Welcome to the flavour capital of Australia. Sydney’s multicultural heritage, a local passion for food, and the fresh produce and seafood on its doorstep come together to create one of the world’s best places to eat and drink. Discover an array of delicious experiences, from gourmet restaurants to alleyway cafes, bustling markets, glamorous cocktail bars and classic neighbourhood pubs. Here is your ultimate foodie weekend in Sydney.
FRIDAY
2:00pm: Check-in to Paramount House Hotel
Conveniently located in Surry Hills, Paramount House Hotel is a cool, design-forward hotel with many of Sydney’s top restaurants, cafes and bars nearby. The hotel also houses a coffee shop, health club, cinema and wine bar.
3:00pm: Try a rum spicing class at Brix Distillers
Learn something new at a rum spicing masterclass and distillery tour at Brix Distillers. You’ll be guided through the rum blending process and get to bring home your own special spiced rum blend.
6:00pm: Savour a pre-dinner drink at Poly
Paramount House Hotel’s on-site restaurant and wine bar Poly is known for its extensive wine list and inventive snacks. Grab a seat at the bar, or order to your room.
7:30pm: Experience incredible wood-fired fare at Firedoor
Choose Chef Lennox Hastie’s five-course tasting menu atFiredoor. It changes daily, depending on what local and seasonal produce is available, but dishes such as kangaroo grilled over juniper with malt flatbread, Davidson plum and macadamia or woodfired rum baba often feature. Every dish is cooked over hot coals, even the salads, and the open kitchen allows guests a clear view of the action.
SATURDAY
8:00am: Start your day with breakfast at Carriageworks Farmers Markets
Discover delicious food stalls and fresh produce at the Carriageworks Farmers Markets. Caffeinate at Roasters with Altitude and grab a fresh juice from Parkers Organic Juice. Pick up some freshly-baked bread for later from Flour & Stone and tasty crumpets from Pepe Saya.
10:30am: Learn to make fresh pasta with Pasta Emilia
Learn the secrets of traditional Italian pasta-making using local ingredients with Pasta Emilia’s cooking school. From filled ravioli to cappelletti, long linguine and twisted strozzapreti, you’ll create different shapes and sizes of fresh pasta, and enjoy a three-course meal of your own creations, as well as a complimentary glass of organic wine.
3:00pm: Wander Spice Alley
Head to nearby Chippendale and wander Spice Alley, a feast for the senses. Stop for a snack at one of the delicious restaurants, like Blossom Bar, Shanghai Dumpling Bar or Bang Luck, or check out KOI Dessert Bar for incredible sweets.
5:00pm: Order a craft beer at Batch
Enjoy Marrickville's famous craft beer scene in the CBD by visiting Batch Brewing Company's new taproom in Darling Square. Explore the beer range (plus some of the team's favourites from other breweries) or a glass of wine.
7:00pm: Dine on izakaya-style Japanese Nakano Darling
Inspired by the izakayas of Tokyo, enjoy the same relaxed snack-and-drink atmosphere at Nakano Darling. Choose from one of two tatami rooms (a shoes-off space where you sit on floor mats next to a low table) or the long bar, where bartenders pour Japanese highball cocktails. You can order the restaurant's two staple dishes – gyoza and karaage – at both.
9:30pm: Linger over late-night cocktails at Cantina OK!
Sip a post-dinner drink at the tiny, 20-person-only Cantina OK!. Try one of their signature Mezcal or tequila cocktails, like the Spiced Coconut Margarita.
SUNDAY
11:00am: Feast on an unforgettable brunch at Nour
Indulge in Nour’s Middle Eastern Sunday brunch and enjoy dishes like Bekaa chicken wings and spanner crab Turkish scrambled eggs.
1:00pm: Join a guided Aboriginal bush tucker tour in the Royal Botanic Garden
Learn about Aboriginal bush foods and the significance of the land on which the Royal Botanic Garden sits on an Aboriginal Cultural Tour.
2:30pm: Picnic in the gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour
Following your tour, find a grassy spot to enjoy a gourmet picnicfromRedfern’s Bistro St Jacques – they will deliver to you by bike. Snack on local cheeses, freshly baked bread, Pambula oysters, charcuterie and salad served with a magnum of French champagne.
