Sydney's Most Popular Restaurants of 2021 So Far
These are the laneway restaurants, waterfront spots and western Sydney eateries you've flocked to during the first half of this year.
Some days, only a Japanese feast in a heritage building will satisfy. Other days, your tastebuds won't accept anything other than dumplings. Luckily, whatever you're in the mood for — tacos, chicken karaage or Peruvian street food, too — Sydney has something to keep your stomach satisfied.
We're not telling you anything you don't already know, of course. You've been eating at all of these places so far in 2021. Indeed, you've constantly searched for new and exciting places to try this year, and these are the results.
Our most-viewed restaurants and cafes of the 2021 to-date provide a snapshot of your recent faves and a roadmap of places to visit (either for the first time or the fifth). Use this list as a look back on some of your top recent eats — or a guide to planning your next meal of 2021.
You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Sydney, as well as current restrictions, at NSW Health.
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RestaurantEsteban
1 Temperance Lane, Sydney
The Tequila Mockingbird team's two-storey Mexican restaurant is home to a massive collection of premium tequila and mezcal and a mariachi band.
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RestaurantMamasan
57-59 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach
A tempting fusion of Taiwanese street food and Japanese deliciousness.
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RestaurantSushi Jones Japanese Bistro
2–10 Fountain Street, Alexandria
An affordable, unassuming Japanese eatery that will let you bring you four-legged friend with you.
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RestaurantLilymu
153 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
This neon-lit Parramatta restaurant is whipping up tom yum dumplings and black garlic mie goreng.
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RestaurantStix - CLOSED
20 Chapel Street, Marrickville
A farm-to-table cafe inside a Marrickville loading dock.
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RestaurantZushi Surry Hills
Shop 2A, 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Sushi as it should be, and so much more.
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RestaurantThe Fenwick
2–8 Weston Street, Balmain East
Balmain's historic Fenwick building is now a harbourside cafe and gallery space.
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RestaurantOsaka Trading Co.
Shop 18,1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge
From sake and chicken karaage to whisky and edamame, this izakaya has all your Japanese cravings covered.
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RestaurantBabylon Rooftop & Garden Bar
Level 7, Westfield, Pitt Street, Sydney
A luxe kingdom of meze, cocktails, slow-cooked meats and 300 wines atop Westfield Sydney.
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RestaurantKuro
368 Kent Street, Sydney
A hatted Japanese bar and restaurant inside a historic CBD sandstone building.
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RestaurantIl Baretto
338 Oxford Street, Paddington
The Surry Hills institution has relocated to Oxford Street.
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RestaurantGrana
5-7 Young Street, Sydney
This all-day Italian restaurant inside a new four-storey Circular Quay venue bakes its own bread at its on-site mill.
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RestaurantTokki
44a Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
This Surry Hills izakaya combines Korean and Japanese flavours with minimal-intervention Aussie wines.
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RestaurantPepito's
276 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
You'll find pisco cocktails and Peruvian street food at this Illawarra Road restaurant.
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RestaurantPoly
74-76 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
The Ester team's still-very-elegant take on a casual restaurant and wine bar.
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RestaurantPasadena Sydney
1858 Pittwater Road, Church Point
A 1930s waterfront restaurant, bar and hotel.
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RestaurantAcre Artarmon
1 Frederick Street, Artarmon
A sprawling restaurant, bakery and urban farm on the lower north shore.
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RestaurantDon Pedros
1 Victoria Street, Paddington
A brightly coloured Mexican joint overflowing with festive deals.
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RestaurantSonora Mexican
37 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point
Wagyu burritos, handmade tortillas and lots of mezcal in Potts Point.
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