Sydney Restaurant Tips by SWFC_Fan

Restaurant Name: Hingara Chinese Restaurant

I ate at Hingara Chinese Restaurant one evening during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This restaurant is located on Dixon Street in the heart of Sydney's "Chinatown" in the Haymarket area of the city. It is surrounded by many similar looking restaurants with almost identical menus and similar prices.

Common amongst the restaurants in this area, you will find a waitress standing outside Hingara with a menu attempting to entice customers into the restaurant. These "touts" aren't particularly pushy and I found that a polite "no, thank you" was always enough to ward them off.

The menu consists of the usual selection of Chinese fare. For example, starters include hot and sour soup, chicken and corn soup, prawn toasts, spring rolls and dim sums. The main meals comprise of various stir frys, curries, rice and noodle dishes containing either chicken, beef, pork, lamb, seafood or vegetables.

Unlike many Chinese restaurants that I have visited during my travels, I received no complimentary water or Chinese tea at Hingara, but the staff were friendly and the food was tasty and well-cooked.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Prawn toasts - Cost: 5.50 AUD

Two slices of prawn toast with sesame seeds, cut into 4 triangles and served with sweet and sour sauce.

Fried rice noodles with chicken in black bean sauce - Cost: 10.80 AUD

Tender pieces of chicken with green and red peppers, onions and other vegetables in a tasty black bean sauce. Served with a portion of thick rice noodles. Very tasty and served piping hot.

330ml can of Toohey's New beer - Cost: 5 AUD

One of many similar restaurants in Sydney's Chinatown. Good food at average prices!

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9212 2169
Address: 82 Dixon Street, Haymarket, Sydney
Directions: Located in the Haymarket area of Sydney, right in the heart of Chinatown.

Restaurant Name: Jaipur Sweets & Bikaner Namkeen

I ate at Jaipur Sweets & Bikaner Namkeen one evening during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This Indian eating establishment sells a wide range of Indian meals (mainly curries, but also a number of vegetarian dishes), Indian snacks (such as pakoras and samosas) and an even wider range of cakes, pastries and other Indian desserts.

This no-frills restaurant is located on Elizabeth Street, about 15-20 minutes walk from Sydney Harbour and 10 minutes walk from the central train station.

The staff were friendly, the service was efficient and the clientele were largely, though not exclusively, of Indian descent. A large TV screen in the corner of the dining area was showing the Indian version of the "Deal or No Deal" game show on an Indian satellite TV station.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Roti Chanai with curry - Cost: 8 AUD

Two pieces of roti chanai bread served with a small portion of tasty lamb curry. Served with an accompaniment of coriander and a salad in a very spicy dressing.

I then received a complimentary plate of curried vegetables, which I believe was gobi aloo, and a couple of naan breads.

Bottle of Coca Cola - Cost: 2.70 AUD

I also received a complimentary jug of cold water. This is always a welcome freebie when eating hot and spicy dishes!

Excellent quality and excellent value Indian food. Highly recommended!!

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9280 1111
Address: 182 Elizabeth Street
Website: www.jaipursweets.com
Other Contact: sales@jaipursweets.com

Restaurant Name: Harry's Cafe de Wheels

I ate at Harry's Cafe de Wheels one lunchtime during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This pie cart has been operating since 1945 and can be found next to Finger Wharf, Wooloomooloo Bay. Pick up a snack and sit at one of the benches looking out across the wharf!

Harry's speciality is pies...with all manner of fillings!!....but you can also choose from hotdogs, burgers, pasties and a variety of other fast food snacks.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

"Curry Tiger" pie - Cost: 4.95 AUD

A beef and curry pie topped with mashed potato, mushy peas and gravy. Mmmmmmm!!

600ml bottle of Coca Cola - Cost: 2.70 AUD

A wide variety of cheap fast food snacks with great views over Wooloomooloo Bay!

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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Finger Wharf, Wooloomooloo Bay
Directions: Located in a cart right by Finger Wharf, Wooloomooloo Bay.

Restaurant Name: Superbowl Chinese Restaurant

I ate at Superbowl Chinese Restaurant one lunchtime during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This large Chinese restaurant, which specialises in seafood, is located on Goulburn Street in the "Chinatown" area of Haymarket. There is another branch of Superbowl on nearby Dixon Street.

I didn't scrutinise the menu too closely as I knew that I'd be picking from the special set lunch menu, but the usual array of dishes were to be found there - that is, soups, appetizers, chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetarian stir frys and rice and noodle dishes. A typical stir fry will set you back 15+ AUD.

Somewhat more unusually, this restaurant offers a huge selection of fresh fruit juices and health shakes.

The special set lunch menu includes a variety of dishes (circa 20) to choose from and costs just 8.80 AUD. For an additional 1 AUD you can add a fresh fruit juice to your meal.

Favorite Dish: I opted for the special set menu lunch, with a fruit juice:

For 9.80 AUD I got:

Handmade Shanghainese noodles in hot chilli sauce

An enormous plate of thick noodles, pieces of pork, carrots, various green vegetables in a hot (but invisible) chilli sauce. I could only manage to eat half of it such was the size of the portion.

Fried vegetables in oyster sauce

A selection of green leaves and shoots in a salty oyster sauce.

Fresh watermelon juice

Pureed watermelon juice (approx. 250ml) served with ice cubes.

Complimentary pot of Chinese tea

Lots of choice, large portions and an excellent value for money lunch menu!

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9281 0928
Address: 35 Goulburn Street, Haymarket, Sydney
Directions: Located on Goulburn Street in the "Chinatown" area of Haymarket. Another outlet on Dixon Street.

Restaurant Name: Cihan Kebabs

I ate at Cihan Kebabs one evening during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This no-frills fast food joint is located on Liverpool Street, just a few minutes walk west of Hyde Park.

It specialises in pizza slices and charcoal grilled kebabs (you can watch the meat turning on the spits behind the counter). It also serves a few other snacks as well, such as sausage rolls and pastries.

There are a couple of tables out front on the pavement. I sat at one of them and watched the cockroaches walking up and down the outside wall. At least they were *outside*!

If you're travelling on a tight budget, you'll find plenty of these cheap eateries in downtown Sydney.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

2 slices of "Meat Lovers" pizza - Cost: 3.50 AUD per slice

Large slices of pizza topped with pepperoni, ham and barbecue sauce. Very tasty! However, it was served luke warm rather than piping hot.

Bottle of Schweppes raspberry soda - Cost: 3.50 AUD

Cheap fast food for budget-conscious travellers in downtown Sydney

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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Liverpool Street
Directions: Located on Liverpool Street, about a 5 minute walk west of Hyde Park.

Restaurant Name: Red Chilli Sichuan Restaurant

I ate at Red Chilli Sichuan Restaurant on a couple of occasions during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This large Chinese restaurant is located in the heart of Sydney's "Chinatown" district on Little Hay Street and Dixon Street.

The menu offers a large choice of stir frys containing either chicken, beef, pork, seafood or vegetables, but the emphasis is firmly on chilli peppers! The menu displays little chillis to indicate how hot a dish is, so you can choose a dish that best suits your tastes.

Particularly good value is the special lunchtime menu which features a host of dishes for under 10 AUD. I selected my meal from this menu on both occasions that I ate here.

You can find here the special lunchtime menu and view the restaurant's interior here.

The tables are set with tablecloths and napkins and the staff are friendly and attentive. All diners receive a complimentary pot of Chinese tea.

Favorite Dish: On both occasions that I dined here I opted for:

Kung Pao Chicken with Roasted Peanuts and Chillis - Cost: 8.80 AUD

This dish started with a complimentary bowl of soup (containing tofu, chillis and spring onion).

The main course was a large stir fry with tender pieces of good quality chicken and a hot sauce containing fiery red chillis, roasted peanuts and a selection of vegetables. The meal was served with a bucket sized bowl of white steamed rice, more than enough for half a dozen people, let alone just one! Excellent quality, and excellent value for money! The main course alone would have cost me 12.80 AUD outside of the special lunch hours.

Can of Fanta orange juice - Cost: 3 AUD

Excellent value lunchtime meals, superb quality food. Highly recommended!!

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9211-8122
Address: Shop 3/51 Dixon St, Haymarket, Sydney
Directions: Located in Sydney's Chinatown distrist. Entrance via Little Hay Street.
Website: http://www.redchillirestaurant.com.au/
Other Contact: teresadt@hotmail.com

Restaurant Name: Nine Dragons Restaurant

I ate at Nine Dragons Chinese Restaurant one evening during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This restaurant is located on Dixon Street, right in the heart of Sydney's busy "Chinatown" district. You can sit at one of the numerous outdoor tables and watch the flurry of activity pass you by. Alternatively, you can eat in the restaurant's spacious interior. It was a warm night, so I chose to eat outside.

The extensive menu includes soups, appetizers, pork, chicken, lamb, beef, seafood and vegetarian stir frys and curries, rice and noodle dishes (such as chow mein and Singapore noodles).

There is also a special menu (costing just 15 AUD per person), which includes a soup, a choice of main dish (from a selection of various stir frys and curries) and a choice of either fried rice or noodles. Unfortunately, this offer only applies if there are at least 2 people eating, and I was dining alone.

The staff were rushed off their feet with it being a popular restaurant, but the service wasn't unduly slow in the circumstances.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Stir fried chicken with rice noodles - Cost: 12 AUD

Tender pieces of chicken in a stir fry sauce with carrots, mushrooms, brocolli and green leaves. Served with a large portion of thick rice noodles.

425ml Victoria Bitter - Cost: 4.80 AUD

Average Chinese food at average prices in the very heart of Sydney's Chinatown.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9211 3549
Address: 39-45 Dixon Street, Haymarket
Directions: Located on Dixon Street in the heart of Sydney's "Chinatown" district.
Other Contact: Fax: (02) 9211 3661

Restaurant Name: Oz Turk Pizza and Kebabs

I ate at Oz Turk Pizza and Kebabs one lunchtime during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This no-frills fast food cafe is located on bustling George Street in downtown Sydney. If you are travelling on a tight budget, this is a good part of the city to find cheap eateries.

The interior consists of a long glass display with a selection of sandwiches, pastries and salad items to choose from and a couple of small tables.

As its name suggests, pizza slices and kebabs feature prominently on the menu, but you will also find a host of other meat and seafood dishes and snacks.

Drinks include a selection of milkshakes, bottled soft drinks and hot beverages.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Fish and chips - Cost: 6.50 AUD

One battered fish and a plate full of salty chips, served with a couple of lemon slices. Pretty average fish and chips to be honest.

600ml bottle of Vanilla Coke - Cost: 2.80 AUD

A cheap bite to eat on George Street!

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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9280 1310
Address: 704 George Street, Sydney

Restaurant Name: The Bells Hotel

I stopped off at The Bells Hotel for a quick beer one lunchtime during my visit to Sydney in April 2006.

This friendly pub, located in an old brick building, stands across the road from Cowper Wharf at Woolloomooloo Bay.

It has a spacious interior with a large screen TV showing sports, a pool table and a handful of beers on tap. It also offers a few tables outdoors. The view isn't the best from the outdoor tables (the wharf can only be seen across busy Cowper Wharf Road), but at least you can enjoy a beer while soaking up the sunshine!

This is exactly what I did - I sat outside with a "schooner" of Victoria Bitter (Cost 4.10 AUD) on a lovely sunny afternoon.

I didn't scrutinise the food menu, but typical pub fare and snacks are available.

A beer in the sun near Cowper Wharf at Woolloomooloo


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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 9357 1656
Address: 1 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo
Directions: On Cowper Wharf Road, across the main road from Cowper Wharf at Woolloomooloo Bay.