Whether it’s casual or refined, slow-cooked or wok-seared, dining in Sydney over winter is a celebration of heat and heart, as the city’s multicultural soul and creative food scene come into their own to blend bold flavours with seasonal comforts. Here, just a small sample of the moreish spread of dining experiences that invite you to savour every bite – and every delicious moment – of the winter months ahead. 

Fire up your tastebuds – literally 

Smoky, sumptuous and warming to the core, a feast expertly cooked over flames is the ultimate winter indulgence. And you’ll find all the thrills and grills on the city’s colourful fringe, where elevated nosh-spots ignite your senses with fare both flame-kissed and flavourful. 

In Surry Hills, Firedoor continues to define the art of wood-fired dining, with everything from dry-aged steak to seafood cooked entirely over coals – each ingredient enhanced by carefully selected woods like cherry, chestnut and apple. On nearby Albion Street, Bessie's open-flame kitchen brings Mediterranean flair with smoky pies, wood-roasted prawns and charred Wagyu skewers made for sharing. 

In the Inner West, 20 Chapel keeps the fire burning in Marrickville with dishes like grilled kingfish, baby octopus and premium steaks, all flame-seared in a relaxed, semi-industrial space. Over in Newtown, Firepop – crowned Best New Restaurant in the 2025 Good Food Guide – has evolved from market stall to must-visit, fusing Asian charcoal traditions with premium Australian produce in a flavour-forward menu. 

Further west, Blackbear BBQ is blazing a trail with wood-smoked meats cooked low and slow over ironbark for up to 15 hours. With locations in Wetherill Park and Blacktown – and a menu stacked with brisket, ribs, pork belly and bold, smoky flavours – this is Western Sydney’s answer to classic American BBQ. 

The fiery aromas linger over the city centre, too. Eleven Barrack serves elevated seafood and steak, cooked over a wood grill inside a grand sandstone building reimagined for modern, high-end dining. Nearby at Bistecca, you can choose your Riverina T-bone before it’s cooked fireside over ironbark and charcoal, then savour it with your pick of sides and a bold Italian wine list. And at Elements Bar and Grill, you’ll find premium cuts, seafood platters and vegetarian options grilled to perfection – alongside zingy signature cocktails, craft beers and an expansive wine list. 

Feast from a cultural melting pot  

With multicultural menus, lively laneways, bustling markets, and fearless culinary creativity, Sydney’s street-eats are more than just a grab-and-go fix – they’re an invitation to immerse in the city’s vibrancy.  

Follow your tastebuds to Haymarket, where you’ll sample Asia’s every delicious flavour at the Chinatown Night Market. Each Friday night, Dixon Street transforms into a lantern-lit wonderland of steaming dumplings, grilled skewers, hand-pulled noodles and authentic desserts. Just around the corner, the brand-new Hay Street Market keeps the flavours flowing every night, with nearly 50 stalls dishing up a street-food mash-up of 25 cuisines. 

The Asian flavours continue in Burwood Chinatown, where you can take your pick of charcoal bao buns, cumin-crusted lamb skewers and guo kui flatbreads at more than 30 stalls – perfect for mixing, matching and feasting on the go. And in Cabramatta, one of Australia’s most beloved street-food hubs, friendly vendors, family-run stalls and tightly packed arcades make every visit a feast – and a cultural deep dive. Here, John Street and its surrounding laneways brim with pho, banh mi and rice paper rolls, alongside Thai, Laotian, Chinese and Cambodian specialties. 

The multicultural flavours continue westward, where Parramatta’s Church Street – known locally as Eat Street – rolls out a tantalising buffet spanning everything from Spanish bites at Lola Cocina to Indonesian street food at Ria. In neighbouring Harris Park, Little India turns up the spice with more than 20 Indian eateries along Wigram Street offering dosas, kulfi and classic sweets. 

And back in the inner city, humming laneways serve up just as much flavour. Kensington Street in Chippendale blends heritage and hospitality with a variety of eateries – from modern Asian restaurants to European bistros and laidback dessert bars – in a warmly lit precinct that invites you to linger. Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane offers an emerging mix of shops and feasting spots like Olympus Dining and Island Radio in a community-focused precinct, while nearby South Eveleigh stays vibrant with Vietnamese pho, spicy Thai and Mediterranean plates served inside reinvented railway workshops. Whatever your winter craving, you’ll find it on the colourful streets of this inclusive, diverse city. 

Warm up with casual comfort foods 

Get your winter comfort food fix at a spread of standout eateries, where culinary skill, a passion for honest flavours and a streak of epicurious creativity turn everything from classic pastries to your go-to brews into unique flavour sensations. Bakery favourites get the full Harbour City remix at landmark pastry havens across town, where croissants, Danishes and even finger buns are reinvented with bold, local flair. Humble Bakery, from the team behind Porteño, now has three locations across the city, and is beloved for nostalgic favourites like iced finger buns and freshly baked loaves. In Newtown, Black Star Pastry has gained global fame for its Strawberry Watermelon Cake, but you’ll also find savoury options and expertly brewed coffee. Over in Surry Hills, AP Bakery sits atop the Paramount House Hotel and turns out standout croissants, bacon sandwiches and artisan breads made with rare grains – best enjoyed under the soft aqua awnings with views of the skyline. And in Rosebery, Lune Croissanterie draws pastry lovers to the new Engine Yards precinct with its cult-status cruffins, Danishes and twice-baked almond croissants. 

Or take a seat at a neighbourhood table, where feelgood fare is served in relaxed, homey surrounds. In Chippendale, Toby’s Estate is lauded not only for its specialty brews but also its warm service and sustainability ethos. Nearby, the Continental Deli serves European comfort food, mouthwatering cocktails and house-canned classics – perfect for pairing with deli plates in its retro-style bistro. 

Still hungry? Follow your nose along one of Sydney’s foodie trails. The Inner West Ale Trail also has more than its fair share of standout diners between its legendary watering holes. And explore The Brookie Trail on the Northern Beaches, where Brookvale’s breweries, distilleries and local eateries present a scrumptious mix of fresh food, local drops and live entertainment. Wherever your culinary adventures take you this winter, Sydney’s comfort eats are a tasty invitation to slow down and savour the season. 

Savour experiences beyond the table  

For Sydney, food doesn’t just arrive on a plate. It’s an experience that brings us together – one enriched by festivals, tours and events where we share stories and engage all our senses. Once again, Vivid Sydney (23 May-14 June) puts food centre-stage alongside its globally renowned program of Light, Music and Ideas, with immersive dining events daring you to Dream deliciously. On The Goods Line, the Vivid Fire Kitchen crackles to life with its ‘Fire & Spice’ theme celebrating bold, flame-cooked dishes from around the world with live-fire demonstrations and open-air feasting. There’s also the Vivid Chef Series pairing top Sydney names with international culinary talents for one-off menus, and a native food experience, bringing Executive Chef Vanessa Harcourt and Yuin-Ngarrigu-Gunai-Yorta Yorta chef Dwayne Bannon-Harrison together for a degustation honouring more than 60,000 years of First Nations food heritage.  

Beyond Vivid, winter delivers even more delectable festivals. The Beats, Brews & Barbecue Festival (27-28 June) in Penrith brings together smoky meats, craft brews and live music for a weekend of hearty fun, while the Good Food & Wine Show (20-22 June) at ICC Sydney returns with 300-plus exhibitors, celebrity chef demos, tastings, and hands-on masterclasses. 

Prefer something a little more personal? Step behind the scenes of the Sydney Fish Market, where early morning tours and cooking experiences peel back the layers of Australia’s largest seafood hub. Or, hit the streets with Local Sauce Tours for flavour-packed neighbourhood walks through the Inner West and Refugee Chef Banquets, where three-course meals tell powerful stories of culture, resilience and belonging. And further afield, Taste Tours leads immersive foodie adventures through places like Cabramatta, Liverpool and Merrylands, blending multicultural flavours with local insights.