Sydney’s best charcoal chicken has just been crowned after a city-wide taste test

If you’ve been driving to work or doing the school drop-off lately, chances are you heard 2DayFM show Breakfast with Nath & Emma running a very important debate: Which chicken shop makes the best charcoal chicken in Sydney?

Over three glorious weeks of chicken-fuelled discussion, Sydneysiders were asked to vote for their ultimate chicken shop – from beloved neighbourhood gems to big name favourites. Of course, everybody had an opinion and, just like the charcoal chicken, things got fiery.

Even famous names weighed in with their picks. While The Kid Laroi loved Clem’s Chicken in Newtown, Kelli Holiday declared The Char, Bondi as his fave, Guy Sebastian enjoyed Il Chooko in Maroubra and chef Matt Moran swore by The Rooster in Katoomba.

Once the votes were counted, seven top contenders were locked in – and things got delicious. Radio hosts Nath and Emma recruited 30 2DayFM listeners (and self-confessed charcoal chicken fans) to hop onto a bus for the all-important 'Chicken Shop Showdown' – a taste-testing tour across Sydney. Their mission? Visit every finalist, eat their way through mountains of charcoal chicken, and then crown the chook champion.

After a full day of chicken sampling (a tough job, but someone had to do it), the verdict was in. Char’d Chicken in Belfield took the crown, officially named Sydney’s best charcoal chicken live on air by 2Day FM. Says host Emma Chow, "It’s not a little bit better – it’s a 100 per cent better. It is the best chicken I’ve ever had."

Char’d Chicken, Belfield is run by James Estephan, cousin of the Estephan family behind El Jannah. According to him, the magic is all in the marinade. So next time it’s Wednesday night and cooking feels like far too much effort, or it's the weekend and you’re hunting for the perfect post-drinks bite, you know where to go. Winner–winner, chicken dinner, indeed.

The finalists were:

1. Char’d – Belfield
2. Chargrill Charlie’s – Marrickville
3. Oricco – Dulwich Hill
4. Hawa Chicken – Granville
5. El Jannah – Granville
6. Chickanji – Wetherill Park
7. La Mono – Merrylands 

Check them out here.

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