Sydney's cooking is built on proximity to Asia and on produce that arrives in very good condition. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Sydney's cooking is built on proximity to Asia and on produce that arrives in very good condition. The migration waves of the last seventy years brought Cantonese, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Greek, and Thai kitchens, and the result is a city where the most interesting cooking is often thirty minutes from the harbour in a suburb no visitor has heard of. Seafood is the local strength. Coffee is taken seriously to a degree that surprises Americans, with flat whites made properly at neighbourhood cafés rather than chains. Brunch is a genuine institution here rather than a weekend novelty, and it is done better than almost anywhere.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Surry Hills
Just south of the centre and the densest good eating in the inner city. Small restaurants, wine bars, and the cafés that exported the modern brunch format worldwide.
Cabramatta
Forty minutes west by train and the largest Vietnamese community in Australia. Pho, banh mi, and herb stalls at prices the inner city cannot match.
Marrickville
Greek and Vietnamese, plus breweries in old warehouses. Where the inner-west crowd eats when it does not want to book a table.
Chinatown & Haymarket
Cantonese for a century, plus newer Sichuan, Malaysian, and Japanese places. Late hours and the night market on Fridays.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Sydney rock oysters
· A native species, smaller and more mineral than Pacific oysters. Eaten raw with nothing on them beyond lemon. - 02
Flat white
· Espresso with steamed milk and minimal foam, invented somewhere between here and New Zealand. Ordered at a café that roasts its own. - 03
Meat pie
· Individual pastry filled with minced beef and gravy. Bakery food, eaten standing, and better than the description suggests. - 04
Barramundi
· Native fish, firm and mild, usually grilled with the skin crisped. On menus from pubs to expensive dining rooms. - 05
Banh mi
· Cabramatta and Marrickville do a version as good as Vietnam's, on a lighter roll suited to the local bread. - 06
Lamington
· Sponge cube dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut. Bakery standard, and the subject of an ongoing argument with New Zealand.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Cafés open from 7:00 and brunch runs until about 15:00. Dinner starts 18:00 and kitchens close earlier than in Europe, often by 21:30. Tipping is not required because wages are high; ten percent for good service is generous. Many restaurants are bring-your-own wine for a small corkage fee. Book ahead on Friday and Saturday. Public transport reaches Cabramatta and Marrickville easily.
All 20 food tours
Viator last revised 2026-11-09The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Day Tour from Sydney
This is not your average Hunter Valley wine tour. From the moment you leave Sydney, you’re hosted by a qualified chef who is also your driver and guide, creating a seamless food-and-wine experience from start to finish.
11h - 02
Wildlife, Waterfalls and Wine Day Tour from Sydney
This big day out to the south of Sydney winds through Australia’s oldest national park, takes in spectacular coastal scenery along the Grand Pacific Drive, traverses the Sea Cliff Bridge, then climbs the sandstone escarp
11h from $385 - 03
Sydney Harbour Bridge Kayak & Breakfast Tour
Experience Sydney from the water in a way most visitors never do. Paddle under the iconic Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House while enjoying calm morning waters and stunning skyline views. The tour combines light exe
3h - 04
Sydney's Secret Bars Nightlife Tour
Drink and discover on Sydney's top-rated nightlife experience - now with 5 different routes! Perfect for solo travellers, couples, friends, non-drinkers, locals, visitors - anyone who wants a fun & unique night out. Ov
3h - 05
Sydney Street Art & Food Tour
Discover Newtown in the best way possible, by combining street art and multicultural food! Newtown is a truly diverse neighbourhood, and with us, you’re going to see and taste a bit of everything. You’ll start at the ic
3h from $93 - 06
Big Night Out Pub Crawl
Get entry to 4 venues + 4 drinks for a fraction of the price plus you meet new friends along the way! There's free pizza, drink discounts, free party items, a photographer, and more! Our group's age range is primarily 1
4h - 07
The Rocks Pub Walking Tour
Drink In History and explore Sydney's most historic settlement on The Rocks Pub Walk. This 2.5 hour small group historical walking tour visits four of Sydney's oldest pubs, stopping for a drink of craft beer, wine or cid
2.5h - 08
Sydney’s Chinatown Street Food and Stories Walking Tour
Sydney’s Chinatown is full of secrets and excellent restaurants, and on this experience, you’re going to see and taste a bit of everything! On this tour you’ll sample a range of street foods and snacks from some of Chin
2h - 09
Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney
Kangarrific Tours is excited to be able to offer you their Wine & Wildlife Tour.. We use a luxury minibus, our groups are small (11 max) & we have the most experienced Hunter Valley guide out of Sydney who is not only k
10h from $125 - 10
Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch
Take in the stunning views of Sydney on a Sydney Harbour on luxury sailing trip. On board your 40-foot luxury sailing yacht, with your experienced skipper at the helm, you'll sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past
5h from $360 - 11
Sydney Wildlife Tour: Koala & Kangaroo Encounters with BBQ Lunch
Meet Australia's iconic koalas and kangaroos on a small-group wildlife adventure from Sydney to the Australian Reptile Park! Enjoy a special koala meeting, friendly kangaroo encounters and discover dingoes, a saltwater
7h - 12
Ultimate Aussie Food Tour (Semi Private, Max 6 Guests, 8 Samples)
Join us for a semi-private food walking tour in Sydney, where you'll explore Australia's rich and diverse culinary history in an intimate group of up to 6 guests. Over 3.5 hours, you'll taste 8 handpicked dishes, each sh
4h - 13
Blue Mountains Small Group Tour with Waterfall Walk & Fresh Lunch
Coast Warriors is Sydney’s chilled out small group tour operator own and run by Aussie locals. We target the fitter 14 to 70ish years of age travellers though older is fine if you can bushwalk and like what you see adver
10.5h - 14
Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour
Journey through Sydney's oldest and most charismatic pubs as you wander through Australia’s oldest neighbourhood, The Rocks. With drinks included, you will be “Edutained” by an expert, local, passionate guide as you vent
2.5h from $119 - 15
Paint and Sip Classes Sydney: Acrylic Art, Canvas & Wine
Join Our Unique Paint and Sip Classes in Sydney! Embark on a creative journey with us and experience an evening like no other. Our skilled instructors provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring everyone from beginners to se
2h from $79 - 16
Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour
Sample your way through Sydney's thriving craft beer scene with a guide who takes you behind the scenes at the city’s best local breweries. You get to taste craft beers at every stop, learn about brewery operations first
3h from $155 - 17
Sydney Opera House Backstage Guided Tour with Breakfast
Uncover the mysteries of the backstage world. Meet your guide at Stage Door before you take a journey behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House. Discover spaces and places normally hidden from the public, as you expl
2.3h from $199 - 18
Sydney Harbour Unique Cruise Including Lunch
Get a glimpse of the life of a fabulous Sydneysider as you cruise like a local on this small-group tour of Sydney Harbour. See all the iconic attractions including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House abo
4h from $395 - 19
Blue Mountains Ultimate One Day Tour from Sydney
Discover the breathtaking wonders of Blue Mountains National Park with your full-day tour from Sydney. Travel in luxury aboard your small-group van, perfect for up to 14 guests. Experience the beauty of Katoomba Falls, t
9.5h from $392 - 20
All-Inclusive Sydney Harbour Cruise inc Private Yacht Club Lunch
A luxury small-group harbour cruise with lunch at an exclusive private yacht club with Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race heritage. With a maximum 8 guests aboard a VIP Sports Cruiser, your route covers multiple Sydney Harbour
4h from $450
Frequently asked
- How much do food tours in Sydney cost?
- Roughly $79–$450 per person, with the median around $199.
- When should I book?
- One to two weeks ahead in peak season; same-day is sometimes possible off-peak but limits choice.