Inner City Eats: The Best Restaurants in the Sydney CBD

Sydney CBD is a food lover's paradise, offering a dizzying array of dining options that can make even seasoned locals pause for thought. If you're in the mood for a lavish fine-dining experience, there's a roster of upscale establishments that boast exquisite menus, where gastronomy is elevated to an art form. If you're in a hurry and in need of a quick bite, we’ve got you covered, too. The city's laneways and corners hide Sydney CBD’s best-kept secrets, where delightful options await.

In our guide to the best restaurants in Sydney's CBD, we'll lead you on a delicious journey that caters to both lunch and dinner, accommodating all occasions and cravings. 

Chin Chin

A true interior design marvel, Chin Chin occupies the iconic Griffiths Tea building in Surry Hills, an aged beauty filled with modern charm. This Sydney CBD restaurant believes in relaxed and enjoyable dining. Their menu features a vibrant ensemble of Southeast Asian flavours with a Thai twist. The atmosphere fuses dining, music, and art, with Chin Chin actively shaping the local scene.

69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Pellegrino 2000

This Surry Hills restaurant is one of the hottest places to be! Mixing things up with fresh new twists on old-school classics, Pellegrino 2000 is led by Daniel Pepperell and Michael Clift, the acclaimed duo behind Bistrot 916. 

80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills

(Image Credit: Jiwoon Kim) 

Itō

Head Chef Erik Ortolani has combined his Italian heritage and passion for Japanese cooking to craft something truly unique at ITO. Dishes like yellowfin tuna served on bonito bread with shaved bottarga and Wagyu mafaldine paired with white shimeji and miso grace the menu and will give you a whole new appreciation for fusion cuisine. 

Key to the Itō experience is the drinks menu which features Japanese inspired classic cocktails, a quirky selection of wines from Japan and an extensive sake selection. The pared-back interiors with fun pops of colour set the scene for the perfect night out. 

413-415 Crown Street, Surry Hill

White Horse

White Horse offers up a multitude of spaces so take your pick from the public bar, garden terrace or restaurant and gear up for warm, neutral tones, reclaimed French oak tables, sling leather seats and textured walls. 

The menu is modern Australian with a French twist absolutely nails the brief. Think creamed warrigal greens, a beetroot mille-feuille with muntries and native thyme and veal tongue French toast. An exceptional curation of beverages completes the scene. 

381 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Palazzo Salato 

Palazzo Salato is a pasta-lovers dreamscape The 120-seat restaurant serves up an exceptional array of handmade pasta with everything from agnolotti to mafaldine, and matching sauces. The glam dining room and a 500-strong wine list give big luxury vibes - the perfect place to indulge in a delicious bowl of the good stuff. 

201/203 Clarence Street, Sydney  

The Gidley

In the heart of Sydney's CBD, The Gidley is a hidden gem beneath the city's surface. This American-style steakhouse exudes an intimate and inviting charm. Descend dimly lit stairs into the lounge, fitted with plush seating and cosy corners, where you can enjoy a well-crafted drink that’s garnished and finished right in front of you. 

Following a dirty martini or two, you can begin to savour their specialty prime cuts of meat like the mouthwatering Riverine Black Angus ribeye prepared in various styles. If you’re looking to round out your spread, be sure to order their brick chicken and whole trout. The accompaniments are equally impressive and offer a symphony of flavours to complement the star of the menu. 

Basement, 161 King Street, Sydney 

Aalia 

This hatted restaurant, headed up by executive chef Paul Farag, is perfect if you're looking for something central in the CBD. Aalia draws inspiration from the Middle East and North Africa and highlights the best of each region. Start with elevated snacks and mezze before exploring the mains. Do not miss Aalia's dessert menu that features the likes of dates covered in caramelised chocolate, rice pudding ice cream and brown butter katifi. 

25 Martin Place, Sydney

Ragazzi 

Ragazzi's warm interiors are the perfect backdrop for an evening of handmade pasta and delicious drops. The team here are experts when it comes to these two staples. If you're in the mood for a bowl of pasta that offers full-blown enlightenment, this is the spot for you - the combos here are nothing short of life-changing. Think asparagus ravioli drizzled with bittersweet honey, mafaldine with prawns and kombu butter and tottole with pork and fennel sausage and crispy kale. And the wine list? Exquisite. 

Shop 3, 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney CBD

Ester

Firmly cementing itself as a foodie institution, Ester is a destination restaurant drawing in diners from all over Sydney. Share plate style, the seasonal menu showcases masterful pairings of local produce. Seafood, meat and salad heavy, the dishes are exotic and full-flavoured while the fit-out is minimal and intimate. Ideal as a date spot, or fancy dinner with a large group.

46/52 Meagher Street, Chippendale

Kindred

Kindred serves up wholesome Italian fare reminiscent of a bygone era - no fuss yet plated to perfection. Begin with warm sourdough and cultured butter, travel through entrees, mains and pasta and end with something sweet. The pasta is the real standout so if you're a pasta fiend, you'll be thrilled when you're treated to lesser-known goodies like bucatini and agnolotti filled with jerusalem artichoke. 

137 Cleveland Street, Darlington 

Yellow

Yellow in Potts Point is a standout in Sydney's vegan dining scene, brought to life by the creators of Bentley Restaurant + Bar, Monopole, and Cirrus. Co-owner and chef Brent Savage recognised the city's demand for vegan options and crafted a menu highlighting unique heirloom vegetables sourced from local growers. With a comprehensive wine list designed by co-owner and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt to perfectly complement their plant-based offerings, Yellow has elevated the vegan dining experience. Housed in a converted 1950s art gallery, it offers a chic yet health-conscious atmosphere. 

57 Macleay Street, Potts Point 

Oborozuki 

Oborozuki is the kind of dining experience that leaves you feeling pleasantly full (but not too full) and sated in a sense that surpasses appetite. Serene, intimate, old-world and new - you'll find an amalgamation of fine dining delights here. Details are considered right down to the hot towels that signal the beginning of your meal. The menu, which gently fuses French and Japanese cuisine, subtly explores flavour in a way that won't slap you in the face but that will leave you delighted at the way each delicate dish unfolds, each of which is impeccably plated and presented with care and respect by the knowledgeable staff. Add in floor-to-ceiling harbour views and you'll be hard-pressed to top a night here. 

Sitchu Tip: Order a sake and you'll get to select a handcrafted class of your choice from a leather trunk that will be yours for the evening. An extra special detail! 

71 Macquarie Street, Sydney 

Nobu

Nobu at Crown Sydney is a world-renowned culinary legend, synonymous with upscale Japanese cuisine. Nobu Sydney artfully combines Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's expertise with the local talents of Chef Harold Hurtada. Japanese tradition blends with locally sourced ingredients, offering imaginative dishes and global classics. 

Crown Sydney, Level 2, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Oncore by Clare Smyth

Set 26 levels above Sydney Harbour, with one of the best views in the city, Oncore is a world-class restaurant from Clare Smyth, the only British female chef with three Michelin stars. Oncore, her first international restaurant pays homage to Core, Smyth’s UK restaurant and highlights sustainable ingredients.

With a signature flavours seven-course tasting menu for $360, it's pricey but worth it!  

Level 26, Crown Sydney, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Saké Restaurant

Saké Restaurant in The Rocks, beckons food enthusiasts with its reverence for traditional Japanese cuisine and a remarkable collection of sake. This Sydney CBD restaurant goes above and beyond to cater to its patrons' desires. For those seeking a quick yet delectable meal, they offer express lunches and enticing bento box deals throughout the week. 

If you're after a more private and intimate dining experience, Saké boasts a series of exclusive dining rooms. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of washoku, savouring dishes that pay homage to the centuries-old Japanese culinary traditions, each crafted with a dynamic and innovative touch by Japanese-born and trained chefs. Each visit at Saké Restaurant promises an award-winning dining experience for discerning palates.

12 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Have you eaten your way through this edit of Sydney CBD's best restaurants and still hungry for more? Take a look at our round-up of Sydney's best set menus for under $150. Once you're done there, take a look at our comprehensive guide to eating out in Barangaroo.