Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in New South Wales

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Byng Street Nights

4.9

4.9 (68)

$40 and under

Australian

Orange

About the restaurant

We are delighted to announce that Byng Street Nights are back. We’re setting the perfect mood and it’s your invitation to unwind and embrace the good vibes.

We are open Wednesday to Saturday, featuring a fresh menu each week to tantalise your taste buds. Don’t miss out—secure your reservation from 5:30pm onwards.

Top review

Gemma

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food and wine. Great service as well, highly recommend.

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Experience

Byng Street’s Winter Table

Bonito Peruvian Eatery

4.9

4.9 (192)

$41 to $100

Peruvian

Wollongbar

About the restaurant

Bonito brings together the many flavours of Peruvian cuisine and combines them with fresh, local ingredients. Never tried Peruvian food? Keep reading.
Peruvian cuisine harmoniously weaves together flavours from various corners of the globe. Influenced by its rich history and cultural diversity, the culinary tapestry of Peru reflects flavours from Spain, Italy, Japan, China and beyond. Peru’s unique landscape consists of an expansive Pacific coastline, the Andean mountains and the Amazon rainforest – providing access to vibrant and diverse ingredients – varieties of potato, corn, seafood, chilli, fruits and grains are used extensively in Peruvian cooking. Fish ceviche and lomo saltado are two of our classic dishes, come give it a try!

Top review

Russ

Dined 6 days ago

Food was excellent. Service couldn’t have been better. It was the 2nd birthday for the restaurant and therefore very busy but the staff coped extremely well.

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 on Jun 7, 2025

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

Sapori at Tailors

4.8

4.8 (28)

$41 to $100

Italian

Islington

About the restaurant

CIAO !! Fabrizio and Francesca here! We are husband and wife who arrived here in NEWY almost 6 years ago from Rome and we are excited to bring you a taste of Italy and share our typical culinary traditions with Newcastle.

SAPORI means “flavours” in English and perfectly represents what we want to bring to Newcastle - authentic and traditional Italian flavours from our homeland in Italy.

As Italians, quality food is in our blood. SAPORI AT TAILORS offers traditional Roman Pizza, homemade Pasta, Desserts, and Gelato. We prepare every dish daily from scratch, using traditional recipes and adding a bit of love into everything we do. We’ve hand-picked the best ingredients from local, authentic producers and imported goods from Italy so we can guarantee high-quality food to give you a real Italian experience here in Newcastle.

On our Menu, you can find Pizzas divided into Le Rosse pizzas and Le Bianche , as well as starter plates, pasta and of course, Italian desserts

Top review

Frances

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

The owners and staff are always pleasant, welcoming, patient and helpful

South Sailor

4.7

4.7 (1193)

$41 to $100

Seafood

Thirroul

About the restaurant

With a love for casual, fresh seafood, South Sailor offers lunch, dinner and a wine & cocktail we just know you'll love! Just 150 metres from Thirroul Beach, South Sailor is a fitting spot to settle back after a day on the sand and surf.

Expect to find a contemporary seafood focussed menu with the very best that the South Coast and Australia has to offer. The menu is a combination of classic chip-shop fare and more worldly seafood flavours with an in-house Sushi & Poké Bar. The kitchen, lead by Executive Chef Graham Ette, prepares delicious seafood plates cooked to order, designed to share.

With indoor & outdoor seating, a licensed bar and kids beach cubby, gather the family for a relaxed weekend lunch or head in with friends for an evening of drinks and a shared feast. South Sailor is the perfect locale for those wanting to enjoy the Coal Coast vibe and warm welcome.

Top review

Ashleigh

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Beautiful little restaurant. Friendly service, amazing food!!

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Popular dish

Baja Fish Tacos

Popular dish

South Sailor Fish Tacos

Experience

South Sailor FEED ME menu

Thai Payu Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (23)

$40 and under

Thai

Yamba

About the restaurant

Welcome to Thai Payu Restaurant, where friendly service and great Thai food combine as the most pleasurable Thai food experience in Yamba

Top review

Grahame

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

The food here is sooo good fresh authentic Thai food try the Massamam Beef curry it’s unbelievable Party of 12 of us food was excellent and great value

Duck in Heaven

4.6

4.6 (100)

$41 to $100

Asian

Thirroul

About the restaurant

Cooking up delectable, mouth watering morsels of Char Siu pork & BBQ duck. Think Peking duck pancakes and pork bao. Fresh. Simple. Satisfying & Fun.

Top review

Michael

Dined 2 days ago

My new favourite restaurant! Service, food & vibe fantastic. Best in Thirroul by a long shot!

Lagune Artisan

4.5

4.5 (91)

$40 and under

Italian

Wamberal

About the restaurant

We are excited to announce our second Lagune venue is now open.

Lagune Artisan is our new sit-down restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and soon to follow for dinner. Experience delicious freshly baked focaccia sandwiches, vibrant salads, authentic in house made pastas, and our signature woodfire pizzas. Also featuring coffee, craft beer on tap and a selection of local and Italian wines.

Our intentions remain the same – Italian inspired cuisine infused with artisan passion and woodfire flavors. All crafted with care and made with local quality produce and authentic Italian ingredients. Simple.

Whether you're joining us for a mid-morning feast, a leisurely lunch, or a satisfying take-away pizza – we’ve got you covered.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Yet again delicious food. This place never disappoints. Pizza, Arancini balls, schnitzel, mozzarella sticks, it’s all great. Not to mention some very nice wines too !

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Experience

Lunch Set Menu

Don Pedros Umina Beach

4.4

4.4 (81)

$40 and under

Mexican

Umina Beach

About the restaurant

If you like your margs spicy, your music loud & tacos with a crowd, Don Pedro's is the place to be! We bring the vibes, food and keep the drinks flowing all night long. With three venues across Sydney and Byron, rest assured we have you covered for your celebrations. With set menus are available, we’re perfect for any function and venue hire needs.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food and service. Very happy with the gluten free options.

Plough & Ale

4.3

4.3 (21)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Albion Park

About the restaurant

Connecting local village-style charm with a stylish and cultural feel, the Plough & Ale Inn is a reflection of the area's history combined with an infectious modern outlook for our bright new suburb.

Our menu pays homage to the history of the local surrounds, with top quality steaks and handsome feeds a signature.

Top review

Amy

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Great service. Food is always amazing! Staff were all very friendly and service was prompt. Our booking got misplaced however still able to accomodate my group with no problems. becoming a favourite dining out location for me and my family.

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Experience

Trivia

Experience

How I Met Your Mother Trivia

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