Must-see restaurants in New South Wales

  • Bourke Street Bakery

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Queuing outside this teensy bakery, which has sprouted branches across the city, is an essential Surry Hills experience. It sells a tempting selection of…

  • Icebergs Dining Room

    Sydney

    Poised above the famous swimming pool, Icebergs has sweeping views across the Bondi Beach arc to the sea. Inside, bow-tied waiters deliver fresh,…

  • Mossy Cafe

    South Coast NSW

    Post-surf recovery is made much easier at this charming cafe in a converted 1930s general store. Brunch classics like smashed avo, poached eggs on…

  • The Loft

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Slink into this split-level, dark, moody and intimate laneway spot to dine on fine Modern Australian dishes to a backdrop of street-art-mural feature…

  • Clementine

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    Dine on the front deck at this garden eatery that's a favourite of weekend visitors from Sydney and Canberra. There's a subtle Italian influence to the…

  • Spice I Am

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Once the preserve of expat Thais, this little red-hot chilli pepper now has queues out the door – no mean feat in a town awash with Thai restaurants. But…

  • Le Monde

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Some of Sydney's best breakfasts are served between the demure dark wooden walls of this small street-side cafe. Top-notch coffee and a terrific selection…

  • Riverview Hotel

    Sydney

    Foodies flock here to try the excellent seafood dishes (such as Balmain bug) and nose-to-tail meat creations in the elegant upstairs dining room, while…

  • Pipeclay Pumphouse

    New South Wales

    On the grounds of the Robert Stein Winery, this paddock-to-plate stunner is the talk of Mudgee, serving to-die-for weekend breakfasts, à la carte and…

  • Harvest

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Putting the tiny hinterland town of Newrybar on the map is Harvest: a restaurant in a rustic open-air Queenslander with a 'wild harvest' menu inspired by…

  • Bah B Q

    Sydney

    Sydney's best Brazilian restaurant is just off the Crows Nest eating strip north of the harbour. The rodízio concept of waiters walking round slicing off…

  • Kohli's Waterfront

    South Coast NSW

    Warm service and bay views promise a memorable meal, and the flavourful food delivers. Dishes at Kohli's positively sizzle with fresh herbs and piquant…

  • Hayden’s Pies

    South Coast NSW

    With traditional pies – the likes of Sunday roast or chicken and bacon – and a range of gourmet fillings (such as Atlantic salmon, or mushroom and goat's…

  • Zin House

    New South Wales

    The glorious Lowe Vineyard is home to this weekend highlight: long, leisurely six-course lunches of simply prepared local produce (either home-grown, or…

  • Lox Stock & Barrel

    Sydney

    Stare down the barrel of a smoking hot bagel and ask yourself one question: Wagyu corned-beef Reuben, or chicken liver with extra pickle? And be sure to…

  • Ballina Gallery Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Sit out underneath the mango tree, or admire the art inside Ballina's 1920s former council chambers while enjoying some of Ballina's best produce. The…

  • Lolli Redini

    New South Wales

    See Orange's finest produce wrapped in all its glory at this much-lauded restaurant (bookings essential). The matching of food with wines is well thought…

  • Eschalot

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    This heritage sandstone cottage showcases superb modern Australian cooking. Flavours could include lavender smoked duck breast or black tortellini with…

  • Che Bon

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Relocating from the country town of Tintenbar to the rather suburban centre of Ballina, Che Bon, headed by chef Rodolphe who hails from Lyon, is a firm…

  • Cupitt's Estate

    South Coast NSW

    All gourmet tastes are satisfied at this restored 1851 creamery, 3km west of town. The cellar door showcases exceptional wine, accompanied by cheeseboards…

  • Bread Social

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Bread Social's concession at Byron Bay's The Farm is the worst-kept secret; now the word is really out with this dedicated bakery and cafe, opened just a…

  • Drift

    South Coast NSW

    Eden mussels, Tilba cheeses and Gippsland wines find their perfect setting in this shack-chic, upper-floor restaurant overlooking the wharf. The sunset…

  • Beachwood Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Cookbook author Sevtap Yüce steps out of the pages to deliver her bold Turkish Flavours to the plate at this wonderful little cafe. Most of the tables are…

  • Milk & Honey

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The wood-fire oven here turns out the best pizza in the region. Delicious combos such as pork and fennel sausage with chilli or field mushrooms, parmesan…

  • Nimbin Hotel

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    This classic boozer has a vast back porch overlooking a verdant valley with seats taken up by a slice of all Nimbin life. The Mended Drum Bistro serves…

  • Mavis's Kitchen & Cabins

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The setting is sublime: a two-storey whitewashed wooden Queenslander house surrounded by gorgeous gardens and gazing at Wollumbin/Mt Warning. The country…

  • Ruby's Cafe & Gift Store

    New South Wales

    Ruby's is a gem: a charismatic, eclectically-decorated cafe with stripped-brick walls, deft baristas and garden tables that suggest lazy brunches. The…

  • Modern Grocer

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Sit yourself at the communal table and tuck into a big breakfast, burger or sandwich at this mini-emporium that now takes up two lovely old shops back-to…

  • Maggie's Thai in Erskineville

    Maggie's

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Worth the short stroll downhill from the Newtown strip, or as the focus of a night in pleasant Erskineville itself, this small neighbourhood Thai…

  • The Little Kitchen.

    Little Kitchen

    Sydney

    Confident modern Australian fare, strong on presentation, vibrant flavours and quality ingredients, is on offer in this tiny spot. A cheerful, family-run…

  • Bloodwood restaurant in Newtown

    Bloodwood

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Relax over a few drinks and a progression of small plates (we love those polenta chips!) in the front bar, or make your way to the rear to enjoy soundly…

  • Lankan Filling Station

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Come here for traditional favourites like pol sambol (coconut-chilli salad), short eats (snacks) and the house speciality, hoppers. These bowl-shaped rice…

  • Messina

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Join the queues of people who look like they never eat ice cream at the counter of the original store of Sydney's most popular gelato shop – clearly even…

  • Cottage Point Inn

    Sydney

    This former general store for boat traffic is now one of Sydney's finer restaurants, in an unforgettable waterside setting in Cottage Point. Sitting out…

  • Cornersmith

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Devoted to community and ethical food production, Cornersmith presents a seasonal menu of delicious dishes, as well as pickles, sauces, preserves and…

  • The Edwards

    Newcastle

    Stylishly flaunting its warehouse chic on this light industrial street in the West End, the Edwards is back from the ashes after a disastrous 2018 fire…

  • Balinese Spice Magic

    South Coast NSW

    The warmth of the welcome is only outshone by the tenderly prepared Balinese food at Spice Magic. This standout restaurant serves authentically spiced…

  • Tallwood

    South Coast NSW

    From its stylish, open-plan kitchen, Tallwood kicks off the day with excellent coffee and out-of-the-ordinary breakfasts, such as crème-fraiche hash…

  • Reuben Hills

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    An industrial design and creative Latin American menu await at Reuben Hills, set in a terraced house and its former garage. The star is the fantastic…

  • Three Blue Ducks

    Sydney

    These ducks are a fair waddle from the water at Bronte Beach, but that doesn't stop queues forming outside the art-covered walls for weekend breakfasts…

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