By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Not every meal needs a main character…or course!. Sometimes the best dining experiences occur when the spotlight is shared and every dish (as diminutive as it may be) can play a starring role.
To prove the power of smaller servings, these eight Sydney restaurants are putting communal dining front and centre and turning every table into a cast of memorable flavours that put in a plate-winning performance!
Kolkata Social celebrates Bengali cuisine with a share plate ethos at its heart. The new Thali Tuesdays offer diners a three-course journey through nine dishes, from chilli chicken and papad to barramundi kalia and spiced aloo kabli, all served family-style for $45.
Each thali is designed for sharing, giving a taste of sweet, sour, spicy and savoury flavours in one vibrant spread. Guests leave nourished not just in body, but in spirit, as every meal contributes to a charitable cause.
At The Wine Bar, share plates are the star of a relaxed alfresco experience in Martin Place. From scallop crudo with pink grapefruit to pan con tomate and wood-fired pizza Romano by the slice, each dish is crafted to be savoured communally.
The Sips + Snacks menu encourages lingering and tasting a little of everything, perfectly paired with an ever-evolving wine selection. Dining here transforms a quick catch-up into a shared culinary ritual.
Luc-San is a French-Japanese izakaya in Potts Point where share plates define the menu. Signature offerings include tempura oysters with wasabi dressing, half-a-duck with burnt orange and sashimi with sesame and ponzu, all designed for communal enjoyment.
Casual and inventive, the menu encourages friends to taste widely and linger over cocktails or rare sake. Luc-San’s creative fusion is made to be explored together.
For a Turkish take on share plates closer to home, Anason brings Istanbul’s meyhane tradition to Barangaroo - with a menu built entirely for sharing. Guests can linger over meze plates like cured kingfish with black caviar, chicken heart kebabs, or charred kingfish collar, all designed to be enjoyed with Turkish wine, bespoke cocktails, or raki.
Larger share plates and the indulgent feast option allow groups to sample the breadth of the kitchen’s flavours. Anason is a true communal dining experience where every dish invites conversation and connection.
Parlour has just launched a stunning new snack menu designed for sharing, featuring filet o’fish, prawn rolls and classics like chicken liver parfait, oysters and steak tartare. Executive Head Chef James Kidman says: "It sounds corny, but I just wanted to change the menu up more often to meet our regulars’ needs and keep it fresh.”
Heavier share plates like duck boudin and rainbow trout are served in a way that invites the table to taste everything, making dining here a lively, communal experience.
When it comes to share plates, Middle Eastern mezza is the main event. Cafe Levant places this culinary concept at the forefront of its menu. The Sultan’s Board for 2 combines eggs, sujuk, halloumi, labneh and more, offering a feast of flavours meant for two or more to enjoy together.
From flatbread toasties to ashta pancakes, every dish encourages communal tasting and conversation. Dining here is a shared sensory journey through the Levant, from the food to the tea and coffee rituals.
It’s time to talk tapas - or, more specifically, Iberica’s take on Spanish share plates - with the new Bondi eatery mastering a menu made for sharing. Plates like charred octopus with crispy sweet potatoes, cured kingfish crudo and saffron seafood paella are meant for the whole table to enjoy together.
The dining experience encourages slow, generous ordering, reflecting the Balearic Islands’ culture of communal bites best savoured and shared.
Finally, for those who like their shared plates with an Oriental edge, CHU Restaurant by China Doll showcases Pan-Asian share plates where diners explore flavours from across South-East Asia as well as China, Hong Kong and Japan.
Signature dishes like master stock pork belly and beef Penang curry are designed to be sampled together, alongside delicate dim sum and cold plates. The share plate approach encourages communal tasting and discovery, making every meal a celebration of bold flavours and textures in a stylish setting.
