If you are looking to have a good time with family and friends, then you should consider going to a casual restaurant. There are many places that offer good food and drinks, so you can always find something that suits your taste.
Arcadia Liquors
Arcadia Liquors has been around for a while and is still going strong. The place has a warm and friendly atmosphere. It has a lovely courtyard with a smoking area. And it has a good beer and wine list. Often, it hosts pop-up food vendors. But its main claim to fame is its gin-based cocktails.
This small bar is a hipster’s dream, but it’s also not a snobby establishment. You can get a cocktail for a reasonable price and enjoy a toastie with it. They even have a tequila bar.
As a Redfern landmark, Arcadia has a solid reputation and is a great option for a casual night out. In addition to a beer and wine menu, they serve a range of gin-based cocktails. A few tables in the shaded patio are a nice touch.
Not to be outdone, the Arcadia Cafe has its own courtyard, too. It’s a stylish spot to grab a cool drink, with a full-sized deck and vintage metal chairs. Plus, it’s a pet-friendly venue.
Alberto’s Lounge
Alberto’s Lounge in Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s best casual dining spots. This Italian restaurant has been going strong for years. It’s run by brothers Anton and Stefan Forte and features a wide selection of wine. There’s also a menu full of great dishes, including kingfish crudo with fermented tomato and rainbow trout with pippies.
For a date, this is the perfect spot. It’s close to George Street, and has a well-curated menu. You can also book a table for lunch or dinner. The service is excellent, and the decor is retro. A mural by local artist Allie Webb covers the laneway wall.
It’s a great place to enjoy some pizzazz with a bottle of wine. The pizzas are thin, wood-fired and topped with toppings like mortadella, fior di latte and cannoli. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, try the tiramisu or the lamington.
The best thing about this restaurant is the ambiance. It’s a little bit like the Pepperell’s, only more contemporary and fun.
Bistro Rex
If you love French food, you will love Bistro Rex. This iconic French restaurant in Sydney has earned a reputation for excellent food and service. Its menu has classic French dishes, but the chefs are also passionate about using native Australian produce.
While it’s the perfect place to unwind for a quiet lunch, you can also take advantage of their special Sunday night roasts. The restaurant also has a wine list that offers a selection from all over France.
Aside from its impressive interiors, which include a zinc bar overlooking the kitchen, Bistro Rex has a comfortable atmosphere. You can have a romantic dinner for two, or enjoy a cosy midweek lunch with friends.
Bistro Rex is located in Potts Point. Located in a former bank building, it’s a stylish, contemporary French bistro. With mosaic-clad floors, copper and brass accents, and leather lounges, you’re sure to enjoy the casual, yet elegant surroundings.
One of the most popular dishes at Bistro Rex is the steak frites. Served with butter and Cafe de Paris, the frites are a crowd pleaser.
Loulou
Loulou is a French bistro in Woollahra. Part deli, part bistro, and part bakery, Loulou has a wholesome menu of classic French food. It’s perfect for a lunch or dinner out, or as a quick snack.
Loulou’s menu features the traditional French favourites of steak frites and tartare, as well as some more modern dishes. The menu also boasts an impressive wine list, with wines from the Southern Hemisphere and Australia.
Guests can expect a warm and welcoming experience from the Loulou team, with a large open bar and a roomy layout. Loulou also has leather banquettes and warm timber and brass accents.
The menu includes a selection of seafood platters, such as oysters, prawns, and scallops. For dinner, you can opt for a classic salade nicoise, or try Tasmanian octopus, with the addition of a beluga caviar and a tart mignonette. Those looking for something a little different can go for a rhubarb souffle, or a grilled octopus with Spanish-influenced slaw.
Pellegrino 2000
Pellegrino 2000 is one of the best new Italian restaurants in Sydney. It opened in Surry Hills last year and has been winning over locals and foodies with its fresh and contemporary cuisine. The menu features classic Italian favourites as well as some of the city’s best drinks.
A special Valentine’s Day menu is available as well. This includes prawn tortellini and citrus-laden ‘limongello’. Other highlights include black truffles, a cheese making experience and Italian wine tasting.
The wine list is extensive, ranging from the best of natural wines to some of Leonard Cohen’s best works. Sommelier Andy Tyson also works at Alberto Lounge.
Another winner is Totti’s. Their wood fired bread is so good, it’s like a food group unto itself. They serve a seasonal menu, offering a selection of dishes to suit all tastes and budgets.
One of the most popular dishes is the gnocchi of the day. It’s served with a rich brown sauce and is made from a mix of fresh prawns and wonton wrappers.
Shenkin
Cafe Shenkin is a Sydney mainstay. The cafe offers Middle Eastern essentials like shakshuka and a variety of wraps. They also offer large coffees and large juices. You can also try housemade dips and flatbread.
Shenkin’s menu consists of 72 dishes, including a number of breakfast offerings. You can also opt for a vegan poached egg, which is a secret recipe that is served early on in the day.
One of the best things about the cafe is that it is family friendly. Guests can enjoy a drink and a coffee while enjoying the cafe’s vintage decor.
One of the more popular dishes is their lamington. This cube of sponge cake is dipped in chocolate and coconut. It’s a perfect sweet and savory combination.
There are two other Sydney Shenkin cafes, one in Enmore and one in Paddington. At the Enmore cafe, you can dine on rustic homestyle meals while sitting under a green canopy overlooking the courtyard.
Ursula’s
Ursula’s Casual Dining in Sydney is a gastronomic experience in the heart of Paddington. Its design has been inspired by neighbourhood bistros in Europe. The restaurant spills over two floors and offers a contemporary take on fine dining.
The menu is rooted in traditional fine-dining conventions but also features a series of produce-driven dishes. Chef Phil Wood, who previously worked for Rockpool Dining Group, opened his first independent restaurant.
He’s joined by former Tetsuya’s chef Richard Purdue, who’s worked alongside Perry at Rosetta. Together, they’ve crafted a modern Australian menu with a European twist.
This new restaurant has been designed with warm, romantic tones. Interior designer Brahman Perera has created an elegant and inviting space.
A bespoke cocktail and high-end Champagne list adds to the allure. The restaurant has a private dining room that can accommodate up to eight guests, and offers a six-course tasting menu at dinner.
At lunch, the restaurant’s share-style dishes are a hit. For dessert, guests can enjoy a lamington, a chocolate-dipped sponge cake.
LuMi
LuMi is Sydney’s latest culinary creation. It’s a slick and contemporary Italian and Japanese fusion restaurant. The menu offers traditional Japanese chawanmushi and spelt ravioli, plus a selection of veal tartare and single-bite snacks.
LuMi also serves a seven-course degustation menu that changes seasonally. The menu is not only impressive, but it’s affordable. A wine flight will pair each course with a wine of your choice.
One of the more interesting menu items is the Dulche de leche with freeze-dried mandarin and yuzu snow. Despite its title, this was not a particularly sweet dessert, but the dish itself was a sophisticated treat.
Other dishes on the menu include coral trout sashimi, sorrel parfait, and a savoury version of the love cake. Each one was a delight.
LuMi Dining offers a stellar tasting menu and it’s one of the best restaurants in Sydney. LuMi is a slick and modern Italian and Japanese fusion restaurant with a great location on the harbour.
Mumu
Mumu is a brand new south-east Asian dining venue in Sydney’s CBD. It’s the latest addition to Merivale’s culinary portfolio. This restaurant is part of the company’s mission to reinvigorate the ivy precinct.
The menu will be inspired by street food favourites from Thailand. The concept is to create a fun and interactive experience. There will be a range of small and large sharing plates, raw/salad/small plates, meat, seafood, dessert and wine.
In addition to the dining and drinking options, Mumu will feature a late night vibe. A yellow neon glow will illuminate the space, with tables set on the ground floor. Guests can choose a table with a banquette, or on a lazy Susan.
In addition to the main dining room, there is also a private dining area. Chef Oliver Hua has been working with Merivale’s head chefs to put together a menu that will appeal to locals and visitors.
Some dishes on the menu are well-known in Sydney. Tetsuya Wakuda’s signature wagyu with sesame leaf is a favourite, but the menu is always changing.
