Avril Treasure

Looking for a fab new restaurant to check out? You’ve come to the right place. The other week I went to Trattoria Da Orazio – a new Italian restaurant from chef Orazio D’Elia in Rushcutters Bay – and it was excellent (order the bombetta pugliese and whimsical dessert platter). Surry Hills fine diner Arthur has reopened after a big reno – still serving a 100 per cent Aussie menu across food and drinks, now in a more accessible way (and a happy hour with $3 prawns!). And you need to make a booking at Ashe – the new Southeast Asian grill from the Bentley Group, led by talented chef Khanh Nguyen. It’s my pick of the new openings of 2026 so far. Enjoy. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

The Blue Mountains region – the stunning, World Heritage-listed national park on the western edge of Sydney – is a go-to weekender destination for Sydneysiders looking for a nature reset, an indulgent spa escape, or an adrenaline-fuelled adventure. And for good reason. The magnificent prehistoric valleys are home to some of the best hiking trails in the state, as well as magical swimming spots and spectacular waterfalls. In the charming towns that punctuate the region, you’ll find cute cafés, perfect pubs, stacked vintage stores, and a good selection of day spas and bathhouses to help ease your mountain-weary muscles. If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your head after all that exploring, we’re here to help. From a gorgeous rustic cottage to an ultra-luxurious boutique hotel, the Time Out Sydney team (including Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis, who has a house in the region) have tried and tested the best Airbnbs and hotels in the area. Time Out Sydney's Travel and News Editor (and self-confessed Blue Mountains enthusiast) Winnie Stubbs has overseen the list to make sure it's up to scratch – read on for our definitive guide to the best places to stay in the Blue Mountains. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants and cafés in the Blue Mountains.  Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our aff

Choosing the right hotel in Melbourne can be an almighty task. With so many incredible stays to choose between – from charming historic gems to super modern sky-high towers – it can be an overwhelming challenge to decide which one is right for you.Every traveller has their preference, but to make the job of deciding a little easier, our team of local experts have hotel hopped their way around the city to bring you our guide to the very best hotels in Melbourne. Many of the stays included in the list are favourites of Time Out Melbourne Managing Editor Leah Glynn, with our Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs (self-confessed hotel obsessive) chiming in and checking the guide to make sure it’s up to scratch.Whether you’re looking for a playful stay right in the CBD action (W Hotel, we’re looking at you) or somewhere more boutique in Melbourne’s buzzy inner north (Standard X), we’ve got your back. Read on for our guide to the best hotels in Melbourne.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  These are the best places to go camping near MelbourneAnd these are our favourite glamping sites in VictoriaTime Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Looking for weekend fun? You've come to the right place. The Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival returns to the Auburn Botanic Gardens this weekend! This is the place to see the largest crop of cherry blossom trees in the whole Southern Hemisphere – so grab your tickets and come wander among the bubble-gum-pink blooms. A whimsical garden has sprung up in Marrickville, with more than 50 Australian artists showcasing and selling garden-inspired ceramics, sculptures, paintings and textiles. The Garden is open from 10am-4pm both days – come on down and score yourself a treasure. Harbour Heat has landed at Q Station Manly, bringing a wood-fired sauna to the private wharf, where you can sweat it out before plunging straight into Sydney Harbour. The experience runs from Wednesday to Sunday, surrounded by the bush, harbour and history. Find out more here. I saw Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at the Opera House recently and LOVED it. Five knock-out performances, a fresh retelling of a classic and plenty of laughs. Check out the best shows to see this month in Sydney here. Eating-wise, we’ve got you covered, with Time Out’s guide to Sydney’s best cafés, restaurants, bars, affordable eats and wine bars. Plus, check out Sydney's hottest bars and pubs. Want to get outside? These are Sydney’s prettiest picnic spots, and we’ve rounded up a bunch of excellent walks too. If the weather is average but you’re keen to get out of the house (and stay dry), check out our guide to fun things to d

Cupid’s day of love is coming up. Forget the ridiculously overpriced red roses and take your loved one out for a delicious meal at one of Sydney’s most romantic spots instead. Don’t have a hot date? No worries. Take your best friend, your mum, or yourself out for a great night. And if you don’t believe in Valentine’s Day (fair), these gems are romantic year-round for your next date night.  So, how did we pull together this guide? All the venues are cosy and intimate, vibey and have low lighting (none of that fluorescent doctor’s waiting room stuff). And, of course, they all serve top food and drinks with warm, relaxed service – so your night can flow with ease. From classy cocktail bars to chic wine haunts and candlelit restaurants, you’ll find Sydney’s sexiest spots below. Bring a pack of mints and you're good to go. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to take the pressure off? This is our guide to Sydney's best restaurants. Wooing on a shoestring? These are the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Sydney has a bewildering range of eateries and cuisines, with almost every style of restaurant and region of the world represented. Many of them are looking to serve you and the people of Sydney for the cheapest price possible, you just need to know where to look. Choosing the best cheap eats is like picking the greatest songs ever made, there are countless options, and everyone will have a different opinion. Compiled by a team of local Time Out experts, this list brings together eateries from all regions of Sydney, with each pick being an outstanding option for that cuisine or style of eating. It’s not the cheapest meals in Sydney, but the best affordable options. We’ve tried, as best as possible, to include only venues where you can get a meal for one for under $25. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

Hello! Welcome to your weekly wrap of what’s on. It’s the last few weeks to catch The Lion King and Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) – so if you’ve been umming and ahhing, take this as your sign to book the tickets. Looking for more? Check out the best shows on in Sydney this month here. Enmore Road’s Firepop is turning into a one-night-only art gallery this Wednesday, showcasing Inner West painter and FOH team member Craig Kerrison’s work from 2020 to now. Expect paintings, Firepop bites and a welcome drink for $39-$45. Free Monday night? Head to Newtown's Bar Planet and lap up $13 Martinis all night long. And you can suss out other Sydney happy hours here, too. If you'd like to learn more about Chinese mythology, head to Chippendale's White Rabbit Gallery and see its new exhibition, Black Myth. Love wine but not the snobbery? Newtown favourite Famelia has launched a fun new wine school with guided tastings designed to build your confidence. It’s happening every second Tuesday from July to October – find out more here. Need a laugh? The Comedy Store in Moore Park has been Sydney’s go-to spot for belly laughs since 1981, with affordable shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Plus, check out the best shows to see in Sydney this month here. Acclaimed First Nations artist Tony Albert has opened his largest-ever solo exhibition at the MCA. Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir explores the stereotyping and commodification of Aboriginal culture while celebrating survival, resili

Why spend your Sunday elbow-deep in chores when you could be tucking into a proper Sunday roast at the pub? It's a chance to settle in somewhere cosy, drink in hand, while the pros take care of the cooking. Across Sydney, pubs lean into the tradition during the cooler months, serving up hearty plates with a side of English charm. This is comfort food at its finest. Think thick-cut slices of beef, slow-roasted legs of lamb, pork belly with crackling or golden-skinned chook – all served with generous helpings of roasted veggies, gravy and pillowy Yorkshire puddings, of course.  For the ultimate Sunday feast, you've got to try a Sunday roast this winter – and a good pint to go with it. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more? Work your way through Time Out's guide to the best pubs in Sydney. Also check out the Best Bar & Pub nominees for the Time Out Sydney Food & Drink awards 2026. 

From glitzy musicals and Shakespearean reimaginings to fresh new plays and laugh-out-loud comedies, Sydney’s theatre scene is packed with reasons to put down the remote and head out. Whether you're after a big night out, a thought-provoking drama or a show that'll leave you grinning all the way home, these are the best theatre shows and musicals to see in Sydney this month. Did you know Australia’s last remaining pub theatre is right here in Sydney? Found below Woolloomooloo's 150-year-old Old Fitzroy Hotel, the Old Fitz Theatre is the place for boundary-pushing shows from some of the city's most talented creatives. If you find yourself with a free night and feel like something different – and supporting indie work – check out what's on here. Scroll on for the best musicals, plays and more to see in Sydney this month. RELATED READS: It’s guaranteed laughs galore at the Comedy Store Make Tuesdays more fun with this affordable comedy show in the Inner West

Camping is truly one of the best ways you can spend a weekend out of Sydney, but if you prefer seeing the great outdoors from a luxury tent complete with bubble bath and high thread-count linen, let this list serve as your bible.Time Out Sydney's team of local outdoors enthusiasts (including Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs) have tried and tested the best glamping sites in and around Sydney; from a safari tent at Taronga Zoo to the see-through spherical confines of Bubbletent Australia.Each one of these glamping spots have been assessed by our editors based on their luxury, nature immersion and all-round wow factor. Add them to your 2026 holiday wish list for when you want to escape the urban hustle without losing the creature comforts. Your back will thank you. A notable mention goes to Reflections Holidays, who operate 60 (super comfy, super afforable) glamping sites across NSW – from Byron Bay to Seal Rocks. I stayed at their Bonny Hills site with my family on a recent cycling holiday, and the site hit all of the right notes without blowing our budget. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:These are the best camping sites near SydneyThese are the best luxury stays around NSWAnd these are the best motels in NSW worth the road trip

Winter 2026 update: Sydney’s bar scene doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops – if anything, it gets even better. Think cosy corners, silky red wines, smoky whiskies and perfect Martinis. Whether you’re chasing a hidden speakeasy, a buzzing neighbourhood wine bar, rooftop cocktails with your girlfriends or a proper pint, we've got your winter watering holes sorted.  These spots offer great drinks, warm hospitality and good vibes. From exciting newcomers to long-time favourites, this guide is curated by our local editors and writers, including Time Out Sydney's Editor Avril Treasure. Grab your coat, Sydney – it’s bar season. Editor’s picks: 🍸 Best for Martinis: Bar Planet 🤫 Best for speakeasy vibes: The Cumberland ☀️ Best for views: Opera Bar 🍷 Best for vibey wine and snacks: Famelia 🥃 Best for whisky lovers: Banchō Bar 😎 Best for friend's catch-up: Old Mate's Place Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Our list of the best pubs in Sydney Check out our best restaurants here

Here's our list of Time Out's best restaurants in Sydney right now, from hot newcomers to time-honoured institutions, curated by our expert, on-the-ground editors and food writers who eat and drink their way around Sydney, including Time Out Sydney's Editor, Avril Treasure. How did we narrow it down to the very best? When deciding, we considered fun, flavour, creativity, value for money – and 'wow' factor. So yes, of course, you’ll find a fine diner inside the Sydney Opera House here, but you’ll also find neighbourhood pasta, hole-in-the-wall Thai and venues right by the sea. Happy dining, Sydney. Editor's favourite restaurants in Sydney: 🥂 Best for a special occasion: Bennelong 👠 Best for a vibey date night: Fontana ☀️ Best for a long Sunday lunch: Corner 75 🍝 Best for an Italian feast: Fratelli Paradiso 🫒 Best for a friends' catch-up: Grandfathers Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READs: Still hungry? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Want more? These are Sydney's best new restaurants and bars.

The last time I visited Potato Head, it was back in 2012 and I was on my end-of-high-school holiday (blowout) with my girlfriends, knocking back Lychee Martinis at golden hour, doing bombs in the pool, and having the time of my life. Fast forward to 2026, and a few things have changed. For starters, I’m sipping on a happy hour Mango Mojito by the pool reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Instead of hitting Kuta’s clubs, this afternoon I’m booked into a sustainability tour of the hotel, followed by a massage at the spa. The one thing that’s the same? I don’t want to leave. What is Desa Potato Head Bali like? If you’re looking for a Bali hotel where you can spend your days lapping up the OOO perks – enjoying breakfast by the ocean, reading on the sunbeds, swimming in the ocean-facing infinity pools, doing rooftop yoga and meditation at sunrise, and making the most of happy hour cocktails – then Desa Potato Head is a great option. Part hotel, part beach club, part creative village, Desa Potato Head Bali, created by Jakarta-born, Singapore-based entrepreneur Ronald Akili, combines award-winning design with first-class sustainability – with good times at its core. There are two accommodation buildings: OMA House, designed by Rem Koolhaas’s OMA, and AM House, designed by Indonesian architect Andra Matin. AM House is made from 1.8 million hand-pressed terracotta bricks, with lush, open-plan suites, while OMA House features 168 rooms ranging from thoughtfully designed studios to oc

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.  If you’re wondering where everyone is in Newcastle on a Saturday night, they’re at Bistro Penny. The little restaurant at 8-10 Bolton Street opened in late 2024 by New Zealand-born chef Joel Humphreys, who worked at St. John in London, Sydney’s Rockpool and Bistro Moncur, before leading the kitchen at local favourite Scotties for four years. Here at Bistro Penny, it’s all about French flavours anchored by an open-flame kitchen. One of the chefs walks over to a stack of logs by the door, picks one up and feeds it to the fire. That familiar, comforting smell of smoke and char hits you as soon as you step inside. The vibe The charming building was once a bank, and more recently, the award-winning now-closed Restaurant II. Out front, small tables and white tablecloths channel a Parisian bistro. Inside, the fit-out is impressive, thanks to Sydney designer Bianca Isgro, the talent behind the schmick looks of The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre and The Dry Dock Hotel. Original exposed brick, timber beams and flooring remain throughout (fun fact: the beams are made from the same steel used for the Sydney Harbour Bridge!). A wrap-around terrazzo bar sits at the front, alongside oak tables, brown leather banquettes, and walls that look like they're brushed with whippe

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.  By the time you visit South on Albany (and I really hope that after reading this you do), the menu will be different. You know how some restaurants throw around the term “seasonal menu” like it’s a box they need to tick? Well, this charming little cottage-style spot just off Berry’s main drag changes its offering every two or so weeks, depending on what’s growing and what chef and co-owner John Evans (ex-Est, The Northbridge Bistro, 3 Weeds) wants to cook. Had the best dish of your life here? It’ll live on in your memories. What you can count on, however, is a warm and welcoming experience led by co-owner Sonia Greig, fresh, flavoursome dishes and an all-round delightful time – one that may tempt you to say to hell with it, order another chilled white and stay an extra night (I can think of worse places to spend your time). The vibe The couple opened South on Albany in late July 2013, with this year marking their 13th anniversary. That’s no small feat for a restaurant operating in a small town popular with doughnut-lovers and bakery-hoppers on weekends, but which slows mid-week and throughout the cooler months. The dining room is light-filled and intimate, with tasteful furnishings, hanging pendant lights and local natives dotted around. Sonia greets each gu

Winter 2026 update:  Surry Hills fine diner Arthur by hospo couple Tristan Rosier and Rebecca Fanning is back after a big reno. Two things have stayed the same: the name, for starters, and the fact that the restaurant – which is a sibling to Jane down the road and Italian restaurant Fior in Gymea – will continue to serve a 100 per cent Australian menu across food and drinks. The set-menu-only format is out, and guests can now order from an à la carte menu, making the restaurant a touch more accessible. My favourite dishes? Fried potato hash topped with sea urchin and chives; mussels with an earthy curry sauce; potato scroll with smoked seaweed butter; and the wattleseed custard tart. The team has also introduced Australiano Hour, just like at Jane. Available from 5-6pm Tuesday-Sunday, it features $3 fresh Australian prawns served cold and peeled, plus snacks under $10, $10 wines, $7 beers and a line-up of dishes from the main menu with reduced prices. If it’s been a while between visits, come say hi to Arthur. Make a booking here. Read on for our write-up from 2024. ***** Since 2018, chef Tristan Rosier has been quietly trying to define what Australian cuisine actually is. He’s been doing this at his Bourke Street restaurant, Arthur, which he co-owns with his partner, Rebecca Fanning (the duo are also behind the charming-as-hell Jane and The Shire’s cheery Italian diner, Fior). His finesse and skills – some of which were honed working alongside Peter Doyle at the award-winnin

Winter 2026 update: If it’s been a little while since you’ve been to Kiln, the rooftop restaurant atop the forever-cool Ace Hotel Sydney, we’ve got a top reason to come back. Isobel Whelan-Little, the former head chef of LP’s Quality Meats, is the new culinary director – and she’s steering things in a delicious new direction. Her new menu includes things like the bun mi – a fun riff on a banh mi – featuring soft buns stuffed with LP’s mortadella, fragrant herbs and pate. Plus, there are steamed pippies with sambal butter and seablite; succulent, dry-aged duck with a glossy rhubarb glaze and pickled condiments; golden potato fingers swiped through a rich, silky miso-cured egg; and almond nougat parfait with a burnt honey caramel. Izzy is the first female chef to lead the kitchen at the Surry Hills hotspot, following in the footsteps of Beau Clugston, former Noma chef and owner of Iluka in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Kiln founding chef Mitch Orr. “Most chefs would say their kitchen is produce-driven, but it’s truly what this menu is about. It’s collaborative with experts in their trade like Gold Street Dairy, Living Earth Farms, LP’s Quality Meats, and the team in the kitchen with me,” says Isobel. “There’s a seasonality I learnt at Brat in London, a use of flavour I learnt at LP’s Quality Meats and a technique that’s always evolving. I want the menu to be really nimble, to be reactive to what our producers bring in that week. “The harissa paste ended up on the menu as we wanted t

Winter 2026 update: Grilled bread topped with whipped cod roe, plump, sweet tomatoes and white anchovies. Creamy stracciatella with persimmon, smoked almonds and nasturtium. Mafaldine with a lush, milk-braised pork ragu with sage and pecorino. Sounds like something you’d like to snack on after work with a chilled red? Me too. These are a few of the new plates on the line-up at New York-inspired bar and restaurant Arms Length in Potts Point. That’s because former The Waratah and Three Blue Ducks chef Dipti Karnad is now leading the kitchen of the Kellet Street spot. “The wine bar concept is exactly what I’ve always wanted to do,” Dipti says. “There’s both that community feel and a focus on creating technical dishes that showcase beautiful Australian produce, but it isn’t restricted to fine dining. “The variety of the different spaces – from the front room and bar to the outdoor terrace and booths – means you can sit for hours over a few bottles of wine and share plates and just enjoy the vibe,” she adds. Arms Length first opened in Redfern in 2021 by sisters and hospo pros Rebecca O’Shea, Rosie O’Shea, Danielle Sue and her husband, former Ormeggio at The Spit chef Jeff Sue, before moving to Potts Point in 2024. “We like to describe it as elevated comfort food, but Arms Length is also the type of place where you’re welcome to come just for drinks, like you’d do in downtown New York,” says Jeff. As well as Australian wines, the drinks menu features a dedicated Martini menu, with

Back in May, sommelier Nick Hildebrandt and chef Brent Savage announced they would be closing their fine diner Bentley Restaurant and Bar this winter after more than 20 years at the top of its game (and five-star reviews from Time Out). The award-winning restaurant, which originally opened in Surry Hills in 2006 before moving to its current home in Sydney’s CBD on O’Connell Street in 2013, is housed within a heritage sandstone building dating back to the 1850s, now part of The Paradox Hotel Sydney. It will have its final service at the end of August. But because this is the Bentley Group we’re talking about – talent who are always one step ahead of the curve and not afraid to change things up, close the curtains when the time is right, or start fresh when opportunity arises (see: Monopole, Cirrus, Yellow, King Clarence, Watermans, and the soon-to-open Ashe and Bar Vespertine, for example) – this isn’t goodbye for good. Instead, Hildebrandt and Savage are on the lookout for the next perfect home for Bentley’s third act. “This feels less like an ending and more like a natural moment to pause and reset,” says Hildebrandt. “The move from Crown Street to the CBD was a defining evolution for Bentley, and now it feels like the right time for that next transformation.” For the final few months of service, Bentley Restaurant and Bar has rolled out the culinary red carpet with a greatest hits menu for both the tasting menu and bar menu – featuring the restaurant’s best dishes over its

Housed within a converted 1800s two-storey terrace on the corner of Glebe Point Road and Mitchell Street is this beautiful wine bar and restaurant. No 92 has had quite the life, beginning as The Waratah pub before becoming a bank, boot factory and private investigator’s office, as well as a home. These days, it’s run by a team of women: founder Angela Kasimis, Sascha Neising leading front of house, and sommelier Isobel McFadden. Inside, it’s light-filled and elegant, the work of Sydney-based Pattern Studio – all dark wooden floorboards, round charcoal marble tables, pops of bright florals and warm sunlight streaming through the windows. If the weather’s warm, beeline it for the courtyard, featuring a giant elephant ear taro plant and lush greenery. Happy hour runs 5-6pm Wednesday to Friday, and 3-5pm on Saturday, with cocktails and snacks at a feel-good price point. The space, including upstairs, can also be booked for private events, long Champagne-fuelled lunches and celebrations. Drawing on Mexican flavours, the menu is fresh, seasonal and well-balanced. No 92 has launched a new bottomless brunch available on Saturday, featuring free-flowing drinks alongside flavour-forward share plates served over 1.5 hours. Priced at $99 per person, the package includes cocktails, prosecco and house wines, as well as bergamot and raspberry bellinis and non-alcoholic options. Menu highlights include tuna tostada with shoyu mayo, fermented chilli and shiso leaf; Wagyu tartare with green p

This no-frills shop has been serving classic Aussie-style hamburgers since 1957 – and it makes one of Sydney’s best. Burgers cost anywhere from $25-$30 these days, so getting a delicious, generous and freshly made burger for $15.50 makes you feel like you’ve won the day. Paul’s Famous Works burger, layered with a meat patty, fresh salad, fried egg, melted cheese, bacon and pineapple, is where it’s at. The worst bit? It’s over too soon. Pair yours with an old-school vanilla milkshake and it’s one seriously good meal. Time Out tip: Go at off-peak times and you may have the place to yourself, say, 4pm on a Friday. And they are mandatory on any South Coast road trip. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READS: These are the best burgers in Sydney. Check out the best cheap eats in Sydney right now.

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. I’d heard about the burger. Sydney is home to many mouth-watering options, but when Joe’s Tavern opened in the Inner West last October, word spread about its 50/50 one as fast as gossip at my all-girls’ high school. And it turns out, for very good reason. The Joe’s Tavern burger arrives with a pickle speared through it. Caramelised on the outside and pink in the middle, the patty is equal parts beef and lamb, the latter flavour carrying through nicely. It’s paired with sweet, jammy onions, chopped onions for crunch, melted nutty Ossau-Iraty cheese and Dijon for zing, all cushioned in a soft bun. Tomato, lettuce, beetroot? Forgetaboutit. Joe’s is rich, meaty and juicy – and doesn’t mess about. So yes, come for Joe’s burger. But there’s a lot more happening at this golden Australian Street spot. The vibe Joe’s Tavern is a 30-seat restaurant and bar from Paisano & Daughters – the team behind steak diner Porteño, as well as right-next-door siblings Continental Deli, seafood party place Mister Grotto and Italian restaurant Osteria Mucca. Originally, the site was home to sunshine-like plant-based diner Flora. But less than a year after opening, the team switched gears to a concept inspired by New York taverns serving the classics, with a focus on nose-to-tail cooki

If you haven’t yet been to Caness, Paddington’s excellent tapas bar, then here is the perfect time to do so. On Sunday, May 24, the sleek Oxford Street spot is throwing a big birthday bash to celebrate its first birthday – and you’re invited. Four top Sydney chefs will take over the kitchen, serving up $15 loaded Spanish sandwiches, as well as mussel crisps and a halva Basque cheesecake – with proceeds from the day being donated to OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. The line-up is killer, with Vinicius Oliveira (ex-Bar Vincent and Estela in New York), Diego Duarte (Shaffa), Damir Mujanic (Refettorio) and Caness’ head chef Jorge Alcala all creating their own spins on the classic bocadillo. Plus, guests can enjoy Caness’ G&Ts, $12 Spanish beers, wines plucked from the cellar and non-alcoholic sparkling Conscious Drink by Kakadu Kitchen x OzHarvest. A live jazz duo will be keeping the vibes high. One dollar from every one of Mujanic’s bocadillos and every Conscious Drink sold on the day will be donated to OzHarvest. And every dollar donated provides two meals for people in need. Caness co-owner Erez Nahum says: “We’ve been so heartened by the support we’ve received from the community over the past year that we want to share this day with them,” he says. “But we’re also very aware that people are doing it particularly tough. “We’ve been involved with OzHarvest for a long time, and we think this is the perfect occasion to shine more of a spotlight on the impo

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. I’ve had some of the best dining experiences of my life at Bathers’ Pavilion. One was many years back: a long Sunday lunch where warm sun poured through the windows overlooking Balmoral, and time flowed as easily as crisp Chablis. I was seagull-with-a-hot-chip happy to dine at both of L’Enclume’s residencies – a thrilling collaboration that saw one of the world’s best restaurants take over the seaside institution for winter (twice), giving Sydneysiders the chance to experience Michelin-starred dining, minus the jetlag. My most recent visit was just as exceptional. Clever, lively dishes. Service that elevates the experience. Golden, crunchy seaweed-dusted potato scallops humming with salt, vinegar and childhood nostalgia. As I’m about to leave, I overhear a woman say to her date, “The food is always delicious here. Beautifully paced meal. Lovely view.” The vibe Those cortisol-lowering Balmoral views really are lovely – and on a sunny day, there are few places I’d rather be. The elegant, coastal-chic dining room, all blue-and-white stripes, walnut furniture and snow-white orchids, makes you linger a little longer and order one more drink. I’d argue the team, overseen by restaurant manager Jessica Mead, is one of the finest in Sydney – polished, intuitive and ge

No Euro plans? No worries. A charming Parisian-inspired wine bar from the team behind Bar Copains, Vin-Cenzo’s and Bessie’s (hey, Sali and Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone) has landed in Potts Point. Called La Buvette, the intimate, vibey neighbourhood hangout is named after the original Challis Avenue site and Potts Point icon that closed in 2019. Photograph: Andrea VeltomThe La Buvette team Take a seat at one of the alfresco, peach-coloured, sun-dappled tables and enjoy things like comté custard gougères; raw diced tuna and goat's curd tart; escargots with café de Paris butter; and duck neck and pork sausage with seeded mustard. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneySnacks and drinks at La Buvette Pair them with French vino with the list curated by the group’s sommelier, Ishan Kaplish (formerly Mimi’s, Tetsuya’s) – including 23 wines by the glass – or a French-inspired cocktail. Us? We’d be going straight for the Buvette Martini with Tanqueray gin, dry vermouth, cornichon and brine. Photograph: Andrea VeltomThe Martini at La Buvette Feel like something sweet but not a full dessert? Go for the charred macaron with yuzu and finger lime – and definitely order the mini crème caramel, served in a cute tiny Maison Balzac glass. Photograph: Andrea VeltomMini crème caramel "The best wine bars in Paris have a sense of ease about them – they're places you drop into for a glass, end up ordering dinner, and somehow the whole evening disappears," says chef and co-owner Nat

Sydney has no shortage of excellent Thai restaurants. Our love affair with the country’s punchy, fiery food, tree-fringed beaches and massages knows no bounds. But I’ve got another great one for you to add to the mix: Krung, a playful new 85-seater in Haymarket. The new restaurant is from Chayakorn Kulthanachaidech behind Abb Air Thai Cuisine 1982, who has teamed up with Naruedom Nukraihong, a former chef at Sydney’s legendary Chat Thai. Photograph: Trent van der JagtThe team from Krung What makes Krung special? For starters, there are four types of pad Thai on the menu, with the team wanting to celebrate the nuances between the different regions’ iterations of the famous dish. “Most people know pad Thai, but fewer realise how much it changes from region to region,” says Kulthanachaidech. “We wanted to use a familiar dish to show the incredible diversity of Thailand’s food culture and start a conversation about the stories behind it.” Photograph: Trent van der JagtInside Krung I tried the Sukhothai heritage pad Thai ($26) inspired by Northern Thailand – a slightly sweeter version loaded with barbecue pork, dried shrimp, peanuts, topped with crunchy pork crackling and fresh lime. There’s also a savoury Southern Thai one, a coastal one loaded with fresh seafood and a classic verson. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyPad Thai at Krung Elsewhere, there’s the charcoal-grilled chicken ($27 for half; $50 for whole) featuring free-range yellow chicken marinated over

Pichaya Soontornyanakij, the celebrated chef and restaurateur behind Bangkok’s one-Michelin-starred Thai-Chinese restaurant Potong, ranked No. 13 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, is opening a contemporary Thai restaurant in Sydney next year. Pichaya, who is known as Chef Pam, was also named The World’s Best Female Chef 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, as well as Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024. Slated to open in 2027 at Crown Sydney, Sek will be a chef-led journey through Thai cuisine, featuring an open kitchen, theatrical tableside experiences, thoughtful wine pairings and a playful dessert trolley. Opening in the former 88 Noodle space on Level 3, the intimate 40-seat restaurant will serve a bold, punchy yet refined tasting menu. Sek will join Khao San Sek – a vibrant eatery exploring rice, chili, coconut, fish sauce and palm sugar – which will also open at Crown Perth next year. Chef Pam, who feels a deep connection to Australia through her New South Wales-born grandmother, says: “Opening my first Australian restaurants is incredibly meaningful. My current venues are about respecting the foundations of Thai cuisine and expressing them in a modern and personal way. Australia's beautiful local produce makes it the perfect destination for this next chapter.”  Crown Sydney CEO Ken Janssen adds: “This marks an exciting new chapter in Australian dining, and we’re honoured to be working with Chef Pam in bringing her unique, modern style to our guests.” We ca

Australia’s dining scene is seriously heating up! Just weeks after it was announced that three-Michelin-starred Swedish chef Björn Frantzén is opening two Aussie restaurants in 2027, another global heavyweight is joining the party. Pichaya Soontornyanakij, the celebrated chef and restaurateur behind Bangkok’s one-Michelin-starred Thai-Chinese restaurant Potong – ranked No. 13 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list – is opening contemporary Thai restaurants in Perth and Sydney next year. ‘Chef Pam’ was also named The World’s Best Female Chef 2025 and Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024. Landing at Crown Perth, Khao San Sek will draw inspiration from Chef Pam’s Bangkok venue of the same name. The menu will zero in on five “sacred ingredients” – rice, chilli, coconut, fish sauce and palm sugar – repositioning Thai cuisine around the core building blocks of flavour. Meanwhile, at Crown Sydney, Sek will be an entirely new dining experience, featuring an open kitchen, theatrical tableside experiences, thoughtful wine pairings and a playful dessert trolley. Chef Pam, who feels a deep connection to Australia through her New South Wales-born grandmother, says: “Opening my first Australian restaurants is incredibly meaningful. My current venues are about respecting the foundations of Thai cuisine and expressing them in a modern and personal way. Australia’s beautiful local produce makes it the perfect destination for this next chapter.”  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Austr

Big bowls of fresh pasta and a fun vibe – that’s what you can expect from Pasta Shop, a new casual Italian restaurant now open on Potts Point’s Bayswater Road in the former home of Sonora Mexican. There are a few other things to like, too. It’s BYO, for starters, the menu features 40-year-old family recipes – and nothing on the menu is over $30. Photograph: Trent van der JagtOut the front of Pasta Shop The casual pasta house is from Paola Toppi, the daughter of Giovanna Toppi, who opened the now-closed Sydney institution Machiavelli in 1988. With Pasta Shop, Paola wanted to create a delicious yet accessible eatery. “People are doing it tough,” she says. “Pasta is for everyone, it was never meant to be exclusive. “In Italy, it’s a staple that people of all walks of life can afford to eat every day.” If you only order one thing, make it the spaghetti Machiavelli – al dente spaghetti twirled with just-cooked prawns, mushrooms, chilli and lots of garlic. It’s a recipe that was a firm favourite on Machiavelli’s menu. But don’t stop there. Other menu highlights include house-made focaccia alongside burrata and roasted marinated peppers; meatballs in a rich sugo, and spicy rigatoni alla vodka. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyPasta at Pasta Shop Plus, there are classic desserts like tiramisu and cannoli, alongside Maybe Sammy cocktails – including the Maybe Margarita with Patrón, mezcal, passionfruit and mango – made just for Pasta Shop, with all cocktails priced at

Three Blue Ducks have opened a 45-seat restaurant inside a beautifully restored 1823 heritage farmhouse, just 90 minutes from Sydney. It’s found on Burradoo Park Farm – a 600-acre working regenerative farm founded and operated by Annie Cannon-Brookes, where produce is quite literally plucked from the soil and carried straight to the kitchen for that day’s service. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyThree Blue Ducks Burradoo restaurant The intimate restaurant’s menu celebrates what’s growing, grazing and being harvested onsite, backed by delicious vino and magical, storybook-like views. The Burradoo restaurant joins The Bakehouse and The Farmhouse by Three Blue Ducks, completing its offering at Burradoo Park Farm, as well as its sibling venues in Byron, Rosebery, Melbourne, Nimbo and Bellingen, all of which are grounded in the same farm-to-plate ethos. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyAndy and Avril “It’s the most elevated experience that we’ve ever put our hand to, and it all revolves around the farm we’re standing on,” chef and co-owner Andy Allen tells me. “Every dish on the tasting menu features something from the farm, from your snacks right through to dessert.” “It doesn’t get much better.”  Photograph: Kitti GouldMain dining room of Three Blue Ducks Burradoo As well as Andy and co-owner Darren Robertson, the food direction is led by group executive chef Troy Crisante and new head chef Rhys Connell (formerly of Sepia, Society, Cutler & Co an

Japanese flavours, sake and a vibey, intimate 50-seat dining room. That’s what you can expect to find at Aenza, a new Japanese wine bar in Darlinghurst’s Oxford & Foley building from the team behind Amuro. Drinks, overseen by restaurant and beverage manager Paul Beaton (ex Tetsuya’s, Quay), are a serious focus. The wine list features 120 bottles and 38 by-the-glass options, spanning drops from Japan, France and Australia. Plus, there’s Japanese whisky, gin, shochu, an evolving line-up of sake and highballs. Photograph: Ethan SmartDishes and drinks at Aenza The menu is made up of small, snacky plates with Japanese flavours and an Aussie touch. Think kingfish sashimi with fresh mandarin and ponzu dressing; twice-cooked sweet and sour lamb ribs; and chiffon cake with miso caramel and candied walnut. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyDrinks at Aenza Other highlights include umeshu tomato with miso cream cheese and white anchovy; paradise prawn with pickled chilli and shiso; karaage chicken with spiced salt and takana mayo; and charred cauliflower with brown butter and Comté. And there’s a black truffle Basque cheesecake on the dessert menu. Photograph: Ethan SmartDessert at Aenza Liu, the owner of Amuro and Aenza, said: “Amuro showed us how much people wanted to connect with each other over food, and we didn’t have the space to do everything we wanted. Aenza gives us that room, a bigger kitchen, a longer bar, and space for a proper wine list, while keeping the s

You may have tried chef Orazio D’Elia’s pizzas at his popular Bondi eatery, Da Orazio. But you won’t find them on the menu at his classy new 80-seater, Trattoria Da Orazio, now open in Rushcutters Bay. Photograph: Jason LoucasSnacks at Trattoria Da Orazio Instead, come for regional Italian dishes, including bombetta pugliese – pork neck stuffed with provolone before being crumbed, fried and served with smooth fava bean puree and bitter chicory. A vibrant green tortellini is filled with rich osso buco, served on a creamy saffron sauce. And you need to order dessert. D’Elia serves a platter of mini pastries – his favourite childhood dessert – and it’s as whimsical as it is impressive, with mini rum babàs, maritozzi and sfogliatella riccia (that look like lobster tails).  Photograph: Jason LoucasDessert platter at Trattoria Da Orazio Plus, try the ’ndujella – a mix of mortadella and ‘nduja which has a nice bit of chilli heat. The site, redesigned by Adrian Condina Design Studio, features glass doors that open all the way up and will be the spot to sit come springtime. It’s an extra special space for Orazio, who was head chef of Popolo at the same location 14 years ago. “This is a real pinch-me moment. The journey to opening the doors of Trattoria Da Orazio has been a labour of love. To create my own menu and design a space from start to finish in the site where I found my voice as a chef is a dream come true. Photograph: Jason LoucasInside Trattoria Da Orazio Each dish has

Update Monday, July 27: The world’s longest-range commercial aircraft officially touched down in Australia last Friday, having completed its first journey from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne. The 19-hour, 12-minute flight was tracked on Flightradar24 by more than 2.9 million people, making it the second-most-tracked flight of all time. From October 2027, the new Qantas Airbus A350-1000ULR will operate the world’s first non-stop services between Sydney and London. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to fly to Europe’s sparkling shores, you’ll also have been brave enough to have endured the heinously long, multi-stage journey time to get there. But thanks to Qantas, the Sydney to London passage is set to get a whole lot smoother over the next few years. Almost eight years ago, Qantas announced its ambitious plan to launch direct flights from Sydney to London and New York. Clocking in at just over 20 hours, the Sydney to London route will claim the title of the longest non-stop passenger flight in the world. The initial 2025 launch was pushed back due to technical issues and pandemic-related delays, but after new supply chain hiccups, take-off of the first route is now expected in October 2027.  Photograph: Supplied/QantasInside “project sunrise” Airbus A350-1000 jet Currently, the world’s longest flight is Singapore Airlines’ direct service from Singapore to New York, which covers around 15,300 kilometres in roughly 18.5 hours. Qantas’ 17.5-hour journey from Perth to London is t

When I think of off-grid, my mind tends to wander to long-drops. This couldn't be further from the truth at Ashwood AFrame, a luxury riverfront cabin in Upper Macdonald, about a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney. Yes, there’s fresh country air and views for days – the property is set on a bushy 45 acres to wander and explore. Then, as night falls, the panther-black sky glitters with thousands of stars. You’re also surrounded by a heck of a lot of wildlife – cows and ’roos and wombats and birds and nearby horses. Photograph: Ashley DavisInside Ashwood AFrame But on my last off-grid stay, there wasn’t a bathtub. At Ashwood AFrame, there are two freestanding ones – one in the chic, modern bathroom, and one on the deck for golden sunsets with a side of bubbles. There are two extremely comfortable beds with quality linen, making the cabin a top stay for both romantic couples' getaways and friends' weekends. And there’s a bar area, air con for the warmer months and a hanging fireplace come winter. Plus, satin eye masks. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyOne of the tubs at Ashwood AFrame The property really is fully off-grid, powered by solar and gas with filtered rainwater for drinking. You can choose to log on to the speedy wi-fi, or spend a weekend switching off devices and diving into your latest page-turner. Owners Ann and Andrew have created a bushland sanctuary. The beautifully designed A-frame architecture is coupled with warm timber interiors, earthy tones, floor-t

I think it’s when I’m onto my second Negroni, armed with a plate of snacks (warm pita, creamy taramasalata, lemon-spritzed asparagus and salty prosciutto), watching my colleagues-turned-friends in our tennis grand final (I was robbed), the sun starting to turn pastel, that I think: team retreats can’t get much better than this.  Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneySnacks at McGuigan House We’re staying at McGuigan House – a sprawling, enchanting Hunter Valley estate located 20 minutes from Pokolbin and two hours from Sydney – for a team getaway. Lucky ducks. Quack quack. Photograph: Supplied/McGuigan HouseInside McGuigan House Built in the 1980s as the home of fourth-generation winemakers Brian and Fay McGuigan, the historic property was reopened in September 2025 by its new owners, Meg and Luke Berry, after years of planning and renovations, as a luxury retreat and stunning wedding venue. Photograph: Supplied/McGuigan HouseOut the front of McGuigan House And it really is stunning. Set on 10 acres of manicured, English-style gardens and a private vineyard, the estate looks like it’s been ripped from the pages of Vogue Living, Kylie Jenner’s property portfolio, or the daydream of every diamond ring-wearing bride-to-be. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyOut the front of McGuigan House There are verdant green lawns, sweeping views of the Brokenback Ranges, a magnesium turquoise pool, a tennis court (where I lost), and an outdoor fire made for golde

How good are road trips? A few hours on the open road, fuelled with servo snacks and the excitement of what’s to come. That’s how I feel driving south to Huskisson, a pretty, laid-back coastal village found in the Shoalhaven region of NSW, near the world-famous beaches of Jervis Bay. Around a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, the award-winning spot (Huskisson was named Top Tiny Town in Australia in 2024, and has made the Top Towns Hall of Fame 2026) is home to bush-trimmed coves, vivid turquoise water, at least three fish and chippers on the main drag, a delightfully charming old cinema, and one of my personal favourite bakeries (more on that below).  If it’s been a while between weekend escapes, here’s everything you need to know about Huskisson, from where to eat and where to stay. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyFish and chips in Huskisson Where is Huskisson? Huskisson is a chilled-out seaside town on the shores of Jervis Bay, south of Sydney. It’s known for its ridiculously clear water, dolphin and whale cruises, independently owned cafés and some of the South Coast's best seafood. Husky is also a popular base for exploring the rest of Jervis Bay, including the famous Hyams Beach, which gets its brilliantly white sand due to the grains being made up of nearly pure quartz crystals that reflect a high amount of sunlight, as well as Vincentia and the surrounding national parks. How do you get to Huskisson? The easiest way is by car. From Sydney, it's around a 2.5-h