Restaurants and Eating Out In Sydney, Australia
By Orson Johnson

Sydney is often viewed as one of the best places in the world for the dine-out experience. Apart from the favorite Oz tradition of barbeques, the locals often indulge in reasonably priced, high quality food, and follow the BYO (Bring Your Own) custom for drinks.

For a truly authentic Australian culinary experience, be sure to get hold of some Bush Tucker, which is part of the native cuisine. After visiting Oz, lifelong beef-eaters have sworn blind that kangaroo is the best meat ever. Other local delicacies to try include akudjura (or bush tomatoes), pepperberry from the Tasmanian tree, and quandong from the sandalwood tree.

For the more familiar tastes of home, international cuisine is served up at numerous restaurants on Oxford Street. Bondi, Manly, and suburbs like Balmain and Rose Bay by the harbor are also very popular with good dine-out options. Australia has some of the best Thai restaurants in the world, second only to restaurants in Thailand. While on the subject of Asian food, it should be noted that Australia also has its very own Chinatown, which is (not surprisingly) filled with authentic Chinese restaurants.

If you're looking for a good bar and perhaps a hearty meal later on, check out the Woolwich Pier Hotel. It's got a long history and currently offers a sportsbar, bistro, cocktail bar, an outdoor dining area, and an upstairs restaurant with beautiful harbor views from the balcony. The food is reasonably priced, a good size, and of good quality.

One of the best things to do in Sydney is to eat at a restaurant near the harbor. That automatically calls seafood to mind as the food of preference. Sydney Oyster Bar offers just what you need. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. Pop open a beer and watch the world go by from this outdoor restaurant wedged between Circular Quay and the Opera House. Don't miss their signature oyster shooters.

Pancakes On the Rocks is a ranch-style restaurant with an interesting food concept. They roll it in thin crepe-like pancakes. Each serving comes with two pancakes, which you use to create a roll in a style similar to Mexican fajitas or Peking Duck. The fillings can be just as varied, containing everything from fresh seafood to chicken, cheese, or mushrooms. The quantities are large enough to feed a moderate eater well.

Food lovers can go on a gastronomic binge in Oz with its low prices and abundance of special restaurants and special offers. A number of restaurant guides are published regularly to help you keep track of what's available in various neighbourhoods.