Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in a row right next to the water below the main spread of The Rocks. It's very
popular at lunchtime when businesspeople snap up the best seats outside in the
sunshine, but at night with the colors of the city washing over the harbor it can
be magical. You get a choice of such things as steaks, mud crab, fish filets,
prawns, or the seafood plate—including lobsters, Balmain bugs (small, odd-
looking crayfish), prawns, scallops, baby squid, fish pieces, and octopus (A$53).
The food is simple and fresh, with a price markup added for the glorious posi-
tion and views.
In the same building you'll find sister restaurants
Wolfie's Grill
(
&
02/9241
5577
), which serves good chargrilled beef and seafood dishes for A$22 to A$26
(US$14-US$17), and
The Italian Village
(
&
02/9247 6111
), which serves
regional Italian cuisine for A$22 to $A30 (US$14-US$20). The third in the line
is an excellent Chinese restaurant, the
Imperial Peking
(
&
02/9247 7073
),
which serves excellent food for similar prices. All four restaurants offer fantastic
water views and indoor and outdoor dining.
In Campbell's Storehouse, 27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks.
&
02/9247 3666.
Reservations recommended.
Main courses A$26-A$29 (US$17-US$19). A$3.30 (US$2.15) per person surcharge weekends and public hol-
idays. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 12-10:30pm. CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay.
MODERATE
The Gumnut Café
MODERN AUSTRALIAN A hearty lunch in a
courtyard shaded from the sun by giant umbrellas—ah, heaven. With a great
location in the heart of The Rocks, this 1890 sandstone cottage restaurant also
has an extensive indoor seating area, so it's a perfect place to take a break from
all that sightseeing. On weekends live jazz sets the mood. The breakfast specials
(A$8.50/US$5.50) are popular with guests from surrounding hotels, while at
lunchtime it's bustling with tourists and local office workers. Lunchtime black-
board specials cost A$11 (US$7.15). More regular fare includes the disappoint-
ing Ploughman's Lunch (why spoil a traditional English meal of bread, cheese,
and pickles by limiting the bread and adding unappealing vegetables and salad?)
and the better chicken and leek pies, and good pasta and noodle dishes. Filling
Turkish sandwiches cost between A$7.70 and A$9 (US$5-US$5.85). The
courtyard is heated in winter, making it quite cozy. It's BYO with no corkage fee.
28 Harrington St., The Rocks.
&
02/9247 9591.
Main courses A$8.50-A$14 (US$5.50-US$9.10). AE, DC,
MC, V. Sun-Wed 8am-5pm; Thurs-Sat 8am-10:30pm. CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay.
INEXPENSIVE
G'Day Café
CAFE According to the manager, about half the tourists
who visit Sydney visit this little place in the heart of The Rocks. That's not sur-
prising considering it offers simple but satisfying food at around half the price
you'd expect to pay in such a tourist precinct. The interior is uninspiring, but out
the back there's a pleasant leafy courtyard. Among the offerings are focaccia sand-
wiches, hearty soups, salads, burgers, lasagna, chili con carne, and beef curry.
83 George St., The Rocks.
&
02/9241 3644.
Main courses A$3-A$7 (US$1.95-US$4.55). AE. Sun-Thurs
5am-midnight; Fri-Sat 5am-3am. CityRail, bus or ferry: Circular Quay.
Zia Pina
PIZZA/PASTA With 10 tables crammed downstairs and another 24
upstairs, there's not much room to breathe in this cramped traditional pizzeria
and spaghetti house. But squeeze in between the close-fit bare-brick walls and
wallow in the clashes and clangs coming from the hard-working chefs in the
kitchen. Pizzas come in two sizes; the larger feeds two people. Servings of deli-
cious gelato go for a cool A$4 (US$2.60).
Kids
Value
