OK, so Sydney might be suffering under the government’s controversial lockout laws – but that doesn’t mean there’s absolutely nowhere to go after midnight on a Friday and Saturday. And to keep the party going, you’re going to need some fuel. Here are seven of the best places for late-night eating in Sydney.
1. Mamak
Mamak is a stalwart for those who enjoy Malaysian food, and the long queues prove it. The menu offers a number of different roti – filled with sweet onions, or enriched with butter – or if you prefer, served with bananas or coconut. The main menu is a list of heady meals: fried chicken, curries and rice dishes.
Drinks vary from hot sweet tea to iced Milo. It’s BYO, so if you fancy a beer to wash down that nasi lemak you can pick up a few on the way there. Assuming it’s before 11pm of course.
2. Frankies Pizza
Frankies is a riot of a dive bar/trattoria combo, serving thin and crispy pizzas until close. You can go for a whole, or grab a slice of one of the featured for $6. There’s a great beer list and live entertainment most nights. If you get bored you can always play on one of their pinball machines.
Frankies is open until 3am seven nights a week.
3. Golden Century (pictured above)
GCs is a go-to for after hours eats for industry types, and is famed for its salt-and-pepper squid and live seafood. It’s still one of the busiest Chinese restaurants in Sydney and offers an impressive drinks list: 39 pages, and wines by the bottle from $40 to $30,000.
Golden Century is open until 4am seven nights a week.
4. Big Poppa’s
Big Poppa’s holds a cosy and intimate dining space upstairs at ground level, or head downstairs to the bar. The food can be ordered until 2:30am. A limited menu is available downstairs, while upstairs diners can truly stuff themselves. The lamb ragu is a firm favourite, served with hand-cut parpedelle.
Big Poppa’s is open until 3am seven nights a week.
5. Mr. Crackles
This famed little nook on Oxford Street serves slow-cooked pork belly and roast lamb shoulder in a variety of ways – stuffed into bread or with salad – and they’ve earned a name for how tasty they are. There are also hot dogs and vego options, but it’s the thought of their pork crackling served in cups or whole sheets that makes our tummies rumble.
Mr Crackles is open until 1:30am on Thursdays and 4:30am on both Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Thirsty Bird
Thirsty Bird’s brined, buttermilk fried chicken can come in original or hot and spicy flavours. Sides include mac and cheese, mash and gravy or mixed pickles. There are plenty of options for sauce and if chicken-by-the-piece doesn’t pluck your feathers, you can grab one of their chicken burgers.
Thirsty Bird serves until 1:30am on Fridays and 3am on Saturdays.
7. Sydney Madang
If you feel like a laidback vibe, with Korean BBQ and a decent bar list, this is the place to go. There is also a BYO option if you’d rather. The at-table BBQ is a great idea if you are with a bunch of friends; everyone generally can be catered for.
Sydney Madang is open till 2am seven nights a week.
