laycey

Hi all,

My husband and I are traveling to Australia in December and are looking for some restaurant recommendations. We are total foodies, and often tend to plan our days around food experiences.

With that said, does anyone have thoughts on the following -- or other suggestions?

Melbourne:
Donovan's
The Botanical
Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder
Flower Drum - would love to go here, but they are already booked. Is it worth trying to cajole them?

Sydney:
Rockpool
Salt
Level 41
Others?

These are all on the high end, so we would also love suggestions of great (more moderately priced) neighborhoold spots.

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Laycey

mignonette

I can recommend Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder in Melbourne - it's not too formal or expensive and is great for lunch. I also think Il Bacaro and Becco in Melbourne are great for Italian food in the moderate to expensive range.

Maybe you can get into Flower Drum at lunchtime?

Ezard at Adelphi is meant to be very good too.

In Sydney, also try the other two restaurants owned by Luke Mangan (owner of Salt) - Bistro Lulu in Paddington and Moorish in Bondi (this is the newest and most fahionable of his three restaurants).

Also in Sydney, Tetsuya's is fantastic and innovative for a serious dinner and Sean's Panorama is a great (more casual) restaurant in Bondi.

For traditional French bistro food you could also try Bistro Moncur in Woollahra - no bookings but you can wait in the adjacent bar.

There are lots of great cheap restaurants in the Darlinghurst area. I like Onde - very good value and nice atmosphere.

In the same area there is a multitude of cafes which are worth visiting for breakfast/brunch. My favourite is bill's which is a Sydney institution.

Also, consider dinner at Longrain in Surry Hills (no booking, but a great bar to wait in) for modern Asian at communal tables.


If you're really keen you might be interested in visiting the Sydney fish markets at Pyrmont.

The food hall under the men's David Jones store in the city has just been revamped and is worth a visit.

ranald

There are so many good restaurants in both Sydney & Melbourne it is difficult to list them all. But the Sydney Morning Herald & The Age in Melbourne publish each year Good Food guides which award & rate all the restaurants.

Have a look at these articles
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...478124271.html
and
http://www.about.theage.com.au/list_....asp?inttype=2

Enjoy yourselves in Oz.

stevelondon88

We went to 41 and the food was excellent, although I think you pay a slight premium for the view. If you can, try to time your reservation so that you are there just as the sun sets. The views from the restaurant are literally panoramic.

KayF

I agree about checking out the Good Food Guide on their website. This book is the foodies bible, there are editions for Melbourne and Sydney (and probably other states too). Jacques Reymond is popular and expensive - set menu with choices. There is a nice view over the water to the city from Donovans - see if you can book a window table. The Stokehouse is almost next door - upstairs is more upmarket. You are right on the beach so lunch on a sunny day at either then a walk along the beach area would be good. If you like cakes, check out the amazing cake shops in Acland St, 2 min walk from Donovans and the Stokehouse. See if the Flower Drum can put you on a waiting list. Mecca at Southgate and Cecconi's at Crown both have good food - moderate to expensive. For good Italian food, try Lygon St in Carlton, wall to wall restaurants - no need to book usually.
Kay

johhj_au

Bathers pavilion at Balmoral in sydney.

check out the good eats in sydney guide as well (used to be cheap eats)
good eat streets are king street newtown and crows nest.

Lyndie

Kam Fook in Chatswood for yum cha(15 mins train from City). Better Chinese food than China! Norton St Leichhardt for Italian- walk down the street and see where the locals hang out(10 mins by bus from city). Auburn - 20 mins by train for Lebanese & Turkish. Pier at Rose Bay for the best seafood (need to book!) Rockpool (seafood)near Circular Quay for big night out spend! You should book if you can as some places get full because of Xmas functions.

Les

Hi, laycey.
We had a nice meal at Wolfies, recommended by our concierge. It's located on the eastern side of The Rocks, along the bay at Circular Quay.
If you eat outside, you can look directly across the Quay to the opera house, and up at the bridge nearby.
I can't fault the view or the food, and the price was reasonable.

Lukey

I can only help you with Melbourne - Donovan's -Fantastic great views over the Bay
The Botanical - Great atmosphere. Go to Botanical Gardens to the twilight cinema before diner (summer only)
Richmond Hill - Great breakfast
Flower Drum - Over rated
My choice -
Ezards at Adelfi - City
Circa - Ackland St, StKilda
Walters Wine Bar - Southbank (ask for balcony)
Vin Bar - funky little wine bar, which serves great meals (my pick the Duck)High st, Prahran.
Enjoy - Lukey, Melbourne Aust.

JenLPeter

If you like seafood, Doyles is good. There is one by the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Paramatta.