Avril Treasure

Are you loving the warm weather and longer days? I sure am. You know what else is good? All the fab new Sydney openings. Currently, I’ve got my eyes on The Corner, a breezy café, bistro and wine bar now open in pretty Palmy; The Shire’s cool new Greek restaurant Homer Rogue Tavern; and Grandfather’s, the new Chinese restaurant by the Pellegrino 2000 team. You’ll find Sydney’s best new restaurants below. 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.

Spring 2025 update: Spring has sprung so heading out early in the morning for a yum brekkie feels less chilly and more fun. Our current fave picks include sandwich and coffee spot Angus Marrickville, Potts Point's Room Ten, and Parramatta’s Middle Eastern-inspired go-to Circa Espresso (it's the people's fave, too – it took the title of People's Choice Favourite Café in this year's Time Out Sydney Food & Drink Awards). Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney writers, including Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  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. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Believe it or not, school holidays is on right now in NSW. And if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for the next two weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered. Below, you'll find the ultimate round-up of activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families this spring. When is the spring school holidays in NSW?  The spring school holidays for 2025 run from Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 10 –this applies to both the Eastern and Western divisions of NSW. What to do in Sydney in the school holidays? There’s something here for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini-athletes, the musical prodigies and just about everyone in between. 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 somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

  Looking forward to the weekend? Same – let's dive right in. A fabulous indoor market is happening on Saturday, featuring more than 70 stalls of women’s vintage fashion and retro treasures. Round She Goes Fashion Market will be held at PCYC Marrickville, from 10 am–3 pm. Find out more here. Surry Hills stalwart Chin Chin is hosting a disco brunch each weekend this October. Expect delicious yum cha delights, free-flowing cocktails and retro tunes – all for $89 per person. How good? It’s on Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm. Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has transformed into a glowing wonderland with magical illuminated experiences, entertainment, keeper talks, sunset cocktails and more. Taronga After Dark is on now until Sunday, October 12, from 5.30-9pm each night. Round up your little (and big) cubs. It’s a big month for musical theatre in Sydney, with two high-octane shows, Rent and Back to the Future: The Musical, now playing. Keen for more razzle dazzle? You can check out our full guide to all the shows on in Sydney here.   Plate it Forward has kicked off the Third I Festival this spring, a month-long celebration of food, culture and community across its gamechanging (and delicious) Sydney venues Colombo Social, Kolkata Social and Kyiv Social. From bottomless brunches with South Asian flair to hopper dinners and one big laneway party, there’s lots of fun in store. Check out the full program here. And if you want more boozy fun, you can check out Sydney's best bars here as well a

Hey, there – hope you're having a great week so far. Looking for fun? You're in the right place. Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has transformed into a glowing wonderland with magical illuminated experiences, entertainment, keeper talks, sunset cocktails and more. Taronga After Dark is on now until Sunday, October 12, from 5.30-9pm each night. Round up your little (and big) cubs. And if you need more school holiday inspo, we’ve got you covered with the best things to do here. Surry Hills stalwart Chin Chin is hosting a disco brunch each weekend this October. Expect delicious yum cha delights, free-flowing cocktails and retro tunes – all for $89 per person. How good? It’s on Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm. Plate it Forward has kicked off the Third I Festival this spring, a month-long celebration of food, culture and community across its gamechanging (and delicious) Sydney venues Colombo Social, Kolkata Social and Kyiv Social. From bottomless brunches with South Asian flair to hopper dinners and one big laneway party, there’s lots of fun in store. Check out the full program here. It’s a big month for musical theatre in Sydney, with two high-octane shows, Rent and Back to the Future: The Musical, now playing. Keen for more razzle dazzle? You can check out our full guide to all the shows on in Sydney here. Hungry? Work your way through our guide to the best affordable eats. Got a special occasion coming up? Here’s our guide to Sydney’s best restaurants (or check out the top new restauran

Is there a better way to start the day than a torrent of fluffy pork buns, sea-sweet prawn har gow, chewy siu mai, slippery cheong fun, silken tofu, hearty beef tendon, braised chicken feet, tropical mango pancakes and canary-yellow custard tarts? We don't think so. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their fair share of the city's yum cha (and then some). Below, you'll find our list of the best spots in Sydney to relish this morning ritual. So, bring your strongest hangovers, a whole bunch of mates and an appetite for destruction and gallons of tea. 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. Love Chinese food? Us too. These are the best Chinese restaurants in town. Still hungry? These are the best restaurants in Sydney

Australia takes its baked goods very seriously. Between our sourdough-centred meals, we all need a little sweet treat (trust us, you deserve one). Luckily, Aussie bakers are giving Parisian pâtissiers a run for their money, creating their own takes on classic baked goods that taste as good as they look. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Lune Croissanterie), but there are plenty of neighbourhood gems to spend your hard-earned dough. While we wish we could shower love on every flaky croissant, pie and sausage roll, our expert food writers have narrowed it down to 30 of the best bakeries in Australia right now. Find the best bakeries in:Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

A burger is a simple premise, but doing them well is truly a dark art. Do you go with the classic sesame seed or the more gastronomic potato, milk or brioche buns? Do you prefer American cheese, blue or cheddar? How about caramelised onions, pickled or raw? Lettuce and tomato, or cheese and pickles? Is your protein power chicken, fish, beef, or mushroom? And we haven’t even gotten to the question of fries yet.  There are a thousand variations on a burger, but Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Editor Avril Treasure, have tried all the top buns in town – and these are the best in Sydney. 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: These are Sydney's best pizza joints. Want more carbs? These are Sydney's best pasta spots.

Let’s dive into the springtime theatrical fun currently on in Sydney. If you're in need of a good ol' belly laugh, make sure you see Garry Starr’s Classic Penguins – winner of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024 – now playing at The Grand Electric. There's only a handful of tickets left. Great Scott! Back to the Future: The Musical is now playing at Sydney Lyric, so round up your fellow movie buffs and enjoy a blast from the past. Ready to rock? Rent has landed at the Opera House, bringing ’90s energy, raw emotion and New York vibes to the Sydney stage. The performance by every cast member is a standout. Tongue-in-cheek musical The Book of Mormon is on at Sydney's Capitol Theatre – and it’s jam-packed with “did they really just say that?” humour. Bring your mate, bring yourself – but maybe leave your nan (and your kid) at home for this one. 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

No two ways about it, Sydney's wine bar scene is flourishing. Full to the brim. Spilling over. A decade ago, there were only a handful of wine bars. Now? They're all over town. And we're here to happily drink them up. What's more, these slick haunts are also some of the best spots in Sydney to grab a nice dinner with friends.  It makes no difference whether you're a novice or an expert, fancy something natural or classic, old world or new, or whether you want to spend moderately or extravagantly, Time Out Sydney's writers, including Editor Avril Treasure, have curated this list for every palate, at every price point. Bottoms up. 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. Can't get enough of that boozy stuff? Check out the absolute best bars in Sydney here.

Looking for the best things to do this October? You’ve come to the right place. Hungry? Same. Good news – a disco yum cha brunch is going down every weekend this October at Chin Chin. For $89 per person, you and your gang can enjoy Hong Kong-inspired delights, retro beats and free-flowing fruity cocktails. How good? Be transported to the streets of Japan at Suntory Bar at Prefecture 48, a hidden oasis in the heart of the CBD. Come for excellent cocktails, delicious eats and top-shelf Japanese spirits. There are some big shows on right now in Sydney, including Rent at the Sydney Opera House and Back to the Future: The Musical at Sydney Lyric. See what else is on this month here. SXSW Sydney returns from 13-19 October, featuring innovative talks, vibey gigs, exciting ideas and loads more. And if you can get your work to pay for your ticket, even better. You can check out our top picks here. Plate it Forward has kicked off a month-long celebration of food, culture and community across its game-changing (and delicious) Sydney venues Colombo Social, Kolkata Social and Kyiv Social. From bottomless brunches with South Asian flair to hopper dinners and one big laneway party, there’s lots of fun in store this October at the Third I Festival. Check out the full program here. And if you want more boozy fun, you can check out Sydney's best bars here as well as the best clubs here. Oh, and you can suss Sydney’s best restaurants and best affordable eats too. Plus, we've rounded up Sydney

Spring 2025 update: Doesn’t this warm weather make everything better? (Though, not car fines – they can still go to hell.) You know what else makes things better? Eating delicious food, sipping chilled wine and laughing with your people. Whatever you’ve got coming up, you’ll find Sydney’s best spots to do exactly that below. 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: Sean's 🍝 Best for an Italian feast: Neptune’s Grotto 🫒 Best for a friends' catch-up: Olympus 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 READ: Still hungry? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney.

A Hong Kong-inspired disco yum cha brunch is going down this October at Sydney’s neon-pink and high-energy Chin Chin – and you’re invited. The funky and delicious riff on Chin Chin’s brunch will see you and your friends experience a taste of Hong Kong without even leaving Sydney – all soundtracked to retro beats (and with free-flowing cocktails, of course). Chuck on your best ’70s-style look and feast on delicious yum cha delights like golden and crunchy prawn and scallop bao toast amped up with Sichuan mayo; barbecue pork and pineapple milk buns featuring a perfectly buttery and flaky pastry; and plump pork and prawn siu mai topped with pops of salmon roe. Other menu highlights include bouncy soy-coated egg noodles tangled with gai lan, cabbage with pickled green chilli; succulent char siu pork rib-eye flavoured with five spice, ginger and spring onion; and for dessert there’s baked egg tarts hitting sweet, nostalgic notes. Pair your yum cha brunch with specialty curated party-ready cocktails inspired by Hong Kong’s vibrant bar scene, home to many of Asia's and the World's 50 Best Bars 2025. There’s the Skyline Spritz, a fun and fruity tipple swirling with peach, jasmine, passionfruit and bitters; and a Mango Mimosa – a tropical take on the OG with fresh mango juice and prosecco. As well as cocktails, guests can sip on glasses of Tar & Roses Prosecco, Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, Marquis de Pennautier Rosé, and Young Henry’s Newtowner Pale Ale. The 90-minute experience start

✍️ 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.  For a suburb literally surrounded by the big blue, there aren’t as many spots to enjoy great seafood overlooking the ocean in Manly as you might think. There’s Garfish across from the Office, popular with the over-50s and home to an excellent seafood pie. Manly Pavilion has beaut views and decent food, and so does the Skiff Club. But when the sun’s shining, the sapphire-blue ocean is shimmering, and a fresh, delicious lunch is on the cards, I’ve got a new favourite spot – and that’s Felons Seafood. The vibe Thoughts and prayers to the backpackers, but I’m glad The Bavarian poured its final stein, with Felons Seafood taking over the waterfront site and welcoming guests from June this year. The 300-seat venue, which boasts easy-breezy indoor and outdoor seating, is the latest from mega hospo operators Artemus Group (the team behind Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves). They also got the keys to Wharf Bar before transforming it into the nearby pumping beer haven, Felons Manly (how good are all the new seats?). And there’s more to come. Remember Aldi? A sprawling microbrewery pub will soon be there. But back to Felons Seafood, because there’s really a lot to like, starting with the obvious views over Manly Cove, which are nearly good enough to make you call in sick

✍️ 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.  No website. No phone number. Not even an Instagram. Just a clutch of glowy, slick-haired, well-dressed Sydneysiders sipping wine and waiting for a table with the determination of a 10-year-old chasing a Labubu. That’s when you know you’re onto something good. And Paradise, the new wine bar on the corner of Roslyn Street and Ward Avenue in Potts Point, is better than good. That’s because it’s the latest from two people who know what they’re doing: Gio and Enrico Paradiso – the brothers who, alongside Marco Ambrosino, co-founded Sydney staple Fratelli Paradiso back in 2001, before going on to open another hit, 10 William St, in 2010. Just a few months in, Paradise is already humming with big European energy and Potts Point cool. Groups of friends spill onto the sidewalk, glasses of orange wine in hand. Couples snack on crusty baguettes and nutty cheese. There’s a vibey buzz in the air. I don’t know if there’s a better street corner to be on come Saturday night. Though, a waitlist would be good. The vibe It feels cliché – even lazy – to write I’m in paradise at Paradise, but that’s really how I feel with salty snacks, chilled vino and great conversation backdropped to a golden peach sky. As well as alfresco seating, inside you can opt to sit at the bar or at a

I’ve recently returned from my first-ever trip to Japan, and, like the rest of Australia, am now obsessed. The bright flavour of dashi, chew of udon and crunch of tonkatsu! Shiny white Shinkansens! 7-Eleven’s soft-sweet egg sambos! Vending-machine ramen! The pulsating late-night energy! Sake! You get the gist. I’ve written about how Jetstar offers business class flights to the Land of the Rising Sun (complete with free-flowing bubbles, super comfy seats and top-notch meals) at a fraction of the cost of other airlines. I’ve covered the Very Exciting News that Time Out has launched the first-ever market in Asia Pacific, aptly called Time Out Market Osaka – which brings together the city’s top chefs and restaurants under the one roof. And, I’ve covered the best things to see and do in Osaka. But, if you're heading to Osaka, also known as Japan’s kitchen (and I really recommend that you do so), where should you stay? I’m so glad you asked. I spent three nights at Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda, and can truthfully say it’s one of the best hotels I’ve been to. Here’s everything you need to know. Why stay at Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda? Welcoming guests from September 2024, Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda is the first hotel of the brand to open in Asia outside of China. The five-star hotel is inspired by Osaka’s cultural heritage and vibrant, eclectic energy, with playful local art and motifs featured throughout. Expect Hilton’s signature hospitality and premium offering, delivered with

August 2025 update: Three things are front and center at Bar Copains, the eternally pumping wine bar on the corner of Albion Street in Surry Hills. And those are extremely delicious plates of food, a strong wine list and all-round good times. Sure, it’s hard to get a seat, but if you do, those crisp nuggets of shredded pork topped with a zingy sauce gribiche and pickles will make all the effort worthwhile. I mean, I love Bar Copains so much I came here on my most recent birthday. Make sure you also check out its sibling venues Bessie's and Vin-Cenzo's. But come here first. Read on for our review of Bar Copains  ***** ✍️ 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. It’s about as difficult to define 'cool' as it is to pin the tail on the donkey blindfolded after a coupla Negronis. Crocs were not but now they are; laughing emojis are (apparently) not; and even the humble burrata looks like it’s on its way out (RIP). If it’s difficult to define, it’s even more challenging to manufacture, as the action of trying to be cool is very much uncool. When you see cool, you just know. And that’s exactly what will happen if you stroll into Bar Copains, Surry Hills’ new friendly neighbourhood wine bar. 'Copains' means 'friends' in French, which is an apt name for this gem by longtime mates and chefs Morgan McGlone (culin

✍️ 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. In case you were wondering, the bros behind ‘Pizza Bros’ are actually real-life brothers, Joey Pepperoni and Marty McFly. And I’m not joking about their names, either – they got them legally changed to live and breathe the dream. The bros have worked at a bunch of top Sydney pizza joints – including Bella Brutta, Gigi’s and The Dolphin Hotel – before starting Pizza Bros as a pizza truck in 2019. Their first bricks-and-mortar venue opened on the rooftop of The Imperial Erskineville at the end of 2023 – and I say: long may the good times (and slices) continue. The vibe By 6pm on a Saturday, every table at Pizza Bros is pretty much full, plus there’s a bunch of people hanging by the bar knocking back Spritzes and ales and just basically having a whale of a time. Under the red-and-white striped awning at the back of the space is where the magic happens. You’ll see the chefs cooking the pizzas in that bedazzled gold wood-fired oven – a wink to their home in the fabulously queer safe space, The Imperial Erskineville. It’s a pretty casual, laid-back affair, and that includes the service, with ordering done by QR code, and you head up to the bar to get your table water. It feels like a pizza party at your friend-of-a-friend’s house where (mostly) anything goes. The f

Tuesday nights get a bad rap – and fair enough. Mondays hold the promise of the week, and Wednesdays get that hump-day energy hit. But Tuesdays? They can feel a bit meh. Not in the Inner West, though – because once a month on a Tuesday, the Enmore Comedy Club goes down at the Enmore Theatre, and it’s about as much fun as $25 can get you. Held in an intimate space inside the iconic entertainment venue, the Enmore Comedy Club features a rotating line-up of six or so comedians – usually a mix of local Sydney talent, joke-slingers from across the country, and even the odd big-name international act. We love so many things about this night, like how you can watch fab comedians and have a good ol’ belly laugh for less than the price of a pub meal. We also dig that every ticket comes with a complimentary boozy drink. And the show’s super fast-paced, so you don’t have to worry about committing to a full hour of just one comic. It’s an excellent date idea – and we know because we’ve done it a bunch of times. You get to see if your sense of humour aligns, enjoy a drink or two and support the arts? How good. It’s also a fun and cheap night out with your mates – and something a little different from the usual dinner catch-up (though we love those too – and with Enmore and Newtown right there, you’ve got some of Sydney’s best restaurants at your fingertips). This is one of our fave ways to spend a Tuesday night in Sydney – get around it. Get your tickets here. Weather not looking so hot?

Opened in 2007 by restaurateur Javed Khan, Delhi ‘O’ Delhi has been bringing the flavours, spice and soul of India to Newtown for more than 18 years – an incredible feat in the world of Sydney hospitality. Khan says he is just as excited today as he was when he first opened. There are lots of things to like about this sun-lit restaurant on Erskineville Road, including its modern takes on traditional family recipes. Take the goat aloo, for example. Slow-cooked tender goat comes with a fragrant and aromatic curry that’s as comforting as it is delicious. It’s a dish Khan remembers his late mother making for his eight siblings and himself growing up, and it's one he now serves to his guests with pride. The excellent butter chicken is another reason to swing on down. Not as sickly sweet as some you may find elsewhere, Delhi ‘O’ Delhi’s version sees tandoor-roasted thigh fillets bathed in a creamy, tomatoey sauce flavoured with fenugreek leaves and topped with melted Pepe Saya butter. There’s a strong selection of vegetarian and vegan options, and a set menu for $60 per person (minimum four guests). Bring a big group and get stuck into Delhi 'O' Delhi’s signature lamb dish, featuring a whole leg of lamb infused with cinnamon and marinated in spices for a day. It’s then slow-cooked in a clay oven so it’s fall-apart tender and big on flavour (you do need to give the team 48 hours’ notice though). The dining room is both elegant and old-school, with white tablecloths, jet-black furnit

How good are road trips? Here’s another one for you. Round up the gang – a brand-new food, wine and music festival is going down this October at Bowral’s ridiculously pretty Centennial Vineyards. And the best bit? It’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney – making Horizontal Festival perfect for a weekend getaway. The Southern Highlands’ best producers, distillers, creators, artists, DJs and more will be out in full force for a killer two-day celebration of food, wine, art, music and culture, all surrounded by ’gram-worthy vines. The festival will be broken up into different sensory zones – so you can wander, sip, snack, dance and experience as you please. There’s the ‘Sparkling Bar’ featuring classical music, freshly shucked oysters, truffles and sparkling vino. Other highlights include the ‘Cheese Den’, where you can feast on sweet, salty, hard and soft fromage; the ‘Hops Garden and Concert Stage’, where you’ll go for a boogie (with headliners to be announced soon), burgers and local drops; and the ‘Barrel Room’ – a red wine haven with jazz and New Orleans energy. Plus loads more. RELATED READ: Old-world charm meets a breath of fresh country air at this Bowral stay. Horizontal Festival is going down on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5. Day sessions run from noon to 4pm, while evening sessions take place from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets cost $59 per person and include entry to the festival, all musical acts, wine and cheese tastings, a take-home festival glass and other

✍️ 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. There are a lot of beautiful dining rooms in Sydney – the kind that, when you step inside, whisk you away to another world; where thoughts of to-do lists and Everest-like piles of laundry melt away like lemon granita under the Amalfi sun. Bennelong, tucked within the city’s white sails, is one of them. So too is the coastal kitsch of Sean’s in Bondi. Osteria Mucca, a charming trattoria from the Continental Deli crew that opened in April this year, is another such room. Found on Newtown’s happening Australia Street, the 50-seat Italian restaurant had a past life as a butcher. Those 114-year-old forest-green-and-white tiles on the walls are the originals. Candles flicker on top of white tablecloths, Art Deco-style vintage lights hang from the ceiling – creating the perfect dinner-date glow – and vintage plates jazz up the walls. This is the work of Sarah Doyle, co-owner and creative director of Paisano & Daughters, who has a knack for creating venues with their own soul. (It just takes one peep into siblings and neighbours – eclectic fisherman’s den Mister Grotto, honey-hued plant celebration Flora, and Continental Deli with its big Euro energy – to fully appreciate her talent.) The room feels like an occasion, so we bypass the Limoncello Spritz and Mucca Marti

Smash burgers get their name from how they’re cooked. Beef patties are smashed onto a blazing hot grill and sizzled until golden brown. The outside ends up with a crisp, caramelised lace-like crust – the best bit about a smash burger. Eat at ROBs, located in the front window of Darling Street Meats butchery in Rozelle, specialises in Oklahoma-style smash burgers. And you're gonna wanna try them. Eat at ROBs (short for Rozelle’s Original Burger) was born when owner Michael Carter returned home from travelling and found a lack of good smash burger options. What began as a market stall has now grown into a burger shop with many loyal fans (including us). The menu is short and simple. Choose from a grilled chicken or a smashed burger, featuring 100 per cent grass-fed beef, caramelised onion and melted cheese on a Martin’s Potato Roll that are soft, squishy and a little bit sweet. A single cheeseburger will set you back $10.50; make it a double for $12.50, or go all out and order the combo, which comes with chips and your choice of soft drink. There are also off-menu items, like the Aussie burger, the Big Rob and loaded fries – just ask. Extra toppings, like lettuce, tomato, pickles, guac, beetroot, bacon and more, are available starting at just $1. And there’s a bunch of sauces to choose from, like ROBs mayo, tomato sauce, smoky barbecue, garlic aioli and spicy ROBs. But if it’s your first time, we reckon you should start with the classic and add pickles, lettuce and ROBs sauce.

I’ve just stepped off a humid, tree-lined street in Tokyo and into what can only be described as a luxurious and calming sanctuary. But I’m not talking about an onsen – this is The Tokyo Edition, a stylish five-star hotel in the heart of fashionable Ginza. I’m welcomed by at least five staff. Within seconds, I hear a “pop” and a flute of Champagne is offered to me; my bags are whisked away to my room. It’s perhaps the most dazzling lobby I’ve ever stepped into – all plush white couches, a dramatic staircase and warm, shimmering light – and the warmest welcome. This will do me just fine. Why stay at The Tokyo Edition? Sleek, chic and fit for the Japanese Imperial Family, The Tokyo Edition ticks all three boxes: location, comfort and aesthetics – making it the perfect base for your next Tokyo stay. Spearheaded by visionary hotelier Ian Schrager and renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, it’s the second Edition hotel to open in Tokyo, joining The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon. This five-star hotel blends minimalist Japanese design with fresh, cool New York flair – and looks like it could’ve been plucked straight from the world of Gossip Girl – Tokyo Edition. The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is located just off Chuo Street, right in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s fashion district and seconds from luxury boutiques (hello, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel), galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as cracking ramen spots (Tsujita is my pick). Adventuring around one of the world’s

Is there anything better than a holiday in our own backyard? Thankfully, our sunburnt country is home to many cracking stays, from coastal shacks to rainforest treehouses, swish five-star hotels and charming cottages. But if you’re after the crème de la crème, you’ll want to check out the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards – the world’s longest-running and most prestigious travel awards. More than 750,000 travellers voted in the 38th edition, and ten hotels rose to the top as undisputed favourites in Australia and New Zealand. And one Sydney stay has just been named the second-best hotel in Australia. Staycation, anyone? (Yes, please). RELATED READ: These are the best hotels in Sydney  Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out This year, the silver medal went to Capella Sydney, which is officially the best hotel our Editor in Chief, Alice Ellis, has ever experienced. It’s luxurious, yet not in a flashy, chandeliers-and-knockout-views type of way. Capella Sydney radiates quiet, confident, understated elegance, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated. Rooms are generous and filled with original artworks, the heritage sandstone exterior adds timeless charm, and the hotel offers top-notch wellness facilities alongside exceptional restaurants and bars. Check us in!  Photograph: Timothy Kaye Capella wasn’t the only Sydney stay to clean up at the awards, with the Fullerton Hotel named the sixth-best hotel in Australia and New Zealand. Located in a beautiful heritag

Centennial Parklands – a lush, green oasis in the city spanning Moore Park, Queens Park and Centennial Park – is set to host even more epic music festivals, as well as major cultural and sporting celebrations throughout the year, with the NSW Government officially increasing the cap for large-scale events from eight to twelve. Minister for the Arts and Night-time Economy John Graham says the government’s decision to lift the cap is “part of our agenda to restore Sydney back to its 2000 Olympics heyday, where our events and nightlife were the envy of the world.” The new cap is slated to come into effect ahead of the 2026 events calendar, and to that we say: hello, (more) summertime fun. Located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, 4km from the CBD, Centennial Park has played host to a bunch of world-class artists and bands over the years, including Bob Dylan, James Brown, INXS, Flume and Tame Impala, as well as hosting festivals such as Listen Out, Good Things Festival and Tropfest, with Laneway Festival 2026 set to be held there too. Minister Graham added: “We’re lifting the cap on good times, outdoor events and opportunities for artists and workers. Centennial Park is one of the most beautiful and versatile parklands in the world, and this is a sensible boost in its capacity to host a great day out.” RELATED READ: These beachside suburbs are set to become Sydney's next night-time hotspots The government’s decision aims to help boost Sydney’s economy and night-time vibrancy, as

Like icy poles on a summer’s day and snags on a barbie, hot chips are an integral part of our national food identity. But where can you find the best hot chips in Sydney? Whether you like yours with maximum crunch-factor, smothered in tomato sauce or sprinkled with chicken salt, our mates over at the City of Sydney asked fellow Sydneysiders on Instagram to name their favourite hot chips in town – and the results are in. From the best late-night chips to the finest kebab shop chips, we’ve got all the golden answers for you. So, did your favourite potato fingers make the cut? Let’s dive in. But first – Time Out’s picks: It’s bloody hard to choose a favourite hot chippie. I’m a big fan of the thick, finger-like chips at Baba’s Place, coated in an incredible umami-rich seasoning. The ones at Persham’s nostalgic café Splash are on point (and you can even grab a chip butty, old-school style). If you’re up for a drive down the coast, the chips (and fish) at Rosie’s in Coledale are a catch worth reeling in. But closer to home, my pick has to be the ones at Olympic Meats, the pumping Greek grill house. Cooked in beef tallow for a rich, savoury kick, these chippies come deep golden, flecked with Mediterranean seasoning. They have a serious crunch factor and are soft and fluffy on the inside. So hot. So hard to stop.   Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney   Best late-night chipsWinner: Mary’sRock 'n' roll beer and burger joint Mary’s is home to the best chips for late-night

Few things are better than lacing up and setting off on a weekend walking adventure: fresh, crisp air, beautiful greenery, warm sunlight and quality time with your friends (plus the snacks and post-hike beer). Luckily, New South Wales is home to many cracking ones, from wind-swept coastal hikes in the Royal National Park to summiting the big beauty that is Mount Kosciuszko. Now, the legends at AllTrails have dropped its list of the most popular hikes to tackle this spring and summer, and the Blue Mountains’ Grand Canyon Track came out on top. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney The first time I attempted the Grand Canyon track, I was a kid, and I think my good old dad carried me for most of it (love you, dad). Over the years I’ve done it a bunch more times, with my brother and mates, and each time its beauty and majesty blow me away. Keen to give it a go this spring and summer? Here’s everything you need to know. Photograph: Destination NSW The Grand Canyon hike is a 6.3km loop that’ll take you through an awe-inspiring canyon and the lush rainforest of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Beginning at Evans Lookout, the trail is a heart-racer, with some challenging sections, but at around three to four hours long (depending on how many snack breaks you take), it’s totally doable for a day trip. And the sweat is worth it for the cascading waterfalls, Jurassic Park-like ferns, trickling creeks, moss-covered rocks and spectacular Blue Mountains

Fresh Sydney rock oysters bolstered with nuoc cham and black caviar. Grilled, succulent chicken skewers, fragrant with lemongrass and even better when dipped in a creamy peanut sauce. Slices of rosy roasted duck resting on a banana blossom salad with aromatic Vietnamese herbs, a kick of chilli and roasted rice for crunch. And tender, slow-cooked lamb shoulder bathed in a coconut curry, balanced with a tangy cucumber pickle. These are some of the standout dishes on the menu at Annamese, a high-end Vietnamese restaurant found by Sydney Harbour in Barangaroo. Our tip? Get here just before golden hour for a cracking view of the sunset. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney Welcoming guests from January 2025, Annamese makes an excellent addition to Barangaroo’s dining line-up. It’s by the team behind nearby Thai restaurant Muum Maam. At Annamese, executive chef Andy Pruksa draws on his Thai and Vietnamese heritage, creating fresh, punchy dishes with bags of flavour. "We want to showcase the depth and vibrancy of Vietnamese cuisine in a way that is both elegant and exciting. With the introduction of these broader culinary influences, we’ve created a menu full of bold flavours, with creativity and balance,” Pruksa says. To drink, try the pho-inspired cocktail made with Espolon tequila, dry vermouth, spices, Vietnamese herbs and lime. The Ca Phe Martini features Absolut vodka, Vietnamese cold-brew coffee, coffee liqueur, condensed milk and nutmeg. Or go for the Yuzu and Le

I don’t usually start my day with a beef pie. Fried eggs with sea salt on buttery toast perhaps, hot coffee, definitely. But when news dropped recently that The Piefather – a small family-owned Sydney bakery – took home a silver medal for its beef creation at The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition, you better believe I was having it for breakfast. And the best news? I could order it on Uber Eats. An award-winning pie in my PJs? Hell yeah. Now in its 36th year, The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition is Australia’s largest and longest-running contest for pies, sausage rolls and pasties. Each year, there are hundreds of entries, with the pies judged anonymously by a panel of experts on everything from appearance and flavour to overall texture and mouthfeel. The Piefather was runner-up only to Paradise Bakehouse on Queensland’s Bundaberg coast, meaning its classic beef pie is not only the best one in Sydney, it’s also the best in the whole state. So I had to find out: how good is it really? I want to begin by saying I love pies. They are delicious after a surf, bring you back to life when you’re hungover and should be mandatory on road trips. I’ve scoffed down golden beauties from Huskisson Bakery & Cafe, lined up at the Upper Crust and woffed down the ones from Hayden's Pies. And when I lived in New Zealand – the self-proclaimed pie country of the world – I ate them every week. This is all to say: I've had a few. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney But back to

Opera Bar – Sydney’s most iconic harbourside venue – has reopened today with a fresh new team, an amped-up music program and an exciting menu celebrating the city’s diversity of flavours. Applejack Hospitality, who oversee top Sydney restaurants and bars including Rafi, Forrester's, The Butler and Taphouse, have taken over operations for Opera Bar and House Canteen for the next decade from Matt Moran’s Solotel, who lost the tender after 24 years. We're lucky to get the scoop on what's in store. Photograph: Steven Woodburn Overseeing the exciting new food direction is chef and Director of Culinary for Applejack Hospitality Patrick Friesen, whose CV spans Papi Chulo, Queen Chow Manly and Ms G’s, among others. Coming back to cook under the white sails of the Opera House is a full-circle moment for Friesen, who came to Australia 16 years ago from Canada, and whose first gig in Sydney was at Bennelong. “Getting to take over from Matt Moran and the Solotel group and be in Matt’s shoes 24 years ago feels pretty special,” says Friesen to Time Out Sydney. "I’m excited to build our community of collaborators, suppliers, farmers and fishers. This is a love letter to Sydney, and we will showcase to the world what the most delicious city on Earth is all about,” he adds. Photograph: Steven Woodburn RELATED READ: The 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025 New South Wales’s best farmers and producers will be highlighted on the menu in one cracking harbourside location. Take the antipasto

On a hot and sticky day – one where back sweat is just around the corner – is there anything better than a light and refreshing breeze to cool you down? (Other than a pale ale and ocean dip, that is.) Well, it turns out Sydney produces the world’s most refreshing breeze, according to a new study conducted by leading scientist Jim N. R. Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, alongside AllClear Travel Insurance. RELATED READ: Sydney's best beaches for sun, sea and surf. The study looked at a number of key factors – including temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction – at more than 100 popular hotspots and created a formula to find the world’s most perfect holiday breeze, with Sydney beating Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Cyprus’ Paphos to claim the top spot. The coastal sweet spot was found to be 23-29°C, with 16-24 km/h winds, 65-70 per cent humidity, and wind off the sea. The inland sweet spot was 24-30°C, 16-24 km/h winds, 55-65 per cent humidity, with wind from the northerly quarter. From light ocean breezes to winds that make trees dance, Sydney was found to have the world’s most consistent ‘perfect’ breeze, scoring 96.4/100. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney Dale says: “The perfect breeze can be elusive, especially on hot and sticky days when you need it most. But when all the elements align – wind speed, direction and just the right level of humidity – it can be more refreshing than any air conditioning and completely natural.” (We’ll still take

As well as ocean swims, barefoot barbies and Frosty Fruits, one of the best things about summer is daylight savings. (Before you come for us in the comments, yes, we know it’s technically ‘daylight saving’, but who really calls it that?) The good news is that longer days and more time for after-work fun are nearly here, as daylight savings is upon us. Here’s everything you need to know about daylight savings in NSW, including when to turn your clocks forward and what it will mean for your sleep pattern. When does daylight savings start in NSW? Every year, daylight savings kicks off on the first Sunday of October at 2am local time. In 2025, this falls on Sunday, October 5. So you'll get an extra hour of daylight on the evening of Sunday, October 5 (which is also NRL Grand Final night, incidentally).  Do we lose or gain an hour when daylight savings starts in NSW? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you’ll lose one hour of sleep when our clocks spring forward on October 5, with 2am turning into 3am daylight saving time. Losing an hour of sleep sucks for a second, but we’d happily trade it in for an extra hour of evening sunlight any day of the week. Bring on the sunset picnics!  Do I turn the clock back or forward for daylight savings in NSW? Your smartphone will surely do the job for you, but if you still use an old-school alarm or need to reset your grandfather clock, remember to move your analogue clocks and watches forward by one hour when you wake up on Sunday, Octobe

Melbourne’s award-winning Chinese restaurant Lee Ho Fook, by acclaimed chef and restaurateur Victor Liong, has opened in the heritage-listed Porter House in Sydney’s CBD. Liong grew up in Sydney but moved to Melbourne to open the original back in 2013. Come for regional Chinese classics served with a playful wink in a moody dining room rich with red accents and dark floors. Lee Ho Fook joins other notable Chinese restaurants that have opened in Sydney recently, including Grandfather’s by the Pellegrino 2000 team and Young’s Palace by ‘Big’ Sam Young and chef-partner Grace Chen. More prawn toast, noodles and roast duck? Fook yeah. Photograph: Nikki To The formidable Brad Guest (ex-Sepia, Sixpenny, Oncore by Clare Smyth, Shell House) has teamed up with Liong as head chef of Lee Ho Fook. Here, golden, crunchy prawn toast comes topped with briny Tasmanian sea urchin; Peking duck features a Victorian bird that’s dry-aged for 10 days and served with glistening, bronzed skin and the usual accompaniments; and steamed Glacier 51 toothfish is paired with a fragrant sauce alongside silken tofu. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney If there’s one dish you have to order, it’s the crispy eggplant. Long fingers of eggplant are deep-fried until crisp, churros-style, and coated in a sweet-tangy spiced red vinegar with fresh spring onions. It’s one of Liong’s signature dishes for good reason. Oh, and you gotta finish with a scoop of jasmine rice ice cream doused in a warm red bea

Two new beautiful bushwalks have opened in New South Wales, making a strong case to get off Instagram and lap up this glorious springtime weather. Opening in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area near Lithgow, the tracks sweep across stunning views of pagoda landscapes, dramatic sandstone cliffs, trickling creeks and technicolour native flowers. The 6-km Broad Swamp loop walk lets you explore the largest swamp in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area while you hike past fragrant eucalypts and vibrant wattles. Taking approximately one to two hours, it’s a great family-friendly option if you’re looking for fun things to do these school holidays or on the weekend – just be sure to wear a hat and pack plenty of snacks and water. RELATED READ: These are the 10 most scenic trails in NSW for 2025, according to hiking experts Keen to get the heart beating faster? The Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track is a 17.5-km one-way adventure that’ll lead you past stunning scenery, including remote creeks, lush gorges and sweeping clifftop views. Starting from Broad Swamp and finishing at Birds Rock carpark, the hike runs around seven to eight hours, depending on your fitness levels – so this one is best for experienced hikers. Time Out tip: Before you begin, leave a 4WD car at Birds Rock carpark and drive back to Broad Swamp carpark to start, which takes about 30 minutes. Note: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says the road is only accessible by 4WD. Photograph: Supp

Have you heard much about the “third space”? It’s a public area for people to connect, chill out and switch off – and importantly, it’s gotta be separate from work and the home. And in an increasingly online world, those spaces are becoming rare. Enter book-cafés – a glorious cross between a bookshop or a library and a café where locals can read a book, sip an oat cap and hang out. Now, 1000 Libraries has named the world’s ten most beautiful book-cafés, and Sydney is home to one of them. To find the winners, the global publisher first nominated 16 book-cafés across the world for their work, then reached out to its community to cast votes. More than 200,000 were submitted by readers, café enthusiasts and urban planners – and the results are now in. Found on Oxford Street in Paddington, Ampersand Café & Bookstore was voted the sixth most beautiful book-café in the world. Home to 30,000 pre-loved books spread over three floors – from chick-lit to crime and history – Ampersand is a book-lover’s paradise. And with its vintage charm, cosy nooks, plush red-velvet armchairs and a touch of whimsy, it’s also an excellent place to get lost in another world. Photograph: Mel Woodley for Time Out Sydney All that reading may see you work up an appetite. From colourful, zingy salads to cracking wraps, Ampersand’s menu is simple, hearty and comforting. Here for brekkie? Go for the Turkish-inspired poached eggs with cherry tomatoes, sumac- and cumin-spiked labneh, caramelised paprika butter