Avril Treasure

These restaurants make a strong argument for switching permanently to a Mediterranean diet. You can do fancy Greek at the Apollo where you can order up saganaki (that's fried cheese) and slow roasted lamb shoulder, or you can hit up an old school gyros joint, and smash grilled Greek pita bread jammed with crisp, fatty pork bits. Whether it's a late night snack or a full family feast, these are the best places to eat Greek food in Sydney. If you're working on a budget try one of the best cheap eats in Sydney.  After Italian? Here's our guide to the tastiest Italian restaurants in Sydney. Keep eating at the absolute best restaurants in Sydney.

The humble pie – it has to be the comfort food of all comfort foods. A pastry shell fully encompassing a savoury, hot filling, designed to be eaten on the go and line your ribs during the colder months – although we have nothing against a good pie even when the sun's blazing.  Sydney loves a hot pocket, and sometimes a Four’n’Twenty at the footy is all you need, but when you’re craving the highest calibre of pie, these are the best of the best. Our editors burnt their hard palates and got sauce on their clean shirts to bring you this tried and tested list of the top pies in Sydney. Hungry for something more cheap eats? Here's our guide to the best budget-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

A burger is a simple premise, but doing them well is truly a dark art. Do you go with the classic sesame seed or the more gastronomic potato, milk or brioche buns? Do you prefer American cheese, blue or cheddar? How about caramelised onions, pickled or raw? Lettuce and tomato or cheese and pickles? Is your protein power chicken, fish, beef, or mushroom? And we haven’t even gotten to the question of fries yet.  There are a thousand variations on a burger, but these are the best in Sydney. OR: Here are Sydney's best pizza joints.

Why spend a Sunday tackling house chores when you could be out at the pub partaking in one of the all-time great weekend feasting traditions? Let the pros take care of the cooking and make yourself comfortable at one of these ace pubs that celebrate English charm over the colder months. Cater to those hibernation cravings and get stuck in to legs of lamb with mint jelly, hearty slices of roast beef, crisp-skinned chook, nourishing root veggies and greens, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, and gravy. Lots and lots of gravy. Whatever your preferred cut, there's a top pub roast out there for you – and hopefully a pint of something nice to go alongside it.  Down for more cold-weather fun? Check out these Sydney pubs with toasty fireplaces.

Winter 2023 update: Forget 'Winter Is Coming' – it’s well and truly here, folks. And yes, the evenings are dark. And it is chilly. But we reckon Sydney is magic at this time of year. And so too are the city’s stellar restaurants. So, rug up, head out, and eat and drink well from our curated list below. Feast on.  Here's our list of Time Out's best restaurants in Sydney right now, from hot newcomers to time-honoured institutions, ranked by our expert local editors who have tasted their way through Sydney. How did we narrow it down to the very best? When ranking, we considered fun, flavour, creativity and value for money. So yes, of course, you’ll find a fine diner inside the Sydney Opera House here, but you’ll also find neighbourhood pasta, hole-in-the-wall Thai and spots right by the sea. Bon appétit. After a drink? Check out our favourite bars in Sydney. Or: Our list of the best cheap eats.

Winter 2023 update: Leave the cold behind and head inside for a tipple (or three) at one of the finest watering holes that Sydneytown has to offer. There really are a heck of a lot of great ones, but thankfully, there are plenty of days in the week to check them all out. Below, you’ll find the very best bars, curated by Time Out Sydney editors and fellow booze hounds.  This list represents our picks for the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great booze, ranked by our local editors. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity, and options at every price point. Cheers to you, Sydney. After a watering hole that's a bit more casual? See our list of the best pubs in Sydney, here. After a meal? Check out our best restaurants here.

We know the rising cost of living is on everyone's minds at the moment – it's on ours, too. But, as a champion for good times, good food, and good drinks here in Sydneytown, we also don't want to stay indoors each evening. So, we've done the hard yards and rounded up the very best happy hour deals here in Sydney, where you can snag a schooner for $6, snacks for $5 and cocktails for $10. It's fun you can feel good about.  We say have a squiz, head out, and we hope you have a happy time at these happy hours. We sure have.  After more fun for less? Here's our guide to the best free things to do in Sydney, the best op shops, and (of course) Sydney's best cheap eats. Thirsty for more? Here are the best bars in Sydney right now.

From specialty Sichuan spots to hot Cantonese kitchens, Sydney has some seriously great Chinese restaurants. Whether you want to go all out and explore regional cuisines, sit down for yum cha, grab some takeaway barbecue duck or hand-thrown noodles, these are the best Chinese restaurants Sydney has to offer. We're hungry just thinking about them.  Recommended: Here are the tastiest cheap eats in Sydney right now Check out the best Italian joints in Sydneytown Here are the top bars in the city for when you want to hit the town  

We’re all too aware that Sydney isn’t a cheap place, but if you know where to look you can find dinner any night of the week for under $20. Whether it's a two-for-one pub specials, all-week cheap eats, or require a little lateral thinking, Sydney is awash with budget-friendly feasts if you know where to look. Here’s our hit list for frugal dining. Want to know which cheap restaurants we rate most? Here's Time Out's guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Winter 2023 update: Whether you like sunny fried eggs, bacon and avo, fluffy ricotta pancakes with honeycomb butter, or a full English fry-up for brekky, we’ve rounded up the best places in Sydney where you can warm up and get your morning fix. Two thing these places all have in common? Killer food – and coffee. Chuck on a beanie, catch up with your friends for brunch and get stuck in.  Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee, we won't bat an eyelid over shelling out $30+ a head for brunch, and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. But cafés aren't just for weekends. This is a city powered by caffeine and many a Sydney worker depends on a reliable go-to barista for a double shot and a bacon sanger to set them up right on the daily. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, a quick caffeinated catch-up, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney editors.

If you haven't been to Redfern lately, you need to. The inner-city suburb is bursting with tasty eats, lush green parks and killer bars. From ramen to pasta, vego dishes and share plates that will make you not want to share, the 2016 postcode has got it going on. When it comes to where to eat in Redfern, these are the chart-toppers – we know, because our editors are experts in eating out (someone's got to do it). Want to go on a cocktail adventure? Check out our guide to Sydney's finest bars. ALSO RECOMMENDED: The absolute best restaurants in Sydney.

There are spades of options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. We've picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you.  Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Indian, Japanese and Korean in Sydney.

Sunshine, beer and gyozas – it’s all happening down at Manly this winter and, in particular, at the local’s favourite 4 Pines Brewing Co, which is transforming their downstairs tavern Block’s Bar into a vibey izakaya bar. And we reckon you should come check it out. For six glorious months, expect to find a stacked line-up of killer food and drink deals, entertainment, live music and karaoke. And a space decked out to look like the buzzing and vibrant bars in Tokyo.  4 Pines Block’s Bar events include: Wednesday - $14 curry night from 5pm Thursday - $1 gyozas from 5pm Friday - live music from 6-9pm Saturday - $15 Yuzu Slushies from 5pm Sunday - free edamame with any jug from 4pm Executive chef Joji Shikama has also created a brand-new menu for the pop-up, with dishes including sashimi tartare, pork katsu, teriyaki ribs, Japanese curries, fried chicken and spicy slaw. There’ll be 12 taps pouring rotating 4 Pines core and limited release beers, as well as the Brookvale Union favourites. Plus, sake, spirits and fun cocktails. It’s all going down to celebrate the launch of 4 Pine’s new Japanese Style Larger.  The izakaya pop-up at 4 Pines is on now, for the next six weeks. You can find out more info here. Here are some other fun stories: Wander through fluffy cherry blossoms and eat Japanese street food at Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival Yay! Sydney is ranked the fourth most liveable city in the world Drool: World-famous croissanterie Lune is opening a second Sydney store

Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé’s bangers may still be in hibernation for a few more months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the Christmas spirit a little early this year. Sydney’s innovative and approachable fine-diner Nel is hosting Christmas in July – and you and your mates are invited. Chuck on your favourite Christmas jumper, come on down to the Surry Hills’ spot and get stuck into a festive feast, which kicks off with five snacks and fresh bread, followed by a share-style slow-cooked lamb Christmas roast with all the trimmings. You’ll finish up with ‘Granny’s Melting Christmas Pudding’ and some elusively named 'winter bombs'. Head chef Nelly Robinson is renowned for his creative and delicious menu concepts – in fact, his magical  Disney-themed degustation is still available to book – and we reckon his Christmas in July feast will blow your santa hat off. Christmas in July at Nel costs $95 per person, and you can make a booking here. The festivities will be running every Sunday for lunch in July. The team can cater for pescatarians too. Round up your gang. Recommended: Check out the best places to eat and drink in Surry Hills The Sydney Opera House turns 50 this year and is throwing an epic birthday bash to celebrate A Sydney bartender has been crowned Australian World Class Bartender of the Year

What do you get when you combine two award-winning chefs, fresh produce the colour of the rainbow, some of Sydney’s best pastries and a sweet little spot in Rosebery? Enter, Salma’s Canteen, the brand new venture by Michael Rantissi of Kepos Street Kitchen and Andy Bowdy of Saga, which is swinging open its doors on Wednesday, July 12. Sydney let out a collective sigh when Enmore Road’s beloved treat store Saga closed permanently last month. Thankfully, Bowdy and his 11/10 pastry goods will be back at Salma’s Canteen, along with Rantissi’s daily changing seasonal salads and veggies, with produce sourced from Carriageworks Farmers’ Market. The duo, who first worked together 18 years ago when Rantissi was a mentor to Bowdy, wanted to work together again and, along with their partners, create a one-stop shop for people who love food, cooking, eating and sharing. And while Salma is named after Rantissi’s mum, they reckon we all have someone in our lives who loves to feed. “Everyone who loves food has a Salma in their life – a feeder and nourisher who brings people together to eat and talk, sending them home piled with leftovers,” says Rantissi. “Salma’s Canteen is the new Salma in your life – a one-stop shop that’s part kitchen, part takeaway, part diner, and part shop.” As well as salads, expect pastries, cakes and treats by Bowdy, including a salted honey tart; yuzu cheesecake; savoury puff pastry tarts topped with seasonal vegetables; and passionfruit and fennel seed palmiers.

Five bucks doesn’t get you much these days. An oat cap, perhaps. So, we’ve got some good news for you: Circular Quay’s cracking Mexican restaurant Bar Patrón will be slinging $5 tacos all day every Tuesday, and it kicks off on July 4. Think fresh house-made tortillas loaded with big flavours and fresh ingredients, ready to jazz up your Tuesdays. Come on down for lunch or dinner and get stuck into four types of tacos: pork al pastor with charred pineapple salsa, pickled red onions and coriander; grilled fish with pineapple chutney, cabbage slaw and Mexican cocktail sauce; chicken tinga with onion and coriander salsa, radish, queso fresco and coriander; and portobello mushroom and poblano (a mild chilli) with coriander and lime yoghurt and avocado. Each Tuesday there’ll also be a wildcard option, like lobster and mango salsa, and crisp duck with spicy plum sauce. Pair your tacos with a Classic or Spicy Margarita, which are $12 each during Patrón Hour, from 5-6pm every weekday.  You can make a booking here so you don’t miss any of the taco action. See ya on Tuesdays. Read on for our original write-up of Bar Patrón from 2018.  ***** Circular Quay now has a restaurant bar serving up swanky Margaritas and red hot modern Mexican eats. Neil Perry and head chef Pamela Valdes (who learned to cook from her grandma growing up in Xalapa, Mexico) have created a menu that's focused around freshly pressed corn tortillas and fiery salsas. You'll also be able to order up soups and small plat

There sure is a lot happening in Sydney’s Inner East of late, with this year seeing the opening of classy tapas spot Bar Lucia, charming Italian restaurant Bar Grazie, vermouth bar Vermuteria and Euro-inspired deli Ken’s Continental. Now, Potts Point will be gaining another newcomer this spring with the opening of Caravin – led by the crew who brought us rocking Bar Suze. We're ready.  The 30-something seater will be taking over the former Dumpling and Beer site in Potts Point, and will be neighbours to the red-hued and fun Bar Piccolo. Carvain will be a gear shift from the Swedish and Scandinavian leaning Bar Suze, with owners Greg Bampton and Phil Stenvall taking inspiration from the rock and roll bars of Paris. And while the team are keeping hush hush about the menu, we do know it’s not strictly French. “We're excited to not have Caravin be defined by one particular cuisine or technique, with that same freedom around the changing menu that the wine bars we love to eat at in France and more widely in Europe enjoy,” says Bampton. “We’re also excited to work with the best available produce of the day and blurring the lines between wine bar and restaurant by turning out small plates that are complete dishes themselves” he adds. “We want to create a space that has everything that we enjoy about dining – an intimate setting, a small, seasonal and concise food and beverage offering, and a small team that’s owner operated." Sounds good to us. Welcome to the neighbourhood, Caravin,

In terms of lifespan, restaurant years are not unlike dog years, in that one year in the cut-throat and often ruthless world of hospitality equals about ten in human life. So the fact that Bistro Moncur – the classic French restaurant located in leafy Woollahra, which opened its doors to the public back in 1993 – is still open and thriving today, deserves, in our opinion, several glasses of Champagne (at the very least). À votre santé! So, how in the world have they done it? Through good-old fashioned hospitality, care for the local community, and an absolute commitment to offering sophisticated French cuisine showcasing the very best in Australian produce, it seems. Located inside the Woollahra Hotel, the space features a striking black-and-white full-length mural by artist Michael Fitzjames and a grand, domed wooden ceiling. White tablecloths, dark furniture and pristine glassware complete the look, resulting in a timeless, elegant dining room and the perfect place to experience life’s many great moments. The service at Bistro Moncur, led by restaurant manager Simon Tebbs, is unwavering, professional and warm. Tebbs has over two decades of experience and has been with Bistro Moncur since 2016. He prides himself on the fact that his team knows all the locals' names – and their orders – off by heart (including one guest's love of mashed peas). Though really, it’s the exceptional food and award-winning wines that has continued to lure guests back throughout three decades, begi

It’s a glorious sunny autumn day in Newcastle, with air so fresh it’s like you’ve just had a spearmint. We’re sitting al fresco at Elementa, a new restaurant by local couple Rina and Joel, which overlooks the pristine Throsby Creek. Elementa is in leafy Maryville, which is more suburban than happening, but the view and peace is bliss. And even though the menu isn’t quite what we were expecting, with a Bloody Mary in one hand, we find ourselves thinking there’s nowhere else we’d rather be. This isn’t the first time we’ve dined here – we were lucky to taste some of head chef Jess Brooks’ dishes a couple days after the doors swung open in February – and we've daydreamed about them since. The first, roasted hasselback beetroots with accordion-like slices sitting on creamy whipped chèvre, dressed in a maple burnt butter and hazelnuts. And the second, lamb ribs coated in Middle Eastern spices, with charred yet fall-off-the-bone meat, served with a tahini yogurt and a zingy preserved vegetables and fresh herb salad. Both balanced, with on-point seasoning, and delicious. It’s around noon the next time we visit, a few months later after our first date, and we're ready to revisit those punchy flavours, when a waiter lets us know there’s a separate dinner and lunch menu, and no, we can’t have the dinner menu at lunch time. That’s fair, we should have looked it up before we came, c'est la vie, et cetera. Some plates on the day menu are calling our name: applewood smoked ocean trout with

This winter, Surry Hills' favourite vino oasis, the Winery, has transformed into a groovy bohemian glamping wonderland so you can warm up in style. Mulled wine in hand, you and your besties can cosy up in these pretty canvas tents complete with florals, grazing menus and comfy cushions all winter long.  For $55 per person, you'll be treated to a three-course shared feast featuring an Instagram-ready cheese and charcuterie board, Wagyu beef sliders, smoked Andouille sausages, golden and crisp chat potatoes with chimichurri, and a s’mores-inspired 'surprise' dessert – think salted caramel sauce, milk chocolate, marshmallows and berries. Yes please. For an extra (totally worth it) $29, you'll get a matching drinks package with a winter cocktail on arrival – choose from mulled wine, mulled cider, the Winery’s signature Hot Toddy, or a spiked hot chocolate – followed by wine and beer, and finishing up on the right note with an Espresso Martini.  Have a fur best friend? Bring them along to your glamping experience for an extra $12 and they will get their own 'barkuterie' board with dog-friendly snacks. There's also a mini glamping package for kids, so you can bring the whole family, or if you're planning a date night, the Winery offers a luxe experience with a two-course set menu and bottle of Piper Heidsieck Champagne for $240. The Winery’s Glampsite is open now and will be available all winter. Two-hour sessions can be booked every day from noon until 9pm at the Winery website he

Lox in a Box, home to some of the best bagels in Sydney, have opened up a new store – well, (a gorgeous forest green and white trailer) – in Marrickville, and boy are we happy to see it. Come for perfect bagels that are chewy yet crisp on the outside, baked fresh each morning, and packed full of goodness. Like the classic lox with house-cured and spiced sustainable NZ salmon, juicy tomato, slivers of onion, bursts of salty capers and a generous slathering of herb schmear; and a mighty chicken schnitzel number with spicy peri peri sauce, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and mayo. Vegan or vego? No worries. Lox slings four plant-based options. As well as bagels, there’s ace coffee, a couple of deli items and fun merch. You'll find the new trailer on Shepherd Street. It’s the fourth bagel baby by owners Candy Berger and Gaia Lovell, joining their other Lox delis in Bondi, Coogee and Manly. The couple, who are both Inner West locals, are excited to finally have a bagel on their home patch. Time Out tip: go early, and go hard, as the new trailer is popular and bagels may run out. “After a false start a few years ago, we are finally here and it feels better than we expected,” says Berger. “The community has been so incredible and the support has been overwhelming. We live in the Inner West, so to have one of our shops so close to home, to get our fresh bagels and amazing coffee within minutes has been so good.” The trailer came about in an amazing rainbow way, says Berger. “After a

Disclaimer: Good-times-only Italian diner Pellegrino 2000 is one of our favourite restaurants in Sydney. Chefs and owners Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clift, alongside sommelier Andy Tyson, know how to create a rocking venue with on-point flavours and a feel-good vibe (the fact that it’s impossible to get a booking unless it's a Tuesday at 5pm is testament to that). So, when news broke earlier this year that the trio were opening a third Sydney restaurant – a New York-style steak house slinging retro classics – joining Pellegrino 2000 and their French baby, Bistrot 916 – we were thrilled, hopeful, and perhaps a little biased. Thankfully, it’s turned out to be a clam dunk. We head to Clam Bar – which has taken over the former Bridge Room space in Sydney’s CBD – mid-week and hungry. The outside doesn’t give much away except for tinted glass and silver doors with the words Clam Bar in giant letters. It looks grand and important. If the outside city is grey, then the inside of Clam Bar is light years away from that. Herringbone timber flooring and Art Deco chandeliers the colour of toffee add sophistication; while Murano clam-shaped lights are a nice nod to the creatures of the sea. Speaking of the ocean, an illuminated sea life painting by artist Laura Jones hangs on the wall, alongside a giant fish. At the back, vintage posters of Ortiz anchovies and Rosella tomato sauce bring character above chocolate-coloured seating. It does verge into 50 shades of brown territory, even with the

There’s a lot of history in the walls of 10 Bulletin Place, Sydney. Most recently, the building was home to the award-winning trailblazing bar of the same name, Bulletin Place. Before that, it was the publishing house of one of the country’s longest-running magazines, Bulletin Magazine, which was published from 1880 all the way through to 2008. Now, 10 Bulletin Place is in its next chapter, with the opening of Bar 1880 – a speakeasy-type bar that pays homage to its history and exudes character and charm in spades. Bar 1880 has two levels: downstairs, you’ll find the ‘Headline Bar’ with alfresco laneway seating, and upstairs is the ‘Press Room’. It’s by entrepreneur Harry Morton, with Didier Nahum and award-winning bartender Alex Raclet overseeing the bar and management. “I have always sought out unassuming hidden bars across the world, from dark basements to stepping behind mirrors. With 1880, I was inspired by the iconic history of the building and ‘rescuing’ some lesser known cocktails for people to rediscover,” says Morton.  Some of those ‘forgotten’ cocktails are the Suffering Bastard, with François Voyer VS cognac, Hickson dry gin, lime cordial, ginger beer, and bitters; and the Old Pal, with Gospel rye whisky, Dolin sweet vermouth and Campari. There's also a selection of innovative cocktails in which every ingredient is house-made – like the Lock Me Up, an old-fashioned style cocktail with sous vide banana, white cacao butter washed cognac, chestnut and fino sherry. Of

All hail the King. King Clarence, to be exact, which is the name of the brand new restaurant from the award-winning Bentley Restaurant Group that is slated to open in Sydney’s CBD this October. Located on the corner of King and Clarence Streets, King Clarence will be an 100-seat contemporary Asian restaurant influenced by the flavours and techniques found in China, Korea, and Japan. This is an exciting and fresh new move for co-owners and chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt, whose impressive restaurant empire includes Bentley Restaurant and Bar, Monopole, Cirrus, Yellow and Brasserie 1930. A custom-built barbecue and grill will be the heart of the kitchen at King Clarence, and we’ve also heard there will be a large seafood tank. Like all of the Bentley’s restaurants, wine will be a big focus, with the menu featuring a mix of classic and new age drops, and 40 vinos by the glass, all curated to pair with Asian flavours. The interiors are being looked after by Pascale Gomes-McNabb and architects Jasmax, who together are creating a warm yet industrial chic look. Savage says: “Nick and I love eating Asian food and are really looking forward to applying the Bentley Group ideas and philosophies to this style of food. We want King Clarence to be fun, loud, and busy.” Hildebrandt adds: “This is new and exciting territory for us. We think the dining experience at King Clarence will appeal to all, whether it be a celebration, a corporate lunch or a late-night snack. It’s be

It seems the buttery, flaky Gods have answered our hungry prayers: In news that just dropped, Melbourne's famous bakery, Lune, is set to open two Sydney stores. News broke in March that the first-ever Sydney store was opening in Darlinghurst in the new Oxford and Foley precinct sometime this year. Now, we’ve heard the purveyors of those golden beauties will set up a second shop in Martin Place. Croissant before work? Hell yeah.  While we don’t have an exact opening date for Lune Sydney number two, we know it will be in 2024. The banging bakery and café will be found at the new Sydney Metro Martin Place precinct, which is currently being transformed into a dining and retail wonderland.  In case you missed it, Lune Croissanterie, which is run by brother-sister team Kate and Cameron Reid, have been heralded as some of the best in the world, with fans queuing around the block at their Fitzroy and South Brisbane shops. In fact, New York Times food critic Oliver Strand said the croissants “may be the finest you will find anywhere in the world.” Now it's finally time for Sydney to have its own taste of those unbelievable layered goods. Of course, we'll keep you updated about opening dates.  Recommended: Start the morning on the right now with Sydney's finest cafés Cult bakery Lode Pies and Pastries has opened a new glorious bakery at Sydney Place down by Circular Quay Eat your way around town with Sydney's best pies

With a collective ten Splendours under our belts, the Time Out team knows a thing or two about how to party in the grass. You can read all about this year's rocking line-up here. And below is our foolproof guide for being your best Splendour-self. Bring gumboots and pack an extra coat No one needs to be reminded about last year’s weather at Splendour *shudders*. And thankfully, La Niña is officially over. But, even if the weather is forecast for 25° and sunny, the days might be toasty but the nights can be chilly. Come prepared.  Shower off-peak The queues between 6.30 and 9.30am are bound to be an absolute nightmare. Shower in the middle of the day or super late at night to avoid waiting in the mud, or ditch it all together – but don’t forget deodorant, wipes and dry shampoo. They’re gonna be your new best friends. Get involved with what else Splendour has to offer As well as an awesome line-up, there is a stack of fun, interesting and cool experiences to be had at this year’s Splendour. Get your mind blown at the Science Tent; belly laugh at the Comedy Club; listen to thought-provoking talks and panels the Forum; and start your morning with yoga and have your tarot card read at the Global Village. Plus, this year’s festival also introduces Forum Live Podcasts. Some of the country’s most popular podcasters – including the crew from the Betoota Advocate – will record their programs live in front of everyone. You can check out all the experiences here. Photogra

Get the Champagne ready: Eduardo Conde from Paddington’s colourful El Primo Sanchez, and part of the wider Maybe Sammy crew, has just been crowned Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year for 2023. In great recognition for the Sydney bartending scene and, of course, Conde’s on-point skills, he will now join 50 other finalists from all across the world who will compete in the global finals this September in San Paulo, Brazil. Conde, who hails from Mexico City and came to Australia more than a decade ago, battled it over a one-day epic competition on Tuesday, 27 June against four other finalists: Alex Gondzioulis (Liquid & Larder, Sydney), Lachlan Gunner (Sourtrap, Adelaide), Andie Bulley (Savile Row, Brisbane) and Rohan Massie (Rude Boy, Hobart). The five were put to the test across a series of three rounds, which included making classic cocktails, original ones, plus a mystery box challenge. We’ve heard Conde crafted a twist on an Old Fashioned with papaya and lemon geranium inspired by his Mexican heritage for the first Johnnie Walker Blue Label challenge; and he presented his take on a Paloma, using cumquat and mandarin (inspired by nightclubs in his hometown), for the second Don Julio 1942 tequila round. For the final speed round, Conde created an impressive five cocktails in five minutes. We can hardly make a cup of coffee that fast.  Photograph: Supplied Conde says competing in the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition this year has been an ama

Look, we’re not over the White Lotus finale either, and it will forever go down as one of the great tragedies of 2023. But! In excellent news, real life goddess Jennifer Coolidge and mate Mike White were recently in Sydney as part of the Vivid Ideas Global Storytellers event – and we’ve got the lowdown on everything they got up to, so you can follow it along and live like Ms Coolidge, too. Let’s get into it. Eat: First up, the Legally Blonde superstar enjoyed a taste of Sydney’s high life and dined at Matt Moran’s Aria, which currently is hosting the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park as part of the Vivid Chef Residence program. She and White also got stuck into the best of Sydney's plant-based eateries with fine dining at Yellow, the vegan high tea experience at Alibi, and wood-fired pizza from Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown. Stay: If you’ve got cash to burn, you can sleep (or pop Champagne) where Coolidge and White stayed and book a room at the Park Hyatt Sydney, which boasts panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and harbour. We’re told they both were in a 350-sqm Sydney Suite, where the likes of Drake, Kylie Minogue and Pippa Middleton are all rumoured to have previously stayed. Not a millionaire but want a luxe experience? You can’t go wrong with a staycation to Crown Towers, Pullman Quay or Pier One Hotel. Play: Coolidge and White strolled around the Rocks while in Sydney, perusing the opal and fashion shops and passing the historic pubs. Are markets more your thin

Move over, Central Otago. Au revoir, Bordeaux. Because in Huge Thirsty News, Australia is officially home to the best wines in the world for 2023. And while we may have known this all along, it’s nice for our stellar winemakers, producers and drinkers (yes, you) to get the recognition they deserve. And yes, our wine glasses are ready. Trumping Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, Argentina, and well, every other country on Earth, little old Australia has taken home the most Best in Show awards – ten in total – in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023, which is regarded as the world’s biggest and most legit wine competition, now in its 20th year. A Best in Show award is the highest accolade awarded by the judges, who taste tested around 74,000 bottles of wine from 60 countries for this year’s competition. The next award is Platinum, Gold, Silver – and you get the gist. Brokenwood Wines from the Hunter Valley were the only New South Wales winery to nab one of these awards, with their ILR Reserve Semillon. Penfolds from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, and Jacob's Creek from South Australia's Barossa Valley also took home a Best in Show award for one of their drops. The Eden Valley, Margaret River, Rutherglen and McLaren Vale were the other Aussie wine regions to take home awards. You can check out the full list of Australian winners here. Thanks to our environment, soil and climate, we make some pretty delicious wines. And now the rest of the world knows it, too. Cheers. Recommend

In breaking meaty news, Australia's best pies and pastries have just been crowned for 2023, and while Sydneytown did not come out victorious for the number one spot, we did take home one gold. Chosen by the experts from the Baking Association of Australia, who are widely considered to be the experts on all things flaky, the winner of the best pie in the country for 2023 was from Victoria’s Country Cob Bakery with their fish amok pie, a tasty Cambodian-style creation made with barramundi and curry sauce. This is the third year the Kyneton bakery has taken out the top spot and look, we’re happy for them and are not miffed in the slightest, truly. Alas, it’s not all doom and gloom for Sydneysiders, with Bronte-based pie masterchefs Nonna Tina's taking home a gold in the flavoured beef pie category for their beefy bolognese number. Made with a Napoletana sauce, grass fed beef, onion, mozzarella and parmesan (and love from Nonna) their bol pie is one to add to your hit-list. Nonna Tina’s also took home silver for their chicken boscaiola pie in the poultry category, and their eggplant parmigiana pie in the vego one. And yes, we feel like a pie now too. Thankfully, you can get your hands on Nonna Tina’s pies online, and at Bondi’s Saturday markets. Feel like a road trip? The best pastie came from Samuel Gee Pies and Pastries in NSW’s Balaclava. An annual event held by the Baking Association of Australia, the nationwide competition sees a team of experienced and well-respected expert

In some bloody good news for ye week, a slew of top Sydney bars and restaurants will now be offering free period care for customers in their bathrooms. If you’ve ever been stuck in the loo and find yourself sans tampon or pad, this will be music to your ears. This refreshing initiative has been made possible by YCK Laneways, the collective that represents the nightlife precinct around York, Clarence and Kent Streets in Sydney’s CBD, Woom, an Australian startup creating organic and accessible period care, and all the venues listed below.  Vice president of YCK Laneways Karl Schlothauer, says: “It’s up to venue owners to do everything they can to create a safer and more inclusive space for their patrons, so this partnership was a no-brainer for us.” You’ll now be able to find Woom period care in the bathrooms of: The Barbershop Burrow Bar Cash Only Diner The Duke of Clarence Esteban Jolene’s The Lobo Papa Gede's PS40 Sammy Jnr Since I left You Stitch Bar The Swinging Cat Uncle Ming's Co-founded of Woom Erin Moy says: “We started Woom because we believe it's the responsibility of every workplace to provide free period care to their team – in the same way they provide toilet paper – and that one of the most important places to make someone feel like they belong is in the bathroom. “We’re so happy that the push to provide accessible period care has extended beyond a work setting and has now been picked up by these amazing Sydney venues. I’ve certainly been caught out without per

Get out your shoe polish: Eleven Madison Park, once named the best restaurant in the world, is coming to Sydney. Helmed by distinguished chef and owner Daniel Humm, New York’s three Michelin-starred restaurant will be doing a two-week residency at Matt Moran’s Aria as part of Vivid Food – Vivid Sydney’s exciting new pillar, from June 6-17. The plant-based restaurant joins a slew of top restaurants heading Down Under this year, including the Mirazur residency at the Gantry; Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Aria; and L’Enclume takeover at Bathers Pavilion – proving the Emerald City is more than just a drop in the ocean. This Very Big News comes as the line-up for Vivid Food has been announced. As well as Eleven Madison Park's Vivid Residency, Sydneysiders and Vivid seekers can look forward to the Vivid Chef Series, which will see some of the world’s best chefs including award-winning LA chef Jeremy Fox and Cape Town's Mmabatho Molefe, one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants' '50 Next hospitality pioneers' in 2022, team up with some of Sydney’s finest restaurants – think Kiln, Fred’s and Yellow – for exclusive menus and tastings. Plus, Vivid Fire Kitchen will be where barbecue gods including Lennox Hastie from Firedoor; Dave Pynt from Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends in Singapore; and Australian-born Texas pitmaster Jess Pryles take to the stage at the Cutaway at Barangaroo for fiery cooking demonstrations. Festival goers will also get the chance to taste plates from smoking hot

In breaking news for food lovers, distinguished (and fiery) chef Gordon Ramsay’s London-based three Michelin-starred restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, is coming to Sydney. A world first, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay will be taking over Matt Moran’s fine diner Aria for three nights – May, 8, 9 and 10, creating a chef collaboration of our dreams. Excitingly, this will be the first time Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has popped up outside of London. The seven-course menu, which has been curated by both Ramsay and Moran, will feature signature Restaurant Gordon Ramsay dishes such as shellfish raviolo; and a pecan praline dessert - made with fresh Australian produce. The duo, who have been friends for over 25 years, are also working alongside Matt Abé for the residency. Abé’s first job in hospitality was working at Aria when he was 17, and now 21 years later, he’s the chef patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. “Collaborating with my dear friend Matt Moran, and talented chef patron, Matt Abé at Aria, with its magnificent views across Sydney harbour, and creating a menu that utilizes Australia’s incredible local produce whilst delivering the finesse of our 3-star Michelin menu, is a dream come true,”says Ramsay. “What an absolute honour to have Restaurant Gordon Ramsay do their first residency outside London at Aria,” says Moran. Gordon is one of my closest mates, and Abé spent five years cooking with me in the Aria kitchen before moving to London where he has cemented his place as one of t

Adios, heirloom tomatoes. Be gone, roasted cauliflower. Because right now, it’s all about steak. The best steak, in fact, because five Sydney restaurants have just been voted in the top 50 of the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Which means that ten per cent of the top 50 steakhouses in the Whole Wide World are right here in Sydney. Yes, you read that correctly. We are chuffed, to say the least. And hungry.  Neil Perry’s CBD institution Rockpool Bar and Grill made it into the top ten, being named the eighth best steak restaurant in the world. Rockpool sources its beef from local producers and is dry-aged in house. The result? Perfectly caramelised, charred and flavourful meat.  Kingsleys Woolloomooloo was voted the 31st best, followed by Bistecca at 32nd, Porteño at 40th and the Gidley 43rd best steak restaurant in the world. Not too shabby for this city in an island country all the way down under. Founded in 2019 in London, the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list is widely regarded as the leading ranking of the best cuts of beef in the world. This year’s list includes restaurants from all over the globe. If you were wondering, Don Julio in Buenos Aires was crowned the Best Steak Restaurant in the World. And if you’ll allow me to humble brag for just a moment – I have been to Don Julio, twice, and can attest that it is indeed excellent. So if you were looking for your next date night spot, here is your sign to book into one of these meaty hotspots. Keen to read on? Her

UPDATE: Reservations are now open for Petermen, which opens on Thursday February 23, 2023. Book here. Find out more about the restaurant by reading on.   In excellent news for lovers of creatures of the sea (and plants), it’s been announced that the king of seafood Josh Niland and his wife Julie are opening a new 60-seat restaurant and bar early next year. Located on Sydney’s north shore in St Leonards, the restaurant will be called Petermen, in a nod to the 1400s when fishermen were known as Petermen, in the tradition of their patron, Saint Peter. While the menu is still being finalised, we do know that it will showcase premium local produce, namely seafood (of course), and also excitingly, vegetables. The chef and restaurateur is well regarded in Australia and around the world for being a pioneer for the fin-to-tail seafood movement that champions using the whole fish and not just the one fillet, with his work revolutionising the way we think about seafood. As well as making sense economically and environmentally, Niland’s cooking is first-class (if you haven’t tried his yellowfin tuna cheeseburger, you haven’t lived). Plus, it allows him to continue to be creative in the kitchen and push the boundaries of what we can do with food, including making ice cream from the whites of fish eyes (we’re not kidding: we've eaten said fisheye ice-cream and can vouch that it's delicious). This new opening will be the fifth string to the power couple's bow, with a Saint Peter Hotel alrea

When Victoria first swung open its sleek wooden door to the public earlier this year it rightly stopped Melburnians in their tracks (so much so Time Out said it was a dining experience unlike anything the state had experienced before). And not just because of its uninterrupted views of the Yarra. Created by the team behind Farmer’s Daughters with executive chef Alejandro Saravia at the helm, the new restaurant had a bold ambition – to take diners on a seasonal journey across Victoria to celebrate and showcase the produce, people and places of the state. Now, Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters has announced it’s following through on its promise by revealing its first full Region in Residence program – Ballarat and Surrounds – available for three months from September 1.  The jam-packed program will bring to life the best of Ballarat and surrounds – including the winemakers of the Pyrenees and the berry orchards and farms in the Moorabool shire. Think seasonally curated menus, restaurant collaborations and bespoke masterclasses that echo back to the farmers, winemakers, distillers, brewers and chefs’ shared passion for excellent food and wine, farm-to-table dining and a minimal waste philosophy. Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters executive chef Alejandro Saravia says, “I was instantly drawn to Ballarat because there’s been such a buzz lately with creative happenings in their food and drink scene, coupled with a rich heritage of multiculturalism, arts and craft as well as produce and ag