The best places to eat and sleep in Sydney
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You have plans to visit Sydney and that is a good thing! No it is a great thing! Sydney is awesome. It is probably my favorite city in the entire world. No, it is my favorite city in the entire world. Why you ask? For its weather, the warm summer evenings and the chill winter days. For its people, relaxed and lay back. For its architecture. For its food. For its beaches. For its celebrations, such as New Years Eve and Vivid. This city just has it all, so I fell in love. But first things first, where to stay and eat in Sydney? Of course, this is a very very very limited list, because it is a huge city with a variety of options. These are my favorites.
Accomodation
Accommodation can be quite expensive, especially during the Holiday Season. Book in advance and do not be surprised if they want you to stay for a specific period.
In case you would like to stay at a hostel, the Wake Up! Hostel near central station is your place to go. Fantastic location, very clean rooms, big locker, huge kitchen, friendly staff, enough places to meet and mingle, and at night there is a security guy.
Food
Breakfast or brekkie how they call it down under. You can also go here for lunch.
Always a good place to start or end your day, Kürtősh. There used to be one in Darlinghurst, but that one is closed. However there is one in Surry Hills. This is absolutely the place to have a good cup of tea or coffee with something sweet and a good book.
For a good, quick breakfast, you need to queue for Bourke Street Bakery, in Surry Hills. Nice staff, not a huge sitting plan, but when the sun is out have it to go and sit in the park to enjoy your coffee.
In case you fancy a real good “baguette” or “croissant”, a must go is Douce France. It was just like being in France. A very cute romantic place.
At Basket Brothers you can enjoy breakfast or lunch. I can recommend to do both. Located near central station, surrounded by busy streets, in a glass building to star outside. They serve ginger beer, something I love.
Rusty Rabbit, love to go there to have my breakfast/lunch/brunch. Love to seat at the bar, just starring outside. Food is good and staff is great. Their fresh juices are also really good! The WiFi connection is fast, so I can also get some work done. Overall, absolutely a place to visit.
For an unique atmosphere the Grounds of Alexandria is the place to go. This place is a hidden gem in Sydney. Somewhere located of the beaten path. I loved walking around and have a seat with a great book and a slice of pizza. It’s like being on the set of Alice in Wonderland and having a drink with the mad hat maker. Or make a reservation to have an indoor experience.
Dinner – time to fill that belly after a days walk!
Frankie’s Pizza, not your typical pizza place. This comes close to an Irish pub. A really cool place just to hang around. Have a drink, have a pizza(slice) and enjoy the atmosphere. Pizza’s are good and there are many drink options. The music is a bit loud, but I guess that is part of the whole scene. Can absolutely recommend this place!
Fancy Asian cuisine? Go to Spice Alley. Somewhere in an alley – what is it in the name – with enough stalls to choose from. Maybe better to go when it’s not raining, because it is all outside in the open.
Al Taglio is a good Italian. A cute tiny restaurant with a lovely menu and really nice staff. Normally when you go to a pizza restaurant you have so many different pizzas. Now you just have few choices, love that! We had a starter (enough to share) a pizza and dessert each! Dessert was good but not great. Pizzas were really good, they use local ingredients! And the wine was great (finally good wine in Australia). One big minus was the warmth inside of the restaurant. It was just too much! Besides that it’s a really nice place to have dinner for two.
Another fine Italian is the Buffalo Dining Club. Try the “Cacio e Pepe”. Something you need to experience for yourself. The burrata is also to die for. Make sure to book a table, especially for in the weekend.
Other – finger food and dessert bar
In case you want to enjoy some drinks and finger food, the O bar is a must. Just make sure to be there at five and catch the sun set (and a seat). Another option for finger food and drinks is Gowings. They have a really cool entourage and atmosphere going on.
Want to skip all meals exempt for dessert? Go to KOI dessert bar. There is a dessert menu, can recommend to go for that!
Afraid that you need to break the bank to try out the above? Find out how expensive Sydney really is.