Long lines in Sydney

The viral places people queue for, what to get when you reach the front, how long the wait usually is, and how to beat it. Waits are typical, not live.

11 places in Sydney · by Chef Amazing · updated October 23, 2026
Photo: bills.com.au

1. 1

   Black Star Pastry

   Newtown

   Get: Strawberry watermelon cake

   The most Instagrammed cake in Sydney. Expect: weekend lines. Beat it: go on a weekday.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Gelato Messina

   Gelato · Darlinghurst

   Get: Gelato specials, and the dulce de leche

   Sydney's cult gelato. Expect: evening crowds. Beat it: go in the afternoon.

   Also on the list: Where to get ice cream in Sydney.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Chat Thai

   Thai · Haymarket

   Get: Boat noodles and grilled pork neck

   Sydney's Thai Town favorite. Expect: 30 to 60 min at dinner. Beat it: go at lunch.

   Also on the list: Where locals eat in Sydney.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Harry's Cafe de Wheels

   Woolloomooloo

   Get: The Tiger pie: mash, peas and gravy on top

   A pie cart since 1938. Expect: short but steady. Beat it: any time.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Mamak

   Malaysian · Haymarket

   Get: Roti canai with curry and a teh tarik

   Malaysian roti stretched in the window. Expect: 30 to 60 min at dinner. Beat it: go at 5:30pm.

   Also on the list: Where locals eat in Sydney.

   15 Goulburn St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Gumshara Ramen

   Chinatown

   Get: The thick tonkotsu ramen

   Ultra-thick tonkotsu in a Chinatown food court. Expect: 30 to 60 min. Beat it: go at 11:30am.

   25-29 Dixon St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Bourke Street Bakery

   Surry Hills

   Get: Pork and fennel sausage roll and the ginger brûlée tart

   The Surry Hills bakery that started it all. Expect: 15 to 30 min on weekends. Beat it: go on a weekday.

   Also on the list: The best meat pie in Sydney.

   633 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Bar Luca

   CBD

   Get: The Blame Canada burger

   A city bar with a famous burger. Expect: 30 to 45 min at lunch. Beat it: go at 3pm.

   52 Phillip St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Tokyo Lamington

   Newtown

   Get: A filled lamington, the seasonal one

   Lamingtons reimagined, now in Black Star Pastry's old Australia Street shop. Expect: 15 to 30 min on weekends. Beat it: go on a weekday.

   Also on the list: Sydney: what to eat and where.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Flour and Stone

    Woolloomooloo

    Get: Panna cotta lamington

    The panna cotta lamington that went viral. Expect: 15 to 30 min. Beat it: go on a weekday morning.

    Also on the list: Sydney: what to eat and where.

    53 Riley St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    bills

    Surry Hills

    Get: Ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter

    Bill Granger's café, the ricotta hotcakes that started Sydney brunch. Expect: 30 to 60 min at weekend brunch. Beat it: go on a weekday.

    Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Sydney.

    Cross Street, 2028 Sydney · Map · Add to Chef Amazing