Favorite Sydney Restaurants

…so far…

BBQ Boss & Noodle – Seriously, that’s the name. This little gem is a very clean hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant in West Ryde, on Victoria Rd. just up the street from Tommy Thai Smile. It does not seem to exist on the web, even in eatability (I will have to go change that). Its two owner/workers were super-friendly, checked on us often, and really loved that I could say “thank you” in Korean (kamsahapnida for that, Stacy!). The only other people in there were Korean (always a good sign) and the bibimbap was AWESOME. I ate the entire thing nearly without stopping, and we seriously cleaned the bowl out. They also have a choose-your-own noodle thing going on (pick the noodle style, the sauce, and the additions — meat or veggies) that featured very cleanly-cooked veggies and good-quality udon (the dish that Ben got). The kimchi appetizers were fewer in number than we usually get at Tofu House at home, but just as yummy and still bottomless. They also have tofu noodle soup, the usual bbq options (including the hot-plate-cook-it-yourself), and short ribs galore. The menu is not beginner-friendly and the owners’ English is not great, so go with someone Korean or who knows Korean food, or just be adventurous (point and say please!). And the best part — it’s CHEAP. The cheapest most filling meal we’ve had, and decidedly MSG-free. YAY!

Zenja – Holy crap, best pancakes evar! Ricotta pancakes with butterscotch sauce and fresh berries. Ben dubbed the butterscotch sauce “caramel sauce,” which is essentially his highest compliment. The pancakes themselves were delightfully fluffy and spongey, while still feeling like great pancakes. We pretty much licked the plate clean. Ben’s veggie wrap was also excellent; and their freshly-blended juices (aka “smoothies” — don’t expect thickness, though) were yums and the chocolate muffin we took to go for our hike was also lovely. North Stratfield, so a bit out of the way. But a great place to stop if you’re gonna go explore the wetlands & biking paths of Bicentennial and Olympic Parks!

Fast Break Cafe – this one’s in Cronulla. Very fresh fare, owner run and operated, lots of homemade treats, excellent homey service, and lots of gluten-free options. We had some wonderful panini — mine was filled with delicious veggies and was perhaps the best panino I’ve ever had, and Ben discovered the joy of homemade caramel slices. Since the gal taking your order is an owner and food-preparer herself, you can ask her all kinds of questions about the ingredients and she’s got all the answers. Not even that expensive, really!

Gelato Messina – Yummy gelateria! Really rich flavors in a whole rainbow of fruits and straight-up sweets. Sorbets where you don’t miss a thing; I had a chocolate orange sorbet that was so dense and flavorful, I didn’t miss the dairy at all! They also have really beautiful cakes that look like they belong in a design museum (or at least the museum store), but we didn’t try any of these on our first visit. Next time, Gadget, neeext tiiiime…

Savoy Restaurant – this one’s in Katoomba. Classic, healthy food with a modern touch…and a very extensive menu (just ask Rainbow how long it took her to order). We loved it last time we were in Katoomba, and it was just as yummy this time; vegetarian lasagna (benjie heaven), lovely large side salads, an extensive loose-leaf tea list (merry heaven), and fabulous pin-up drawings on the walls (rainbow heaven). Plus a savory veggie pumpkin pot pie and big-as-your-face cookies for dessert (deb heaven)! Plus really friendly servers and triphop in the background (Cinematic Orchestra and DJ Krush while we were there).

Hominy Bakery – this bakery is so good, I am tempted to make the 4-hour round trip by train just to go buy bread…and pies, and cookies, etc. (It’s also in Katoomba.) Mandy — orange cardamom cake! Plus awesome wholemeal rye bread, hazelnut chocolate chunk cookies (so cheap too!) and absolutely perfect apple turnovers. Bonus: vegetarian pie (finally!) with flaky, nearly poofy crust. Yum-tastic.

East Ocean Seafood Restaurant – our favorite dim sum (sorry, yum cha) restaurant in Sydney. All the classics we love best, plus lots of fun stuff we don’t seem to get at the usual places in the US (here’s their pdf menu; not complete by any means). The key to their greatness is that they have *lots* of carts; unless you go at the very end of service, or are sitting in a far away corner, you will definitely get everything possible offered to you. They also have more hot, cook-on-demand carts; this is the only place I’ve been to that cooks the typical broccoli/greens at your table, so they’re perfectly done and lightly fresh&crunchy, but not overdone, and not crazy-oily. As a bonus, they are right on the main historical downtown street, so it’s a fun walk for visitors. And right nearby is Paddy’s Market, in case you need cheap luggage, incense, sparkly tights, or fresh veggies.

Rise – on a little side street away from the busy side of the Kings Cross hill. We wandered past it on a walk back from Kings Cross and decided we had to try it out. What a find! Tues/Wed/Sun 7-course omakase tasting menu of modern artistic japanese food for only $45. So creative and beautifully presented and delicious! We will definitely go back to find out how the menu changes.

Yellow Bistro & Food Store – thank you Chef Raymond for that recommendation! Upscale but casual setting and “modern Australian” cuisine; the crab/mango/lime/cilantro salad was so good, I almost ordered another one. Lick-the-plate good.

Brown Rice Haradokei – Ben’s eye for udon found this place. It’s teeeeny tiny, and open weird (inconsistent) hours, but the food is bowls of simple traditional Japanese heaven, with a health-nut twist.