Alice Ellis

Sustainability seems to be the word on everyone’s lips right now. And, you’ll want to lick yours clean after dining at our city’s most conscious and creative eateries.  Whether it’s sourcing from local farmers, cooking top-to-tail, or embracing more plant-based menus, these restaurants and cafés prove that dining out doesn’t have to cost the environment. We’ve separated the wheat from the chaff and compiled a list of Sydney’s sustainability champions.

Somehow, it’s already autumn. The good news is there are plenty of exciting new openings to add to your hit list. My current favourites include Newtown’s charming new fisherman’s den, Mister Grotto; a fire-powered Mediterranean diner from the Bar Copains team called Bessie’s; and Marrickville’s new Greek grill house that’s 100 per cent worth the hype, Olympic Meats. Oh, and the five-star Neptune's Grotto. Below, you’ll find Sydney’s best new restaurants. Hungry? I am too. Let’s dig in. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

Believe it or not, another school holiday is just about to begin in NSW. And if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for the next two weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered –  with the ultimate round-up of activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families this Easter.  There’s something here for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini-athletes, the musical prodigies and just about everyone in between. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Whether you're a local or a visitor from out of town, nothing beats popping in for a frothy and a feed to get you fuelled up for the footy or cricket. For those heading to the game at either the SCG or Allianz from Central or Surry Hills, we've rounded up the best pubs along the route to get your pre-game on. So check out these pubs and do your team a solid by mustering up all the energy you can to cheer them on until that final siren sounds.   powered by Proxi

Sure, Sydney’s hella exxy, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find some cheap as chips things to do that won’t leave a big hole in your bank balance. 1. Climb some boulders harness free (don't worry, the padded floors promise a soft landing) at 9 Degrees in Alexandria. For just $25 you can nab a casual climb. $25  2. See a free gig at Phoenix Central Park. Even more intriguing than the impressive architectural design of this performance space, is the ticketing system. There is no monetary exchange required for the cutting-edge acts, you just need to enter a ballot and become one of the lucky winners. Free Photograph: Supplied | The Fullerton Hotel 3. Go for a dip at the heritage-listed Wylie’s Baths that sit below the Coogee coastal walkway. $6  4. Get moving with parkrun – a community-run 5-kilometre jog that takes place every Saturday morning at locations around the city. Free 5. Slurp down some epic noodle soup. We've rounded up our favourite bowls from around Sydney, here. From $15   6. Get a hit of the good feels that come with volunteering, by pitching in at Pocket City Farms for their Thursday and Saturday morning volunteering. $0  7. LOL all night long at the Running Joke on Level One of the Potts Point Hotel every Tuesday night. From $19 8. See the beaches on two wheels with a Cruiser Bike from Manly Bike Tours. $22 for an hour 9. Catch a $10 Sunday morning movie at Hoyts. At Hoyts cineams across the city (you'll find outposts at the Entertainment Quarter, Blackt

Sydney is jam-packed with gyms. From small studios to big mega-chains, single-service boutiques to multi-service offerings, and everything in between. The amount of choice can be overwhelming. Luckily, our Sydney Editor Alice Ellis has worked in the fitness industry, so she knows what separates a mediocre gym that you'll probably be wasting your money on, from a gym that you'll be motivated to attend so you can actually achieve the results you're after (whether that's building strength, losing weight, getting your stress in check or joining a new connecting with people). This list has been curated by all our Time Out Sydney editors and writers, who've covered a lot of ground when it comes to Sydney gyms. Read on to find the right gym fit for you. Looking for a healthy feed? Here's our guide to healthy eateries that don't suck. Prefer to pound the pavements? These are the best run clubs in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do in Sydney, travel inspo, food and more, straight to your inbox.  

The Emerald City is peppered with a whole host of dreamy stays – from boutique boltholes with rooftop pools overlooking trendy city suburbs to sky-high towers with uninterrupted views of the Opera House. To help you choose which is right for you, our team of writers (including Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley) have shared their top picks for the best places to stay in Sydney – along with tips on how to make the most of your stay. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best glamping sites in NSW. These are the best camping sites near Sydney. And these are the best spots for a weekend away if you’re keen to get out of town. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And while Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking, the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, while down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce; they choose simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes and cook with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are plenty of excellent options for Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s food writers and editors – including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, who has eaten her way through Sicily, Sorrento, Rome and Florence – have picked our favourite eateries, covering all bases. The only catch? They just need to provide a feel-good environment and dishes you’ll want to come back for. From casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine-dining restaurants, you’ll find them all here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

Autumn 2025 update: Not sure where the start of the year went? Same. Embrace the change in season with brekkie and a hot coffee at one of our fave Sydney cafés. My current picks include a delightful new spot from the Ursula’s Paddington team called Cafe Cressida, Manly’s go-to Noon, and the Euro-style Ken's Continental in Potts Point. Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee 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. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, 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 writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Autumn 2025 update: Life in Sydney is fun and fabulous, but it can also be expensive. The good news is you can dine out affordably if you know where to look. Keep this guide handy next time your friends suggest a catch-up. As for me, I’ll be hitting up old-school Italian spot Bill & Toni's, Emma’s Snack Bar (found in my new ’hood, Enmore), and for banging tacos, I’m heading to Mami’s in Bondi. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

Autumn 2025 update: Thirst-quenching beers, sunny beer gardens and hearty feeds – how good are pubs? Whether you’re after a midweek meal, a trivia night or live music, Sydney’s best watering holes are sure to set the stage for good times. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray. On a sunny day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden, and on a Sunday, it's all about a cracking roast. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney's local writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. Cheers! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 

Autumn 2025 update: Summer may be over, but we say – let the good times roll. A good place to start is our handy guide to the city’s finest drinking establishments. Whether it’s a date or a catch-up with a mate on the cards, these spots are sure to deliver on fun. My current picks? The eternally sexy Double Deuce Lounge, dreamy wine bar Famellia, and the home of excellent Margs, Stowaway Bar. This list represents our picks of the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great drinks, curated by our local editors, drink writers and fellow booze hounds, including Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity and options at every price point. Cheers to you, Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 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.

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.  The vibe If you’re after a sunny-day lunch spot by the water, this place has your name written all over it. It’s down at the harbour at Barangaroo, an iconic Sydney setting. It’s got a huge indoor-outdoor dining room – there’s cover to keep you out of the rain and blaring sun, but you look straight out onto the boardwalk and water. This is no cosy, underground, “hidden gem” – it’s a slick, sleek-surfaces kind of place. On the day we went, the service was a little slow, but the place was pumping – even though it was only a Wednesday lunchtime. The food As the name suggests, the menu heroes fish. Sustainable fish, which is ace. Their philosophy is: "Be as local, seasonal and sustainable as possible.” The menu spans raw and cured options, small plates, pastas and risottos and, of course, main fish dishes (including grilled swordfish, barramundi and mulloway). Non-fish fans can opt for the steak or chicken dish instead, but we’re here for the seafood – so we order the fish and chips (today it’s king dory) and the spinach linguine with prawns. The fish and chips is solid – a nice, generous serve with crisp batter, a tangy tartare sauce and Maccas-like fries. The green-tinged pasta comes with sliced prawns and a pearlescent cherry tomato and pangrattato sauce that

Whether you've got Gaelic heritage or are just in it for a good time, St Patrick's Day is a perfect excuse to celebrate – and this year the Rocks is once again set to be the epicentre of the Irish-inspired merrimaking in honour of the March 17 holiday. On Sunday, March 16, 2025 (the day before the official St Paddy’s Day), Irish pride will take over the historic precinct in the form of free family-friendly activities, markets, toe-tapping live music and world-class Irish dance performances.  Kicking off at 11am, the annual St Patrick’s Day Festival Parade will begin at Martin Place, then make its way down Pitt St to the festival site at First Fleet Park. The festival itself will also kick off at 11am – you'll get the chance to participate in Irish language lessons, watch live music and performances from Irish dancers and stilt walkers. The kids will be entertained by face painting, characters from Frozen and interactive craft stalls. Food stalls will be serving up Irish fare, and, of course, the pubs and restaurants that have been serving visitors to the Rocks for years will be pouring out pint upon pint of Guinness.Put on your favourite green accessory, and visit the Rocks for a high-spirited St Patrick's Day celebration.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Looking for somewhere to sink a pint? Check out the best beer gardens in Sydney. Want more activities

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.  The Sydney suburb of Haberfield famously has no pubs. When a man named Des Middleton tried to open one here in 1948, more than half of the suburb’s population (that was 4,238 residents, at the time) voted against it. Over the years, some Haberfield restaurateurs have even struggled to secure liquor licenses for their eateries. So, to this day, this little Inner Western suburb full of heritage homes is still without a pub. Despite the area’s Italian-ness, it doesn’t even have a wine bar. We’d say it doesn’t need a pub when it has UTS Haberfield Rowers The club house – located on the popular Bay Run, over the water at Iron Cove – has housed various restaurants over the years, but in May 2024, it was taken over by hospitality pro Con Dedes (of Flying Fish and Sala), who has rebranded the venue as Regatta Club. In a nod to what seems like Haberfield’s pub-free policy, the staff have the words ‘REGATTA PUB CLUB’ written on the back of their T-shirts. Cute. This new venue has an easy, breezy, always-summery vibe, and it’s the perfect place for an afternoon or balmy-evening drink (and yes, the only place in this ’hood where you can have a drink without eating).  As you walk up the stairs, there’s a big hand-painted mural on the wall – drawings of rowing-club motifs

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. As you take the elevator up to the 26th floor above the modern Skye Suites apartment tower from the corporate-leaning Macquarie Street, Parramatta, it’s hard to imagine you’re about to enter a glamorous, Art Deco-style cocktail and Champagne bar. But as you step out, you launch into another world – it’s the world of Nick and Nora, the murder-solving, soirée-throwing New York duo from the novel (and films), The Thin Man. Nick & Nora’s is made up of a big, indoor area, sandwiched between two outdoor terraces. From the terraces you look out onto the contemporary Parramatta cityscape and far beyond, yet each piece of furniture and design detail – including the Art Deco-style light shades dotted around the room – screams old-world glamour.  Every little detail has been considered, not a corner cut The bar itself is the centrepiece of the room – there are rows and rows and rows of bottles of spirits, all lit from behind so they glow with a warm golden light. You can sit along the green, marble bar on dark wooden stools, at one of the many tables or booths inside, or you can look out at the view from a rattan stool or lounge on the terrace. The service also comes with vintage charm – the bartenders are dressed smartly in crisp, white shirts and forest-green cross-ba

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Ateş (pronounced “a-tesh”) means 'fire' in Turkish and, considering it’s one of the coldest Blackheath days on record on the day we visit, a cosy neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant featuring food cooked over flames seems like the right place to be. This little Blue Mountains dining room is warm in more ways than one – the terracotta-coloured walls give off welcoming vibes. There are house plants scattered around the dining room, like it's someone's home. The (mostly locally-sourced) produce is cooked in a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven. The service is also warm and friendly. It's the sort of place you want to settle into for the afternoon to share good food, and that’s what we’re here to do. I’m not normally a big fan of polenta, but something draws me to order it, and it’s a delicious choice. It’s soft polenta, cooked in butter, almost like a creamy risotto, and it’s topped with a mound of different types of wood-roasted mushrooms and chestnuts, sliced and tossed in a vinegary dressing that cuts through the creaminess of the polenta base. Speaking of risotto, we order that, too, jumping at the chance to sample the Kanimbla Valley truffles it’s served with. The risotto is spiked with small shavings of the truffle, but it’s also topped with the most gen

The Australia vs England Ashes contest is one of the biggest rivalries in sport, and the sense of competition isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes, which started way back in 1934-35. Ninety years on, Australia is hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, starting with a one-dayer in Sydney on Sunday, January 12 at North Sydney Oval (tickets $5 – bargain!). That will be followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra. The other Sydney game is on at the SCG – a T20 match on January 20.  Help make history by showing up to one of the games (or tuning in on TV) to break some records. You did it for the Matildas, now do it for our Southern Stars! They’re ranked number one in the world, after all. We've put together a handy guide to everything you need to know about the Women's Ashes 2025, including Sydney games, over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more things to do? These are the biggest events on in Sydney in 2025. These are the ultimate Sydney things to do before you die. These are the best ways to keep kids occupied in Sydney this school holidays.

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Grenier means ‘attic’ in French, and that’s exactly where you’ll find Bistro Grenier – you enter Newtown bar Odd Culture (created by the same team) and take the stairs up into a low-lit area above, where hefty old trusses support a cathedral ceiling. There are lithographic prints of sad clowns on the dark, sloped walls – a motif that’s continued in the cute coasters on each table. As well as wall lamps and sky lights, the room is lit by a tall, skinny candle on each table dressed with a snow-white tablecloth. C'est très romantique. My dining mate orders a Martini (here they do it with butter vodka for a French spin), but I’m inspired by the setting to order a classic French apéro, a Ricard pastis. I’ve actually never had pastis before, but I’m excitedly in training for a trip to Marseille later this year. The waiter brings out the licorice-flavoured pastis in a little wine glass, accompanied by a small yellow jug of water and a glass of ice. I pour the water in the pastis as I’m instructed to do, and the whisky-coloured liquid turns milky. It tastes delicious (as long as you like aniseed) and powers up my appetite.  The front of the menu says ‘Les cingles sont les bienvenus’, which Google tells me translates to ‘Weirdos are welcome’ – but the menu itself is l

Let’s just start by saying I’m not a D&D player. I’ve played a couple of times with my family, led by my teenage son as Dungeon Master, but that was just to show interest in something he loves. So I do understand the basics – that said, you don’t need any prior knowledge of D&D to get swept up in the magic that is Dungeons and Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern. If anything, this show is probably the best way I’ve found so far to get a better grasp on the complex game that is D&D. This is an interactive show that began in New York as an Off-Broadway production – the same director, Michael Fell, also rehearsed with the Australian cast. In what ways is it interactive? The story lies in the audience’s hands, as well as with the roll of the 20-sided dice.  As you enter The Studio at the Sydney Opera House, you pick a coloured sticker from a basket. Depending on what colour you choose, you get aligned with one of the three classes: Warrior, Mage (Wizard) or Assassin/Entertainer. Throughout the show, you make decisions for the character in your assigned class, mostly by choosing options via your mobile phone (after scanning a QR code) – and sometimes just by yelling out. (Top tip:Make sure you turn up with a fully-charged phone.) You answer polls and take part in little games to choose what character the actors play, then make decisions or see the outcomes of characters’ actions. Dice rolls are directed by the Dungeon Master, played by the charismatic Cody Simpson-lookalike William Ka

Earlier this year, I was asked about my top Australian bucket-list destination – if I could go anywhere in the country, where would I pick? I nominated Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. So it’s a pinch-myself moment as my husband and I wind our way up through the mountains in the car towards Cradle Mountain Lodge, spotting wombats, echidnas and pademelons throughout the countryside. Before we’ve even arrived at our destination, we start feeling the magic of this wild part of the world. Cradle Mountain Lodge – part of the Peppers family – sits on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (a scenic two-hour drive from Launceston). It’s the perfect place from which to set off on any number of hikes through the national park, a landscape that looks like it’s been thought up by the mind of JRR Tolkien: bright green grassy knolls that appear to be kept perfectly mowed by happy wombats; crystalline lakes with mountains reflected in them; patches of rainforest encasing secret waterfalls; and rocky inclines just begging to be climbed for an even better view.  You only have to walk for about five minutes from the lodge to arrive at a shuttle bus stop – and the bus takes you to the start of multiple trails. There are also a range of boardwalks and smaller tracks that start directly from the lodge. Back at the lodge, the scenery is enchanting, too – also full of wombats, pademelons and even a little family of Tassie devils hiding under the main building

One look around this restaurant and its lush surrounds, and you can see why it’s called Lucky Duck – you can definitely call yourself lucky to spend time here. Although the rest of the Hunter Valley is pastures, grape vines and gumtrees, Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale – the property where Lucky Duck is – is more like Byron Bay. Or even Bali. There are tropical plants around the path leading into the restored timber house featuring colourful and ornate stained-glass windows, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and a deck that sits above a dam full of silver perch. The verdant landscaping isn’t all that sets this newish restaurant apart from other Hunter Valley venues. While the region is full of eateries with menus that are Modern Australian (with some European thrown in for good measure), Lucky Duck features fun, bold and super-tasty Asian food. The dishes are share-style. On the small plates menu, there are fresh and tangy offerings such as the hiramasa kingfish with yellow curry and kaffir oil; a pineapple and cashew salad; and half-shell scallops with seaweed butter. Then some more indulgent picks, like a drop-dead-delicious prawn toast; Szechuan-spiced chicken wings with a pepper caramel and roasted peanuts; and – of course – duck bao. The large plates include barramundi over coals with burnt cos lettuce, kombu dashi and edamame; and local mushrooms with a yuzu ‘bernaise’. Lucky Duck began as a pop-up. It was a concept introduced into the space until the restaurant group – th

Some 25 years ago, The Wharf Revue began as a post-show, cabaret-esque satire act in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. It soon became obvious that it deserved a place on the main stage, and it quickly became one of STC’s most sold-out shows for the Sydney Theatre Company. I first attended this annual comedic roasting of (mostly) Australian politicians back when I was 21. Cut to 20 years on (yikes) and I’m here at the Seymour Centre (it eventually moved here and into the hands of indie producers, Soft Tread) for their last ever show. It’s the end of an era for the revue’s long-term writers and performers – Phil Scott, Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe; all now in their 60s and 70s – and the end of an era for staunch audience members like me. I start to wonder if, perhaps, this is also the end of an era for satire like this. For a quarter-century no one in the public eye has been safe from mimicry. The End of the Wharf as We Know It opens with Paul Keating (portrayed by Biggins) expressing his relief at the extinguishment of this “satirical blowtorch”, which he compares to being “thrashed with overcooked broccolini”. The musicality of the revue has always been one of its most charming aspects. Scott is a talented composer, pianist and lyricist, having written and composed musicals and cabarets over the years. The others jump on guitar, bass and drums now and then as support, and everyone sings LOL-inducing lyrics, including new lyrics set to wel

The Gidley burger has got a lot of attention this year – it was named the world’s ninth best burger by the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants – so it’s no wonder it’s something that’s attracted people to The Rover, since they started serving it up, too. But that’s not all that draws people to this neighbourhoody cocktail bar. The Rover has a lot going for it. The fisherman’s pie, for one (more on that later). The Rover is a dimly lit cocktail bar in Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter (the section of Sydney named the coolest in 2024 by Time Out). If you go to this little intersection of Cambell and Foster Streets, you know you’ll have a good time – perhaps dinner at Pellegrino 2000 across the street, then drinks at The Rover. Or just skip Pellegrino altogether and eat your way through The Rover’s delicious menu, with a couple of cocktails or some wine. My friend and I start with the burger, of course. It’s double-beef patties made from Riverine sirloin chain meat; Coppertree farms retired dairy cow chuck and brisket, dry-aged at the in-house butchery at one of Liquid & Larder’s other steak venues, Alfie's. Basically, these guys know their meat (as well as Alfie’s and 24th best steak restaurant in the world, The Gidley, they also run Bistecca). The milk bun is perfectly round on top like in the photos; it looks polished, almost shiny, and we don’t really want to have to cut it in half. They’re thin, smash-style patties – crowd-pleasing because they’re not served rare like they are

Would it surprise you that only one in three people with low vision or blindness feel confident heading out and about, including into cafés and restaurants, in our community? It's a sad fact that, despite society's empathy and our love of Labradors, people with low vision or blindness are often turned away from venues – sometimes because they have a guide dog in toe. Shocker, right? These gaps in support lead people to opt out of public social interactions and dining out. Almost 500,000 Australians are blind or have low vision, so in pursuit of transforming Sydney into a more accessible city, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has launched a new campaign to assist restaurants, cafés and bars so they can better cater to people with low vision or blindness. Their Access Means Business initiative provides a handy toolkit for hospitality businesses to use to make sure they’re equipped to support patrons with low vision or blindness. Among the resources available are training modules and practical tools – and business owners have been encouraged to reach out to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT if they require further assistance to make their venue more accessible. Urban accessibility is a work in progress for many Australian cities, and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT CEO Dale Cleaver says that Sydney has a long way to go in order to see public spaces and facilities inclusive for the needs of all members of the community. "Until now many businesses and staff still lack the tools and training to provide truly inclusive serv

Democracy is, undeniably, an excellent thing. As is the democracy sausage. But is that snag sambo really worth lining up at the local school on a Saturday to cast your vote? If you've got other plans on the Australian federal election day (Saturday, May 3, 2025), you can pre-poll. We've broken down everything you need to know about the 2025 federal election. When is the Australian election 2025? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the next Australian federal election for Saturday, May 3. Who has to vote in the Australian election? Anyone who is an Australian citizen, aged 18 and over, must vote in the election.  How to enrol in the Australian election?  All Australians must be enrolled to vote. You can check your enrolment here. If you've just turned 18 or moved since the 2022 election, you'll need to have already enrolled (close date for enrolment was 8pm on Monday, April 7). Failure to vote will result in a $20 fine. How to vote in the Australian election? On election day, Australians can vote at polling booths in their state or territory, including churches, schools, community halls and public buildings. Locations are available via the Australian Electoral Commission's “Where can I vote” page, with polling stations open from 8am to 6pm. Once you arrive at your polling station, you’ll be provided with two ballot papers. The smaller piece is for the House of Representatives: you must number every box in order of your preferences. The larger ballot is for the Senate: y

Once Daylight Savings wraps up the annual wave of complaints begins: Why does Daylight Savings have to end? We love the daylight after clocking off from work! My body's not going to know what time it is! Who invented this inconvenience? I feel jetlagged. But before you get in a tailspin about winding the clocks back, let's accentuate the positive. Think of it this way: 1. You can wake up with the sun The lame thing about Daylight Savings after summer's ended if that many of us have to start rising for the day in the pitch black, which makes waking up way harder to do. Thanks to the end of Daylight Savings, the sun now peeks above the horizon closer a whole hour earlier. So you can wake up whistling ‘Here Comes the Sun’. No? The unfortunate part of this is having the sun in your eyes driving into the city from the west. But a dramatic rendition of the opening scene of 'The Lion King' is sure to cheer you up. 2. You can start running in the mornings And you will, right? Those ambitious people who run in the morning before work love when Daylight Savings ends. Their morning workouts are lit. Everyone can see their flashy running gear. And the temperature is becoming cooler, nicer to run in. If you're not yet a runner and you're having trouble finding the motivation to start, this is your chance! Head over here for running route inspo. 3. You can save bucks  When you finally roll out of bed after hitting snooze three times, don’t turn on the lamp. Instead, crack open the blinds

This Friday (April 4), the Tillies train will come roaring into Allianz Stadium for a hotly contested showdown against Korea Republic – and even though it's just a friendly, fans of the Matildas are already giddy. We love any chance at all to see the girls in green and gold take the pitch – but this game in particular already has football fans talking, with news that Sam Kerr will be rejoining her team after a tricky period of injury and off-field issues. While it’s highly unlikely the star striker will see any game time during the friendly against Korea Republic (being a friendly, it's said they'll likely rest her), her pitch-side presence will no doubt give a boost to morale for her teammates and fans in the crowd. After a meeting with the Football Australia Board, it's been confirmed that the 31-year-old will retain her captaincy when she hits the pitch again and is given the all-clear to play. (Props to Steph Catley who has done a fantastic job in the interim as captain while Kerr was on leave.) It's been well over a year since Kerr has played competitive football, since she tore her ACL during a Chelsea FC training camp all the way back in January, 2024. Since then, Kerr has experienced an tumultuous time including a surgery, injury rehab and a highly publicised court case following a run-in with a London Metropolitan police officer. RECOMMENDED: These are 5 Matildas every Australian should know. In a joint statement with Football Australia, Kerr expressed regret over ho

The wait is finally over! After a spectacular awards ceremony at Machine Hall on Monday, March 24, the winners of Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Awards 2025 (in partnership with Tyro) have been revealed. For more than 15 years, Time Out has been running awards that celebrate Australia's hospo industry with ceremonies in both Sydney and Melbourne. Our local editors and writers have been eating their way around both cities to give readers the recommendations they’re searching for, while also working to spotlight amazing business owners, chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, front-of-house and back-of-house professionals who work hard to deliver special dining experiences. “Time Out is all about getting people off the couch and out experiencing the best of their cities, so the Time Out Food & Drink Awards are a great chance to celebrate those businesses serving up something truly special," says Time Out APAC Managing Director, Kaylie Smith.  “The pace of new venue openings hasn’t slowed since our last Sydney and Melbourne Food & Drink Awards, so our editors and writers have been checking new spots out, as well as revisiting long-standing restaurants and bars. Our main focus with reviewing, and deciding on winners, is diversity. We aim to fill our readers in on a diverse range of venues – diverse when it comes to price point, cuisines, locations, length of service and vibes.” Photograph: Cassandra Hannagan | Time Out Sydney Food & Drink Awards People's Choice Best Bar winners 2025: Unc

As we've been hearing, Formula 1 is leaving other sports in the dust with a boost in popularity. A Nielsen Sports study from December 2024 reported that F1's global fanbase has reached 750 million – a 5.7 per cent increase in just three years. And the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne set a new attendance record, with 465,498 spectators turning up over the four-day event. Why? Part of the growth is attributed to Netflix’s popular Drive to Survive series, which has given the world an intimate look into the sport and its drivers, helping attract a younger and more diverse audience. Notably, women (that’s me!) now make up 41 per cent of the fanbase. ​ I was lucky enough to head from Sydney to Melbourne for the recent F1, and I saw this all first-hand. The other thing I noticed? Lego bags everywhere – kids carrying them, adults carrying them. I followed the trail to the Lego Fan Zone, where people were getting their hands on the brand-new Lego F1 collection.  It’s a partnership that makes a lot of sense. As noted, F1 is a brand that people are hugely passionate about – and so is Lego. The tiny bricks fill our childhood memories and our homes, are the subject of one of Australia’s top TV shows, and of course, the toy has its own global movie franchise.  At the Lego Fan Zone, I chat with Lego Australia & New Zealand boss Troy Taylor. “If you think about Lego as a brand, it's all about engineering and innovation, right? Just like the F1,” he says. “So the partnership's really

Sydney is a spread-out city – so for some of us, transport costs can feel like a constant uphill battle. From fuel and tolls to car rego, insurance and public transport charges, the costs just keep piling up. So do you want the good news or the bad news first? Here’s the good news: after almost two years of rising transport costs, the figures finally dropped in the last quarter of 2024. But now, buckle up for the bad news – Sydney came out as the most expensive Australian capital city when it came to total transport costs (that's everything from public transport to fuel prices and tolls, etc).  New data from the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) quarterly Affordability Index reveals that the average Aussie household spent a hefty 16.1 per cent of its income on transport in the last quarter of 2024. It turns out, Sydney households spend an average of $29,337 per year(!) on all transport costs. That's a fair bit higher than the national capital city average of $24,486. Sydney was followed by Melbourne, where households spend an average of $27,369 per year on the same stuff.  Households in Hobart spend the least on public transport, but they're still looking at a hefty $21,742 per year average spend. Not great news for Sydneysiders, considering the cost of things like real estate and going out are also high. That said, the AAA report also measured a different factor, 'transport affordability', in each capital city, by ranking each city’s cost-to-income ratio – and Sydne

Time Out’s local food writers and editors eat out – a lot – so they can bring you recommendations on tried-and-tested restaurants and bars that are worthy of your precious money and time. We've been running awards that celebrate Australia's hospitality industry for more than 15 years, and now we’ve gone live with our 2025 nominees for the Time Out Food & Drink Awards (in partnership with Tyro), for both Melbourne and Sydney.  The pace of openings hasn’t slowed down since our last Melbourne and Sydney Food & Drink Awards, so we’ve been checking new spots out, as well as revisiting long-standing restaurants and bars to make sure they’re still delivering excellent experiences. Despite the fact that it’s been a challenging time in hospitality, the field was strong – there are so many amazing business owners, chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, front-of-house and back-of-house professionals working hard to deliver exceptional experiences to diners, and we love being able to celebrate those who are serving up something truly special. It was difficult to narrow the nominees down (we have covered so many incredible venues this year!), but we have worked hard to bring you a selection of nominees that is diverse – diverse when it comes to price point, cuisines, locations and vibes. Time Out Melbourne and Sydney has announced nominees in the following editors’ choice categories: Best Fine Dining Restaurant (Melbourne) Best Special Occasion Restaurant (Sydney) Best Relaxed Dining Best Cheap

Time Out has released the annual 50 Best Cities in the World list, and Sydney has moved up significantly in rankings, placing 15th best city on Earth for 2025 – a big jump from 31st place in 2024. Time Out’s annual global list is based predominantly on locals’ own views on where they live. To rank cities, Time Out surveyed more than 18,500 local city dwellers on everything from their city’s food scene and nightlife to culture, walkability, public transport, affordability and city vibe. The global team then combined that data with insights from Time Out city experts from around the world. Photograph: Mauro Risch Photography Australia had four cities make the top-50 list – the most Australian cities ever. Melbourne made the top five cities on Earth (fourth place), scoring particularly well for ‘restaurants and eating out’ and ‘culture’. Perth landed in spot 33 and Brisbane 37, both making their debuts on the list. Of course Sydney has its downsides (hi, lack of affordability and a housing crisis, and nightlife that's still in a rebuild phase), but the city also has plenty going for it, especially relative to other parts of the world. It won't come as a surprise that Sydney’s high position was based partly on the city’s beauty and our natural environment that allows us to enjoy outdoorsy lifestyles. Sydney was rated as the world’s third most beautiful city, and placed second in the ‘green spaces and access to nature’ category.  RECOMMENDED: These are the absolute best things t

Sporting history is being made in our city this summer, with the return of the Women's Ashes. Our Southern Star gals are ranked as the number one team in the world right now, and now they'll take on the poms. It’s one of the biggest rivalries in sport – the Australia vs England Ashes contest – and the rivalry isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes. The Women’s Ashes started way back in the summer of 1934-1935 (though there was no trophy until 1998). Ninety years on, Australia is looking forward to hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, with two held right here in Melbourne. starting in Sydney on January 12, followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra, then culminating in a Test match at the MCG from January 30. So if you're keen to support our Aussie ladies and women's sport, read on for everything you need to know.  What’s the format of the Women’s Ashes? Unlike the Men’s Ashes, which is a Test Series, the Women’s Ashes is made up of a series of different game formats. Including one-dayers and T20 games in the mix attracts a range of different audiences to the Women’s Ashes (read: not everyone is interested in Test cricket – the shorter formats open it up to other audiences). The 2025 Women’s Ashes will feature: 3 x ODIs (One Day International games – 50 overs for each team, played in one day) 3 x T20 games (Twenty20 games – 20 overs for each team, pl

It’s one of the biggest rivalries in sport – the Australia vs England Ashes contest – and the rivalry isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes. The Women’s Ashes started way back in the summer of 1934-1935 (though there was no trophy until 1998). Ninety years on, Australia is looking forward to hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, starting in Sydney on January 12, followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra, then culminating in a Test match at the MCG from January 30.  Help make history by showing up to one of the games, and tuning in on TV, to break some records. You did it for the Matildas, now do it for our Southern Stars! They’re ranked number one in the world.   What’s the format of the Women’s Ashes? Unlike the Men’s Ashes, which is a Test Series, the Women’s Ashes is made up of a series of different game formats. The 2025 Women’s Ashes will feature: 3 x ODIs (One Day International games – 50 overs for each team, played in one day) 3 x T20 games (Twenty20 games – 20 overs for each team, played over a few hours) 1 x Test match (unlimited overs day/night games, played over four days) Why is the Women’s Ashes multi-format instead of just a Test series? Including one-dayers and T20 games in the mix attracts a range of different audiences to the Women’s Ashes (read: not everyone is interested in Test cricket – the shorter formats open it up to other

For most of us grown-ups, the holidays are over – and we’re all setting about booking our next one. Trying to plan your next twelve months around when the little ones are at school? Here's everything you need to know about the NSW school holidays and school term dates for 2025. When do NSW schools go back? (Start date of Term 1 2025 NSW) For the Eastern Division schools in NSW, the first term of the year starts on Thursday, January 30, 2025. For the Western Division NSW schools, term starts on Thursday, February 6, 2025. What are the dates for NSW school holidays 2025? NSW autumn 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 24, 2025 NSW winter 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18, 2025 NSW spring 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 10, 2025 NSW Christmas (summer) 2025 school holiday dates: Eastern Division: Monday, December 22, 2025, to Monday, January 26, 2026 Western Division: Monday, December 22, 2025 to Thursday, February 2, 2026 What's the difference between the eastern and western division NSW school holidays? Historically, the NSW Department of Education has staggered NSW schools located in the eastern and western districts across the NSW summer school holidays. This means that schools located in the eastern section of NSW will return to school in the new year a week earlier than their western region counterparts. What are the NSW school term dates for 2025? NSW School Term 1 2025 dates: Eastern D