Seven Moreish Fried Snacks to Devour After a Long Day in Sydney
Satisfy those hankerings with these bites of deep-fried deliciousness.
Seven Moreish Fried Snacks to Devour After a Long Day in Sydney
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Satisfy those hankerings with these bites of deep-fried deliciousness.
Few things are as satisfying as fried food. Whether you've had a few beers with mates or had a shocker of a day at work and need comfort food, it just hits the spot. We'd even argue that it's the only kind of food group that you should be demolishing after a long day of fun or frustration.
Luckily, Sydney's bars and eateries deliver in spades. Together with American Express, we've found the fried snacks to order when you've had too long a day either way, from seriously good Korean fried chicken to a meat pie poutine (yes, really).
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Inspired by Cali-style Mexican cuisine, the food at Baja Cantina is fresh and unpretentious. It’s also big on flavour and serving size, which is exactly what you want after a long day on the tools (or the bevs). All the usual suspects make an appearance on the menu like ceviche, beer-battered fish tacos, quesadillas and fajitas, as well as traditional mole, prawns with chipotle and a California-style burrito (marinated skirt steak, french fries, salsa, cheese and cream). But, if it’s golden fried goodness you’re after, be sure to order the chicken flautas. It features chicken marinated in guajillo chilli with black beans and cheese all rolled up in a tortilla and then fried.
There are seats out the front and inside the restaurant located on Glebe Point Road, but really the best place to be is relaxing in the beer garden with a margarita in hand.
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Something’s happened to Brookvale. The once lacklustre industrial area on the northern beaches has had a bit of a shake-up in recent years and is now dotted with great breweries, cafes and eateries. Enter 7th Day Brewery, a taphouse that brews excellent beers and gives back to the local community. Sit outside with your friends under the festoon lights and get stuck into some Italian food from Sale Pepe, which is located next door.
There are woodfired pizzas, juicy meatballs in tomato sauce and fresh pasta on offer, but our hearts belong to the deep-fried zucchini and mozzarella croquettes, served with cheese fondue. They are golden, salty, crunchy and delicious. Pair with a 7th Day Brewery Hazy IPA and your day will be made.
Image: Lauren Paterson
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You’ll find the holy trinity of American cuisine — fried chicken, burgers and craft beer — at Johnny Bird in Crows Nest. And you could say that is all you’ll need to be happy. But, there’s more. Johnny Bird also does a really great serving of popcorn tofu — think golden bites served with a sticky Szechuan dipping sauce. It’s the perfect snack to demolish when you’re craving deep-fried goodness.
As well as seven juicy burgers and fried chicken wings, thighs and tenders, there’s rotisserie chicken, all the sides (think crunchy slaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, and mash and gravy) and a whole section of the menu dedicated to those who don’t eat meat, which includes loaded vegan fries.
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Bar Luca in the CBD is famed for creating some of Sydney’s best burgers. Case in point: the Blame Canada, packed with maple-glazed bacon, cheddar, poutine and maple aioli. It’s over the top, decadent and delicious.
Speaking of delicious, there’s a meat pie poutine on the snack menu, which takes the Canadian classic to a whole other level. Golden and crunchy fries are topped with meat pie gravy, cheese curds and barbecue mayo. It sounds like it could be too much, but trust us, it’s wonderful. And you should definitely treat yourself to it at least once.
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Fried chicken: the ultimate snack to inhale when you also have a beer in hand. We know it’s a huge call, but when it comes to fried chicken, Korean fried chicken takes out our number one spot. It’s loved for its crunch and its sticky, spicy and sweet sauce — really, there are few things better in life.
If you’re a lover of fried chicken, Korean food and all things spicy, you need to check out Basax Korean Chicken in Haymarket. Open from Monday to Saturday, from 11am till the early hours, this is the kind of restaurant you can visit with your friends when you’re ready for a delicious late-night feed. Order a big serving of the sweet and spicy chicken and go to flavour town. It’s finger-licking good.
Image: Arvin Prem Kumar
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When the sunshine is out, you can’t beat Slim’s Rooftop. This breezy spot is found on the top floor of Hyde Park House, a historic four-storey hotel located on Darlinghurst’s William Street. Views of Hyde Park and the CBD combined with bubblegum pink umbrellas and cacti make it feel like you’ve discovered a tropical oasis in the centre of the city. There are Aperol spritzes and margaritas, a mostly Australian wine list and a bunch of local craft beers.
The menu focuses on modern Japanese-inspired small plates, including tasty bao buns, poke bowls and some bigger mains if you’re feeling hungry. Make sure you order the popcorn shrimp paired with spizy yuzu mayo. It’s so good you’ll want to order two servings.
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With an excellent selection of well-priced vinos, craft beer, share plates and live music, Caringbah’s Black Swan is a gem. It’s the sort of place that suits a catch-up with mates or a low-key date night, and you’ll happily stay for a few hours.
On the share-style menu, you’ll see French and locally made cheese, an array of dips served with warm pita bread and spicy chorizo sausage. But you’re here for the fried stuff, so also order the prawn gyoza. The Japanese-style pan-fried dumplings are plump, juicy and exactly what you’ll want to eat when peckish.
