What to Eat in Sydney and Where: 10 Typical Dishes and Best Restaurants

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 14 August 2025 ·
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What to Eat in Sydney and Where: 10 Typical Dishes and Best Restaurants

In addition to the wide variety of natural beauty, one of the most fascinating things about Australia is that it is an open-minded country with a strong international spirit that attracts both young people and adults every year. This internationality as a distinctive feature is easily found in the cuisine: the Australian culinary tradition has indeed been influenced by countless cultures over time, which has allowed the creation of very diverse dishes with bold flavors and a strong identity. That's why, for instance, in restaurant menus, alongside typically Australian dishes, you can also find dishes from different countries, mostly Asian (Vietnam, Thailand, etc.). Let's discover together the 10 typical Australian dishes that you absolutely must try if you find yourself in Sydney.

1 - Oyster Soup

tasty soup with oysters wooden table
tasty soup with oysters wooden table

Among the favorite first courses of Australians, we cannot fail to mention soups, preferably eaten during the cooler months. One that you can easily find served in local restaurants is oyster soup: boiled and served on a fish velouté, it is often seasoned with lemon juice and an anchovy puree. Loved by both locals and passing tourists, it is a true unmissable delicacy!

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $20.00
  • Main ingredients oysters, fish, lemon

2 - Pumpkin Soup

roasted pumpkin carrot soup with cream seeds fresh green ceramic bowl top view
roasted pumpkin carrot soup with cream seeds fresh green ceramic bowl top view

Still regarding soups, another specialty you cannot afford to miss is pumpkin soup. In this case, a base of onion and macadamia oil is prepared, to which the soup, apples, yogurt, and some macadamia nuts are added as seasoning. The Macadamia is a plant typical of the eastern Australia/Indonesia region, widely used in cooking, especially for its nuts.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $16.00
  • Main ingredients pumpkin, macadamia, yogurt, apples

3 - Kangaroo Pie

homemade stuffed pastry black plate
homemade stuffed pastry black plate

Don't worry, the reference to kangaroo is only about the shape of the dish: the Kangaroo pie is nothing more than a puff pastry filled with cod, onions, and pickles, rolled up as if it were a strudel and accompanied by a cheddar sauce. The association with the symbol of Australia, the kangaroo, is due to its "pouch-like" shape, reminiscent of the distinctive feature of the marsupial. But, if you want, in the city, you can also try kangaroo meat!

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $15.00
  • Main ingredients cod, butter, flour, onions, pickles

4 - Fish & Chips

bistro good food cafe serving fusion menu 1
bistro good food cafe serving fusion menu 1

Along with the British, Australians are great masters in preparing this simple, yet very tasty dish. For this reason, the entire island, especially Sydney, is bustling with little restaurants (many of which are near the beach), kiosks, etc. offering this delight so that you will be spoiled for choice. This dish is also suitable for those traveling with children, who are often hard to convince to try new foods.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $15.00
  • Main ingredients fish, potatoes

5 - Meat Pie

fresh traditional australian meat mini pie wooden board table closeup with copy space rustic style
fresh traditional australian meat mini pie wooden board table closeup with copy space rustic style

Similar to the Kangaroo pie but smaller, almost like a snack, and filled with meat, the Meat pie is another very frequent dish in Australia, especially in Sydney where it can be seen in almost all supermarkets, bakeries, and food stores. The classic filling consists of minced meat, mushrooms, tomato sauce, onions, and cheese, although there are some vegetarian variants. After a night out or when you're in a rush and don't have much time to eat, they're a perfect snack! They are also the perfect snack to enjoy while watching games on TV!

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $8.00
  • Main ingredients meat, tomato, onions, cheese

6 - Kangaroo Meat

kangaroo meat steak with green pesto pomegranate
kangaroo meat steak with green pesto pomegranate

Perhaps this is one of the biggest shocks when discovering Australian cuisine: a symbol of the country, in reality, kangaroo meat is one of the foundational dishes of the local culinary tradition. As it is relatively lean red meat, Australians use it widely in cooking, preparing it in many different ways: grilled, as a hamburger, sausage, or meatballs, etc. One of the preferred accompaniments, in general, is pan-fried mushrooms. Put aside any doubts and give it a try!

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $20.00
  • Main ingredients meat

7 - Braised Oxtail

oxtail braised with beer soy sauce
oxtail braised with beer soy sauce

Another popular meat dish in Australia is braised oxtail, cooked in tomato and/or beer to enhance its flavors. If you love strong tastes, this is a dish you cannot miss during your stay in Sydney.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $15.00
  • Main ingredients beef, beer, tomato

8 - Mango Salad

mango shrimp salad healthy food asian food
mango shrimp salad healthy food asian food

Australians are not big fans of complicated side dishes, often a plate of fries as an accompaniment to a meat dish seems to be the best solution. However, a dish offered in many restaurants is mango and shrimp salad: seasoned with mayonnaise and lime, they can be served along with a vinaigrette made of oil, lemon juice, and passion fruit. Fresh and delicate, it is the ideal side dish to enjoy during the warmer months.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $10.00
  • Main ingredients shrimp, mango, mayonnaise, lime, vinaigrette

9 - Surprise Papaya

healthy tropical breakfast
healthy tropical breakfast

Now let's move on to desserts. One of the most recommended, especially for a refreshing snack or treat, is Surprise papaya: it is simply a papaya cut in half, filled with diced papaya, mixed fruit salad, and port jelly. Nothing particularly complicated, yet perfect for the hotter days. After an afternoon at the beach or surfing the waves, it's the best snack!

  • Recommended for snack
  • Average cost $10.00
  • Main ingredients papaya, fruit

10 - Pavlova

delicious pavlova cake with meringue topped fresh berries
delicious pavlova cake with meringue topped fresh berries

Australians are not known for their great pastry, yet this does not mean they don't have significant typical cakes and sweets. One of these is the Pavlova cake, made with a base of meringue topped with whipped cream and fruit. If eaten in excess, it might be a bit too sweet, but in smaller doses, it is a wonderful treat for an afternoon snack or a not-so-light bite.

  • Recommended for snack
  • Average cost $8.00
  • Main ingredients meringue, whipped cream, fruit

Where to Eat in Sydney: Best Restaurants, Local Eateries, and Street Food

sydney shot 1
sydney shot 1

Sydney is a delightful melting pot of populations: Australia is a country that attracts a huge number of foreigners from diverse backgrounds, and naturally, its typical cuisine reflects the influences of the cultures that inhabit its vast territories. The cooking habits of the first colonists have been overhauled and adapted to the local products. The restaurant menus in Sydney are seasoned with Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, and other foreign cuisines present. Meat is the cornerstone of the diet, and Australians have an unbridled love for the barbecue ritual, a cherished moment of socializing with family or friends. Breakfast is also a crucial moment: beautiful, tasty, and hearty! It's not uncommon, for example, to find places specialized in pancakes or brunch!

Be mindful of the timings: Australians, in fact, like to dine early! Restaurants open as early as 6:00 PM and tables fill up by 6:30 PM, with kitchens tending to close around 9:00 PM.

From menus featuring emu and kangaroo meats, typical fish like barramundi, and flavors not found elsewhere such as vegemite, here are some of the most characteristic restaurants to tantalize your palate in the city.

1 - Opera Bar

  • Description outdoor seating right under the shadow of the Opera House
  • Specialty excellent happy hour with sunset over the Harbour Bridge
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St (Get directions) / tel: +61285875900

2 - The Butler

  • Description very Instagrammable restaurant in the Potts Point neighborhood, rooftop terrace and international cuisine
  • Specialty share plates
  • Average price from $30.00 per person
  • Address 123 Victoria St (Get directions) / tel: +61283761870

3 - Tramsheds Harold Park

  • Description food-centric shopping center inside the old tram terminal
  • Specialty street food
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 1 Dalgal Way (Get directions) / tel: +61290498885

4 - The Pantry Manly

  • Description in Manly, restaurant specialized in modern Australian cuisine, excellent meat dishes
  • Specialty barbecue
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address Ocean Promenade, N Steyne (Get directions) / tel: +61299770566

5 - Cottage Point Inn

  • Description a place that looks like a small cottage, with a view of the sea and sophisticated, high-quality cuisine
  • Specialty tasting menu
  • Average price from $85.00 per person
  • Address 2 Anderson Pl (Get directions) / tel: +61294561011

6 - Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

  • Description spectacular restaurant with a view over Bondi Beach, international cuisine with numerous Italian dishes
  • Specialty Icebergs Tasting Menu
  • Average price from $70.00 per person
  • Address 1 Notts Ave (Get directions) / tel: +61293659000

7 - Quay Restaurant

  • Description haute cuisine restaurant with a stunning view of the Opera House, refined and international cuisine
  • Specialty Tasting Menu
  • Average price from $140.00 per person
  • Address Upper Level Overseas Passenger Terminal (Get directions) / tel: +61292515600

8 - Pancakes On The Rocks

  • Description a local in The Rocks neighborhood, specializing in breakfasts and especially pancakes
  • Specialty Aussie sunrise pancakes
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 22 Playfair St (Get directions) / tel: +61292476371

9 - Meat District Co

  • Description paradise for meat lovers, this place offers many types, including grilled kangaroo
  • Specialty barbecue
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address r3/11 Lime St (Get directions) / tel: +61292999762

10 - Single O

  • Description one of the best cafes in Sydney, where you can recharge with top-notch breakfasts
  • Specialty coffee, banana pancake
  • Average price from $5.00 per person
  • Address 60-64 Reservoir St (Get directions) / tel: +61292110665