Living Like Sydneysiders

I'm back in chilly Canada, braving the winter while basking in the memories of the warm weather in Australia. Hubby and I stayed in Sydney for about five days, and quickly fell into a routine of exploring the city's beautiful beaches by day, and trying out delicious restaurants at night. It can be difficult to sort of the dining gems from tourist traps in the downtown core and the popular tourist areas, so we ventured outside of the city centre and had some unforgettable dining experiences in neighbourhoods like Surrey Hills, Potts Point, Darlinghurst and King's Cross. During the day we worked off our meals with workouts at the King's Cross Fitness First, which has great views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and walks along the water like the popular stroll from Bondi to Coogee Beach. Here are some snaps of my favourite spots in Sydney...

Onde

On a quiet sidestreet in the Darlinghurst neighbourhood is Onde, a small, simply decorated restaurant with a delicious seasonal menu. A trend I noticed at a few of the restaurants we visited was the use of blackboards to display ever-changing menus. Onde was no exception. I munched on a pear, walnut, blue cheese and arugula salad, while Hubby went for the steak frites - to die for. 

Fratelli Paradiso & Lotus Bistro

On Challis Avenue, a leafy side street in Pott's Point, you'll find a number of wonderful cafes, restaurants and bars. We sat down to a fantastic dinner and wine at Fratelli Paradiso, followed by expertly mixed cocktails at the trendy Lotus Bistro.

Another chalkboard menu at Fratelli Paradiso

Delicious wine at Fratelli Paradiso

The bar at Lotus Bistro

Cozy tables at Lotus Bistro


Almond

On our last night in Sydney we moseyed down Darlinghurst Road in search of somewhere a little bit different to eat. We were pleased to stumble upon Almond, a tiny restaurant specializing in Syrian "Mezze" - small plates. The place was packed and we squeezed up to the bar where we enjoyed a number of delicious dishes including dips and pita, salty grilled Halloumi cheese, and a dish inspired by the chef's favourite childhood meal - chicken with rice, grilled eggplant, almond and yogurt.

Sydney's beaches were so gorgeous, we almost forgot we were minutes from the city. Below, the view of Bronte Beach from the Bondi to Coogee trail; and slightly out of town Palm Beach, a favourite for locals.

Well Birdies, it's time to get back to normal life again. I hope I can hang onto the Sydney sunshine for the rest of the winter!