Sydney Playcay: Foodie

Spend a gourmet weekend in Sydney

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.

Paramount House Hotel - hotel room. Image credit: Tom Ross
Paramount House Hotel. Image Credit: Tom Ross
Paramount House Hotel Recreation Club

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.

Brix Distillers in Surry Hills

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.

 

Poly - Paramount House Hotel’s onsite restaurant
Poly - Paramount House Hotel’s onsite restaurant
Poly - Paramount House Hotel’s onsite restaurant

7:30pm: Experience incredible wood-fired fare at Firedoor

Choose Chef Lennox Hastie’s five-course tasting menu at Firedoor. 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.

Firedoor
Firedoor
Firedoor
Firedoor
Firedoor

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.

Carriageworks Farmers Markets
Carriageworks Farmers Markets
Carriageworks Farmers Markets

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.

Pasta Emilia’s cooking school
Pasta Emilia’s cooking school

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. 

KYO-TO in Spice Alley - Chippendale

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.

late-night cocktails at Cantina OK!
late-night cocktails at Cantina OK!
Outside Cantina OK!

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.

Nour’s Middle Eastern Sunday brunch
Nour’s Middle Eastern Sunday brunch

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 picnic from Redfern’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.

guided Aboriginal bush tucker tour in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden