clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

The 32 Essential Lisbon Restaurants

The 38 Essential Pittsburgh Restaurants

The 33 Essential Restaurants in Des Moines

North Bondi Fish, Sydney, Australia.
North Bondi Fish, Sydney, Australia.
Photo: Official Site

The Eater Sydney Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Amy McKeever
View as Map
North Bondi Fish, Sydney, Australia.
| Photo: Official Site
by Amy McKeever

Today, Eater returns to Sydney, Australia to focus on 10 exciting restaurants and bars heating up the city's dining scene that have opened in the past 12 months. As was the case last time around, Australia-based restaurant expert Sharlee Gibb — who also recently weighed in on the Eater Melbourne heatmap — returns to kindly share her picks for the hottest drinking and dining Sydney has to offer.

Among the map's offerings are new restaurants from chefs with some serious pedigrees, including a restaurant offering a seasonal set menu from former Marque chef Pasi Petanen (Cafe Paci) and a hotspot with an even hotter wood-fired oven from former Billy Kwong chef Mat Lindsay (Ester). Sydney has also been buzzing about a bar serving killer burgers (Mary's) and a newcomer that showcases the crafts of fermenting, curing, and smoking (Nomad). And, of course, there's the grand new location for chef Neil Perry's 25-year-old flagship restaurant (Rockpool). Here now, listed in alphabetical order, the Eater Heatmap to Sydney:


Tried any of the places on the list or feel there are any glaring omissions? You know what to do.

· All Sydney Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Eater Heatmaps [-E-]

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Cafe Paci

Copy Link
95 Riley St., Darlinghurst, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010, Australia
+61 2 9368 7000
+61 2 9368 7000
Visit Website

This is a "run, don't walk" kind of place. Finnish-born chef Pasi Petanen spent eight years as Mark Best's right-hand man at Marque. Now he has popped up for one year only in the old Cafe Pacifico site. Petanen is offering a daily changing set menu that is delivering some of the most exciting and innovative food around town. [Photo: Official Site]

2. Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta

Copy Link
3/75-79 Hall St., Bondi
NSW 2026, Australia
+61 2 8090 6969
+61 2 8090 6969
Visit Website
Maurizo Terzini (Icebergs, North Bondi Italian Food) wrote the book on hospitality and his latest hotspot hits it right on the head, giving the lovely people of Bondi exactly what they want. Named for his head chef Orazio D'Elia (Popolo, Icebergs), the kitchen is pumping out pizzas from the 2-ton wood-fired oven and devilish roasted pork which will have you crawling back every week for more. [Photo: Official Site]

3. Ester Restaurant & Bar

Copy Link
46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale
NSW 2008, Australia
+61 2 8068 8279
+61 2 8068 8279
Visit Website
The enormous wood-fired oven takes pride of place in this Chippendale newbie. Chef Mat Lindsay (Billy Kwong) calls it "The Cathedral" and has a section of the menu dedicated to it. Ester has industrial charm, is run by professionals, and is just how you want your local to be. It's a hit with the after-work crowd, which can't get enough of the blood sausage sandwich. [Photo: Facebook]

4. Mary's

Copy Link
6 Mary St., Newtown
NSW 2042, Australia
+61 2 4995 9550
+61 2 4995 9550

This bar and burger joint is hot for all the right reasons, serving one of what Gourmet Traveller dubbed the best burgers in Sydney, from chef Luke Powell (Tetsuya's). You can't go wrong ordering the classic burger in a soft bun with cheese and "trashcan" bacon. But do leave room for some fried chicken, too. The drinks are fine-tuned as well, with craft bottled beers lining up against Grower-Champagnes in the fridge. [Photo: Anoop L./Foursquare]

5. Moon Park

Copy Link
Level 1, 34b Redfern St., Redfern
NSW 2016, Australia
+61 2 9690 0111
+61 2 9690 0111
As one door closes, another opens. Chefs Eun Hee An and Ben Sears had barely hung up their aprons as Claude's closed when the opportunity came for their first venture in Redfern. Taking cue from An's heritage, it's Korean with a twist. There's no need for bells and whistles here as the food speaks volumes; King's congee and Moon pie are set to receive cult status. [Photo: Official Site]

6. Nomad Restaurant

Copy Link
16 Foster St, Surry Hills
NSW 2010, Australia
Visit Website
This place has a Feed Me menu that showcases local producers and tends toward the lost arts of fermenting, curing, and smoking. Chef Nathan Sasi (Husk, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) heads the kitchen in this locavore warehouse that continues to cause a sensation. Created to relive the memories of visiting regional cellar doors, Nomad's wines focus on Australian drops on an ever-changing list. [Photo: Facebook]

7. North Bondi Fish

Copy Link
120 Ramsgate Avenue, Sydney
NSW 2026, Australia
Visit Website

New owners and the duo behind Aria and Chiswick, chef Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan didn't skip a beat as they changed the once fabulous North Bondi Italian Food to Fish. As the namesake suggests, there's seafood and lots of it. The dining room is classic coastal and the vibe is beach chic. Best bet is to order from the charcoal grill, offering king prawns, barramundi, octopus, and more. [Photo: Official Site]

8. Papi Chulo

Copy Link
22-23 Manly Wharf, Manly
NSW 2095, Australia
+61 2 9240 3000
+61 2 9240 3000
Visit Website
Another trophy for the Merivale stable, helmed by Justin Hemmes, and their first foray out of the CBD (Sydney's central business district). There is a lot of low, slow cooking in this smokehouse and grill which takes its lead from Southern American barbecue and boasts authentic recipes from the Deep South, like smoked wings, smoked ribs, smoked brisket, and smoked pork belly. [Photo: Official Site]

9. Pinbone

Copy Link
3 Jersey Rd, Woollahra
NSW 2025, Australia
+61 2 9328 1600
+61 2 9328 1600
Visit Website

There's a youthfulness to Pinbone that is not just the young owners, like the savoury play on chocolate crackles and fairy bread that wouldn't be recognized at a kids party. The previously pop-up-based collective of chefs Mike Eggert and Jemma Whiteman with front of house maestro Berri Eggert have found a new and permanent home on the old Buzo site. Brunch is the go-to meal. [Photo: pinbone/Instagram]

10. Rockpool

Copy Link
11 Bridge St., Sydney
NSW 2000, Australia
+61 2 9252 1888
+61 2 9252 1888
Visit Website


Neil Perry's flagship restaurant has found new digs after 25 years and it's hotter than ever. There's a lot to boast about: A big new flashy dining room. Perry's right-hand man and head chef Phil Wood remains in the kitchen. And at lunch you can get the bargain of the year with the fixed price menu at half of the cost of dinner. The food is an East-meets-West collection like beef tartare with Chinese black olive and mullet with sour orange curry. [Photo: bronco/Foursquare]

More in Maps

© 2021 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

1. Cafe Paci

95 Riley St., Darlinghurst, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia

This is a "run, don't walk" kind of place. Finnish-born chef Pasi Petanen spent eight years as Mark Best's right-hand man at Marque. Now he has popped up for one year only in the old Cafe Pacifico site. Petanen is offering a daily changing set menu that is delivering some of the most exciting and innovative food around town. [Photo: Official Site]
95 Riley St., Darlinghurst, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010, Australia
+61 2 9368 7000
Visit Website

2. Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta

3/75-79 Hall St., Bondi, NSW 2026, Australia
Maurizo Terzini (Icebergs, North Bondi Italian Food) wrote the book on hospitality and his latest hotspot hits it right on the head, giving the lovely people of Bondi exactly what they want. Named for his head chef Orazio D'Elia (Popolo, Icebergs), the kitchen is pumping out pizzas from the 2-ton wood-fired oven and devilish roasted pork which will have you crawling back every week for more. [Photo: Official Site]
3/75-79 Hall St., Bondi
NSW 2026, Australia
+61 2 8090 6969
Visit Website

3. Ester Restaurant & Bar

46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
The enormous wood-fired oven takes pride of place in this Chippendale newbie. Chef Mat Lindsay (Billy Kwong) calls it "The Cathedral" and has a section of the menu dedicated to it. Ester has industrial charm, is run by professionals, and is just how you want your local to be. It's a hit with the after-work crowd, which can't get enough of the blood sausage sandwich. [Photo: Facebook]
46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale
NSW 2008, Australia
+61 2 8068 8279
Visit Website

4. Mary's

6 Mary St., Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia

This bar and burger joint is hot for all the right reasons, serving one of what Gourmet Traveller dubbed the best burgers in Sydney, from chef Luke Powell (Tetsuya's). You can't go wrong ordering the classic burger in a soft bun with cheese and "trashcan" bacon. But do leave room for some fried chicken, too. The drinks are fine-tuned as well, with craft bottled beers lining up against Grower-Champagnes in the fridge. [Photo: Anoop L./Foursquare]
6 Mary St., Newtown
NSW 2042, Australia
+61 2 4995 9550

5. Moon Park

Level 1, 34b Redfern St., Redfern, NSW 2016, Australia
As one door closes, another opens. Chefs Eun Hee An and Ben Sears had barely hung up their aprons as Claude's closed when the opportunity came for their first venture in Redfern. Taking cue from An's heritage, it's Korean with a twist. There's no need for bells and whistles here as the food speaks volumes; King's congee and Moon pie are set to receive cult status. [Photo: Official Site]
Level 1, 34b Redfern St., Redfern
NSW 2016, Australia
+61 2 9690 0111

6. Nomad Restaurant

16 Foster St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
This place has a Feed Me menu that showcases local producers and tends toward the lost arts of fermenting, curing, and smoking. Chef Nathan Sasi (Husk, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) heads the kitchen in this locavore warehouse that continues to cause a sensation. Created to relive the memories of visiting regional cellar doors, Nomad's wines focus on Australian drops on an ever-changing list. [Photo: Facebook]
16 Foster St, Surry Hills
NSW 2010, Australia
Visit Website

7. North Bondi Fish

120 Ramsgate Avenue, Sydney, NSW 2026, Australia

New owners and the duo behind Aria and Chiswick, chef Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan didn't skip a beat as they changed the once fabulous North Bondi Italian Food to Fish. As the namesake suggests, there's seafood and lots of it. The dining room is classic coastal and the vibe is beach chic. Best bet is to order from the charcoal grill, offering king prawns, barramundi, octopus, and more. [Photo: Official Site]
120 Ramsgate Avenue, Sydney
NSW 2026, Australia
Visit Website

8. Papi Chulo

22-23 Manly Wharf, Manly, NSW 2095, Australia
Another trophy for the Merivale stable, helmed by Justin Hemmes, and their first foray out of the CBD (Sydney's central business district). There is a lot of low, slow cooking in this smokehouse and grill which takes its lead from Southern American barbecue and boasts authentic recipes from the Deep South, like smoked wings, smoked ribs, smoked brisket, and smoked pork belly. [Photo: Official Site]
22-23 Manly Wharf, Manly
NSW 2095, Australia
+61 2 9240 3000
Visit Website

9. Pinbone

3 Jersey Rd, Woollahra, NSW 2025, Australia

There's a youthfulness to Pinbone that is not just the young owners, like the savoury play on chocolate crackles and fairy bread that wouldn't be recognized at a kids party. The previously pop-up-based collective of chefs Mike Eggert and Jemma Whiteman with front of house maestro Berri Eggert have found a new and permanent home on the old Buzo site. Brunch is the go-to meal. [Photo: pinbone/Instagram]
3 Jersey Rd, Woollahra
NSW 2025, Australia
+61 2 9328 1600
Visit Website

10. Rockpool

11 Bridge St., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia


Neil Perry's flagship restaurant has found new digs after 25 years and it's hotter than ever. There's a lot to boast about: A big new flashy dining room. Perry's right-hand man and head chef Phil Wood remains in the kitchen. And at lunch you can get the bargain of the year with the fixed price menu at half of the cost of dinner. The food is an East-meets-West collection like beef tartare with Chinese black olive and mullet with sour orange curry. [Photo: bronco/Foursquare]
11 Bridge St., Sydney
NSW 2000, Australia
+61 2 9252 1888
Visit Website

Related Maps