Your 2023 restaurant hitlist: Sydney’s must-try restaurants this year

With two new hats from the Good Food Guide, plus winner of the wine list of 2022, there’s no better place to start 2023 than with a visit to the Dining Room and Terrace at Shell House.

Housed within a 65-metre-high, palazzo-style glazed terracotta building in the CBD, Shell House actually hosts four venues over three levels. The European bistro flavours of Menzies Bar, the Clocktower cocktail bar, the panoramic Sky Bar and the culinary star of the show: the Dining Room and Terrace.

Ascend to the ninth level and step into an elegant art deco-inspired dining space that stretches out onto an alfresco terrace with panoramic views of the Sydney CBD.

Food wise? You’re in for a treat, courtesy of Head Chef Aaron Ward.

Enjoy exceptional elevated dishes like beef shin ragu pappardelle, coal-roasted spatchcock and black pepper caramel Murray cod.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Risotto cacio e pepe ($36)

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Taste an authentic slice of Italy without leaving Bondi at Da Orazio Pizza and Pasta.

Relaunched and refreshed in 2022, the new iteration of Da Orazio celebrates everything we love about Italian food.

The newly renovated space gives off an Italian coastal feel with white-washed rendered walls, breeze blocks and plenty of natural light throughout.

Chef Orazio D’Elia’s take on Italian cuisine needs to be on your to-do list this year. Choose from pasta dishes like spicy vodka rigatoni, spaghetti alle vongole and an array of traditional Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas cooked to crisp perfection.

Ravenous? Tackle the Sydney-famous focaccia con porchetta – a mouthwatering Italian sandwich consisting of juicy rotisserie pork and grilled eggplant piled between two pizza breads smeared with chilli mayo.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Friarielli pizza ($29)

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If it’s warm, moody Mediterranean vibes and fine dining Spanish style you’re after, Parlar is where you should head in 2023.

Chef Jose Saulog’s upscale Catalan-inspired menu is heavy on tapas and share-style dishes making this the perfect place for a delicious night out with friends!

Select from exquisite tapas plates like spanner crab Spanish omelette and kingfish crudo with smoked tomato oil. Or opt for large share plates like grilled baby octopus with smoked almond salsa or a succulent veal rib eye with Padron peppers and bone marrow jus.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Barramundi with Catalan beans ($46)

Knockout Middle Eastern cuisine awaits at one of Sydney’s hottest restaurants, Aalia.

Nestled within Martin Place’s revamped MLC Centre, Aalia’s sleek interior design boasts curves for days, with circular plush booth seating and grey concrete walls taking direct inspiration from the iconic Harry Seidler “spaceship” directly opposite.

Executive Chef Paul Farag’s sophisticated Middle Eastern fare is a creative culinary journey, drawing inspiration from recipes which date back as far as the 10th century, transformed anew through modern cooking techniques. Make sure you check out our interview with Paul before you head to Aalia.

Start with lamb hawawshi with black garlic and kabsa glazed king prawn skewers before tucking into gorgeous mains like almond crumbed john dory with maras chilli and Wagyu striploin with north African mustard.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lamb neck shawarma, tarator, pickles and Saida saj ($57)

Craving Thai? Pop over to Porkfat for impeccable Thai food and firecracker flavours!

The brainchild of Narin “Jack” Kulasai, the secret ingredient at this palace of piquant Thai perfection, is all in the name. Pork fat is used in place of commercial cooking oil, creating a rich natural base for each dish.

And with every menu item exploding with punchy Thai flavours, you can’t go wrong!

Begin with a plate of tamarind chicken wings and a papaya salad with salted duck egg before devouring tantalising dishes like grilled pork jowl with smoked chilli jam nib and Phuket tiger prawn curry.

Finish with creamy homemade coconut ice cream with roasted peanuts and candied pumpkin.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Wagyu sirloin nahm dtok ($46)