Where locals eat in Sydney

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Sydney · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: Adam.J.W.C., CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1. 1

   Chat Thai

   Thai · Haymarket

   Get: the boat noodles and pad see ew

   The Thaitown original still has queues.

   Also on the list: Long lines in Sydney.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Mamak

   Malaysian · Haymarket

   Get: the roti canai with curry and the fried chicken

   Expect a wait on weekends.

   Also on the list: Long lines in Sydney.

   15 Goulburn St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Fratelli Paradiso

   Italian trattoria · Potts Point

   Get: the pasta of the day and the veal cotoletta

   Locals have come for over 20 years.

   12-16 Challis Avenue, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Spice I Am

   Thai · Surry Hills

   Get: the crispy pork belly with chilli and the green curry

   Loud, cramped, cheap.

   Shop 1, 90 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Bill & Toni's

   Darlinghurst

   Get: the spaghetti bolognese and an orange cordial

   Open since 1965.

   72-74 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Lankan Filling Station

   Sri Lankan · Darlinghurst

   Get: egg hoppers with sambols and the black curry

   Casual Darlinghurst spot serving Sri Lankan hoppers, kottu roti, and fiery sambols in a lively setting.

   58 Riley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Marrickville Pork Roll

   Marrickville

   Get: the pork roll with pate and chilli

   Cash, a short wait, eaten on the street.

   236A Illawarra Rd, Marrickville · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Thai Pothong

   Thai · Newtown

   Get: the pad thai and green curry

   A King Street standby since the 1990s.

   294 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Pizza Madre

   Pizza · Marrickville

   Get: the margherita and a seasonal sourdough pizza

   A Victoria Road neighbourhood room.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Ho Jiak

    Malaysian · Haymarket

    Get: the char kway teow and the Penang laksa

    Malaysian food the chef grew up on.

    92 Hay Street, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Pho Tau Bay

    Vietnamese · Cabramatta

    Get: the rare beef pho with a Vietnamese iced coffee

    A Cabramatta Saturday ritual.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Dosa Hut

    South Indian · Harris Park

    Get: the masala dosa with sambar and chutneys

    A Wigram Street standby.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing