5 Best Restaurants in Sydney CBD (Walk From Martin Place)
4 min
Work requires lunch out with clients regularly. Most times I go to a tried and true list of close by good but nothing special places. But it is good to have a list of places to go with your “better friends” that are a bit special.
My criteria to select this list was:
- In CBD itself—not CBD adjacent, which is usually to far, complicated for work lunch
- Able to book at short notice
- Good food, nice space, good service.
- Well priced—more than cheap and cheerful, less than, “nice but expensive” and
- There is something memorable about it.
1. Monopole
Light and airy space under Australia Square. Great food, big and interesting wine list, happy patrons, helpful staff. All good.
Menu is a treat—all sorts of things you have had before—but presented in a new and delicious way. We think we are too cool to take pictures of the food—but an exception should be made here as it looks as good as it tastes.
Address
Interior
Interior design reflects the menu’s marriage of traditional and modern. Large white light fixtures, blond-oak tables and chairs, while bespoke brass and Perspex mobiles hang overhead.
Perfect for a sunny day—classy place to feel good.
2. Mercado
Mercado offers a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, with Spanish cuisine being a particular focus.
While there are plenty of yum vegetables to eat here, the meat courses really shine. Mercado works with small farmers, growers and producers, sourcing finest ingredients, so the menu changes with the best that is available on the day.
Address
4 Ash St, Sydney
Interior
A bit dark and hidden, perfect for what might be a long lunch.
3. Papillon
Excellent small French restaurant with wonderful food. The menu is what you expect for French restaurant. The menu is listed online. They will have a number of specials too and are always worth a look.
The wine list is limited, there are excellent their wines by the glass. There should be something to suit all tastes (provided you like French food). Room is small so booking needed. Atmosphere is good and the staff are attentive. A great venue for lunch with friends.
Address
Interior
Small room but always lively with a great atmosphere.
4. Tapavino
Located near Circular Quay, Tapavino is a Spanish tapas place split into two levels. Upstairs will be for those who thought ahead and made a booking in advance, while the ground floor, the bar and the outside seating has ample seating for the less organised walk-ins.
Big long list of tapas. Some mainstays, some unexpected, usually lots of specials. Lots of new things to try or stick to your favourites. You can’t really go wrong. Excellent food and wine, excellent atmosphere, squashy upstairs a bit loud, good fun for lunch or dinner.
Address
6-8 Bulletin Place Sydney
Interior
Two levels with great atmosphere. Upstairs will require a booking and the downstairs is a more casual bar and outdoor seating experience.
5. Ragazzi
Ragazzi is a small Italian café in Angel Place back alley.
This one breaks rule of easy to book—but if you are a planner a lunch here is well worth the advance effort.
Scott Williams who heads up the kitchen is a gifted pasta-crafter . Pasta specials on the day are terrific. The regular food and drink on menu have never failed to please. Relaxed and casual lunch.
Ragazzi’s menu is not extensive, a few starters, six or so pastas, two – three bigger protein-led dishes, salads or greens followed by desserts and cheese.
Address
Shop 3 2-12 Angel Place Sydney
Interior
Small Italian café in the back alley of Angel Place. Ragazzi is not a tablecloth fancy service place. Pre-Covid it was a bit snuggly but now it is spaced out as required. Making booking a bit harder. Ragazzi has a large table that works well for a small group.
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2 min
Sydney’s Cockatoo Island became the epicenter of luxury motoring as the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance returned for its seventh edition from February 28 to March 2.
This year’s event showcased an extraordinary lineup of over 70 rare and prestigious vehicles from 1905 to 2025 in Australia’s most exclusive celebration of automotive craftsmanship.
Against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, attendees were treated to a world-class display of automotive excellence, from pre-war classics to modern hypercars and groundbreaking electric innovations.
A Weekend of Automotive Excellence
The “Magnificent 7” theme honoured the most celebrated vehicles in motoring history. Among the standout displays were a 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS and a 1967 Lamborghini Miura, two of the most revered icons of automotive design.
Magneto Magazine noted the diversity of the showcase, which included curated classes such as “100 Years of the French Revolution” and “Icons,” while Exhaust Notes Australia reported that more than 75 vintage, classic, and high-performance vehicles, motorcycles, and sustainable energy were exhibited throughout the weekend.
The event unfolded across three distinctive showcase days:
- Le Classique (Friday): A tribute to vintage and pre-war motoring masterpieces.
- Super Saturday: A celebration of modern supercars and performance legends.
- Sunday Électronique: A look toward the future of motoring, featuring electric hypercars and sustainable luxury innovations.
Beyond the automobiles, guests indulged in private viewings, gourmet dining, and immersive brand experiences, cementing the Concours as a benchmark event in the global luxury automotive calendar.
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For those seeking the ultimate luxury experience, the Citizen Kanebridge Lounge offered an unparalleled retreat within the event.
The lounge, reserved for VIP guests, provided a sophisticated escape with private hospitality, fine dining, and curated wines and spirits tastings.
Special talks from industry experts, car designers, and collectors were held throughout the weekend, offering an insider’s perspective on the future of luxury motoring.
The Rolls-Royce Spectre Steals the Show
Among the many highlights, one vehicle commanded particular attention: the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre, the marque’s first fully electric luxury coupé.
Crowned Robb Report’s Car of the Year, the Spectre was hailed as a defining moment in automotive history.
Horacio Silva, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, presented the award to Juliana Tan of Rolls-Royce (pictured). The award recognised the Spectre’s seamless fusion of heritage and cutting-edge technology.
Described as “a masterpiece of modern engineering and timeless craftsmanship”, the Spectre represents a bold new era for Rolls-Royce — and, as some judges claimed, could be the finest EV ever made.
Sydney’s Signature Automotive Event
As the motoring world moves toward an electrified future, the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance continues to strike a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
With over 70 of the world’s most extraordinary vehicles, from pre-war classics to the latest in sustainable luxury, the 2025 event reaffirmed its place as a global leader in celebrating automotive excellence.
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