurants in Sydney 2026

Where to eat in Sydney, from the CBD to the coast

Sydney's best restaurants are spread right across the city - harbourside dining rooms in the CBD, small plates in Surry Hills, long lunches by the water. This guide picks out the ones worth booking, whether you're planning a date night, a weekend breakfast or a midweek catch-up. Every restaurant here is bookable through First Table with 50% off your food bill.

Five of the best restaurants in Sydney

1. Brasserie 1930 | Sydney CBD

Best for: Special occasions and shared group dining

Tucked inside Capella Sydney, this sophisticated dining room pairs classic brasserie charm with a wood-fired menu of local seafood, handmade pastas, and premium cuts.

• Order this: Olive and cherry tomato focaccia with whipped ricotta, Wagyu beef tartare on toast, or the 42-day dry-aged Portoro ribeye.

 Book Brasserie 1930 for 50% off food

2. Erciyes Restaurant | Surry Hills

Best for: Group feasts and lively vibes

A Cleveland Street fixture for over 40 years, this family-run icon pairs generous Turkish hospitality and flame-kissed grills with electric energy.

• Order this: Mixed Dips with fresh wood-fired Turkish bread, the massive Mixed Grill, or cheesy boat-shaped Sucuklu Pide.

Book Erciyes Restaurant for 50% off food

3. Wan’s Cantonese | Darlinghurst

Best for: Luxe date nights and premium seafood

A sleek timber-and-marble venue on Victoria Street, Wan’s Cantonese elevates Hong Kong-style fine dining using premium Australian seafood.

• Order this: Signature lobster toast, silky prawn wontons in spicy peanut and chilli sauce, or the aromatic Typhoon Shelter seafood fried rice.

Book Wan's Cantonese for 50% off food

4. The Basin Dining Room | Mona Vale

Best for: Beachfront views and refined coastal seafood

Set dune-side at Mona Vale, this inviting restaurant serves Modern Australian seafood alongside panoramic ocean views.

• Order this: Baked scallop in chilli and kombu butter, crab pasta with chilli bisque, or Black Market Wagyu steak frites.

Book The Basin Dining Room for 50% off food

5. The Clareville | Clareville

Best for: Cosy cottage charm and native flavours

Set right on Clareville Beach, this inviting spot pairs a cosy, blonde-timber atmosphere with an elevated menu showcasing fresh local seafood and native ingredients.

• Order this: Hiramasa kingfish with horseradish and buckwheat crackers, pan-fried snapper with lemon aspen, or grain-fed sirloin with creamed leek.

Book The Clareville for 50% off food

Best for occasion, groups and neighbourhood dining

Beyond our spotlight list, finding the right seat is all about zeroing in on your exact scene. Skip the research and pair your crowd, timing, and craving with the perfect table.

Best for date night

• NEL | Surry Hills
  An intimate, bunker-style venue on the city fringe serving highly creative, story-led menus designed for adventurous pairs.

• Bellevue Woolloomooloo | Woolloomooloo
  Romantic French-Japanese dining on Finger Wharf, with front-row seats as the sun sets behind the city skyline.

• Aperitivo | Leichhardt
  A moody slice of "Little Italy" with a leafy, undercover courtyard, made for quiet European-style wine bar bites for one or two.

Best for groups

• The East Chinese Restaurant | Circular Quay
  Classic waterfront fine dining featuring big round tables, live Cantonese seafood, and spectacular Harbour Bridge views - ideal for sharing

• Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant | The Rocks
  Prime terrace real estate overlooking the Opera House - perfect for group dinners when you want to show off the city.

Best for neighbourhood and coastal dining

• Pilu at Freshwater | Freshwater
  Upscale Sardinian Italian dining in a heritage beach house overlooking the ocean - ideal for an unhurried meal for two.

• Farina Pizzeria | Crows Nest
  A high-energy neighbourhood favourite turning out wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta hand-rolled in the window.

• Gelbison | Bondi
  A laid-back Bondi institution moments from the beach, perfect for a solo post-swim pasta or a lively group of friends.

Choosing where to eat in Sydney

Narrowing down the city's dining scene takes just three quick questions:

What is the occasion?

Set the tone for your crowd. Lively venues keep big group dinners flowing, while quiet, chef-led spots elevate milestone catch-ups.

What are you craving?

Sydney’s diverse food scene makes pairing your craving to the local scene simple: picture intimate European dining by the wharf or vibrant fusion menus right in the CBD.

What’s the backdrop?

Let Sydney’s scenery frame the meal. Catch the morning surf at a beachfront café, or lock in a harbourfront table as the setting sun paints the city skyline.

Lock in your next dining experience