Where to Eat in Sydney
Where brunch became a lifestyle
Sydney takes food seriously but doesn't take itself seriously. Asian fusion that actually works. Brunch culture elevated to art. Seafood with harbor views. The immigrant communities — Chinese, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Italian — created something uniquely Sydney. And the coffee might be the world's best.
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Start Planning Your Sydney Food Trip →Neighborhoods to Know
Surry Hills
Vibe: Trendy, cafe-dense, food-forward
Best for: Brunch, wine bars, modern Australian
Newtown
Vibe: Alternative, diverse, Thai Town
Best for: Thai food, cheap eats, late night
Chinatown/Haymarket
Vibe: Dense, bustling, late-night
Best for: Chinese, yum cha, late night dumplings
Bondi
Vibe: Beach vibes, health-conscious, brunch
Best for: Post-surf brunch, healthy bowls, ocean views
Marrickville
Vibe: Vietnamese roots, evolving, local
Best for: Vietnamese food, breweries, Greek bakeries
What to Eat
Brunch
Sydney invented avocado toast, allegedly. Brunch is a religion here. All-day, elaborate, essential.
Must try: A full brunch spread with flat white, somewhere in Surry Hills
Seafood
Sydney rock oysters, Balmain bugs, barramundi. The harbor delivers.
Must try: Oysters at the Sydney Fish Market, picked fresh
Asian
Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean — immigration built a food culture. Chinatown to Cabramatta.
Must try: Yum cha (dim sum) on Sunday, or Vietnamese pho in Marrickville
Coffee
Sydney coffee culture rivals Melbourne. Flat whites, specialty roasters, serious baristas.
Must try: Flat white from any specialty cafe — it's reliably excellent
Local Tips
- →Brunch queues are real on weekends. Go at 9am or 2pm, avoid 11am-1pm.
- →Sydney Fish Market is touristy but the seafood is genuinely fresh.
- →Newtown's Thai Town is underrated — better and cheaper than CBD.
- →Coffee is serious. Ordering a "regular coffee" will confuse people.
- →Tipping isn't required — wages are fair here. 10% for great service.
When to Eat
Breakfast
7-9am
Early flat white before the crowds
Brunch
9am-2pm
Peak Sydney activity. Plan for waits.
Dinner
6-9pm
Book ahead for popular spots
Late night
10pm-12am
Chinatown stays open. Most else closes early.
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