{"id":9438,"date":"2026-05-11T23:46:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/9438\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T23:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:46:58","slug":"60-of-the-best-restaurants-in-sydney-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/9438\/","title":{"rendered":"60 of the best restaurants in Sydney for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.<\/p>\n

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city\u2019s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.<\/p>\n

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.<\/p>\n

Where to stay
\nThe Fullerton Hotel Sydney
\n\"theSleep inside a 151-year-old icon.<\/p>\n

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney<\/a>. The hotel is an icon in its own right \u2013 nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney\u2019s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved \u2013 providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn\u2019t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.<\/p>\n

\"theHeritage rooms maintain their old-world style.<\/p>\n

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.<\/p>\n

The team at this five-star hotel<\/a> provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel\u2019s club floors and suites.<\/p>\n

Add to this a central location in the CBD\u2019s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney\u2019s top attractions, and convenience meets style.<\/p>\n

Where to drink & dine
\n1. The Bar
\n\"theIndulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.<\/p>\n

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney\u2019s lobby, The Bar<\/a> does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you\u2019re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.<\/p>\n

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of \u00a0Australia\u2019s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty\u00a0egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.<\/p>\n

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.<\/p>\n

Can\u2019t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate cr\u00e9meux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Az\u00e9lia<\/a> chocolate sauce. \u2063<\/p>\n

2. The Place
\n\"theDine in the stunning GPO atrium.<\/p>\n

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place<\/a> \u2013 the hotel\u2019s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine \u2013 think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich \u2013 along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium\u2019s natural light.<\/p>\n

3. Local gelato
\n\"CoupleEnjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p>\n

What is summer without ice cream and\/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you\u2019re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.<\/p>\n

What to do\/see
\n1. GPO Heritage Tour
\n\"theBe awed by the building\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Want to know more about the building you\u2019re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.<\/p>\n

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.<\/p>\n

2. Circular Quay
\n\"aerialCatch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p>\n

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It\u2019s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney\u2019s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.<\/p>\n

3. Royal Botanic Gardens
\n\"viewWander through Sydney\u2019s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p>\n

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney\u2019s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden \u2013 exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.<\/p>\n

4. Theatre Royal
\n\"aTake in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)<\/p>\n

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).<\/p>\n

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com\/fullerton-hotel-sydney.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. Sydney City is magical…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9439,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[10715,10716,10717,254,10718,10719,247,10720,10721],"class_list":["post-9438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sydney","tag-city-sydney-posts","tag-dreaming","tag-eating-out","tag-guide","tag-nsw-eat-posts","tag-nsw-eat-special","tag-sydney","tag-sydney-eat-special","tag-sydney-posts-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9438"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9438\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}