Reasonable restaurants in Sydney CBD

[SKSMIKE5]

My husband, my son (30 yr) and his wife (28 yr) are staying at the Tank Stream in Sydney in January 2025 for a few nights before our cruise.  Any restaurant recommendations would be great. Based on research, we have Caminetto Italian in the Rocks on our list but are interested in places other cruisers have found and enjoyed. Thanks in advance!

[buchhalm]

You are about to open a can of worms!

To narrow the field, what type of cuisine are you interested in?

Sydney has pretty much everything you could wish for.

Despite continued moaning from the hospitality industry about declining business, MANY restaurants (especially the more upmarket ones) are booked out a long time in advance, especially Thursday to Saturday evenings. Restaurants will impose a surcharge of 10 to 15% on SUNDAYS and public holidays. Tipping is NOT mandatory but always appreciated. It is becoming increasingly common for restaurants to "suggest" certain tip amounts or percentages on those hand-held payment devices. Feel totally free to completely ignore those suggestions (as I always do in protest against Americanisation of our hospitality sector), tip any amount you chose or nothing at all. When I tip, I give cash. Never by card.

Pretty much every restaurant will accept credit cards. They may impose a small surcharge (around 1 5%, a little more for American Express).

You may be asked if you would like pay in AUD or your home currency.  Always pay in local (AUD in this case) currency. 

 

Don't necessarily limit yourself to the Central Business District (CBD).

There are lovely restaurants just outside that area as well.

 

Oh, and many restaurants (especially the better ones) WILL require your credit card details to secure a reservation! This is to avoid no-shows. You MAY be charged a certain amount if you do not cancel in time.

EVERYTHING will be clearly explained during the booking process. And most of the time you can opt in/out to receive a reminder of an upcoming reservation by email or SMS

Edited Saturday at 01:44 AM by buchhalm

[Chiliburn]

32 minutes ago, SKSMIKE5 said:

My husband, my son (30 yr) and his wife (28 yr) are staying at the Tank Stream in Sydney in January 2025 for a few nights before our cruise.  Any restaurant recommendations would be great. Based on research, we have Caminetto Italian in the Rocks on our list but are interested in places other cruisers have found and enjoyed. Thanks in advance!

Something for a reasonable price and quality is the question in Sydney.

 I don’t know if you like Asian food but there’s one of these Thai restaurants in circular quay.

 

 

https://chatthai.com

Edited Saturday at 01:44 AM by Chiliburn

[buchhalm]

3 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Something for a reasonable price and quality is the question in Sydney.

 I don’t know if you like Asian food but there’s one of these Thai restaurants in circular quay.

 

 

https://chatthai.com

I concur. Chat Tgai (as in chit-chat) is excellent. They have several branches, but the one in Circular Quay is the best.

This group of restaurants has actually THAI chefs! And if it says 🌶🌶🌶 on the menu, they MEAN it.

Fabulous food, as authentic Thai as you can get. 

[Chiliburn]

18 minutes ago, buchhalm said:

I concur. Chat Tgai (as in chit-chat) is excellent. They have several branches, but the one in Circular Quay is the best.

This group of restaurants has actually THAI chefs! And if it says 🌶🌶🌶 on the menu, they MEAN it.

Fabulous food, as authentic Thai as you can get. 

I have been to the one at circular Quay only once but I know many who have.

I’ve been to the one in Thai town or Campbell street many times. 
I think the it’s same mob, it’s a bit of a hole in the wall and it’s supposed to be one of the best Asian restaurants in Sydney.$20 a plate or less and you walk out with a smile.

 

[SKSMIKE5]

Thanks. We will definitely add Chat Tgai to our list. We like pretty much anything. Probably weren't going to go to any "Fine" dining places. 

[buchhalm]

9 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I have been to the one at circular Quay only once but I know many who have.

I’ve been to the one in Thai town or Campbell street many times. 
I think the it’s same mob, it’s a bit of a hole in the wall and it’s supposed to be one of the best Asian restaurants in Sydney.$20 a plate or less and you walk out with a smile.

 

Yes, same group. 

I find the service and atmosphere at Circular Quay better. The food is similar in quality. 

[Chiliburn]

6 minutes ago, SKSMIKE5 said:

Thanks. We will definitely add Chat Tgai to our list. We like pretty much anything. Probably weren't going to go to any "Fine" dining places. 

If you want to catch a ferry around to Barangaroo there’s some boardwalk restaurants that aren’t to outrageous.

Most have lunchtime specials for around $30 but you are paying for the location which is quite nice.

I like Jordan’s seafood,great for people watching and reasonably priced.

https://jordonsseafood.com.au/

[buchhalm]

16 hours ago, SKSMIKE5 said:

Thanks. We will definitely add Chat Tgai to our list. We like pretty much anything. Probably weren't going to go to any "Fine" dining places. 

In Barangaroo (that's where the Crown hotel/casino is, adjacent to the old Darling Harbour precinct), you will find several very good places to eat. Whereas Darling Harbour used to be a major tourist trap, Barangaroo does things differently. All eateries are pretty decent. Not exactly "cheap", but the quality matches the prices (and v.v.)

Standouts, where we never were disappointed are LOTUS BARANGAROO (they have a few branches around town, which are all very good), a "modern Chinese " restaurant with excellent food. Fabulous vegetarian dishes! Many Chinese customers,  which is a good sign. They do have "banquet " options, which are great for small groups or the undecided. 

ANASON is a fabulous Turkish restaurant. Great lamb dishes and a few vegetarian options. 

Leave room for an ice cream at RIVARENO Gelato. Sensational Italian style icecreams. The dark chocolate sorbet and pistachio gelato are an orgy in a cone!

 

In Clarence Street you'll find a small French bistro, BISTRO PAPILLON.

Traditional French fare in a cosy spot. No "views ", but solid French food. They have been there for many, many years. 

 

In circular quay, the modern Greek "PLOOS", is a standout. By a million miles the best Greek food I have found in any restaurant in Australia. Service can be a bit dizzy, but the food is spectacular. From the outdoor tables you can JUST see the tail-end of the cruise ships and the Opera house across the quay.

 

As always, the prices of wine and cocktails will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the cost of all meals everywhere. 

You will be offered 'sparkling or still' water. That means nearly everywhere bottled water, which ALSO can add up! Don't get embarrassed by just saying "tap is fine, thanks". No eyebrows will be raised and Sydney water is totally fine to drink.

 

Oh, the choices...

[SKSMIKE5]

BUCHHALM thank you for the recommendations - they sound great!. We enjoy Greek so we will definitely give PLOOS a try as well as check out the others to see what we are interested in.  Good to have options!  Also big lovers of gelato! Had it at least once if not twice a day on our 14 day visit to Italy. 

[MMDown Under]

4 minutes ago, SKSMIKE5 said:

BUCHHALM thank you for the recommendations - they sound great!. We enjoy Greek so we will definitely give PLOOS a try as well as check out the others to see what we are interested in.  Good to have options!  Also big lovers of gelato! Had it at least once if not twice a day on our 14 day visit to Italy. 

Australia has excellent gelato because we have a large Italian population. 

[buchhalm]

1 hour ago, SKSMIKE5 said:

BUCHHALM thank you for the recommendations - they sound great!. We enjoy Greek so we will definitely give PLOOS a try as well as check out the others to see what we are interested in.  Good to have options!  Also big lovers of gelato! Had it at least once if not twice a day on our 14 day visit to Italy. 

From PLOOS...

😋

[resordanis]

We have been to Strangers Restaurant at Parliament House a few times. Mainly open for lunch but for dinner too on Parliament sitting days.Food and Wines are amazing and all NSW Produce. Prices ok too considering the quality of the food. They also do a High Tea on Friday, and although we have never been it is extremely popular. Parliament House is also an interesting building to walk around too. Going again shortly!

[buchhalm]

2 minutes ago, resordanis said:

We have been to Strangers Restaurant at Parliament House a few times. Mainly open for lunch but for dinner too on Parliament sitting days.Food and Wines are amazing and all NSW Produce. Prices ok too considering the quality of the food. They also do a High Tea on Friday, and although we have never been it is extremely popular. Parliament House is also an interesting building to walk around too. Going again shortly!

Good idea! I keep forgetting to go there