As happens each year, we curate a list of our “best of” according to us, in the hope it may inspire you to some places you haven’t tried and venture a bit out of your regular options.
We still dine out a bit, often kid in tow and possibly less from the fine dining and more coffee shops and casual eats. Hope you enjoy reading the list!
Upmarket Dining
All featured here we had written blogs on, showing just how much we loved them!
We loved CASA Esquina in Balmain for it is good for an Argentinian feast with the likes of empanadas and proteins cooked over Charcoals.
Pearl Dining is right in the heart of Circular Quay at Quay Quarter. It is great for a sophisticated dining experience, excellent views of the harbour and delicious lobster. Penelope’s in the same precinct was also amazing, especially their $55 menu.
Macleay St Bistro, a Sydney dining institution in Potts Point. Serving classic French Cuisine is always excellent and so beautiful at their new location. We tip the twice baked French onion soufflé with truffle butter.
Shaffa was a new venue to us, but one we revisited for a middle eastern dinner. Located in Surry hills, it’s architecturally unique and they have an excellent banquet.
Ito, also in Surry hills is an upmarket Japanese Izakaya with a brilliant menu featuring great sashimi, Wagyu and also some fine cocktails.
Tilda, new to the Sofitel Wentworth, a modern Australian restaurant with bread and butter service and our pic is the mixed grill with a decent piece of lobster.
Cafes
We go to alot of cafes and drink lots of coffee, much of which are local to work or on weekend travels. These don’t all have current blogs, since we’ve produced them in previous years, so we’ve provided links to Instagram.
Panivore is our daily visit for our local coffee, brekkie plates and pastries, Shorty’s for coffee in Randwick when I’m at work and any of the Bourke St Bakery locations for coffee, pastries and loaves of bread. Headlands Coffee in Summer Hill, Only coffee, in Artarmon or Crows Nest or Paramount Coffee, both are always consistently good and regular go to. We also like coffee at Haven, St Kai for brekkie when Kurt is at golf and my regular visit to Camden is always to get an excellent coffee and croissant or two from B85. Algorithm Marrickville has great Foccacia, bagels, cookies and Mecca coffee. Try the cold brew and signature foam. Nicks in Bowral is a winner if you’re down there.
Soul deli is great for a Korean inspired brekkie, Self Raised (the Bread Shoppe or original) for their huge sandwiches, namely the hoagie! Wildflower cafe in MacArthur Square is also excellent value and huge portions, we’ve been many times.
Casual Eats
Suzuya or Niji for our amazing Japanese, and at Niji you can even get a cocktail or glass of wine. Sushi Jones also has great kids bento boxes. We still love Charcoal Kingdom for chicken and chips, Slurp Slurp in Rosebery for noodles. We quite liked the Lebanese Manoosh at Ooshman and the woodfired pizza at Johnny Gio’s. Frangos in Petersham is a must for their Portuguese chicken – and if you head upstairs you can dine in. Barbicrew over in Taren Point for Brazilian BBQ! New star kebab in Auburn has amazing Turkish food cooked whilst you’re there and servings are huge and food is tasty, and it’s great value.
Botannix and Benzies have to make the list for their solid and consistent meals and the nicest welcoming staff for our family, especially Lennox. We love the coconut cake, Pho and scrambled eggs at Botannix and the meals at Benzies are huge!
Other
The chefandnutritionist was great for a home cooked banquet shared with friends. She cooks in the comfort of your own home and you’re able to pick from a wide range of menus.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading the list and we look forward to making a new list for 2025.