I still remember my first weekend in Sydney. Someone said ‘we’re going to a bar…’ and next thing I knew, I’m winding down a laneway, through an unmarked door and into a candle-lit hideout packed with locals raising glasses. That’s Sydney for ya — part glamour, part coastal and always social. As a Sydney resident, travel writer and unapologetic foodie, I’ve scoured the layers of Sydney, from hole-in-the-wall gems to fine dining in Sydney’s most prestigious establishments, getting a real taste of its multi-cultural food scene and Australian pub culture, and now I’m here to help you do the same.
So, if you’re keen on unearthing the secrets behind eating, drinking and celebrating like a local, follow this insider’s guide. This is where we go for a feed, flat white or a frivolous knees up!
Suburbs for proper cuppa coffees
After living here for years, I have a controversial take on Sydney’s coffee culture: you won’t get the best coffees in Circular Quay. The real magic is out there in the suburbs. I’ve spent countless mornings in ‘Singlo O’, Surry Hills, where it’s almost a regular sight seeing artists nurse their flat white, while sketching out their next big idea. Sometimes I simply admire the baristas conversing with the regulars like they’re old mates. Over in Bondi Junction, it’s a daily spectacle — Sydneysiders getting their pre-morning coffee fix, before setting out to conquer the corporate world.
It’s much more than the caffeine though. These are the spots where the baristas know your order by heart, where weekend brunches slip into afternoon conversations and where you’ll hear the most authentic Sydney stories. My latest kick is pilgrimaging to ‘Brewton Newtown’ for the French Vanilla cronuts, it’s heaven on Earth.
Dinner cruises to dine with a view
When it comes to dining with a view, one experience echoes throughout Sydney – a dinner cruise! These dinner cruises in Sydney are more than just mini-tourist excursions, they’re floating parties. I’ve had my fair share of after-work parties, birthdays and catch-ups on these stylish vessels, soaking up the kaleidoscopic city lights that dance across the water and enjoying bloody good Aussie fare with local wines.
One thing that these cruises offer that land-based venues can’t even compete with is the ever-changing harbour panorama. One minute you’re taking in an unmatched angle of the pearly Opera House, the next, you’re sipping wine under the mighty Harbour Bridge. There’s something about being on the water; it’s where locals come to propose, celebrate a milestone and share unforgettable memories. It’s also one of the best places to eat in Sydney.
Sydney Fish Market for best seafood
If you’re a seafood fiend, the iconic Sydney Fish Markets is your mecca. It’s just like your typical fish market — smelly, crowded and manic. But it’s not simply a place to grab the freshest catch. It’s where top restaurants in the CBD source their seafood, tour buses arrive for their lunch and friends and family have their impromptu oyster sesh. You’ll be amazed by the quality and variety of seafood on offer here. Arrive early morning and wander down the ice-lined stalls stacked with every size, colour and shape of seafood imaginable.
For first-timers, a guided tour is your best friend to quickly get to know the ins and outs of this buzzing marketplace. And while the restaurants at this joint are fairly exxy, their juicy lemon-squeezed crabs and oysters are still worth the splurge.
Beaches for coastal lifestyle
Sydney’s beaches aren’t just iconic for their influencer-pulling backdrops, it’s also where the coastal lifestyle is at full display. Locals at Clovelly Beach know that the best fish ‘n’ chips are found at ‘Out of The Blue’, family-run since 2001. Down at Manly or Bondi, you can find surfers celebrating their successful surf sessions over a cold one at the beachfront joints that have weathered yonks of salt air and good times.
Personally, I’m more into a late-arvo swim at the Bronte’s, followed by a fish ‘n’ chips picnic behind the bushland. Nothing fancy, just pure ol’ beachside bliss. That’s the thing about Sydney’s beach culture, it’s all about embracing the outdoor life, and that’s what makes this city so special.
Hidden speakeasies for fun nights out
When the sun dips, nightlife in Sydney wakes up. But the best bars rarely announce themselves; maybe it’s a green light spilling from a door, maybe by a long queue snaking down an alleyway or maybe cryptic signs on street poles. These local speakeasies or hole-in-the-wall establishments are where locals go when they want to escape the crowds.
Half the thrill lies in getting to these bars. ‘Door Knock’ felt like an underground dungeon where you’ll need to conquer two flights of stairs and a pitch-black corridor which then lead to a door with a pineapple doorknocker. Knock not more than three times and you’re in.
And these places change regularly, keeping the scene fresh for locals. What remains constant is the sense of community and adventure — and plenty of ‘how did we end up here?’ nights.