These are Sydney's 5 favourite restaurants and bars for 2026, according to locals' votes

Sydney diners have had their say – and in record numbers. More than 10,000 votes were cast in this year’s Time Out Food & Drink Awards People’s Choice categories, making it our biggest public vote yet.

While Time Out Editors crown the industry’s best in the Editors' Choice categories, the People’s Choice Awards celebrate the places locals genuinely love – the neighbourhood haunts, date-night staples and group-chat go-tos Sydneysiders return to time and time again. They define how Sydney likes eating and drinking right now.

This year’s results paint a fun picture of Sydney's dining scene, spanning waterside Italian diners, North African café and a revived Aussie pub. 

"The People’s Choice winners showcase what Sydney’s loving right now, and I'm not surprised that includes Italian food, which are really having a moment, with new pasta and pizza spots popping up all around the city," says Time Out Sydney editor, Avril Treasure.

Here are the Time Out Sydney People’s Choice winners for 2026:

• Favourite Restaurant (tie): Cibaria Manly – An all-day Italian precinct by Alessandro Pavoni, known for its beachside setting, fresh pasta and artisanal gelato.
  
  
• Favourite Restaurant (tie): Como Italian, The Rocks – A waterfront spot serving sustainable seafood with “la dolce vita” vibes and Opera House views.
  
  
• Favourite Café: Café Tanja, Surry Hills This soul-filled, family-run gem on Crown Street is known for its Tunisian shakshuka and Moroccan mint tea.
  
  
• Favourite Bar: Cardea, Barangaroo This glam, 1920’s-style speakeasy is known for its red velvet booths, theatrical cocktails and live jazz.
  
  
• Favourite Pub: Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern This revived 90-year-old local legend is loved for its five-star schnitty and Sunday roast, vinyl-only DJs and natural wine on tap. And you can bring your pup.

From long lunches by the water to late-night cocktails and comforting neighbourhood feeds, these are the spots Sydney just can’t get enough of right now. Congrats to all the winners!

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