When it comes to eating out, Surry Hills has to be one of Sydney’s most dynamic and exciting suburbs to visit.
A trip here takes you on a gastronomic journey around the world. With everything from Mexican, Thai and Indian, to Argentinian, Japanese and Spanish, all being available in the form of its various eateries.
Presenting a culinary experience that incorporates all manner of spices, flavours and cooking techniques, there are plenty of places you can go.
So whether it be a fine dining option, in a very classy setting, or a quick bite from a hole-in-the-wall, here are 17 awesome restaurants in Surry Hills to visit for your next meal out.
Eat at any of these, and you won’t be disappointed with the exquisite presentation, and of course the wonderful taste sensations you will be treated to.
Firedoor Restaurant
Located within a stylish heritage building on Mary Street, Firedoor Restaurant is an innovative establishment that champions the techniques of cooking with fire.
Very well established, they have been a popular spot in Surry Hills for several years now. Offering delicious, seasonal meat dishes, all of which are cooked to order, over wood coals.
Set within a space that has very pleasant, slightly smokey, rustic-chic decor, the ambience is always great here. While their fast service and courteous staff will only enhance your dining experience.
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: 23 – 33 Mary St, Surry Hills
Hours: Wed – Sat 5:30 – 9 pm
Phone: (02) 8204 0800
Don’t Tell Aunty
If you are looking for traditional Indian food, then Don’t Tell Aunty might not be the best place to go. But if you are looking for delicious Indian-inspired food, then you should definitely check it out.
Presenting a menu of Indian-influenced street food and tandoori specialities that comes with a modern twist, the food they serve might make the aunties shake their heads in disapproval. Though
it is guaranteed to make you rub your belly with delight.
Bursting with flavour and wonderful aromas, the food here is unlike anything you would have tasted before. It’s also served to you in a casual setting, with very colourful decor – that is as interesting as it is relaxing.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Address: 414 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Thur 5:30 – 10 pm, Fri – Sun 11:30 am – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9331 5399
Gogyo
You don’t need us to tell you how popular Ramen is in Sydney. Thankfully if this is what you feel like eating, Surry Hills has one of the city’s best exponents of it in the city.
It’s called Gogyo and is a chic, yet casual Japanese Ramen bar that is located on Albion Street. One of six such establishments around the world, what sets them apart from its rivals, is its fantastic menu.
Featuring dishes that have broths and miso that will stop you in your tracks with their excellence, this venue is congenial and contemporary. It also has a buzzy atmosphere and an innovative list of cocktails to choose from too, which always makes for a great night out.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: 52 – 54 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Sun 12 – 2:30 pm & 6 – 9 pm
Phone: (02) 9212 0003
Tokyo Bird
Occupying an industrial, yet debonair space that has a distinctly intimate feel to it, Tokyo Bird is a wonderful spot to enjoy some of the finest yakitori Sydney has to offer.
Comprising a mix of classic and traditional dishes, their menu features such delights as lotus root chips, arabiki and chicken karaage. The latter of which could well have been sent straight from Heaven.
On the drinks side of things, they serve up an excellent range of Japanese sake and whiskey. As well as some inventive cocktails that are curated from an approach which is very much technique focused.
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: Commonwealth St &, Belmore Ln, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Wed 4 – 11 pm, Thur 4 – 11:30 pm, Fri – Sat 4 pm – 12 am
Phone: (02) 8880 9971
Yulli’s
When it launched, Yulli’s was one of Sydney’s first plant-based restaurants. Since then a wave of new vegan and gluten-free restaurants have opened up across the city.
Located in Crown Street, this modish venue plates up a wonderful selection of veggie, vegan and gluten-free meals that are packed with vibrant colours, deep flavours and varying textures.
The food isn’t just what’s great here. Yulli’s also has an outstanding brewery that is well known locally. Which offers a terrific range of craft beers, as well as wines and cocktails.
Throw in film nights and live music, art and spoken word performances, and you have all the ingredients of an excellent night out.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: 417 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon 5 – 9:30 pm, Tues – Sun 12 – 9:30 pm
Phone: (02) 9319 6609
Poly
If you are in the mood for a bit of fine dining, Poly is an excellent option.
Situated on Commonwealth Street, close to the Paramount House Hotel, this delightful ‘barstaurant’ presents a terrific a la carte and set menu.
Showcasing the very best of contemporary Australian cuisine, the menu delivers dishes that have a real ‘wow’ factor about them. We defy you to settle for just one serve of their baked potato hummus!
The venue itself comprises a semi-subterranean setting that has a distinctly minimalist vibe to it. It’s a very sophisticated place to go, and its premium wine list is very extensive.
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: 74-76 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Hours: Tue-Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 12-4 pm & 5-11 pm
Phone: (02) 8860 0808
Bad Hombres
When it comes to Mexican food, few places in Sydney can touch Bad Hombres for the sheer quality of their delicious meals. The fact that they are all vegan is a major bonus for those who choose that lifestyle.
You’ll find this buzzy venue on Reservoir Street. Once there, prepare to be blown away by its plant-based sharing plates, tacos, burritos, nachos and innovative cocktails.
One thing you’ve got to try is the cashew and cauliflower vegan cream cheese. You’ll think Christmas has come early after just one mouthful of this dish.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Address: 40 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Tues – Sun 5:30 – 9 pm
Phone: 0405 274 515
Vacanza Pizzeria
For more than a decade now, Vacanza Pizzeria has been dishing up some of the tastiest wood-fired pizza in the Emerald City.
Their Surry Hills venue is one of two locations they run, the other being in Bronte. Both of which will whisk your taste buds away to Naples, Roma and Genoa, with the authenticity of their taste.
The BYO restaurant occupies an indoor space with distressed-brick walls, as well as outside seating that offers brilliant people-watching potential.
Presenting a pizza menu that can definitely be considered no-fuss, you can also order a selection of other classic pasta dishes from them as well.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: 414 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Thur 5:30 – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 12 – 3:30 pm & 5:30 – 11 pm, Sun 12 – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 8964 6414
Arthur Surry Hills
Another excellent fine dining restaurant in Surry Hills is Arthur.
A popular venue on Bourke Street for date nights and celebrations, this stylish and chic venue presents a set dinner menu 5 days a week.
Paired with a selection of some of the best local wines available, the menu has been curated by acclaimed head chef Tristan Rosier. Using the best quality regional produce he can source, it conveys his take on contemporary Aussie cuisines.
Starting from $80, the set menu meal is an exceptional feast for all your senses. It will take your taste buds to sensations, you never knew existed.
Service options: Dine-in · No takeaway · No delivery
Address: 544 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Hours: Wed – Fri 6 -11 pm, Sat – Sun 12:30 -2 pm & 6 – 11 pm
Phone: 0468 991 088
The Dolphin Hotel
If you are looking for a great night out that offers fantastic food, a fabulous selection of beers and wines, and lofty views, then consider a visit to The Dolphin Hotel.
Set across three floors, this Crown Street venue is a pub, restaurant and wine bar all in one. Its restaurant is a great place to come if you fancy juicy steaks or burgers, both of which come in generous size portions. While its pub, and rooftop terrace, which are on different floors, both serve an excellent range of beers and wines.
The great thing about this venue is that it offers a different experience on each level. So you can spend a bit of time at each, and it would feel like you have had three separate nights out in one!
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: 412 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon 24 hrs, Tues-Fri 12 pm – 12 am, Sat 11:30 am – 12 am, Sun 11:30 am – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9331 4800
Bartolo
Located within the Adian Apartment Hotel, the Bartolo is another Surry Hills restaurant that enjoys a prime location.
Formerly an all-day Italian-inspired diner, it changed into a bona fide restaurant and wine bar a few years ago. A transformation that has really paid off, as it is now firmly established as a local favourite.
While they still stay true to their past incarnation with a bottomless brunch offering, their exquisite dinner menu, and a wine list that contains over 200 international and Australian labels, is a welcome addition to the Sydney dining scene.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Located in: Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Surry Hills
Address: 359 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Wed – Thur 5 – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 12 am, Sun 12 – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9360 5457
NOMAD
A couple of years ago Nomad had to temporarily relocate from their Foster Street location after an unfortunate kitchen fire caused significant damage.
Thankfully this fantastic restaurant is back home where they belong and free to serve up its outstanding selection of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Heavily inspired by the food traditions of Morocco, Spain and the countries that make up the Middle East, this is another venue that prepares its dishes with fire and smoke techniques.
Served up within an intimate setting, the standard and presentation of the food here are spectacular. Their wine list is also very impressive too in the way it promotes the sustainable offerings of small growers around the world.
Service options: Dine-in · No takeaway · No delivery
Address: 16 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Tues 6 – 9:30 pm, Wed – Thur 12 – 2:30 pm & 6 – 9:30 pm, Fri – Sat 12 – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm, Sun 12 – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Phone: (02) 9280 3395
Porteño
If you love meat, then you’ll definitely want to head to Porteño on Holt Street.
A carnivore’s delight, this outstanding Argentinian BBQ restaurant provides you with a wonderful selection of meat dishes to choose from.
Their signature offering is the 42-day, dry-aged riverine rib eye which is barely hanging on to the bone when it is served to you.
Meat dishes aside, the venue also has a divine tapas wine bar, as well as a wine store onsite. It’s a fairly low-lit space, with classic leather sofas, that boasts an elegant yet, casual ambience.
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: 50 Holt St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 8399 1440
Hours: Tue – Sat 6 – 11 pm
Bills
Bills is an institution in Surry Hills. Open from breakfast until late into the evening, this is another popular establishment in the Adina Apartment Hotel.
Renowned for serving up some of the tastiest cuisines in the city, many people come to this sleek venue for their morning meal, which includes a ‘fresh Aussie breakfast’ of poached eggs, avocado, tomatoes, greens and gravlax.
However, if you decide to come here at night, you’ll be treated to an excellent selection of burgers, salads, and main meals like crab, chilli and lemon linguine, that will send your taste buds into overdrive.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Located in: Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Surry Hills
Address: 359 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Sun 7 am – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9360 4762
Chin Chin
Back on Commonwealth Street, you will find the fabulous Chin Chin restaurant within the stunning heritage-listed Griffiths Tea Building.
Cleverly fusing South East Asian and Australian flavours, their extensive menu is very impressive too. Featuring a selection of perfectly spiced dishes with punchy flavours and wonderful aromas.
Despite spanning two levels, the venue is always busy. But it has an intoxicating buzz about it, as well as neon lights that make it a very attractive place to visit.
Service options: Dine-in
Address: 69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Fri 12 – 11:30 pm, Sat 11 am – 11:30 pm, Sun 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9281 3322
Nour
Another fantastic Surry Hills restaurant, for traditional and fair dinkum Middle Eastern flavours, is Nour.
Situated in Crown Street, this lively venue boasts a buzzy atmosphere and a vivacious menu of Lebanese dishes that have vibrant colours, and smoky, charred flavours, that will really make your mouth water.
As well to their excellent food offerings, Nour is also renowned for its exciting range of signature cocktails.
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: 3/490 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Tues – Thurs 5:30 – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm, Sun 10 am – 2:30 pm
Phone: (02) 9331 3413
Izakaya Fujiyama
If you love Japanese food then consider making a reservation for dinner at Izakaya.
Situated on Waterloo Street, this award-winning restaurant, whisky den and sake bar is regularly mentioned as one of the best gastronomic venues in Sydney.
Refined and relaxed, happy hour starts at 5 pm and features a marvellous selection of sushi and sashimi,
If you would prefer to come here a bit later, the menu boasts plenty of options, including several vegetarian choices.
If you love ceviche, you simply must indulge in the kingfish ceviche they offer here. While the splendid cauliflower Nanban is another excellent pick – and not just for vegetarians either.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: 38-52 Waterloo St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Thur 6 – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 5 – 11 pm
Phone: (02) 9698 2797