What are your 3 favorite restaurants in Sydney, price is no object. I'd love to have some AMAZING meals while I'm there. It doesn't matter if it's an inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant or an expensive place focusing on regional Australian cuisine - as long as the food is memorable.

My wife and I were in Sydney last July and had a truly remarkable meal at Aria which is at the end of Macquarie Street, a stone's throw from the Opera House. It is very expensive but we thought well worth it. We also ate at Bank, another high end restaurant we thought was good but not quite as good as Aria.<BR><BR>Have fun - Sydney is great!

There is a restaurant in the Botanical Gardens which is really lovely - can't remember the name though. Perhaps Sydney-siders can help me out here. <BR>Doyles at Watson's Bay is always a favourite for fish and chips - great view and lovely spot. I had the best steak ever there in January. Otherwise there are many wonderful restaurants along the street in Newtown but again name escape me.

Pier Restaurant and Catalina in Rose Bay overlooking the water for seafood<BR>The Boathouse Blackwattle Bay in Glebe at night time for the fish pie<BR>Tetsuya's and Forty One in the City - if price really is no object<BR>BBQ King - cheap chinese bbq lunch<BR>Salt in Darlinghurst<BR>Prasit's in Surry Hills for thai<BR>Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo for a pie and mushy peas<BR>Mezzaluna in Potts Point - exquisite Italian<BR>Jonah's at Palm Beach for the location mainly<BR>Le Kiosk in Manly - ditto<BR>Bondi Tratt in Bondi - cheap seafood<BR><BR>sorry - couldn't stop at just three.

Highly recommend Testuya's for a memorable meal. Do a google search on the name for reviews.

Sorry--should be Tetsuya's.

The restaurant Liz couldn't remember the name of is "Pavilion in the Park".

I second the vote for the restaurant in the Botanical gardens, it was wonderful. Then there was a really good one in the Rocks. I cannot remember the name off hand (and I just lent out my books). It is right in the heart of that area, great food and then there is an italian restaurant that is also good in that area.

Try the Sydney Cafe in the customs house. There's a great outdoor cafe. Even if you have to eat indoors, the ambience is nice and you can see right into the kitchen. Great food too!!

We just got back (seriously, got home about 3 hrs ago!) from the BEST vacation ever and there were so many places we loved....but here's our top 3 picks:<BR><BR>1) The Golden Century in Chinatown. We were there for almost 3 hrs and were mesmerized by the show put on by the wait staff. They fished (no puns intended!) huge shellfish out of tanks then cooked them for you. Yummy. Go early though - we wait for 45 minutes or more before getting a table. Worth the wait...as the best things in life usually are!<BR><BR>2) The Sydney Harbour Fish Market - go there, buy cooked shellfish, sashimi & sushi, bread, cheese, wine and grab a table outside (which you will have to share with the gulls!) A feast fit for royalty!<BR><BR>3) The Malaya - we actually read about this place in the inflight magazine on Virgin Blue Airlines. And the author was right - the food was fabulous. It is located on the King Street Wharf and if you can, get a table overlooking the harbour. Another place you should make a reservation at - we managed to get a table for two but I think it was only because we told the staff about the thunb's up their establishment received in the magazine! (Have the Popiah - sort of like spring rolls with lots of great fresh ingredients inside - I am salivating....)<BR><BR>On another note, many thanks to Liz F. and Alan, along with a few others, for their comments about Australia. We had a blast for three weeks in Aus and it was due to their suggestions. The people we met in Australia were the most friendly we have encountered since moving out of Canada!!! <BR><BR>Thanks!!! And OzBound - you will have amazing meals in Sydney...so many restaurants, so little time!!! (Sorry this is long winded but I have a recommendation for a place to avoid. We read that Kam Fook (Dim Sum restaurant on the top level at Market City at Chinatown) was "the" place to go for dim sum. We went there and to be honest - the food was excellent but the service was disappointing. We felt as though we were intruding. First time we have ever dined in an Asian restaurant and were treated as second class...

OzBound,<BR><BR>Here are my choices for the best restaurants in Sydney:<BR>1. Baia(italian) in Darling Harbour (am not sure if I spelt it right)<BR>2. Zafarran(Indian), in Darling Harbour<BR>3. Golden Century if you like seafood in Chinatown...very near Darling Harbour.<BR><BR>Good luck<BR>Anand

The street in Newtown Liz mentioned is King St. Try Thanh Bin at 111 King St for Vietnamese. The Bathers Pavilion at Balmoral Beach - try the Cafe -upmarket right on the beach - breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Same kitchen as the much more expensive restaurant in the same building. One I've always wanted to get to is the Watermark (more expensive), also at Balmoral.