Dinner & drinks
Dinner & drinks in Sydney
Dinner first, drinks pair naturally.
Example nights
Real Sydney venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Oct 19.
Dinner at Black Bottle in Darlinghurst, then The Bowls Potts Point in Potts Point.
- 01Black BottleDarlinghurst · $
- 02The Bowls Potts PointPotts Point · $$
Small plates at Lokal in Surry Hills, then dinner at Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant in Haymarket.
- 01LokalSurry Hills · $$$
- 02Super Bowl Chinese RestaurantHaymarket · $
Dinner at Volcanos Steakhouse Parramatta in Parramatta, then Parramatta Leagues Club in North Parramatta.
- 01Volcanos Steakhouse ParramattaParramatta · $$
- 02Parramatta Leagues ClubNorth Parramatta · $$
Top 12 venues
01
Firedoor Restaurant
Surry Hills · $$$$
Wood-fired everything in a heritage space — beef hits you on entry, bread is exceptional, books out months ahead.
02
Bentley Restaurant + Bar
The Rocks (Sydney - NSW) · $$$$
Modern Australian with native ingredients — every plate feels like a small surprise. Dim, spaced tables, sharp wine list, special-occasion material.
03
Aria Restaurant Sydney
The Rocks (Sydney - NSW) · $$$$
Chef Matt Moran presents Modern Australian haute cuisine in an elegant, glass-walled dining room.
04
Bennelong
The Rocks (Sydney - NSW) · $$$$
Inside the Opera House, two hats, harbour views, impeccable timing — oysters, ravioli, cocktails that taste like dessert. Special occasions live here.
05
Bar Conte Surry Hills
Surry Hills · $$$
Pappardelle lamb ragù, burrata, negronis made right — intimate Italian, Chef Pasquale running the show. Date-night material.
06
Alfredo Authentic Italian Restaurant & Underground Cocktail Bar
The Rocks (Sydney - NSW) · $$
Live piano, exposed brick from 1861, seafood pastas that justify the trip. Warm staff, no pretense, feels like Italy without the flight.
07
Kipling's Garage Bar
Turramurra · $$
Share plates, serious wine list, industrial space that feels cozy. Dates, groups, reasons to linger.
08
Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant
Barangaroo · $$$
Upmarket brasserie dining and an acclaimed wine list in a stylish hangout with quirky vine murals.
09
Lokal
Surry Hills · $$$
Intimate wine bar in Surry Hills doing simple food, done really well — scallops and tacos, wine list with Portuguese stuff, feels like eating in someone's kitchen.
10
40Res
Surry Hills · $$$$
Chef Josh's seasonal menu — cuttlefish, Murray cod, fennel-bee pollen doughnuts. Fine dining without the fuss, wine list to match.
11
The Meat & Wine Co Barangaroo
Barangaroo · $$$
Rump eye, rib eye, skewers, truffle mac — steaks and sides done right. Wine list, attentive service, celebrations welcome.
12
BISTECCA
The Rocks (Sydney - NSW) · $$$
Charred steaks, tallow bread, no phones — dark, loud, intimate. Book a month ahead or don't bother.