Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
casual brasseries and bistros
are open all through the day
and, as they aren't the sort of
place where people linger over
their meal, they do not take
bookings. You may have to
wait a few minutes for a table
if you arrive at a busy time.
LICENSING LAWS
Sydney restaurants must be
licensed to sell food, but
when a place is described as
licensed, this usually refers to
its licence to sell alcohol. BYO
(bring your own) restaurants
are not licensed to sell liquor
and you will need to buy it
beforehand if you want to
drink alcohol with your meal.
A small amount will probably
be charged for “corkage”.
BYO restaurants not only
reduce the cost of dining out,
but also allow wine buffs to
choose exactly the wines they
wish to drink with their meal.
At up-market establishments
such as Claude's
(see p191)
, it
is a good idea to inquire about
the day's menu, so you can
choose your wine accordingly.
Bondi Icebergs Dining Room and Bar (
see p193)
safest option when consider-
ing what to wear. Jackets
and ties are a rare sight
unless the wearer has come
straight from the office or
is conducting a business
meeting over a meal.
In line with recent trends
the government has imposed
a non-smoking policy for
indoor areas of all restaurants,
pubs and clubs. However,
many venues now provide an
outdoor area for smokers.
inexpensive option. Here,
there is a variety of eating
places in one complex, inclu-
ding Mexican and Chinese
food outlets, pasta and salad
bars, all with a central seating
area for convenience.
For families who prefer to
dine out rather than snack,
chains such as Pizza Hut and
the Black Stump steakhouses
offer special menus for
children but they also serve
alcohol for the adults.
Perhaps the best locations
to dine out with children are
those where they can play
safely outside after they
have eaten. The Bathers
Pavilion
(see p193)
is right
on Balmoral Beach
(see
pp54-5)
, a sheltered harbour
beach which has a netted
swimming pool. Centennial
Park Café
(see p194)
is also
a great place for families
being within supervisory
range of grassy lawns and a
children's playground.
TAX AND TIPPING
A 10 per cent GST is inclusive
in prices, although it can be
listed separately on the final
receipt. While tipping is not
compulsory, 10 to 15 per cent
of the total bill is customary
as a reward for good service.
You can leave a cash tip after
you have paid or add it to the
total if paying your bill by
credit card.
EATING WITH CHILDREN
CREDIT CARDS
Most restaurants accept
children who can sit still
throughout a meal, although
you may feel more comfortable
in either Chinese restaurants
or the cheap pasta eateries in
East Sydney, where children
are always welcome. Harry's
Café de Wheels
(see p194)
is
a roadside pie shop next to the
Finger Wharf that is a cheap
and cheerful lunch option.
Eat outdoors beside the
harbour where kids can make
as much noise as they want.
The Harbourside food court
in Darling Harbour is another
Many restaurants will accept
credit cards, but you should
ask if in doubt. Visa, Master-
card and Japanese Credit
Bureau are widely accepted;
Amex and Diners Club are
less commonly accepted,
so always check before
ordering a meal. Some
restaurants also now offer
EFTPOS transactions
(electronic money transfers
direct from your bank
account) as an alternative
method of payment, which
may be more convenient.
Relaxing in a café at the top end of
Oxford Street, Paddington
DRESS CODES AND
SMOKING
Dress standards in Sydney
restaurants are really quite
relaxed, even in the more up-
market establishments. Most
restaurants will draw the line,
however, at patrons in beach
wear and flip flops.
Neat and tidy is the general
rule. Smart casual dress is the
