If you’re looking for the best lunch in Sydney, you’ve come to the right place. The list below includes some of the city’s most popular eateries. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, you’ll be able to find something to satisfy your appetite.
Ormeggio
Ormeggio is a stylish and sophisticated Italian eatery. Set on the D’Albora Marina in Middle Harbour, the restaurant is an ideal spot for a meal with a view. The restaurant has been a top-notch lunch choice in Sydney for more than a decade.
Alessandro Pavoni is the chef-restaurateur of Ormeggio and a new waterfront kiosk called Chiosco. Both restaurants aim to create a sense of coastal Italy in Sydney.
Ormeggio serves a modern interpretation of contemporary Italian cuisine. This includes a wine list that focuses on local and international varieties. In addition to the regular menu, a bar menu is also available.
As for cocktails, the bar has an excellent selection of drinks. There are two staff kitchens and almost everything in the restaurant is homemade.
On weekends, it can be a bit of a busier place. However, the service and atmosphere are warm and professional. It’s an ideal way to end a day of sightseeing in Sydney.
With its picturesque harbourside views, Ormeggio is one of the most popular lunch spots in the city. The menu offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including carnaroli risotto. If you’re looking for something more refined, you can choose from a selection of pastas.
Paradiso Bros
If you’re looking for a great Italian restaurant in Sydney, you can’t go wrong with Paradiso Bros. Located in Potts Point, this modern institution has been a favourite of locals and tourists for more than a decade.
With a focus on simple, fresh, Italian food, the brothers behind the popular restaurant have been helping to shape the city’s food culture. Enrico, Giovanni and Marco all have backgrounds as waiters, and share a passion for the restaurant business. They opened Fratelli Paradiso in 2001.
As well as being one of the first restaurants to offer all-day dining, Fratelli Paradiso is also a member of the Guests with Benefits program. This means that customers who sign up to the loyalty scheme can receive a 10% discount and access late check-outs.
The brothers also have another venture: their sister restaurant, 10 William Street in Paddington. The menu changes daily and focuses on a range of dishes, with an emphasis on natural wines. You can find an extensive sake list here.
Those who love pasta should try the cotoletta alla Milanese, which is topped with a mustard and anchovy sauce. If you like seafood, the calamari Sant’ Andrea is a must. There’s also the classic lasagne.
Totti’s
The Sydney food scene has a variety of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and occasions. Some are grand old establishments while others are more casual and downright hip. You can find a place for everything from an afterwork drink to a girly lunch.
One of the best places to go for a grazing lunch is The Grounds of Alexandria. This is a paddock-to-plate restaurant that is a must-try for locals. Its menu is designed for sharing, with a selection of small share plates that vary seasonally.
Other popular spots to visit include Bar Totti’s, which serves woodfired flatbreads and Italian cuisine. There’s also the swanky cocktail bar, Charlie Parker’s, in the basement.
Bar Vincent is a popular spot for seafood and Italian wine. In addition to an excellent wine list, they have a signature house-made tagliatelle and a martini.
Lucio Pizzeria isn’t the cheapest pizza joint in town, but it does have a stellar pizza menu. Their “Potato and Roe” is inspired by a Victorian-era beef pie, and made with slow-cooked Charlotte potato, herring roe and beurre blanc.
Flour and Stone’s lamington is the best in Sydney. It’s a small, but delicious sponge cake dipped in chocolate and covered in coconut.
Catalina
Located in the eastern suburbs, the Catalina restaurant is an iconic Sydney eatery. It has been serving the locals and visitors to the city for more than 25 years. Featuring a bespoke menu, a sleek and curvy dining room, and a sprawling balcony, it is a must-visit when you’re in the mood for a gourmet meal.
The restaurant has earned a reputation for fine dining and contemporary Australian fare. Head chef Mark Axisa is one of the city’s most acclaimed chefs, and he takes a genuine interest in sourcing the very best ingredients from the region. As such, the menu is constantly evolving.
One of the restaurant’s many strengths is its service. In fact, the staff are trained to treat all guests with the utmost respect. For a high-end restaurant, it is refreshing to find such a high level of hospitality.
In addition to its stellar food and drink, the restaurant boasts some of the city’s most spectacular water views. On a good day, it can be hard to beat the view of the city’s skyline as you enjoy a dinner or lunch. This makes the Catalina a great venue for business lunches, family gatherings, or a romantic dinner for two.
Shenkin
If you’re looking for the best lunches in Sydney, there are plenty of places to choose from. There are casual restaurants that focus on Australian food and seafood, plus trendy bars that capture the spirit of this city’s food culture. From family-friendly to sophisticated, here are the top picks.
Ester is known for its fermented potato bread. In addition to the bread, the restaurant offers a wide selection of cheeses, meats, and pastas. One of the standout dishes is the black curry.
The Winery’s wine list is extensive. It has a playful tongue-in-cheek description of each wine. With a 600-strong wine selection, it is sure to complement any meal. And if you’re still hungry, the restaurant has an excellent range of share plates and hearty main meals.
Rumah cafe serves south-east Asian fare. You can also enjoy iced sodas or an Asian Cuban sandwich. This place also has a takeaway.
Flour and Stone is famous for its lamington. This small, cube of sponge cake dipped in chocolate is a favourite. They also serve cream-filled donuts and fresh fruit danishes.
Love of Beans Carlton is open 7am-noon. Their menu includes breakfast, brunch, and lunch. This place has become a favourite among locals and visitors.
Cornersmith
Cornersmith is one of Australia’s best cafes. This small eatery aims to produce minimal waste and maximise flavour. Their menu is changing seasonally, based on local small-scale producers.
The menu includes breakfast favourites, such as the lemon drizzle cake. Guests can also make their own picnic boxes. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to try a cooking class.
Another must-try is the lamington, a chocolate sponge dipped in panna cotta. It’s a small dish, but a very popular one.
There are several other notable dishes on the Cornersmith’s menu. A few include kefir butter and Spanish tortilla. However, the real show-stopper is the roast lamb.
If you’re in Sydney for a day, this restaurant is a must. With a menu that changes based on the season, it’s the perfect spot for lunch.
As a bonus, the place has a pretty cute decor. Plus, you can drink brews from Mecca Espresso.
For lunch, you can’t go wrong with a seafood platter. They serve a number of fresh and canned seafood.
If you’re looking for a more intimate dining experience, consider Bentley’s. While the restaurant’s dinner isn’t the best showcase of the chef’s light touch, it’s still worth a try.
Doyle’s
Peter Doyle’s Est is a French based restaurant which serves classical flavour combinations. The food is elegant and the service is harmonious. This Sydney restaurant is consistently rated high.
The menu is focused on local produce. Bella Brutta is located at the north end of King Street. It serves thin wood-fired pizzas. Other popular items include their lamington, which is a cube of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coconut.
Nour serves Middle Eastern cuisine. Its lamington is considered one of the best in Sydney. Also try the black curry, which is bold and spicy.
The Ace Hotel has two restaurants. Loam is on the ground floor. Charlie Parker’s is in the basement. They also have a sunken lounge bar in the lobby. Another must see is the Carriageworks Farmers Market.
Baba’s Place is a melting pot of southwest Sydney immigrant culture. Food is inspired by Shanghai and Lebanon. Flags hang above the dining room, which features armchairs from Nan’s house. There’s also lace tablecloths.
The Butler is a French colonial-inspired restaurant. Open most days for lunch, the wine list and Ibero-American menu are creative. However, reservations are required for dinner.
Cafe del Mar is a Mediterranean Coast cuisine restaurant. Located in Darling Harbour, it offers a relaxed atmosphere with a modern touch.
