Food Tour in Sydney (Self Guided), Sydney

A true dining landmark in the heart of Circular Quay, Gateway Sydney is the answer to all foodie's prayers. Literally packed with a spoiling choice of 30+ cafes, restaurants, pubs and hole-in-the-wall outlets, it caters to each and every thinkable breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or drinking need – 7 days a week.

Set in a light-filled, contemporary environment, the precinct was designed to open up the streetscape. Attesting to this is a beautiful, upscale presentation, making visitors want to return to this food court again and again. Intimate seating areas enhanced by re-imagined Jessie Street Gardens provide space for diners to eat whatever cuisine they like. And there’s no shortage of what they can choose from.

The offerings are truly diverse, from smashed avocado at Urban Orchard to crepe suzette at Four Frogs Creperie to koshari – a popular Egyptian street food – at casual Egyptian-fusion restaurant Bekya. With a ravenous appetite, you can take it further to Tokyo Laundry, Chat Thai, Burger Project by Neil Perry or a new live Japanese BBQ offering from David Loh on level one.

Further, if you still have room to spare, you may want to explore Hurricanes Grill on level two, Popina (two-level restaurant) or the rooftop terrace with Salt Meats Cheese and North Bondi’s Shuk fuming with Turkish, Italian, and Argentinian flavours.

Just make sure to come on an empty stomach so as to appreciate this wonderland of food in its entirety.

The Australian Hotel is a heritage-listed site dating back to 1914. The building itself is quite attractive from an architectural standpoint and is a well-preserved example of Edwardian style, featuring quality finishes, fabric, and other details. Despite undergoing several renovations over its century-long existence, the hotel has maintained its distinctive charm.

The outdoor pub on the premises has become a beloved gathering place for locals since its inception, significantly contributing to the ambiance of The Rocks area. It proudly supports the Australian craft beer industry by exclusively offering locally-made brands, along with a selection of Australian wines.

Guests can indulge in a variety of cocktails and uniquely flavorful dishes while enjoying the pub's atmosphere. Signature culinary delights include salt and pepper squid, couscous and pumpkin bowls, and pizzas topped with emu and kangaroo meat. Yummy!

The Lord Nelson Pub is the oldest pub in Sydney, and is a part of Australia’s oldest continuously operating hotel. The latter was established in 1841, although the building itself dates back to 1836. This is one of the few hotels left in the historic Rocks precinct spared from demolition after the plague hit the city at the turn of the 20th century. It has been listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since April 1999.

Over the course of more than one and a half centuries, the place has undergone numerous modifications. In 1986, the edifice was restored to its former grandeur and the onsite brewery was incorporated. At that point, the word Brewery appeared on the façade. Another significant upgrade in the 1990s produced the pub that we see today.

Nowadays, The Lord is recognised worldwide for brewing its own award-winning ales, much as for serving moreish fare and offering comfortable boutique accommodation on the upper floor. Adding to the atmosphere inside are the walls hung with tonnes of historical pictures, photos and memorabilia.

What once used to be a bustling container terminal – Barangaroo – is now an upscale suburb on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Amid its many delights and gleaming office towers is a raft of delicious restaurants set along the charming waterfront promenade, called Wulugul Walk after the local Aboriginal word for kingfish. The selection of restaurants found on this 170-metre waterside is indeed excellent and fit to satisfy any food lover.

Here are just some of the local eateries worth checking out:

- Cirrus Dining. Serving fresh, sustainably sourced seafood. The menu is dominated by fruits of the sea, which include freshly shucked rock oysters, mud crab and grilled rock lobster added with the stunning views across Darling Harbour to Pyrmont and Goat Island.

- Anason. This will make you feel like in a meyhane of Istanbul. If you're keen on Anatolian cooking, this place is for you! Adding to its appeal is also a picturesque waterside panorama. The menu carries a wealth of seaside-influenced mezes and enticing flavour combinations, topped with an exceptional choice of Turkish wine, beer, raki and coffee.

- Belle’s Hot Chicken @ Barangaroo. Their fried chicken, hearty sized sides and range of spicy sauces can make KFC run for their money! A true authority in the Australian chicken restaurant game to reckon with, this joint delivers a dining experience bursting with character and soul. There's not much that can beat sitting outside and watching the world go by against the serene backdrop of the harbour, with a fried piece of chicken in one hand and a cool craft beer in the other, after all!

The terms “beautifully delicious” or “deliciously beautiful” apply to Barangaroo House in their entirety. The charcoaled timber on the splendid curved exterior, enhanced with the flowing native gardens on three levels, makes it hard, if not impossible, to pass by while strolling along the waterfront promenade at Barangaroo. Once inside, you will find the perfectly balanced decoration of the three areas – the House Bar, Bea, and Smoke – striking and elegant just as much.

What's more, this architectural gem on the edge of the shimmering blue Sydney Harbour brims with culinary and drinking delights either.

The House Bar is a cheerful oasis with a beer garden, equally enjoyed by the locals, workers, sightseers and travellers. The Bea restaurant on level one is the place for those seeking quality time in a relaxed atmosphere. Here you can savour mouth-watering food, washed down with fine wines, and with a lovely view on the foreground. Further up the sculptural wooden staircase is an enchanting rooftop bar, Smoke, with a stylish interior seamlessly joining a sweeping outdoor deck.

King Street Wharf, also known as Darling Harbour ferry wharf, is a mixed-use tourism, commercial, residential, retail and maritime development adjacent to the Darling Harbour tourist precinct on the western edge of Sydney's central business district. The commercial waterfront between Lime Street and Darling Harbour consists of 85 commercial suites with a retail component. The latter contains 11 restaurants, the largest of which seats 450, plus a number of exciting international bars.

Among the most notable eateries lining King Street Wharf are the following:

- Meat District Co, a destination for passionate carnivores. Spanning two levels, this place serves up a lavish menu of delicious meat options: beef burgers, prime steer steaks, ribs, chicken and slow cooked lamb and pork sourced only from Australia’s best sustainable farmers. The ground floor offers alfresco seating and is dominated by perpetually busy open kitchen. The top level holds a large island bar laden with finest craft beers, cocktails and local wines, complemented by a stunning waterside view.

- Casa Ristorante Italiano offers an authentic, chic-casual Italian dining experience. A place where historic Naples meets contemporary Sydney. The Casa carries on the menu a choice of hand-crafted specialty pastas, wood-fired pizzas, house-made breads and sauces, all made of the top-quality Australian and imported Italian ingredients.

- Cargo, reputedly one of Sydney’s most famous bars. Its fame dates back almost two decades and is owed to a combination of Sydney-siders cocktails, dancing and good times. This notorious party venue is just as cool in terms of street-style food. Ideal for those who fancy a quick bite to chow down with a drink in hand.

Also, the King Street Wharf area also regularly plays host to major events, such as food festivals.