Avril Treasure

We're all about a secret underground dive bar or two – but in a city as beautiful as Sydney, it seems like a damn shame to retreat into the depths for every tipple. From a sundowner by the harbour to a sunny rooftop in the Inner West, our town is awash with sky-high watering holes. So we've rounded up the best spots in the city to sip a cold one under a gorgeous open sky. But drinkers beware: Sydney's rooftop bars play host to some of the most contested seats in the city, so get in early for a spot in the sun.  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. For more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens. Looking for another top-notch watering hole? Check out the best bars 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 $20. We didn’t include many bakeries or cafés in the list, but you can find more affordable eats in our list of best bakeries in Sydney and best cafés 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. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

Are you heading to Oasis? We’ve covered everything you need to know, including what time they come on and the best way to get there. If you’ve got tickets to Saturday’s show, I may see you there. Vino lovers are in for a treat: Sydney Cellar Door is a two-day wine fest going down this weekend in Circular Quay, and it's all about celebrating top NSW drops. Taste some of the state’s finest wines right by the harbour. How good. Did you hear the news? Iconic Sydney dance sesh S.A.S.H, held on Sundays for 15 years, is officially moving to Saturday nights. The legendary house music institution – known for throwing epic (and sweaty) dance parties – will now go down every Saturday at Carousel on Oxford Street. Looking for more places to party? Check out our guide to the best clubs in Sydney here. The Affordable Art Fair is on right now at at Carriageworks, running through to Sunday, November 9. Expect to see beautiful works from more than 65 galleries, with pieces starting at $100 a pop. Marrickville’s Factory Theatre is putting on free fun every Saturday and Sunday during daylight savings, called Freekin Weekends. Head on down to the sunny courtyard to boogie to ace live bands while enjoying a cold one (or two). Plus, if you sign up before, the guys will throw in a $5 bar credit, thanks to the legends from Hawkes Brewing. In this economy? We love to see it. Find out more here. For a cultural hit, a gigantic interactive playground (for kids and adults) has appeared underground in t

Parramatta's CBD is now one of the biggest commercial hubs outside of the Sydney CBD. Along with this hustle and bustle has emerged a lively restaurant scene with cuisines from across the globe. So whether Parramatta (or nearby Harris Park) is a detour, your main destination, or you're lucky enough to live in the area, the buzzing suburb's excellent restaurants will have you stumped for choice. We've rounded up our favourites, to make the decision easier for you. Get cracking. 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 Indian, specifically? Here's our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Parramatta and Harris Park.  Or check out our guide to the very best restaurants across Sydney.

A bar crawl in Newtown is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure for the intrepid thirsty Sydneysider. It's also great if you simply don't like having to take more than a hop, skip and jump between venues. This eclectic Inner West 'burb has more bars than you can poke a cocktail stick at, from lazy beer gardens to rock 'n' roll vinyl joints and everything in between, found all the way down King St and up to Enmore Road. Newtown is one of our favourite boozing destinations – and here are the vert best places to check out on your next visit.  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 food? Check out the best restaurants Newtown has to offer, over here. Want more? Check out our guide the coolest bars in Sydney here.

If you want a fuss-free feed come rain or shine, nothing beats golden, crisp, flaky battered fish and a hearty serving of chips. But what makes a really excellent fish supper? It's the quality of the batter through to the cut of the chip, the potatoes used and even the seasonings and sauces – are you for ketchup, vinegar, chicken salt, tartare or simply a squeeze of lemon juice? And it comes down to how fresh the fish is, of course. There’s a lot that goes into getting it just right and a wide gulf between the catch of the day and yesterday's chip paper. Time Out Sydney's local food writers have scoured the city to put together a list of the best to help you net the perfect catch. 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 the best seafood restaurants in Sydney. Check out our guide to the top waterfront restaurants in Sydney.

For devotees of genuine Mexican fare, it's a great relief that Sydney is no longer only served by the tacky Tex-Mex, stand-and-stuff, burrito-centric eateries that were once the sole expression of the cuisine readily available here. There's now an exciting new wave of Mexican diners sweeping Sydney, with nary a pinata, sombrero or lucha libre mask in sight. We're not saying there isn't a time and a place for a bowl of liquid queso and a dorito or two – there really is – but with a culture and cuisine that spans thousands of years and dozens of regions, it's a crime to assume that Old El Paso and a cartoonishly large frozen Margarita is anything close to 'authentic'. Prime your palate for the true flavours of Mexico with our guide to the best Mexican eateries in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Editor and Mexico-lover, Avril Treasure. 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: Keen to get around some killer spots for an arvo tequila or two? Check out Sydney's best rooftop bars Love spice? Check out our guide to Sydney's hottest Thai restaurants Thirsty? Have a look at the best bars in Sydney right now

Spring update: Let the good times roll with our fresh guide to Sydney’s best bars – perfect for your springtime soirée. Two new Enmore Road spots have been added (hello, Deadwax and Silver’s Motel). Is the sun out? Head to Paradise or Old Mate’s Place to soak up the warmth. And the Negronis go down a treat at Herbs Taverne. This list represents our picks of the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great drinks, curated by our local editors, drink writers and fellow booze hounds, including Time Out Sydney's Editor Avril Treasure. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity and options at every price point. Cheers to you, 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. After a watering hole that's a bit more casual? See our list of the best pubs in Sydney, here. After a meal? Check out our best restaurants here.

Wow – there are only two more months left of the year. Soon, it’ll be all after-work swims, glazed ham and Mariah Carey. Instead of stressing about everything still on your to-do list (sorry, unread books), let’s celebrate – Sydney at this time of year is pretty special. There are hot new restaurants to check out, including my current favourites Vin-Cenzo’s, Mister Grotto and Grandfather’s, as well as rooftop bars – perfect for balmy evenings. And you can work your way through Time Out's ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants here. Cool off at one of Sydney’s beautiful beaches, get your sweat on with the best easy day hikes near Sydney, or work your muscles with our guide to the city’s best gyms. Plus, you can make the most of the lovely weather with Sydney’s best picnic spots, markets and beautiful ocean pools. Theatre-wise, there’s plenty on this November. My picks include La Ronde, a circus-comedy-cabaret show now on at The Grand Electric. See what else is happening this month 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 affordable eats too. Scroll on for our full list of everything you can get up to in Sydney this November. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do in Sydney, travel inspo, food and more, straight to your inbox. 

Let’s dive into the springtime theatrical fun currently on in Sydney. Forget running – gallop over to Hayes Theatre right now to see the incredible new Australian work, Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical. Written by Steven Kramer and directed by Sheridan Harbridge, this brand-new musical brings a hilarious and talented cast to the stage, telling a rags-to-riches story with a big heart. Expect “tap-dancing horses, domineering jockeys and fanatical horse-girls,” and so much more. It’s on until November 22. Find out more here. Fancy a dazzling night out? La Ronde is here at Sydney’s Grand Electric, bringing an intoxicating performance of comedy, cabaret and circus to the stage – with a side of cocktails and chaos. From the creators of Blanc de Blanc and Limbo, this exciting new show is sure to deliver glitz, glamour and entertainment. Check out a sneak peek here, and find out more here. Over at Sydney Theatre Company, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is on until December 14. See award-winner Kat Stewart star in Edward Albee’s most famous play that explores love, marriage and everything in between. Find out more here.  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. As our reviewer says: "And if you think they couldn’t get the DeLorean to do that final scene of the movie? Well…you’ll have to go and see for yourself." Find out more here. Tongue-in-cheek musical The Book of Mormon is

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.

It's the last month of spring in Sydney! Hell yeah. Work your way through our guide to the 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025 – how many have you ticked off? Take a dip at one of Sydney’s best beaches, or swim your way through these incredible ocean pools. Hungry? Pack bread, pickles and cheese, and hit up these pretty picnic spots – or stroll through these fun and tasty markets and pick up a treat or two. If the sun’s shining, gather the crew and head to one of Sydney’s top rooftop bars, or knock back a pint in a sunny beer garden at one of the city’s best pubs. Afterwards, dress up and visit one of Sydney’s best restaurants – or save a few dollars and work your way through our guide to these fab cheap eats. For a culture hit, check out the best shows in Sydney right now. And if you feel like dancing, hit up these fun and pumping clubs. Craving a bit of relaxation? These are the top day spas in Sydney. Scroll on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney today. Want to get your weekend plans in order, right now? Check out our pick of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend. Rain putting a dampner on your plans? These are the best things to do indoors. On a budget? These are the Time Out team’s pick of 25 things to do in Sydney for under $25. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. 

✍️ 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. Michael Chiem and Tynan Sidhu first spoke about opening a bar together while cooking a backyard barbie and sipping Champagne on New Year’s Eve some years back. Great mates for a decade – and bringing serious bartending cred to the table (Chiem being the force behind Sydney’s award-winning PS40, and Sidhu perfecting his craft at places like The Waratah, PS40 and Saint Peter Bar) – they were aligned in their dream to open a community-focused boozer in the Inner West, where they both call home. A place where locals can drop in and feel their worries melt away like an ice cube in an Old Fashioned. It didn’t happen overnight, with the guys signing the lease in November 2022 and opening the doors to Silver’s Motel in September this year. There are plenty of excellent bars along Enmore Road worthy of your time and dime, but this one is something else. The vibe You could walk past Silver’s Motel and easily miss it – that’s how nondescript the front is. Just look for the black. But once you step through the door, you’re greeted like a long-lost mate.  Inspired by ’80s motel bars, the space looks sleek and old-school, with vintage artworks, wood-panelled walls and an Inner West warmth. Every item and piece of furniture has a story behind it. Take the carpet, for examp

✍️ 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.  Tom Colman, a trained viticulturist, and his father Bob started making wine together back in 2016 in a backyard shed. Frankly, This Wine Was Made by Bob was born, featuring natural, organically made wine. In 2023, the duo opened Frankie & Mo's – a wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop rolled into one. But just don't call it that to Tom. "We think of ourselves more like a wine pub – a place built on community, not exclusivity," says Tom. "Somewhere people can drop in, feel at home and explore wines made right around the corner or further afield, without the inflated markups or pretension that often come with “wine culture,” he adds. Inside is cosy and vibey, with electric artworks, pops of colour and a chef’s table where you can pull up a stool and watch the team in action. The food Fresh, seasonal ingredients are front and centre at Frankie & Mo’s. Their goal? Cook as locally and regeneratively as possible. The menu changes often, but you may enjoy things like radishes with butter and sea salt; beetroot carpaccio with almond ricotta and black garlic vinaigrette; line-caught bluefin tuna with harissa and olives; anchovy toast with pickled fennel and blood orange; lamb rump chop with smoked beans, carrot and herbs; and a flourless chocolate cake with berries. T

October 2025 update: Nativo has moved! You’ll find the Mexico spot inside St Peters brewery, Future Brewing. Cold beers, tacos and no deadlines? Muy bien. Read on for our write-up from May 2023. ***** What do you get when you combine a Michelin-trained chef and a hole-in-the-wall taco joint? You get Nativo Mexican, a colourful and tiny taqueria, which opened in Sydney’s Pyrmont in late 2022 – and boy we're glad they did. The casual, alfresco spot is run by Oaxaca-born Manuel Diaz and his wife Diana Farrera. Diaz – who has worked in some of Mexico City’s best kitchens, as well as Michelin-starred restaurant La Chevre d'Or in France and Bar Patrón and Santa Catarina here in Sydney – has drawn on his experience and heritage to create the menu and space. What the eatery lacks in size – Nativo can seat just 14 guests – it sure makes up for in soul. The street-inspired menu of tacos and snacks features native Australian ingredients, like the al pastor pork shoulder tacos with saltbush morita salsa and guacamole with lemon myrtle oil. Other menu highlights include cochinita pibil tacos with slow-cooked pulled pork, pickled onions and saltbush morita salsa; beef birria with 12-hour slow cooked brisket, Oaxaca cheese, avocado and kunzea (a native Australian plant) salsa verde; and Tasmanian octopus with chimichurri, confit onions and potato. Diaz says, “The best of Mexican gastronomy is inspired by ideas developed by the Indigenous communities and ancestors of the country. I have craf

✍️ 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 smells like my pop’s place,” my dinner date says after we sit down at Corner 75. We’re at the Hungarian institution in Randwick that’s been serving paprika-laced food for more than 40 years. This March, it reopened with a fresh lease on life (and a literal new lease), thanks to the team behind Marrickville’s Baba’s Place – Alexander Kelly and Jean-Paul El Tom – plus Daniel Puskas and Chris Sharp of Sixpenny. My friend says her pop moved from Hungary to Australia because of the war, and as a little kid, he would take her to Corner 75 with her dad for a taste of home.  The vibe When Kelly, El Tom and Puskas teamed up to take over the keys of Corner 75, they called it a preservation project, wanting to pay homage to the neighbourhood icon and Australian migrant culture – similar to their work at Baba’s. At first glance, not much has changed. The windows still wear frilly, white-lace skirts. Hundreds of old photos, sports memorabilia and ornate items decorate the oxblood-red walls. A vintage chandelier twinkles from the centre. Tables are topped with crisp tablecloths. But there’s fresh energy, partly thanks to restaurant manager Alice Tremayne, who brings a friendly, relaxed aura and years of fine-dining cred (hello, Attica) to the floor. Tonight, they’ve a

✍️ 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 visiting Orange for a couple of days, I reckon there are a handful of truths. For one, you’re guaranteed to sip excellent cool-climate drops – the region produces some of NSW’s finest wine, after all. You’re also going to eat well: the regional city punches well above its weight, serving delicious, seasonal stuff grown down the road (case in point: Hey Rosey, winner of Time Out Sydney’s Best Regional Award 2025).  The third truth? You’re going to want to come back, and you might even start thinking about it before you hit the return road. And the last? You’re pretty much guaranteed to end up at Hotel Canobolas at some point. There are worse places to end your night. The vibe Hotel Canobolas is named after Mount Canobolas – an extinct volcanic mountain located nearby – but locals know it as The Nob. Established in the late 19th century and rebuilt in 1939 in an Art Deco style, it was the go-to place for VIPs visiting town, from politicians to royalty and celebrities. It’s still a cracking spot for both locals and out-of-towners to hang out, thanks in part to its primo location smack bang in the centre of town. The hotel and pub feature 45 rooms, plus a full bistro, pizza bar, sunny courtyard, front bar and a range of event spaces. There's also liv

What is it? A tiny, sunflower-yellow Vietnamese eatery on a Marrickville corner that specialises in banh cuon, a steamed rice noodle dish originating from northern Vietnam. Why we love it: These silky, slippery rice noodles are typically eaten for breakfast in Vietnam – but you can enjoy them all day at Banh Cuon Ba Oanh. They’re stuffed with ground pork and wood-ear mushrooms, and served with fresh herbs, crisp shallots and a bright, delicious nuoc cham so you can double-dip as you please.  Time Out tip: This place gets busy, so we recommend going at an off-peak time to score a table. Expect to pay: Around $15 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. RECOMMENED READS: These are the best cheap eats in Sydney. Check out our local's guide to Marrickville here.

Located by a picturesque river in Parramatta Park, Misc. is a 300-seat eatery open for brekkie, lunch and dinner. The light-flooded space, which is about a 40-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD or a 20-minute walk from Parramatta Ferry, caters to small groups up to big celebrations, so if you’ve got a special event coming up, get in touch with the team. Misc. is short for miscellaneous, which makes sense when you know the menu draws inspiration from all across the globe, mainly the Mediterranean and Middle East. Pop in during the morning for wood-fired pita bread with house-made olive oil, green chilli butter and parmesan, or a potato hash with cured salmon, remoulade, herb salad and a poached egg. The Mediterranean plate – with spice-rich sujuk, soft pita, creamy labneh, pickled cucumbers, and marinated tomatoes – is also a solid option, and bonus points for being big enough to share between two. Highlights on the lunch and dinner menu may include Sicilian-inspired tuna sashimi amped up with capers, orange, lemon, olive oil and chilli; octopus with potato and toum; and slow-roasted lamb shoulder with zhug, pita bread and cacik. Misc.’s ethos is a bit of this and a bit of that while being big on good food and good company. And you know what? That’s something we can get behind. Time Out tip: The folded schnitty, which features a succulent schnitty with sweet roasted toms, melted provolone, slaw for freshness and crunchy aioli, is banging. Get that. Stay in the loop: sign up for

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

It’s the day many Sydney Oasis fans have been waiting for – the Gallagher brothers played their first (critically acclaimed) Sydney show last night (Friday, November 7) at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park – and they're doing it all again tonight, Saturday, November 8.  For those lucky people who are going – pull out your bucket hats and Adidas trackies, and get your vocal cords ready to belt out 'Wonderwall'. Here's everything you need to know about tonight's Oasis Sydney shows. RELATED READ: These are the 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025. When are the Oasis Sydney shows? Oasis has already taken to the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park for their first concert on Friday, November 7, 2025, and they will perform their second and final Sydney show tonight – Saturday, November 8.  How to get to the Oasis Sydney concerts The show is going down at Accor Stadium, inside Sydney Olympic Park, which is well-connected to public transport (which is free for concert-goers – just flash your concert ticket). The easiest way to get to the concert is to catch a train from Central to Olympic Park station (they will be departing Central and also Strathfield every few minutes), and from there it’s a short walk to Accor Stadium. What time will Oasis come on stage in Sydney tonight? Gates open at 5.45pm, with support act Ball Park Music taking the stage at 7.15pm. Oasis won't hit the stage until around 8.45pm (and will perform for about two hours). What can I bring to the Oasi

From the desert to rainforests, idyllic coves and snow-capped peaks, Australia is home to incredibly diverse landscapes, which makes holidays in our own backyard that much more fun. It’s a tough job to crown the finest getaway regions in the country, but someone’s done it. The results of Australian Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 have just dropped, and it’s official: Australia’s best country escape is right here in NSW.  Photograph: Mudgeedefault Boasting more than 40 historic vineyards, heritage buildings, excellent farm-to-table restaurants and a charming, country-town vibe, Mudgee has been named Australia’s top getaway spot for the year. Located about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, this pretty region isn’t the place you come for just one night – and after a visit here, you’ll see why. Photograph: Supplied/The Zin House First time? I’d be making a reservation at The Zin House, a family-owned restaurant located on an organic farm in Mudgee that serves rainbow-hued produce in a Hannah Neeleman-style country house. Between courses, you’re encouraged to wander down to the vegetable garden, wine in hand, and admire the perfumed flowers and bountiful produce. After lunch, head to sibling winery Lowe Family Wine for a vino and cheese tasting. Photograph: Supplied/Lowe Family Wines Not sure where to stay? I’d recommend a few nights at this award-winning, adults-only NSW glamping stay, Sierra Escape. Not a big camper? Don’t worry – this luxe set-up is more

At Time Out Sydney, it’s our job to help people discover the best of the city – and further out across NSW – so we’re normally the ones giving recommendations. That said, we love getting hot tips from you, too. So we put it to you – what are your top recommendations for things-to-do venues, restaurants, bars, regional venues and arts & cultural spaces? Drum roll, please… these are your top Time Out Sydney Recommended People’s Choice picks for 2025:  Things to Do - People’s Choice: Club 9, North Strathfield Restaurant - People’s Choice: Island Radio, Redfern Bar - People’s Choice: Baptist Street Rec Club, Redfern Regional NSW venue - People’s Choice: Hotel Canobolas, Orange Arts & Culture venue - People’s Choice: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney   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. Want more recommendations? These are the best new restaurants in Sydney. These are all our favourite bars in Sydney. And here's our ultimate guide to 52 things to do in Sydney before you die.

Sydney is regularly lauded for its beauty and natural surrounds, but this year the city has also been celebrated for being one of the best cities in the world for culture. We wholeheartedly agree. It’s our job to help people discover the best of Sydney, so we’ve narrowed it down to 12 must-visit Sydney arts and cultural venues that our Time Out editors truly love. Check out what’s going on at our top Time Out Sydney Recommended Arts & Culture Venues for 2025:  Art Gallery of NSW Australian Museum Belvoir St Theatre Enmore Theatre Hayes Theatre MCA Old Fitz Theatre Riverside Theatres Roslyn Packer Theatre Sydney Opera House The Grand Electric White Rabbit Gallery Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best shows on Sydney stages now. These are the best art exhibitions to see in Sydney.

Sydney has it all – ocean baths, bathhouses, bowling clubs, pickleball clubs, golf clubs, historic cinemas, historic amusement parks, botanic parks, surf parks… And we’ve done it all. At Time Out it’s our job to help people discover the best of Sydney, so we’ve narrowed it down to 29 must-do Sydney experiences that our Time Out editors truly love – from free spots to paid experiences, some in the middle of the city and others further out. How many have you ticked off? Here are our top Time Out Sydney Recommended Things to Do for 2025:  Auburn Botanic Gardens, Auburn Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney BridgeClimb Sydney, The Rocks Burwood Chinatown, Burwood Camperdown Commons, Camperdown Cow and the Moon, Enmore Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, Petersham Fayshell, Bondi Junction Flight Club, The Rocks Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Surry Hills iFly Penrith, Penrith Let’s Go Surfing Bondi Beach, Bondi Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point Marrickville Golf Club, Marrickville Nature’s Energy (Balmain), Balmain One Playground Merrylands, Merrylands OzHarvest cooking classes, Alexandria Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham Phoenix Central Park, Chippendale Scenic World, Katoomba, Blue Mountains Soak Bathhouse, Alexandria Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee The Cipher Room, Newtown The Jar Pickleball Club, Pyrmont Tokyo Head Spa, Bondi Junction Urbnsurf, Olympic Park Vive Cooking School, Rosebery Wylie’s Baths, Coogee Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsl

NSW is a big, delicious state. We’re lucky to have a bit of everything – incredible wine regions like Orange and the Hunter Valley, beachy cities like Newcastle, the stunning Blue Mountains and Byron… oh, Byron. Our editors have travelled the state and narrowed it down to 11 regional NSW eateries that they truly love at the  moment – from fish and chips at Rosie’s to special occasion spots like Flotilla, and everything in between.  Where will you travel to eat next? Start sussing out these top Time Out Recommended NSW Venues for 2025:  Arno Deli, Newcastle Bar Heather, Byron Bay Flotilla, Wickham Frankie & Mo's, Blackheath Hey Rosey, Orange Humbug, Newcastle Iron Gate Kitchen, Pokolbin Milk Haus, Woodstock Rosie’s Fish & Chips, Coledale The Sir George, Jugiong The Zin House, Eurunderee Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. Looking for something closer to Sydney? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. And these are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

The world knows Sydney is beautiful – what a lot of people don’t realise is how delicious Sydney is. We’re lucky to have world-class restaurants and bars, across a huge diversity of cuisines and themes, using amazing produce. At Time Out, it’s our job to help people discover the best of Sydney, so we’ve narrowed it down to 32 restaurants and bars that our Time Out editors truly love – from affordable eats to special occasion spots, long-standing joints and hot newcomers.  Where will you eat next? Start sussing out these top Time Out Sydney Recommended Restaurants & Bars for 2025:  Ama, Surry Hills Albee's Kitchen, Campsie Banh Cuon Ba Oanh, Marrickville Bar Copains, Surry Hills Bar Planet, Newtown Cairo Takeaway, Newtown Chez Crix, Surry Hills Cho Cho San, Potts Point Chuck and Son's Brewing Co., St Peters Continental Deli Bar Bistro, Newtown Eat at ROBs, Rozelle Fontana, Redfern Fred's Providore, Cronulla Guildford Hotel, Guildford Island Dreams Cafe, Lakemba Jane, Surry Hills Mami’s Casa Latina, Bondi Medan Ciak, Sydney & Mascot Misc., Parramatta Nick & Nora's, Parramatta Pilu at Freshwater, Freshwater Porkfat, Haymarket Tan Viet Noodle House, Cabramatta The Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern The Cumberland, Manly The Dry Dock, Balmain The Imperial, Erskineville The Wine Bar at The International, Sydney CBD Ursula's, Paddington Village (by Wildflower Brewing & Blending & Mountain Culture), Marrickville Where's Nick, Marrickville Woodstock Hotel, Rooty Hill Stay in the loop: sign up

It's a truth universally acknowledged that NSW is home to some bloody good wine, and after the 2025 NSW Wine Awards that just went down, it's more clear than ever.   For everyone who likes a good drop, you'll be pleased to know that NSW's extensive wine community recently gathered together at the ICC Sydney for a big, splashy night of wine awards that were all about turning the spotlight onto the very best of NSW's winemakers.  A whopping 21 trophies were handed out to 13 different wineries, with wines from five different regions taking home prizes. Orange and the Canberra district were awarded five each, Riverina got two and Mudgee went home with one, but the top dogs in 2025 were unequivocally the Hunter Valley, taking home a wild eight trophies on the night.  The Hunter Valley has long been lauded as one of Australia's greatest wine regions, and on brand, it was the Hunter's own First Creek Wines who was awarded the top prize in 2025.  Photograph: Avril Treasure So, what's NSW's best wine, you may ask? None other than the 2023 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay, created by First Creek Wines – a family-owned and operated winery in Pokolbin – led by the current 2025 Halliday Winemaker of the Year, Liz Silkman. This drop was received enormously well, with wine chair judge Adam Walls describing this chardy as “standing alongside the best Chardonnays in Australia and one that captures all that is great about modern-day NSW Chardonnay". High praise indeed. First Creek

Sydney is home to many beautiful ocean pools – in fact, we’ve got more than anywhere else in the world, from the grid-worthy Bondi Icebergs to Fairy Bower Pool in Shelly Beach and Coogee’s heritage-listed McIver's Ladies Baths. They’re pretty spectacular when you think about it: ocean pools carved into natural rock and filled by the tides, offering swimmers a safe and scenic place to cool off, swim laps and play. Photograph: Anna Kucera And while they all have their salty charm, Aslings Beach Rock Pool, found in the rugged South Coast town of Eden, may be New South Wales’s most stunning ocean pool. Featuring clear turquoise-green waters, the large rectangular rock pool is hugged by dramatic pink and white cliffs. The rocks get their soft blush tones from the pink-hued granite that’s naturally found along this stretch of the Sapphire Coast. The striking scenery and stunning natural beauty of Aslings Beach Rock Pool, as well as the views of Twofold Bay's North Head, are well worth a road trip and a dip. How to get to Aslings Beach Rock Pool from Sydney It’s a bit of a drive from Sydney to Eden – about six hours – so take a couple of days off work and make a road trip out of it. Enjoy the journey by stopping at picturesque places like Wollongong, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay. Once you arrive at Aslings Beach, it’s a short walk along the soft golden sand to reach the rock pool. Note: the rock pool is not suitable for people with access needs. Photograph: Destination NSW What c

The city’s most fabulous annual celebration, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, has just dropped its massive 2026 program – and there’s a lot to look forward to. Come February, we’ll have an extraordinary celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, culture, community – and great, big, ridiculous parties to dive into. ‘Ecstatica’ is this year’s theme – evoking a world where joy becomes movement and celebration becomes power. Photograph: Jordan Munns “Ecstatica is about euphoria as resistance,” says Jesse Matheson, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “The idea that our joy is powerful, political and unstoppable. This year’s festival celebrates connection in all its forms: from streets to screens, from protest to party, and from one another to the world. It’s a celebration of who we are, what we’ve built, and the future we’re creating together.” “Sydney truly comes alive during Mardi Gras,” says Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO. “Our city sparkles with diversity, inclusion and love proudly on show. The City of Sydney is proud to support this globally significant celebration that brings our streets and our communities together. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Oxford Street to celebrate a festival that stands for joy, equality and belonging.” What is the date of Sydney Mardi Gras in 2026? The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns from February 13 to March 1, 2026. The jewel in the Mardi Gras crown, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, will

From a spectacular fine diner inside the Opera House to a fiery hole-in-the-wall Thai and a good-times Italian that got Taylor Swift’s tick of approval, Sydney is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, in our books. And we’re chuffed to see them get the recognition they deserve (here’s looking at you, Michelin). Now, the Tatler Best Awards – a global guide to the best destinations to dine, drink and stay while travelling – have just dropped. And for the first time ever, they’ve expanded to include the Asia-Pacific, with two Sydney spots recognised among the top 100 restaurants. Pop the Champagne. Photograph: Anna Kucera First up is Sydney favourite Ester, found in the backstreets of Chippendale. Helmed by chef-owner Mat Lindsay, the pioneering diner is known for its fire-charged produce, bold flavours, lo-fi wines and warm service. The fluffy potato bread alongside sour kefir and Aperol-coloured salmon roe is a cult Sydney dish, as is the blood sausage sanga on soft, pillowy bread. Speaking of Ester, the judges said: “Beneath the casual calm lies a kitchen fluent in flame, balance and quiet brilliance.” Time Out tip: If you’re a fan of Ester, check out Lindsay’s A.P Bread and Wine – his newest all-day diner in Darlinghurst. Also named one of the best restaurants in the Asia-Pacific region is Saint Peter, a Sydney stalwart cemented on Time Out’s best restaurants guide. Josh Niland's scale-to-tail seafood restaurant, found in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel, ha

We’ve just finished a bowl of handmade fettuccine coated in a fresh-tasting sauce made from zucchinis grown about 100 metres away, paired with a glass of bright and elegant chardonnay, when we’re told it’s time for our garden wander. And don’t worry, they tell us – we can bring our glasses of wine. Sounds good to me. Soon, we’re strolling past nearly-ripe citrus, bushes dotted with lava-red chillies, rows of fragrant basil and glistening-black baby eggplants. I can spot leeks standing tall in the ground, tiny sunset-coloured crab apples, ruby-red rhubarb, and hundreds of olives nearly ready to have a starring role alongside crumbly cheese. Growing and cooking food from the land is nothing new – and we’re seeing more and more diners embrace seasonal, local ingredients – but Mudgee restaurant The Zin House takes it one step further by only serving produce from their organic and biodynamic farm, Tinja, located on Wiradjuri land. If they don’t grow it, they don’t serve it (save for honeycomb, cheese, truffles, poultry and dairy they get from friends and neighbours). Even the lambs are raised on the nearby pasture. (Sorry, vegos.) The only setback? I would like to wander around the garden armed with vino every time I have lunch, please and thank you. The vibe The Zin House is a farm-to-table, family-owned restaurant overlooking the organic and biodynamic Lowe vineyard and farm – just a 14-minute drive from Mudgee in New South Wales. Helmed by head chef Kim Currie, the beautiful e