Recommend Me a Good Restaurant for My Birthday (Sydney)

Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 13:40
Last edited 17/03/2023 - 20:07

I am not interested in having a party, blowing a cake or inviting people, I just want a quiet and happy birthday with my small family of 3 (me, wife and a teenage boy).

I am thinking of treating them to a nice restaurant (anywhere in Sydney) with budget of $100-$150 per head (no alcohol, weekend lunch). Somehow it is ridiculous wanting to spend this much for a meal, but also somehow it is just one-off event that I don't normally do every day and just want a good memory for family.

Dietary criteria should include seafood for my wife who doesn't eat red meat but other than that we will be all good.

NB: last year we went to Kickin'Inn restaurant in Bankstown after seeing it on Instagram that a large bag of cooked seafoods was poured down on a dining table and people eating with their bare hands (or gloves on). Good experience but taste was so so.

Food & Grocery Restaurant

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 12/03/2023 - 13:54

    $100 ph doesn't get much these days in nice restaurants.

    I guess you'll save on alcohol with the teenager.

  • Huck on 12/03/2023 - 14:38
    +1

    https://www.kindredrestaurant.com.au/
    A nice restaurant that's not too fancy, with the emphasis on enjoying quality food, rates 4.8 from 756 google reviews.

    • Logortz on 12/03/2023 - 19:27
      +1

      2nd Kindred. Been plenty of times and never disappoints. Great food, great service and a very reasonable price point for the Chef's menu.

  • AustriaBargain on 12/03/2023 - 16:10
    -1

    What about one of those Korean places where you cook the meat yourself on the hotplate in the middle of the table. Also why no alcohol? Treat yourself to a taxi and have a drink or four. It's good for teenagers to see what their parents are like drunk.

  • freefall101 on 12/03/2023 - 16:14

    Last time I spent a reasonable amount of time eating in Sydney I had a $200 a day meal allowance (which didn't need to include lunch) so we went a bit bananas on food, but the place I enjoyed the most was actually Brazas. Endless meat, nice atmosphere, was pretty good food for the price ($70 unlimited food means it's never going to be mind blowing, but the bbq pineapple was great).

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 16:51

      Interesting but it looks mainly for red meats.

  • sam-1966 on 12/03/2023 - 16:41

    Go to the fish markets and lash out on seafood - some of the stores sell prepared lobster, crab and oyster meals to cook at home. Have fun there and at home getting your hands wet peeling the prawns, crabs etc.

    And you can get a couple of nice bottles for the adults!

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 16:54

      Haven’t been there for ages. Isn’t it going through some renovations lately? In my vague memory it was like market eateries and very crowed.

      • sam-1966 on 12/03/2023 - 17:34

        Has been a while since I've been there, but I thought it had plenty of options for purchasing fresh seafood as well as the prepared stuff.

        We were staying in Sydney at the time and were upset that we didn't have kitchen facilities in our hotel room as the prepared stuff look so good.

        And there were quite a few people on the light rail taking cooler bags to and from, so not dining in.

        Do a recce and check it out before the big day. They are also open on days other than Saturdays.

  • foxmulder on 12/03/2023 - 16:56
    -2

    Pancake on the Rocks.

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 17:01

      We like that but have had a few times including in Rocks, Beverley hills and near Wenty.

  • Ryk on 12/03/2023 - 16:57

    Tetsuya's
    Rockpool

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 17:04

      8 Course Degustation $295pp

      That’s too much.

    • thrillhouse on 13/03/2023 - 07:40
      +2

      Tetsuya’s is closing and I’m pretty sure completely booked out.

      • kiitos on 13/03/2023 - 08:13

        I didn't know that, went there years ago and it was definitely one of the best meals I've ever had.

        • spc12go on 14/03/2023 - 19:32
          +1

          They have to move to a new location. Will be closed temporarily not permanently. Info is on their website.

  • Ryk on 12/03/2023 - 17:08
    +5

    Catalina, Rose Bay
    Flying Fish, Pyrmont
    Garfish, Manly
    Pilu at Freshwater
    Beachhouse, Balmoral
    Bar Totti, on George St
    Huberts, Bligh St

    • Gunnar on 12/03/2023 - 19:11
      +2

      This is probably the only post on here which has recommendations for special occasion restaurants. The others are nice food but not somewhere to go for a nice occasion

      To add to this list I’d second the Rockpool recommendation and also add in 6 Head. The latter is more meat driven but check the menu there are a few options.

      Benelong is also excellent but may be a bit more than the budget

      Your saving is no alcohol

      I used to know restaurants really well in Sydney but these days I’m more cheap and cheerful than the pricier options (I’ve also learnt to cook the stuff I really love and put together a great wine bar)

  • ozbargainsam on 12/03/2023 - 17:19
    +1

    Botswana butchery. Don't let the name fool you, it's got a good selection of seafood.

  • MrThing on 12/03/2023 - 17:44

    $100 per head… your local pub

    but yer sorry being serious now……..din tai fung at Sydney world square is one of my favorites

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 21:15

      Have tried. Not my taste.

  • Luminary on 12/03/2023 - 18:17

    Kobe Wagyu. AYCE where the meat and fish is actually good.

    • Unacceptable on 12/03/2023 - 21:17

      Interesting. Didn’t know there’s sushi buffet in CBD.

  • foxmulder on 12/03/2023 - 18:26
    -1

    I had OZ Hotpot in Chatswood and they were great. You have your own soup bowl of your choice and you can take anything you want to put in the bowl to boil, pretty fun. Per head is around $40-$45. Since then I have hotpots at home most of the time as it's not that hard to do it at home. There are plenty other hotpots around Sydney, just read review.

  • Sweet3st on 12/03/2023 - 21:07

    It's not fine dining, and maybe not special enough for what you want, but have you tried the Meat & Wine Co? The Parramatta branch is very nice, with views of the river. Simple dishes, but great quality produce and so well cooked. Very kid friendly too. Nice decor and service.

  • Peter Enis on 12/03/2023 - 22:27

    Fish At The Rocks? Haven't been there myself but heard good things.

    • kiitos on 13/03/2023 - 08:11

      Haven't been there for years but remember it being good.

  • spc12go on 13/03/2023 - 00:16

    https://komatsu-japanese-restaurant.business.site/

    Omakase menu $200 p.p

  • thrillhouse on 13/03/2023 - 07:53
    +4

    Saké (Japanese)
    Cirrus (Seafood)
    Sagra (Italian)
    Sixpenny (Modern Australian, though in Stanmore)
    Bistrot 916 (French)
    AALIA (Arabian cuisines)
    Paski Vineria Popolare (Italian, wine bar)
    Bar Vincent (Italian)
    Sang (Korean)
    Ester (Modern Australian)
    Ursula’s (French / Seafood)
    Cho Cho San (Japanese)
    Ezra (Israeli)
    Spice I Am (Thai)
    10 William Street (Italian, wine bar)
    Ragazzi (Italian)

    All will be closer to $150 pp, but doable without drinks. Much better than some of the suggestions here, like Pancake on the rocks (seriously?). Sorry.

    Enjoy!

    • kiitos on 13/03/2023 - 08:17
      +2

      Ester is great.

  • Hugh G Rection on 13/03/2023 - 07:56

    you can't ever go wrong with macca's mate

  • turbochris on 13/03/2023 - 08:15

    https://cafesydney.com/home

  • kiitos on 13/03/2023 - 08:15

    If you could push a bit more, Aria has four courses for $200 ph. I went there years ago and had a Degustation, expensive but was amazing.

  • Sinnerator on 13/03/2023 - 08:19

    I was going to suggest HOOTERS but that would be <insertyourusername>

  • Silly-sausage88 on 13/03/2023 - 08:53

    How about somewhere along Darling Harbour, Barangaroo or King St Wharf?

    Otherwise maybe a ferry trip to Watsons Bay with lunch at Doyles (the proper one not the takeaway one) and a walk 😁

  • cupcake on 13/03/2023 - 09:50

    Nobu.

  • afah0447 on 13/03/2023 - 11:49

    Una's (Darlo) - Austrian/German

  • Lastchancetosee on 13/03/2023 - 14:37

    Doyles at Watsons Bay. Haven’t been there for a while, but excellent seafood and views. Need to book ahead.

  • bodri on 13/03/2023 - 14:42

    Another option on the George's River is the Lugarno Seafood Restaurant. They specialise in seafood and also have beef or lamb on the menu. Ask for a table overlooking the river. Easy for $100 pp without alcohol.

  • cupcake on 15/03/2023 - 10:27

    I just remembered Kitchens on Kent which is at Millers Point.
    It has a lovely buffet lunch which includes seafood.
    All you can drink bubble tea station too.
    It's $148pp.

  • anfs on 17/03/2023 - 15:38

    Wonder where did the OP end up choosing? Personally was thinking Epicurean is pretty good. Thought the variety was better than Kitchens on Kent

    • Unacceptable on 17/03/2023 - 18:21

      Haven't decided still, so many options on the table. I'm afraid we might end up with KFC wings on hot and lazy Saturday noon tomorrow.

      • foxmulder on 17/03/2023 - 18:25

        Happy birthday!

      • kerfuffle on 17/03/2023 - 19:30
        +1

        Just go Cirrus. Seafood based so wife will be happy, nice location, good service

        • thrillhouse on 18/03/2023 - 10:13

          Second Cirrus, but I'm afraid that OP may have left this too late.
          Anything good is likely booked out.

  • Unacceptable on 17/03/2023 - 22:06

    Ok, I’ve mentioned the recommendations to the family and still undecided.
    So I’m going to pick what I want. I love bbq pork ribs. Any restaurant for the best pork ribs?

    I’ve been to Outback streak, Hurricane grills, pancakes on the rocks and other Italian restaurants. I remember Pancakes on the rock in circular quay was the best (2012) but on a hot day like tomorrow I don’t want to go to city and stand in a queue.

    • lostgoat on 17/03/2023 - 22:12
      +1

      Pancakes on the Rock was the best . I'd seriously take advise from someone with decent taste buds and knowledge on this thread hehe . I can't believe people line up to that place.

      • Unacceptable on 17/03/2023 - 22:22
        -1

        Been there a few times since mid 2000s and people always lined up there for dinner.

        • thrillhouse on 18/03/2023 - 10:13

          The culinary world has progress a lot since the mid-2000's my friend. Sydney has some of the best food in the world, and Pancakes on the Rocks ain't it.

    • thrillhouse on 18/03/2023 - 10:11
      -1

      I'm sorry but Pancakes on the Rocks, and all of those others you've shared are absolute garbage-tier. Treat yourself better; it's your birthday.
      If you're into meat, then give Firedoor a look. Getting a reservation one day in advance might be difficult, though.

    • anfs on 19/03/2023 - 22:10
      +1

      Hi mate. Hope you had a good birthday lunch! I know it's too late, so maybe for future reference. I found the meat at the Zungle in Parramatta really good (I tried the King Kong Rib) and the below review says the pork ribs are really good as well

      https://www.notquitenigella.com/2023/01/24/the-zungle-parram…

  • emmabravo on 20/03/2023 - 21:08

    There's a lot of choice in Sydney, although you will need to book early! A couple that come to mind…

    China Doll, Woolloomooloo
    Sake. The Rocks
    Mr Wong, CBD (love this place!)
    Café Sydney, CBD

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