Let me know if you'd like to see more lists of food recommendations! Singapore and Sydney! And also lists such as "places to study", "favourite cafes" or "places for catchups" etc.
1. Bowery Lane, CBD
Food: I usually go for the steak even though it’s not a steak a restaurant and I think it’s because they serve it with a lot of mash and good sauce. I've actually come here by myself just so I could eat the steak if that gives you any indication of how much I like it. I've also tried the lamb shoulder and prawn pappardelle they were good but I still like the steak the most.
It's famous for its burgers though - soft shell crab! You can get it togo downstairs from their burger bar.
Vibe: Modern yet classy - would probably dress to go here
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: dinner or lunch catchups, wouldn't stay for an extended period of time
Food Instagramability: 4/5, see my posts here (steak) and here (lamb shoulder)
Price: $30-$40pp depending on whether you get drinks
Review: My favourite place to eat in Sydney. It’s casual dining so the food is sophisticated enough for me to justify a splurge but not so much that I don’t know what I’m eating. Would frequent.
2. Holy Basil, Canley Heights/CBD
Food: I love their beef massaman curry since it’s a
really good level of spice which I can both appreciate and handle and they serve it with sweet potato which is different from other places.
The fried ice cream is a MUST. I would probably go just for the ice cream if I felt like it. It’s the filo pastry type of fried ice cream so the contrast of textures is really great and the sauce and nuts they serve it with really add to it.
Vibe: Casual
Service: 4/5
Recommended for: dinner catchups, group dinners
Food Instagramability: 3/5
Price: $20pp if you just get a main, goes up to around $40pp if you go all three courses
Review: I usually don't like to go out and spend on eating Asian food but this is one of the only places I will go to. Love the food and vibes just make it that much better.
3. The Burger Project, World Square/MLC Centre
Food: Definitely
my favourite burgers in Sydney. They give the feeling of greasiness and
delicious melted cheese and juicy beef without leaving you feeling gross
afterwards. Their chips are always great – triple cooked I believe and the
milkshakes are always sweet, chocolatey and thick.
Vibe: Diner-like
but not as dramatically at other places, it still retains some classiness and
cleanliness – less “genuine” but I like it. You order your food at the counter then collect it later and get your own sauce etc.
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: dinner/lunch catchups, group dinners before/after city events
Food Instagramability: 3/5, see my post here
Price: $15-$20pp
Review: A good place if you want burgers or for me, when I meet someone in the city and have to decide where to go. Also frequented here when I was working in the city because who doesn't love burgers????
4. Mejico, Pitt St
Food: I’ve
been here twice, once for a quick dinner which was pretty much a plate of meat.
It was pretty good but nothing special.
The second time I came I had the
ceviche, guac and tacos which were a lot more typically Mexican and noteworthy.
I really liked the ceviche* (we got tuna and snapper) as the flavours and
textures were really balanced – especially the snapper one which had goat’s
cheese and pomegranate as salty and sweet to balance out the sour mmmmm. The
guac was good but uncomfortably smooth, to the point where it didn’t quite seem
real. You can get your guac made at the table so you can watch them which I’ve
heard is cool but we just went with the kitchen-made one. The tacos were good
and authentic on soft tortillas though they weren’t the highlight of the
meal.
Vibe: Casual but a little loud so not ideal if you want to have a real serious conversation, dim lighting
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: Special occasion eating out, dinner catchups if they're casual
Food Instagramability: 4/5, see my post here
Price: $30-$40pp
Review: I would definitely come back for the ceviche but I would say that the food isn't incredibly filling so you'll have room for dessert afterwards.
*ceviche is a fish dish where the fish is cooked in the acid of lemon rather than by heat
5. El Jannahs, Granville
Food: This
place is famous for good reason. The garlic sauce is the star, so strong but so
good. The chicken is fresh and soft but can be a bit dry if left for too long. The
chicken, bread and sauce go together extremely well and the chips and sauce are
also amazing.
Vibe: Loud and crowded but in a good way
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: lunch/dinner catchups, group dinners on a budget
Food Instagramability: 3/5
Price: $15-$20pp
Review: I definitely frequent here since it's also close by. Come
prepared with water and cash because they don’t provide water and only take
cash.
6. Kin by US, Macquarie Park
Food: My
favourite (actually the only thing I’ve had since I can't pass it up every time I go) is the Miso Yummy which is
absolutely fantastic! The salmon is really tender and flavoursome and the
spinach ball and onsen eggs just make it amazingly good. I gobble it up really
quickly every time. Coffee is also really good. The rest of the menu items have a Malaysian twist which I suspect is delicious....
Vibe: Really really nice and I would happily stay for hours especially
enjoyable on rainy days if you can get the corner seat and sit there by
yourself.
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: long catchups, me time, studying (not sure if there are powerpoints)
Food Instagramability: 5/5, see my post here
Price: $20-$25pp
Review: A little far for me but I happily make the trek for the food and ambience.
7. Eighty Ate, Crows Nest
Food: My
standard was previously poached eggs on toast but recently I’ve really been liking
goats toast which gives you avocado, poached eggs, spinach, beetroot relish and
goats cheese – the flavours go really well together and I luv it. For lunch, I recommend the steak wrap. Also the fries are quite amazing. Coffee is pretty good too and sustained me through high school.
Vibe: Chilled, quiet neighbourhood, natural lighting
Service: 4/5
Recommended for: extended catchups, me time, studying, rendezvous' with NSBs HAHA (kidding)
Food Instagramability: 5/5, see my posts here (goats toast) and here (pancakes and shakshuka)
Price: $20-$30pp
Review: This is probably on here more for the memories but the food is just as great. I definitely go back here whenever I visit NSG.
8. The Stinking Bishops, Newtown
Food: This place is famous for it's cheese and meat platters mmmmm. Last
time we got a washed rind, brie, cheddar and some other one I forget the name
of for the cheese platter and prosciutto, truffle salami and bresaola (I think)
for the meat platter. Each
component was amazing and they provided quince paste which added so much depth
to the cheese and just aaghhhh.
Vibe: Cosy, dark lighting, makes you feel like you're really sophisticated even if you're not
Service: 5/5, the staff gave us great recommendations for cheese and explained them to us
Recommended for: if you like cheese and have friends who like cheese, though we did manage to have a really good chat
Food Instagramability: 2/5, lighting too dim, would require flash or heavy editing
Price: $20-$30pp depending on how many cheese and meats you go for
Review: Absolutely
love this place. They are the connoisseurs of cheese. It doesn't seem like it'll be filling but it's almost a meal - you'll have room for dessert though. Book
early because it books out pretty quick! Planning on going again some time - hit me up if you wanna join.
9. Belly Bao, CBD
Food: Clever
fusion concept of 'baos' which are soft mantou-esque wrap things and quite delicious really. I got a slow-braised pork belly one and the pork was really soft and the
flavours came together really well. Most of the food was in the sides – the
fried chicken and sweet potato fries. The fried chicken was nothing special but
I really enjoyed the sweet potato fries though they are quite similar to the
Roll’d fries.
Vibe: fun and casual, dark lighting makes things a little difficult
Service: 4/5
Recommended for: dinner catchups, group dinners on a budget, before/after events in the city (I went after vivid)
Food Instagramability: 2/5, lighting too dark
Price: $15-$20pp
Review: Asian fusion is sometimes hit and miss but I appreciate Belly Bao. They're only open for dinner and from Wed-Sat. Don't make the mistake of showing up on Tuesday like I did once.......
10. The Tea Cosy, CBD
Food: Scones are delicious and they give you a variety of flavours (plain, raisin etc.) and a choice of jams. Tea is always a plus and they give you a strainer as well, quite quaint.
Vibe: Overall feel is very homey as are the scones and tea.
Service: 5/5
Recommended for: extended catchups, reading,
Food Instagramability: 4/5, see my post here
Price: $15pp
Review: As
the name suggests, this is a really cosy joint in The Rocks. It’s in one of
those stone buildings and they’ve retained cosiness and an ‘old’ feeling
despite it being only 2mins walk from the CBD. You can knit there too, they provide wool and needles which is really cute.
