10 best long lunch spots in Sydney
In the spirit of making the most of every last minute of your weekend, it doesn’t get much better than a leisurely long lunch.
And you’re doing it right, if you pick one of these Sydney hot spots, in no particular order:
1. The Apollo, Potts Point
Bring a group! Because sharing is caring at this buzzing Greek restaurant, located on the restaurant heaven that is Macleay Street. Settling in for the afternoon is made easy with a top notch wine list, a “I’ll have one of everything” appealing menu and fab cocktails.
Go-to-dishes: You’ll have massive foodie envy if you don’t order the Saganaki cheese with honey and oregano (described by a fellow diner last visit as “the best cheese I’ve ever tasted”. Enough said!
2. Chiswick, Woollahra
It’s a Sydney favourite for a reason. In a city where we tend to flock to the newest opening, Chiswick holds it ground and is still pumping. The pretty grounds, kitchen garden and seasonally changing menu make it a winner. Matt Moran can do no wrong.
Go-to-dishes: I’ve been here a dozen times and never not ordered the famous whole roasted Moran family lamb. It’s that good. Its accompaniments change seasonally so you can totally justify it 😉 Hand cut chips and the snow crab sliders are also must-orders.
3. Nomad, Surry Hills
Nab a spot at the kitchen counter and watch the show that is the Nomad kitchen team. Be warned though, I once sat here mid-week intending to share a few light dishes but that changed after watching dessert and cheese plates being prepared before my eyes all night. Of course we went for both 😉
Go-to-dishes: The charcuterie and jersey milk haloumi are both housemade and both amazing. And you’d be crazy to say no to zucchini flowers with percorino and truffle honey.
4. Bennelong, Sydney CBD
When you want somewhere a bit nice to soak up the famous Sydney icons, it’s hard to beat Peter Gilmore’s Bennelong, located in the Sydney Opera House. It’s pretty at night but the glistening harbour views on a sunny day make it prime long lunch contender.
Go-to-dishes: The salad of smoked eggplant crisp falafel, pistachio uts, labane and house made pita bread. Yes it’s vegetarian and yes you should trust me 😉 The cherry jam lamington and chocolate cake from across the water will please the sweet tooth’s.
5. Opera Bar, Sydney CBD
After a slightly cheaper option in the vicinity of the Opera House but still want a killer view? Opera Bar is for you. Get there early to nab a spot and be rewarded with brag worthy Insta shots and a menu with something for everyone.
Go-to-dishes: You can’t go wrong with anything from the Meat & Cheese Room or the Raw Bar.
6. Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi
It’s iconic for a reason. Don’t just save this one for when you have special guests in town. Treat yo’self.
Go-to-dishes: It’s hard to go past seasonal seafood by the seaside. If the ‘Gameretti’ – lightly dusted local shrimp with lemon and aioli – is on the menu you should definitely order it.
7. Drake Eatery, Bondi
It might not have the ocean views and celeb factor of Icebergs but Drake brings the goods in the neighbourhood local you wish was your own department.
Go-to-dishes: If I could eat the thyme gnocchi with golden raisins, hazelnuts, mushrooms and Gippsland blue cheese and white chocolate and honeycomb parfait with salted caramel every weekend, I’d be a very happy woman.
G N O C C H I Dish of the day at @drakebondiThyme gnocchi with raisins, hazelnuts, mushrooms and Gippsland Blue #drake #drakebondi #bondi #bondieats #sydney #sydneyeats #sydneyfood #sydneyfoodie #foodporn A photo posted by Nicole Redfern (@nic.redfern) on
8. Kepos and Co, Waterloo
Another share food winner, Kepos and Co is not only a winner in the food and wine department, the friendliness of the staff will have you relaxing into the afternoon before the first splash of wine is even poured.
Go-to-dishes: Paleo fans, step aside. The za-atar flat bread with warm hummus is the stuff of carb filled dreams.
9. Graze MCA, The Rocks
Finding a non-tourist trap option in The Rocks can be difficult but luckily the onsite restaurant at the fantastic Museum of Contemporary Arts is the goods. The outdoor seating with Harbour views feels like one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.
Go to dishes: The virtuous raw salad of greens and grains with crispy skin ocean trout is best accompanied with the roast pumpkin side (which could be a meal in itself) and a glass of Grenache.
10. Manly Pavilion, Manly
Long lunches and water views go hand in hand and the recently re-opened Manly Pavilion has a location other restaurants can only dream of.
Go to dishes: The Barossa chicken liver parfait with pickled pear is a great starter but it’s strength lies with desserts, particularly of the liquid kind. How can you say no to a salted caramel espresso martini?
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