Going in August for the women’s world cup.
Any particularly great restaurants within reasonable walk/drive to CBD in Auckland and Sydney?
Have about 5 lunchs and 5 dinners at each city.
great can mean great food, or great wine list, or great vibe, famous chef, etc…
Have a 9 year old so need to allow kids, but she eats most things (i.e. she ate at Noma mostly fine).
Thanks!
In Sydney, Quay is the obvious choice for fine dining. I have never been disappointed with Firedoor either. I’d imagine a 9 year old would enjoy watching the live fire action at Firedoor. Quay might be a little adventurous (not Noma but trending that way).
Icebergs at Bondi Beach for lunch is hard to beat for an iconic view
Cassia was fantastic when I was there in Nov 2017. Appears to still be around.
in Auckland, Depot is an absolute must. Also, Baduzzi is pretty wonderful. And for charred meat, El Sizzling Chorizo is a winner!
All Auckland
Amano- food was mostly solid, one of the better winelists of places we went to. A bit of a food factory vibe.
Alma- service great, but hated the space, including the weird two tops facing the street. Food was interesting and overall +, but the weird seating took it down a notch, and chef was a bit too heavy on vinegar.
Hugos on shortland- we were there on a very quiet night. one of the best entrees of the trip, but another that was just meh. I’d like it more if it had a bit more lively atmosphere. My son’s top recco of places we went to- he liked it more than me.
Ahi- some really interesting preparations, but also one of those places that tries so hard to be complex that it somewhat loses the soul of the main ingredients. snacks were the most memorable including wallaby tartare. Smoked quail was very good. Would go back.
Depot- only went for lunch but oysters. were great and kahawai entree very well done. Like the casual vibe.
Omni- a bit out of the cbd where was staying but worth the uber ride. Did the “feed me” (omakase type thing) and was quite happy. top recco of places we went to.
Cahns wines. just off queen street on Oconnell. Really nice shop, great owner. Highly recommend.
In Sydney CBD (most have a “corporate” vibe given location)
Near to the CBD:
If you want to wander from pub to pub then head to Paddington / Woolahra and you can do the Dudley, Four in Hand, London, Light Brigade, Grand National etc.
And don’t rule out breakfast - Sydney does it best. Flat White, Burnt Orange, Indigo Double Bay, Lox, Stock and Barrel, Grounds of Alexandria, Grounds of the City.
I’d go back to any or all of those above.
Auckland - King Noodle - best laozi noodles i’ve had (granted i’ve never been to china to have it).
Sydney- MR WONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Hoping to get a few updates to this thread. My wife and I are in Sydney later this month (Jan 26-31), then on to Auckland/Waiheke Island for a mates 50th birthday bash. Mainly looking for Sydney advice, as the NZ days are scheduled as a four day continuous party. In Sydney, we’re doing standard tourist stuff and will be in a casual mode. Would welcome any thoughts on fun wine bars, casual lunch spots, and/or fun tourist stops we might not think of.
@Mark_Y - any suggestions on from your visit? Both recommendations and anything to avoid?
@Jeremy_Holmes @Kent_Comley @paul_hanna - tagging you guys, recognizing Sydney isn’t your home turf, but thinking you might have a suggestion or two on where to get a great bottle for dinner/lunch. Thanks in advance to all.
Wine bar / food solid. Highly recommend:
Brad it’s been a few years since I have been to Sydney, but krobbs list above is pretty bang on.
I love hanging out on the deck at Cafe Sydney. Food is simple but good quality produce.
Mr. Wong difficult to get a reservation.
Quay and Aria perhaps one of the great restaurant views but $$$$$$$.
Catch a ferry down to Manly and have lunch at Manly Hotel or other restaurant down there. Take a dip at Shelly Beach after lunch…
Wander around Paddington (close to Sydney), visit Five Ways Cellars and have pub lunch at Royal Hotel.
Late night duck at BBQ King.
Fix Wine Bar and Bentley Bar for serious wine bar experience.
Woolloomoolloo a great restaurant precinct - sit outside on the wharf - Otto always used to be good.
Thanks Kent.
Mr Wong’s is awesome. Their local mud crab and fried bugs are great. Upscale Cantonese place, better than anything we have in LA.
Ho Jiak Town Hall- upscale Malaysian seafood focused. Their black pepper pipies (large local clams) is incredible. They have a more casual one in Haymarket that’s supposed to be pretty good too.
Any of the Josh Niland spots are good too for seafood - Saint Peter is his first one and his flagship. For casual walk in Fish Butchery is great.
Auckland - I know you don’t need recs but I have to give just one. Super casual Chinese noodle shop called King Made Noodles. I suggested it to @Mark_Y and he agrees with me - and I don’t say this lightly as you know I love my Chinese food, there’s no noodle place like this in the US. One of the best bowls of noodle I have had outside of China/Taiwan. We ended up eating here multiple times cause it was so good.
I’d be remiss not to suggest a few days in Tasmania since 5 nights in Sydney might feel a bit long, short sub 2 hr flight to Hobart. It’s the most incredible place. Lots of good food, everything is hyper seasonal/local and the views are awesome.
Three great places in Sydney (two were Charlie’s tips).
Ho Jiak Town Hall (excellent Malaysian food, portions very large) ; unfortunately they said the clams were no longer in season
St Peter (fish tasting menu, superb)
Kiln (the fish was fabulous but not just fish), great view).
Another vote for Tasmania- best oysters west of Cape Cod. Here now, had abalone last night, fabulous.
Ho Jiak - really tasty food… it’s pretty casual but flavor is good
Monopole - had a solid wine list… if you chat up the somm, he’s a good guy…
Mr Wong is expensive, and while it’s good it’s also kinda of more of an experience… definitely worth going to… but i don’t get why it’s so hard to get a reso… like i wasn’t blown away but maybe my vision of a top tier chinese restaurant is different…
But yah, visited Bar Copain twice in my few days there… it’s that good.
Auckland:
Origine was probably the nicest place i went to. had a decent wine list as well
Kings Made Noodle as @CFu said… realllly good noodles… I also went multiple times in 5 days. it’s that good.
and it’s super hole in wall type casual so no need to ‘plan’ a visit, but if you’re hungry and you’re nearby, definitely go.
Thanks guys. Appreciate all the tips.
Which noodles should I get- pork?
They have minced pork noodle but really it’s a Taiwan beef noodle joint so I would get beef noodle.
Personally I love pickled cabbage so I get A3. But A2 is great too (my kid had that twice).
Menu:
Since I don’t eat beef i went with A4 - it’s a dry noodle with spicy pickled cabbage it was awesome. Be sure to get a healthy scoop of their homemade chili oil
Their cold dishes are well done too, I really liked the braised peanuts, Chinese kimchi and the bean curd salad
Saint Peter might have been my best meal of 2023!
Clam Bar is good as is Le Foote. Neil Perry’s Margaret is a terrific restaurant for a long lunch.