TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS - Sydney - page 183

Lucio's

7 \\\\
47 Windsor St, Paddington Tel [phone] Map 6 D3
Lucio's is right in the middle of the area of Sydney's art galleries and the walls of the restaurant display a collection
of contemporary Australian artists such as John Olsen, John Coburn, Gary Shead and Tim Storrier. There is art on
the plate too, the expertly cooked Italian food varies according to what is in season.
Claude's

7 \\\\\
10 Oxford St, Woollahra Tel [phone] Map 6 D4
A Sydney icon for over thirty years, this intimate restaurant in a converted terrace house seats just 40 people.
Choose between the set-price menu or the eight-course tasting menu. Dishes sound simple on paper but are
actually as close to works of art as food can get. Bookings recommended. Ring the doorbell when you arrive.

FURTHER AFIELD

Il Baretto

7 : Δ \

496 Bourke St, Surry Hills Tel [phone]
Diners wishing to sup at this crammed café often face the longest waits in Sydney, so it is lucky the pasta is so good,
and that there is a pub across the road. Very basic pastas, such as a penne arrabiata, laced with enough chillies to
make your tongue tingle, start at $12. The duck ragu and hand-rolled gnocchi are loved by many.
Café Mint

Δ \

579 Crown St, Surry Hills Tel [phone]
Mint's precursor, Fez, was a top breakfast venue, often with long queues. This café is tiny and can seem equally
crammed. The coffee is excellent and food is fabulous value, particularly at lunch. For a rainbow of dips and pickles, try
the large meze plate. The Lebanese fattoush salad with garlicky, crunchy pitta bread is great.
Manly Wharf Hotel

7 : Δ \

Manly Wharf East Esplanade, Manly Tel [phone]
Not much beats sharing a seafood platter packed with oysters, prawns, salt and pepper squid, octopus, scallops and
fish, while looking out over Sydney Harbour. Even better, this is a pub you can bring your kids to, keeping them
happy with one of the well-priced offerings from the kids' menu. Perfect after a long day at the beach.
Maya

: \

470 Cleveland St, Surry Hills Tel [phone]
Even almost broke vegetarians in board shorts and thongs do well at this sweet and chaat house, popular with a
diverse crowd, including students, hippies, Indian taxi drivers and foodies. Authentic treats such as thali plates of
assorted curries and breads and the famous masala dosai are promptly delivered. Finish off with some Indian fudge.
Rowda-Ya Habibi

: … \

101 King St, Newtown Tel [phone]
Many Sydneysiders rely on Lebanese restaurants for consistently good, healthy, fresh food. Though some of the
delicacies here are deep-fried, there are more than enough salads and vegetables to make up for that bit of oil.
Servings are large and feel even bigger if you have filled up on dips and pitta first. Belly dancing on weekend nights.
Sushi Suma

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425 Cleveland St, Surry Hills Tel [phone]
The number of Japanese crammed around tables in this neighbourhood restaurant tells you how authentic the food
is. The servings here are enormous so many people leave with doggy bags. When it is busy, and that is most of the
time, orders are taken from the queue and food arrives as guests are seated. Great tempura too.
Alhambra

7 : Δ \\

1/54 West Esplanade Manly Tel [phone]
Hugely popular on Friday and Saturday nights, when flamenco dancers add to the din, this casual restaurant has
views of the Manly Wharf. The Moroccan chef cooks Moorish and Spanish food. A meal might begin with tapas
followed by a Moroccan tagine of chicken and preserved lemon or lamb and date.
Alio

7 : \\

5 Baptist St, East Redfern Tel [phone]
Alio is just off the main drags of Crown and Cleveland Streets and worth seeking out, particularly because of the
warm room, good service and excellent food. Home-made breadsticks are a good start and mains are rich and filling.
The chef here is a good friend of Jamie Oliver's, who dines (and sometime cooks) here when in town.
Bird Cow Fish

7 : Δ \\

Shops 4 & 5, 500 Crown St, Surry Hills Tel [phone]
Bird Cow Fish is the perfect blend of a café and bistro. A great place to drop in for just a coffee or for a more
leisurely lunch or dinner. Modern Australian regional dishes produced in a Mediterranean style. Bistro food at its best
with generous helpings and a lively atmosphere.