Must-see restaurants in New South Wales

  • Light Years

    Byron Bay

    With pink walls, neon signs and a cranking '90s RnB playlist, this vibe at this arcade restaurant and bar is as fresh as the menu. Modern Vietnamese…

  • Bower Restaurant

    Manly

    Follow the foreshore southeast from Manly’s ocean beach to this salty little cafe/restaurant, so close to the sea that the windows often get sprayed (a…

  • Norfolk Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    There are plenty of reasons to visit this old pub – the cosy beer garden, sangría jugs, $10 lunches, the interesting crowd – but it's the cheap and tasty…

  • Willams St Kitchen & Bar

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    This airy cafe is part beachside kiosk (partial water views through the trees), part easy-going cafe with a large wooden deck for taking in the sea breeze…

  • Byron at Byron Restaurant

    Byron Bay

    With flickering candles and a rainforest backdrop 4km south of town, this intimate resort restaurant offers grazing plates and Modern Australian mains…

  • Athol Hall Cafe

    Sydney

    Near Taronga Zoo, this handsome building has lovely harbour views from its verandah. Essentially a function space, it makes a tempting lunch stop on a…

  • Heart & Soul Wholefood Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    This beautifully styled cafe is the work of two couples who love plant-based eating. Expect ceramic bowls filled with warming Asian soups and stir-fries,…

  • Diggies

    South Coast NSW

    With a magic location right on North Beach and great views of the rolling waves, this is a decent spot to fill up after a morning surf or to devour a…

  • Pig and Tinder Box

    New South Wales

    Dishes, especially those designed to share, don't always live up to aspirations (or their price tag) but the Pig remains one of central Tamworth's…

  • Mad Spuds

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Generously proportioned fry-ups make a great morning-after solution at this friendly cafe whose speciality is a range of good-value dishes using delicious…

  • Royal Garden

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    This popular restaurant serves Cantonese cuisine in a stylish setting with professional staff. All the faves – san choi bao (mince in lettuce leaves),…

  • Pilgrims

    South Coast NSW

    Aussie post-surf comfort food like pies and sourdough-based brunches come 100% meat-free at Pilgrims, which also has a popular branch at nearby Milton…

  • Blank Canvas

    South Coast NSW

    Right on the water with a pleasant shady terrace, this cafe offers fresh and tasty Aussie classics like BLTs and fish and chips (though, controversially,…

  • bills

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Part of the lively eating scene along this part of Crown Street, this is the Surry Hills branch of Bill Granger's legendary Darlinghurst eatery. Breakfast…

  • Banjos

    New South Wales

    For a real slice of Aussie culture, try this bistro at the sprawling West Tamworth League Club. It's noisy, you have to provide ID for a temporary…

  • Pure Wholefoods

    Manly

    This whole-food minimart has a great little street cafe serving mainly organic vegetarian goodies, including flavoursome flans, salads, nori rolls, cakes,…

  • Novella

    Byron Bay

    Pull up a chair on the covered deck at this cafe-restaurant with its enviable position across from Main Beach. Expect consistently good Aussie brunch…

  • Raw & Wild

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Enter through the health-food shop to reach an easygoing cafe with a focus on all things organic, local and sustainable. It's all very tasty too, and…

  • Pier One

    South Coast NSW

    Market fish, Eden mussels and chargrilled chicken salads can be enjoyed on the upper deck of this restaurant by Merimbula Lake. Views of the water are big…

  • Macelleria

    Sydney

    An interesting casual-dining concept, Macelleria is a butcher's shop that will cook for you. Line up and pick your steak, chicken, sausages or burger then…

  • Rubyo's

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Comfortably elegant, with striking, well-placed art on the walls, this corner spot offers inventive, tasty modern Australian fare designed for sharing…

  • Hurricane’s Grill & Bar

    Sydney

    Good luck getting a seat at this hugely popular steakhouse that specialises in juicy Australian beef steaks, and racks of ribs marinated and grilled in a…

  • Wild Rye's Baking Co

    South Coast NSW

    The best bread in these parts, from pillowy rolls to the signature light-rye sourdough, comes second only to the freshly baked pies and cakes at this…

  • Yuga

    Newtown & the Inner West

    What a sweet-smelling combo: a florist and a cafe that's stylish, reasonably priced and friendly. The menu at sophisticated and serene Yuga starts with…

  • Imperial Hotel

    New South Wales

    This handsome old pub, decked with the balconies and latticework that show its 1879 origins, serves traditional Aussie counter meals and substantial…

  • Foxy Luu's

    Byron Bay

    This bright, cheerful outlet serves a selection of Asian street-food favourites, from dumplings to gado gado and nasi goreng. The flavours are punchy and…

  • Deus Cafe

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Strewn with vintage motorcycles and kooky two-wheelin’ art, Deus Cafe is an extension of an eccentric motorbike shop on frenzied Parramatta Rd. The menu…

  • The Union Bar

    New South Wales

    This dignified old brick main-street pub has been made more slick and contemporary, with coffee and decent food as much the focus as cold beer and the…

  • Gelbison

    Sydney

    Legendary enough for a local rock band to name themselves after it, Gelbison entertains local families and backpackers with great-value pizza and pasta…

  • Sabbaba

    Sydney

    Easy Middle Eastern comfort food draws surfers up the hill to this spot. Falafels served in pitta bread, a bowl or on a plate are a quick-fire bargain,…

  • Lily's Pad

    Blue Mountains

    A little removed from the crowds on the Mall, this local favourite is tucked away out the back of the Woolworths car park. There's pleasant patio seating…

  • Bronte Belo

    Sydney

    This friendly cafe does decent breakfasts and sandwiches but it's best for its handful of Brazilian dishes. Delicious moqueca (fish stew) and feijoada …

  • Pot 'n' Kettle

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    This fabulous little cafe doing great breakfasts and healthy (and delicious) lunches including vibrant salads, pastas and risottos (as well as great…

  • South Cali Cantina

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Part of the Albury dining scene along Dean St, South Cali Cantina has a great vibe with tasty Tex-Mex treats, burgers, Mexican brews and tasting flights…

  • Roches Family Hotel

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Breaking the rule that states regional pubs must be cavernous and starkly lit, this historic corner hotel is a cosy spot for a drink or a bite to eat in…

  • The Shop

    Sydney

    This well-loved diminutive space serves cooked breakfasts, pastries, sandwiches, salads and evening antipasti as well as daily specials. It serves food…

  • Gallery Cafe

    New South Wales

    In the light and airy Western Plains Cultural Centre, this cafe is a popular spot for basic breakfasts and light lunches, but many just come for coffee…

  • Centennial Homestead

    Sydney

    Near the centre of Centennial Park, this encompasses the Pantry, a cafe and take-away, and the Kitchen, doing posher lunches. The glass pavilion is a…

  • Cafe Madeleine

    Blue Mountains

    The sister to a chocolate shop, Josophan's, Madeleine excels in sweet treats such as chocolate-drenched waffles, cakes and hot chocolates. Mind you, the…

  • Lee & Me

    South Coast NSW

    A cafe and art-and-clothing store in a two-storey, late-19th-century heritage building, Lee & Me offers a familiar spread of Aussie brunch standards …

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