Jet-setting into Sydney for an ultimate foodie weekend and you’ll find you are virtually spoilt for choice. The beautiful thing about Sydney is that you can tailor the experience to your personality. More of a beach lover? Perhaps it’s a ferry over to Manly beach, a bite to eat, then a dip in one of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches. An art fan? Explore Sydney’s galleries and enjoy a leisurely meal at Chiswick at the Art Gallery of NSW. But for the ultimate For Food’s Sake experience, we’ve partnered with Expedia.com.au to indulge you in a few of our favourites.
Check in to a Harbour suite at the Shangri-La Sydney in the Rocks. Don one of your sleekest frocks and head straight up to Blu Bar on level 36 followed by dinner at Altitude restaurant as you watch the sunset over the Harbour.
The Intercontinental Sydney, located within walking distance of Circular Quay and the Rocks. The Intercontinental offers guests a wonderful stay in a contemporary setting. The hotel features an atrium where you can enjoy a High Tea/Coffee experience (one of our favourites in Sydney). The hotel restaurant 117 Dining is a fantastic dining option in its own right. Offering a seasonal truffle menu that was a highlight last winter.
Stepping out for breakfast or brunch is quintessentially Sydney. It’s fairly common to see people milling at the front of popular cafes, vying to fulfil all their caffeinated needs. Bills in Surry Hills has been a classic favourite for over 12 years. With 3 cafes in Sydney including Bondi, it’s always a great choice pre-Bondi Beach dip. The Ricotta Hotcakes -w/banana & honeycomb butter are life-changing and despite our quest for the best Sydney pancakes continuing, Bills always rates highly. Sweet Corn Fritters and velvety Scrambled Eggs will satisfy any savoury desire.
If you don’t mind a queue and a casual seat on a milk crate, then head over to the original Bourke St Bakery. If tucking into freshly baked, crisp, and flaky croissants or one of their infamous pork and fennel sausage rolls sounds like your cup of tea, you won’t be disappointed.
A comfortable 20-minute walk through Surry Hills into the Sydney CBD will have you feeling like a local, it’s worth making a detour via St Mary’s Cathedral and through Hyde Park. We wouldn’t judge you for a quick 20-minute fat-nap post breakfast. It’s important to rejuvenate. Westfield Pitt Street will easily occupy your time and wallet for several hours, as well as burning off those extra calories.
You can’t come to one of the greatest cities in the world without having one of the best burgers Sydney has to offer. Bar Luca led the charge for the burger resurgence in Sydney and their Blame Canada -w/BL beef pattie, maple glazed streaky bacon,
American cheese & poutine will leave you virtually speechless and in desperate need of a couple of wet ones.
For an afternoon pit stop to whet your whistle, why not take in the views of the harbour from Hacienda Bar. Located within the Pullman hotel at Circular Quay, the Cuban-inspired locale offers an alluring list of bodacious cocktails. An ideal location for a pre-dinner drink to soak up the views of some of the city’s most iconic features.
Hubert, within walking distance of Hacienda Bar, is a Sydney must! Crooning jazz music welcomes you as you descend the dimly lit stairwell, opening up to a speakeasy that harkens right back to the prohibition era 1920’s. French classics such as Malakoff (gruyere cheese puffs) and Pommes Anna take you on an epic, otherworldly journey.
Just on the outskirts of the CBD is Woolloomooloo Wharf, home to many wonderful dining establishments. One of our favourites along the wharf is China Doll, serving up high-end Chinese cuisine in an alfresco setting. Our dish of choice is the crispy pork belly with chilli caramel, a perfect combination of textures and flavours. Dining in a large group? Then take advantage of the set banquets which is exceptional value and allows you to try a broad range of the menu.
The Rocks market on a Sunday is a rite of passage for any visitor to the city. Stroll the eclectic markets stalls, pick up some hand-crafted souvenirs and enjoy the lively buzz before heading over to Four Frogs Creperie for one of the many varieties of sweet and savoury crepes on offer.
With so much choice and so little time, this guide will allow you to experience some of the best the city has to offer over a weekend, that will no doubt leave you imminently planning your next visit!
Vanessa, Bianca and Alex
@4foodssake
Photography by Alex Squadrito
Date night sorted for a month, thanks Fam!!