Guide to Sydney Dining in Winter
When the chill of winter sets in, there’s no better way to enjoy the season than by exploring Sydney’s top dining spots. Whether you’re a local searching for new favourites or a visitor discovering the city’s legendary culinary scene, Sydney in winter offers plenty of welcoming restaurants perfect for warming up and enjoying a leisurely lunch or dinner. From cosy Italian eateries and vibrant waterfront bars to Asian-inspired restaurants that bring the heat with every bite, Sydney’s exciting dining scene has something to satisfy every winter craving.
Firedoor Sydney
Start your winter culinary journey at Firedoor Sydney in lively Surry Hills, where the flames of the wood-fired grill bring a unique warmth to every dish. With two wood-fired ovens, three grills and a wood-burning hearth, Firedoor knows how to cook with fire. The restaurant features an ever-changing 5-course menu that celebrates the natural flavours of seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and small-scale producers. From wood-fired bread with smoked butter to Murray Cod and Hampshire Down lamb with salsa verde, Firedoor is the perfect winter warmer.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/firedoor_surryhills/
Bar Woolloomooloo
After a day of winter adventuring in Sydney, there’s no better place to cosy up than Bar Woolloomooloo at Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Designed by the award-winning interior design studio Luchetti Krelle, this stylish bar invites you to relax and indulge with a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and bistro-inspired bar bites. Savour dishes like burrata with fresh focaccia, Ora King smoked salmon, croque monsieur, or an antipasto platter for two, all while soaking in the inviting waterfront atmosphere.
Alberto’s Lounge
Alberto’s Lounge, part of the famous Swillhouse Group, is another must-visit during winter in Sydney. Tucked away in a cosy corner between Surry Hills and the CBD, this Italian eatery and bar combines a relaxed vibe with a menu showcasing flavours from across Italy. Think linguine al nero with Spencer Gulf king prawns, pappardelle with slow-braised beef shin ragù, classic tiramisu, and housemade gelato for dessert. Pair your meal with a glass of Italian wine, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect winter evening in Sydney.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/albertoslounge/
Viand Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for something with a Southeast Asian twist, head to Viand in Woolloomooloo. This hidden gem offers a contemporary take on Thai cuisine, with rich, warming flavours perfect for the colder months. Vivand offers five and eight-course chef’s tasting menus designed to be shared, with highlights including fragrant coconut and galangal soup with Arctic surf clams and black lip mussels, aromatic red curry with roasted Maremma duck legs, and indulgent caramelised dumplings in smoked, salted coconut cream.
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Cicerone Cucina Romana
A trip to Cicerone Cucina Romana is like escaping to the streets of Rome without leaving Sydney. This charming Italian restaurant in Surry Hills is known for its nostalgic Roman dishes, from burrata and beef tartare to classic pizzas, creamy carbonara, rigatoni alla vodka and rich oxtail ragù. With walls adorned with graffiti and a cosy, candle-lit setting, Cicerone Cucina Romana is a neighbourhood favourite and the perfect spot for a leisurely winter meal.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/cicerone.syd/
Beast&Co
For a more laid-back yet equally satisfying experience, Beast&Co on Bourke Street in Surry Hills is the place to be this winter. Specialising in modern European cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, Beast&Co serves up hearty dishes like baked gnocchi with truffle bechamel and mushroom ragout, and 12-hour sous-vide beef cheeks with chimichurri and a red wine sauce. With comforting dishes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Beast&Co will make you feel right at home, even on the chilliest evenings.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/beastandco_surryhills/
Clam Bar
Clam Bar, tucked away on a bustling corner in Sydney’s CBD, provides a cosy refuge for winter dining. Its concise menu features elegant offerings from the raw bar, including beluga caviar and poached tiger prawns. Starters like steak tartare and crab cakes pave the way for delicious mains, including spaghetti with clams or crayfish, tender lamb chops, and a range of premium steaks. With its refined flavours and pared-back setting, Clam Bar is the perfect spot for a cosy winter meal in the city.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/clambarsydney/
Mimi’s
Mimi’s, located at the lively Coogee Pavilion, offers an elevated winter dining experience with its stylish oceanfront setting and a menu that combines modern Australian cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and the finest seasonal ingredients. Here, you can enjoy freshly shucked oysters, Abrolhos island scallops, grilled Murray cod and wagyu ribeye, making it the ultimate lunch spot on a crisp winter’s day.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/mimis.sydney/
Icebergs
Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar, perched above the iconic Bondi Beach, is famous for its unbeatable views and a menu showcasing the finest Italian-inspired flavours. Mild winter days and chilly evenings are perfect for indulging in signature dishes, including Sydney rock oysters, squid ink pasta with blue swimmer crab or charcoal-roasted southern bluefin tuna paired with a local or Italian wine from their extensive drinks menu.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/icebergsdiningroomandbar/
Hubert
Hubert in Sydney CBD, another Swillhouse favourite, provides a warm refuge from the cold, perfect for those who relish an evening filled with good food and live jazz. The underground venue features everything from private dining rooms to an art-house cinema and a menu of Parisian classics—think freshly shucked oysters, hand-cut wagyu tartare, chicken fricassee, and escargots with XO sauce. Paired with a curated selection of artisanal French wines, Hubert offers more than a memorable night out in Sydney.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/restauranthubert/
Shell House
Shell House offers a unique dining experience right in the heart of the CBD, featuring a ground-floor bar, a rooftop with breath-taking city views, and a refined dining room and terrace. Enjoy a creative cocktail at the Sky Bar, soaking in the skyline before indulging in a Mediterranean-inspired menu at Shell House’s award-winning restaurant. Dive into comforting dishes like mushroom orecchiette, Moreton Bay Bugs, fresh coral trout, and glazed lamb belly, served in an unforgettable setting.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/shellhousesydney/
Franca
Franca, located in foodie hotspot Potts Point, offers a classic yet modern take on French cuisine with flavours from the neighbouring Mediterranean coast. The restaurant creates a sophisticated yet heartwarming dining experience with a menu featuring an amuse-bouche of rock oysters, followed by tuna tartare, spanner crab ravioli, or zucchini tart. Franca’s duck à l’orange and short rib with roast garlic mash are must-tries that promise to warm you from the inside out during the chillier winter months.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/francapottspoint/
The White Horse
The White Horse on Crown Street has undergone a significant makeover, emerging as a local favourite and just the spot for a snug dinner date in Surry Hills. The revamped venue now features a stylish restaurant, an upstairs public bar and an outdoor garden terrace. Executive Chef Jed Gerrard crafts dishes focusing on ethically sourced produce and native ingredients, including smoked ora king salmon, ricotta dumplings with butternut pumpkin, and black olive crumbed lamb cutlets. The 100-strong wine list offers a thoughtful mix of local and European wines with plenty of affordable options to whet your whistle.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/whitehorse.sydney/
Pellegrino 2000
Surry Hills restaurant, Pellegrino 2000, transports diners to southern Italy with its lively atmosphere and authentic dishes. Designed as a neighbourhood trattoria—it’s a cosy spot where pasta dishes are a staple, with favourites like pappardelle bolognese, rigatoni carbonara, and eggplant parmigiana, ideal for colder evenings. Pellegrino’s hearty dishes are best enjoyed with a glass (or two) of fine Italian wine.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/pellegrinos2000/
Armorica
Armorica Grande Brasserie offers a slice of Paris in Sydney’s Surry Hills, blending traditional French cuisine with a vibrant setting ideal for any winter gathering. At the heart of the restaurant is a Josper grill, bringing the unique flavour of wood-fired cooking to dishes like duck breast with foie gras sauce, pork cutlets and rock lobster. Whether you’re there for a quiet dinner or a lively celebration, Armorica promises an authentic taste of France paired with a diverse wine list.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/armoricasurryhills/
China Doll Sydney
No roundup of Sydney dining spots is complete without a nod to award-winning China Doll. Nestled beside Ovolo Woolloomooloo on the historic finger wharf, this iconic restaurant pairs stunning waterfront views with a menu rich in flavours from China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Start with their dim sum menu, featuring crispy chicken and shiitake dumplings, pork and prawn wontons, and delicious duck pancakes. For mains, you can’t go wrong with their green fish curry, sweet and spicy pork ribs, tea-smoked duck, or wok-fried Wagyu beef fillet.
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/chinadollsydney/
Why not make a night of it? Book your stay at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, where boutique luxury meets cosy winter comforts in the heart of Sydney. Its spacious rooms, contemporary design, and unbeatable location make it the perfect base for exploring Sydney this winter. Plus, you’ll be just steps away from some of the city’s top dining destinations.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a fiery grill, hearty European fare, or an intimate Italian dinner, Sydney’s winter dining scene has something to warm every palate. Bundle up and treat yourself to the city’s finest this season!