Elizabeth McDonald

Australia’s charming climates and picturesque landscapes are a recipe for some of the world’s finest wines. You’ll find more than 100 grapes grown across our leading wine regions, which are concentrated in South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, NSW’s Hunter Valley, Victoria’s Yarra Valley and beyond. You could spend weeks jumping between cellar doors in each region, sipping fine wines all day long – but that’s probably not entirely sensible. Why not start with our 30 top picks, and take it from there? Whether you opt to journey as part of a group or embark on an impromptu self-guided tour, these are the wineries to uncork. RECOMMENDED: Plan your winery tour around a meal at one of Australia’s best restaurants.

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? Absolutely not. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their fair share of the city's yum cha (and then some). Below, you'll find our definitive 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. Love Chinese food? Us too. These are the best Chinese restaurants in town. Still hungry? These are the best restaurants in Sydney

From specialty Sichuan spots to hot Cantonese kitchens, Sydney has some seriously great Chinese restaurants. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this curated and up-to-date list. So whether you want to go all out and explore regional cuisines, sit down for yum cha, grab some takeaway barbecue duck or hand-thrown noodles, you'll find your spot here. These are the best Chinese restaurants Sydney has to offer – we're hungry just thinking about them.  Recommended: Here are the tastiest cheap eats in Sydney right now Check out the best Italian joints in Sydneytown

Autumn 2024 update: Hey autumn, so glad you’re here, with your still-pleasant weather, fresh air and gorgeous leaves. Sydney’s dining scene is as red-hot as ever, and this guide is the place to start. 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 local editors and critics who have tasted their way through Sydney, including Time Out's Food & Drink 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. Our picks right now include the hot new diner from the Bentley crew, King Clarence, seafood haven Saint Peter, NY-style steakhouse Clam Bar, fiery Thai joint Pork Fat, and gorgeous trattoria Palazzo Salato. (Be sure to check out our guide to Sydney's best new restaurants, too.) Happy dining, Sydney. RECOMMENDED READS: After a drink? Check out our favourite bars in Sydney. Or: Our list of the best cheap eats.

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 critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have curated this list for every palate, at every price point. Bottoms up. Can't get enough of that boozy stuff? Check out the absolute best bars in Sydney here.

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And white Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, and down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce, choosing simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes, and cooking food with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are a wealth of excellent options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s editors and critics, including our Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining restaurants – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

Why spend a Sunday tackling house chores when you could be out at the pub partaking in one of the all-time great weekend feasting traditions? Let the pros take care of the cooking and make yourself comfortable at one of these ace pubs that celebrate English charm over the colder months. Cater to those hibernation cravings and get stuck in to legs of lamb with mint jelly, hearty slices of roast beef, crisp-skinned chook, nourishing root veggies and greens, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, and gravy. Lots and lots of gravy. Whatever your preferred cut, there's a top pub roast out there for you – and hopefully a pint of something nice to go alongside it.  Down for more cold-weather fun? Check out these Sydney pubs with toasty fireplaces.

Virtually every suburb in Sydney can boast a world-class eatery (or several), but none rival the CBD for the sheer number of exceptional dining options on offer. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have cherry-picked the best tables to book in the heart of the city, whether you're stepping out for a business lunch, a pre-show bite, or a swanky degustation. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED READS: Want something a little more casual? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in the city. Nightcap anyone? Polish off your meal with a drink at one of these fine cocktail bars. 

Maybe it's signalled by a glimmer of light under a door. Perhaps a queue in an alley that makes you take pause to wonder what the fuss is all about. Or is it the sound of revelry drifting up a flight of stairs in the distance that lures you in? Whatever it is, there's something about the pursuit of getting to a hidden bar – the build-up of anticipation or the knowledge that a drink is somewhere, out there, waiting for you – that we all just can't help but love. Whether they're up high or down below, some of Sydney's very best bars are not all that easy to find. In fact, you've probably walked straight past a few without even knowing they existed. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food and Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have searched for the best hidden bars – and here are the ones you'll have to hunt the hardest for.  Prefer to be out in the open? The best rooftop bars in Sydney might be your best bet, but there are a whole lot of waterfront bars and ace beer gardens worthy of your attention, too. 

No one is pretending that cocktails are a cost-effective way to relax or party in Sydney. In a city where a $25 cocktail isn't an uncommon price tag, you really want to know that what's in your glass has been shaken and stirred by the best in the business. Here, Time Our Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have put together a list of the best places for cocktails in Sydney that you can always trust to give you an outstanding drink in exchange for your hard-earned. You're welcome.  Want something a bit stiffer? Try one of the the best bars in Sydney. Or still hungry? Try one of Sydney's best cheap eats. Or head up to one of Sydney's best rooftop bars.

While manic repetition of squats, lunges, sprints and push-ups is one way to stay healthy and rev your engine with endorphins, some fitness fans prefer a more left-of-field sweat sesh than what a gym or an aggressive bootcamp can provide. These unusual workouts let you dance, bounce, swing and climb your way to a healthier you, and you'll have a ball getting there. If you can’t make it to a class (or are yet to stock up on the requisite glow sticks) you can make jogging fun along these scenic running routes in Sydney. Then, cool off in the salty embrace of our favourite ocean pools. After all that hard work, why not treat yourself? Check out Sydney's best spas. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.  

There are times when dining among strangers in the atmospheric clatter of a restaurant is just what you’re after. Then there are times when that simply won’t do, and what you’d really like is a private room with your people. Ideally that room isn't in your own house, either – it's in one of Sydney’s best restaurants, where a team of trained professionals does the heavy lifting. Happily, that is entirely achievable. From the laidback saltwater vibes of the Bathers’ Pavilion to the perfected polish of Quay, to the rollicking good times at Hubert, here’s a handy list of the best private dining rooms in Sydney. Book one for your next office function, big celebration – or when you just don’t feel like doing the dishes. Going out for dinner with a smaller group? Check out Sydney's best restaurants. Prefer dining in the great outdoors? Have a look at the best places for a picnic in Sydney.

February 2024 update: Surry Hills' dimly-lit and handsome bar and bistro The Rover has joined together, now offering the same European-leaning food and excellent drinks across both levels. The Rover – which is by Liquid & Larder group, the team who brought us the steak-slinging likes of Bistecca and The Gidley – is also now open on Mondays, has a permanent happy hour, and night owls will be happy to know food is served until 10pm. But that’s not all – you can now order The Gidley’s famous burger – and one of the best burgers in Sydney – at The Rover. Think: double beef patties with sharp cheddar and house pickles on a soft bun. Plus, The Rover’s hits, like freshly shucked oysters with Champagne mignonette; the eel pate with horseradish jelly and glazed crumpets; and the must-order fisherman’s pie with smoked trout and potato gratin, will remain on the menu. If it’s been a while between drinks and snacks, come on down to The Rover. You know what to order already. - Avril Treasure Read on for our review of The Rover by Elizabeth Mcdonald from 2022. ***** Some things never change, and for that we are grateful. However, sometimes a change is just as good as a holiday. Case in point: the Rover. Toasting goodbye to its wilder days of foot-stomping shenanigans, whisky-centric speakeasy the Wild Rover is now full-grown and pretty darn sexy, reflecting the maturing drinking and dining scene of our town. Following a top-to-bottom refurb, the Surry Hills bar has come back as a sophist

If you can't think of anything better than handheld food and a couple of brewskies with the broskies, have we got news for you. Local favourite Willie the Boatman has curated a festival with all your favourite breweries, food trucks and market stalls, plus a ridiculously big jumping castle and free face painting for the kids. You can even bring your pooch. This year marks ten years of the booze-loving shindig – and it's set to be ace. For the low, low price of just $15, you'll be chugging suds by Willie the Boatman, as well as beers from regional breweries including the Central Coasts' Six String Brewing, Wollongong's Seeker Brewing, Gerringong's Stoic Brewing and Mortdale's Social Brewers. Tasty food trucks will keep your hunger in check, with confirmed meals-on-wheels including That's Amore, Satay Brothers, Jinny Burger, Chips on a Stick, Volkswurst, Vejoes and Mate Mexicano. Get your groove on to some live tunes from 11am until 5pm by classic bar band the Pragmatics who will be playing a massive set of all-party crowd favourites. Want to check out more of Sydney's best craft breweries? Here's the cream of the crop These are the best bars in Sydney right now Love pubs? Us too. Check out the best of the very best

July 2023 update: Pioneering restaurant Tetsuya’s was meant to be closing its doors in a few weeks' time after 22 years of service, as its building is slated to be redeveloped. Now, the fine-dining restaurant has announced it’s staying open for a bit longer and will be taking reservations beyond August. So, if you’ve always wanted to experience the magic of Tetsuya’s – and taste the famed confit ocean trout for yourself – this is your chance. A statement on Tetsuya’s Instagram said: “We are delighted to announce that reservations have been released for dine-in beyond August 2023 at our Kent Street Sydney location. Reservations can be made via our website. Please note that the reopening of the restaurant at our new location has been delayed. Stay tuned for updates on our socials and website.” We're not sure how long the OG Tetsuya’s will be open for, or when Tetsuya’s 2.0 will be here. But like all good things, nothing can last forever. We recommend you check out this trailblazing spot now while you can. -Avril Treasure ***** Read on for our review of Tetsuya’s from August 2022. When chef Tetsuya Wakuda and his team first swung open the doors of Tetsuya’s back in Rozelle in 1989, it sent shockwaves through the Sydney dining scene. With unconventional textures, exceptional flavours, reverent ceremony and a price tag to match, Tetsuya’s arrived with a splash and secured a place among the best restaurants not only in Australia, but the world. A move to a gated compound on Kent St

July 2023 update: When Time Out first reviewed the Blue Door back in August 2022, we said: “The Blue Door’s wine list is curated by general manager (and ray-of-sunshine incarnate) Angelica Nohra, and is almost entirely Australian, heavily focusing on the diversity of wine from all over NSW.” Now, the Blue Door’s stellar vino list has been recognised (for the second year running) in the 2023 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards, with the team taking home the award for 2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue, with less than 60 seats. Run by the NSW Wine Industry Association, and spanning eight categories, these prestigious wine awards aim to shine a light on excellent NSW-based sommeliers and venues with killer wine lists that support local winemakers, and showcase NSW’s great and diverse drops. So, if you need any more reason to make a booking (and drink wine) at the Blue Door – take this as your sign. And, you can check out all the winners here. Congrats, team. Read on for our review of the Blue Door by Elizabeth McDonald from August 2022.  *****   For the team at the Blue Door, it’s all about giving back more than what they’ve taken. Chef Dylan Cashman’s entire ethos is about grass-roots operations, literally. The ambitious and innovative 24-seat restaurant on Waterloo Street places sustainability on the same rung as deliciousness, and Cashman is as exacting in his ethics as he is in his execution. From the heritage wheat sourced from the tiny 400 person town of North Star,

Sydney has scored a big-ticket rooftop bar atop the historic Mitchell Building at the State Library, taking full advantage of the stunning vista from one of Sydney's most prized locations. The secreted away spot has been a favoured staff lunch spot since the 1940s and now, thankfully, the team have decided to share it with the rest of us.The bar is divided into three sections; the observation deck offers a panorama of the harbour and across the Domain. Enjoy open-air sunset cocktails with friends in the spacious courtyard before the city skyline lights up the night, or find a spot inside at the front of the bar for some old world charm. A mix of plush cocktail chairs, banquette seating and small bar tables are arranged around a baby grand piano, and if you're lucky there might be a player tickling the ivories on the weekend. Entry to the bar is cloaked in mystique, with guests entering via giant 1930s timber arch doors where visitors are then ushered through hidden areas of the library before being delivered into the venue by lift four floors up. The simple bar menu aims to highlight NSW as much as possible and that’s evident through cocktails like the Library Martini using Rosebery’s Archie Rose gin, the Hunter Valley’s Margan Vermouth and even the garnish coming from Alto Olives of the Southern Tablelands. The Library has also teamed up with Staves Brewery in Glebe for a Library Bar signature rale ale, one of the many beers from an offering that pledges to be 100% NSW brews

May 2023 update: It’s a lazy Saturday afternoon and you get a text from Jane. She’s in the mood for a tipple with some snacks. Luckily, you’re in the know. Text Jane to meet you at 478 Bourke St for their brand new Australiano hour. This local gem has teamed up with the award-winning Rhubi Mistelle  – a Victorian-crafted rhubarb aperitif – on one of the happiest hours in town. Every weeknight from 5 to 6pm, and with extended hours of 4 to 6pm on weekends, you can sip through Jane’s drinks list, complemented by a solid selection of Australian-focused snacks. The fun starts at $6 with Jane’s top-selling Australiano cocktail featuring Rhubi Mistelle, Regal Rouge vermouth, bitter citrus and mandarin; a tall and refreshing Rhubi and Soda; a classic G&T; an all-Aussie VB; or a chilled red from Jilly’s Wine Co. When you need something a little stronger after work, there’s also the Jane Martini featuring White Possum Gin for $10. Jane hits the nail on the head for happy hour snacks, with $2 Sydney rock oysters and $6 light bites including duck croquettes, ebi prawn brioche toast, and Jane's take on the Gilda, with layers of marinated sardines, kingfish nduja, green olives and pickled native lime. For $15, you can also sample some of Jane’s house specialities, like the lamb dumplings with saltbush, chilli and yogurt or the Kangaroo tartare with pickled cucumber, bush tomato harissa and potato.  Jane is sure to become a regular here. We don’t blame her – it’s hard to pass up happy hour

The only thing better than a tonne of French cheese is a tonne of French cheese that’s free. Correct: free.  From Thursday, June 1 to Saturday, June 3, the Cargo Hall at Circular Quay will be home to Bon Fromage – a three-day cheese festival presented by the French Dairy Interbranch Organisation in conjunction with the European Union. Over the weekend, curd nerds will be able to sample some of France’s finest cheeses from a 60-metre tasting table with over 20 varieties of cheese, and take part in a series of complimentary masterclasses and demonstrations from Sydney’s best cheesemongers, with topics ranging from drinks pairings to comparative tastings and cheese history.  You’ll be able to feast on melted raclette, creamy Camembert and nutty, soft Comté, along with a whole host of others, on top of getting the chance to sample cheesy-street food from a variety of food stalls on site. You'll get to sample the likes of Emmental filled crepes, Triple Cream choux profiteroles, Comté croquemonsieurs, and fried Camembert skewers, along with a whole lot of other cheese-centered excellence.  There will also be six bars across the space to ensure you have the perfect bevvy pairing for your cheesy snacks – and, of course, there will be kilos of French cheese available for purchase. At night, the venue will become a French disco. Francophile fromage fans can get down to a live DJ, with the harbourside vibes set to buzz with French jazzy tunes and all-round good times.  Also, in case yo

April 2023 update: Good news for fellow booze hounds: Marrickville brewery Wildflower Brewing and Blending is now making their own beers on site after. Come along and try out the 13 rotating beers on tap (though, maybe not on the same day), as well as the extensive cellar list filled with hundreds of aged bottles of beers. Plus, there’s funky wine and non-alcoholic drinks for those in your crew who are cutting back. All that drinking is hungry work, so thankfully there is a new kitchen serving tasty food run by the legends at A.P. Bakery – another reason to swing by. Read on for our review of Wildflower Brewing and Blending from 2019  ***** There seems to be a brewery on every other block in Marrickville by now, but there’s something a bit different going on at Wildflower Brewing and Blending. Dotted around this charming, rustic cellar door are bunches of native flowers, an omnipresent reminder of co-founders Topher Boehm and Chris Allen’s dedication to their local ethos. It looks like the perfect setting for an outback soirée, albeit a little more refined: corrugated iron walls and burnished wooden furniture drive home the Australiana vibe, and stacks of barrels – some hidden behind canvas, others in plain sight – quietly cradle ageing brews. While many breweries now try their hand at barrel-ageing, the crew at Wildflower are breathing new life into this old technique and leading the charge for its revival. This is not a brewery in the traditional sense. Boehm makes his wor

Sydney’s Cantonese offering went up a notch in 2022 with the opening of Jinja, a killer Asian restaurant for when the mood strikes, which, to be fair, could be breakfast, lunch or dinner any day of the week. Found within the Governor Hotel in Macquarie Park, Jinja is named for owner and entrepreneur, local Sydney legend Jinghua (more often dubbed “Jinja” due to her obsession with ginger spice), the muse of Sydney-based artist Ronnie Samuels, whose paintings pepper the restaurant space. Leaning hard into food-meets-style, Jinja is all about super traditional dishes like gentle steamed market fish with shallots and, of course, ginger; crisp Peking duck; and honey glazed Kurobuta pork; as well as a few less conventional numbers like lobster san choy bao; truffled spring rolls; and prawn mousse fried brioche. Now, seven months after opening, the team has launched a yum cha offering, created by hatted chef Sebastian Tan (Silks). Featuring over 30 plates of traditional Cantonese brunch dishes and dim sum hits, the new menu is available weekly for lunch, Wednesday through Sunday. Order fluffy pork buns; pork and chive dumplings; crispy-skinned Cantonese roast duck; and honey glazed char siu pork. Of course, Chinese pastries will be served (custard buns, we’ve got our eyes on you), and for an additional $5 you can pair the plates with bottomless Keemun black tea, a famed black drink with a light aroma and sweet, toasted notes. If you come along with a group of four or more, which, l

  The folks that brought us Love, Tilly Devine, Ragazzi and Dear Sainte Èloise have set the standard pretty darn high in terms of Sydney wine bars (and the snacks aren't bad either). Their latest venture is a Catalan-inspired watering hole that isn't taking itself too seriously.  La Salut is a joint venture between the Love Tilly Group and newly launched hospitality and accommodation group the people_ (helmed by Paul Schulte and Andrew Taylor). It aims to be a little piece of Catalonia in the heart of Redfern, with all the colour and vibrancy that comes along with it. The 40-seat venue features blushing earthy tones and polished concrete, with outdoor dining along Walker Street.  Waiters will encourage you to start with a tipple from the extensive range of vermouths, and when in Rome (or Catalonia, as it were) it's not a bad way to kick off. Here, the fortified vino comes poured over ice, with three anchovy-stuffed olives and a little bottle of sparkling water, so you can choose your own adventure. While La Salut is, for all intents and purposes, a wine bar – there's even an adjoining bottle shop where the old pokies room was – make sure you come hungry. The former sports bar corner of the Norfolk Hotel cleverly utilises the tiny space by churning out brilliantly simple, little dishes that largely come out of a tin. But don't feel shortchanged – Europe, and more recently Sydney at large has come to recognise that some of the best things in life need fewer flourishes and more

Grab your shin-grazer jeans and tie-dye shirts! California quartet the Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced a 2023 tour Down Under. The tour kicks off in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium and hits Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on February 7 and 9, 2023. The tour is to promote the band's new album, Unlimited Love, which we're betting approximately zero people are there to hear, but in excellent news, musical genius John Frusciante will be re-joining the band and playing songs from across the group's prolific 40-year career. Along for the ride is mumble-rapper and face tattoo enthusiast Austin Richard Post, aka Post Malone, who is known for mixing genres, much like the Chili Peppers themselves, and we reckon it'll be worth the price of admission just to see the confused looks on the crowd's faces. General public tickets are on sale now. If you prefer your music local, check out our pick of the best gigs happening in Melbourne this month.

If you've even been to a Cirque du Soleil show, you've probably been ushered into a bigtop or an arena to watch the ultra-limber Montreal-based acrobats perform gravity-defying and breathtaking acts of magic. The circus company has been touring and delighting for years, and now, they've taken to the ice. For the first time in the company's history – and a first for Australian audiences – Cirque du Soleil: Crystal will head Down Under and onto the frosty stage. Kicking off in NZ on June 16, the death-defying show will head over to Brissy on July 21. The story follows the show's namesake, Crystal, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through the age old medium of bendy dance. The show, which has toured other parts of the world, features remastered pop songs, including Beyoncé's 'Halo', U2's 'Beautiful Day', Nina Simone's 'Sinnerman' and Sia's 'Chandelier', yet another first for the company. The sub-zero show has toured 115 cities world-wide to an audience of more than 1.8 million dazzled onlookers, and now – we finally get a taste. Head to the show's website here to get more information and to book your tickets. Don't forget a jacket.

April 28, 2023 Update: Restaurant food delivery service Providoor, which launched during one of Sydney's lockdowns, bringing joy to many bored food lovers. Now, in a statement on the company’s website, founder Shane Delia said Providoor would be placed in liquidation, and could no longer accept new orders. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Providoor, a business borne out of the very worst days the hospitality industry has ever seen,” he wrote. “While today is a very sad day, I am proud of Providoor and what it has achieved. We served more than one million meals and built something that made a difference during some very dark days.” Read on for more info about Providoor, which we wrote when they first launched. ***** Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The bad news is that Sydney’s extended lockdown doesn’t seem to have an end in sight, with case numbers on the rise and the community adjusting again to the new normal of life indoors. The good (great) news however is that premium meal delivery service Providoor is expanding and now Sydneysiders have access to more top-tier restaurants than ever before. Since its founding in March 2020 by Melbourne-based chef, Shane Delia (Maha, Maha Bar and Maha East) Providoor has been delivering meals from some of the best restaurants in Melbourne including Longrain, Cumulus Inc, Maha, Entrecôte, Supernormal and Gingerboy to customers stuck inside and missing that special dining experience.  Joining the fle

It seems the buttery, flaky Gods have answered our hungry prayers: In news that just dropped, Melbourne's famous bakery, Lune, is set to open two Sydney stores. News broke in March that the first-ever Sydney store was opening in Darlinghurst in the new Oxford and Foley precinct sometime this year. Now, we’ve heard the purveyors of those golden beauties will set up a second shop in Martin Place. Croissant before work? Hell yeah.  While we don’t have an exact opening date for Lune Sydney number two, we know it will be in 2024. The banging bakery and café will be found at the new Sydney Metro Martin Place precinct, which is currently being transformed into a dining and retail wonderland.  In case you missed it, Lune Croissanterie, which is run by brother-sister team Kate and Cameron Reid, have been heralded as some of the best in the world, with fans queuing around the block at their Fitzroy and South Brisbane shops. In fact, New York Times food critic Oliver Strand said the croissants “may be the finest you will find anywhere in the world.” Now it's finally time for Sydney to have its own taste of those unbelievable layered goods. Of course, we'll keep you updated about opening dates.  Recommended: Start the morning on the right now with Sydney's finest cafés Cult bakery Lode Pies and Pastries has opened a new glorious bakery at Sydney Place down by Circular Quay Eat your way around town with Sydney's best pies

Beloved cult restaurant, Ron's Upstairs, on Redfern Street has announced via an Instagram post on April 19 that they will be bidding a fond farewell, causing tantrums and stages of grief to ripple across Sydney (and the Time Out office).  The kitsch first-floor eatery burst onto the scene back in 2018, maintaining much of the décor of the Thai restaurant that occupied the space for decades before the Arcadia Liquor and Redfern Continental team took over. The delightfully retro dining room with a menu that lists gently in the direction of the European continent is like a ‘70s-toned holiday snap from your parents’ photo album, complete with plastic grapevines looped across the walls, fairy lights, big round tables and comfy straight-backed dining chairs. The brown, orange and green colour scheme set the tone for the vintage fantasy with a very modern menu.  The final service will be on Saturday May 7, so don't miss your last chance to get some of that deadly garlic toum, whatever genius incarnation of occy is being served up, and a very serious wine on the pour by the ultra-friendly team. RIP Ron's, you will be missed. Get out there and support Sydney's other great restaurants. Check out our favourites here.

Returning bigger and better, the multi-level heritage-listed Abercrombie has undergone an incredible transformation, with three venues now under the one roof to create one big party palace that will open in December. On the ground floor is the Abercrombie’s incredible performance and club space, public bar and beer garden, which should flood a few elder millennials' brains with memories. The rave-cave of yesteryear will play host to some of the best party crews in Sydney – including House of Mince, Sweat it Out, Future Classic, Purple Sneakers and Motorik – to put on an incredible, curated roster of events. With the reopening comes a 24-hour licence, so expect some epic, non-stop parties. Venture upstairs to Casa Rosa, a playful, late-night Italo-disco cocktail lounge and rooftop terrazza with DJs. Then sidle into the adjoining terraces, which expand the footprint of the new Abercrombie, for an aperitivo wine bar and shop, Lil Sis, also open until the early hours. To mark the opening, the Abercrombie, FKA "Scabbers", is getting ready for a 36-hour party, kicking off at 5pm on December 23 and running non-stop until 5am on Christmas Day. Look forward to a packed line-up of some of Australia’s best tastemakers, including Mike Who, Andy Garvey, Ayebatonye and Dameeela. Closing out the year, hit up a seven-day run of events from Boxing Day through to New Year's Day. International heavyweights Webbha and Jaytech (Anjunabeats) join a stacked NYD party; record label 'Sweat It Out' re

What a day to be a sports fan! Licensed NSW venues will be allowed to stay open if they are broadcasting the soccer (fine, football). The NSW Government has granted special trading extensions from midnight til 5am so that Sydneysiders can watch grown men run around for a while and sometimes score a goal! The extended trading hours will also apply to the World Cup final, with venues able to open from 10pm on December 18, through to 5am on December 19. It's basically government permission to pull an all-nighter. Bloody, cheers as to that! Is your local showing the FIFA World Cup? Check out which Sydney venues are gonna be up all night here.

In exciting news for the Sydney drinking and dining scene, twenty food and beverage operators have been announced today, November 29, as retailers at Sydney Place, a new vibrant precinct in one of Sydney’s most-loved waterfront destinations, Circular Quay. Some of Australia’s most recognisable and awarded chefs, restaurateurs and lifestyle retailers will open from March 2023 across the intimate laneways of Sydney Place. Renowned tenants include chef Federico Zanellato’s (Lumi Dining), much-loved pie and pastry store, Lode Pies; sophisticated rotisserie chicken shop, Sunday by chef Morgan McGlone (ex-Belles Hot Chicken); and a Japanese-inspired whiskey bar and dining by Joel Best of Besuto. They will be joined by Toby’s Estate, Kosta’s, Malay Chinese Noodle Bar, BoBo Dumplings, Toastiesmith and many more of Sydney’s casual dining favourites in some of the city’s newest laneways. The news of these quality food and beverage operators opening follows the announcement earlier this year of the much-anticipated rebirth of Jacksons on George by Maurice Terzini and DTLE, now set to open in mid-2023. Sydney Place also comprises a landmark 55-storey office tower designed by one of the world’s leading architecture firms, Foster + Partners. The 263-metre tower has officially completed construction and taken the title of Sydney’s tallest office building. At the base of the office tower, the precinct will include retail, community experience and intimate laneways, all designed to enhance th

Petty news today from the animal kingdom: a lyrebird at Taronga Zoo has been blasting the "evacuate now" alarm with eerie accuracy since the lions escaped their enclosure less than two weeks ago. Though according to an interview on ABC Radio with an expert on lyrebird language, the sardonic bird has been singing the alarm for some time: "The zoo and a lyrebird expert have thrown cold water on the reports, and say the bird is actually making the sound of the fire alarm – something it's done for years." It doesn't make the bird's antics any less amusing. The bird has swapped out its usual mimic of a baby crying for the blood-chilling alarm that also sounded when five lions slipped out of their exhibit around 6.30am on November 2. The lyrebird even has an Australian accent. Lyrebirds are one of nature's most impressive (and petty) mimickers and have been recorded copying sounds of construction, car alarms, other bird-folk like kookaburras, and now, the sound that will continue to send shivers down zoo handlers' backs for years to come. Shine on, you crazy diamond. May we all aspire to this level of deep-cuts. Want to get up close and personal with some of Sydney's wildest? Check out our top picks of where to see animals around town.

The unstoppable trio behind Pellegrino 2000 and Bistrot 916 are set to take over the coveted Art Deco-style Bridge Room space on York Street in a pretty slick homage to New York's steakhouses and grills. The yet-to-be-named new venue will be serving up superb steaks for two, whole turbot grilled over coals, and (praise be) a shrimp cocktail, complete with iceberg lettuce and pink sauce. This will be the third restaurant Dan Pepperell, Mikey Clift and Andy Tyson have opened in as many years, and we are absolutely here for it. Known for nouveau approaches to Italian and French fare – and some absolutely killer wines to boot – the dream team are quickly becoming some of Sydney's most recognisable and respected restaurateurs, with both Bistrot 916 and Pellegrino 2000 housing some of the most coveted seats in town.  The Bridge Room is a highly prized and stunning location, with expansive windows and classic Art Deco features, and we reckon it'll be the perfect spot to throw back a few oysters and a Martini or two come February next year. Don't wanna miss a thing? Check out our top picks of the best new restaurants in Sydney right here.

Hundreds of confirmed Covid-positive passengers disembarked into Sydney from cruise ship Majestic Princess over the weekend. On Saturday, November 12, approximately 800 of the ship's 4,400 passengers and crew were confirmed to have the virus. The passengers were instructed to not take public transport upon disembarking. The Majestic Princess had just completed a 12-night cruise to New Zealand and back to Circular Quay around 6am. The operator, Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement: "All guests disembarking have undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours, which will determine how they will disembark the ship." The statement also confirmed all positive cases (around 20 per cent of the ship's population) were kept separate from negative passengers while disembarking. While isolation for Covid-positive cases have been scrapped across NSW, don't forget the ways we can limit the spread and keep vulnerable members of the community safe. Everyone should observe social distancing where possible, keep hands sanitised, and stay home if you have those two lines on your RAT. Ya' know. Feeling sicky? Here's our guide to having the perfect date night at home.

One of the first restaurants to open at the Barangaroo precinct back in 2016, Bel & Brio, has this week had its doors shuttered amid an ongoing lease dispute with landlords, Lendlease, with a staggering $1.8m in owed rent outstanding. Restaurateur Mark Richardson said in a statement to The Daily Telegraph that he was "blindsided" by Lendlease's decision to board the venue up on October 29, despite falling behind on rent payments for at least the last two years. “We’ve been in negotiations and mediations… to get the fee to something reasonable, however Lendlease had enough and pulled the plug and so they should have,” he told The Daily Telegraph. Staff of the restaurant claim they knew the venue was in dire straits and say they have not received paycheques for several weeks.  Richardson has assured them he is working towards getting the 140 staff what they are owed. "It is a shame for staff but I’ve lost the most. I’ve lost eight years and $11 million." Richardson at this stage has no intention of re-entering the restaurant business, citing the pandemic and the work-from-home culture that many CBD workers have adopted, opting for work/life balance rather than commuting daily. At the time of writing, reservations for the restaurant have been suspended until January 2023, but purchases can still be made on the Bel & Brio online market. Want to get more insights into the crazy Sydney hospitality business? Check out our Chef's Specials interview series here.

Stop the presses! Very big news has come to the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville! On Monday, November 7, the brewery named for the former Australian prime minister and beer enthusiast unveiled (or rather, unpeeled) arguably their biggest accomplishment to date. How? By way of a giant, animatronic golden prawn.  Affectionately dubbed "Shane Prawn" the crustacean is the crown jewel of the Centre's bistro, the Lucky Prawn. The dramatic deveining also marked the venue's first ever Monday service, a permanent addition which means you can cop an eye-full every day of the week. Sure, the brewery may have donated nearly half a million bucks to Land Care Australia, and yeah the team may have given away free slabs of beer to encourage people to get Covid-19 vaccinations, but frankly we reckon their greatest contribution to the community is the fact that the Big Prawn's arms move. Be gently swayed into a trance by your new arthropod overlord while smashing a schooner and a succulent Chinese meal. The prawn demands it. And we thought the Inner West suburb couldn't get any cooler!

The Inner West Council this week has unanimously voted to grant heritage listings to 27 pubs across Balmain, Leichhardt, Newtown, Petersham, Marrickville, Rozelle, Annandale, Enmore and Lewisham, joining the existing 31 pubs already listed. Mayor Darcy Byrne said on the progressive decision: "Our pubs are community institutions, many of which have been serving local patrons for more than a century. "It’s time for new heritage protections to make sure that our Inner West pub culture is still here for another 100 years to come."  The heritage listing ensures that not only do the facades of the pubs have to remain intact, but many elements of the interiors that identify the venues as pubs must remain.  So, what new pubs will be added to the heritage list? Annandale Hotel, AnnandaleNorth Annandale Hotel, AnnandaleUnity Hall Hotel, BalmainThe Balmain Hotel, BalmainDick’s Hotel, BalmainCat & Fiddle Hotel, BalmainTown Hall Hotel, BalmainCricketers Arms Hotel, BalmainEast Village Hotel, Balmain EastThe Milestone Hotel, LeichhardtVic on the Park Hotel, MarrickvilleThe Royal Exchange Hotel, MarrickvilleWebsters Bar, NewtownKelly’s on King, NewtownSandringham Hotel (former), NewtownCarlisle Castle Hotel, NewtownLivingstone Hotel, PetershamBridge Hotel, RozelleThe Welcome Hotel, Rozelle3 Weeds Hotel, RozelleSackville Hotel, RozelleGarry Owen Hotel, RozelleNative Rose Hotel, RozelleLewisham Hotel, LewishamWarren View Hotel, EnmoreDuke of Enmore Hotel, EnmoreQueens Hotel, Enmore  What doe