Sydney's food scene is genuinely world-class — fresh Pacific Ocean seafood (oysters, barramundi, prawns), exceptional Australian wine (Hunter Valley Semillon, Barossa Shiraz, Clare Valley Riesling), and a café culture that arguably invented the flat white.
Sydney invented (or co-invented) the flat white — microfoam espresso in a 170ml cup. Single O (Surry Hills), Toby's Estate (Woolloomooloo) and Paramount Coffee Project (Surry Hills) are the three best. Start the day correctly.
The third-largest fish market in the world by variety (100+ species). The weekday morning auction (open to the public from 05:30) is extraordinary. The retail market opens at 07:00 with the freshest Sydney rock oysters, barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs and southern bluefin tuna.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideWatson's Bay (25 min ferry from Circular Quay) has Doyle's — the most famous fish and chips in Australia since 1885. Beer-battered barramundi, garlic prawns and Sydney rock oysters with Harbour views. The ferry crossing is half the experience.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideHubert (Surry Hills) and P&V Merchant (Newtown) are the two finest natural wine bars in Sydney — the focus on Australian natural and biodynamic wines (Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, Clare) gives a proper introduction to Australian wine beyond Yellowtail.
Nomad is the finest Middle Eastern-influenced restaurant in Sydney — wood-fire cooking, housemade charcuterie, excellent lamb shoulder, and a wine list built around Australian and Spanish natural wines.
Sydney's finest cocktail bar (Darlinghurst) — classic technique, Australian spirits (Four Pillars gin, Archie Rose whisky) and exceptional bartending. The Improved Whisky Cocktail is the signature.
Sydney's finest farmers' market — 70 producers from New South Wales and Victoria, all in the 1880s heritage railway shed. The free-range egg stall, the pastured beef butcher, the heirloom tomato grower and the biodynamic winery are the highlights.
The original Surry Hills location of Bourke Street Bakery (2004) — the sourdough loaves, the ginger brûlée tart, and the sausage rolls are the benchmarks of Australian baking. Queue is long on Saturdays but moves fast.
For a full wine day: guided Hunter Valley tour from Sydney (2.5 hrs drive, or organised day tour) visiting Brokenwood, Tyrrell's and McWilliam's — the oldest wine region in Australia, producing extraordinary Semillon and Shiraz. Tours from $195 AUD.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideThe Westfield Sydney food hall (Market Street) has the best selection of Australian and Asian food in the CBD — Sydney rock oysters from the Fish at the Station bar, Japanese at Haru, Vietnamese at Pasteur.
Quay at The Rocks is consistently ranked in the World's 50 Best Restaurants — Peter Gilmore's extraordinary Australian produce cuisine with harbour and Opera House views. Book well in advance.
Walk through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquaries Chair — the Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit above the dark water. The most beautiful finale possible.