The best Sydney restaurants to visit in May, according to Nigella Lawson

British TV chef and food writer Nigella Lawson will be in Sydney next month for Vivid Sydney 2025.
She has shared the Sydney restaurants on her bucketlist ahead of her arrival in the Harbour City.
From bakeries to one of the world’s best reborn restaurants, these are the must-try foodie spots according to Nigella.
READ MORE: Two of London’s best Michelin-starred chefs are coming to Vivid Sydney

It was the first announcement that had all of Sydney talking a few weeks ago: Nigella Lawson will host a series of dinners for Vivid Sydney 2025. While there are still more than five weeks to go before her three-night run of dinners at Muru Giligu Tunnel, Nigella’s already determined her hit-list of Sydney restaurants she plans to visit while she’s in town.

From bakeries and cheese shops to Conde Nast Traveller’s best new (or reborn) restaurants in the world, she’s covered all bases with her 11 picks—and you can too. Take a look and plan your visits to these must-try Sydney restaurants.

1. Corner 75

Jean Paul El Tom (of Baba’s Place, see no.10) and Daniel Puskas’s joint venture at Corner 75 in Randwick has seen them breath new life into this under-rated Sydney classic. It was on our watchlist for April and seems to have caught Nigella’s eye too. The restaurant’s focus on traditional Hungarian food has been given some interesting Australian twists. We can’t wait to head Nigella’s verdict on their signature Hungarian golden schnitzel or the chicken broth that is topped with semolina dumplings; a perfect winter warmer if you ask us.

Address: 75 Frenchmans Rd, Randwick NSW 2031.
Contact: (02) 9399 5712.
Opening Hours: Wednesday–Friday (5:30pm–11pm); Saturday (12pm–3pm, 5:30pm–11pm); Sunday (12pm–5pm).

corner75.com.au

2. Sean’s

Sean’s is a Bondi institution. Overlooking the famous beach, this chic spot serves a three-course set menu that changes each day, according to what produce is available. It won’t be Nigella’s first visit to Sean’s, if she makes there next month; speaking about her love for the restaurant she said:

Sean’s is both a complete one-off and quintessential Sydney. The food is not just good, but an uplifting primer on what cooking at its best is all about: flavour, beauty, simplicity and precision. To say I love it here is an understatement: I consider it positively essential to my wellbeing!

What a review! The three-course menu will set you back $140 but

Address: 270 Campbell Parade, North Bondi NSW 2026.
Contact: 0431 133 352.
Opening hours: Dinner is served daily from 6pm; lunch is served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from midday.

seansbondi.com

3. King Clarence

Award-winning executive chef Khanh Nguyen has earned quite a reputation over the years, as well as a loyal legion of fans—Nigella included. He co-founded two of Melbourne’s top restaurants, ARU and SUNDA, before moving back to Sydney to lead King Clarence. He’s done a pretty good job too, as the restaurant was awarded two chefs hats and nominated nationally for Best New Restaurant within six months of operating.

I first ate Khanh’s food when he was at Aru in Melbourne. And then I chased him to King Clarence. I’d chase him anywhere really.
— Nigella Lawson

Drunken chicken liver skewers are served over Vegemite toast, and the pork-free mapo tofu comes with bone marrow and prawns. Seafood more your scene? Try the citrusy fried kingfish collar or lobster selected from the tank. Mid-tempo eletronic music and house DJs provide the soundtrack from Wednesday to Sunday.

Address: 171 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Contact: (02) 8456 7120.
Opening hours: Open daily from 12pm.

bentleyrestaurantgroup.com.au/kingclarence

4. Saint Peter

Josh Niland’s world-famous restaurant consistently appears on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and it’s now found another World’s Best list to infiltrate: Conde Nast Traveller’s World’s Best New (or Reborn) Restaurants. The restaurant reopened in a brand-new space at The Grand National Hotel in Paddington last winter, hence making the ‘new’ list.

I do want to go to the new Saint Peter. Josh took me round when it was still a building site and everyone tells me how wonderful it is, so I’m looking forward to that.

Saint Peter 2.0 is a more casual affair than the OG, appealing to a wider audience. The menu, however, maintains Niland’s “scale-to-tail” ethos with dishes including a subversive take on spaghetti bolognese, comprising of whole calamari sliced thinly to resemble rice noodles and mixed with nduja. There are also 14 boutique hotel rooms, if you just can’t get enough of the place.

At lunchtime, choose from the à la carte menu. When dining in the evening, there is a daily-changing seven-course tasting menu which costs $275 per person.

Address: 161 Underwood St, Paddington NSW 2021.
Contact: (02) 9167 3703.
Opening hours: dinner is served daily 5:30pm-late; lunch is served Thursday-Sunday 12pm-4pm.

saintpeter.com.au

5. Cafe Paci

Finnish-born chef Pasi Petanen opened the first iteration of Cafe Paci in 2013 in a Darlinghurst building that was destined for demolition. The restaurant closed in 2015 but was resurrected four years later, swapping from its set menu structure to a regularly changing à la carte menu that showcased his Finnish roots with Mexican and Asian influences. The Newtown reboot is still going strong six years later.

Due to its ever-changing menu, it’s tricky to recommend dishes, but Nigella certainly has a favourite:

I love Cafe Paci. I find it very difficult not to order the same thing all the time. But those fermented carrots with ‘nduja, I mean, that’s all I can think about. And the minute I know I’m going back, I think, ‘good, soon I’ll eat those again’.

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Address: 131 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042.
Contact: 0402 392 189.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 5:30pm-10pm; Saturday 12pm-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10pm.

cafepaci.com.au

6. Olympus Dining

Sydney’s going through a love affair with Greek cuisine, and Olympus may have stolen everyone’s heart. If TikTok is anything to go by, that is. From the team behind Potts Point favourite, The Apollo, this so-called “village-style taverna” can be found at Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane. The bougainvillea tree at the centre of the dining room has appeared all over our feeds since it opened in December, but the food shouldn’t be overlooked.

Spanakopita, cod roe taramasalata and milk-fed lamb are some of the Greek classics that head chef Ozge Kalvo has mastered.

Address: 2 Baptist St, Redfern, NSW 2010.
Contact: (02) 8354 0649.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 12pm until late; Saturday-Sunday 11.30am until late.

olympusdining.com.au

7. Flour and Stone

A small but perfectly formed bakery in Woolloomooloo, Flour and Stone is among Sydney’s best. Its owner, Nadine Ingram, has established herself firmly within the city’s baking community, working up from a Hunter Valley dairy farm up to Michelin star restaurants in London.

The bakery is renowned for its panna cotta lamingtons, flaky croissants and beautiful cakes, but Nigella has another favourite you should try:

I adore that place. Yes, those beautiful cakes, but my god, the toasted sandwiches! It’s my absolute idea of heaven. When I used to stay at hotels, if I went to people’s houses for dinner, I’d go there and get a cake to take. Nadine’s cakes are sort of the dream version of home baking.

Pick up pastries, cakes, coffee and sandwiches to go from The Annexe at 43 Riley Street, or dine in at The Pantry a few doors down at number 53.

Address: 43 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, Sydney NSW 2011.
Contact: (02) 8068 8818.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday 9am-2pm.

flourandstone.com.au

8. AP Bread + Wine

AP is taking over Sydney day by day, having opened AP Quay in Circular Quay just this week. Each location offers something different and the Darlinghurst AP Bread + Wine marked a distinct change for the brand: it does dinner. It still serves coffee and pastries, but it’s one of only two locations that serves the chicken, egg and cheese breakfast muffin. As the sun sets (Wednesday to Saturday), it swaps to a snacky, wine-oriented menu. Sit in the courtyard at the front, or inside the dining room with its double-height ceilings and fireplaces.

Address: 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
Opening hours: Sunday-Tuesday 7:30am-3pm, Wednesday-Saturday 7:30am-11pm.

apbakery.com.au

9. Palazzo Salato

This 120-seat trattoria from the team behind Sydney’s beloved Ragazzi is apparently their “most ambitious venture yet”. It’s more refined, more spacious and consequently more accessible, according to Nigella:

While I love Ragazzi, it’s so small that tables can be hard to come by. Palazzo Salato, from the same stable, is far more capacious and just glorious. And its cooking is a dream: impeccable Italian pasta with an Australian accent!

The menu expands on the handmade pastas that its sibling Ragazzi is renowned for, introducing new shapes that are rolled and stuffed daily on site. As is always the case with a menu that relies heavily on produce availability and handmade elements, it changes regularly. But cavatelli with Western Australian octopus, saffron and poblano peppers, or ricotta gnocchi topped with Tathra Place lamb ragù and pangrattato are among dishes that have appeared previously. Set menus start from $90 per person, with optional wine pairing upgrades available too.

Address: 201 Clarence Street Sydney, NSW 2000.
Contact: (02) 9044 2556.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 11:45am-midnight.

palazzosalato.com

10. Baba’s Place

Housed in a warehouse in Marrickville, complete with a roll up door, Baba’s Place is an unexpected gem. Cucumbers are served with sesame, burnt shallot and shiso ‘Japanese mint’, the cuttlefish salad comes with tuna XO, smoked olive and a fennel and ink sauce, and the half BBQ chicken—from a nearby farm—comes with house chips, toum garlic sauce and pickles.

When I first went to Baba’s Place, I thought it was some hipster joint in a warehouse and I was frightened it was going to be too cool for school. Yeah, it is cool but it’s also so welcoming and warm and just full of food that’s cooked well.

Address: 20 Sloane Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.
Contact: 0423 587 481.
Opening hours: Thursday & Friday 5:45pm-11:30pm; Saturday 12pm-4pm & 5:45pm-11:30pm; Sunday 12pm-4pm & 5-10pm.

babasplace.com.au

11. Penny’s Cheese Shop

Penny is a self-diagnosed curd nerd. She was Executive Officer of the Australian Speciality Cheesemakers’ Association for five years, so you know you’re in good hands.

Her legendary shop in Potts Point is the place to go for local and international cheeses, as well as all the extras from honey and crackers to bread and quince paste. The team cut your cheese to order and can even help with organising platters, catering and building cheese towers.

This place is a treasure trove and the perfect introduction to—and delicious education in—the glory of Australian cheese and cheese-producers. I know they sell cheese from all over, but I prefer to stick to the homegrown marvels while I’m here.

Address: Shop 6, 127-139 Macleay Street, Potts Point NSW 2011.
Contact: 0422 412 608
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 8:30am-4pm.

pennyscheeseshop.com.au

Vivid Sydney Dinners with Nigella Lawson

Where: Muru Giligu Tunnel, 1 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Friday, June 6, Saturday June 7 and Sunday, June 8 from 6:30pm-10:30pm.
Price: Tickets were $340 per person but the dinners have now sold out.

Avoid missing out on any more Vivid Sydney 2025 events and check out these 7 must see Vivid Sydney 2025 events to book now.