It’s long been an occupational hazard that I eat quite a bit of outstanding seafood. And for me simple is often best.
Fresh Aussie seafood doesn’t need anything tricky done to it, nor does it need flash surrounds. Here’s my pick of the best value casual seafood spots in Sydney.
Uncut Seafood Bondi
This casual fish shop serves the freshest seafood I’ve ever tasted. Sydney rock oysters dry-shucked to order are perfectly creamy, briny and sweet. Their Greek heritage shines in well-charrred octopus with rigani, oil and lemon and excellent taramasalata alongside crisp-skinned barbecued fish. Smoked trout toast is deliicously smoky, salty and creamy.
Fich Petersham
I love Jose Silva’s cooking, from fine-dining Guillaume to wine bar Bibo. And this casual seafood café near his Portuguese patisserie, Sweet Belem, is no exception. Best potato scallops ever; the ceviche, tacos, and Portuguese bacalhau croquettes (pictured, see video below) are especially good; and ohhh those giant skewers of fich shish (above)!
Salmon & Bear Crows Nest
Combining accessible quality seafood, campfire cooking, and decent wines by the glass, this casual seafood restaurant has a bit of something for everyone. Choose a fish to be cooked over coals and add a sauce plus fries, rice or green salad; or go simple fish’n’chips, seafood pie, spaghetti vongole, taco or burger. There’s steak for the carnivores too.
Molo Bar Woolloomooloo
Sydney has a real affinity with southern Italian fare, it suits the way we live. Sharing a glass of wine with friends at a waterside table, some bread and olives, a little crudo and fried calamari – that’s Italy and also this bustling little bar on Woolloomooloo wharf.
Lifeboat Seafood Brooklyn
Lunch here is like stepping back in time to childhood summer holidays. Generous serves of fresh Hawkesbury River seafood simply prepared with great salad, sauces and chips. Add the self-serve wine fridge with some respectable drops and relaxed outdoor seating and I’m one happy camper.
Updated 30 Nov 2024
