Dining Precincts in Sydney

A great way to discover a city is through its food but if you’re not sure where to start, head to a dedicated dining precinct. Whether it’s a bustling food hall, hawker-style market or popular eat street full of fine dining restaurants, these areas are more than just about the food. They’ll tell you about the neighbourhood and you can check out the locals all while having a fantastic feed.

Inner city

You’re spoilt for choice, some of Sydney’s best restaurants call the inner city home. Head to buzzy Macleay Street in Potts Point to wine and dine in style Franca Brasserie, Cho Cho San, Macleay St Bistro and The Apollo. Down the hill, Woolloomooloo Wharf is lined with restaurants overlooking the harbour, such as Otto.

Crown Street in nearby Surry Hills has an edgier vibe. Sip a craft gin at the Four Pillars micro-distillery, have a beer and pizza at The Dolphin, sip on a glass of wine at The  Winery, dulge in modern Lebanaese cooking at Nour or order a cocktail at Bartolo. The neighbourhood is also home to great restaurants such as Firedoor and Porteno.

Kensington Street in Chippendale is home to Spice Alley, a lantern-strung laneway lined with Asian street food stalls, as well as swish restaurants like Mekong, Olio and Gavroche. Nearby, Automata does set menus with fancy flair. Finish the night with a cocktail at Gin Lane or The Clare.

Dixon Street in Chinatown is where you go for Chinese cuisine – don’t miss the Friday Night Market when the street is packed with food stalls. The new Darling Square precinct, just behind Darling Harbour, is home to Steam Mill Lane and Little Hay Street, vibrant outdoor dining strips where you can feast on Thai, Japanese, American-style fried chicken, Italian and more.

The waterfront precinct of Barangaroo is home to high-end restaurants like Cirrus, love.fish, Anason and NOLA Smokehouse. At the end of the strip, the new Crown Sydney is where you can find a local outpost of Nobu, plus other high-flying restaurants such as Woodcut and a’Mare.

Eastern Suburbs

If you’re planning to dine after a swim, Bondi has you covered. For a view of the beach pick a spot along Campbell Parade such as Speedos, Bondi Trattoria, North Bondi Fish or Calita for Mexican. The locals tend to head to the precinct around Hall and Curlewis Streets, have a drink at Neighbourhood, dumplings at China Diner and dessert at Pasticceria Papa.

Inner West

Tramsheds in Glebe has the feel of a European food hall with restaurants, stores and a weekly growers market. Head up the bustling Glebe Point Road for more options, including cocktails and friendly banter at neighbourhood bar The Little Guy, a glass of wine surrounded by secondhand books at Sappho Books or a long lunch at the retro-chic Glebe Point Diner.

If you’re craving pasta and gelato, Norton Street in Leichhardt is renowned for Italian food. If cheap and cheerful Asian food is your thing, King Street in Newtown has you covered – also the home of the renowned Mary's burger. Meanwhile, vegans flock to Enmore Road, which has become a thriving hub of plant-based dining.

Western Sydney

Can’t travel internationally to get your authentic food fix? Head to Cabramatta for Vietnamese food; if you fancy falafel, Bankstown is the place for fantastic Lebanese cuisine; while Wigram Street in Harris Park has unbeatable Indian food. Church Street is Parramatta’s Eat Street and has a little bit of everything delicious, from Middle Eastern to Asian restaurants. In Liverpool, The Paper Mill Food has multiple dining options inside a revamped 19th century building on the banks of the Georges River.

North Sydney

Follow the Pacific Highway to Crows Nest for a northern eat street lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. Manly is just on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll find Garfish, Hugo’s and Queen Chow on the wharf, plus many other options along The Corso and opposite the beach. Head to The Cumberland for a drink in a cosy, underground speakeasy setting.