Wondering what to eat in Sydney? Don’t worry cause we’re going to taco bout it.

More than just a city of icons, Sydney is a foodie’s paradise. From unique fusion combinations to cafe food that both look and taste good, there’s an endless supply of places to fill your tummy. During our recent trip to New South Wales, we spent a couple of days exploring the alternative side of Sydney and ate to our hearts content!

To help you out, we combined some of our highlights with a couple of others we missed out due to the lack of room in our tummies. Plan your days around these affordable food trails, or mix and match as you wish to keep your tastebuds and bellies happy!

*Pro-tip: Try to do this with friends so you’d be able to stomach more. Food also tastes best when shared!

Food Trail Route A – Things to eat around Central Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge-Alternative Sydney Travel Guide-2

For those exploring the iconic sites closer to the harbour and around Central Sydney, this might be the perfect alternative food trail for things to eat in Sydney.

8AM: Grab a good cuppa coffee @ Grounds of Alexandria

Grounds of Alexandria -Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

While this isn’t exactly Central Sydney, the Grounds of Alexandria is a must visit for anyone on a food trail of Sydney. Tucked in the middle of an industrial suburb, the Grounds of Alexandria is like the mother of all cafes. Other than looking extremely photogenic, there’s a network of small shops from artisan bakeries to fresh produce.

But the highlight is the coffee. They roast their own coffee beans and even has a coffee research and education facility.

*Pro-tip: Try either the Deconstructed Iced Coffee or their Coffee Tasting Board.

Coffee at Grounds of Alexandria -Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

If you have time, check out the nearby Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre for some old school finds. You might just uncover a hidden gem!

Cost: AU$4 – 15 for drinks; AU$7-22 for mains
Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (Weekdays); 7:30am – 4pm (Weekends)
Address: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia

11am: Pick fresh seafood @ Sydney Fish Market

Fresh Seafood at Sydney Fish Market - Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

Oysters at Sydney Fish Market - things to eat in sydney

Seafood in Sydney doesn’t get any fresher than at Sydney Fish Market. Get here before the tour buses arrive for lunch and place your orders first. We picked a crab at Nicholas Seafood (down the hallway) and had them cook it for us! While waiting, we also grabbed a bunch of Sydney Rock Oysters as appetisers.

*Pro-tip: Grab Oysters from Claudio’s Seafoods outside the main area for AU$13.99 (Nicholas seafood has the same grade for AU$18.99)

Sushi Donut at Sydney Fish Market - Alternative Sydney Travel GuideIf you’re feeling adventurous, try the creative sushi donut at Fish Market Cafe near the entrance. Don’t think that sushi is meant to be eaten this way, but it looks really good and tasted pretty interesting!

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Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (Mon – Thurs); some retailers open till 5pm Fri – Sun
Address: Bank St & Pyrmont Bridge Road, Sydney NSW 2009, Australia

3pm: Australian iconic pies @ Harry’s Café Dé Wheels

Harrys Cafe on Wheels Pie-Things to eat in Sydney-6 Harrys Cafe on Wheels-Things to eat in Sydney-6

Take an afternoon snack at one of Sydney’s best pie shops. Harry’s Café de Wheels has been serving traditional meat pies with their signature mash and mushy peas since 1945 to customers on the road. They have quite a few outlets now, but the one at Woolloomooloo is the original shop that has seen many celebrities like KFC’s Colonel Sanders!

Cost: Pies from AU$5
Opening Hours: 8:30am till late (1-4am)
Address:
 
Cowper Wharf Roadway & Dowling St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Australia

5.30pm: Unique snack @ ONE Tea Lounge & Grill

Ramen Burger One Tea Lounge & Grill - Things to eat in SydneyBaogers at One Tea Lounge and Bar - Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

Here’s another one for the fusion food lovers. I’ve heard of rice burgers, but ramen burgers?! In our hunt for must try things to eat in Sydney, we found One Tea Lounge & Grill with their unconventional burgers.

Their signature fusion sliders consists of 3 palm sized burgers wedged around a juicy wagyu beef patty and spicy sauce. The unique thing is that instead of using bread, they use crispy ramen, crunchy rice, and matcha baos.

Do try their ice cream baogers too! Fried baos with miso caramel and either matcha, black sesame, lychee, or red bean ice cream.

Cost: Fusion sliders AU$24 for 3, Ice Cream Baogers AU$16 for 2
Opening Hours:
11:30am – 3pm (Tues – Fri); 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat)
Address: Upper Ground Floor, 73 York St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

8pm: No-frills Jap Dinner @ Mappen

Mappen Japanese Udon-Alternative Sydney Travel GuideMappen Japanese Noodles-Things to eat in Sydney-4

End the day at Mappen, a no-frills Japanese Noodle Bar. A friend had recommended this to us and we were all pleasantly surprised at how good the udon/ramen/soba was after a day of palette adventures. Cheap and good.

Cost: from AU$2.90
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
Address:
 
11/537-551 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Food Trail Route B – Things to eat in Newtown, Sydney

Newtown graffiti - Things to eat in Sydney-3

This cool suburb is one of the most interesting places to walk around in Sydney. From cafes, bookshops, to boutique shops, it is said to be the heartland of Sydney’s colourful bohemian culture. Other than food, you’ll find street art, and chatty post war immigrants in the houses behind the main street.

9AM: Brunch @ Brewtown Newtown

Brewtown Newtown Pastries - Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

Brewtown Newtown Cruffin - Alternative Sydney Travel GuideStart the day with brunch at Brewtown Newtown, known for their cronuts (croissant + donut) and cruffins (croissant + muffin). According to Cherie, this solves the morning dilemma of having to decide.  If you love the flaky layers of croissants and the soft buttery flavours of a muffin/donut, this is definitely for you.

Cost: $6 for a cronut/cruffin
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm
Address: 6-8 O’Connell St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia

12pm: Healthy lunch @ Lentil as Anything

Lentil as Anything Vegetarian - things to eat in sydney newtown
Credit: thehedonistlife

This pay as you want vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Newtown Sydney is the lunch fix you need before continuing with the food trail. Fill your tummies and souls with healthy and tasty food while contributing to their social cause of providing food without borders. The menu changes daily so you will be in for a surprise!

Cost: No set prices. Pay as you want, but we recommend at least AU$10.
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm (10am on weekends), 6pm – 9pm
Address: 391 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia

1pm: Dessert @ Cow & The Moon Gelato

Cow and the Moon Ice cream-Alternative Sydney Travel Guide-17

Best flavours at Cow and the Moon Ice cream - Alternative Sydney Travel Guide

Finish off lunch with the world’s best gelato at Cow & The Moon. This award winning yet affordable gelato place boasts flavours like the Mandorla Affagato (voted best in the world) and Poached strawberries & balsamic (best in Australia).

Cost: $6 for a small cup with 2 flavours
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 10:30pm (11:30pm on Friday & Saturday)
Address: 181 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042, Australia

3pm: Refuel with a refreshing snack @ Black Star Pastry

Blackstar Pastry Strawberry Watermelon Cake - Alternative Sydney Travel GuideAfter more walking, check out the refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Cake from Black Star Pastry. It is really berry berry nice. We got ours in the afternoon, but we heard that on some days they get sold out before 11am. I’m not a big fan of cake (sorry!), but still loved this as it was neither too sweet nor creamy. Especially loved the fruity and floral mix!

Cost: AU$8 (for a single slice)
Opening Hours: 7am – 5pm, daily
Address: 277 Australia St, Newtown

*Pro-tip: If you’re afraid that it will get sold out, pop by early and reserve a slice before continuing with your food hunt around Newtown.

5pm: Pre-dinner decadence @ Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Max Brenner Chocolate Pizza - things to eat in sydney newtown
Credit: Max Brenner

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar-Things to eat in Sydney-2

Chocolate lovers rejoice! End the day at the decadent Max Brenner Chocolate Bar will help you experience chocolate differently. Be sure to try their signature Chocolate Pizza (yes you heard that right) — pure melted chocolate, caramelised pecans, cornflakes, marshmallows & white chocolate drops.

Cost: AU$17 for the pizza, AU$6-9 for other chocolate indulgences
Opening Hours: 9am – 11pm
Address: 142-146 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia


Hope you found this handy guide to things to eat in Sydney useful. If you have a recommendation for other hidden food finds, do let us know in the comments below!

Will be updating this in time.

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