Sydney’s dining scene has undergone its biggest transformation in decades, with five major precincts launching since 2023. Adding dozens of new venues to the city’s landscape this has made decided where to eat in Sydney even harder! When I was recently updating our where to eat articles I thought it was about time to write about these new areas and give you a local’s guide to the city’s most exciting new dining spots.
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All these precincts are easily accessible by public transport, which is the best way to reach them. Most also have paid parking available nearby if you need to drive.
The New vs. The Classic: Sydney’s Evolving Food Scene
Traditional strips like Crown Street and King Street still offer what they do best: established neighborhood venues, decades of character, and some of the city’s most authentic ethnic cuisine.
What’s different about these new hotspots:
- Darling Square offers polished Asian dining alongside Chinatown’s street-food scene
- Barangaroo combines waterfront views with more casual dining options than say Woolloomooloo Wharf
- South Eveleigh pairs industrial heritage with native ingredients and healthy eating
- Sydney Place brings new energy to CBD dining giving office workers lots more options
- Victoria Cross introduces popular inner-city venues to the North Shore
When to Choose New vs. Traditional
Choosing between new and traditional precincts often comes down to what you’re in the mood for. The new areas are at their best when you want variety. They’re ideal for groups with different tastes and budgets, from quick bites to special occasions. Plus, with their direct transport connections, you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your meal.
How to Use This where to eat in Sydney guide
Each precinct in this guide is within 15 minutes of central Sydney.
To help you decide where to go we have included opening hours, booking tips, public requirements and our favourite dishes.
Price Guide:
- $ = Under $20 per person
- $$ = $20-40 per person
- $$$ = Over $40 per person
Darling Square: A Melting Pot of Asian Flavours
Location: Haymarket l Perfect for: Casual dining, quick bites, and authentic Asian cuisine
What sets it apart: The highest concentration of modern Asian restaurants in Sydney, from quick street food to refined fusion dining.
While neighboring Chinatown draws crowds for its authentic street food atmosphere, Darling Square offers a more polished take on Asian cuisine. You’ll pay a bit more here, but in return you get ourdoor dining space and fun decor.
What makes Darling Square special to me is the quality and variety of Asian cuisine – you’ll find everything from modern interpretations of street food classics to innovative fusion dishes that blend traditional and contemporary flavours.
Must-visit venues
Your day in Darling Square might begin at Edition Coffee Roasters ($), where the unique combination of Japanese and Nordic influences creates some of Sydney’s best coffee.
As lunchtime approaches, the Exchange Building comes alive with visitors seeking their favourite spots. I usually end up with a big healthy salad from Fishbowl ($-$$), but other favourites include Dapur Sate ($$) and a fairly recent addition, Golden Century BBQ ($-$$), famous for its roast meats.
If you are not heading back to work grab a beer from Batch Brewing Company ($), also in this building.
Steam Mill Lane buzzes again in the early evening as diners decide between Thai and Lao delights at Holy Basil ($-$$), or the delicious fried chicken at WingBoy ($-$$).
For dining with friends Hello Auntie ($$-$$$), serves modern Vietnamese cuisine, with both traditional dishes and creative fusion options. Nearby Lilong by Taste of Shanghai ($-$$$), offers great space for groups as does the interactive experience of Korean BBQ at 789 ($$). You can’t go wrong at any of these.
Darling Square is particularly busy during dinner hours, between the residents who live right above the square to those attending shows or events in Darling Harbour. Popular spots like Hello Auntie and Robata Hiroba ($-$$), the Japanese izakaya will require reservations.
For a special night out, make your way to XOPP ($$$), on the second floor of the Exchange where the team behind the legendary Golden Century serves up contemporary Chinese cuisine that honours their heritage while exploring culinary boundaries.
Pro Tip: Take the elevator to the public library on the top of the exchange building to wander the balcony and see the wooden ribbons up close.
Getting there: 5-minute walk from Town Hall Station or Light Rail to Convention Centre
Best known for: Modern interpretations of Asian classics
Quietest times: Before 11:30am and between 2:30-5pm weekdays.
Dietary friendly: Extensive vegetarian options; many venues offer gluten-free menus.
The Streets of Barangaroo: Waterfront Dining
Location: Western edge of CBD I Perfect for: Waterfront meals and sunset drinks
What sets it apart: Barangaroo is the only one of these new areas offering continuous waterfront dining, with harbour views from nearly every restaurant.
Having watched Barangaroo develop over the past few years, I’ve seen it grow into Sydney’s most impressive waterfront dining destination.
While Woolloomooloo Wharf has long been the place to go for special occasion dining by the water, Barangaroo brings something different to the table.
Here, you’ll find everything from casual cafes to high-end restaurants, making it more accessible for everyday dining. The pedestrian-friendly promenade means you can stroll along the water’s edge, stopping wherever catches your eye – whether that’s a relaxed outdoor bar or a world-class restaurant.
Must visit venues
Morning here is a relaxed affair. Start your day at Devon Cafe ($-$$), where fine-dining techniques meet casual cafe culture in dishes that have earned a following among Sydney’s breakfast connoisseurs.
Bourke Street Bakery ($) opens from 7am, serving coffee and fresh pastries. It’s a popular breakfast spot for office workers.
As the sun climbs higher, the waterfront restaurants begin their lunch service. At love.fish ($$-$$$) sustainable Australian seafood is served with spectacular harbour views, while Anason ($$-$$$) brings the vibrant flavours of modern Turkey to the waterfront.
Lunch service runs 12-3pm, with most waterfront restaurants offering set menu specials on weekdays. Request an outdoor table when booking for the best harbour views.
Grab an afternoon pick me up from Rivareno ($) where authentic Italian gelato is on offer or a Ginger Brulee Tart from Bourke Street Bakery ($).
Smoke Bar ($$) at Barangaroo House is one of Sydney’s best rooftop bars, offering water views share plates and cocktails. It’s particularly popular at sunset and on weekends.
For those seeking something more intimate, descend to Rekodo ($$-$$$), where vinyl records provide the soundtrack to an evening of Japanese whisky and izakaya-style dining.
Pro tip: Book a waterfront restaurant for sunset, then head to Smoke Bar for after-dinner drinks.
Getting there: Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo 10-minute walk from Wynyard Station
Best known for: Fine dining with water views, premium seafood, destination restaurants
Quietest times: Monday-Wednesday evenings; lunch service on weekends.
Dietary friendly: Strong focus on seafood; most venues offer sophisticated vegetarian options
South Eveleigh: Cultural Food Experience
Location: Eveleigh I Perfect for: casual low key catch ups and cultural exploration
What sets it apart: The only precinct combining industrial heritage with native Australian ingredients and Indigenous food culture.
Set in Sydney’s historic railway workshops, South Eveleigh now houses a diverse collection of restaurants and cafes. While nearby Carriageworks is famous for its weekend farmers market and native ingredients, South Eveleigh takes that connection to Australian food and makes it a daily affair.
The restored railway workshops now house permanent restaurants where industrial heritage meets contemporary dining, offering the chance to explore local food culture any day of the week, not just on Saturdays
Must-Try Venues
Start your day at Yoho Loco ($), where their avocado bagels have become a morning ritual for locals. The bright cafe atmosphere makes it an ideal spot to kick off your day.
The Grounds ($-$$) brings their signature style to South Eveleigh with their Instagram-worthy breakfasts and excellent coffee in a heritage setting.
For lunch, Pepper Seeds ($$) serves up an exciting Thai menu, while one of the newest arrivals, Sana ($-$$), offers a fresh take on Lebanese cuisine that’s perfect for quick healthy lunches.
The lunch rush peaks between 12-2pm, but you can usually find a spot in the communal seating areas.
Cool down in the afternoon with Anita Gelato ($), where the hardest decision you’ll make is choosing between their creative flavours.
When evening rolls around, BrewDog ($-$$), is the place to be, offering craft beers and pub classics in a spacious industrial setting. It’s a great spot for after-work drinks or a casual dinner with friends.
Pro tip: The precinct is quietest before 11:30am – great for grabbing breakfast and exploring the heritage buildings without the crowds.
Getting there: 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh – 5-minute walk from Redfern Station
Best known for: Modern pub food and casual cafe dining in a heritage setting
Quietest times: Before noon and after 2:30pm weekdays
Dietary friendly: Good mix of vegan options at The Grounds; halal options at Sana; pub classics and plant-based alternatives at BrewDog.
Sydney Place: City Centre Sophistication
Location: Central CBD I Perfect for: Business lunches, after-work drinks, catch up with friends
What sets it apart: The city’s newest collection of ambitious dining venues, offering both special dining experiences and casual lunch spots.
What sets it apart: A mix of unique high end experiences and casual eateries in the heart of the CBD.
Sydney Place hits its stride during lunch hours, when the precinct fills with city workers looking for everything from quick bites to long lunches. While several venues stay open for dinner service, the real energy here is during the day.
Must Visit Venues
My first visit was to hunt down old favourite Malay Chinese ($) for a bowl of their legendary Laksa. A long time favourite from my days working near its original location on Hunter Street, it was one of the first venues to open at Sydney Place and how I discovered this new zone.
At lunchtime, Sil Bi Jip ($) (which literally means “actual cost house”) keeps things simple and affordable with authentic Korean street food. The lunch crowd packs in for generous dosirak (lunch boxes) and rice bowls loaded with seasonal ingredients. After dark, it transforms into a pojang macha (Korean street bar), serving small plates and Korean spirits – think fresh sashimi, spicy tteokbokki, and soju cocktails.
Meanwhile at Lode Pies & Pastries ($) chef Federico Zanellato’s take on Australian classics like meat pies alongside creative pastries works equally well for a quick takeaway lunch or a sneaky afternoon treat.
At night two stand our experiences are on offer. Bar Besuto ($$$) offers both a small whiskey bar and an intimate Japanese Omakase experience, where skilled chefs create precise, beautiful dishes right before your eyes. You will need a booking made several weeks out to secure a seat for dinner, but the bar is open to walk-ins from 5pm.
For something truly special, there’s Matkim ($$$), where Chef Jacob Lee (formerly of Kobo and Tokki) serves up an intimate Korean omakase experience. With just eight seats around the open kitchen, you’ll get front-row views as the team combines local ingredients with rare Korean specialties. Like Bar Besuto, bookings are essential and released monthly.
The new Jacksons on George ($$-$$$) spans three levels: casual dining on the ground floor, a restaurant on level one, and a rooftop cocktail bar with city views.
Sydney Place makes a great spot to stop for lunch or afternoon drinks sitting between the Pitt St mall shopping strip and Circular Quay.
Getting there: 180 George St, Sydney – Direct access from Wynyard Station
Best known for: High-end Japanese, innovative Australian cuisine, craft cocktails
Quietest times: Saturday lunches, early weekday dinners
Dietary friendly: Premium vegan options; most venues offer dedicated allergen menus
Victoria Cross (North Sydney): Local Favourites
Location: North Sydney I Perfect for: Casual dining, lunch breaks, quick bites
What sets it apart: The only precinct bringing Sydney’s cult-favourite eateries north of the harbour, transforming North Sydney’s after-hours dining scene.
Above the sleek new metro station in North Sydney, Victoria Cross (affectionately known as Vic X) is changing the traditionally corporate neighbourhood. While the area buzzes during weekday lunchtimes with office workers, it’s increasingly becoming a destination for evening dining as well.
By bringing popular Sydney eateries like Mary’s and Marrickville Pork Roll north of the harbour, Vic X is helping transform North Sydney’s reputation as a place that closes after dark.
Must Visit Venues
The Mary’s Effect ($-$$) Mary’s famous burgers have finally crossed the bridge, bringing their signature style to North Sydney. The vibe is slightly more polished than their Newtown original, but the burgers are just as messy and delicious.
The full bar service includes their carefully curated natural wine list. On weekends, the venue comes alive with live music. They also have a decent vegan range.
Marrickville Pork Roll North ($) This is the third location of Sydney’s legendary bánh mì shop. The North Sydney menu includes exclusive flavours you won’t find at the original shop. Morning queues move quickly, but you can avoid the wait by pre-ordering through their app.
Torotoro’s Ramen Lab ($-$$) Watch fresh noodles being made while you wait for your ramen at this experimental noodle bar. Each month brings a new special bowl featuring unique combinations. They’re one of the few venues in the precinct open until 9pm.
Keep an eye on Vic X – with seven new spots opening in 2025. Between the open-air spaces, rooftop dining, and hidden laneways, you’ll find plenty of reasons to come back and explore.
Getting there: 50 McLaren St, North Sydney – Direct access from North Sydney Metro Station
Best known for: Outposts of beloved Sydney institutions, casual dining, quick service
Quietest times: After 2pm weekdays, all day weekends
Dietary friendly: Best precinct for quick, casual vegan options
Planning Your Visit
These five precincts represent Sydney’s evolution from a city of traditional dining strips to one of modern, planned destinations. Some of these precincts offer validation for parking when you dine, but I find public transport is the way to go, especially if you’re planning on enjoying a few drinks. The new metro makes Victoria Cross particularly accessible, while Barangaroo is an easy walk from Wynyard even in heels.
Choose Your Precinct Based On:
- Time of day: Some areas are better for lunch (Victoria Cross) and Sydney Place, others for dinner (Barangaroo).
- Group size: Darling Square and Victoria Cross are best for large groups.
- Consider budget: Lunch often offers better value at high-end restaurants.
Or the occasion:
- Date Night: Smoke Bar, Bar Besuto, XOPP
- Family Dining: Darling Square, Victoria Cross
- Business Meetings: Sydney Place, Barangaroo
- Large casual groups: The Exchange, Victoria Cross food court
- Quick Lunch: Marrickville Pork Roll, Lode Pies, Dopa
- Special Occasion Group meals Anason at Barangaroo or Lilong and Hello Auntie at Darling Square
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Sydney or a local like me looking to explore something new, these precincts offer an exciting glimpse into the future of dining in our ever-evolving city. I’ll keep updating this guide as new venues open and the precincts continue to develop.
