Best Dishes in Sydney 2020

Around July each year, the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list heralds the start of restaurant awards season. Not this year.

Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Pecora dairy sheeps curd, plum, tomato broth - Clayton Wells of Automata @ Yellow Bushfire Fundraiser (Hero Shot)

With the hospitality industry among the hardest hit by Covid19, most organisations are more concerned with how best to promote all that’s great in the industry and support those fighting to come back from the brink. This year, instead of a World’s 50 Best list, the organisation behind the industry’s most influential awards has launched the 50 Best for Recovery project, including an online auction of once-in-a-lifetime prizes. If bids look a bit steep for your taste, make a donation of just $13 or more to get a copy of the e-cookbook ‘Home Comforts’ with recipes from the world’s top chefs; a very cool Covid19 souvenir. Closer to home, here’s my list of Sydney’s best dishes in 2020, especially those I’ve eaten recently in restaurants reopening and waiting for your bookings. Please, get back out and support the chefs and restaurateurs that are always the first to put their hands in their pockets to support others!

Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Pecora dairy sheeps curd, plum, tomato broth - Clayton Wells Automata

Sheep Curd, Plum, Tomato Broth Automata (CLOSED)
Clayton Wells served this delicate, refreshing dish at a bushfire relief dinner at Yellow early this year. He cooked with Lennox, Ross, Pasi, Federico and Brent, chefs as always supporting those in need. Yellow, Automata, Firedoor, Café Paci and Restaurant Leo are all open again. Time to give back. Enjoy Clayton’s food now at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Pasta e fagioli - Beppis

Pasta e Fagioli Beppi’s
So it may be over 12 months since I had this simple dish of pasta and beans at Beppi’s – but I haven’t stopped thinking about it since! Simple yes, but when done well it’s sublime! I’m so pleased to see Sydney’s oldest continually operating restaurant reopened for business!

Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Mozzarella in Caroozza - Cafe Paci (w/ anchovies and basil)

Mozzarella in Carrozza Café Paci
What’s not to love about stretchy molten mozzarella deep-fried in a crisp crumb coating? Add some basil, anchovy, lemon and salt, and I’m in heaven! Pasi Petanen baked his way admirably through the crisis, now I’m so glad his full menu’s back and I can get more of this!

Best Pasta Dishes in Sydney 2016 - Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Lucio's black handkerchief pasta - also Pasta

Black Pasta with Seafood Lucio’s Italian (CLOSED)
When Lucio’s pivoted to takeaway and discovered their legendary black handkerchief pasta didn’t travel well, they reinvented it as fettuccine with the same delicious frutti di mare sauce. Who knew it would be even better, especially with a sprinkling of lemon crumbs? Out of adversity comes innovation!

Best Dishes in Sydney 2020 - Hot sweet sour prawns - Ajoy Joshi - Nilgiris

Hot Sweet Sour Prawns Nilgiri’s
I love the contrast of hot and cold foods together – like Ajoy Joshi’s juicy hot, sweet, sour prawns on crisp lettuce (for wrapping) sprinkled with fried curry leaves. I also love the way Ajoy and his wife Meera have fed those in need throughout the darkest days of Covid19.

Published 4 Jul 2020

What Others Diners Say

Mark (Mosman, NSW)
Mark (Mosman, NSW)
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I was lucky enough to attend one of Roberta's Duck and Pinot walks with a group of friends. It was a fantastic afternoon and I can't recommend it highly enough. Roberta is great company and a fantastic guide to the best food experiences Sydney has to offer.
Deborah (Camperdown, NSW)
Deborah (Camperdown, NSW)
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Roberta organises really enjoyable and relaxed dinners where you not only get to eat delicious food from a wide range of cuisines, but also find out more about the cooking techniques and produce with the chefs and producers. I highly recommend 'Be Inspired' dinners.
Errol (Chatswood, NSW)
Errol (Chatswood, NSW)
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Went on the Duck & Pinot tour wonderfully hosted and curated by Roberta - thank you. There was a lot of duck to eat and other dishes as well. Plus I learned about wine and the people who run the restaurants. An event for multiple types of occasions. Can't wait for the next one.
Rita (Glengarry, Tas)
Rita (Glengarry, Tas)
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What an amazing morning touring Sydney Produce Market with Roberta - meeting the growers & agents of some amazing produce & tasting things along the way. My favourites were the red & yellow prickly pears, jujubes, longans, & fresh pistachios. Next was Gozleme for breakfast in Auburn then a tour & tasting at Gima Turkish supermarket & Harkola Middle Eastern warehouse. Highly recommended.
Clare (Sydney, NSW)
Clare (Sydney, NSW)
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Had an amazing time at Roberta’s duck and Pinot tour! Roberta made the day super fun and interesting. Everything was so well organised and the pick of restaurants was spot on. Thanks Roberta for such a terrific experience.
Geoff (Cherrybrook, NSW)
Geoff (Cherrybrook, NSW)
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I recently joined Roberta with friends & colleagues on the Duck & Pinot Walk - incredible afternoon visiting 3 duck restaurants, each very different to the other. Superbly organised! Roberta's first hand knowledge of each dish and her relationship with the restaurant owners made for an extremely enjoyable & memorable time. Would recommend this for families, work functions or just friends getting together.
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