We’ve combed Redfern for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
1. Mezepotamia
About Mezepotamia
4.9 Google Rating
99 Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016
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Melisa K
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Love this place! I’ve been to Mezepotamia twice this year. The first time was on Valentine’s Day with my partner, and we tried their set menu. It offered great variety, and my partner—who normally won’t touch oysters—loved them here. They came with a delicious vinaigrette. We also met the owner, who was very attentive and warm. Despite it being a busy night, our food was served promptly and everything was of the highest standard. The second time, we went with a group of friends a few weeks ago, and it was even better than the first! We were a group of five and ordered a selection of dishes to share. Each of us picked a dish: onion dolma, lamb shish, kibbeh, manti, roasted cauliflower, and we added the potatoes. It was the perfect amount for five people, and everything was absolutely delicious. My favorite is still the onion dolma—chef’s kiss! I also ordered a gimlet, which was made exceptionally well. I’ll definitely be back soon and have already been recommending this spot to all my friends. If you love bold flavors and a fantastic atmosphere, this is the place for you!
Kayla A
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My partner and I had the most wonderful dining experience at Mezepotamia in Surry Hills last night! From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating – they made us feel so welcome. The Amaretto Sours were truly a standout – one of the best we’ve ever had! Perfectly balanced and smooth, you can tell they take pride in their cocktails. As for the food – absolutely delicious. The lamb shish was tender and full of flavour, and the potatoes were cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and seasoned beautifully. Would highly recommend – we will definitely be back! Thank you 🩷
Andrea
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Can never go too long before returning here for the fabulous food and stellar service. All dishes are cooked to perfection. Highly recommend the Manti and halloumi.
2. Attenzione Food & Wine
About Attenzione Food & Wine
4.5 Google Rating
180 Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016
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Collezione S
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What a gem in the heart of Redfern. Welcoming and friendly service. Excellent wine selection and flavoursome food. Copper tree farm aged rump is a must!! This restaurant deserves a few hats! 👏👏👏👏
Melzy P
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Super lovely restaurant! Went on a Monday night and they weren’t too busy. The service was spectacular staff were super kind and attentive. Oysters were so good, I really liked the pomegranate mignonette. The bread was nice but the butter definitely stole the show! It was whipped so well and I like the addition of corn flakes . The crisp potato and smoked trout pate dish was okay but I found the potato to be a bit soggy! I much preferred the squid ink doughnut! It has a yuzu cream inside with tuna on top, so yum! The champagne risotto was so good! I was scraping the last bits off the plate, it wasn’t too heavy as well. The fish was nice, I liked the truffle sauce, it wasn’t too heavy which I find often happens with truffle sauce! The tiramisu was super fluffy and light, perfect way to end the meal. Had some lovely wines here too. Highly recommend!
Sandi S
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Delicious food. Had the Octopus crude, Pumpkin misti and crab pasta. The Pumpkin was in a tempura batter. Crispy with a something sweet, walnuts and generous shavings of manchego cheese. Could have eaten four more plates of this. It was so moreish. The crab pasta was surprising. Texture and size of noodle was very much like a firm rice udon noodle. Even the sauce tasted Asian but the flavours were absolutely zinging. Properly seasoned and delicious. Octopus was a bit chewy but tasted ok. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Atmosphere was very dim lighting and gave a bar feel. The tables were very very close together. The noise level though was absolutely unbearable. Could not hear fellow diner sitting opposite at a table for two. Will return for the elegant and amazing food.
3. Fontana
About Fontana
4.7 Google Rating
Level 1/133A Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016
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Annie G
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Fontana is one of my favourite restaurants in Sydney. The food is on point every time, simple dishes that allow high quality ingredients to shine. I come here often for the snack plates but my all time fave is the mussels and ndjua pasta. As someone who is a novice wine drinker, I love exploring the variety’s on offer as I know every one on the menu is incredible. The bartender is fantastic and takes the time to go through the list, helping me pick the perfect pairing and making me feel completely at home. Offering half portions to solo diners is a huge plus. I have visited Fontana multiple times now and have walked away extremely full and satisfied every time. The perfect restaurant to sit at the bar with a book and slowly order wine and food.
Kitchen Insider
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In a space that’s held some good cooking over the years, this place punches well enough, without delivering knock-out blows , before dessert goes the full Tyson. The room is really lovely, and the service works well. The early and middle acts are good, but unevenly so. Yep, the garlic bread hits hard. Fab roasted garlic puree squirts joyously from its cave; a substantial risk to your best shirt. As lovely as the ricotta is, i don’t really see a role for it, in what is a 1 man play. The seafood salad is solid enough, too, with cracking prawns starring. The next course is swings and mostly misses. The spaghetti with anchovy “meatballs” is full of great elements. However, the spaghetti is cooked aussie style, overcooked for Italian purists, suvh as your confused euro-nowhere reviewer. The fettuccine suffers an even greater fate of too much time in the bath, and the sauce lacks the dimensions of a complex bianca ragu…fennel, and some great white wine reduction is my tip for repair here. The salad is dynamite. Terrific leaves with lovely pickled veg, scattered within a wonderful dressing. The gratinee leaves me as flat as a 3rd round knock-out. Love corn, love gratinee, but the combination is as misplaced as a pig in Haldon St. The desserts rescue the 3*, rocketing up the rankings. Easily the best stracciatelle gelato ever..yep, better than rivareno. The polenta almond cookie belies its ordinary appearance to leap onto the front stage. The peculiarly able-to-be-piped zabaglione may be short on the egg and marsala flavours; sits as erect as meringue (which classic zabaglione only dreams of doing), but combines with its bed of caramelised orange like passionfruit on a pav’. Worth your visit if in the hood.
Michelle K
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Best meal I’ve had in Sydney. The vibe, the service, the FOOD and their knowledge of the wine. Mouthwatering, just thinking about it! 11/10 loved it
4. Mjølner
About Mjølner
4.6 Google Rating
267 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW 2016
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Hayley L
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True to its Viking theme, food was rich and meaty, the drinks menu was also very interesting, including mead, whiskey and fun cocktails.
I really enjoyed the chicken – it was really smokey and flavourful.
The beef rib was tender and not overly fatty, portion was generous.
Service was friendly and in general a very enjoyable experience.
Nitu B
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Dining here is always such a great experience. This was my second time, with a different group of friends, and we all enjoyed it just as much. The food is faultless, and the service is absolutely superb. The Feast menu is definitely worth it for a big group. Definitely coming back again.
Dario C
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Amazing experience and super delicious food! The staff is very friendly and always attentive to everything. I am not a lover of broccoli, but it gets all the applause because I was surprised by the taste. Potatoes are also recommended. We ordered the ribs and Crispy Pork Belly, definitely a 10/10 meal. The whole place takes you like the medieval era, excellent. We will come back!
5. Bistro St Jacques
About Bistro St Jacques
4.5 Google Rating
96 Pitt St, Redfern NSW 2016
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Ed
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An absolute hidden gem in Redfern! The steak was cooked to perfection – tender and full of flavor. The tuna tartare was fresh and beautifully balanced. Extremely cosy atmosphere & attentive service. Will definitely be back!
Niki V
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Well what a night of surprise and delight, Bistro St Jacques is a wonderful neighbourhood gem rich with French bistro vibes. It’s intimate and cozy and invites you to have laughs and deep conversations. The food is outstanding, every single dish was exceptional – gorgeous rich flavours on French classics complement some of the modern fare on the venue. Absolute must tries are the cheese soufflé, chicken liver pate, coq au vin, steak and frites, the cauliflower gratin, smoked trout tart – all of it was yum yum yum.
Cocktails are kept to the classics – the martinis were fab 🍸
Incredible service by the staff – warm, friendly and professional. Felt very welcome. 10/10 recommend and would go again 🇫🇷
Pete
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Fantastic restaurant. As soon as we were seated, we were offered a drink, and the specials were explained. We chose the clams and a souffle for appetisers, both outstanding. For the main course, we shared Duck a la Orange and the Herb crusted pork loin, both dishes were flavourful with the silverbeet and garlic atop the pork being a real standout, accompanied with a side if cauliflower gratin. Desert closed out a fantastic meal, an affogato, and a chocolate mousse. Nick and the team do a fantastic job, which is the reason I will keep coming back.
