Guidebook for Sydney

Mike
Guidebook for Sydney

Drinks & Nightlife

Diverse wines abound at this brilliant restaurant run by beautiful and well-informed humans. Their menu complements one of Australia’s best drinks list, where the focus is on Italian wines, great Australian booze, and a sniff of France’s most desirable lo-fi producers. Look for Ganevat from the Jura or Texier from Rhone Valley. The sake list is amazing, too. It’s been hand-selected by one of the world’s leading junmai—natural rice—sake importers, who also happens to be the manager here. If any of Akishika Shuzo’s junmai sakes are on pour, that’s the ticket. They’re one of Japan’s most incredible artisanal brewers.
45 locals recommend
10 William St
10 William Street
45 locals recommend
Diverse wines abound at this brilliant restaurant run by beautiful and well-informed humans. Their menu complements one of Australia’s best drinks list, where the focus is on Italian wines, great Australian booze, and a sniff of France’s most desirable lo-fi producers. Look for Ganevat from the Jura or Texier from Rhone Valley. The sake list is amazing, too. It’s been hand-selected by one of the world’s leading junmai—natural rice—sake importers, who also happens to be the manager here. If any of Akishika Shuzo’s junmai sakes are on pour, that’s the ticket. They’re one of Japan’s most incredible artisanal brewers.
In a graffiti-emblazoned church in Newtown, Mary’s defies the look and feel of most burger joints thanks to its hard-rock aesthetic underlined by rib-sticking food—their motto is Get Fat! What’s more, the seriously excellent wine list draws deeply from the canon of natural wine. A double cheeseburger with a bottle of Pacalet’s incredible Burgundy? No sweat. There’s a heady selection of wines by the glass listed in chalk on the walls, but the real trick is getting your hands on the extended wine list that sits in a leather-bound folder behind the bar. In there you’ll find a by-the-bottle collection that rivals any of Sydney’s most interesting wine bars.
157 locals recommend
Mary's
6 Mary St
157 locals recommend
In a graffiti-emblazoned church in Newtown, Mary’s defies the look and feel of most burger joints thanks to its hard-rock aesthetic underlined by rib-sticking food—their motto is Get Fat! What’s more, the seriously excellent wine list draws deeply from the canon of natural wine. A double cheeseburger with a bottle of Pacalet’s incredible Burgundy? No sweat. There’s a heady selection of wines by the glass listed in chalk on the walls, but the real trick is getting your hands on the extended wine list that sits in a leather-bound folder behind the bar. In there you’ll find a by-the-bottle collection that rivals any of Sydney’s most interesting wine bars.
The nicest people run this pocket-size bar, with a list carved from the world’s best natural wine producers. There’s a decided focus on grower Champagne and an exceptional collection of German riesling, and all the wines are from farmer-growers who work organically, or from producers who source from organic or biodynamic farms. A great place to while away the hours. Seek out the ever-lovely Gabrielle Webster—omnipresent in the bar—and ask which riesling she’s currently drinking. Her suggestions are always a surprise and a delight.
83 locals recommend
Love, Tilly Devine
91 Crown Ln
83 locals recommend
The nicest people run this pocket-size bar, with a list carved from the world’s best natural wine producers. There’s a decided focus on grower Champagne and an exceptional collection of German riesling, and all the wines are from farmer-growers who work organically, or from producers who source from organic or biodynamic farms. A great place to while away the hours. Seek out the ever-lovely Gabrielle Webster—omnipresent in the bar—and ask which riesling she’s currently drinking. Her suggestions are always a surprise and a delight.
With a wine list nurtured for over a decade by impresario Nick Hildebrandt, this stylish bar showcases avant-garde wine accompanied by seriously good food. The list is ever-changing, sourced from thoughtful importers and wholesalers who work with artisanal producers that make wines with minimal intervention. No additions—just pure, naturally fermented grape juice. There’s an amazing selection of wines from Jura, France’s smallest wine region. They produce incredibly refreshing and complex whites—often with a touch of oxidation, a little like sherry in their profile—while the reds tend to be light, bright, and crunchy in texture. Get the bar to suggest one for you.
103 locals recommend
Monopole
20 Curtin Place
103 locals recommend
With a wine list nurtured for over a decade by impresario Nick Hildebrandt, this stylish bar showcases avant-garde wine accompanied by seriously good food. The list is ever-changing, sourced from thoughtful importers and wholesalers who work with artisanal producers that make wines with minimal intervention. No additions—just pure, naturally fermented grape juice. There’s an amazing selection of wines from Jura, France’s smallest wine region. They produce incredibly refreshing and complex whites—often with a touch of oxidation, a little like sherry in their profile—while the reds tend to be light, bright, and crunchy in texture. Get the bar to suggest one for you.
An inner-west neighbourhood joint with a long, long, long bar, dim lighting, great cocktails, party tunes, and finger-licking snacks. It ticks so many boxes. The wine list changes often, but the focus is on avant-garde Australian producers such as Vinteloper and a heady list of local spirits. Beer taps are always hyperlocal, too. For example, they have St Peters’s Willie The Boatman. Their homage to the Filet-O-Fish sandwich is totally out-of-control great. It’s a must-order. Add in a salt-rimmed Tommy’s Margarita, killer at The Gretz, and ask them to make yours with Australian-owned Sesión Tequila.
16 locals recommend
The Gretz
125 Enmore Road
16 locals recommend
An inner-west neighbourhood joint with a long, long, long bar, dim lighting, great cocktails, party tunes, and finger-licking snacks. It ticks so many boxes. The wine list changes often, but the focus is on avant-garde Australian producers such as Vinteloper and a heady list of local spirits. Beer taps are always hyperlocal, too. For example, they have St Peters’s Willie The Boatman. Their homage to the Filet-O-Fish sandwich is totally out-of-control great. It’s a must-order. Add in a salt-rimmed Tommy’s Margarita, killer at The Gretz, and ask them to make yours with Australian-owned Sesión Tequila.
The French-leaning food is bloody delicious, seasonal, and shows off the creative flair of chef Analiese Gregory. The wine list is carefully selected, with plenty of fresh, young whites and rosés, and imbued with an ever-changing lineup of local and European options. Settle in for the long haul or just duck in for snacks and drinks—it works both ways. Co-owner/sommelier Ed Loveday makes seasonal cocktails with the bounty of Australian native ingredients to add accents to what are often disarmingly simple, fruit-driven drinks. They are also beautiful to look at. Get him to suggest something—he’s an amazing talent.
16 locals recommend
Bar Brosé
231a Victoria Street
16 locals recommend
The French-leaning food is bloody delicious, seasonal, and shows off the creative flair of chef Analiese Gregory. The wine list is carefully selected, with plenty of fresh, young whites and rosés, and imbued with an ever-changing lineup of local and European options. Settle in for the long haul or just duck in for snacks and drinks—it works both ways. Co-owner/sommelier Ed Loveday makes seasonal cocktails with the bounty of Australian native ingredients to add accents to what are often disarmingly simple, fruit-driven drinks. They are also beautiful to look at. Get him to suggest something—he’s an amazing talent.

Food Scene

The atmosphere and decor nearly eclipse the eating and drinking experience, but the drinks list is incredible. Their wines skew French to match the out-of-control French-accented food, offering natural wines and an old-school bent—think overlooked regions that are now in focus for the in-the-know crowd, like Beaujolais and the Loire Valley. Chenin blancs run long on the list, so I’d suggest ordering one of those, as well as an aniseed-flavoured Pastis Fizz cocktail—it’s off the hook.
41 locals recommend
Restaurant Hubert
15 Bligh St
41 locals recommend
The atmosphere and decor nearly eclipse the eating and drinking experience, but the drinks list is incredible. Their wines skew French to match the out-of-control French-accented food, offering natural wines and an old-school bent—think overlooked regions that are now in focus for the in-the-know crowd, like Beaujolais and the Loire Valley. Chenin blancs run long on the list, so I’d suggest ordering one of those, as well as an aniseed-flavoured Pastis Fizz cocktail—it’s off the hook.
Styled like an old-school deli, but so much more, this bar-cum-bistro has an incredible cocktail menu and a shape-shifting wine list that embraces the local and farther afield alike. There’s a neat twist here, too—they got their hands on a retro canning machine and put up a variety of foods and cocktails, like the Mar-tinny, Cosmopoli-tin and Can-hattan. Mikey Nicolian is THE man behind the bar. Ask him about the off-menu, rare and unseen spirit collection, which is incredible, or for an exotic amaro.
36 locals recommend
Continental Deli Bar Bistro
210 Australia St
36 locals recommend
Styled like an old-school deli, but so much more, this bar-cum-bistro has an incredible cocktail menu and a shape-shifting wine list that embraces the local and farther afield alike. There’s a neat twist here, too—they got their hands on a retro canning machine and put up a variety of foods and cocktails, like the Mar-tinny, Cosmopoli-tin and Can-hattan. Mikey Nicolian is THE man behind the bar. Ask him about the off-menu, rare and unseen spirit collection, which is incredible, or for an exotic amaro.
Brilliant, produce-driven food kissed by the wood-fired oven and served alongside some of the best wines on the planet. The list leans in the direction of Italy but there’s representation from France, Austria, Australia, and other natural-wine hotspots. Their wine team often hides away stock and rereleases it with some maturity, lending character to the wines. Get a late lunch reservation for Sunday—when Sydney’s in-the-know eat here—and keep an eye out for rarities from lesser-known wine regions. These are often the crown jewels of the list, eked out in small releases to the Australian market.
88 locals recommend
Ester Restaurant
46-52 Meagher St
88 locals recommend
Brilliant, produce-driven food kissed by the wood-fired oven and served alongside some of the best wines on the planet. The list leans in the direction of Italy but there’s representation from France, Austria, Australia, and other natural-wine hotspots. Their wine team often hides away stock and rereleases it with some maturity, lending character to the wines. Get a late lunch reservation for Sunday—when Sydney’s in-the-know eat here—and keep an eye out for rarities from lesser-known wine regions. These are often the crown jewels of the list, eked out in small releases to the Australian market.
The view, the view, the view. And the work of chef Monty Koludrovic and sommelier James Hird. The freshness on the plate is enhanced by Hird’s natural-leaning, Italian-focused wine list made up of well-known producers and a younger generation of Australian winemakers. Look for bespoke wines made just for Icebergs and collaborations with brewers and distillers. In collaboration with proprietor Maurice Terzini and friends, sommelier Hird has sourced a small-batch organic prosecco for Icebergs. It’s a highly drinkable, fresh, lightly fizzy white that makes great friends with Campari in their must-order Icebergs Spritz.
468 locals recommend
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts Ave
468 locals recommend
The view, the view, the view. And the work of chef Monty Koludrovic and sommelier James Hird. The freshness on the plate is enhanced by Hird’s natural-leaning, Italian-focused wine list made up of well-known producers and a younger generation of Australian winemakers. Look for bespoke wines made just for Icebergs and collaborations with brewers and distillers. In collaboration with proprietor Maurice Terzini and friends, sommelier Hird has sourced a small-batch organic prosecco for Icebergs. It’s a highly drinkable, fresh, lightly fizzy white that makes great friends with Campari in their must-order Icebergs Spritz.