While Melbourne is often considered Australia’s culinary capital, Sydneysiders know their plethora of restaurants are right up there when it comes to coveted dining destinations around the country.
Many of us plan a trip to Sydney around restaurant reservations, getting into some of the best is often not easy…here are five of our picks for a Chef-hatted dining experience:
Ormeggio at The Spit (17), one of Australia’s most progressive Italian restaurants since opening in 2009, is the place in Mosman to head for casual, yet refined seafood dining. This buzzy restaurant at D’Albora Marinas sports a beautiful cocktail and gelato bar centre stage; with a neutral and natural colour scheme, along with pops of colour and texture.
Expect high-quality, sustainable seafood, great cocktails, fun desserts and knockout water views; delve into dishes like Chef Alessandro’s signature risotto with mud crab and textures of citrus, or housemade ink and spelt spaghetti with charcoal rock lobster, stracciatella, mussel emulsion, ocean trout roe, bottarga and seaweed.
Discerning Sydney diners find a place where creativity is king, culinary inspiration flows, ideas are born and fresh ingredients are transformed at Atelier by Sofitel (15) on Darling Drive. This elegant Inner Sydney restaurant serves a sensory dining experience inspired by the customs and flavours of South France; in contemporary surrounds of polished wood, walls covered with wine racks and cane table settings.
Executive Chef Sam Moore presents a menu using local ingredients and unexpected tastes, as seen in signature mains of dry-aged duck breast, butter poached pear, radicchio and pear jus, or perfectly cooked rib eye, garlic purée, char-grilled onion and red wine jus.
Adventurous St Leonards foodies head to Coya Sydney (14) on Pacific Highway for degustation delights with a Middle Eastern twist. Just relocated to a stunning new restaurant, a happily buzzing interior vibe awaits diners as they stop by for a leisurely lunch or dinner from three, six and 10-course degustation menu options.
Expect to indulge all your senses, taking time to savour each dish before eagerly anticipating the next, with entrée choices such as sweet harissa King prawns and raspberry emulsion. For the main affair, think 17-spice grilled chicken toum, or Blackmore Wagyu bolar blade and jewelled rice.
For authentic Indian cuisine in Terrey Hills, take to award-winning Urban Tadka (14) on Mona Vale Road. Enveloping diners in warm tones of red and black and submerged ambient mood lighting, this relaxed restaurant sets the tone for smart casual dining.
Specialising in North Indian, tandoori and Mughlai fare, Urban Tadka’s vast menu may include entrées such as sashimi-grade Japanese scallops infused with lychee and garlic, then flame-seared; followed by baby lamb fillets, lamb mince, infused Tadka sauce, scallions and mace.
An intriguing fusion of global techniques and flavours awaits diners at Silvester's Restaurant (14) on Bulletin Place in Circular Quay. Step into moody surrounds of dark wood, granite tabletops and richly coloured walls, where chilling back with a drink goes hand in hand with exquisite cuisine.
Housed in a building that was once one of Sydney's finest butchers, Silvester's honours this commitment to fresh food by sourcing quality ingredients brought to the table in dishes capturing the restaurant’s signature style; think Riverina lamb rack, leek purée, pancetta, caramelised onions and sugar snap peas.
For more Sydney CBD Chef-hatted restaurants, click here.
