Diners' Choice: Modern Australian restaurants in Sydney

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Modern Australian cuisine in Sydney? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sixpenny

4.8

4.8 (85)

$101 and over

Modern Australian

Stanmore

About the restaurant

Sixpenny was founded in March 2012 and is named after the Sixpence restaurants that operated in Australia in the late 1800s. Located at the top end of Stanmore Village, Sixpenny is housed in a historic building on Percival Road, which was erected in 1907.

Chefs Daniel Puskas and Tony Schifilliti lead the kitchen in utilising local suppliers, growers and producers to focus on creating a narrative around all things that make up Australia.

We have chosen to offer a tasting menu to all guests. We collaborate with small-scale farmers, fishermen, and producers to create a progressional offering influenced by the seasons.

Top review

Peter

Dined 2 days ago

If there is one thing you need to do in this life...may I recommend eating at Six Penny Stanmore, it is simply sublime!

Hedonist

4.9

4.9 (80)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Collaroy

About the restaurant

Hedonist (noun): a pleasure-seeker. Our core values are: Uniqueness, Playfulness, Kindness and Pleasure. We believe at the intersection of these (like the four interconnected rings of our logo), great experiences materialise.

Providing amazing experiences through excellent food and wine, exceptional customer service all delivered within a magnificent setting is our aim. Hedonist is just across from Sydney's picturesque Collaroy Beach in a beautiful site refurbished in our hedonistic theme.

Our core cuisine is Modern Australian with a French & Argentinian flair , masterfully prepared by our Head Chef, Joaquin Bordato and team who have significant Australian and international experience gained in some of the worlds best restaurants. Our philosophy is to source the best local ingredients and let these speak for themselves.

All children are welcome however we do advise that there are some mature themes within our décor. We do offer a children's menu.

Top review

Cathy

Dined 1 day ago

Great night with the Steak Frites special. Highly recommended.

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Experience

Happy Hour at Hedonist Restaurant

Ester

4.8

4.8 (208)

$101 and over

Modern Australian

Chippendale

About the restaurant

Ester is a restaurant powered by fire in a pared back, industrially inspired room in Sydney's Chippendale. Head chef Mat Lindsay's produce led approach to food - with an emphasis on native ingredients - is paired with a thoughtful wine list of natural wines from Australia and around the world.

Top review

Tony

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely stunning meal! Everything was perfect! Thank you team!

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Experience

Bar Seating Selected

Experience

Standard Booking & Mud Crab

Experience

Bar Seating - Set Menu

Kurmond Social

4.9

4.9 (169)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Kurrajong

About the restaurant

We are a lively restaurant that’s just a stone's throw away from the historic town of North Richmond. Established in 2018, we pride ourselves on our exceptional quality food in combination with unmatched customer service.

Our menu boasts a range of your favourite Australian and Italian dishes, made with only the freshest local ingredients!

We're located at the foot of the beautiful Blue Mountains, providing a dining experience like no other!

Top review

Bart

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Outstanding food and service as it always is at Kurmond Social.

Henrys Neutral Bay

4.8

4.8 (35)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Neutral Bay

About the restaurant

Ready to elevate your dining? Step into Henrys Neutral Bay, the North Shore's destination for contemporary, stylish, and flavourful dining, proudly holding an AGFG Chef Hat.

Located on Grosvenor Street, Henrys offers a perfect balance: modern, elegant interiors create an ideal atmosphere for a romantic date night or a chic gathering. The core philosophy is simple: great food should be shared.

What truly defines Henrys is its inventive fusion cuisine. The venue delivers a menu that’s a fun playground of textures and tastes. You'll find yourself sharing the signature house-made focaccia, tuna tartare with ponzu, savouring the crispy prawn tacos, or enjoying the perfectly tender Angus striploin.

Beyond the exquisite food, the bar boasts a rotating line-up of signature cocktails and a thoughtful wine list featuring international varietals.

Henrys is more than just a meal; it's a confident, quiet celebration of extraordinary food, beautiful surroundings, and the joy of connection.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Sep 25, 2026

Great value for money, delicious food, excellent service.

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Experience

Henrys Experience Menu

Experience

Bottomless Lunch

CATALINA

4.7

4.7 (507)

$101 and over

Modern Australian

Rose Bay North

About the restaurant

Catalina is an iconic harbourside restaurant, family owned and operated since 1994. It is a light airy modern space with wonderful views, floor to ceiling glass, and outdoor balcony seating. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired and features sustainable seafood from the best producers Australia-wide, and grass fed and free range meat and poultry. The wine list is one of the best wine lists in Australia, featuring over 800 wines, and receiving a 3 Goblet rating every year in the Wine List of the Year Awards. The service is welcoming, friendly, informal and yet, professional. An ideal venue for all occasions: from everyday dining, to business lunches, to celebrations, to wedding receptions and events. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

Superb food, wine and service from the team. The 3 course set menu had plenty to choose from. All dishes were of a high quality.

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Experience

2 Course A la Carte Menu 2026

Experience

3 Course A la Carte Menu 2026

Experience

7 Course Tasting Menu

Poly

4.8

4.8 (267)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Darlinghurst

About the restaurant

Poly is a wine bar by Mat Lindsay and the team from Ester.

We take reservations but always save space for walk-ins. If you cant find a reservation online please give us a call or walk in!

Bookings are online only, please use the widget to check availability.

Top review

suzie

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service and banter from Kerrie and Rory

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4.6

4.6 (153)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Cabarita

About the restaurant

Discover the harmony of tradition and modernity at Angelo’s Cabarita. Winning the first significant award of 2025, "The Chef Hat", our menu is rich in Modern Australian flavors, infused with contemporary creativity of fresh local produce, it promises a culinary experience that resonates with heritage yet sparkles with innovation. Here, every dish is a testament to our dedication to quality and a tribute to the timeless art of cooking. Join us in celebrating the fusion of classic tastes and modern gastronomic excellence.

Top review

Anne-Marie

Dined on Oct 17, 2026

We had a beautiful night , we ordered the hot and cold seafood platters. Our 2 kids were with us, they thoroughly enjoyed their calamari and chips and icecream with sprinkles and fairy floss for dessert. Angelo's did not dissapoint. Excellent service and could not fault the food or the staff. Thankyou.

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Popular dish

Signature Hot and Cold Seafood Platter

4.8

4.8 (45)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Manly

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the backstreets of Manly, Banco Manly offers a sophisticated dining experience that captures the essence of an intimate wine bar. Founded by Kurtis Bosley and led by Executive Chef Dan Webb, this neighbourhood gem focuses on fire-based cooking and seasonal ingredients, blending modern British influences with a vibrant coastal energy. Located on Whistler Street, just a short stroll from the beach, the venue provides a warm, moody atmosphere perfect for candlelit dinners or curated drinks. The culinary philosophy centres on bold flavours developed through fire and charcoal, paired with an eclectic selection of low-intervention wines and innovative cocktails. With its sleek design and welcoming hospitality, Banco serves as a refined escape in the heart of the Northern Beaches. Whether seeking a quiet date night or a spirited celebration, guests will find a uniquely soulful destination that marries high-end technique with relaxed neighbourhood charm.

Top review

Emily

Dined 7 days ago

A great fine dinig experience, very special and went for a friends 30th birthday- the staff are stand out, all have their own characters and go above and beyond to make you feel special and important!

Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (186)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Mosman

About the restaurant

Executive chef Aaron Ward (ex-Sixpenny and Shell House), recently awarded 2 two hats in the SMH Good Food, works closely with producers, farmers and fisherman that all have a great ethos on producing quality product for the guest.
For Ward, cooking is all about the guest experience and breaking down the barrier between the kitchen and the guests.

Top review

Virginia

Dined 2 days ago

The weather was perfect, the ambience divine and the food, wine and service was exceptional. Bather's Pavillion - iconic but fresh - absolutely wonderful.

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