Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
Without harbour views, Sydney's central-city restaurants tend to be discreet, upmarket spots - perfect for secret
handshakes over million-dollar deals. Some have beaten geography by perching themselves atop towers. Expect a
reverse gradation of prices, starting at the water and lightening considerably as you head inland. Chinatown is
Sydney's best bet for a cheap, satisfying meal - especially after midnight. Chinese food dominates, but you'll also
find superb Vietnamese, Malaysian, Korean and Thai. You'll also find a tiny Spanish Quarter on Liverpool St just
west of George St; Little Korea along Pitt St near Liverpool St; and Thaitown on Campbell St.
City Centre
JAPANESE, FUSION
SEPIA$$$
( 9283 1990;
www.sepiarestaurant.com.au
; 201 Sussex St; mains $48, 4-courses $120; lunch Fri & Sat, dinner
Tue-Sat; Town Hall)
There's nothing washed out or brown-tinged about Sepia's food: Martin
Benn's picture-perfect creations are presented in glorious technicolour, with each taste
worth a thousand words. A Japanese sensibility permeates the boundary-pushing menu,
earning this relative newcomer the city's top dining gong in 2012.
TETSUYA'S$$$
FRENCH, JAPANESE
( 9267 2900;
www.tetsuyas.com
; 529 Kent St; degustation $210; lunch Sat, dinner Tue-Sat; Town Hall)
Down a clandestine security driveway, Tetsuya's - rated one of the top restaurants in the
world - is for those seeking a culinary journey rather than a simple stuffed belly. Settle in
for 12-plus courses of French- and Japanese-inflected food from the creative genius of
Japanese-born Tetsuya Wakuda. Book way ahead.
EST.$$$
( 9240 3000;
www.merivale.com
; L1, 252 George St; lunch mains $55-57, 4-course dinner $150, degustation $175;
lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat; Wynyard)
Pressed-tin ceilings, huge columns, oversized win-
dows and modern furniture make the interior design almost as interesting as the food. Sea-
food fills around half of the slots on Chef Peter Doyle's menu. At dinner, choose between a
four-course 'chef's menu' and a seven-course 'tasting menu'. Sydney dining at its best;
thick wallet and fancy threads a must.
MODERN AUSTRALIAN
CENTRAL BAKING DEPOT $
BAKERY
