Surry Hills restaurants have been some of the best in Sydney/Eora for some time, with top-tier chefs flocking to the inner-city suburb to flex their vision for what's new and next.
From the fiery coals of Netflix-famous Firedoor to Taylor Swift's selected table at Pellegrino 2000, Surry Hills is home to a diverse collection of restaurants as far as cuisine, structure and style are concerned.
Here are the best restaurants in Surry Hills right now.
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Firedoor
23/33 Mary Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Firedoor | Instagram
Sat inside a rustic heritage venue, Firedoor is all about its wood-fired grills. “At Firedoor, we work instinctively with the fire and the ingredients”, says Lennox Hastie, head chef and co-owner.
“Our menu is entirely powered by wood fire. Experience, patience and instinct are the values we cook by, and we do it all for the beauty of the ingredients”, he says.
If you saw it on Netflix's Chef's Table, you know to expect a clear view of the kitchen, and a five-course, $195pp, often-changing menu with swanky add-ons available including the famed dry-aged steak.
Arthur
544 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Arthur | Instagram
Set menus are a wonderful thing. Forget food envy and choice paralysis—relax and let the chef take you and your date or fellow diners on a little culinary trip. Such is the vibe at Arthur, a polished, warmly lit Surry Hills restaurant where two set menus (the Chef's Menu at $120pp and the Arthur menu at $160pp) are presented with astonishing levels of care by chef/owner Tristan Rosier and his crew.
Every element used at Arthur (including all the wines and spirits) is made in Australia, with a focus on minimal-intervention producers and those doing things a little differently. We think Arthur is one of the best restaurants in Sydney, let alone Surry Hills.
Chez Crix
106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Chez Crix | Instagram
On the upstairs level of absolutely classic Sydney pub The Cricketers Arms, Chez Crix is an ultra-cool, French-leaning bistro that we reckon is completely underrated on the Sydney restaurant scene.
The interior might be something between grandma's lounge and old-school pub, but the food here is absolutely top-tier. Think super seasonal salads, tenderly treated proteins from heritage breed-producers, and various take on paté en croute—perfect for pairing with a cold one or selection from the fun and ever-changing wine list, which leans natural.
Pellegrino 2000
80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Pellegrino 2000 | Instagram
Pellegrino 2000 is an Italian venue (from the all-star team behind now-closed Bistrot 916 and CBD restaurants Clam Bar and Neptune's Grotto) evoking the trattorias of Rome and Florence. “The menu [consists] of the Italian staples we love, handmade tortellini, pappardelle bolognese, fritto misto, and tripe in all shapes and sizes,” says Pepperell.
The ground floor features the main dining room, shelves stacked with anchovies and tomatoes, and a double-sided espresso bar, while the basement level oozes character with bottle-lined walls and a candle-lit, thousand-bottle wine cellar. “The wine list [is] a grand selection of the Italian classics, mostly old Barolo, old Chianti, and a few prized bottles of the greats like Soldera and Valentini,” says Tyson. “Cocktails follow suit; a Harry’s Bar-style bellini, caffe shakerato, Negroni, and lovely little selection of amari.”
Giuls
Shop 1, 515 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Giuls | Instagram
Beneath bright pink and white striped umbrellas, Giuls is a neighbourhood pasta bar by Rockpool alumni Giulia Treuner—so you know it's going to be good. The menu was dreamt up by Michelin-trained Alessio Rago and takes cues from Tuscan cuisine using seasonal produce, stunning seafood and, of course, handmade pasta.
The arancini here are some of the best in town; you need to try the gold leaf burrata with burnt fig and the grilled Tassie octopus with nduja dressing—and we haven't even told you about the handmade pasta. Think squid ink fettuccine with crab, cherry tomatoes, and chilli; vodka conchiglie, pancetta, and taleggio cheese; and rigatoni with lamb ragu.
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Jane
478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Jane | Instagram
From Tristan Rosier and the Arthur team, Jane is a few blocks up on Bourke Street. Inspired by an informal '70s-era brasserie, the space has a palette of warm brass, red marble, and vegan tan leather. There are cosy two-person booths, a stunning round table in the front window, and a few coveted spots on the footpath—pups welcome.
As for how Rosier's produce-driven kitchen ethos translates, Jane is more casual with an emphasis on smaller dishes served a la carte. There's room at the marble bar for solo diners grabbing a bite and a well-earned glass of wine after work, cosy booths for date night, a few outdoor tables for afternoon sips, and a custom eight-seat red marble table in the front window. Jane also does one of our favourite happy hours in Sydney.
Cicerone
417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Cicerone | Instagram
Tucked into a courtyard on Bourke Street, Cicerone Cucina Romana is the little slice of Roman culture Surry Hills was missing, inspired by the city's neighbourhood restaurants, street art, underground music scene, and vibrant food and drink culture.
Kick off with an enormous knot of locally-made burrata, or crispy fried calamari and mazzancolle prawns served with espresso mayo, and follow with the classic tonnarelli carbonara topped with fresh truffle. Wood-fired pizzas follow the lighter Roman style, made with 100% semolina flour, meaning you can absolutely fit in an extra slice (or three). For dessert, it's tiramisu with salted caramel and chocolate chunks, ricotta and chocolate gelato, or a mini crème brûlée topped with pistachio.
Kurumba
555 Crown Street, Surry Hills
From the crew behind Sri Lankan gem The Fold, Kurumba is another spot to relish in the culinary magic of Sri Lanka. Like The Fold, it's a warm, family affair—with a few family members bringing experience from some top Sydney venues.
As well as a stand-alone hopper bar, the menu features hot butter soft-shell crab, hand-stretched roti, smoked brisket pan rolls, and seeni sambol puffs. The signature dish is a spectacular WA lobster kottu with chopped roti and vegetables that's topped with roasted lobster head curry. For dessert, there's a house-made soft serve made with rose syrup, crystallised pistachio, crispy vermicelli, and a kithul treacle canelé served with Vanella buffalo milk curd.
Poly
74–76 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Poly | Instagram
Mat Lindsay started with much-loved Sydney restaurant Ester before launching his second venture, Poly in Paramount House. He describes it as, "your ideal backyard barbecue, but with better booze," but we reckon
While it might be pitched as a wine bar with snacks, Lindsay's menu is technical and diverse—and it changes often. While plates might sound deceptively simple (raw scallop with blood orange kosho; comte cheese tart, pickle; spiced glazed pork neck, lardo and pineapple) everything is deeply considered, and the best expression of what it could be. If you want a sample of the best, we'd suggest the $95pp set menu.
NOMAD
16 Foster Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: NOMAD | Facebook
Foster Street's NOMAD is a cornerstone of the Surry Hills restaurant scene—despite enduring a fire in 2019. Since reopening, the menu has evolved and the open kitchen has been extended, but the house-cured charcuterie, signature Mediterranean flavours, and a lengthy wine list that heroes Australian wine-making talent all remain.
Equally perfect for an intimate night out with your special someone or a bigger get-together with your crew, you can make a booking for date night and grab a seat at the bar, or snap up one of NOMAD'S large group settings and settle in for a long lunch or late dinner.
The Rover
75 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Rover | Supplied
Downstairs is a New York-style cocktail bar vibe, but you'll want to head upstairs to the restaurant at The Rover to sample the seafood-forward bistro menu on offer.
Think fuss-free deliciousness including a daily haul of market-fresh crustaceans like scampi, yabbies and prawns, gently poached and served cold on a platter with seaweed mayo, Marie Rose and hot butter sauce, hearty fish pies, and the famed double cheeseburger from sister venue The Gidley. Of course, oysters are also on the cards, with the market's best available both up and downstairs.
Porteño
Shop 3, 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Porteño | Instagram
Vegetarians, look away. Purveyors of juicy, delicious, and premium meats, Porteño serves up tantalising feasts for the carnivorous among us. At the helm, you’ll find chefs and owners Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz, who are passionate about preparing Argentinian food openly on a traditional Parilla (barbecue) and Asado (pit of fire).
There’s a lot you’re going to want to sink your teeth into here, but we'd suggest the grilled Rangers Balley beef short rib with hand-cut chimichurri, or the 42-day dry-aged Riverine rib eye on the bone.
Bastardo
Shop 1, 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills
Bastardo has had quite an impact on the Sydney dining scene. It’s no wonder, as the deli-style Italian eatery is made up of a team of legends who brought you the aforementioned Porteño. Drawing on their shared Argentinian and Sicilian heritage, they serve up an extensive list of fresh pasta made in the open-plan kitchen that spans the length of the restaurant.
The pasta is stretchy, with a firm texture while having that melt-in-your-mouth quality that exudes craftsmanship, and the spaghetti dotted with juicy clams and bursting pockets of nduja in a white wine sauce is a definite go-to. The 150-strong wine list of Italian heavy bottles is the icing on the cake.
Armorica
Shop 1 & 2, 490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Armorica | Supplied
Taking on the former Toko site on Crown Street in Surry Hills, Armorica is an opulent 150-seat French brasserie by restaurateur Andrew Becher, who operates Euro-inspired venues Franca and Parlar in Potts Point. While Parisian brasserie is the mood, Northern France is the inspiration for cooking techniques wielded by executive chef Jose Saulog.
Highlights include a lavish seafood tower with oysters, prawn cocktail, octopus roulade, and rock lobster, and a menu section dedicated to steak frites with luxe cuts like David Blackmore full-blood Wagyu 9+ scotch fillet. Desserts take a contemporary approach to French pastry classics, like an Armorica chocolate bar made from Valrhona chocolate mousse, salted caramel, and choc chip cookie.
Spice I Am
90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills
Spice I Am is a Sydney Institution, and if Surry Hills had a walk of fame, this beloved Thai restaurant would have a star on it. Since opening over a decade ago, there have always been two things you can count on: amazing Thai food, and a line out the door. If you're into spicy, this one also features on our list of the spiciest food in Sydney.
Though co-owner and head chef Sujet Saenkham says that everyone has their favourite dishes, two orders stand out night after night. “It’s both the massaman duck and basil crispy pork belly that continue to be amazingly popular,” he says.
The Blue Door
8/38 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Blue Door | Instagram
In 2021, award-winning chef Dylan Cashman opened a new outpost of his standout Gold Coast restaurant The Blue Door in the heart of Surry Hills. It's an intimate 18-seater space dedicated to produce, ethical and sustainable food practices, and real connection over food.
An impressive 95% of the produce is sourced from NSW farmers, with a seven-course weekly set menu. Bread and charcuterie are made in-house, and the wine list champions only makers from NSW too, while a "secret sips" menu showcases vintage champagnes, a small edit of international wines, and cocktail specials too.
Chin Chin
69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Just reading the menu at Chin Chin is enough to make you salivate. Isaan-style spicy hot BBQ chicken, Balinese roast duck, crispy soft-shell crab… please, pass us a napkin. Melbourne’s favourite Asian restaurant chose Surry Hills for its Sydney location in a converted warehouse space, and we’ve been all the better for it.
Loud, lively and always delicious, with a pink neon glow, Chin Chin has a menu bigger than any appetite. Can’t decide? Opt for the Feed Me tasting menu options to enjoy a selection of the restaurant’s favourite dishes.
Foreign Return
527 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Foreign Return | Instagram
If you thought Indian cuisine started and ended with curry, rice, and naan—Foreign Return has arrived to expand your horizons. Co-owners Gaurang Gahoi, Kunal Patel, and Javed Khan (behind Delhi ‘O’ Delhi in Newtown) have set themselves the task of authenticity and integrity of classic dishes from their mothers’ kitchens while levelling up with seasonal Australian ingredients and playful twists.
A dedicated bar and snacks (or "chakhna") menu gives Foreign Return serious cocktail bar cred. Hungry? Dive into the menu of "lost" recipes, which stars far-reaching regional specialities handed down through the generations that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Sydney.
Keen to visit Foreign Return soon? Purchase a gift voucher here.
Nour
3/490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Nour | Instagram
If you’re in the mood for Levantine food (the geographical region that includes Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Greece) then Nour should be top of the list. In a warm, atrium-style setting, devour a host of delicacies roasted by woodfire; the long list of dips, breads, and yoghurts are all made fresh and in-house, so prepare to share plate your way into heaven.
Gildas
46–48 Albion Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Gildas | Nikki To
Gildas is a Firedoor spinoff in the form of a Spanish wine bar, following a neat collection of Spanish-influenced openings in Sydney (Parlar and La Salut among them). Inspired by Hastie's time in the Basque country, dishes include the likes of tartare with rock oyster cream and sorrel, spanner crab churros, charred leeks with lado, traditional jamon Iberico, and ham made in NSW from Bundarra Berkshires in a Spanish style.
There's also a trio of the bar's namesake, gildas—a classic Basque pintxo of white anchovy, guindilla pepper, and olive— with two twists cheekily called the Grillda as well as the Matilda. For dessert, the highlights are tocino de cielo (egg and syrup flan) and smoked buffalo milk soft serve with dulce de leche.
Don’t Tell Aunty
414 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Don't Tell Aunty | Instagram
It’s an "unauthentic" approach to Indian food at Don't Tell Aunty, and we’re into it. The playfully kitsch dining space is complete with brightly painted walls, velvet banquettes and mismatched cutlery with a retro Bollywood soundtrack and classic flicks playing in the background, and menu-wise, mega tasty street food, cross-regional curries and tandoori specialties.
Try the Nachos of the Motherland—AKA papri chaat (a sweet, tangy, sour and spicy traditional street food meal using crisp fried dough wafers)—and Colonel Tso’s Cauliflower, an Indo-Chinese-style, deep-fried cauliflower with a tomato and chilli sauce. Wash it down with a cold beer from the fridge or a bottle from the impressive wine list, and you’ll be telling everyone in your entire extended family about this place.
For more of Sydney's best, check out:
- Sydney's Best Wine Bars
- The Best Restaurants In The Sydney CBD
- The Best Italian Restaurants In Sydney
Main image credit: Nomad | Instagram
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