Where to Eat in Sydney: 5 Spots I’ll Always Go Back to

Where to eat in Sydney – Every time I’m back in this beautiful city, one thing is guaranteed: I plan my days around food (other than hanging out with my family and friends, of course! hehe). From local restaurants, global chains, to comforting desserts, these are some of my personal favourites – the ones I genuinely crave, talk about, and immediately recommend to friends.

The Grounds Coffee Factory

I know The Grounds of Alexandria is on pretty much everyone’s must-visit list when in Sydney. And yes, their art installations (which change every few months) are always impressive. But did you know there are other The Grounds locations too? And they’re just as special, with genuinely good food.

My cousins took me to the one in Eveleigh, an area that was once a major locomotive and railway hub back in the late 19th century. This branch is an actual coffee factory, so while you’re eating, you can see (and smell!) the coffee being crafted through the glass windows. If you want to enjoy The Grounds’ great food without the long queues, this one’s definitely worth a visit.

Image credit: The Grounds Coffee Factory Instagram

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Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken

For those who have been touched by the deliciousness of Nando’s peri-peri chicken, let’s hug and agree it’s one of the best things to eat in the world. And if you’ve never tried it before, imagine this: tender, charred, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a spicy, tangy peri-peri sauce. Depending on the heat level, the spice builds into a warm, zesty kick rather than a burn-your-mouth moment.

The flavour goes all the way to the bone. Pair it with peri-peri-sprinkled chips or corn on the cob and boom – you’ve got the kind of meal you find yourself craving again and again. Nando’s is a global chain and I’ve tried it in a few other countries, but in my personal experience, Nando’s in Oz is the best.

Image credit: Nando’s Australia website

Island Radio

“You can take a girl out of Asia, but you can’t take Asia out of a girl” – I guess that saying is true. As much as I love international cuisine, Asian food wins every time. No competition needed.

This trendy spot in Redfern serves up a South-East Asian–inspired menu. They change their menu every now and then, by the way, which keeps things exciting – but this is what we had: sate Padang (Padang beef satay), grilled chicken, quinoa salad, their take on mie ayam (chicken noodles), and a Balinese pie susu (milk pie) for dessert. Nothing disappointed. The Indonesian dishes still had spot-on flavours, even with a modern twist – and I have to admit, their pie susu was actually better than the OG, whoops!

Bonus points: they have a disco toilet. Because no night out is complete without a bathroom rave!

What we had at Island Radio – sate padang, mie ayam, and pie susu

Tenacious Bakehouse

As a dessert person and a lifelong lover of Asian flavours like matcha, taro, and ube – I have to say this, and I’m really not exaggerating: their Taro Cream Croissant is one of the best pastries I’ve ever had.

They claim to use natural sweetness with 60% reduced sugar, and I believe it, because it’s not overly sweet like most pastries. The cream somehow tastes rich and light at the same time (how is that even possible??). It’s best eaten cold, which makes the taro cream taste almost like ice cream.

That purple dusting on top is sweet potato powder, and it ties everything together perfectly. I’m sure their other pastries are amazing too… but I’ll save those for next time.

The star – Taro Cream Croissant and other interesting pastries at Tenacious Bakehouse

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Yogurberry

And another dessert spot…I know you can get frozen yoghurt pretty much anywhere, but going back to my love for Asian flavours, yogurberry has taro froyo! Woot woot! And that alone is why, even with all the newer and trendier frozen yoghurt spots around, Yogurberry is still my favourite. It’s pay-by-weight, so you can customise it exactly how you like. 

I usually go for taro froyo topped with their unsweetened mochi, coconut jelly, and almond flakes. Simple, not overly sweet, and deeply comforting. I was so happy to see that even after years of not being back in Sydney, this place still exists. I wish them all the success so they stay open foreverrrr!!!

Image credit: Yogurberry Australia Instagram

Sydney’s food scene is massive, but these places hit that sweet spot between comfort, flavour, and personal nostalgia for me. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or coming back like I was, I hope this list gives you a few delicious reasons to eat your way through the city.