Places to eat in Sydney.
 

Hi there, Dan again. Thanks to all those who posted on my earlier question about what to do in Sydney for four days. I now have a more serious question that will bring this bbs down to its knees. Well, maybe stomachs, but rest assured, it will be a great discussion. <BR> <BR>Here goes, I would like for some Sydneysiders to tell me some of their favorite places to eat. My wife and I are not the types who love fine dining, we're more of the good wholesome, hearty meal types. We're looking for restaraunts that have great(or damn good) food, good service, for a great price. We want to try some different foods as well as native Australian food. My wife wuld like to know what typical or regular Australian food is. I told her I had no idea. I think that most Americans think that Australians eat the same things that Americans do. However, I think that isn't the case. I'm not that big of a fan of McGrease myself. Or Burstmy Sleen (Burger King). I personally think that KFC=CPR, but that's my opinion. <BR> <BR>So, give me your suggestions. Give me your favorite spots to eat lunch and dinner. Give me your top picks on where to grab the grub and where to quaff a few at a pub. Tell me the names and locations. Don't be bashful. Once again, thanks in advance for your patronage to my posts and your responses. <BR> <BR>Dan and Karen Gipson <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>

Doyles - Watsons Bay . not just for the food by also for the location and the choice of Restaurant, pub or cafe type.

Ooops sorry also the pub in The Rocks where they make crocodile pizzas and other grub like that.

Thanks Liz. I have a question for you. It seems that another person told me that you frequent this board often, so here goes. My wife and I are staying at the Landmark Parkroyal. Another person said that it was closing down. Is this true? I know that it is located in King's Cross/Potts Point. Are these the same place? Any help is greatly appreciated. <BR>Dan

Hi again <BR>I don't live in Sydney now - I only get there often and was brought up there. So unfortunately I am unable to tell you about the Park Royal. However I do know there are other Park Royals and I am sure that if one closed you could stay at another. I prefer to be closer to Circular Quay and The Rocks and I find that staying in Kings Cross a nuisance from an access point of view - not to mention the Kings Cross sleezy type of surrounds - and before anyone has a go at me for saying that I happened to have been born there in Victoria Avenue ( actually its now a very very nice boutique hotel ) still it is not the place I would want to spend my holiday in. <BR>Yes Potts Point borders on Kings Cross - is supposed to be the better end of it tho' <BR>Hope this helps <BR>Liz <BR>

While I don't live in Sydney, we visited for a couple of weeks last year, and asked friends who once lived in Sydney 'where should we go for dinner?" - Without hesitation, they said Watermark on Balmoral Beach. You really should make the taxi trip over to this residential area. It was the best meal I had there. Great food, great prices (with the exchange rate from USD), and great service. Our hotel told them it was our 4th anniversary; we didn't order dessert (too full), but they brought us a plate with 4 small chocolate cakes, and written on the rim of the plate in chocolate were the words 'one less than five'. Just so elegant. <BR> <BR>Runners up were Forty One - for food and view. <BR> <BR>The International - not on the beaten path. When Tom Cruise and Nicole were together, he rented it out for her birthday. SUPER view of Sydney, GREAT food, GOOD service - VERY VERY TRENDY. On the top floor of a not so great hotel. We loved it - and would not have found it if we hadn't asked the concierge 'where do you like to go for dinner'. <BR> <BR>Doyles for lunch only - it's touristy, but kind of one of those things you should do. Order the fish and chips here. <BR> <BR>Didn't like Rockpool that much - food was great but service was marginal. <BR> <BR>Typical Aus food is more seafood than we have in America, lots of lamb, good beef, lots of seafood (names you have never heard of before). <BR> <BR>It's GREAT. Enjoy!

Dan, Sorry - I misled you...I thought you said you were the type who love fine dining...only to read again and see that you are not. The places I listed above would not be up your alley - do try Doyles though. Great boat trip over and back.

Dan, if you're staying in Kings Cross, try Govindas, only a couple of minutes' walk south from the main intersection. Indian vegetarian, buffet style, all you can eat for a very reasonable price; all the dishes are nice, but try the Mango Lassee with anything. <BR> <BR>Yes, Kings Cross and Potts Point are the same area... Potts Point is the nicer end of the street, but they are so close that even Sydneysiders would be hard-pressed to tell you where one ended and the next began. I don't know if your hotel is closing down, but if they are and you can relocate elsewhere -- say, the Rocks -- then you've had a stroke of luck. The best you can say for "the Cross" is that nothing ever seems to close at night!

Hi Dan, <BR> <BR>I live in Sydney and at night we tend to eat in good restaurants close to home, particularly if we're driving. As you'll be in the Cross, I don't think getting to the suburbs will be high on your agenda. <BR> <BR>However, one of my family's favourite destinations is China Town for yum cha on a Sunday. Plan for an early lunch (or late breakfast) as the good places have queues to get in from about 11.30 am. <BR> <BR>I don't know that we Aussies eat as much meat as a previous poster suggested. Yes, we have the variety, but I think more & more people are eating a great deal more fresh vegetables and fruit than ever before. Noodle dishes and stir fries are very popular and so easy to make. <BR> <BR>Have a wander down Crown St. Many restaurants to choose from including MG Garage (I've alway wanted to give that a go), Billy Kwong (a totally different asian food experience)and further on, along Cleveland St are some cheap yet yummy Lebanese places we used to frequent. We also used to go to the old Mario's, now Ristorante Mario (behind the Museum, in Darlinghurst), which if anything like the old one will be a delight. The good thing here is there is such a culinary choice out there from Thai, Italian, and Vietnamese to South American, African and Egyptian. You name it, it'll be here somewhere.

Heard on the radio today that the Landmark Parkroyal is closing its doors on Dec 18. If you're here before then, no problems. If not, get back to who you booked through. The reason? Potts Point/Kings Cross is now more residential than a tourist destination, unlike 30 years ago. It's going to be developed into luxury appartments. Don't worry. It's still pretty central. You can get on a train to Bondi Junction then catch a bus to Bondi Beach. The walk from Bondi to Clovelly is meant to be one of the best in Sydney. I've yet to do it. Train or walk to the city, Macleay St has great restaurants and you're also not far from the new wharf development at Woolloomooloo (pronounced: woollum'a'loo).

Heard on the radio today that the Landmark Parkroyal is closing its doors on Dec 18. If you're here before then, no problems. If not, get back to who you booked through. The reason? Potts Point/Kings Cross is now more residential than a tourist destination, unlike 30 years ago. It's going to be developed into luxury appartments. Don't worry. It's still pretty central. You can get on a train to Bondi Junction then catch a bus to Bondi Beach. The walk from Bondi to Clovelly is meant to be one of the best in Sydney. I've yet to do it. Train or walk to the city, Macleay St has great restaurants and you're also not far from the new wharf development at Woolloomooloo (pronounced: woollum'a'loo).

Hi <BR> <BR>I would go along with Doyles as a good recomendation for lunch as the portions are huge but try and ring ahead and book if you want a table outside (best view). <BR> <BR>Have also eaten at a restaurant that is right opposite the Art Gallery of NSW but cant remember the name (you cant miss it)- pretty good for the location (it is on the edge of the Botanic Gardens). <BR> <BR>If you ever get over to North Sydney, try Rangoon Raquet Club for Indian. <BR> <BR>Dont be tempted to go for the lunchtime buffet up the AMP tower (we went when we first emigrated here), unless you dont mind queing up for half an hour for every dish and fancy eating 10 types of meat includign camel and kangaroo!! <BR> <BR>

<BR>There is a 'stand ' which has been there since WW2 which sells incredible pies . Harry's Cafe de Wheels I think it is in (pardon the sp) Woolamoraha.

Harry's Cafe de Wheels is in Woolloomooloo! (see pronunciation earlier) Down by the Harbour, near the Garden Island naval base.<BR><BR>For Australian native foods, try Edna's Table.<BR><BR>Our ?national? dish is lamb - but I don't know of any restaurant that does a good roast lamb!<BR><BR>Lots of seafood, of course. I'd avoid Doyles, it's far too expensive and touristy - although the pub at Watson's Bay is OK.<BR><BR>The Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay is wonderful for seafood - but a tad expensive. Try the restaurants at the Fish Markets. There's a Doyles there, too, and may not be as expensive as the others.<BR>One of my favourites is the cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art, right at Circular Quay. And, no - you don't have to go into the Museum to get there.<BR><BR>Food here is amazingly diversified - you can probably find just about anything (haven't seen any rhinocerous on the menu anywhere, though!)<BR><BR>Have a great time.

Just came back from a week in Sydney. For those who like to cook and want to learn a few "tricks" while in Sydney to cooking the Australian way, I highly recommend the cooking school at Fisherman's Market in Sydney. You attend a class with about 40 other people, gather in groups of 5 to cook after the demonstration and then eat the fruits of your labor and also sample some local wines. It was a wonderful experience. We cooked crab meat risotto and then also met some wonderful Australians. What more could you ask than cooking, eating and in good company!