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Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Inner South

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OpenTable
Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Inner South? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of BART Jr. restaurant
BART Jr.
4.8
4.8 (147)
$40 and under
Australian
Redfern
About the restaurant
About Bart Jr.
Bart Jr. is the love child of local lethario and legend Bart, a frisky ginger tomcat, it's also your new favourite neighbourhood bar.

We are passionate about good booze, good food and good times.

TUESDAY - Bart FAMILY Night.
A Pasta & Glass of Wine for $35/hd

WEDNESDAY - Bart CHEF's Menu.
A carefully selected $45/hd menu of all our Fave things.
Our usual delicious Menu also available to order as you like!

THURSDAY - Steak Frites!
Our usual delicious Menu also available to order as you like.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY - Lunch & Dinner.
Good vibes all weekend, regular menu and specials!

SEATING
Standard seating is inside the venue on a stool or chair, Outside seating is under cover on the 'Bart Patio'.
We are a small bar and require flexibility in seating arrangements.

GROUPS
Groups of 7+ Attract a 10% Service Charge and are required to go on a $69/head Set Menu.
Top review
David
Dined on May 2, 2025
Great service. Felt a little unwelcome at the end without a dialogue about end of meal.
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A photo of WEDNESDAY's at Bart. of a restaurant
Experience
WEDNESDAY's at Bart.
A photo of TUESDAY @ Bart - Family Night of a restaurant
Experience
TUESDAY @ Bart - Family Night
A photo of Fontana - Redfern restaurant
Fontana - Redfern
4.8
4.8 (131)
$41 to $100
Italian
Redfern
About the restaurant
A bustling, independent restaurant located upstairs on Redfern Street.
Fontana serves Italian food from a frequently changing menu, wines made with care, a small selection of cocktails, and plenty of good times.
We have a small bar where walk-ins are always welcome.
Top review
Katherine
Dined on Apr 26, 2025
Fantastic restaurant. Food was top notch, atmosphere and service also excellent. That garlic bread though!!!
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A photo of 3 course $75 set menu for large groups of a restaurant
Experience
3 course $75 set menu for large groups
A photo of 4 course $85 set menu for large groups of a restaurant
Experience
4 course $85 set menu for large groups
A photo of Mezepotamia Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Mezepotamia Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (96)
$41 to $100
Middle Eastern
Redfern
About the restaurant
At Mezepotamia, we take you on a delicious journey through Turkey and the Middle East with a spread of vibrant mezzes, perfectly paired with wines and crafted cocktails. Our mezzes are packed with rich flavours and a nod to tradition, all served with a warm smile in the heart of Redfern. So grab your friends, bring your appetite, and join us for a laid-back, unforgettable experience!
Top review
Volker
Dined 2 days ago
Food is very delicious and is nicely flavored. The staff is very friendly and takes care of the guests.
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A photo of Mezepotamia Feast of a restaurant
Experience
Mezepotamia Feast
A photo of Mother's Day of a restaurant
Experience
Mother's Day
A photo of La Piazzetta restaurant
La Piazzetta
4.8
4.8 (19)
$41 to $100
Italian
Waterloo
About the restaurant
La Piazzetta brings the warmth of Italy to Waterloo with its modern-rustic atmosphere. Savour authentic pizzas cooked in a traditional Italian Masonry Stone oven, and fresh house-made pasta dishes. This vibrant Italian restaurant offers a true taste of Italy and a unique dining experience.
Top review
Logesh
Dined on Apr 27, 2025
Brilliant up scale trattoria. Felt like Naples. 10/10.
A photo of Andiamo Trattoria Chippendale restaurant
Andiamo Trattoria Chippendale
4.7
4.7 (67)
$41 to $100
Italian
Chippendale
About the restaurant
Welcome to Andiamo Trattoria, the best Italian in Sydney CBD! Gather at our Table for an authentic experience of delicious Italian flavours, friendly service and an intimate environment. Our menu features classic dishes like homemade pasta, award-winning stonebaked pizza and fresh seafood using local and imported Italian ingredients. Signature dishes such as chilli crab linguine, lamb ragu and Margherita Pizza are popular with locals as is our special vegan menu, giving many options for special dietary requirements. Our cozy, rustic ambiance is the best restaurant for gatherings - perfect for romantic dinners, family dining and special celebrations or events. We also offer a well-curated Italian wine menu, along with handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. For celebrating special events, we offer customisable function menus and drinks' packages to make your event unforgettable. Andiamo is a popular local trattoria, great for long lunch or amazing dinners - Join us!
Top review
Tina
Dined 6 days ago
Always had a good time at this restaurant. Shout-out to the manager on the night who made sure that my friend’s birthday celebration was special and lovely :)
A photo of Saga Bar restaurant
Saga Bar
4.6
4.6 (457)
$41 to $100
International
Chippendale
About the restaurant
A mythical island oasis containing a magical hybrid of different influences from India, the Middle East & South East Asia. SAGA brings together the best of all things beautiful and delicious about these regions and combines them all in one unforgettable establishment. Let SAGA whisk you away to a haven where you can enjoy the world’s finest and most exclusive wines, unique and mouth-watering cocktails, and a perfectly seasoned and matching food menu to tie it all together.
Top review
Greg
Dined on May 2, 2025
Service here is first class in a wonderful ambience
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A photo of Saga Bottomless Brunch of a restaurant
Experience
Saga Bottomless Brunch
A photo of Holy Duck! restaurant
Holy Duck!
4.5
4.5 (128)
$41 to $100
Contemporary Asian
Chippendale
About the restaurant
Located smack-bang between Central and Broadway, you’ll find Holy Duck! on Sydney’s favourite foodie laneway, Kensington Street. This is modern-Chinese cuisine at its ducking best. You’ll be saying “duck me!” when you taste how they transform traditional dishes into exciting new favourites. With a diverse menu of casual eats and next-level Chinese BBQ, Holy Duck! is a nod to the joys of Chinese street food.

Watch as the chefs expertly prepare crispy, succulent ducks from the huge, traditional hanging gallery. They’re delicious! Not in the mood to duck? No worries. There’s plenty of other meat and vegetarian options. Love hot and spicy? Just ask your friendly waiter for more chilli; that’ll really set off some firecrackers.
Top review
Jasmine
Dined 4 days ago
Very good service, food was delicious, refills were fresh , ambience was lovely and since it was a birthday dinner, the staff organised a special dessert! How sweet!
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A photo of CRISPY HOLY DUCK (W PANCAKES) of a restaurant
Popular dish
CRISPY HOLY DUCK (W PANCAKES)
A photo of Crispy Holy Duck of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Holy Duck
A photo of $20 Yum Cha Lunch of a restaurant
Experience
$20 Yum Cha Lunch
A photo of Eastside Bar & Grill restaurant
Eastside Bar & Grill
4.4
4.4 (163)
$41 to $100
Grill
Chippendale
About the restaurant
Eastside Bar & Grill pays homage to the upmarket dining experiences of New York, nestled within a heritage listed warehouse, evoking the atmosphere of New York’s famed meatpacking district.

At Eastside you'll find incredible seafood and the finest cuts of meat that have been dry-aged in-house and prepared on the beautiful custom-built Parrilla wood-fire grill by Head Chef Sebastian Plazas and team.

Dark, sexy and theatrical, the restaurant features a leather paneled bar with bronze back bar display. A custom brass light fixture, a runway of herringbone flooring and an assortment of steel and leather chairs, marrying the existing raw structure of this 100-year-old building.
Top review
FianVIP
Dined on Apr 23, 2025
Great food and ambiance. Also, their cocktails are amazing.
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A photo of Tomahawk MBS 7+ of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tomahawk MBS 7+
A photo of Mother's Day Celebration! of a restaurant
Experience
Mother's Day Celebration!
A photo of Eastside Smash Wagyu Burger of a restaurant
Experience
Eastside Smash Wagyu Burger
A photo of The Potting Shed restaurant
The Potting Shed
4.3
4.3 (3917)
$40 and under
Modern Australian
Alexandria
About the restaurant
The Potting Shed is a place to meet, eat, drink, relax and chat your day and night away – where hanging plants, terracotta pots and timber beams meet brass, brick and iron. Where you can plant yourself down on the swing seat, bench or at the bar and feel like you are on your family’s porch.

It’s a lively place where you can hoe into fresh, locally harvested produce, delivered by our shed-hands. The same hands that will deliver you good-natured banter, craft beers on tap, great tasting wines and unique cocktails.

The menu offers cozy share options for groups, three course substantial meal choices for those wanting to make an evening of it and a fun selection of nibbles for people wanting a light after-work snack with their cocktails or a share jug amongst friends.

Plus, enjoy exclusive after-dark access to The Grounds of Alexandria's latest laneway attractions when you dine in!
Top review
Gary
Dined 7 days ago
Here is what we love: - The setting is lovely - Our kids love the decorated laneways - The chips were excellent and the aioli was great - The schnitzel steak was excellent and so too was the accompanying sauce - Sitting near Fluffy - Thank you for turning down the overhead heaters that were burning the side of my head Here is what could be improved: - The Poison Apple special dessert. What to say? I can hear the Masterchef judges saying it is visually spectacular, 10 out of 10 for presentation. It is certainly very impressive. But the flavour lets it down. The apple itself was very pleasant, but the accompanying earth, soil and moss components were bland and lacked any distinct flavour. The chocolate shards were good but would have preferred milk chocolate. The honeycomb was nice. Everything else, which made up the bulk of the plate was pretty flavourless. Could have done with a raspberry or passionfruit coulis to sharpen it up. Or just something else. Perhaps a caramel would have gone well with the apple flavour. - The salad with the schnitzel steak was not appealing. Just some lettuce hearts plonked on a plate with some radish garnish and a not particularly nice dressing. You could definitely do better. - We needed to get going but after serving our food, our table server kind of disappeared. We found him at one stage and asked for the bill, which seems to have been forgotten for another 15-20 minutes. Concerning for us, as we still had to drive home to Newcastle. It was past my daughter's bedtime and we had had a big day, so I was becoming tired. Would have been nice, once finished, to quickly collect the bill and get out of there. - We were disappointed that you denied my daughters request to keep the teddy bear drink jog. OK fair enough it was an unusual request, and why should you? They might be difficult to find. But we still felt it was a little mean spirited. - There was a lot of ice taking up my virgin mojito, so I didn't actually get very much to drink.
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A photo of Dine In The Potter's Corner of a restaurant
Experience
Dine In The Potter's Corner
A photo of Group Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Group Menu
A photo of Premium Private Dining in The Lock-In of a restaurant
Experience
Premium Private Dining in The Lock-In
A photo of The Grounds of Alexandria Cafe restaurant
The Grounds of Alexandria Cafe
4.2
4.2 (2871)
$40 and under
Café
Alexandria
About the restaurant
The Cafe food and drinks menu is bursting with fresh flavour, made with the finest quality ingredients and created with The Grounds own grown and locally sourced produce. The Cafe at The Grounds has team of chefs who constantly push the boundaries and reinvents the classics in order to deliver you perfect flavour combinations that will make you want to come back time and time again.

NOTE: At The Cafe, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to dine in, we operate on a walk-in only basis for smaller tables during peak hours. If no tables are available on arrival, we will add you to an electronic waiting list and text you when your table is ready, leaving you free to explore the rest of The Grounds. Rest assured, all groups on the wait list will be able to dine-in on the day.
Top review
John
Dined on May 1, 2025
The food, service and atmosphere were all anazing.
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A photo of The Glasshouse High Tea of a restaurant
Experience
The Glasshouse High Tea
A photo of The Patisserie High Tea of a restaurant
Experience
The Patisserie High Tea
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