Sydney and Melbourne - Restaurant and Itinerary Help
 

Hello,<BR><BR>We will pending 4 full days in Sydney and then in Melbourne in mid-February. Does anyone have any restaurants they would highly recommend? I'm a little lost without my zagats (we're coming from Manhattan). We will be staying at the Park Hyatt in Sydney and the Hotel Como in Melbourne. Along with restaurants, we are also looking for some artsy/upscale shopping areas/neighborhoods. I'd love to stumble on a few galleries. Any help in pointing us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Rachel

Hi Rachel<BR>Whats a zagat? When I know that perhaps I can continue.<BR>Liz<BR>

Sorry Liz...Zagat is a book produced that rates restaurants in various cities. Most of the major U.S. cities are covered along with a few international destinations. Its a great tool when you visit a city that you don't know. They also have a website... www.zagat.com.

Rachel,<BR>Try www.citysearch.com.au for lists and lists of restaurants - Melbourne is full of them! Some upscale restaurants are Circe at the Prince, Langtons, Flower Drum, Donovans. There are lots of good restaurants near the Como, either walk along Chapel Street or ask at the hotel.<BR>Areas where you might find galleries are South Yarra, Toorak, Fitzroy, Williamstown.<BR>You could also check a directory - <BR>www.yellowpages.com.au and the Good Food Guide (one book each for Syd & Melb) I think has a website.<BR>Kay

Is Stephanies still operating in Melbourne and is it still rated one of the top restaurants? I think though I would be more inclined to just take a jaunt down Lygone Street and sample a bit here and a bit there.<BR>Although Sydney is my favourite city I don't have any major favourite restaurants there. I have had incredible steaks down at the Rocks a wonderful crocodile pizza at one of the hotels in the Rocks area and last week had a fantastic steak at Doyles in Watsons Bay - the rest of the meal was ordinery but the steak was tops.

Rachel:<BR>Darling Harbour in Sydney has an International Food Court that is well worth the visit. It's not what you'd call upscale but it's great for lunch.<BR>John

In Sydney take the ferry from Circular Quay to the zoo. Ride the cable car to the top, walk out the front of the zoo and call a cab. Ask the driver to take you to Bathers Pavillion in Balmoral. It's been turned into a wonderful gourmet restaurant and the view is fantastic. You can watch the ferry travel to and from Manley Beach while you just sit back and enjoy. After you eat you should take a walk along the water. I don't think there are very many tourists that know about Balmoral. Also, should you decide to go to Manley Beach there's a very nice restaurant (I can't remember the name)that you get to by walking throught the mall once you exit the ferry. Once you reach the park follow the walking trail to the end. The walk along the water has some great views of the beach and the restaurant will be on the right. <BR> <BR>In Melbourne you should try high tea at the Windsor Hotel, the Tram Car Restaurant (they never stop pouring the liquor) and any of the many places on Lygon (spelling??) Street - you'll love how they offer you deals (like a free bottle of wine) to dine with them. The atmosphere is worth the trip. You may also want to consider wondering through Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday morning. Try to take a trip out the Great Ocean Road and see the Twelve Apostles. There is never enough time to do Australia. We spent seven weeks there in 01 and plan to return for ten in 03. Have a great time!

In Melbourne, try Lygon Street for Italian food, Little Bourke Street for Chinese (yum cha at lunchtime can be fun). Great range of restaurants at Southbank. For something different on a sunny day, take the ferry to Williamstown and try one of the eating places there.<BR>Incidentally, Liz, Stephanie's closed long ago. She now has a very nice delicatessen/cheese shop in Richmond.

from one new yorker to another- <BR>in sydney go to paddington area and eat lunch in the garden at sloans. you will not be disappointed, trust me.<BR><BR>

Thank you for all the great replies! I really look forward to checking out these places :-)

Hope u have fun in Sydney.For the best Turkish pizza,goto Ercides in Cleveland Street,Surry Hills.The guide said that we have 2up,a trad.Australian betting game at STAR CITY(the only casino in NSW).The 2up ring is at the moment closed for renovations.Dont drink the soft drinks at Star City!You can taste the tap water in the post mix.Bleah!!Do check out the twin giant fish tanks at the casino.Very cool.<BR>Adam

I just got back from my honeymoon in Australia.<BR>'Harbour Side' is a shopping centre in Darling Harbour and has upscale pricing and nice things. The cheepest pair of pants I could find ther was $100.00 AUS.<BR>We went to a place called Wolfie's and it was great. It's an upscale restaurant with great service, food and wine. (Wine I recomend trying, Greenvinyards, white or 4 sisters maybe it could have been 3 sisters, white)Australia has over 150 local wine companies so there's a lot to choose from<BR>Wolfie's is located at Circular quay which is where the Bridge and the Opera/concert theater house is. It's almost right under the bridge. (AKA The Rocks) Ps. The Rocks is an upscale place to shop and has markets there.<BR>Most places have some art galleries if you like art. Peter Lik has a gallery in Cairns but may have something in Sydney or Melbourne. He has amazing Photos.<BR>I highly recommend seeing an Opera. The structural design inside the Opera house complements sound better than i've heard yet.<BR>I will be posting sort of an itinerary of my honeymoon when I have some extra time.<BR>All the best.<BR>

Arthur...Great heads up about Wolfie's! I just checked their website and food looks great! We are staying at the Park Hyatt and most of their recommended restaurants for fine evening dining did not sound good. The two other places that struck our eye were Aria and Otto. Thanks again!

Have a look at www.TuckerParadise.com.au, a New Free and Independent Sydney’s Restaurants Guide on the internet where people are able to vote, have their say and read what other restaurants-goers truly think about 1000 restaurants in Sydney and NSW. <BR><BR>TuckerParadise.com.au is:<BR><BR>A Guide and a Forum on Sydney’s Restaurants scene. <BR>A website made by Sydneysiders for Sydneysiders with 1000 restaurants on line. <BR>A powerful search engine that allows surfers to find the best tucker in town and consult ratings and reviews. <BR>A website to share with others food-lovers your dining experiences by voting and posting comments on restaurants you have experienced. <BR>A website to get special offers, discounts, news and valuable information.<BR><BR>http://www.tuckerparadise.com.au<BR><BR>

Just got back from Australia. Went to Doyle`s on Watson`s Bay in Sydney on the advice of people on this forum. We took a ferry over, then we took a bus back. The food was great, (very fresh fish). and you get a great view over the City. Melbourne is so full of reataurants you could eat for a year without repeating any. It has a large greek population and we ate at a great greek restaurant. You won`t have any problems finding good food.

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HI,<BR>As I mentioned on another post, The Waterfront at the end of the Rocks is terrific for seafood. It is right next door to Wolfies, so you could try them both since you are right there by your hotel. If you like Chinese, the Quay East on Circular Quay by the Opera House, is so good. I had the prawns in black bean sauce, and they were the best I've ever had since Vancouver seven years ago! Also, the flame grilled prawns or the ones in brandy sauce are delicious at The Waterfront. We went twice to the Quay East and twice to the Waterfront. We kind of got more seafood than we needed, so wish we had also tried Wolfies which we saw on our last night there after we had already eaten! Have a great time, I didn't want to come back home!<BR>Karol<BR>(If you are there on a Sat. or Sun., there will be the huge flea market in the Rocks)

The Quay restaurant is an upscale Sydney restaurant. Although it's more pricey than most Australian restaurants, by US and especially Manhattan standards it's moderate priced - excellent food and service. The view of Sydney's harbor is incredible. Be sure and make a reservation and ask for a table by the window.

hi Rachel,

for Sydney....they are not all fine dine, but they are worth trying

1. Longrain
in Surry Hills
Thai Fusion
good food and good cocktails

2. Tetsuya
Kent St Sydney
Japanese/French Fusion
rated no.4 in the world few years ago

3. Hurricane
Darling Harbour
South African BBQ
try the pork full rack

4. Rockpool
Circular Quay
Modern Australian

5. Beppi's
Near St Mary's Cathedral
Italian
try the pasta nero (not in their Menu) or their angel hair pasta

6. Chat Thai
Haymarket opposite Capitol Theatre
Traditional Thai
variety of street vendor's food

7. Ryo's Noodle
in Crows Nest
Ramen
for me it's best ramen in town, at par or better with those in Japan...try no 2 or no 3 on the menu

8. Prime
1 Martin Place Sydney
Steak
in my opinion, they are better than Morton's or Smith & Wollensky. i have never been to peter lugger... :(

9. Pancakes on the Rock
the Rock
pancakes
what's nice? pancakes!

check these 2 food bloggers:
not quite nigella
grab your fork

I think Rachel may have been and gone as these posts are from 8 years ago

Geordie