Sustainable restaurants, bars and cafés in Sydney

What is it? One of Sydney’s best breweries, tucked away in the backstreets of Newtown.

Why we love it: Well, firstly, Young Henrys brews bloody good beer. You’d be hard-pressed to find an Inner Westie who hasn’t sunk 100 of their flagship: the Newtowner. It’s open daily from noon until 7pm, drawing in everyone from bearded, tatted-up guys to families catching up over a cold one – look around and you’ll see everyone’s having a good old time. Plus, the Young Henrys crew are true leaders in the sustainability movement. A few fun facts for you: their Newtown brewery is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy. They donate all their ​spent grain (what’s left over after brewing beer) to local farms, where it gets eaten by happy cattle – in turn supporting Aussie farmers and reducing waste. Now this is cool: thanks to cutting-edge technology, they're working with algae to lower emissions, with the aim of making brewing a more carbon-neutral process. And their effort and commitment have been recognised on a global scale – Young Henrys is proudly B Corp certified.

Time Out tip: Young Henrys is a three-minute walk from The Enmore Theatre, so it’s a cracking place for a pre-drink (or three) before you catch a comedy show or gig.

Address: 76 Wilford St, Newtown NSW 2042

Expect to pay: Around $10–$15 for a beer

What is it? Josh Niland’s revolutionary seafood restaurant in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel, where he and the team use 90 per cent of each fish to create game-changing dishes.

Why we love it: For years, Niland has been practising scale-to-tail magic, showing the world the limitless possibilities of sea creatures – whether that’s transforming fish eyes into velvety ice cream or giving beef and pork a run for their money with his legendary yellowfin tuna and swordfish bacon cheeseburger. He has revolutionised the way we view and consume fish, championing the use of the whole animal instead of just a single fillet – drastically cutting back on unnecessary waste in the process. Niland’s ethos is a brilliant example of how cooking sustainably can be better for the planet – and ridiculously delicious, too.

Time Out tip: For a more casual (and affordable) Saint Peter experience, drop into the front bar for a frosty Oyster Shell Martini, Niland’s cheeseburger or a jammy scotch egg.

Address: 161 Underwood St, Paddington NSW 2021

Expect to pay: Lunch is à la carte and will set you back around $150 per person, plus drinks. For dinner, the multi-course tasting menu costs $275 per person, plus drinks

What is it? A zero-waste, not-for-profit eatery, serving vegetarian, three-course menus made using up to 95 per cent rescued produce.

Why we love it: By day, ‘The Ref’ serves nourishing lunches to Sydney’s vulnerable communities, free of charge. But every Thursday night, The Ref opens its doors to the public for Pay It Forward Dinners, where every ticket pays for four people in need to dine the following day. If that's not enough, the gourmet meals are completely vegetarian and zero-waste. It's a win-win-win for your palate, the planet and those in need.

Time Out tip: Try The Ref’s signature non-alcoholic shrub – a sparkling soda created from fermented fruit. Seasonal mocktails and Heaps Normal booze-free beers are also included in your ticket as a bonus.

Address: 481 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Expect to pay: $80 for the set menu, with drinks included

What is it? Bondi’s sea-salt-sprayed jewel, serving up honest, home-style and hyper-seasonal food right across from the golden stretch of sand for more than 30 years.

Why we love it: Chef-owner Sean Moran has been championing seasonal produce long before it was a trend. Sean’s three-course menu is written on a chalkboard and changes daily depending on what’s in season. Moran and the team source locally where possible, and get fresh seafood, poultry and livestock from ethical farmers. There’s always a version of his famous free-range chook with sides on the menu – go for that. Plus, we’re big fans of the coastal-kitsch dining room. If Diane Keaton married an eclectic surfing art director in Bondi, we reckon their home would look like this.

Time Out tip: Sean’s was the winner of Time Out’s Best Special Occasion Award 2025 – so if you’ve got a special event coming up – whether that’s a birthday, anniversary or long-overdue friend catch-up – come here.

Address: 270 Campbell Parade, North Bondi NSW 2026

Expect to pay: The three-course menu costs $140 per person, plus drinks

What is it? A specialty coffee house where banging coffee, slick design and ingredient-driven cooking come together.

Why we love it: Purveyors of excellent coffee and good times, Single O has been a pioneer of Sydney’s café scene since it opened with a bang in 2003. Found on a cool, industrial-style corner space on Reservoir Street in Surry Hills, this place pumps with both Sydneysiders and tourists from morning until it closes at 3pm. Sustainability has been at the heart of Single O since its inception, with the team committed to sourcing ethically and environmentally responsible beans. They also have a solar-powered roastery in Botany, co-created an innovative milk-on-tap system that swapped plastic milk bottles for 10L bladders – resulting in an 80 per cent reduction in plastic waste – and their current mission is to halve carbon emissions by 2026 and achieve Net Zero by 2030. How good’s that?

Time Out tip: Coffee fiend? Single O offers daily coffee flights, including the filter flight, which comes with a taste of three of their feature origins from their taps. It’s a great way to find out what your jam is.

Address: 60/64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Expect to pay: $5.50–$8 for a coffee, $16–$30 for a meal

What is it? A sun-drenched, relaxed-yet-elegant diner known for leisurely, Champagne-fuelled lunches and a pretty kitchen garden.

Why we love it: Chef and restaurateur Matt Moran opened Chiswick in Woollahra in 2012, championing a "planted-to-plated" philosophy. The on-site kitchen garden is lush and abundant with seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs, which are harvested daily and used to guide the menu. Chiswick’s signature lamb is ethically raised on Moran’s family farm, their ocean trout is sustainably sourced, and they work with environmentally conscious Australian wine and coffee suppliers. They’re also big on composting.

Time Out tip: From garden parties to pop-up markets, there’s always something fun going on at Chiswick – keep an eye on their Insta. Also, it’s a rocking place for a family celebration – we’ve had a bunch there.

Address: 65 Ocean St, Woollahra NSW 2025

Expect to pay: $30–$60 for a main, plus drinks

What is it? Chippendale’s cool coastal diner where executive chef-owner Jarrod Walsh shines a spotlight on fresh seafood and sustainable Aussie ingredients.

Why we love it: Longshore is making sustainable sexy, one delicious dish at a time. Here, Walsh works with local fishmongers and suppliers to ensure produce is fresh and sustainably caught. The team uses seafood in creative and tasty ways, best enjoyed through Longshore’s ‘snack flight’ menu. Featuring both cold and warm, clever snackable plates, it’s a lot of fun – and you don’t even have to leave the tarmac.

Time Out tip: Sustainability also seeps into Longshore’s drinks menu, like a Strawberry Old-Fashioned made with zero-waste, house-infused strawberry whisky and dried strawberry pulp powder. Order one of them.

Address: 5 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Expect to pay: $90–$120 per person, plus drinks

What is it? A sunny-day seafood lunch spot by the water, down at the harbour at Barangaroo.

Why we love it: True to its name, the team behind Love Fish are passionate about seafood, especially when it’s sustainably sourced and local. While lots of seafood restaurants are now into serving up the sustainable stuff, they were one of the leaders of the movement in Sydney – since back in 2010 – so they've earned a reputation as 'the fish bar with the green heart' among locals. Their philosophy is: "Be as local, seasonal and sustainable as possible.” Ethical eating goes beyond Love Fish’s food, too – they serve takeaway in plant-based plastic containers and use Barangaroo’s wastewater recycling system. 

Time Out tip: Try to nab a seat at the front, by the boardwalk, so you have uninterrupted views of the water and people passing by. It's all undercover, so even if it's a rainy or super-sunny day, you'll be protected from the elements.

Address: 7/23 Barangaroo Avenue Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo 2000

Expect to pay: Around $35-$40 for a main, plus drinks

What is it? The world’s most Instagrammed café – famous for its enchanting installations, sprawling alfresco area and top-notch coffee.

Why we love it: The Grounds of Alexandria is arguably best known for its whimsical, themed installations that decorate the laneway outside the café. But we love this place for its farm-to-table brunch offering and ethically sourced coffee, roasted in-house at their brand-new Coffee Factory in South Eveleigh. This urban oasis is filled with picturesque spots to enjoy your cuppa, including a rustic indoor café, a charming garden eatery, and our personal favourite: a grand greenhouse filled with lush plants, vibrant blooms and a flowing fountain.

Time Out tip: During peak times, you’re pretty much guaranteed to face a wait for a table across The Grounds’ three distinct dining spaces, so reservations are essential. If you’re in a rush, there’s a kiosk serving takeaway coffee and food, plus a cute lemonade stand for a refreshing treat.

Address: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Expect to pay: Around $30-35 per person for brunch and a drink

What is it? An ambitious and innovative 18-seat restaurant hidden behind a bright blue door in Surry Hills, where sustainability sits on the same rung as deliciousness.

Why we love it: From heritage wheat sourced from a tiny 400-person town to fish from Australia’s only regenerative wild Murray cod population in the Riverina, these guys talk the talk and walk the walk. The Blue Door’s seven-course tasting menu changes constantly – sometimes daily – to utilise every element of the animals they break down and to spotlight Australia’s best ethical producers.

Time Out tip: The wine pairing features drops from New South Wales producers – go for that.

Address: 8/38 Waterloo St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Expect to pay: The set menu costs $169 per person, plus drinks

What is it? Through their mug swap system and takeaway jar deposit scheme, this sun-soaked neighbourhood café has been championing the zero-waste movement long before it was cool. The planet-loving philosophy is reflected in the all-day menu – which is fresh, seasonal and plant-forward – and in the drinks list, which features locally roasted coffee, cold-pressed juices and spicy turmeric shots all served in sustainable vessels.

Why we love it: Every Sydneysider likes their brunch a little different, so to avoid the inevitable wasted slice of toast here and roasted tomato there, Cat and Cow offers a build-your-own breakfast, which means you can choose only the elements you’ll definitely eat, and nothing goes to waste. The zero-waste philosophy guides the entire ethos here, with reusable Huskee cups available to buy, take-away food packaged in biodegradable paper and cardboard packaging and take-away drinks served in mugs donated by the community. 

Time Out tip: Order the gluten free bread – they source from nonnie’s bakery, and it’s the most flavoursome slice of charcoal-loaded goodness you’ll ever taste.

Address: 49 Clovelly Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031

Expect to pay: A breakfast or brunch dish here costs between $15-25, with loaded toasties available for $14.50