Sydney Food Trail 2024

Sydney Food Trail 2024

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Sydney Food Trail 2024 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

• Day 1
• Pie Face
• 3 Wise Monkeys Pub
• Grill'd


• Day 2
• The Canopy
• Black Star Pastry
• Winsome World


• Day 3
• The Walrus Cafe
• Harry's Cafe De Wheels
• Golden Tower

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Day 1
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Pie Face
@ 56 Clarence Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7am – 8:30pm, Closed Sat & Sun
https://pieface.com.au/


Stopped by Pie Face out of nostalgia. Founded by Wayne Homschek in 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Pie Face was acquired by United Petroleum in April 2017. These days, most outlets operate as takeaway kiosks with minimal seating.

Ambience at Pie Face is simple and straightforward. The display is clear and bright, and the cheery signage attracts. Service at Pie Face is friendly and efficient, with staff quickly packing and serving orders. Food at Pie Face is Australian cuisine, focused on light bites and snacks, particularly pies, sausage rolls, and coffee. Quality is passably edible. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are relatively affordable, budget about AUD $14 per person.

Pie Face Facade

The Meat Pie Beef (AUD $7.50) or Chunky Beef Steak Pie has a soft pastry pie crust with a mild buttery savoury flavour, generously filled with tender diced beef steak and soft caramelised white onions, completed with a garlic and black pepper gravy. Has a nice meaty savoury salty sweet peppery spice flavour. Overall rather average, but nostalgic.

Meat Pie Beef (AUD $7.50)

Meat Pie Beef

Meat Pie Beef

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3 Wise Monkeys Pub
@ 555 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 4am
https://3wisemonkeys.com.au/


Housed in a heritage Victorian building, the 3 Wise Monkeys Pub has been serving diligently since 2000. Styled like a British English pub, 3 Wise Monkeys Pub offers live music and screening of sports. We decided to stop by for a visit.

Ambience at 3 Wise Monkeys Pub channels a traditional pub vibe. The sturdy wooden furniture and dim lighting lend atmosphere, while the window seats allow you to watch the world go by. Service at 3 Wise Monkeys Pub is a little aloof, with minimal interaction. Staff work quickly in cleaning up and serving orders, and security is polite. The menu has clear descriptions, but there's little opportunity for staff to demonstrate product knowledge. Food at 3 Wise Monkeys Pub is traditional British English pub grub. Taste and quality are slightly above average, while portions are large and hearty. Prices are reasonable, budget about AUD $35 per person.

3 Wise Monkeys Pub Facade

3 Wise Monkeys Pub Menu

Bar

The Fish And Chips (AUD $23) has freshly battered boneless fillets of barramundi fish, golden brown and crisp crunchy outside, flaky moist inside. Has lovely sweet savoury salty flavour. There's a fresh mesclun salad of crisp baby spinach, crunchy red onions, juicy zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crisp chard, dressed with balsamic vinegar, carrying vegetal earthy sour tangy zesty sweet herbal bitter flavour. Completed with fluffy crisp potato chips with starchy salty savoury flavour. Worth ordering!

Fish And Chips (AUD $23)

Fish And Chips

Fish And Chips

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Grill'd
@ 644 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10pm
https://www.grilld.com.au/restaurants/new-south-wales/sydney


Founded by Simon Crowe in 2004, Grill'd is a casual dining restaurant chain specialising in healthy customisable burgers. Made to order with the freshest locally sourced ingredients, Grill'd is a reliable option for delicious and hearty burgers. A go-to place for us for guilt-free burgers.

Ambience at Grill'd is rustic industrial. The dimly lit space is lined with metal and wooden furnishings, bright pops of neon signages casting a colourful illuminating glow. Service at Grill'd is mostly self-service, with ordering and payment performed online. Guests also clean up after themselves. Minimal interaction with staff. Food at Grill'd is American and Australian cuisine, focused on made-to-order burgers using fresh locally sourced ingredients. The burgers are delicious and guilt-free. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about AUD $24 per person.

Grill'd Exterior

Grill'd Interior

The Burger With The Lot (AUD $18.90), also known as The Almighty+ Burger, has 2 fluffy soft sesame seed burger buns with bready sweet flavour. Stacked between in layers, there's crisp cos lettuce and juicy tomato both with vegetal sweet flavour; crisp red onion and soft beetroot both with vegetal earthy herbal flavour; juicy pineapple with fruity sweet flavour; tender juicy grilled minced beef patty with smoky savoury salty meaty flavour; crisp pork back bacon with smoky meaty salty savoury flavour; springy fried free-range chicken egg with eggy sweet flavour; soft cheddar cheese with cheesy salty flavour; and a chunky gherkin relish and herb mayonnaise spread with vegetal milky sour tangy zesty herbal sweet spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Burger With The Lot (AUD $18.90)

Burger With The Lot

Burger With The Lot

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Day 2
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The Canopy
@ 1/157 Liverpool Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7am – 8pm, Sat 8am – 8pm, Sun 8am – 4pm
https://www.thecanopy.com.au/


Established since 2000, The Canopy restaurant on the borders of Hyde Park is a modern Australian restaurant with a relaxing ambience. Known for their coffee, The Canopy is involved in the whole coffee making process, from bean picking to roasting. Locals often stop by in the morning to pick up a cup of coffee.

Ambience at The Canopy is relaxing. The brightly lit space is neatly lined with functional modern furniture, and decorative elements of trees cleverly partition areas. Nice to sit in the al-fresco outdoors and watch the world go by. Service at The Canopy is attentive and efficient. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and display good product knowledge. They check for feedback, and clean up quickly when diners leave. Food at The Canopy is British English and Modern Australian cuisine, with a range of dishes that are prepared simply, allowing the natural ingredients to shine. Fresh and tasty. Portions are medium to large for individuals. Prices are reflective of a typical restaurant, budget about AUD $40 per person.

The Canopy Entrance

The Canopy Facade

The Canopy Menu

The Canopy Menu

The Orange Juice (AUD $Complimentary) is served together with an order of their Aussie Big Brekky, and features freshly squeezed orange juice. Has a nice medium-thick texture with bold fruity sour sweet tangy zesty flavour. Good!

Orange Juice (AUD $Complimentary)

Orange Juice

The Aussie Big Brekky / Scrambled Eggs Breakfast (AUD $35) or Canopy Big Breakfast consists of a medley of grilled or pan-fried ingredients, including crispy pork bacon rashers with smoky meaty salty savoury fatty flavour, tender hashbrowns with starchy salty savoury flavour, bouncy sautéed button mushrooms with vegetal earthy salty savoury flavour, fluffy soft scrambled eggs with milky eggy sweet flavour, juicy tomatoes with vegetal sweet smoky flavour, snappy juicy grilled pork sausage with smoky meaty savoury salty herbal flavour, and crisp sautéed spinach with vegetal sweet salty flavour. Completed with crisp toasted sourdough bread with bready sour sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Aussie Big Brekky / Scrambled Eggs Breakfast (AUD $35)

Aussie Big Brekky / Scrambled Eggs Breakfast

Aussie Big Brekky / Scrambled Eggs Breakfast

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Black Star Pastry
@ Shop 26 Ground Floor, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8am – 6pm, Sat - Sun 9am – 6pm
https://www.blackstarpastry.com/


Founded by pastry chef Christopher Thé in 2008, Black Star Pastry is home to "the world's most instagrammed cake". Indelibly linked with the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, a visit to Black Star Pastry is a culinary pilgrimage of sorts, particularly for dessert aficionados. It certainly was a must-visit for us.

Ambience at Black Star Pastry is eye-catching yet minimalist. The plain walls and counter are offset by a brightly lit display of colourful dessert cakes and pastries, drawing attention even from afar. It's a pure takeaway kiosk here, no seating at all. Service at Black Star Pastry is friendly and knowledgeable, with staff being able to describe each pastry. They pack orders quickly. I like that the packaging is smart too. Food at Black Star Pastry is Modern Australian cuisine, focused on dessert cakes and pastries. Made with fresh ingredients, each piece is a creative work of art, almost too pretty to consume. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are reasonable, budget about AUD $12 per person.

Black Star Pastry Logo

Black Star Pastry Facade

Packaging

The Strawberry Watermelon Cake (AUD $11) features 2 layers of almond dacquoise (almond infused buttercream sandwiched between squares of crushed almond), rose scented cream, and a sliced of watermelon, topped with sliced strawberries, chopped pistachios, and edible dried rose petals. It has a fragrant floral aroma, with creamy soft crisp juicy crunchy firm texture, carrying bright floral fruity milky sweet nutty flavour. Incredibly pretty, and incredibly tasty. Highly recommended!

Strawberry Watermelon Cake (AUD $11)

Strawberry Watermelon Cake

Strawberry Watermelon Cake

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Winsome World
@ Floor 1, Market City Shopping Centre, 9/13 Hay Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 7pm
https://winsomeworld.com.au/


A purveyor of Chinese fast-casual dining, Winsome World is a food court stall offering seasoned fried snacks, grilled barbecue skewers, and malatang, all featuring the same range of fresh ingredients available daily. The eye-catching display caught our attention, so we decided to stop and try Winsome World.

Ambience at Winsome World is modern. The brightly lit storefront features an open display, where fresh ingredients are kept chilled. There's shared seating with the rest of the stalls in this food court. Service at Winsome World is helpful, with staff offering guidance and recommendations. Orders are quickly prepared and packed. Food at Winsome World is Chinese cuisine, focused on grilled or barbecue skewers, and malatang. Diners can pick as many options as they wish, and it's all made to order. Portions are medium to large for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about AUD $22 per person.

Winsome World Facade

Loved the Malatang (AUD $18) here, which has a thin yet punchy soup / broth seasoned with Sichuan / Szechuan mala peppercorns and chili oil, resulting in a bright spicy salty savoury sweet flavour. Nicely warming. There's a good range of ingredients, I selected napa cabbage, Chinese broccoli, pork belly, beef flank, bean curd skin, tofu bean curd, pork sausages, and instant noodles. This had lovely crisp tender chewy soft snappy textures, with vegetal sweet meaty savoury salty grainy earthy spice flavours. Good!

Malatang (AUD $18)

Malatang

Malatang

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Day 3
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The Walrus Cafe
@ Shop 1 Ground Floor, Polding House, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 6am – 3pm, Sat 6am – 2:30pm, Closed Sun
https://www.thewalrus.com.au/


Established since 2017, The Walrus Cafe is a popular oasis within the city. Known for serving up tasty and wholesome plates alongside strong coffee, The Walrus Cafe often boasts a queue out front. Go early and be patient.

Ambience at The Walrus Cafe is bright with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the small al-fresco outdoor dining area. Within, modern furnishings and warm pastel colours are accented by plants. Service at The Walrus Cafe is friendly and non-intrusive, with the energetic staff according each guest good attention. I note they clean up quickly when diners leave, and the queue system is administered in an orderly fashion. Food at The Walrus Cafe is Modern Australian, featuring fresh seasonal ingredients and simple plating. Tasty and appealing. Portions are medium large for individuals, rather filling. Prices are reflective of a typical cafe, budget about AUD $27 per person.

The Walrus Cafe Exterior

The Walrus Cafe Interior

The Walrus Cafe Menu Drinks

The Walrus Cafe Menu Food

The Chai Latte (AUD $5.50) is warm and comforting, thick and semi-creamy in texture with bold sweet spice flavour. The mug option keeps the beverage nice and warm. Good!

Chai Latte (AUD $5.50)

Chai Latte

The Egg Omelette (AUD $20) or Walrus Truffled Mushroom Omelette features fluffy soft egg folded in a closed style, filled with bouncy sautéed mushrooms tossed in truffle oil and creamy brie cheese, stacked over a crisp toasted sourdough bread, and topped with wispy alfalfa sprouts, crunchy deep-fried golden mushrooms, and chunky chimichurri sauce. Bite in, and you get the combined bready sour eggy sweet savoury vegetal earthy salty cheesy herbal minty bitter smoky flavour. Highly recommended!

Egg Omelette (AUD $20)

Egg Omelette

Egg Omelette

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Harry's Cafe De Wheels
@ Kiosk 1, Darling Quarter, 1/25 Harbour Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 6:30pm
https://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/


A iconic pie and hot dog kiosk, Harry's Cafe De Wheels has been faithfully delighting customers since 1936. Founded by Harry "Tiger" Edwards, the original cart of Harry's Cafe De Wheels is now on display in the Sydney Powerhouse Museum. Their illustrious clientele include Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, and Colonel Harland David Sanders (the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken / KFC).

Ambience at Harry's Cafe De Wheels is rustic. While they're no longer in their iconic stand outside the Capitol Theatre, the simple kiosk features wood panels and an open kitchen. There's limited seating though they function mostly as a takeaway kiosk. Service at Harry's Cafe De Wheels works quickly in packing and fulfilling orders, yet there often is a queue during meal times, though it moves along fast. That said, staff are rather relaxed with the opening time in the morning. Food at Harry's Cafe De Wheels is American and Australian cuisine, focused on hot dogs and pies. Their pie supplier, Hannah's Pies, has remained unchanged over 30 years, and quality is consistent. Portions are sized for individuals, designed to be eaten on the go. Prices are affordable, budget about AUD $15 per person.

Harry's Cafe De Wheels Facade

Kitchen

The Hot Dog (AUD $7.90) has a long snappy juicy pork sausage encased in a fluffy soft hot dog bun, dressed with thick tomato ketchup and creamy mustard. Has a satisfying bready smoky sweet savoury salty vegetal sour spice flavour. A popular favourite to snack on while enjoying the park. Good!

Hot Dog (AUD $7.90)

Hot Dog

Hot Dog

The Pie Floater (AUD $11.50) or Tiger Pie features your choice of pie, topped with chunky mushy peas and smooth mashed potatoes, dressed with brown gravy. I opted for the Meat Pie Beef, which has a crisp flaky palm-sized pie pastry crust that is filled with tender juicy beef steak chunks, soft carrots, and black pepper gravy. Combined, this carries robust vegetal grassy earthy meaty salty savoury starchy sweet peppery spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Pie Floater (AUD $11.50)

Pie Floater

Pie Floater

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Golden Tower
@ Floor 1, Market City Shopping Centre, 9/13 Hay Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 7pm
https://restaurantguru.com/MC-Golden-Tower-Sydney


Suitated in a food court, Golden Tower is a small fast-casual Chinese eatery serving full-flavoured yet greasy offerings. I guess folks who wish for Chinese comfort food at affordable prices will patronise Golden Tower, I did so because it was a major public holiday and most everything else was closed.

Ambience at Golden Tower is modern. The warmly lit massive display of pre-cooked dishes, along with the appetizing photos on the wall, seem eclectic but enticing. Seating is shared with the rest of the food court. Service at Golden Tower is fast, with staff piling heaps on plates, and the kitchen works the stir-frys quickly. Can be quite chaotic, particularly as there's no logic to queues. Food at Golden Tower is Chinese Mandarin cuisine, focused on quick stir-frys. Quality is below average to above average, the former usually being the rice and noodle dishes, the latter being the meat and vegetable dishes. Portions are medium to large for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about AUD $17 per person.

Golden Tower Facade

Fried Rice With 2 Dishes (AUD $13.50)

Fried Rice With 2 Dishes

The Honey Chicken features thin tender slices of chicken, coated in a thick crisp all-purpose flour batter, generously drizzled with a honey and sweet and sour sauce mix. The result is a bold flavour profile of floral sweet sour savoury. Actually among the better renditions, I enjoyed this. Good!

Honey Chicken

Honey Chicken

The Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers consists of sliced beef flank rubbed with cornstarch and baking soda. It's then stir-fried with red onions, bell peppers / capsicum, zucchini, garlic, and black beans, in a gravy of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white sugar, black pepper, oyster sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and sesame oil. The beef is tender with meaty savoury salty spice flavour, the red onions are soft and caramelised with vegetal sweet notes, the zucchini is juicy with vegetal sweet flavour, while the bell peppers / capsicum is crunchy with vegetal sweet sour spice flavour. Good!

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

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