Get us in your inbox

Search
Snacks at A'Mare
Photograph: Supplied

The best set menus in Sydney

Loosen your belt: we've done the ground work to find the hottest set menus in Sydney: $65 and under; $85 and under; and $100 and under

Avril Treasure
Written by
Avril Treasure
Advertising

Sometimes when you go to a restaurant, all you want to do is kick back and let the food come to you – without even thinking about it. Enter, set menus. Not only do you get to taste a bunch of great dishes, but it often works out to be cost effective – and that's a win win in our books.

We've eaten our way around Sydneytown to find the best set menus – from fine diners to casual eateries – at three price points: $65 and under; $85 and under; and $100 and under. Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure is currently loving the $50 set menu at Dimitri's Pizzeria, the $49 ‘Mate’s Rates Menu’ at Three Blue Ducks, and the Southeast Asian feast at Mumu for $89 per person. From birthday celebrations with the family to a long boozy Saturday lunch with the gang – we've got you covered. 

So, round up your mates, make a booking, and get ready to feast. We sure have. 

ALSO RECOMMENDED:

Check out our ultimate guide to the best happy hours in Sydney

Eat well and save with Sydney's cheap meal specials for every night of the week

The best set menus in Sydney for $65 and under

El Loco
  • Restaurants
  • Surry Hills
  • price 1 of 4

How much: $40

What do you get: Excellent bang for your buck, that’s what. Food wise, guac and chips; chipotle fries; quesadillas; fried chicken wings; nachos; and churros. Plus, more cash to spend on the important things in life – like Margaritas. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Cafés
  • Rosebery

How much: $49 per person

What do you get: The Ducks sure are feeling friendly. Case in point, their new two-course ‘Mate’s Rates Menu’. Choose from a small plate like grilled smoked chorizo with avocado and pumpkin seed pesto; or charred octopus with corn puree, ruby grapefruit and smoked paprika. And then order your main – it could be miso glazed eggplant with tofu, bean shoots, coriander, spring onion, chilli and peanuts; or barramundi with lemongrass and ginger dashi, furikake, finger lime and pickled wakame. Add a citrus salad with baby leaves, shaved fennel, pickled chilli and radish, and you’ve got yourself a meal you’ll wanna be long term friends with.

When: Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Pizza
  • Darlinghurst
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $50 per person

What do you get: Come with three others and get stuck into house-made sourdough, antipasto, one pizza per person (!) and salad. A steal at $50 per person, and we reckon one of the best set menus in town.

When: Dinner, Wednesday to Saturday

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Bouillon l'Entrecote
Photograph: Jude Cohen

Bouillon l'Entrecote

How much: $59

What do you get: A decadent feed at a reasonable price point. Two courses for $59, or three courses for $69. We’d go for the duck parfait and baguette; flank steak with pomme frites; and crème brûlée.

When: Saturday lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Lebanese
  • Sydney

How much: $60 per person

What do you get: Lebanese late-night eatery Zaffi has one of the most affordable set menus in town, coming in at 60 bucks, and the head chef is ex Rockpool, so it’s delicious, too. Dig into shared dishes like hummus; babaganoush; fattoush; halloumi; kofta; spatchcock; and more. There’s an $89 option, if you feel like splashing. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Castlecrag

How much: $65 per person

What do you get: A luxe set menu at a killer price point. The menu will change frequently, but you may get dishes like shallot bread with miso butter; tomatoes with whipped ricotta and pickled cucumber; crispy skin roast chicken with parsnip and black pepper sauce; clay pot fried rice with lup chong and shiitake mushrooms; and a crème caramel.

Heads up: bookings are required and the $65 menu is pre order only. Head to smoresydney to make a reservation and leave a note to let the team know you would like to snap up this offer. 

When: Tuesday to Thursday dinner, and Saturday lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Coogee
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $65 per person

What do you get: Shared starters – like smoked chicken wings; margherita pizza; cos salad – and your choice of mains. We’d go for the pappardelle with Italian sausage and mushroom ragu, or beer battered fish and chips.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising

How much: $65 per person

What do you get: Darlinghursts’ Italian joint Harry's by Giuls is putting on a menu specially for date-night. Come for arancini; pizza bread; any pizza or pasta to share; plus fries and salad. And, it comes with a glass of red, white or a beer. Cheers.

When: Thursday evenings

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Woollahra
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $65 per person

What do you get: Two-courses, or you can pay $75 for three courses. Dishes may include ocean trout gravlax with dill, crème fraiche, sorrel and lemon; and confit duck leg with organic green lentils, carrot and parsley.

When: Tuesday to Saturday for lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney

The best set menus in Sydney for $85 and under

  • Restaurants
  • Asian
  • Marrickville
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $70 per person

What do you get: Say “hey” to Hello Auntie and order the feed me menu, which comes with eight-courses that include the likes of; prawn fried rice, barbecue pork jowl and papaya salad. There’s also a vegetarian option for $65 per person. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Woollahra
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $75 per person

What do you get: Woollahra’s gorgeous institution Chiswick has a share-style set menu that you’re going to want to check out. Think: Rosemary flatbread with garlic and olive oil;
steak tartare with crumpet and Moojepin sea greens;
crispy zucchini flower with Burraduc buffalo curd and citrus jam; and skillet prawns with fermented chilli and herb butter, plus more. And at $75 per person, we reckon it's a good deal.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Surry Hills
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $75 per person

What do you get: Don’t have much time? Surry Hills’ stalwart Nomad has an express lunch featuring some of its most-loved dishes. Think roasted carrot hummus with walnut tarator (a Lebanese Tahini sauce); Nomad’s charcuterie; and a lamb shoulder with sweet and sour currants and almonds. 

When: Lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Waverley

How much: $75 per person

What do you get: Lorraine's has a share style set menu which features charcoal leek with compressed apple, hazelnut, and truffle vinaigrette; and corn fed chicken with roasted brioche jus and tarragon.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Japanese
  • Sydney

How much: $77 per person

What do you get: Lots. Highlights include kingfish carpaccio; chef’s selection of sashimi; chicken karaage with lime and honey mayo; yuzu miso salmon with cos lettuce, yuzu miso and quinoa; and duck teriyaki with Asian herbs, pumpkin puree, sweet potato, and shallots.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Modern Australian
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $78 per person

What do you get: Seven Med-inspired courses, all designed to share. Snack on tasty things like tuna, scallop and ocean trout tartare; gilled scallops with umami butter; and grain-fed Angus flank steak with golden roasted potatoes. What long lunch dreams are made of. 

When: Monday to Saturday for lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Barangaroo

How much: $79 per person

What do you get: A'Mare’s killer set menu lunch is an excellent way to experience the Crowns’ luxe Italian without the big bill. Start off with house-made antipasto – our picks are the sliced prosciutto with fresh melon; and marinated, vinegary vegetables – before moving onto a signature pasta, fresh fish or beef.

When: Lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Lebanese
  • Sydney

How much: $79 per person

What do you get: Jimmy’s shared mezze, including perfect falafel with tahini and parsley; zucchini salad with tomato, onion and seven spices; and baklava with pistachio and walnut.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Bistros
  • Newport

How much: $79 per person

What do you get: A two-course menu at one of Sydney’s best restaurants. And for $10 you can add dessert. 

When: Wednesday to Friday, lunch and dinner.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Mexican
  • Freshwater

How much: $79

What do you get: Freshwater’s rocking Mexican has an equally rocking set menu. Get six courses chosen by the chefs, which may be octopus with pickled turnips, prune mole and confetti coriander; and fish tacos with coleslaw and peanut matcha aioli. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising

How much: $79 per person

What do you get: Enjoy a bunch of tasty Mexican plates like beef cheek empanadas with smoked paprika and sour cream; pulled pork tacos with roasted pineapple salsa; and beef striploin with mole pasilla, pepper berry, and padron pepper.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Chippendale

How much: $80 per person

What do you get: Ten-course snack flight with both cold and hot plates. Hits include a coral prawn tartlet with shellfish mayo, finger lime and perilla (a herb in the mint family); smoked soy sauce glazed hapuka skewer with roasted garlic; and salt and vinegar tempura potato scallop

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Vietnamese
  • Sydney

How much: $85 per person

What do you get: Ten delicious Hey Chu dishes. They may include things like kingfish with a turmeric vinaigrette and kaffir lime; cheese steak spring rolls; dry-aged sirloin; and roasted pineapple with calamansi (a citrus fruit) and salted coconut sorbet. Plus, Hey Chu has killer live music every night, so settle in. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Bondi
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $85 per person

What do you get: Head to Bondi’s Italian gem Totti’s and get the set menu. It comes with antipasti, pasta, mains, and desserts. And yes, the famous bread, too. For groups of eight and above. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Australian
  • North Sydney

How much: $85 per person

What do you get: Nine dishes for you and your friends to share. Highlights include grilled squid; grilled lamb backstraps with mint salsa verde; and smoked kingfish with pomegranate.

When: Monday to Saturday for lunch

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising

The best set menus in Sydney for $100 and under

How much: $89 per person

What do you get: 11 courses of delicious Southeast Asian fare. We love the betel leaves with Queensland tiger prawn, macadamia, and lime; fried chicken wings with curry butter, peanuts and herbs; and nasi goreng with Alaskan king crab, cuttlefish, garlic crackers and a fried egg. Yum-town.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Asian
  • Darling Harbour

How much: $89

What do you get: Set menus yend to offer value, but you usually have limited choice – not at Sailmaker. Their generous three-course sustainable-seafood-focused offering (which includes unlimited tapas) is less of a “set” menu and more of a “choice” menu. On arrival, diners are invited to pick from the Mediterranean tapas table. Then you choose from a huge array of entrées and mains – and finish with choosing from a sweets trolley.

When: Dinner – Thu-Sun from 6pm to 9.30pm

https://media.timeout.com/images/105999677/image.jpg
Alice Ellis
Sydney Editor
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • European
  • Potts Point
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $99 per person

What do you get: Three courses, with four options to choose from for each course. We’ve got our eyes on the pan fried gnocchi with mushrooms, goat's cheese and sage; and passionfruit soufflé with popcorn ice cream and almond craquelin. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Spanish
  • Elizabeth Bay

How much: $99 per person

What do you get: A selection of Parlar’s best dishes – pan tomate; zucchini tart with chive crème fraîche and chorizo – to share amongst the table. Great if you’re in a big group and celebrating. 

When: Lunch and dinner

Advertising

How much: $90 per person

What do you get: Shellhouse’s ground-floor bar Menzies is offering a set menu with ten share style plates. And for an extra $10 you can add on dessert. 

When: Lunch and dinner

  • Restaurants
  • Modern Australian
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

How much: $90 per person

What do you get: Chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt’s French leaning CBD wine bar and restaurant has a great set menu. Think nine dishes, spread across three delicious courses. 

When: Lunch and dinner.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Wine bars
  • Surry Hills

How much: $95 per person

What do you get: Nomad’s slick and polished wine bar and restaurant has an ace set menu: seven dishes, designed to share. We love the sound of the spatchcock with preserved lemon, roasted grapes and sorrel alongside pardon peppers with Olasagasti anchovies and fried bread – with it all finished with Beau tiramisu. 

When: Lunch and dinner

  • Restaurants
  • Barangaroo

How much: $95 per person

What do you get: Forget toast at home, and instead head to Woodcut for a NY-style brunch. Plates include hemp seed fried prawn sando with caper dressing and rocket; avocado vinaigrette with Moreton Bay bugs, soft herbs and caper leaves; and hot crumpets with poached egg, spinach and hollandaise sauce. Feeling fancy? A Champagne trolly will be roaming the room to add some sparkle to your morning. 

When: Brunch – from 11am- 2.30pm

Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Barangaroo

How much: $98 per person

What do you get: Come along to Barangaroo’s waterfront restaurant Anason for its set menu. Feast on dishes like sardines with salmon roe, chives, and toasted bread, and haloumi with local honey and lavender oil. 

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Turkish
  • Sydney

How much: $98 per person

What do you get: Get stuck into delicious Turkish cuisine at Maydanoz with a set menu that includes lentil kofte with lettuce leaf, radish, and pickled chilli, barbequed Tilba haloumi with honey, sesame, and rosemary ash, and tencere style chicken served with bulgur pilaf, chilli, and tomato.

When: Lunch and dinner

https://media.timeout.com/images/106082023/image.jpg
Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising