Image credit: Mr. Wong
These five Sydney city restaurants are fun, yum and not scandalously-priced.
Sydney knows how to do a white tableclothed, high-end dining experience. Quay, Tetsuya’s, Aria, est. – you know the names.
But if you don’t have a corporate credit card, a job as an investment banker or rich parents, the $150+ per person pre-wine price tag at some of Sydney’s top restaurants can give the heart a little flutter.
So where do you go if you’re after an affordable feed, that’s not dumplings from Chinatown? These are my top restaurant picks in the Sydney CBD that don’t require a raid on the savings account:
Mr. Wong
Hidden in a laneway a few blocks back from Circular Quay, this auditorium-sized Cantonese restaurant is the top dog in my city stable of eating houses. I mean it is Merivale, which means it’s as reliable as a Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner.
Split over two levels, the space is surprising intimate, with low lighting, jazz music and plenty of French-colonial flourishes setting the scene. Mr. Wong serves the full gamut of Cantonese food – there’s shumai, roast duck and a lunch-only dim sum menu. Definitely wear loose pants and splurge on the mud crab.
Although, unless you’re in a group, you can’t book, so be prepared to put your name down and wait for a text. In the meantime, you can put in a stint at Mr. Wong’s bar or next door at Tank Stream Bar.
Mr. Wong | 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney, New South Wales
merivale.com/venues/mrwong
Mejico
At this colourful city restaurant on Pitt Street, you’ll find a modern twist on Mexican food, and a ridiculous amount of tequila and tacos. Mejico has been around since 2013 and still pulls a healthy crowd, which means you know the market-to-table menu is good.
Kick things off with some guacamole made fresh at your table, along with a serve of corn lollipops and mezcal-flamed halloumi, before moving onto an assortment of tacos, ceviche and charred meats. For dessert, it would be abominable not to get the churros. There’s also a reasonably priced $59pp classic feed me menu or $75pp deluxe version if you can’t be arsed making up your own mind.
To drink, there’s cocktails, wines, sangria and a confronting 200+ tequila menu. Do yourself a favour and choose a tequila flight or play spin the tequila wheel (it’s a real thing).
Mejico | 105 Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales
mejico.com.au
Long Chim
‘The real Thai food of modern Bangkok’ is the promise of this rowdy Sydney eatery that doesn’t skimp on the chilli. Head underground and you’ll find a bunker of a restaurant serving up things like chiang mai larp of chicken, green papaya salad and roast duck – all designed to be shared.
There’s a lot of choice and it can be overwhelming, so don’t be afraid of the ‘maa long chim’ menu, which Google Translates to ‘come try and taste’. Nine of the chef’s favourite dishes for $68pp and you can add a couple of paired wines if you feel inclined. But I recommend the Thai-inspired cocktails, especially the Bangkok Painkiller.
Long Chim also scores points for the fact you can easily book a table
Long Chim | Corner of Pitt Street and Angel Place, Sydney, New South Wales
longchimsydney.com
Barrio Cellar
With weekday specials, Barrio Cellar is both delicious and affordable. Enjoy $10 burgers on a Monday, $3 tacos on a Tuesday and half a dozen wings for $6 on a Wednesday. That’s dinner done for three out of the seven.
This buzzy basement space off Elizabeth Street is relaxed and welcoming, billed as a ‘late night tequileria and eatery’. The food is fresh, serving everyone’s Mexican and Southern Californian favourites – try the quesadillas, jalapeño poppers or loaded fries. And the drinks list is not for the faint hearted, with a hectic selection of cocktails, tequila and mezcal.
Oh and did I mention there’s a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights?
Barrio Cellar | Basement Level, 58 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales
barriocellar.com.au
Image credit: Barrio Cellar
Ash St. Cellar
With its European share plates, French bistro tables and laneway setting, Ash St. Cellar transports you straight to the streets of St Germain in Paris.
Again, this all-day diner has some Merivale magic to it, located in Hemmes Ground Zero: the Ivy precinct. Yet, despite the showy location, Ash St. Cellar has oodles of style and sophistication, making it a relaxed and romantic dinner choice.
On the menu, you’ll find plenty of charcuterie and cheeses, and share plates like pork and veal meatballs, grilled octopus and taramasalata. The extensive wine list also deserves a round of applause.
Ash St Cellar | 1 Ash Street, Sydney, New South Wales
merivale.com/venues/ashstcellar
