Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in New South Wales

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in New South Wales? 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!

No Bones Byron Bay

4.8

4.8 (1281)

$41 to $100

Vegan

Byron Bay

About the restaurant

No Bones is the brainchild of Tahlia, Yasmina and Laurie. In an attempt to change the way we think about what we put in our mouths, we opened our doors in April 2018 with a vision of bringing meat eaters and vegans together over good plant-based food. With each passing year, No Bones has evolved, driven by the determination to do better for both our community and the environment.

We are part of a plant-based movement and invite you to join us on our expedition to save the Earth one Brussels sprout at a time.

#brusselsnotbeef

Spread the word

@nobonesrestaurants

Top review

Sarah

Dined 2 days ago

absolutely delicious ! we had the brussel sprouts, beetroot ravioli, zucchini blossums and salt and pepper calamari (which tasted so much like the real thing) and enjoyed every dish

Larrys's Pizzeria and Cocktail Bar

4.8

4.8 (105)

$40 and under

Italian

Broadway

About the restaurant

LARRY’S PIZZERIA
home of the Happy as Larry Pizza Truck
A new pizzeria/ cocktail bar coming to Botany

Top review

Albina

Dined 5 days ago

One of the best pizzas around. Great service, value for money and a lively atmosphere.

Ruki Robatayaki Grill & Bar

4.6

4.6 (739)

$41 to $100

Creative Japanese

Wollongong

About the restaurant

Fire, smoke, and umami - RUKI is all about the good stuff.

From the team that brought you Débutant Dining comes a new experience inspired by the late-night izakayas of Japan, right in the heart of Wollongong.

Enjoy charred skewers straight off the grill, fresh seafood and cold beer.

Take a seat at the bar and let us take care of you. You deserve it.

Top review

James

Dined 1 day ago

Mid week banquet was superb. The service from the RUKI team was also fantastic. Such a great addition to the Wollongong dining scene. And the cocktails are on another level!

Umi-Ko Izakaya

4.6

4.6 (97)

$41 to $100

Japanese

Merimbula

About the restaurant

Japanese izakaya in the heart of Merimbula- 56 Market Street, Merimbula

Top review

Laurie

Dined on May 20, 2025

Always an enjoyable place to eat, as vegetarians don't leave hungry. Staff attentive. Thanks again.

Bundanoon Hotel

4.5

4.5 (347)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Bundanoon

About the restaurant

Our restaurant offers a selection of quality meals prepared with the best produce available. Lunch is available Friday to Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Monday. On Tuesday the bistro is closed, woodfire pizza is served in the Brigadoon Bar. In March 2022 we revamped the dining space and renovated to include a new kitchen. At the same time a new Head Chef joined our team. Regulars love the new menus which change almost daily. Menu options are available for larger parties with the group menus proving very popular in the private dining room as well as the restaurant. When we finally see some sun the spacious beer garden offers other possibilities.

Situated halfway between Sydney and Canberra the Bundanoon Hotel is ideally situated for friends, family or business gatherings and with 58 rooms available there's no need to drive home after a great night.

Top review

Lynn

Dined 5 days ago

The service was friendly and attentive Food was delicious

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Experience

Woodfire Pizza Tuesday's

The Yard Brewery and Smokehouse

4.5

4.5 (364)

$40 and under

Brewery

Morisset

About the restaurant

The Yard Brewery and Smokehouse, home to Yard Kings Brewing Co.
Visit our tap house bar in Morisset, serving dangerously drinkable craft beers and low 'n' slow cooked meats from our onsite smokehouse. Meat taster plates, loaded fries, nachos, smoked kransky dog and brisket burgers are just a few highlights from our mouth-watering menu.
Kick-back and enjoy the relaxed vibe with live music every weekend.
Looking for somewhere intimate and cosy to hang out? Venture upstairs to our adults-only area "The Deck", enjoy our range of brews and cocktails in comfy chairs with a view of over the brewery below.
Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged, so if your desired date appears 'booked out'. Don't be discouraged. Only half of tables are available to book in advance.

Top review

Pauline

Dined 4 days ago

Need a disabled car spot and heating inside should have been turned on first thing to create a warm and welcoming environment. A bit disorganised. Staff warm and friendly.

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Experience

Free Brewery Tour with Head Brewer, Dan Lindon

Bolton Street Pantry

4.5

4.5 (20)

$40 and under

Café

Newcastle CBD

About the restaurant

GOOD FOOD
GOOD COFFEE
GOOD TIMES

Bustling brunch destination in Newcastle CBD. Open 7 days, offering a seasonal brunch and specialty coffee menu. Try one of our signature dishes like the chilli scrambled eggs, with house sambal, miso mayo, crispy shallots and smoked bacon or come for lunch to enjoy a mix of funky share style dishes with a glass of wine.

Just two blocks from Newcastle beach, in the centre of a heritage listed CBD surrounded by the mix of comtemporary and heritage listed buildings, Bolton street pantry is the perfect place to dine on your weekend.

Top review

Alecia

Dined 5 days ago

Bolton Street Pantry and Donda always delivers on exceptional food, service and atmosphere. Chef Noodles is incredible and always makes the experience memorable for all his guests. Highly recommend this amazing place for any occasion 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Experience

DONDA EP III: SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

FogHorn Brewery

4.5

4.5 (22)

$40 and under

Brewery

Newcastle CBD

About the restaurant

Foghorn Brewery was born of a dream to make craft beer the way it ought to be made—from grain to glass all under one roof.

The historic building in King Street had been abandoned for several years when we first set foot inside. In that dusty old warehouse, we saw the potential to create something really special.

And so it was that Newcastle’s first modern craft brewery opened its doors in April 2015. The town’s industrial roots have played a big part in shaping the unique character of Foghorn Brewery. Built from the ground up, this art deco era warehouse with exposed roof trusses now houses a custom 1800 litre brewery.

Top review

Anna

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Really great venue and lovely food with attentive staff Great night

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Experience

Brewery Tour

Dulcie's Cottage

4.4

4.4 (716)

$40 and under

Australian

Merimbula

About the restaurant

Dulcie's is a reimagined family cottage turned restaurant bar. The menu consists of a small selection of tasty burgers, oysters, seasonal cocktails, delicious wine, and friendly chat. Dulcie’s has a long bar to sit at, a beer garden to hang in, a fireplace to warm up next to. All of our menus consider local produce and the atmosphere we aim to create is cosy, fun and comfortable. Think cool grandma crossed with cheeky grandpa vibes.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 5 days ago

I love going to Dulcies when we visit Merimbula the burgers are always good, nice wine lovely atmosphere and the music was very enjoyable

Outback Steakhouse - Wollongong

4.1

4.1 (1008)

$40 and under

American

Wollongong

About the restaurant

We are a contemporary, casual dining steakhouse restaurant beloved worldwide. Currently with 6 restaurants in NSW and 2 in Queensland. We pride ourselves on serving up variety; our unbeatable steak cuts are complemented by delicious choices of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta at a price for everyone. Our strategy? We’re the leader of the pack by emphasizing consistently high quality delicious food delivering a warm, welcoming environment.

Top review

Faith

Dined on May 30, 2025

Our food was amazing, and the vibe even better! Will definitely come again.

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Popular dish

Tomahawk

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