Grain LAUREN GRAY
When the gleaming black and brass Macallan bar cart is rolled throughout the gorgeous bar Grain, whisky lovers feel right at home. It features a rotating selection of at least half a dozen expressions from the Highlands distillery, all served with a fascinating side of education from the passionate staff, making this a standout whisky experience. Grain also offers more than 200 other whiskies from around the world, and terrific cocktails too, in a city with no shortage of them. Whisky fans, Sydney is the place for you. Australia was off-limits to most international visitors during the pandemic, and in that time many of the city’s top hotels, bars, and restaurants used the opportunity to reconfigure, revamp, or reenergize. The result is a world-class capital that buzzes with excitement and overflows with more great food and cocktails than visitors might experience in a lifetime.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! With that in mind, we’ve compiled the perfect two-day itinerary. Just make sure to arrive thirsty and hungry.
Day One
The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is the perfect place to call home for your time in town. The rooms are elegant and beautifully appointed, and many of them offer unrivaled views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and more. (It’s also home to the aforementioned Grain, as well as Mode Kitchen + Bar, which is also terrific.) The Langham Sydney and Ace Hotel Sydney are excellent options, too.
Once you’ve checked in, take the short walk to Banksia Bakehouse, where the pastries are just as delicious as they are photogenic. Then head over to ASLAN Coffee Roasters in the Rocks District, which focuses on Indonesian beans and pulls standout espresso, among other coffee treats.
Now caffeinated and ready to venture out, take advantage of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, which features trees that look as if they were illustrated by Dr. Seuss, and over 28,000 plants representing flora from more than 75 countries around the world.
From there, take a cab or Uber to the Surry Hills neighborhood for lunch at Sang by Mabasa, a modern Korean restaurant whose casual vibe is matched brilliantly by its riffs on Korean classics. Bibimbap and kimchi jeon are the perfect accompaniments to a cold Korean beer. Afterward, treat yourself to a homemade pastry at Tonton Bread next door.
For a glimpse of student life, check out Newtown. It has the feel of the East Village in New York, with record shops, butchers, cafes (like the excellent Shenkin Espresso Bar) and restaurants like Rising Sun Workshop, whose ramen will cure any hangover.
From there, head back to The Rocks to take advantage of the incredible range of cocktail bars. Maybe Sammy’s combination of showmanship and technical know-how are incredible. They also showcase a selection of mini cocktails, which means you can taste a wider range.
A quick walk from there is The Doss House, a warmly lit hideaway whose whisky selection alone is worth the visit; try an Old Fashioned made with one of their many Australian bottles. Frank Mac’s is also a solid option; the occasional live music outside and their great Martini garnished with a caper berry make it a perfect spot for happy hour. Whisky lovers will also feel at home, despite Frank Mac’s botanical focus. Their Irish Coffee, made with Slane, is notable, as is the Airs and Graces cocktail which brings together black walnut and demerara depth with sunflower butter-washed Woodford Reserve. A quick 10-minute walk from there is the Highlander Whisky Bar in the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Hotel, where an extensive selection of whisky and a gorgeous range of food await. Mezcal fans should check out Cantina OK!, also in the central business district, where the team works creative magic with agave.
Wrap up your first day with dinner at Mr. Wong or 6Head. The former is spread out across a refined industrial space, and its delicious riffs on dishes like crab fried rice alongside a cocktail or a bottle of wine from an extensive list will guarantee a great night. 6Head, right along the waterfront, features epic Australian steaks, an excellent wine program, and cocktails like the Campbell’s House, which brings together wagyu-washed Glenmorangie 10 year old, PX sherry, chocolate bitters, and maple syrup.
Day Two
Start off your day with a sunrise kayak tour of Sydney Harbour with Sydney by Kayak. It’s not only the most breathtaking way to see the city before it wakes up, but the terrific team provides excellent coffee and education as well. Then fortify yourself with a pork, bacon, and fennel roll from La Renaissance before taking the ferry to the renowned Taronga Zoo Sydney, where you’ll see kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, and more up close. It’s best to get there early, before the crowds arrive.
Sydney is a city built on the water, and there’s no shortage of great beach options to enjoy. Bondi Beach is the most famous, and lunch at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is a must. Start with the Ciccio, made with Bulleit rye, Hennessy cognac, Ilegal mezcal, Carpano Antica Formula, Bénédictine, and bitters. Or head to Rose Bay—easily accessible by a different ferry—for the casual and wildly accomplished Charcoal Fish. The yellowfin tuna cheeseburger just may change your life, and is a perfect foil for a crisp Australian lager.
Whisky culture is definitely alive and well in Sydney, which means stocking up on bottles is easy. World of Whisky is always a solid option, as is The Oak Barrel. Look for whiskies from standouts like McLaren Vale and Starward Distilleries, among many others.
Make sure to carve out time for a tour of the Sydney Opera House. You’ll learn the history of the UNESCO-designated structure, see the incredible range of performance venues within, and have a new appreciation for how miraculous it is that the building was even completed in the first place. It’s best to book in advance. Also, make a reservation for dinner at Midden by Mark Olive, which is found outside the ground floor of the Opera House and pays homage to Indigenous ingredients like wallaby, kangaroo, and wattleseed. Wash it all down with a Martini flavored with Australian quandong fruit before heading out for a nightcap at Grain and beginning to plan your next trip to one of the best and most indulgent cities in the world.
Bars/Restaurants
6Head Bay 10 & 11, Campbell’s Stores, 7/27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks NSW 2000; 6head.com.au
ASLAN Coffee Roasters 25 Nurses Walk, The Rocks NSW 2000; aslancoffee.com.au
Banksia Bakehouse 225 George St., Tenancy 4 Grosvenor Place, NSW 2000; banksia.sydney
Cantina OK! Council Pl., Sydney NSW 2000; okokok.com.au
Charcoal Fish 670 New South Head Rd., Rose Bay NSW 2029; charcoalfish.com
The Doss House 77/79 George St., The Rocks NSW 2000; thedosshouse.com.au
Frank Mac’s 83 George St., The Rocks NSW 2000; frankmacs.com.au
Grain 199 George St., The Rocks NSW 2000; grainbar.com.au
Highlander Whisky Bar, Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, 93 Macquarie St, NSW 2000; stamford.com.au
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar 1 Notts Ave., Bondi Beach NSW 2026; idrb.com
La Renaissance 47 Argyle St., The Rocks NSW 2000; larenaissance.com.au
Maybe Sammy 115 Harrington St., The Rocks NSW 2000; maybesammy.com
Midden by Mark Olive Western Broadwalk Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW 2000; middensydney.com.au
Mode Kitchen + Bar 199 George St., The Rocks NSW 2000; modekitchenandbar.com.au
Mr. Wong 3 Bridge Ln., Sydney NSW 2000; merivale.com
Rising Sun Workshop 1C Whateley St., Newtown NSW 2042; risingsunworkshop.com
Sang by Mabasa 98 Fitzroy St., Surry Hills NSW 2010; sangbymabasa.com.au
Shenkin Espresso Bar 239 King St., Newtown NSW 2042; cafeshenkin.com.au
Hotels
Ace Hotel Sydney 47-53 Wentworth Ave., Sydney NSW 2000; acehotel.com
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 199 George St., The Rocks NSW 2000; fourseasons.com
The Langham Sydney 89-113 Kent St., Millers Point NSW 2000; langhamhotels.com
Attractions
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Mrs Macquaries Rd., Sydney NSW 2000; botanicgardens.org.au
Sydney by Kayak 1 Railway Ave., Lavender Bay Sydney NSW 2060; sydneybykayak.com.au
Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000; sydneyoperahouse.com
Taronga Zoo Sydney Bradleys Head Rd., Mosman NSW 2088; taronga.org.au
Shops
The Oak Barrel 152 Elizabeth St., Sydney NSW 2000; oakbarrel.com.au
Tonton Bread 100 Fitzroy St., Surry Hills NSW 2010; tontonbread.com.au
World of Whisky Cosmopolitan Centre, 11a/2-22 Knox St., Double Bay NSW 2028; worldofwhisky.com.au
