Cover Pastries and pies fresh out of the oven at Sydney's Lode Pies & Pastries (Photo: Lode Pies & Pastries)
Pastries and pies fresh out of the oven at Sydney's Lode Pies & Pastries (Photo: Lode Pies & Pastries)
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If you love food, here’s an itinerary to eat your way across Sydney, according to those who know the city best
While Sydney may be known for its stunning coastal walks and iconic buildings, what should not be overlooked is the city’s vibrant food scene. While there are few dining destinations in the Asia-Pacific region with which I am entirely unfamiliar, Sydney is one of them—the last time I was in the capital of New South Wales was 15 years back. So I turned to my peers for suggestions, asking chefs, foodies residing in Sydney, and industry professionals for their recommendations.
Armed with more eateries, coffee spots, and bakeries than my short four-day trip could possibly accommodate, I set off. While my itinerary—which was by all accounts bursting at the seams—barely scratched the surface of the suggestions I received, here are some of the spots I managed to visit and others that came highly recommended. From farmers' markets on the weekends to fine-dining restaurants, drop by these eateries if you’re as passionate about what you eat as this dining editor.
Spend a morning munching your way through a farmer’s market
While Melbourne’s food markets may receive more attention, not to be missed is one of Sydney’s farmers' markets. Carriageworks Farmers Market is home to some of the city’s freshest produce and most passionate producers. Taste Sydney’s best, from chunky peanut butter to fresh yoghurt and macadamia honey, before taking home a bundle of rainbow chard or snacking on a loaded beef pie. Industrial roastery Reuben Hills also has a stall here—if you don’t make it to their café in Surry Hills, grab a cup here.
Splurge on one of Sydney’s finest
Sydney is known for its seafood, and Saint Peter takes this to a new level, flaunting a menu that can only be described as a study in fish. Seafood, primarily fish, is treated akin to meat—cured, turned into sausages, dry-aged and served as steaks—and while restaurants typically use 60% of a fish, Saint Peter prides itself on using 90% of the animal, down to the offal. The only animal product used, other than dairy, is sausage casings. Begin with your choice of oysters (there are six to choose from; we’d recommend the Saint Peter Gem) and end with a quartet of petit fours featuring—you guessed it—fish! While our time was tight, other restaurants of a similar calibre that were highly lauded include Sixpenny in Stanmore and LuMi, which melds Italian and Japanese ingredients and techniques, in Darling Harbour.
Inventive sharing plates beckon at wine bars and casual eateries
Softly lit and charmingly packed with buzzy energy, these are the restaurants you’ll spend hours at without realising. Book for a long catch-up with friends or if you’re snackish and want to try a large variety of sharing dishes, treats, and snacks. Ester’s roasted chicken fat oysters were one of my most memorable bites this trip, while Cafe Paci’s chicken liver parfait on banana bread was a delectable sweet-salty treat. If my trip was any longer, a visit to Bar Copains would also have been on the list.
Bakeries and pastries
With five permanent locations across the city (and counting!), Sydney’s iconic A.P Bakery is hard to miss. Even if you don’t end up stopping by, chances are you’ll try its sourdough as a bread course during a restaurant visit or as a stall within a farmer’s market. For flaky, shatteringly crisp pies, there is no better place than Lode Pies & Pastries, the brainchild of Federico Zanellato of Lumi. Order both the Wagyu pie and the Bolognese pie and thank us later.
Bonus: Fro-yo!
Frozen yoghurt—the real kind, not made with a powdered base—has taken the world by storm, and Australia’s most renowned is Yo-Chi, with over 60 stores across the country. Take it from this skeptic, I didn’t expect to enjoy Yo-Chi as much as I did, but with customisable flavours and toppings that range from the indulgent (biscoff and chocolate) to healthy (peanut butter, fruit, and granola), there are few things not to love. Other spots include Freo, Minus Seven, and Yogurberry.
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About
Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
