Restaurants in Glebe
Glebe's reputation as a food destination is well deserved, with many restaurants
having won awards, glowing reviews and dedicated fans from all over.
Variety is one thing we're also not short on, with the list of cuisines below speaking for itself.
Browse information and reviews on all your favourite Glebe restaurants:
Australian
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay
Ferry Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9518 9011
Website: http://www.boathouse.net.au
Lunch and Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday; Licensed, no BYO
Review from The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2007:
"Could the chef shuffle at this chic converted boatshed have finally stopped with the talented Perry Hill (ex Salt and Moorish)? We hope so, as this is surely one of Sydney’s most alluring dining destinations, where every table can enjoy the captivating harbour view and the calming, casual yet sophisticated mood, enhanced by switched-on, unobtrusive service. Naturally the fish-focused menu remains, including the legendary and luscious snapper pie with truffle oil, served at the table alongside mashed potato and smoked tomatoes. And the place is justifiably famous for the dazzling variety of shucked-to-order oysters. A delicate ocean trout confit melts in the mouth, balanced simply with a chickpea salad. A special of roasted red emperor with its crunchy crust is sheer heaven, teamed with crisp zucchini flowers, kipfler potato slices and sea urchin butter. Complete this exceptional culinary voyage with Pedro Ximenez ice-cream, chocolate mousse and coffee granita."
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"Most people see this place, now in its 11th year, from the Anzac Bridge, either lit up like a beacon at night or looking more humble — like the boatshed it actually is — by day. So you mightn’t pick it as a temple to the country’s freshest seafood unless you were inside its glass walls, tucking into chef Perry Hill’s excellent food. The menu changes regularly but might include an entree of citrus-cured NZ king salmon with finger lime, creme fraiche and rock lobster jelly. Try the confit of Tasmanian ocean trout with nori, preserved lemon, fennel and soy if it’s on and maybe the double chocolate pudding with strawberries and chocolate icecream to finish. Heaven on the harbour. Oysters $3.50–$5 each, entree $26–$30, main $36–$48, dessert $17–$18."
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Glebe Point Diner
407-409 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 2646
Licensed and BYO (corkage applies).
Review by Simon Thomsen, The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2007
"I am utterly enamoured with Glebe Point Diner. It's the sort of casual place we all want close enough to home so we can make it a regular habit. It won't force you to skip a mortgage payment either. ... Everything is made from scratch, from the hand-churned butter and nutty bread with a thick caramel crust, to the lemonade. The produce is overwhelmingly organic or biodynamic. The chicken was still clucking until dawn on the day it was cooked. Whole carcasses are boned. The pasta is now made in-house. Glebe Point Diner is comfortably chilled (though in winter, with a floor-to-ceiling glass front, it can be literally on the cool side). Veteran host Andrew John (Sean's, Omega, Rockpool, Icebergs and Mietta's) brings an infectiously joyous attitude to the dark, loud warehouse-feel room. He's tactile and energetic with sharp banter and easy familiarity. He'll recite and explain the menu and is relaxed enough to open any bottle (within reason) such as the fascinatingly complex Sutton Grange rose ($9) if you're keen to try it, despite the fact there are already 16 by-the-glass choices. Serving 500ml carafes of wine is a welcome touch, too. ...
My two-year-old son was enjoying his linguine with fabulous veal meatballs and olives ($18) until he tasted Daddy's flash-fried baby squid ($16) - gently crunchy from a light salt-and-pepper dusting - and scoffed the rest. At least he left me some of the pungently garlicky aioli. Back to that organic chicken ($28), marinated, then roasted whole with lemon up its clacker (you can taste it in the meat). You score half, carved off the bone, in this instance with cavolo nero, roast potato and garlic, plus a few wedges of lightly crumbed, deep-fried zucchini. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Beer-battered fish-and-chips ($18) uses latchet (also known as gurnard). The hand-cut chips, skinny as Mrs Beckham, are more bronze than golden, though none the worse for it, and the rustic tartare is studded with chunks of egg white. A finely shaved fennel, pear and parmesan salad ($14) is sweet and salty, yet sassy from lemon juice. I probably shouldn't tell you that pig fat is the reason a side of sauteed brussels sprout leaves ($7) is so luscious and nutty. ... Our host attempted to steer me away from pear fritters with rum and raisin ice-cream ($12). He was right - the beer batter was too bold and ill-suited to the watery fruit. And the chocolate tart's ($14) ganache was perhaps a little grainy in the perfectly thin pastry with a film of candied ruby grapefruit, and dollop of runny mascarpone, but it was, overall, too good to quibble. But the star is swooningly creamy honey and rosemary pannacotta ($14), trembling with fragility, with roasted quince and honey biscuit." Read the full review.
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"The idea was simple: a local diner, handsomely fitted out, with better-than-average food, using organic produce, sourced from as close to the restaurant as possible. And most of the reasonably priced wines come from NSW. This was the plan cooked up between chef Alex Kearns, sommelier and front-of-house field marshall Andrew Johns. Well, the food was so good — like the svelte organic chicken liver pâté with pear preserves (all entrees $16), and the Coorong Angus beef cheeks braised with slippery jacks and gremolata $28, and the dark chocolate mousse with burnt chocolate sauce (all desserts $16) — they were stampeded. And they won awards, including a shared Bent Fork last year. But you know what? The boys have kept their cool and they hold firm to their principles. Good on ‘em."
Read review by bloggers Steph's Food Journal, The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry, Vicky Lalwani
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Restaurant Atelier
22 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9566 2112
Website: http://www.restaurantatelier.com.au
Lunch: Sunday; Dinner: Tuesday-Sunday; Licensed, BYO
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"Owner/chef Darren Templeman continues to impress with his adventurous English-French fare while hospitality queen and wife Bernadette keeps the floor running smoothly. An old sandstock brick cottage with white shutters, exposed brick and deep red walls and polished wood floors is where it all happens. A delectably rich confit of Tasmanian ocean trout and foie gras terrine with creamed avocado, octopus carpaccio, wasabi and dashi jelly gets our juices going as does roasted squab wrapped in prosciutto with shiitake mushroom and truffled linguine. And try not to drool as you order dark chocolate delice with coconut sabayon and stretched caramel. The midweek three-course special (Tue–Thu) for $59 is worth remembering. Entree $16–$22, main $28–$34, dessert $15, seven-course degustation $80, with wine $130."
Read the full review by Annette Shun Wah from The Sydney Morning Herald, October 2005.
Read review by bloggers Steph's Food Journal, Simon Food Favourites
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Roxanne
39 Glebe Point Rd Glebe NSW 2037 ............ Ph: (02) 9552 6087
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"Even when roadworks were making Glebe Point Road a noisy nightmare, this idiosyncratic hangout with crimson curtains, chandeliers, a wide-ranging menu and staff from around the globe was pulling the punters in. Regulars enjoy an eclectic range of tastes and styles from the accomplished kitchen. An entree of steamed seafood dumplings with housemade chargrilled tomato chutney $10 successfully crosses several borders in the one dish and the softshell crab linguine $22 and Moroccan lamb cutlets with spinach and potatoes on a glazed jus sauce $25 both appeal. There’s a bar and a small wine list plus good coffee. Keep an eye out for the housemade desserts including crispy apple dumpling with caramel fig sauce $9. A very attractive option on a busy strip."
Read the full review by Helen Greenwood from The Sydney Morning Herald, November 2006.
Read review by blogger Steph's Food Journal
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
The Toxteth Bistro at the Toxteth Hotel
345 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 2370
Lunch: Daily; Snacks: Daily, 3-6pm; Dinner: Nightly; Licensed, no BYO
Read review by blogger Grab Your Fork
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com, myTaste
Italian
Bogart Pizza
211 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9552 4656
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Ecco La Pasta
89 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9692 9784
Fountain 77 Ristorante
77 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9692 9215
Website: http://www.fountain77.com.au/
La Casa Pasta
165 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037
Website: http://www.lacasapasta.com.au
La Tavolaccia Pizza Trattoria
355 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9692 0418
Read reviews by recent diners on myTaste
La Vera Pizza Restaurant
109 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 5063
Mon-Sat 10:30am-midnight; Sun 9:00am-midnight
Read review by blogger Not Quite Nigella
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com, myTaste
Macchiato Bar
131-145 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9566 2095
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Pastabella
89 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 .............. Ph: (02) 9566 4488
Website: http://www.pastabella.net.au
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
The E Lounge - Wood Fired Pizzeria
92 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 .............. Ph: (02) 9518 6002
Website: http://www.elounge.info
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
The Mixing Pot
178 St Johns Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 7449
Website: http://www.mixingpot.com.au
Lunch: Monday to Friday; Dinner: Monday to Saturday; Licensed and BYO (corkage applies)
See article "Food for Thought in a Culinary Evolution", by David Dale, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 July 2005:
"[Tiramisu] was introduced in 1977 by Giuseppe Zuzza, who had learnt how to make it at L'Incontro restaurant in Treviso, near Venice (although gastronomic scholars suspect the dish originated further east, in the border town of Trieste during the '50s, and was named in Treviso). Zuzza served it first at Darcy's restaurant in Paddington, and later in his restaurant, The Mixing Pot, in Glebe. He would carefully explain its ingredients and its meaning (pick-me-up) to all customers, who became addicted and started asking for it at other Italian restaurants, which proceeded to borrow Zuzza's recipe. Some form of tiramisu is now available in every suburban bistro and supermarket. Zuzza retired as host at The Mixing Pot last week, but tiramisu remains a dessert specialty there. His son, Peter, says he hasn't had to explain it to customers for years."
Review from Sydney Eats:
2003:"After 24 years in business they're still going strong. Decor is eclectic -- railway bric-a-brac contrasts with a grapevine-adorned pergola -- but this place is big on charm with a professionalism forged by experience. Most dishes are market-based, but entrees $12.50-$17.50 usually include a pasta of the day, handmade pastizzo, carpaccio and the odd regional special like zucchini flowers stuffed with goat's cheese; or assemble a plate of antipasto from the selection. Among the mains $21-$28 are unusual specialties like oven-roasted rabbit or braised goat with cherry tomatoes and herbs on polenta, while massive barbecued seafood platters make a good choice for groups. There are always wonderful cakes, but check whether the signature raspberry brulee is on."
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Spanish
Different Drummer
185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9552 3406
Review by Melanie Hansche, Fairfax f2, July 2004 on CitySearch:
"Welcome to Glebe's only after hours boozer-cum-singles bar grope fest. Lonely-hearts aside, those who remember bars before they were fitted out with stainless steel and ottomans will appreciate this cosy (as in "dingy"), character-laden (as in "crusty") watering hole.
Established back in the 1970s - where it seems to have languished for a long time - the Drummer was the last chance saloon for the Glebe's bohos, drinkers, gay divorcees and backpackers. But now the Drummer finally appears to be producing a different beat and attracting a younger, more discerning crowd. The bar has undergone a revamp of sorts: anything gathering dust has gone. The collection of junk shop knick-knacks and movie tat that previously had pride of place on the walls have been replaced by comfy, brown leather padding. Essentially, it's a long and skinny space, all exposed brick, red "mood" lighting and dark wood furniture. While the renovations have given the joint a more pleasant air, there's still plenty of character, which is good news for the old timers propping up the bar.
A decent selection of local and international ales are on offer, and the cocktail list gets all the standards right. For our money, steer away from cream and stick with the citrus and fruit concoctions. Better still, if you're partial to the green fairy, opt for absinthe, which they'll pour any style you like: Czech, French or just plain straight up. Remember, proceed with caution.
For those looking to line their stomachs, the word is tapas. It's fairly decent too. A shorter bar food menu is ideal for sharing and includes tender marinated lamb, fried calamari, garlic prawns, mussels and the like. An a la carte menu features much of the same Spanish fare with a dash of Mod Oz thrown in for good measure. There's a back room and courtyard (with linen-topped tables) for those that are looking to linger."
Read review by blogger Simon Food Favourites
Read reviews by recent patrons on Eatability.com, myTaste
Spanish Tapas
26 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9571 9005
Website: http://www.spanishtapas.com.au
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Greek
The Olive Tree Bistro, in The Excelsior Hotel
101 Bridge Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9552 9700
Website: http://www.excelsiorglebe.com.au/
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Polish
Na Zdrowie
161 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 1242
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"Another delightful addition to Glebe Point Road is this elegant little eatery that has surprised with the pure pleasure of Polish food served on beautiful blue-and-white Polish crockery. From the kitchen come such delights as spare ribs in Polish goulash with buckwheat $23.90 and rabbit in a creamy vegetable sauce, also with buckwheat $26.90. As well as the superb clear beef stock-based borscht with tiny dumplings, there may be a soup made of cucumbers in brine, both $9.90. We love the bigos, boiled shredded meat with sauerkraut and mushroom $18.60 — gorgeous with a side of red cabbage and horseradish $4. If you come Friday or Saturday, you might be lucky enough to get some Polski, like a donut but filled with marmalade, with icecream $9.90. Excellent service, too."
Review by Helen Greenwood, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 2007:
"... We begin with kompot (poached peaches in their light syrup) described as a refreshing drink. It is. Then herring salad with creamy dill dressing and beetroot borsch (barszcz) with uszka (little mushroom dumplings) and mushroom pierogi (there are four kinds). The herrings are sweetly pickled and clean-tasting against the gentle cream dressing. The soup glows ruby red with golden globules like lily pads on the surface. The dumplings are chewy but add bite to the limpid consomme. Gorgeous. The pierogi are a different kind of dumpling, bigger and lighter, loosely packed with an earthy mushroom filling. They are more doughy than I expect but terrific. My only gripe is that the ryebread is neither very rye nor very fresh. I don't even mind the little pats of packaged butter in the woven bread basket. For main course we have the traditional bigos, or hunter's stew, made from morsels of ham, pork and kielbasa tumbled with shreds of cabbage and sauerkraut. The effect is salty, smoky and tangy. A mound of smooth mash keeps it company. Another mound is flattened on my plate by two large cabbage rolls (golombki), dense with finely ground veal and rice, and wrapped in translucent thin leaves which have barely a trace of veins or ribs. The flavour is light, though it isn't a lightweight meal. A juicy side plate of red cabbage and apple, and another one of lively beetroot and horseradish adds bounce to the main dishes." Read the full review.
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Mexican
Baja Cantina and Beer Garden
43-45 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.............. Ph: (02) 9571 1199
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"This good-looking little place with its cream walls and strangely (for a Mexican restaurant) tasteful interior is kicking culo (butt) with inner-city lovers of Mexican food. And no wonder. Alongside the identikit parade of nachos $10 plus your choice of meat $3 and main-course fajitas in chicken, steak or prawn varieties, all with sauteed capsicum, onion, salsa, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and more $20–$25, you’ll find a chicken mole $20 (that’s mo-lay as in ole), a ridgy-didge Mexican (as opposed to TexMex) dish whose sauce features, surprisingly but deliciously, chocolate. There are enchiladas, tortilla soup, rice, beans and flan, but fave raves remain the guacamole, the fajitas and the mole. Wash it all down with a jug of sangria $14 and remember to book on weekends."
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Flying Fajita Sistas
65 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.............. Ph: (02) 9552 6522
Review by Helen Greenwood, The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 April 2008:
"The best at the Flying Fajita Sistas comes last. A bread pudding and a hot chocolate. The pudding, piled high like a castle turret, is light and spongy, studded with pecans and woven with good spices. You can taste the French influence in the sweet bread, the Tex-Mex interpretation in the nuts and the authentic Mexican in the aromatics. The chocolate caliente is spiced, too, fragrant with vanilla and cinnamon and silky like a lady's mantilla.
Read the ... The frijoles (pinto beans spiced and grilled with cheese) happily remind me of chorizo. The queso fundido (charred tomato and ancho chile salsa melted with cheese) is somewhat sloppy. The taquitos (little tacos) look as if they are on steroids and are slathered in a black mole sauce of chocolate and chilli. The cases of the corn tortilla are fried hard, and snap and shatter over shredded beef so dry that I lunge for my lacklustre margarita in the huge coupe. Grilled prawns in floury tortillas produce soft, insipid textures. The mulch of avocado and the nicely charred, freshly-shucked corn kernels in pots don't help. I tear open a tough banana leaf to tackle the steamed tamale with achiote-pulled pork. Chewy edges and bone-dry meat make me turn with relief to the pots of corn kernels and a green, foamy tomatillo salsa. The Mexican versus Tex-Mex stand-off has been played out in Sydney for years.We can get piles of corn chips, miles of beans, salsas that dance out the door and guacamole until we beg for mercy. But it's impossible to find a simple grilled fish seasoned with chilli paste or a humble, truly Mexican fava bean soup. Yet, we finish our visit to the Flying Fajita Sistas with a graceful, traditional and surprisingly skilful dessert. If only these traits had permeated the rest of the meal. Read the full review.
Read review by blogger Not Quite Nigella
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Turkish
Moores Cafe
107 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.............. Ph: (02) 9692 0846
Mr Uncles /Moores Turkish Pitta
89 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.............. Ph: (02) 9692 0847
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Mersin Turkish Pide Kebabs
Shop 17/12 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037............. Ph: (02) 9518 7378
The Cushion House
73 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037............. Ph: (02) 8084 0285
Lebanese
Almustafa
23 Glebe Point Rd Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9660 9006
Website: http://www.almustafa.com.au
Lunch & Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday; BYO (no corkage)
Review from Sydney Eats 2008, on Eatstreets:
"There’s Lebanese and there’s Almustafa, complete with (upstairs) cushion room, rugs on the wall, bellydancers and hot Lebanese music — but, most importantly, Salwa’s celebrated food. The only way to eat this convivial food is to go with a bunch and pile up the plates. You’ll want homous and baba ganouj and Salwa’s homemade pickles $8–$10, and don’t forget a fattoush salad $14. If you don’t try the lamb mansaf $25, a baked leg torn to strips on rice with cashews and pine nuts, you’re probably a vegetarian, in which case get into the kebeh neyeh $20, raw spiced minced lamb (only joking), or the samkeh harra $26, grilled barramundi with a tahini sauce. For special dishes, ring and ask. And ask about the banquets while you’re at it."
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com
Seafood
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay
Ferry Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9518 9011
Website: http://www.boathouse.net.au
Lunch and Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday; Licensed, no BYO
See above for reviews.
Fish on Fire
217a Glebe Point Rd Glebe 2037............. Ph: (02) 9660 4212
Vegan / Vegetarian
Iku Wholefoods
25a Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 ............. Ph: (02) 9692 8720
Website: http://www.iku.com.au
Mon-Fri: 11am-9pm; Sat: 11am-8pm; Sun 12pm-7.30pm; BYO (no corkage)
Review from Sydney Eats, 2005:
"The Glebe outlet is where Sydney's macrobiotic craze started. Serving nourishing fare in simple surrounds, it's both a bustling takeaway and a simple cafe that blends a range of world flavours and a solid approach with good service and prices. Rice balls are a steal at $2.80, as are the tofu fritters, umeboshi plum snacks and miso soup. The mains are hearty and rich, with lots of casseroles and stews, but our favourite remains the blackbean curry with tofu and vegetables on brown rice $8. Desserts are a specialty with plenty of sugar- gluten- and guilt-free offerings. We loved the fresh fig and orange blossom tart, served with soy cream $7, but you can always buy pre-packed orange and lemon sago or sticky rice puddings to take home. Be sure you try their legendary macro burger $7 at least once. Still at its macrobiotic best."
Review by Rough Guides Travel:
"Healthy and delicious macrobiotic meals - vegetarian or vegan. Meditative interior, and outdoor dining area - both non-smoking."
Read reviews by recent diners on Eatability.com and Happy Cow.
Loving Eden Vegan Restaurant
123 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.............. Ph: (02) 8084 8007
Read reviews by recent diners on Happy Cow
Index to Food Pages on GlebeNet:
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