Culinary Delights in NSW

Sydney

Acclaimed chefs, great produce and stunning locations combined with a laid-back lifestyle give Sydney’s food and wine culture a unique flavour of its own. You’ll discover a myriad of unforgettable dining options including restaurants with harbour or beach views, neighbourhoods dedicated to multicultural flavours, aromatic native bush flavours and new dining precincts.

One of the most anticipated openings for the year is Bennelong, a new restaurant at the iconic Sydney Opera House which opens in early July 2015. With one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs Peter Gilmore at the helm, Bennelong will showcase the flavour, diversity and sheer quality of Australian produce. It has given the much-awarded chef an exciting platform to develop a new creative expression of his signature style, one that is simpler, produce-driven and in synch with the relaxed dining environment.

Sydney’s Quay restaurant has been listed at number 58 on the coveted S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list with Sepia debuting on the list for the first time in 2015 at number 84 and named as ‘one to watch’. A respected group of more than 900 of the world's top chefs and food critics judged the placing’s which were announced at an awards ceremony in London.

Situated in the back streets of Surry Hills and housed within a 1911-heritage building on Mary Street, Firedoor is Lennox Hastie’s much-anticipated new restaurant featuring an open kitchen that centres around custom-made wood-fired ovens, grills and an Australian-made Aga. Hastie spent five years working at Etxebarri in Spain where he was inspired by a strong tradition of wood-fired grilling over an open flame. Also in Surry Hills, Nelly Robinson’s new restaurant Nel, is located near Central Station in the basement of Central Station Hotel. Inspired by working with acclaimed chef Nigel Howarth (Michelin-starred Northcote Manor, UK), Nel’s menu showcases the best seasonal produce with a monthly changing seasonal degustation menu.

Pier One Sydney Harbour’s new restaurant The Gantry are hosting a series of NSW produce driven dinners. In June, they’re showcasing the famed Orange region, partnering their local four-course set menu with matched wines from Swinging Bridge Wines.

Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley, just two hours’ drive from Sydney produces great wines and even greater winemakers, with some family dynasties stretching back six generations. Now home to more than 150 wineries, the Hunter Valley draws visitors from around Australia and the globe, with the promise of a taste of the good life. Enjoy the perfect escape, whether you’re being pampered in one of the valley’s day spas, teeing off from a championship golf course or enjoying panoramic views from an early morning hot air balloon ride. EXP Restaurant has opened to rave reviews, with local chef Frank Faulkner delivering an exceptional menu using the best local produce from the region and an equally exciting wine list.