We asked some of Australia’s best foodie experts and tour guides to give us the must dos when it comes to Tasty Things To Do in some of our biggest cities. Now all you have to do is plan your next foodie escape!
Image: Opera Bar, Sydney
SYDNEY
Have a drink at Opera Bar
Why: Situated right by the waters edge, Opera Bar not only offers some of the best views in Sydney, it serves up delicious plates of food and even better cocktails. There is live music daily adding to the already buzzing atmosphere.
Suitable for: Everyone! From catch-ups with friends, date night, family gatherings, to some solo time out, it’s a beautiful place to soak up the Sydney skyline and harbour.
Best time to go: Lunch, Afternoon Grazing, Dinner, Pre or Post Dinner Drinks
Try a Pork and Fennel Sausage Roll from Bourke Street Bakery
Why: For years, Sydney's Bourke Street Bakery has been a favourite amongst foodies, experiencing queues outside their front door on the first day of opening. They now have a handful of locations around Sydney to keep up with the demand. They recently won the gong for Best Sausage Roll in Wotif’s 2019 ‘Uniquely Aussie Awards’.
Suitable for: Any meat loving foodie!
Best time to go: From 7am - 2pm
Visit Spice Alley
Why: Tucked behind Kensington Street in Chippendale, Spice Alley is home to 10 plus Asian hawker-style eateries. Eat and drink under a ceiling of glowing lanterns, this laneway is a little piece of Singapore in Sydney.
Suitable for: All lovers of Asian food. It’s also the perfect setting for a date night.
Best time to go: Dinner
Why: Secret Foodies is a surprise dining experience which is designed for people who love great food, meeting new people and discovering new places.
Suitable for: Those with a taste for adventure
Best time to go: Mostly dinners. Keep an eye out for upcoming events on their website www.secretfoodies.com.au
Swim at Bondi beach then top if off with a Spritz at Icebergs restaurant
Why: With white sands, striking blue water and sandstone cliffs, Bondi Beach is Australia's most famous beach. Icebergs, the iconic Bondi Beach waterfront restaurant by Maurice Terzini, is a world class Italian dining experience. Both are a must when visiting Sydney, even if you just dip your toes in the ocean and have a Spritz in the bar.
Suitable for: Chic foodies
Best time to go: Sunset
Image: Icebergs Bondi
MELBOURNE
by Martina Jennings, founder of This Is Melbourne - Gourmet Food Tours
First stop – A ‘Foodies Bucket List Tour’ of Melbourne.
Why: Not only will you ‘taste, sip & savour’ some of the ‘best’ of the ‘best’ – you will also hear all about Melbourne’s eclectic foodie scene & lay of the land….as you wander through the many iconic and historic laneways that is Melbourne.
Suitable for: All foodies
Best time to go: As soon as you arrive in Melbourne…so you know where and how to plan the rest of your Melbourne ‘foodie’ adventures.
Agathe Patisserie’s ‘Canale’ – Better than Bordeaux!
Why: You can find these tucked away in the ‘Royal Arcade’ with their main bakery located in the heart of the ‘South Melbourne Market’. Pure Deliciousness!
Suitable for: Those with a sweet tooth!
Best time to go: These sell literally like ‘hot cakes’… so get in early Tue-Fri at the Royal Arcade & Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun at the market.
The Spring Street Grocer – Home of Australia’s very first ‘Underground Cheese Maturation Cellar’
Why: The very passionate Cheese Mongers of Spring Street will inspire and educate while presenting some of the very best cheeses available in Australia. An absolute must when visiting Melbourne.
Suitable for: Lovers of cheese
Best time to go: Anytime Mon-Sat
Lucy Liu’s very own ‘Jianbing Pancake Roll’
Why: If you have only time for one bite in Melbourne…this is it! A soft-shell-crab pancake roll with Lucy Liu’s very own spicy hoi sin. Delicious!
Suitable for: Foodies who love Southeast Asian cuisine
Best time to go: Anytime… but for a Jianbing… great for a quick lunch on the go
Eau De Vie & Bar Americano
Why: My favourite speakeasy & cocktail bar – straight out of 1920’s America. Both of these are hard to locate, hidden down quiet laneways – which make the ‘find’ all the more rewarding.
Suitable for: Date night or an intimate catch-up with friends
Best time to go: Anytime after 5pm, before dinner or a show. Otherwise a late night drink is always a load of fun.
Image: Eau De Vie & Bar Americano
BRISBANE
by Jamie-Lee Howard, founder of Delectable Tours
Dine in an Old Queenslander
Why: The ‘Queenslander’ is an iconic style of architecture that distinguishes our suburbs from other capital cities. The Queenslander first became a popular style for residences in the mid 1800’s and today we’re seeing a number of these character filled buildings be turned into great dining destinations.
Where: Kennigo Social House
Suitable for: Modern Australian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Best time to go: Dinner
Where: The Balfour Kitchen
Suitable for: breakfast, lunch, high-tea, dinner
Best time to go: High-tea
Where: One Fish Two Fish
Suitable for: Seafood, Modern Australian, Families
Best time to go: Sundays for their Fish and Bottomless Sips
Feast on Seafood
Why: Brisbane, like other Australian cities located close to the coast are home to some spectacular seafood. However, Queensland and specifically the bays around Brisbane, are specifically renowned for their Moreton Bay Bugs and Mooloolaba King Prawns.
Where: Gambaro's Seafood Restaurant
Suitable for: Seafood, Modern Australian, Vegetarian Friendly
Best time to go: lunch or dinner
Where: George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant
Suitable for: Seafood, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly
Best time to go: lunch or early dinner for half-price meals
Wine and Dine by the River
Why: The Brisbane River flows through the city and is really at the heart of everything that makes Brisbane ‘Brisbane.’ It links together our inner-city precincts and is the backdrop for a whole range of activities, adventures and attractions. It’s not hard to find a great spot to wine and dine along the river. From the inner city you can visit one of the many venues at Eagle Street Pier or venture down the board walk a little further to Customs House (which also hosts seasonally changing pop-up bars), or Brisbane’s newest and hottest dining precinct Howard Smith Wharves.
Where: Eagle Street Pier
Suitable for: there’s something for just about every foodie
Best time to go: Friday night for the atmosphere, and generally at night for the city lights
Where: Customs House
Suitable for: Modern Australian, Vegetarian Friendly
Best time to go: Lunch, especially if you want to take advantage of their two course lunch special
Where: Howard Smith Wharves
Suitable for: There’s something for just about every foodie, families
Best time to go: Early to beat the crowds on weekends or during the week, but if you’re after the atmosphere, weekends are always happening here
Rise with the Locals
Why: One thing visitors also ask me about, is why does everyone get up so early? The weather never really gets that cold and with more sunlight in the earlier part of the day, Queenslanders are typically your get-up and get-em types, which makes breakfast a popular meal to go out for.
Where: Felix for Goodness
Suitable for: Breakfast, Quick Bites, Modern Australian, Vegetarian Friendly Best time to go: Before the mid-morning coffee rush on a weekday
Bonus tip: Try the pumpkin apple fritters with buckwheat, nutmeg ricotta, mandarin, poached quince and pecans.
Where: Gauge Restaurant
Suitable for: Modern Australian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Best time to go: Saturday and Sunday mornings
Bonus tip: Gauge has a string of awards to their name and are renowned for their creative dishes and dedication to showcasing the best QLD and Australian produce. Try the black garlic bread with brown butter and burnt vanilla. Trust me, it’s a game changer!
ADELAIDE
by Cheryl Turner, tour guide at Food Tours Australia
Visit Nido
Why: Nido is a neighbourhood restaurant just a short tram ride from the CBD in leafy Hyde Park. Their specialties are handmade pastas, artisanal cured meats and so much more!. Max Sharrad (Young Chef of the Year 2018 appetite for Excellence) heads up the kitchen . Max's ancestors are from Northern Italy and many of his dishes reflect the traditions of the Friuli Venezia Giulia area with influences from neighbouring Slovenia and Austria. Max has built a great team including his wife Laura Cassai - runner up in Master Chef 2014 - well known for her amazing cakes and desserts.
Suitable for: All foodies! They cater for food intolerances
Best time to go: Whenever you can!
Bonus tip: Try the “feed me” option as choosing from the menu is just too hard! let the chefs decide.
A food tour of Adelaide Central Market
Why: Join Food Tours Australia for a guided tour of the Adelaide Central Market. Their tours are designed by one of the states noted food experts, Mark Gleeson. Small groups are hosted by local guides and are serious fun for those with a passion for great food.
Suitable for: Adults who enjoy discovering great food!
Best time to go: Tues - Sat
Maxwells Winery and Restaurant
Why: Mark Maxwell heads up an amazing team at Maxwells - winery, restaurant and meadery. Situated in McLaren Vale just south of Adelaide’s CBD, the wine tasting area is perched on top of the winery with windows in to see where the magic happens on the winery floor below. The wines and meads are amazing and perfectly matched to foods prepared by Fabian Lehmann and his team in the kitchen. Produce is locally sourced with many vegetables and herbs grown on site - including mushrooms in the limestone cave - the cave can be hired for special functions - a magical place.
Suitable for: Anyone who loves food and wine
Best time to go: Anytime - in Winter sit by the roaring fire, in Summer on the verandah
Image: Nido, Adelaide
PERTH
by Kate Willbourn-Trevett, Foodies Collective
The Shorehouse
Why: A gorgeous beachside dining experience where sandy feet are more than welcome. The kitchen adopts an equally relaxed vibe with plenty of fresh seafood options and delicious juicy meats cooked in their Josper charcoal oven.
Suitable for: All foodies
Best time to go: Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also great for afternoon drinks and snacks on the sleek outside deck.
Get fish and chips at Cottesloe Beach.
Why: You haven’t really been to Perth if you haven’t put your feet in the sand at Cottesloe Beach. We recommend grabbing some takeaway Fish & Chips or a Fisherman’s Banquet from either Amberjacks or The Groper And His Wife.
Suitable for: Beach and seafood lovers
Best time to go: Sunset
Stuff yourself with gelato from Gusto Gelato.
Why: Experience seriously drool worthy gelato by the team Gusto Gelato. Handmade fresh and from scratch everyday using traditional artisan production techniques learnt in the Northern Italian town of Bologna. It’s the real deal and not to be missed.
Suitable for: Everybody!
Best time to go: Afternoon through to late evening
State Buildings
Why: The stunning 19th century State Buildings house some of the best bars and restaurants in Perth. David Thompson and his Thai street food Long Chim, the casual, fun Petition Kitchen and the indigenous flavour inspired Wildflower make these building the hottest destination in the city. Even better you can stay here at the luxe Como hotel.
Suitable for: All foodies
Best time to go: Brunch, Lunch or Dinner
Check out the plethora of cheese, olives and prosciutto at Little Sister Delicatessen
Why: Little Sister Delicatessen has been a longtime advocate of Western Australian Cheeses. They offer some really cheesy goodness along with fresh baguettes, the best charcuterie, an espresso bar, what else would you want?! Try the Raclette or Hot Lava 5 Cheese Toastie.
Suitable for: Cheese lovers
Best time to go: Anytime
CANBERRA
by Amelia Bidgood, founder of Eat Canberra
Indulge in a FreakShake
Why: Treat yourself to Canberra’s original Freakshake™ at Patissez in Manuka. Piled with brownies, cookies, pretzels and even slabs of cake. This is a bucket list experience and you might need to share a large one with your foodie friends. They also have 8 different types of house made brioche French toast on their menu so wear your stretchy pants!
Suitable for: Anyone with a sweet tooth
Best time to go: Open daily 7:30am - 4:30pm
Enjoy a day at one of the 30+ wineries in the Canberra region
Why: Did you know that Canberra's wine region is home to 140 vineyards and more than 30 cellar doors, all located within 40 minutes' drive of Canberra? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Canberra’s wine region is on the tip of everyone’s tongue and you could easily spend days visiting the cellar doors and dining at the winery restaurants in the region. Some of my favourites that have more than gourmet platters on their menu are Contentious Character, Lake George Winery, Lerida Estate and Four Winds Vineyard.
Suitable for: Foodies that love food and wine
Best time to go: Visit in the cooler months to enjoy the warm fires with a Canberra region red in hand or visit in the warmer months to soak up some sunshine while sipping on a cold glass of Pinot Gris or Riesling.
Bonus Tip: Clonakilla and Helm Wines are some of the well-known cellar doors that you might want to add to your list.
Go on an Eat Canberra Food Tour
Why: Full disclosure here, I’m the owner of Eat Canberra Tours so this is a bit of shameless self promotion, but I honestly think an Eat Canberra Food Tour is a great way to learn more about Canberra’s incredible food and beverage scene. Eat, drink and walk your way around Canberra while learning about some of the best restaurants and hidden gems. It’s a great way to meet some like-minded people and find out what to do, where to go and what to eat while you’re in Canberra. Our guests agree! We’ve had people tell us that they would move to Canberra after going on an Eat Canberra Food Tour.
Suitable for: Foodies that love to discover new foods and eat like the locals Best time to go: A range of dates and times are listed on the website Bonus Tip: Private tours can be organised so if we’re not running a tour on your preferred email eatcanberrafoodtours@gmail.com or visit our website http://eatcanberra.com.au/food-tours/
Spend some time perusing the amazing markets
Why: To get a taste of the fresh produce in the region, meet the farmers and to the sample some delectable treats from local producers and stall holders, head to one of the various markets the city has to offer.
Suitable for: Market explorers
Best time to go: Capital Region Farmers Market on Saturday morning, the Southside Farmers Market on Sunday Morning and Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets from Thursday-Sunday. If you want to visit a market with more than food, check out the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sunday mornings, The Handmade Markets (quarterly) and the Hartley Hall Markets (first Sunday of the month, January excluded). Food lovers should also check out The Forage, an extremely popular food festival that’s on about 3 times a year.
Eat truffles and go on a truffle hunt
Why: You don’t have to travel to Europe to feast on truffles! Some great truffle farms surround Canberra so you can go on a truffle hunt and learn all about the indulgent black gold. Many restaurants create special truffle dishes featuring local truffles.
Suitable for: Adventurers and Truffle lovers
Best time to go: Brave the cold weather and visit Canberra between June-August to make the most of the truffle season
Bonus tip: Some restaurants, like Sage Dining Rooms, offer an 8-course truffle menu. It’s amazing!
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