The Best Casual Restaurants in Sydney

Cafe Paci in Newtown is a chef-run spot known for thoughtful cooking and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a comfortable place to drop by the bar for shared plates or settle in for a longer meal. Guests appreciate its blend of classic and contemporary influences, along with a focus on natural and biodynamic wines.

Recommended by

Beau Clugston

Chef

The mighty Finn. Lovely restaurant in Newtown with superb cooking by chef Pasi Petanen. A place to drop in to the bar and have shared plates and wine, or a table full with aged steaks and fantastic seafood.

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Ester Restaurant in Sydney is praised for its creative, wood-fired approach and relaxed atmosphere. Led by chef Mat Lindsay, it highlights top-quality ingredients in a modern Australian style, giving each dish a distinctive depth of flavor. Many find it a comfortable spot for a laid-back yet thoughtfully prepared dining experience.

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Tristin Farmer

Chef

Sunday lunch Cracking meal, Matt and team cooking delicious wood fired, ingredient focused. Casual service with personality.

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Bar Vincent is a relaxed bistro in Darlinghurst with a menu that draws from seasonal European and Italian influences. The atmosphere is warm, and the focus on fresh ingredients and natural wines makes it a comfortable spot for a shared dining experience. It’s a straightforward place where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a thoughtful meal without any fuss.

Recommended by

Daniel Puskas

chef

Simple but beautiful Italian neighbourhood restaurant. I love Bar Vincent it’s a no fuss simple Italian restaurant that always delivers the most delicious food! Always a great vibe, good for smaller or larger tables the friendliest restaurant in Sydney.

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Firedoor in Surry Hills, Sydney, cooks everything entirely with wood, giving each dish a unique flame-kissed character. Its open kitchen lets you watch every step, and the daily menu changes with the fresh ingredients that come in. The approach is careful and straightforward, highlighting the best of what’s available each day.

Recommended by

Jake Kellie

Chef

Amazing dining experience Jumped into firedoor with a good mate and absolutely crushed the tasting menu . Amazing flavours and produce , attention to details is second to nun.

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Bar Copains is a relaxed neighborhood wine bar in Sydney with a welcoming vibe and knowledgeable staff. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive, whether you’re popping in for a quick visit or settling in for the evening. You’ll find an inviting atmosphere that draws people back time and again.

Recommended by

Beau Clugston

Chef

A wine bar with care. A wonderful local wine bar that has some of Australia’s best wine selections. Food that is thoughtful and delicious. Super hosts and superb vibe.

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Mr. Wong is a popular Cantonese restaurant in Sydney recognized for its lively atmosphere, consistently high-quality food, and wide-ranging menu. Its thoughtful wine list and attentive service add to the inviting experience. Groups often enjoy the spacious seating and shared dining style that make this spot stand out in the city.

Recommended by

Lesley Pittaway

Food Enthusiast

Dumplings and duck and pipis, oh my! An all-in dinner shared with family and friends at one of the big round tables, complete with a lazy susan, immediately makes any 23 hour journey home worth the effort. The largely Cantonese menu is up to 80 dishes strong, deeming selection a precarious process. However, the dim sum is exquisite, the pipis in XO sauce can give Golden Century a run for their money and it's hard to go wrong with the roast duck. A larger than life setting, food that hits all the right notes more often than not and service you wouldn't usually associate with a Chinese-style diner. The extensive wine list and excellent bar are an added bonus.

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Poly in Surry Hills is a relaxed wine bar and restaurant led by chef Mat Lindsay. Its open-fire kitchen and organic-focused wine list offer a straightforward and enjoyable atmosphere. Whether you stop by for a quick bite or linger over drinks, it’s a comfortable spot to unwind.

Recommended by

Palisa Anderson

Restaurateur

My favourite go-to with family or friends for a casual dinner. Sister to Ester, Poly is clever, delicious and precisely what I love to eat with friendly staff who know the fab wine list well.

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Continental Deli Bar Bistro is a relaxed spot in Newtown offering bistro-style dining with a touch of Australian flair. Its cozy bar and upstairs dining room make it an inviting place for locals and travelers alike. The team is known for canning creative specialties and serving a wide range of drinks, making it a comfortable choice for any occasion.

Recommended by

Christina Wood

Pastry chef

Casual, intimate bistro with small plates and a large wine list Every dish was super flavorful and balanced. My favorite part of the meal was dessert; they offer a Flan in a Can, which they make on site. They open the can and press the flan custard out, letting rhe caramel spill over the sides and onto the plate. Very clever and fun. You can purchase a wide selection of tinned fish to take home as well.

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Ho Jiak Town Hall – Junda’s Playground is an award-winning Malaysian restaurant in Sydney where Chef Junda Khoo brings a fun, modern twist to classic flavors. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it an inviting spot to gather with friends or family. Recognized by local food guides and praised for its creative approach, it offers a memorable dining experience without feeling fussy.

Recommended by

Jill Dupleix

Food writer

Intelligent modern take on real down-home Malaysian With its mound of fragrant coconut rice, crisp anchovies, peanuts, spicy sambal and chicken curry, the nasi lemak here is like having the buffet all to yourself (the only way to have a buffet these days). Chef and co-owner Junda Khoo brings his own inspired take to all the Malaysian dishes we’ve been missing, from curry laksa and chicken satay to chilli crab and wagyu beef rendang. Best dish: laksa dumplings.

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Lana is a modern Italian restaurant that brings in Asian influences, all set in the historic Hinchcliff House near Circular Quay. It offers a relaxed, playful atmosphere for any occasion, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner. A nearby cocktail bar also invites you to enjoy a drink before or after your meal.

Recommended by

Beau Clugston

Chef

A house that has it all. A classy restaurant with fun at its core, Steve Seckold’s bringing his years of experience in creating a restaurant with care and commitment suitable for all types of occasions. Don’t forget to have a drink in the cocktail bar downstairs pre or post dinner.

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Lankan Filling Station in Sydney welcomes guests with flavorful, spicy cooking led by chef O’Tama Carey. Some people say they could eat here every day, thanks to the relaxed vibe and consistently satisfying meals.

Recommended by

Pasi Petanen

Chef

Deliciously spicy food cooked by the talented O’Tama Carey. Deliciously spicy food cooked by talented, talented O’Tama Carey. Could eat here at the Lankan Filling Station every day of the week.

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Piña is a relaxed café in Potts Point, Sydney, open daily from 7am to 3pm. It’s part of the Room Ten Group and provides a comfortable spot to watch the neighborhood go by. The cozy setting makes it an easy place to take a break while exploring the area.

Recommended by

Beau Clugston

Chef

Classic Australian Breakfast. A classic Australian cafe to get your smashed avos, scrambled eggs and flat whites. In a lovely part of town to people watch and stroll the streets.

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Ragazzi is a small Sydney spot appreciated for its bold flavors and skilled, friendly staff. People mention the excellent drinks list and relaxed atmosphere. Its food often gets high praise, making it a popular choice for many.

Recommended by

Duncan Welgemoed

Chef

Small place, massive flavours. The front of house is smooth and knowledgeable, excellent drinks list. The food is fucking insanely good. Seriously. Best pasta in Australia right now, hands down, see ya later.

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Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney is a social enterprise that provides free meals to people in need and occasionally hosts paid dinners for the public. Part of a larger global initiative, it brings together volunteers and chefs in a welcoming space to help the community through good food and hospitality.

Recommended by

Jill Dupleix

Food writer

This is a restaurant for those who cannot even dream of looking up a special place to dine on World of Mouth. Restaurants are meant to restore, to feed, to nurture. Refettorio OzHarvest is a very special social enterprise in Sydney (part of a wider global group founded by Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore) that charges its diners nothing. Chefs and volunteer staff create nourishing three-course lunches - and a lot of cappuccinos - for those in need. And at regular intervals the paying public can book for dinner and eat the same vegetarian dinner as they do. And it's delicious! Put your money where their mouths are, and help spread the joy of hospitality.

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Sang by Mabasa is a welcoming, family-run Korean restaurant in Surry Hills that serves comforting home-style cooking with a modern touch. The small, cozy space provides a warm atmosphere, reflecting the sense of care that goes into each meal. The focus on authentic yet thoughtfully updated flavors makes it a spot where many diners look forward to returning.

Recommended by

Colin Wood

Chef

A small and homely, family run Korean spot where authenticity, flavour and technique are the driving force. From the moment you arrive the anticipation and excitement builds as you may wait or are taken straight to your table in the small considered and homely dining room. A thoughtful and considered non-alcohol drink lists sets the tone - acidic, sweet, sharp and balanced with creative touches. Then the food arrives, it’s delicate, refined, artful and just so nourishing, flavourful and comforting that you can’t stop eating it. Your eyes widen with excitement as every dish is dropped on the table and your palate expands with such depth from the food. With Kenny Yong Soo Son and his partner Youmee Jeon working the floor and his parents Jin Sun Son and Seung Kee Son cooking, Sáng by Mabasa is a place that has you planning your next visit as you’re walking out the door.

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Sean’s is a cozy restaurant on Bondi Beach in Sydney, known for its ever-changing menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients. The bright space, lined with art and shells, creates a relaxed atmosphere that feels both personal and inviting.

Recommended by

Clayton Wells

Chef, Sydney

A Sydney institution, not many better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends . Plus you can BYO.

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XOPP by Golden Century is the newest addition to the Golden Century family, tucked into Sydney’s lively Darling Square. It brings together classic and modern Cantonese cooking in a welcoming setting. Guests can expect warm hospitality, a thoughtfully crafted menu, and a stylish interior that continues the Golden Century tradition.

Recommended by

Pat Nourse

Food Writer

The newest chapter in the Golden Century restaurant story, XOPP turns out to be a fantastic new addition to the Sydney dining scene, and serves a very tasty take on Cantonese food. The har gau and siu mai are ace, as is the crisp-skin chicken. The namesake pippies, meanwhile, are fantastic, the vermicelli/clam/sauce ratio bang on. I’ll be back.

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