Sometimes (OK, often) what I drink is as important as what I eat. Sometimes it’s even more important.
I want more than a bowl of crisps with my great drinks though – so the eats still have to be special. When the spotlight is on the beverages, I want food that’s more about grazing than dining, a few plates of tasty nibbles that allow me to focus on the interesting wines and cocktails. Here’s my pick of the best bars in Sydney to eat great snacks while enjoying wonderful cocktails and interesting wines.
Bobbie’s Double Bay
Sbagliato is always my go-to cocktail. It’s not fancy, but done right it’s a joy and, like most Italian drinks, great with food. I love Linden Pride’s Sbagliato Romano (with blood orange) at this subterranean bar named for his grandfather, iconic radio DJ Bob Rogers. It’s wonderful with Neil Perry’s tuna crudo with green olive & lemon salsa and chicken waldorf finger sandwiches. There’s a great martini list and lots more excellent seafood too.
Gildas Surry Hills
I adore a seat at the marble-topped bar at this Basque-inspired wine bar. I love the extensive Sherry list and the theatre of the Basque Txakoli being poured from a great height. Lennox Hastie’s small plates are the perfect accompaniment. From simple slices of jamon with stunning house-baked bread and smoked butter through to the wonderful Gilda, Grilda and Matilda trio or something fancier from the every changing specials.
Bentley Restaurant + Bar Sydney
A seat at the bar can be a clever, inexpensive way to experience a fine diner. Especially when the co-owner is sommelier-extraordinaire Nick Hildebrandt, with a penchant for the boutique, rare and eclectic and over 30 wines by the glass. Add a few of Brent Savage’s creative snacks, like kingfish collar with XO butter & egg yolk, and you’re set for a great night.
Bibo Wine Bar Double Bay
I love this narrow space, just up the road from Bobbie’s (above), run by a bright crew of industry pros including front-of-house Jonathan Mallett and chef Jose Silva (both ex-Guillaume at Bennelong). From a lean skin-contact Clare riesling with moreish bacalhau croquettes to an old Madeira with Sweet Belem Portuguese tarts, they know exactly what I want to drink and eat!
10 William St Paddington
Thank goodness the whipped bottarga pretzel is a fixture regardless of which talented chef is in the kitchen at this wonderfully chaotic hole-in-the-wall (thank you for your contributions Dan Pepperell, Luke Burgess, Trisha Greentree). It’s hard to pick a favourite match between Friulian pinot grigio with gnoccho fritto, spinach & artichokes – or swordfish, white beans & salsa verde with a boutique Beaujolais – so I recommend you have both.
Dear Sainte Éloise Potts Point
Simple interesting food (including great pasta, cheese and salumi), and minimal intervention wines, are two of my favourite things. Which explains why this is one of my favourite wine bars. Their prixe fixe lunch and sharing menu are some of the best value in Sydney and I applaud their commitment to riesling! Love the vibe of the laneway location and the Orwellian twist in name and address too.
Little Felix Sydney
Walking into this cosy dimly-lit bar beside the larger Felix bistro is like taking a quick trip to 1920s Paris. Fun, retro cocktails and wine poured from magnums set the scene, alongside a simple menu of charcuterie, fromage, freshly shucked oysters and caviar.
Updated 05 Sep 2024
