Food In Sydney Australia: The Ultimate Guide For Travellers

With a unique combination of international flavours and fresh local ingredients, Sydney is a culinary paradise and one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. From ocean-haul seafood to heavy Aussie favourites, food in Sydney Australia has something for any palate. Sydney’s multicultural population gives its food scene tremendous reach and some pretty amazing Asian, European and modern Australian fusion dishes. Whether you’re dining amid Michelin-starred restaurants, historic food markets, or casual beachside cafes, Sydney finds the sweet spot between comfort food, fine dining and street food.

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10 Must Try Food In Sydney Australia

Whether you’re feasting near the waterfront of the harbour or discovering the delights of gourmet desserts, there is always something tasty to be found within your preferred cost of food in Sydney.

1. Sydney Rock Oysters

Rock oysters with vegetables, white sauces, forks and knife served on a designer plate

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Sydney Rock oysters are an exquisite delicacy, known for their deep, briny flavour and creamy texture. Native to the estuaries of New South Wales, they’re smaller than their Pacific cousins but far more flavourful. Unlike other oysters, they take years to mature, drinking deep of their waters’ unique mineral composition, creating a distinct umami-rich taste. Long served raw with a squeeze of lemon or mignonette sauce (and also fired up with garlic butter or draped with Asian-influenced toppings), their delicate, silken flesh melts in the mouth, earning them one of the most sought-after seafood experiences.

Best Time To Visit: September to March
Average Cost: A$3-6 per oyster
Serving Style: Raw, grilled, or with vinaigrette

2. Meat Pies

Meat pie of wine, beef and mushrooms served with green peas, French fries and curry

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The meat pie is a classic Australian comfort food, a flaky, buttery pastry encasing rich, slow-cooked minced beef or chunky steak in a thick, savoury gravy. A staple of Sydney’s bakeries, cafes and even petrol stations, these savoury handheld pastries are a go-to snack for locals. There are a dozen variations, with mushrooms, cheese, bacon or even kangaroo meat. The signature version comes smeared with a dollop of ketchup. Whether eaten at a rugby match, while on the run, or with a coffee at the cafe, Sydney’s meat pies are a must try food in Sydney Australia. Have a perfectly golden, flaky crust and a filling that’s flavourful but not greasy. Artisanal bakeries have gourmet varieties, adding locally raised meats and different spice blends for elevated versions of this down-home Aussie staple.

Average Cost: A$5-10 per pie
Popular Variations: Steak and mushroom, lamb and rosemary, chicken and leek

3. Barramundi

Cooked white barramundi fish dish with green vegetables, lemon and different sauces

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Barramundi, an Australian delicacy, is a buttery, meaty, mild white fish known for its clean flavour and tender texture. Sourced both wild and farmed in Australia, it’s a mainstay on many high-end Sydney restaurant menus. Barramundi can be prepared using multiple cooking methods, from grilling to pan-searing to oven-roasting, which allows its mild flavours to come through. Searing produces a crispy skin that adds to the flavour and texture of this soft and flaky fish. It’s typically accompanied by lemon butter sauce, seasonal greens or roasted vegetables, rendering it a light yet filling plate. The sustainability-minded diner, barramundi, is raised on Australian farms with eco-friendly practices to ensure this fish goes on for generations. Whether enjoyed at a fine dining restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour or at a casual beachside eatery, barramundi is a must-try food in Sydney Australia.

Average Cost: A$25-45 per dish
Serving Style: Grilled, pan-seared, or oven-baked with lemon butter

4. Lamingtons

A single lamington with crushed coconut powder served in a white, unique design plate

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Lamingtons are an Australian dessert classic, consisting of a light sponge cake dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut. Sometimes the fluffy squares are layered with strawberry jam or cream inside for added sweetness. The fluffy cake soaks up the chocolate coating, a delightful contrast of moist sponge with coconut crunch. These sweets are common at bakeries and served at afternoon tea parties, usually along with a cup of coffee or tea. Lamingtons are thought to have originated in Queensland, but they currently enjoy a special place throughout Australia, including in Sydney. Some modern bakeries even experiment with passionfruit, caramel, and white chocolate variations. Whether classic or reinvented, this easy yet rich dessert is an essential treat while in Sydney.

Average Cost: A$4-8 per piece
Popular Variations: Raspberry-filled, caramel-coated, white chocolate

5. Balmain Bugs

Balmain bugs in Sydney market with bugs on ice and a person standing in the background

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Balmain Bugs, an Australian crustacean, is more related to lobster but with a sweeter, more tender meat. Some are flat-shelled shellfish, found in Sydney’s coastal waters, and are prized for their firm, succulent flesh, which is concentrated mainly in the tail. They are frequently broiled with garlic butter, seared in a frying pan or served on lavish seafood platters with prawns and oysters. Unlike lobster, Balmain Bugs are smaller and have a nutty flavour, making them perfect for both on-the-go and exquisite dining. Their buttery flavour can carry you with a light citrus sauce, a scoop of herb-infused butter, or just a squeeze of lemon. The best food in Sydney Australia, among seafood restaurants, has Balmain Bugs on their menus, whether as a main attraction or an addition to a seafood bird’s nest of pasta and risottos.

Best Time To Visit: December to February
Average Cost: A$30-60 per dish
Serving Style: Grilled, butter-poached, or in seafood platters

6. Chicken Schnitzel

Chicken schnitzel with crispy potato fries, cheesy chicken and salad served with a sauce

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Chicken schnitzel is a pub staple food in Sydney Australia, a crispy cut golden-brown breaded chicken served with chips, salad, or mashed potatoes. The Sydney version, inspired by the German and Austrian schnitzel, is extra crunchy, juicy inside and large. Some serve it with a squeeze of lemon, others finish with gravy or creamy mushroom sauce. A heartier version is Chicken Parmigiana, topped with melted cheese and tomato sauce. Schnitzels from free-range chicken are served at Sydney pubs, bistros and even fine-dining restaurants. Chicken schnitzel, a mainstay of casual, satisfying eating and a classic pub dinner, is high on the staple list. Some are better, using panko crumbs for extra crispiness or serving gourmet versions with truffle mayo and parmesan.

Average Cost: A$15-30 per serving
Popular Variations: Chicken Parmigiana, veal schnitzel

7. Aussie BBQ Ribs

Barbeque ribs saucy meat sprinkled with sesame seeds served on a white plate and signage

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The best way to show Sydney’s love for barbecue culture is through Aussie BBQ Ribs. Beef or pork, these ribs are slow-cooked until tender and brushed with sticky barbecue sauce, smoky spices or honey glaze. Australian BBQ ribs are smothered with a much thicker charred crust compared to the American-style ribs, but keeping the inside red and juicy. Many restaurants dry-rub their ribs with native Australian spices, a local twist. Accompanied by coleslaw, cornbread or thick-cut fries, ribs are on offer in many of Sydney’s steakhouses and smokehouses. This best food in Sydney Australia is smoky, sweet and savoury, ideally falling off the bone with the slightest touch. Ribs Aussie-style are a must-try for meat lovers, whether enjoyed at a bar or as part of a massive barbecue spread.

Average Cost: A$30-50 per serving
Serving Style: Slow-cooked, flame-grilled, or smoked

8. Prawn Laksa

Prawn laksa dish with prawn, thinly sliced onions and coriander leaves in noodle soup

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Prawn Laksa is a spicy, aromatic noodle soup that combines Malaysian tastes with Sydney’s fresh seafood. Its silky rice noodles are served with shrimpy tiger prawns and a coconut-based broth full of lemongrass, chili and galangal. The essence of a great laksa is its deep, multilayered broth being salty, spicy, creamy and subtly tangy all at once. Some versions contain deep-fried tofu puffs, fishcakes or hard-boiled eggs, but prawn laksa is the top choice for topping because of its rich seafood tang. The dish is a winter comfort and summer refresher, making it an all-year-round favourite. Laksa at many Sydney restaurants is made in-house, with homemade spice pastes for authenticity. So if you like things mild or extra spicy, this is an explosion of flavour. Dig into it at the best laksa shops for food in Sydney Australia, where cooks dish up steaming bowls filled with prawns, fresh herbs and crunchy shallots.

Average Cost: A$12-20 per bowl
Popular Variations: Curry laksa, seafood laksa, chicken laksa

9. Fish And Chips

Fish and chips with deep-fried golden brown fish, fries and salad, served with sauces

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Fish and Chips serves as a classic Aussie to the beach, with light golden-battered fish and thick-cut fries. In Sydney, this classic usually comes with barramundi, snapper or flathead, all freshly caught in local waters. The batter is light and crunchy and seasoned just right and it traps the fish’s moist, flaky texture. Traditional seafood accompaniments are tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and mushy peas, and some modern versions are served with Sriracha mayo, spiced aioli or even truffle fries. Sydney’s fish and chips can be grilled as well as fried, unlike the British version, offering a healthier option. The ideal setting to eat this dish is seaside, by the ocean, in a sea breeze.

Average Cost: A$15 to $ 30 per serving
Popular Variations: Beer-battered, grilled, or salt-and-pepper crusted

10. Strawberry Watermelon Cake

Two slices of different cheesecakes served on a white dish with a flower pot behind them

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Black Star Pastry’s Strawberry Watermelon Cake is Sydney’s most famous dessert, known as much for its flavour as for its looks. This light cake is made up of almond dacquoise (crispy nutty meringue cake), rosewater cream, fresh slices of watermelon and juicy strawberries, all garnished with pistachios and edible flowers. The result is a light, fresh, beautifully aromatic dessert, one that suits Sydney’s warm weather perfectly. Unlike most cakes, the juicy watermelon layer lends an unexpected but pleasing texture that is airy yet satisfying with every bite. Made as a wedding cake initially, it was an overnight success, wooing culinary fans across the globe. It’s one of the most social media-posted cakes ever, so you have to try it. Whether you’re a dessert hound or simply after a Sydney-exclusive dessert, this cake offers an unforgettable medley of flavours, textures and aesthetics.

Average Cost: A$9-12 per slice
Serving Style: Single slice or whole cake for special occasions

Food in Sydney Australia, matches its geography, with offerings from fresh seafood, gourmet meats, sweet indulgences and international cuisine all available. With world-class restaurants, bustling food markets, and iconic street food, Sydney is a dream destination for food lovers. No visit is complete without judging the place’s culinary uniqueness. So, plan your trip with TripXL, get your appetite ready and discover the Sydney food scene.

Cover Photo Dana Tentis / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Best Food In Sydney Australia: Must-Try Dishes And Top Eats