Avril (she/her) grew up reading food reviews before school. She learnt about balancing flavours during cooking classes in Indonesia with her mum, dived into the importance of heritage on food tours in Hawaii, and fell in love with fine dining after going to Aria at 15. No two meals were ever the same in the Treasure household, and some of her most special memories are with her loved ones are around a table laughing, eating (probably too much salt and butter) and drinking (anything, though she loves a Negroni).

Avril studied media and communications at the University of Notre Dame Sydney and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism. She’s been a freelance lifestyle writer for a decade, writing for the likes of Broadsheet, Concrete Playground, Delicious, Urban List NZ, and the Saturday Telegraph’s At Home magazine on food and drink, travel, culture and gardening. Avril also had a brief stint in food PR, has lived in New Zealand and travelled to every continent bar Antarctica (though, it’s on the list).

Throughout uni and her freelancing days, Avril worked in hospitality here in Sydney for close to eight years, from waitressing to hosting, enduring many a (hungover) 12-hour shift. Her respect and appreciation for chefs, as well as the front and back of house, was cemented during this time, and her love of wining and dining, grew.

Avril joined Time Out Sydney in August 2022 in the Creative Solutions team, became the Food & Drink Writer in March 2023, and the Food & Drink Editor in January 2024. In her role, Avril eats and drinks her way throughout Sydney to inspire people to get out, explore and eat and drink well. Because life’s too short for lacklustre meals. She has never loved a job more. And she probably still eats too much salt and butter.

Avril Treasure

Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney

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Articles (258)

The best free (and cheap) dates you can go on across Sydney

Let's face it, love in this economy can be tricky. Generally, living in Sydney means that (unless you’re among the city's one per cent), taking your squeeze out on the town can lead you to consider auctioning off a kidney to cover the costs. To all you lovers out there whose weekly budget doesn't stretch to chartering a seaplane (or getting tipsy at one of the city's sexy underground bars), we hear you. That’s why we've put together an ultimate list of the best cheap and free dates available to boot-strapped lovers in the Emerald City – a list we compiled with love and care, testing out each option with romance in mind. Each of these options is guaranteed to set you back either nothing or next to nothing – save the cash and stock up on memories. 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.These are the best camping sites near Sydney for a low-cost romantic escape, and these are our readers' top tips for saving money in the Harbour City.

The best Lunar New Year events in Sydney

This time around, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and it's a celebration for many cultures represented in Sydney, including the city's Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean communities. It's traditionally celebrated through food, art, festivities and generally getting together with friends and family. January 29 marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising elegance, wisdom and transformation in traditional Chinese culture.We've picked out some of the very best ways to harness snake energy and charm your way into the new lunar year in Sydney – we'll be adding to this list as we near the date, so check back with us when you need more activity inspo. Hungry? Here are some of the Sydney restaurants serving up special Lunar New Year feasts for Year of the Snake.RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.And here’s what’s on this week.

The best beer gardens in Sydney right now

Our unbeatable summers and mild winters make Sydney the perfect place for a schooner in the great outdoors, and lord knows we’ve got enough beer gardens to prove it. Whether surrounded by lush greenery, designer dogs, ocean views, or all of the above, this list covers the best beer gardens our city has to offer. Because drinking outside sure beats drinking 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 a brew with a view? Enjoy a cold one at one of Sydney's best rooftop bars.

The best breakfasts in Sydney

Sydney's love for breakfast knows no bounds – we’ll queue for ages, seek out the most photogenic dishes and fight for the corner spot of our favourite brunch spot. This is a city where the choices are many, but the following dishes are a cut above – think classics done right, new spins on eggs, coffee like liquid gold, menus that break new ground, and service that'll have you happy you rolled out of bed. Time Out's local food writers and breakfast enthusiasts, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have hit the streets to bring you our guide to the best breakfasts in Sydney. Mornings have never looked (or tasted) so good. 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 READS: Want more? Check out our guide to the best cafés in Sydney here. More of a night owl? Check out the best spots in Sydney to grab a drink.

The 71 best cafés in Sydney right now

Summer 2025 update: Whether you’re craving a rainbow brekkie plate after an early-morning ocean swim, a matcha during your walk, or a spot to relax on Sunday with hot coffee and buttery scrambled eggs, there’s a café here for you. 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.

The best Lunar New Year lunches and dinners in Sydney

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without a feast, and there are many auspicious and symbolic dishes that are a must on any holiday menu: noodles for longevity, whole fish and salad for prosperity, rice cakes for advancement to new heights, and more. Beyond invoking luck and fortune, Lunar New Year fare is also damn delicious. So it's the perfect time to gather your friends and family together for a festive feed. We've found the best spots to celebrate the Year of the Snake. 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: The best Lunar New Year events in Sydney. Feel like more? Check out our guide to the finest Chinese restaurants in Sydney.

The best new restaurants in Sydney

Even though I am sweaty, I love this time of year. Frangipanis are in bloom, there's festive magic in the air, friends and family are out knocking back Spritzes, and the ocean just keeps getting better. Plus, the top-notch restaurant openings keep on coming. Below, I’ve rounded up the best new restaurants in Sydney, including The Grill, the luxe diner from the Shell House crew; the impressive (and huge!) Greek restaurant from The Apollo team called Olympus; and Island Radio, an affordable Southeast Asian noodle house in Redfern. 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.

Things to do in Sydney on January 26

In Australia, January 26 has very different meanings for different people. For First Nations people, the day marks the beginning of colonisation and is sometimes called Invasion Day or Survival Day. For recent migrants, January 26 is the day of many citizenship ceremonies across the country. However you choose to spend it, we've picked out the main events taking place on the public holiday in 2025.In terms of time off work, it's worth noting that this year January 26 falls on a Sunday – meaning the public holiday will take place on Monday, January 27.Want to plan your year ahead? These are all the public holidays in NSW in 2025.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. Want to escape the city? These are the best camping sites near Sydney, these are the best places to camp by the beach in NSW, and these are the best day hikes close to the city.

The best facials in Sydney

As a city known for its healthy way of life, Sydney is unsurprisingly home to dozens of spas and skincare salons offering facial treatments to keep the signature sun-kissed glow alive even through the winter months. And while we can’t list them all, we can shine a light on a few wellness sanctuaries offering fantastic skincare rituals to help you feel like your glowiest self, all year round. Read on for our (by no means exhaustive) round-up of Sydney’s best facials. Want head-to-toe treatment outside of the city? These are the best day spas in the Blue Mountains. 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.

The 70 best cheap eats in Sydney right now

Summer 2025 update: Cut back on spending, not flavour, with our guide to Sydney’s best affordable eats. My current faves include new Thai-Chinese eatery Ama, colourful late-night Indian diner Derrel's, and Vietnamese eatery Tan Viet Noodle House, home to excellent crisp-skinned chicken. Because life’s too short to eat sh*t food. 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.

The 30 best bars in Australia

There’s always time for a tipple when you’re travelling around Australia. Our thirsty country is swimming in stellar watering holes that are loved by locals and tourists alike. We’ve even got a handful of contenders on the World’s 50 Best Bars list to back us up. Whether you’re looking for a fancy spot for cleverly crafted cocktails or a natural wine bar with superb snacks, our local Australian editors and drink writers have curated this list of all the best bars in Australia right now. Start drinking your way through it! 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🍷 Australia's best wineries☕️ Where to find the best coffee in Australia

The 20 best burgers 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 Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have tried all the top buns in town – and these are the best in 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. RECOMMENDED: These are Sydney's best pizza joints. Want more carbs? These are Sydney's best pasta spots.

Listings and reviews (404)

Joji

✍️ 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. It’s just after 9pm on a Monday and three thoughts come to mind. First, Joji shimmers as much as the jewellery found below in the Cartier flagship store. Second, the DJ’s seamless transitions from funky house to disco beats are on point. And third: wow, there’s a line of people waiting to get a seat inside the city’s newest rooftop bar. On a school night. I suddenly feel an urge to tell everyone who thinks Sydney’s nightlife is dead that they couldn’t be more wrong. Joji opened in the second half of 2024 at 388 George Street, on level five. It’s the first foray into the bar world for the Esca Group, though their CV is strong, with Middle Eastern, Martin Place-diner Aalia, pretty-and-pink Nour, modern Japanese spot Ito and pan-Asian restaurant Lilymu under their wings. The inside is polished and glamorous, with warm lighting, earthy tones, a shiny silver DJ station, sleek wooden bar and plush curved booths. There’s indoor seating and a wraparound terrace, and on this warm evening, I reckon that’s the ticket. It’s also apparent that Gucci may be out of stock because every bag in Sydney is here. The cocktail menu draws from the Japanese principles of simplicity, imperfection and creativity. My pick is the Geisha, made with fresh yuzu gin, nashi pear, passion fru

Lottie

Say hola to Lottie, a sun-drenched rooftop Mexican restaurant, now open atop the soon-to-launch Redfern hotel, The Eve. The 107-seat open-air diner is the latest from the Liquid & Larder crew – the team behind The Gidley, Bistecca, The Rover and Alfie’s – and is the second venue to open at the boutique hotel within Wunderlich Lane, joining the Euro-style Bar Julius, also now open. Alejandro Huerta, the former head chef of Comedor, who has spent time in the kitchens of Noma in Copenhagen and Pujol in Mexico, is leading the kitchen as Lottie’s head chef, alongside executive chef Pip Pratt. Come for house-made tortillas piled with fresh, zingy and charred toppings, shaved-ice Margaritas and flaming-orange sunsets. RELATED READ: Here's a sneak peek at Sydney's stunning new luxury hotel: The Eve. The menu, which is 100 per cent gluten free, features fresh, Mexican-inspired snack-style dishes using the best Aussie produce. Expect vibrant herbs, citrus and floral notes to complement the spice. Menu highlights include raw scallop with celery, apple and pickled cucumber; rockmelon and watermelon brocheta with Tajin; trout ceviche with tomato, Geraldton wax, avocado and black habanero oil; Swiss brown tamale with pickled shimeji, pinto bean and kombu broth; Murray cod pibil baked in banana leaf with achiote sauce; and a beef chop dry-aged at Liquid & Larder’s butchery at Alfie’s, served with roasted onion and salsa picante. Huerta said: “I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I

The Wine Bar at The International

✍️ 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. I’m sitting in The Seidler Room with a glass of bittersweet, amber-hued Amaro della Donna Selvatica from Italy’s Piedmont region, and I don’t want to leave. For one, it’s absolutely bucketing outside – one of those wild, sideways-rain storms – and I left my umbrella at home. The plush-carpeted, mid-century-inspired part of The Wine Bar – an ode to Austrian-Australian architect Harry Seidler – feels intimate, classy and cosy. But mostly it’s because the night has been so good that I don’t want it to end It’s been a big time for 25 Martin Place. Last November, the building welcomed The International, a three-in-one mega venue by hospo group The Point, who are behind the Architectural Digest-worthy Shell House, the energetic Dolphin Hotel, Orange’s Hotel Canobolas and the can’t-wait-for-you-to-open Fort Denison venue. The mega establishment is located in the wings of Seidler’s iconic skyscraper, the heritage-listed MLC Centre, and right next door to his mushroom. Walking up the stairs feels like an event in itself – like you’re heading to something special I first see the outside courtyard, a 60-seat space filled with butter-yellow curved chairs, snow-white umbrellas and afterworkers. If the brief was balmy-afternoon sipping and snacking, they’ve nailed it. A h

A Street Party Named Fitz

Keep Sunday, February 9, free because A Street Party Named Fitz – a summertime, family-friendly, free street party – is happening once again out the front of Time Out fave, The Old Fitz. Now in its second year, A Street Party Named Fitz will see the streets of Woolloomooloo come alive with good, old-fashioned fun, live acts, tasty eats and cold beers. And because The Old Fitz is owned by the rocking Odd Culture Group (Bistro Grenier, Odd Culture Newtown, Spon, The Duke of Enmore), this won’t be your average street party with warm cordial and frankfurts. The Dowling Street cul-de-sac will be closed down for the Fitz party, with a stage set for live performances all day. Aussie indie-rock band The Buoys will be headlining the music line-up, backed up by Murray Cook of The Wiggles, who’ll be playing hits with his funky band, The Soul Movers, along with DJ Elliott Hammond (The Delta Riggs, Dope Lemon). Plus, theatre and burlesque shows will be performed throughout the day, and there’ll be face painting and a roaming clown for the little ones. Young Henrys will be pouring locally brewed tins, Heaps Normal will be slinging booze-free options, and Mapo Gelato will be pumping out sweet-and-fruity summer treats. Food-wise, there’ll be cheeseburgers, duck croquettes, roast chicken, lamb or mushroom rolls and fries, as well as kids’ burgers and hot dogs. It’s all to raise money for Australia’s last remaining theatre pub, the charming Old Fitzroy Theatre, tucked out the back and down the

Door Knock

Door Knock, one of Sydney’s most beloved hidden bars, located in the basement of 70 Pitt Street in the CBD, has reopened with a jazzed-up menu, new owners and a fresh look. Think: a Parisian neighbourhood bar meets an underground speakeasy with vintage French mirrors, cream flower-like lampshades, marble tables, leather seats and cosy nooks. Sentimental Sydneysiders will be pleased to know the pineapple on the door remains, as do some of the signature cocktails, like the Sunny Leone, made with Don Julio Blanco, amaretto, lime juice, tropical citrus and pineapple oleo, passionfruit sparkling wine and Absinthe spray. New head chef Joe Slakey (ex-Flying Fajita Sistas) is behind the flavour-forward Mediterranean and North African-inspired share-style menu. Standout starters include house-made stracciatella served with grape confit, crisp rosemary and sea salt lavosh; a selection of house-made dips; grilled calamari; and fried cauliflower with zaatar and spiced labne. More substantial dishes include a 250-gram flank steak with red wine jus and Paris butter, Chermoula chicken, and Moroccan lamb cooked tagine-style for five hours and served with chickpeas, saffron rice and dukkah. The vino list has also had a freshen up, now showcasing more French, Italian and Australian vinos, as well as party-ready Champagne. New owner John Grace, who got the keys to Door Knock and sister bar Uncle Ming’s in July 2024, is keen for the hidden haunt to continue to be a place for afterwork drinks, da

Letra House

✍️ 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. Two-and-a-half hours. That’s how long I waited in line to try Bar Nestor’s famous tortilla. Located in San Sebastian's Old Town, the tiny bar and restaurant specialises in the sunshine-golden simple dish, and if you don’t get there early enough to put your name down for a slice, you miss out. Soft eggs, tender potatoes and sweet onions come together to make something truly greater than the sum of its parts. Would line up again. The great news is that I don’t have to, and neither do you, because there's a tortilla nearly as delicious on the menu at Letra House, the new underground wine bar from the Love Tilly Group. It’s cooked beautifully: caramelised on the outside, jammy in the centre, with plump little prawns scattered throughout. The accompanying fermented chilli, garlic and tomato sauce adds a bold and fiery dimension. Bloody hell, it’s good What’s also seriously good is a glass of 2023 Sommernat from Poppelvej in McLaren Vale, poured tableside. Butterscotch in colour, it tastes like a tutti frutti fizz and summertime house parties. Our waitress tells us Poppelvej is the name of the street in Denmark where the winemaker Uffe Deichmann grew up. Cracking stuff. Yes, I would love another, please. Letra House opened at the end of last year in peak silly seas

Postino Osteria

✍️ 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. Italian restaurants in Sydney are as popular as a CoolCabana on a 30-something degree day in Bondi. You only need to look at how many excellent – and busy – Italian diners there are across the city to see how long-lasting our love affair is with pasta, tomatoes and olive oil. In a world of climate disaster and Mark Zuckerberg’s new haircut, there’s something deeply comforting and grounding about the food from the land of red, white and green. Sure, nonnas are known to load up your plate. But Italian food does more than fill the belly – it feeds the soul. Now there’s another osteria you need to add to your list. That is Postino Osteria, Summer Hill’s newcomer from Alessandro and Anna Pavoni (plus co-owner Bill Drakopoulos). They’re the star duo behind seafood haven Ormeggio, bright-and-breezy Chiosco, theatrical fine diner A’Mare and Manly’s new go-to, Cibaria. Postino Osteria is located in a beautiful two-storey brick building, the heritage-listed former post office, once home to One Penny Red. (The name is a play on words: "Postino" means both ‘postman’ and ‘small but cosy place’ in Italian.) It’s a wet and windy Sydney evening when we visit, and walking in feels like being enveloped in the warm Mediterranean Sea. The décor, which has been designed by Lariss

Golden Century at Crown Sydney

Chopsticks at the ready: Sydney dining institution Golden Century – famous for its XO pippies, delicious yum cha and late-night dining – is now open at Crown Sydney, after closing its OG location in 2020. You’ll find the all-new Golden Century on level three of the swish waterfront hotel. And while there are a few differences from its original Sussex Street digs (RIP trolleys and lazy Susans), loyal dumpling lovers will be pleased to hear the Cantonese hits remain. The menu, which includes more than 80 traditional dishes, features all the classics like steamed dim sum, fresh seafood (hello, live pippies with XO sauce on fried vermicelli), glistening roast duck, warming hot pots and more. Co-owner Billy Wong said: “Opening Golden Century at such an auspicious time - on the cusp of Lunar New Year – feels like a fitting new beginning for us. We have always put hospitality first, and are so excited to open the doors to our beloved guests, including those who are familiar with our food and excited to once again enjoy it, and those who will be trying it for the first time.” The iconic Cantonese diner is joining Crown’s already-strong food and drink offering, including pasta palace A’Mare, fire-fuelled Woodcut, Japanese diner Nobu, and Oncore by Clare Smyth, which was just voted as the best restaurant in Sydney by global restaurant guide La Liste. Icebergs Harbour Bar, a waterfront bar and sibling to Bondi’s jewel, has also just opened this summer. Crown Sydney CEO Stanford Le says:

Iftar

Lamb shawarma tacos and Wagyu kofta dumplings are some of the fun, flavour-packed dishes on the menu at Iftar, a contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant now open in Merrylands. Iftar, which means “break-fast” in Arabic, is by chef/owner Jeremy Agha, who has drawn on his heritage and family recipes passed down through generations – including a wood-fired sourdough bread – to create the menu. His first restaurant is a tribute to his mother, Rita. “The hidden meaning is, Iftar can’t be spelt without the letters of her name – there’s no Iftar without Mum,” says Agha. “It’s as much her story as it is mine.” Come with your family or a group of friends and order a bunch of dishes to share. As well as the tacos and dumplings, other menu highlights include richly spiced manoush, batata harra and eggplant fatteh. “Middle Eastern dining is about so much more than food, it’s the experience of filling a table with loved ones, sharing stories and savouring flavours together. At Iftar, we want every guest to feel that warmth and generosity, as though they’ve been welcomed into our home,” says Agha. Designed by interior architect Matt Woods, the elegant, dreamy space features terracotta accents, an earthy colour palette, marble tables, travertine floors, and textured clay walls. Iftar is open for breakfast and lunch daily, offering gorgeous Middle Eastern fare in Merrylands. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas

Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez

If Westpac OpenAir Cinema is the world’s most beautiful outdoor cinema (and with its waterfront location featuring the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, it truly is), then chef Danielle Alvarez's Summer House Dining, a waterfront dining experience located next to it, has got to be one of the world’s most beautiful pop-ups. The former founding chef of Fred’s, cookbook author (Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking is our absolute fave), and current culinary director of the Sydney Opera House events is behind Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located right on the harbour and the perfect place to enjoy dinner before catching a flick under the stars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by avriltreasure (@avriltreasure) Menu highlights include fresh bread with parmesan, olive oil and vinegar dip; prawn cocktail with avocado and a tomato and chilli relish; yellowfin tuna crudo with green chilli, coriander, ginger and pickled cucumbers; tagliatelle with rocket and basil pesto; grilled swordfish and courgette spiedini with lemon, white beans and salsa verde; and grilled and marinated skirt steak with chimichurri and fire-roasted peppers. Whatever you do, finish with the white-chocolate tiramisu. Three courses cost $99 per person, or you can opt for four courses at $125 per person, plus drinks. As well as Summer House Dining, there’s a great selection of other dining options availabl

Song Bird

✍️ 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. I reckon Neil Perry would be great at Monopoly. You only need to stroll along Bay Street to imagine the veteran chef making it rain on Mayfair. There’s his elegant fine diner Margaret, which was voted the third best steak restaurant in the world for 2024. Next door to that is Next Door, Margaret’s casual-and-breezy sibling, home to a cracking burger. Then there’s Baker Bleu, a haven for excellent baked goods (go for the chicken and avo sandwich). Now, further up the road is where you’ll find Perry’s latest diner, Song Bird, set within the three-storey, mid-century heritage-listed building, Gaden House, by architect Neville Gruzman. Perry says he thought of the name while in the sun-dappled dining room looking out the window to the birds in the trees. (Downstairs you’ll also find Bobbie’s, a five-star, New York-style Martini bar co-owned by Perry, his wife Samantha and close friends). Song Bird is an ode to Perry’s lifelong love of Cantonese cuisine He knows the symphony of Chinese flavours well, having first opened Wokpool in 1996 and XO in 2005, followed by the CBD’s subterranean fire house Spice Temple in 2009, which, while no longer under Perry’s reign, is still going strong 15 years later. Some may also remember Jade Temple, Perry’s Cantonese fine diner

Eat at Robs

Smash burgers get their name from how they’re cooked. Beef patties are smashed onto a blazing hot grill and sizzled until golden brown. The outside ends up with a crisp, caramelised lace-like crust – the best bit about a smash burger. Eat at Robs, located in the front window of Darling Street Meats butchery in Rozelle, specialises in Oklahoma-style smash burgers. And you're gonna wanna try them. Eat at Robs (short for Rozelle’s Original Burger) was born when owner Michael Carter returned home from travelling and found a lack of good smash burger options. What began as a market stall has now grown into a burger shop with many loyal fans. The menu is short and simple. Choose from a grilled chicken or a smashed burger, featuring 100 per cent grass-fed beef, caramelised onion and melted cheese on Martin’s Potato Rolls that are soft, squishy and a little bit sweet. A single cheeseburger will set you back $10.50; make it a double for $12.50, or go all out and order the combo, which comes with chips and your choice of soft drink. There are also off-menu items, like the Aussie burger, the Big Rob and loaded fries – just ask. Extra toppings, like lettuce, tomato, pickles, guac, beetroot, bacon and more, are available starting at just $1. And there’s a bunch of sauces to choose from, like Robs mayo, tomato sauce, smoky barbecue, garlic aioli and spicy Robs. But if it’s your first time, we reckon you should start with the classic. Burger lovers, you know what to do – next stop, Rozelle.

News (151)

Former Noma chef is leading the kitchen at Sydney rooftop restaurant Kiln

The Jatz and anchovies may have gone, but there’s ace news coming out of Sydney rooftop restaurant and Time Out favourite Kiln. Beau Clugston, former Noma chef and owner of Iluka in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the new head chef of the sky-high diner found atop the Ace Hotel in Surry Hills. Clugston, who grew up in Sawtell on the New South Wales coast and worked at the world’s best restaurant for six years, is drawing on his fine-dining creds as well as his love of the ocean and native Australian produce for Kiln 2.0. Photograph: Nikki To Clugston, who joined René Redzepi as part of the Noma Australia residency team in 2016, is backed by an all-star team of chefs in the kitchen, including flavour guru Isobel Whelan-Little, who was recently at the helm of Alberto’s Lounge and The Caterpillar Club, and sugar wizard Andy Bowdy, former owner of Saga. The opening menu features snacks like kingfish tart with lemon myrtle, kelp and samphire; cannoli with chicken livers and Davidson’s plum; and kangaroo tartare with blue mussel and nori. A tomato and prawn crudo, which Clugston says is “summer on a plate,” showcases Mussett Farm heirloom tomatoes, WA Ebi prawns, zucchini, strawberries, oyster cream and native green ants, served with an ice-clarified gazpacho poured tableside. Photograph: Nikki To Other menu highlights include waffles topped with smoked butter, bone marrow, uni and wasabi leaf; leeks cooked in paperbark and served with Section28 Monforte cheese, finger lime and lov

JUST IN: Sydney’s Café Freda's is returning to Chippendale, its OG home

Do you remember the OG Freda’s? A champion for live music, late nights and a bloody good time, the Chippendale party bar was one of our fave places to hit up on a Big Night Out in Sydney – until it was forced to close its doors in 2020. A few months later, it found a new home on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, transforming into Café Freda's, a funky, Euro-leaning place for people-watching, natty drops, delicious snacks and speed dealers. In December 2024, Café Freda’s announced it would be shutting up its buzzy-yellow shop after four years. Now, in news just in, it’s been confirmed that Café Freda’s is returning to where the magic all began. Owners Dave Abram and Carla Uriarte are set to reopen the beloved bar in Chippendale in partnership with Sydney hospo group Solotel, in the space currently occupied by Lil Sis. Hell yeah. (Though, we will miss you, LS.) Photograph: Supplied | Nikki To Slated to open this April, Bar Freda’s will bring electric energy, delicious sips, banging DJs and fun times to the 2008 ’hood. Abram says: “The drinks at Bar Freda’s will continue our tradition of offering fantastic wines from small producers, but we’ll also put a greater focus on cocktails, using quality ingredients but keeping things fun and approachable. We want it to be a space that’s accessible, welcoming, and community minded”. Photograph: Supplied/Abercrombie Hotel Keen to dance? Good news – the duo will also be taking over the programming of The Abercrombie’s nightclub, with regu

Coming soon: 10 Sydney venues we’re excited about in 2025

Last year was massive for Sydney’s hospo scene, with excellent restaurants and bars popping up as fast as a WeTransfer link expires. Some of my fave openings of 2024 were the stunning Greek haven Olympus, flame-charged Firepop, neon-purple dungeon Pleasure Club, polished-as-hell diner The Grill, good-times-only Bat & Ball, seafood palace Saint Peter, and the Italian dinner party of your dreams, Neptune’s Grotto. Phew. Told you there was a bit on. But now’s not the time to look in the rearview mirror. It’s time to get excited about what’s to come – food and drink-wise – because there are Big Things in store. Here are the 10 Sydney venues we’re most excited about opening. Photograph: Supplied/Cibaria Corner 75, TBC In a collaboration of our dreams, Baba’s Place and Sixpenny are teaming up to breathe new life into Randwick’s Hungarian icon. Bessie’s, Jan 16 Fire will be at the heart of the kitchen at this new diner from the legends behind nearby Bar Copains. Alma’s, Jan 16 Sibling to Bessie’s and found under the same roof in Surry Hills, cocktail bar Alma’s will be shaking and pouring old-school classics. Baptist Street Rec. Club, Jan 2025 An ode to ’80s and ’90s Australia, cocktail bar Baptist Street Rec. Club will be channeling nostalgia and good times in spades. Photograph: Supplied/Crown Sydney Golden Century, Jan 2025 Purveyors of excellent XO pippies, Golden Century is opening inside Crown Sydney, with its menu returning to its OG roots. Lottie, summer 2025 Redfern wil

The 10 most popular Sydney venues of 2024, according to Time Out readers

It’s been a big, delicious year in Sydney, don’t you think? Here at Time Out HQ, we’ve covered new restaurant openings and affordable eats, rounded up the best steaks in Sydney for $25 and under, and curated our guide to the hottest bars for a first date. We’ve eaten our way around town – from golden fish and chips to juicy burgers, soul-warming noodle soups, and bang-on pizzas. And our team of on-the-ground food and drink writers has kept our guides to the best restaurants, bars, pubs, cafés and more in Sydney fresh and up-to-date, so you can always trust our recommendations. But which venues have you loved the most? Which ones captured your hearts? We’ve dug into the data to find the top ten most popular Sydney venues of 2024 – these were the ones that had you clicking away. Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out SydneyClam Bar Here are the ten most popular Sydney venues of 2024: Good Luck Restaurant Lounge Snack Kitchen Pellegrino 2000 Ammos Olympus Comedor The Gidley Petermen Palazzo Salato Clam Bar We will say this: you’ve got excellent taste. Honourable mention goes to Terrigal’s waterfront diner, Meribella, which was your top NSW venue of 2024. 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 READS: Sydney's 2024 dining trends: From 6pm dinners to matcha crushes, we look back on the year that was. These are Time Out Sydney editors' picks for most delicious

One of Sydney’s swankiest diners has launched a new supper club that runs until 1am

Renowned for its incredible, Art Deco-style dining room, home to one of the world’s best steaks, and a hotspot for bougie work lunches (hello, corporate cards), Rockpool Bar & Grill has been a Sydney institution since it was opened in 2009 by Mr Perry. What it hasn’t been known for, though, is being super affordable or accessible – until now. Enter its new supper club in the bar area, open until 1am every night of the week. CBD night owls, giddy up. View this post on Instagram A post shared by avriltreasure (@avriltreasure) The food menu, created by Rockpool executive chef Santiago Aristizabal, is available until midnight. So, if you’re out and about and hungry late at night – and don’t feel like a greasy Maccas sesh – this is the place to be. On the line-up, you’ll find freshly shucked oysters, Wagyu brisket empanadas paired with a bright salsa, seriously cheesy toasties, a cracking burger, and hand-cut chips with a side of brisket gravy, which the Time Out Sydney team polished off. RECOMMENDED READS: Check out our guide to the best late-night food in Sydney. Of course, you’ll probably need a drink. The classics are all on offer – from Margs to Martinis and Negronis – alongside quality vino and beers. If you’ve never been to Rockpool before but have always wanted to – or are looking for a sexy spot for an evening date – this is a cracking way to get a taste of the swish experience without the big bill. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Ou

Sydney's 2024 dining trends: From 6pm dinners to matcha crushes, we look back on the year that was

It’s fair to say 2024 was a Big Year for Sydney’s dining scene, filled with delicious highs and plenty of lows. For now, let’s focus on the good, and look back at the year that was, dining trends-wise – backed up by actual data from online booking platform OpenTable, and my own anecdotal data from being a full-time eater and drinker (emphasis on the full). From super-impressive, multi-venue openings to early dinners and focaccia sandwiches, there was a lot to love, so let’s dig in. Side note – is everyone else ready for a holiday? Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney Early dinners. Move over, 7.30pm. Sydneysiders are eating out earlier, with 6pm bookings seeing an 8 per cent increase, year on year. Run club, anyone? Focaccia sandwiches. We’ve been sambo-obsessed for a while now, but this year we’ve seen more Italian-inspired focaccia spots pop up, like Delisia and Salumerie (and check out our guide to Sydney's best sandwiches here). Multi-level venues. One-venue spots were so 2023. This year, big hospo groups have opened with a bang, swinging open the doors to multi-venue operations. We’re looking at you, The International, Prefecture 48 and The Bristol. Yo-Chi. If you’re not in love with the creamy cool goodness of Yo-Chi, chances are your neighbour is, with new spots opening as fast as Nedd Brockmann. Hot spots. Do you live in Newtown, Haymarket, Bondi, Penrith or Alexandria? These neighbourhoods have seen the biggest year-on-year increases in dining. Mid-

Hell yeah: Nine Sydney venues are slashing 49% off drinks all of January

If you needed any more reasons to believe that the silly szn is the best time of the year, here’s a big one for you: nine cracking Sydney venues are offering nearly half-price drinks for all of January, making summertime celebrations easier on the ol' back pocket. Order a round for your mates and enjoy 49 per cent off booze at nine House Made Hospitality venues – including funky newcomer Island Radio, Sicilian cocktail den Apollonia, slick new Bar Tilda, bright and breezy Martinez Terrace and more. The epic happy hour will run from 3-6pm all month long and includes classic Negronis, Strawberry Spritzes, and Bondi Brewing Co. beers, as well as House Made Hospitality's own drops, like a party-coded prosecco, creamy chardonnay blends, and juicy Montepulciano. Photograph: Steven Woodburn Here are the nine Sydney venues offering 49 per cent off drinks in January: Lana Easy Tiger Apollonia Martinez Terrace Bar Mammoni Island Radio The Carrington Wentworth Bar Bar Tilda Keep this handy for the next time someone suggests catching up over drinks in Jan. As for us, we’ll be bee-lining it straight to Martinez’s rooftop bar. 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 READS: These are the best bars in Sydney right now. Check out our guide to the coolest happy hours in town here.

These are Time Out Sydney editors' picks for most delicious NSW dishes of the year in 2024

As Food & Drink Editor for Time Out Sydney, I'm out most nights of the week, checking out the hottest openings and old favourites – including swish restaurants, sexy bars, relaxed pubs and tasty cheap eats – to bring you up-to-date and in-the-know recommendations. While my grocery bill is not as low as you may think, and I probably drink too frequently (sorry, doc), I feel incredibly grateful to experience the best of Sydney – and what an awesome city it is! I'm not the only one on the team who’s out a lot. From our Arts Queen to our Lifestyle Goddess, Social Media Legend, Video Genius, Aussie Travel Buff, Branded Content Gun and our Fearless Chief, the Time Out team has spent the year checking out shows and gigs, lacing up for hikes and swanning around at spas. The one thing we all did a lot of? Eating out. It’s safe to say we’ve enjoyed hundreds of delicious restaurant meals this year. So, which dishes came out on top? Below, the Time Out team has rounded up our favourite plates from 2024. Ones that we have Big Fat Crushes on. The only criteria: It needed to come from New South Wales (slow-roasted lamb with lemony golden potatoes and crunchy horiatiki salad in Milos, your time will come). Now, all that’s left to ask is: What was yours? Betel leaf, pork, pickles from Bar Heather, Byron Bay Avril Treasure, Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney "There's good reason why everyone’s talking about Byron’s Bar Heather, and the exciting drops and plates of food coming out of this E

It’s official: This Sydney bakery is home to the best bagels in Asia Pacific

Brooklyn Boy Bagels, a New York-style bagel shop with locations in Marrickville and Surry Hills, has just taken home the title of Best Bagels in Asia Pacific at Bagelfest, dubbed the "World’s Biggest Bagel Celebration." Their award-winning line-up included the 72-hour plain bagel, tiger bagel, za’atar bagel, and smoked malt and freekeh bagel, as well as a selection of schmears and spreads such as shichimi butter, Tim Tam cream cheese, bacon bourbon maple cream cheese, and house-made labneh. In other words: it’s bagel o’clock. Owned and operated by Brooklyn-born Michael Shafran, Brooklyn Boy Bagels also clinched third place for Best International Bagel outside of the US. Shafran, who started cooking at 11 years old, uses traditional methods like kettle-boiling, hand-rolling and long cold fermentation to craft his bagels. As someone who's visited Brooklyn Boy Bagels a bunch of times, I can confirm that his bagels have the perfect chew. (Last time, mine was filled with spicy soppressata and ’nduja, creamy snow-white fior di latte, vinegary artichokes and fresh rocket – yum.) View this post on Instagram A post shared by avriltreasure (@avriltreasure) “It takes a certain amount of passion and insanity to recreate your bagels on the other side of the world, far from your ingredient suppliers, equipment and staff,” said Shafran. “To take out bronze for best international bagel and be the first bagel maker in Asia Pacific to ever make it onto the global podium

One of the country's biggest hospitality groups has cancelled Australia Day at 200+ venues

Australian Venue Co – one of the country’s largest hospitality groups with more than 200 bars, pubs and restaurants in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – has decided to cancel its usual January 26 celebrations. The group, which operates big Sydney venues such as the newly reopened Cargo, Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, BrewDog South Eveleigh, The Winery, Untied and Little Pearl, said the decision was made to support Australia’s First Nations Peoples. "Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team," an Australian Venue Co spokeswoman told the Herald Sun. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW Australia Day only became a national public holiday in 1994; the date is a reference to the arrival of Britain’s First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788. For many Aboriginal Australians, this date is a painful reminder of colonisation. In recent years, more Australians have pushed to change the date of the country’s national day. In 2017, popular radio station Triple J moved its Hottest 100 countdown away from happening on Australia Day, and earlier this year, supermarket giants Woolworths and Aldi confirmed they would no longer sell Australia Day merch. More than 80 councils across the country no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26, while Invasion Day rallies continue to draw thousands of at

Sydney institutions Golden Century and Icebergs are both opening at Crown this summer

Sydney institutions Golden Century and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar will be opening a restaurant and a bar respectively at Crown Sydney this summer, bringing their classic dishes and signature drinks to Barangaroo’s luxe hotel. The iconic Cantonese diner and Bondi’s jewel will be joining Crown’s already-strong food and drink offering, including pasta palace A’Mare, fire-fuelled Woodcut, Japanese diner Nobu, and Oncore by Clare Smyth, which was just voted as the best restaurant in Sydney by global restaurant guide La Liste. Golden Century is set to open in early 2025, taking over the space formerly occupied by Silks. Meanwhile, Icebergs Harbour Bar, launching in December, will find its home on the ground floor, replacing TWR. While you can currently get some Golden-Century action at The Century at The Star, XOPP and Golden Century BBQ, both at Darling Square, Golden Century at Crown Sydney will be returning to its OG roots, with the venue paying homage to its original Sussex Street eatery, which opened in 1989 and closed in 2021. Expect all of Golden Century’s hits, including XO pippies, live lobster, abalone steamboat, Peking duck and salt and pepper squid. Yum cha will be available at lunch and to that we say: yum town. Photograph: Anna Kucera Billy Wong, co-owner of Golden Century, said: “Golden Century is where it all began and we are excited to once again welcome in our loyal customers, serving our beloved Cantonese classics in a picture-perfect location that overlooks

Nine Sydney restaurants were just named among the world’s best for 2025

Every year, La Liste – a highly regarded Paris-based restaurant ranking guide – reveals its picks for the top 1,000 restaurants and top 1,000 hotels from around the world. This ranking is based on aggregated data from thousands of publications, hundreds of guidebooks and millions of online reviews – so you know if you make the cut, it's a pretty big deal. Now, nine Sydney restaurants made the top 50 for 2025, reaffirming our belief that we live in a delicious part of the world. Tying in sixth place with a near-perfect score of 97 per cent – and taking home the title of the best restaurant in Sydney by La Liste – was Barangaroo’s Oncore by Clare Smyth, a swish fine diner with five-star service, rocking snacks and sparkling views. Photograph: Supplied In 11th place was Peter Gilmore’s forever-brilliant Quay overlooking Sydney Harbour, followed by The Bentley boys' flagship diner, Bentley Restaurant & Bar, in 33rd place, then our restaurant under the white sales, Bennelong, in 37th position. Josh Niland’s seafood palace, Saint Peter, which recently reopened in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel, was next up, awarded the 38th best restaurant in the world for 2025, with Stanmore’s set-menu stallion Sixpenny coming in at 40th place. Hot on its heels was waterfront pasta haven Ormeggio at the Spit (42nd place); fire-fuelled Rockpool Bar & Grill (45th place); and Pyrmont’s jewel LuMi Bar & Dining (47th position). Photograph: Supplied/Ormeggio at The Spit Congrats to all Sydney re