By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Beyond the obvious hotspots and bustling dining precincts, the Harbour City is home to a collection of hidden gems - places you’d never stumble across unless someone (in this case, us) whispered their names in your ear.
From tucked-away garden sanctuaries to unassuming bistros that double as neighbourhood secrets, here are some of Sydney’s best secret restaurants worth seeking out.
Even locals sometimes miss The Botanica. Hidden away in a leafy oasis without so much as a street sign, this is Sydney’s ultimate ‘if you know, you know’ destination. Step inside and you’ll find a bright, garden-framed sanctuary where everything feels slower and more serene.
The menu is entirely gluten-free and coeliac-friendly, spotlighting seasonal produce from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden and local suppliers. Chefs Abby James and Thai Sams, with pedigrees at Quay and Bentley, bring finesse to every plate, making The Botanica the kind of place you’ll want to linger - whether for brunch, milestones or an elegant dinner that feels like an escape.
You’d never expect to find a Parisian-style bistro hidden inside a corporate tower, but that’s exactly the magic of Toki. Located on the ground floor of 100 Miller Street, it’s a North Sydney sanctuary that feels worlds away from office life.
The menu is French in technique with Asian flair, creating delicate yet playful dishes that suit everything from breakfast meetings to date night dinners. With a warm, transportive energy, Toki is one of those ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ spots that reward those who look a little closer.
Marrickville Metro might get the spotlight, but across the road, you’ll find one of the suburb’s best hidden secrets. Metro Brew’in is equal parts eatery and vibe - a place where good food, good beats and good company collide.
Famous for the housemade baguettes, steak and frites and irresistibly fluffy beignets, the venue leans into its playful personality with murals of Metro Boomin, Drake and J Cole and a soundtrack of RnB and hip hop. With the tagline ‘Groovin’ with every bite’, it’s a neighbourhood favourite that feels like your own discovery.
On the ground floor of the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park sits Bar Thirty6, a sleek, low-key restaurant that most people don’t even realise is there. With Hyde Park views and a tapas menu inspired by Spain, Turkey, India and Modern Australia, the flavours are as global as the city itself.
The twist? Every ingredient is sourced within 50 km of the hotel, keeping it local while still feeling exotic. A perfect choice if you want to escape the tourist trail without ever leaving the city.
Perched above Mona Vale Golf Club with views stretching to Warriewood Beach, The Mona Social is a Northern Beaches secret that feels like a blend of boathouse charm and country club cool. You don’t need a membership to enjoy the sprawling bistro - just an appetite for classics done right.
Think fresh seafood, generous share plates and casual favourites reimagined by Head Chef Cameron Johnston. Whether you’re after a midweek dinner, birthday drinks or a long lunch, The Mona Social proves that some of Sydney’s best dining is hidden in plain sight.
It’s hard to believe a venue with one of the best harbour views could still feel like a secret, but Hacienda manages to fly under the radar. Behind its glass-framed terrace, you’ll find a playful cocktail bar and share-plate menu perfect for grazing with friends.
Manchego empanadas, sticky lamb ribs with smoked yoghurt and kingfish chilli tacos are just the start, with larger plates like prawn bisque risoni and chipotle butter sirloin keeping the table buzzing. Pair it with a round of cocktails and you’ve found one of the harbour’s most underrated hideaways.
Rafi in North Sydney offers an unexpected oasis among the corporate towers - a vibrant, light-filled dining room where power lunches transform into playful, produce-driven feasts. Similarly, out west, its sister site, Rafi Urbnsurf at Sydney Olympic Park, flips the script again, channelling a coastal holiday vibe in one of the city’s most unlikely spots.
The menu is fresh and seasonal at both venues, showcasing sustainably sourced seafood, colourful vegetables and charcoal-fired dishes like lamb collar with smoked eggplant and toothfish with charred lemon salsa.
Whether you’re sharing a banquet in the Arbour or sipping cocktails after a surf session, Rafi proves that some of Sydney’s best dining experiences are hiding in the last places you’d expect.
