King Street & Enmore Road, Newtown
Newtown is a haven of diversity and inclusion, reflected in its street art, fashion and eclectic eateries. Enmore Road offers a variety of flavours, from the West African spices of Little Lagos to the Mexican fare at Maiz, and numerous Vietnamese and Thai options. Vegan enthusiasts will appreciate Japanese café Comeco and the Neapolitan-style pizzeria Gigi. For award-winning dining, check out the stylish sake bar Ante or the innovative Australian-Finnish Cafe Paci.
Must try: The affordable and delicious Egyptian falafel at Cairo Takeaway.
Illawarra Road & Marrickville Road, Marrickville
The intersection of Illawarra and Marrickville roads showcases Sydney’s culinary diversity like no other. The area has a vibrant Northern Vietnamese presence with spots like Banh Cuon Ba Oanh, known for its saltier, less sweet dishes, and Alex ‘N’ Rolls, perfect for grabbing a banh mi (check their Facebook group for opening hours). Greek influence is strong here, too; don’t miss Athena Cake Shop’s spanakopita, Koul’s bakery-café, and the family-friendly Corinthian Rotisserie, a beloved local institution. For a modern twist, visit Lox in a Box for trendy bagels, Gelato Franco for artisan gelato and Where’s Nick for natural wines. You can catch some live music at Camelot Lounge or Lazybones Lounge.
Must try: A Northern Vietnamese family meal in a bento box from VN Street Foods.
Anzac Parade, Kingsford
Just across from Moore Park’s sports district, Anzac Parade is a hotspot for budget-friendly eats. Sumatran-style Indonesian restaurants like Pondok Buyung and Sedap Rasa offer plates of spicy rice dishes for under $15. For Chinese cuisine, visit Tasty Eating House for crispy-bottomed dumplings and sweet and sour pork, or Mr.Xiaomian Noodle Bar for quick, value-packed noodles. Off the main strip, Bar Lucio serves Italian coffee and ricotta-filled pastries.
Must try: The Indonesian grilled chicken at Ayam Goreng 99.
Burwood Road, Burwood
Burwood’s Chinatown arcade is a lively hub of new and exciting food. Inside, discover popular Chinese franchises offering a range of snacks and cuisines. On Burwood Road, you’ll find diverse regional Chinese dishes: Xi’an Eatery for Shaanxi- style noodles, Hong Kong Bing Sutt for hearty Cantonese fare, and Xin Jiang Hui Min Hand Made Restaurant for barbecued lamb skewers.
Must try: The crispy flatbread stuffed with lamb from Guo Kui Master.
Dixon Street & Surrounds, Haymarket
Dixon Street is the heart of Sydney’s historic Chinatown, offering a rich tapestry of Chinese cuisines. Enjoy salted duck and xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Nanjing Dumpling, queue up for a spicy Sichuan feast at Spicy Joint, or savour congee at old-school Cantonese diner Superbowl. On Friday nights, the street turns into a bustling night market with a variety of stalls selling snacks and desserts.
Must try: Breakfast congee and youtiao (fried dough stick) at Mother Chu’s Taiwanese Gourmet.
John Street, Cabramatta
John Street is the epicentre of Sydney’s vibrant Vietnamese community. Start your day with a robust Vietnamese coffee from Cafe Nho, then head to Tuong Lai for a traditional breakfast or Tan Viet Noodle House for crispy skin chicken. Explore side a l leys for Lao and Thai sweets at Kaysone Sweets and Hoa Hung Tofu’s homemade tofu, or grab a banh mi from Viet Hoa Bread. Gourmet Safaris and Taste Cultural Food Tours also offer guided explorations of Cabramatta.
Must try: The nom banh chok (Cambodian fish curry noodle soup) at Battambang.
The Boulevard, Strathfield
Strathfield, Sydney’s Korean dining hub, is perfect for group meals. Share a plate of jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) at Biwon, enjoy Korean barbecue at Jang Ta Bal, or dive into fried chicken at Red Pepper, a lively spot in the local sports club. For solo diners, The Mandoo offers dumplings and cold noodles and Ho Jiak Strathfield serves a tasty laksa.
Must try: The ox bone soup at Hansang, a local favourite.
Haldon Street, Lakemba
During Ramadan, Haldon Street transforms into a bustling market with stalls selling everything from martabak (roti stuffed with meat) to knafeh. Beyond the festival, the street remains vibrant with diverse cuisines including Cantonese, Lebanese, Malay, Yemeni, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. Check out Khushboo Sweets and Restaurant for mustardy fish curry, Dhaka Delight for Bangladeshi sweets, El Manara for Lebanese fare or Akawi Lebanese Cuisine and Seafood for authentic Middle Eastern flavours.
Must try: Satay skewers at Island Dreams Cafe, a Cocos (Keeling) Island restaurant.
Rowe Street, Eastwood
Eastwood’s dual identities emerge on either side of the station. To the east, discover Korean culture with KMALL09 supermarket, family diners like Pu Ji Mi, and Korean barbecues like 888 Gogi. To the west, Rowe Street offers Cantonese barbecue at BBQ One, lively dumpling spots and Chinese bakeries like Tai Baan. The Eastwood Night Markets showcase multicultural snacks and sweets.
Must try: The Taiwanese sticky rice at Hungry Paulie.
Wigram Street, Harris Park
Harris Park, known as Little India, offers one of Sydney’s best street food experiences. The street is filled with pop-up stalls selling pani puri (spiced potato cups), jalebi (syrupy fried dough) and more. For a sit-down meal, try IndoChainese for a variety of biryanis, Not Just Curries for classic North Indian dishes, or Dosa Hut for a South Indian feast. Guided tours with Gourmet Safaris or Taste Cultural Food Tours provide deeper insights into the area.
Must try: The pav bhaji (vegetable curry with toasted bread) at Chatkazz.
Campbell Street, Haymarket
Campbel l Street’s Hay market end, known as Thaitown, begins at Pontip Thai Market. Here, you’ll find Thai home-cooked meals, tropical fruits and imported snacks. Enjoy papaya salad and barbecued chicken at Yod or a full Thai feast at @Bangkok. For solo dining, Chon Siam and Yok Yor offer great noodle dishes, and Thai Dessert Corner has mini crispy pancakes. Local Sauce Tours offers a Secrets of Thaitown Food Tour for those seeking a guided experience.
Must try: Any of the desserts at Chat Thai.
