Darlo dining does it right, with options from a casual long lunch to the ultimate date night.

Cave à manger (French translation: part-wine shop, part-restaurant), Black Bottle dishes up modern French bistro cuisine, curated wines and classic cocktails. Small plates featuring cured meats, artisan cheeses and the freshest seafood come in abundance, and of course, wine galore! Cocktails and coffee are also on offer to keep the night going. 

Shop 2, 118-116 Darlinghurst Rd
Wednesday - Thursday 5.30pm - 11pm 
Friday - Saturday 5pm - 11pm 

bills’ Darlinghurst is where Bill Granger’s food legacy all began, and it is still the yardstick by which other cafes are measured. Go for all day breakfast faves like THE ricotta hotcakes or scrambled eggs, accompanied by a Bloody Mary or two, or stay for a long lunch with local wines. The sun-drenched corner cafe is not only popular for its dishes, its buzzy and vibrant atmosphere is a haven for locals and travellers to gather for a genuine, tasty and relaxed approach to food - and it’s well worth the queue!

433 Liverpool St
Open every day 7.30am - 3pm

A restaurant who’s main character is a Pecorina Romano cheese wheel (imported monthly from Sardinia), Buffalo Dining Club is a cheese lover’s dream - it’s all in the name. The dishes are all created around the cheese wheel or imported mozzarella: think pastas, cured meats and their famous buffalo milk gelato. Sit at the communal table downstairs, venture upstairs or out the front for ambiance - it’s always bustling and smelling amazing!

116 Surrey St
Wednesday - Thursday 5pm - 10pm 
Friday - Saturday 5pm - 10pm

Housed in a former laundromat building Darbury is a coffee and sandwich bar by day, wine and cocktail bar by night (Thursday - Sundays only). With indoor and outdoor seating, a semi industrial vibe, and situated on a leafy street corner, this small cafe ticks all the boxes - unmissable for a casual outdoor brunch or wine and snacks in the sun. 

1/249 Darlinghurst Rd
Open everyday 7am - 2.30pm
Thurs - Sunday 4pm - 6pm

Commanding the corner opposite Green Park, Darlo Deli is a go-to for a healthy and fresh lunch. Specialising in sandwiches, both for brekkie and for lunch, it’s the quality ingredients that make all the difference - ham off the bone, pastrami, roast turkey, falafel all with fresh salad. Darlo Deli is always bustling with a hungry crowd, all waiting for their lunch-time fix!

277 Victoria St
Monday - Friday 6.30am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 3pm

Sydney’s most salacious supper club, The Emerald Room, showcases late night cabaret, cocktails and showgirls right in the heart of Darlinghurst. With a restaurant, cocktail bar and performance space hosting live music, cabaret, burlesque and more, The Emerald room is THE glamorous late night attraction. Go for a full dinner and show experience, or pop in after 10pm for a nightcap, nibbles and live music. 

Level 1/235 Victoria St
Dinner 5.30pm - 10pm 
Late drinks 10pm - 2am

Sequel to the by-the-gram pasta shop in the CBD, Darlinghurst’s Fabbrica Pasta Bar has all their handmade pasta favourites. With a groovy dining room and cool soundtrack, Fabbrica is spread over two levels, seats 80 and includes a communal table up front, letting you bond over the deliciousness. The menu rotates with the seasons, obviously with a huge focus on the pasta itself, and with Australian and Italian organic wines to complement. 

348 Victoria St
Wednesday - Thursday 5pm - 10pm 
Friday - Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm

Bringing the South of Italy to Darlinghust, Fortuna is a casual dining trattoria and pizzeria that also hosts fabulous events to bring the community together. From all-you-can-eat Pizza Fridays to bottomless Karaoke, Fortuna shows off its famous pizza’s in a multitude of ways - with a few glasses of Aperol Spritz on the side!

Shop 1, 247 Victoria St
Wednesday - Thursday 5pm - 9pm
Friday - Saturday 12pm - 9.30pm
Sunday 12pm - 8.30pm

A modern and minimalist take on the traditional Japanese izakaya, Gaku Robata Grill brings quality ramen, sushi and charcoal grilled goodness to Darlinghurst. Pull up a stool overlooking the grill and watch the chefs do their thing - accompanied by a whisky, sochu, beer or sake of course! Leave room for dessert: Goku serves up homemade ice-cream that pairs well with traditional tea. 

2/132 Darlinghurst Rd
Lunch every day 12pm - 2pm 
Dinner Wednesday - Sunday 6pm - 11pm

Darlinghurst is home to the very first Messina, they now boast a myriad of stores across the country slinging their famous unique gelato. Whilst Messina grew up with 35 permanent flavours, which are all well-loved and famous in their own right, it’s their weekly specials that really changed the game. A new flavour is released every week (for a week only!) and blurs the lines between gelato and dessert with weird and wonderful combinations - and all ingrediants are made by chefs at Messina HQ!

Shop 1, 241 Victoria St
Monday - Thursday 12pm - 10.30pm
Friday - Sunday 12pm - 11pm

Blending Southern Italian cuisine and creative cocktails, Gino’s is a place for the whole family. Combining their passion and experience, Gino and Giovanni create an authentic Italian experience right on Victoria St, complete with alfresco dining, cocktail classes and bottomless brunches. Serving only the tastiest classics: antipasti, pastas, pizzas and an assortment of traditional Italian mains, Gino’s focuses on the good food so you can focus on the great times. 

235 Victoria St
Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 12am 
Sunday 12pm - 10pm

The ultimate date night destination, Govindas serves up dinner AND a movie. Grab dinner in the main restaurant, Govindas pays homage to India’s culinary diversity with their vegetarian buffet. Then relax on the huge cushions (Sydney’s most comfortable cinema seats) and enjoy a film. Govindas also holds meditation sessions on Thursday and Sunday nights if that is more your style of relaxation. 

112 Darlinghurst Rd
Thursday - Sunday 5.30pm - 9.45pm

With a modern approach to authentic Brazilian cuisine, Kitanda also explores Indigenous, African and European influences in their dishes, as well as more traditional South American eats. Kitanda does tapas well - serving up bites, skewers, croquettes and more substantial meals that focus on expertly cooked meats and seafood. Dine alfresco in the sun, grab a specialty Brazilian lager or a classic cocktail and enjoy the live music every weekend from 4.30pm.

261 Victoria St
Wednesday - Friday 5pm - 9pm
Saturday 1pm - 9.30pm
Sunday 1pm - 7pm

A little hole in the wall on Victoria St, Little Bishop serves up tasty coffee, snacks and brekkie - all with a friendly smile. A staple of the Darlo neighbourhood, Little Bishop has cemented itself in the community, boasting a passion for everything coffee! The team sources beans from all over the world, showcasing various blends or single origins on a rotating roster - be sure to check out what’s roasting this week!

269 Victoria St
Monday - Friday 6am - 4pm

Local Darlo favourite since 2003, Malabar dishes up aromatic South Indian cuisine with a modern dining experience. The menu showcases a selection of traditional dishes and some with more of a modern twist, or grab the full banquet menu to try it all! Encased in glass on the corner of Victoria St, Malabar looks out onto Darlo and Kings Cross - the perfect dinner spot to watch the world go by. 

Shop 1, 274 Victoria St, 
Wednesday - Sunday 12pm - 2.15pm, 5.30pm - 9.45pm

Darlinghurst’s smallest izakaya, Nomidokoro Indigo, features 11 counterside seats, a four person standing bar and a few outside tables. However tiny, it’s warm and vibrant, and the dishes are somehow unique and familiar at the same time - encompassing everything from seafood specials to many deep-fried options. With Nomidokoro translating to ‘drinking place’ it’s no surprise the sake is the star here - ask for the best pairing with your dishes. 

393 Liverpool St
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 5pm - 10pm 
Friday - Saturday 5pm - 10.30pm

A little corner store in Darlinghurst, Perfect Day Deli serves up fresh Korean street food, as well as handmade sandwiches - with your choice of filling. With so many options, and great value for money, Perfect Day Deli really is the perfect stop for a delicious quick lunch.

302-304 Liverpool St
Open everyday 7.30am - 5pm

Reimagining the kobini sando (a Tokyo convenience store classic), Punpun serves up fresh sandwiches for the people of Darlinghurst. Encased in shokupan (milk bread) fillings include options like sesame fried chicken katsu, steamed egg and chive mayo or a smashed beef patty - there is a reason they have called themselves the ‘Inner City Sando Committee’. 

249 Victoria St
Wednesday - Sunday 8am - 4pm

Finding authentic fish and chips is no easy feat these days, enter: Sea Cow - proudly serving up fish and chips just as they were intended, right in the heart of Darlo. Known for their love of chips with vinegar (and you’ll find vinegar bottles on the table of course), Sea Cow are also BYO, making it a family fave for the perfect summer weekend long-lunch. Other classics on the menu include seafood chowder, fish curry and prawn linguine, with multiple starter and side salad options to accompany the usual suspects 

251 Victoria St
Tuesday - Wednesday 5pm - 10pm 
Thursday - Saturday 12pm - 3.30pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 3.30pm, 5pm - 9pm

Starting out as an experiment, Shadow Baking was born from bake-offs between three Messina chefs and has grown into a much loved Darlinghurst breakfast or arvo treat stop. Nostalgic Aussie elements are mixed with French pastry skills to create unique, mouth-watering pastries: the custard danish is a popular one (a reminaged Aussie custard tart), or grab a hot savoury treat (like leek, potato and ricotta tarts) - and there are always new specials to be tried! 

243 Victoria St
Wednesday - Sunday 8am - 2pm

Named after the Tagalog word meaning ‘to crave something delicious’ - Takam definitely delivers. A hybrid concept brought to life by three friends, Takam is all about showcasing Filipino culture and nostalgia through elevated dishes. Also inspired by native Australian produce, Takam mixes the two cultures seamlessly, honouring both. The menu - stacked from snacks to desserts -  features spins on traditional dishes and creative cocktails, all paying homage to Filipino history and flavours. 

324 Victoria St
Wednesday - Thursday 5.30pm - 10pm 
Friday 6pm - 10pm 
Saturday 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm 
Sunday 11.30am - 3pm

A Darlinghurst institution, Tropicana Caffe has been thriving in Kings Cross since the ‘80’s and was the hangout of creatives and artists back in the day. Giving birth to Tropfest (the world’s largest short film festival), the hallowed halls of Tropicana hold a lot of memories - as well as serve up fresh and delicious Italian classics. Whether it’s the famous fresh focaccia sandwiches, rotating pasta specials or salads, Tropicana Caffe is a local favourite for a reason. 

227 Victoria St
Open everyday 5.30am - 9pm

Reminiscent of Mexican, Argentinian and Peruvian cantinas, Tommy’s restaurant transports you straight to South America, with a modern dining twist. Dishing up the goods: tacos, authentic mains, fresh ceviche and an assortment of starters and sides, Tommy’s makes choosing dishes difficult. Can’t decide? Build your own banquet with free-flowing Margaritas for $99pp - perfect for birthdays or no reason at all! Tommy’s also does $5 tacos on Wednesdays, and don’t forget to grab one of their many tequila or mezcal cocktails!

263 Victoria St
Wednesday - Thursday 12pm -10pm 
Friday 12pm - 11pm 
Saturday 11am - 11pm 
Sunday 12pm - 10pm

Bringing Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland to Darlinghurst, Una’s is the local’s choice for a hearty lunch or dinner - and has been since the ‘70’s. Whether it’s schnitzel, goulash or bratwurst, every meal is generously sized (generous might be an understatement!) and served with traditional sides: think gravy and sauerkraut. Be sure to wash it all down with an imported beer or schnapps and some apfelstrudel (apple strudel) - come hungry!

340 Victoria Street
Open every day 10am - 9pm

A modern take on the neighbourhood bar, The Waratah serves up Australiana classics with a twist. Focusing on seasonality, Aussie produce and a connection with growers, The Waratah showcases a menu filled with nostalgia - like the classic lobster roll and potato scallops, with a fairy bread ice-cream sandwich for dessert. Upstairs has the same level of creativity: the cocktail menu highlights quality produce and changes seasonally. 

308-310 Liverpool St
Wednesday - Thursday 4pm - 12am 
Friday - Saturday 12pm - 12am 
Sunday 12pm - 10pm