Best Asian Restaurants in Sydney

China Doll resides at the historic Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo and attracts diners with its fantastic views, elegant styling and generously portioned Modern Asian dishes. Having trouble choosing from all the exquisite dishes? Go with the banquet to sample a range. China Doll is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset, people-watching and original, Asian-inspired cocktails.

On Wulugul Walk in Barangaroo, Lotus Dining brings a Chinese flare to Sydney’s inner city dining precinct. With sister restaurants in Walsh Bay and The Galeries, the restaurant design represents the backstreets of China, where all the best, most authentic food is found. The authentic Chinese menu is seafood-focused, featuring tanks of live fish and seafood, as well as sensational dumplings using native local produce. The banquet menu options (for a minimum of 4 people) come highly recommended.

With an interior inspired by 1930s Shanghai, China Diner fills a gap for quality Modern Asian restaurants and is located only a few minutes’ walk from Bondi Beach. Representing a fresh and contemporary approach to Asian dining, China Diner dishes are full of aromatic and vibrant ingredients creating a diverse menu. Specializing in dumplings with a selection of Cantonese inspired vegan, seafood & meat dishes, all pair perfectly with an extensive wine, sake & cocktail list. The ever popular Yum Cha is every Sunday 11am-3pm. The retro dining room oozes excitement, buzz, energy & an air of the dramatic that come together with bursts of neon to create an inimitable Asian dining experience. SEE VIDEO BELOW

The Malaya is a culinary institution that introduced intrepid diners to Nonya fare long before Sydney's love affair with spicy Asian food began. The Malaya at King Street Wharf, is amongst Sydney's most exalted Asian restaurants, and with over 50 years history to its credit, it has status and history that few Sydney establishments can compare to. With sweeping water views, professional service, and an extensive wine and cocktail list, The Malaya provides a memorable dining experience for any occasion. Ten minutes walk from the CBD.

Lunch  Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00pm
Dinner  Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00pm

Tetsuya Wakuda's name has become synonymous with exceptional dining in Australia. His heritage-listed Kent Street restaurant is a temple of restrained elegance and refined French-Japanese culinary masterpieces. The degustation menu is constantly evolving in the acclaimed chef's on-site "test kitchen" – it turns out dishes so extraordinary guests are advised to book a table well in advance.

Photography: Nikki To

Located in a historic, heritage-listed sandstone building built back in the 1880's is the chic and contemporary The Rocks Teppanyaki. As the name suggests, this restaurant is established in The Rocks district of Sydney, an area full of character and charm. Five private dining rooms are available for an exclusive and elegant dining experience. The menu features the usual favourites of beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian options and is highly customisable with the friendly wait staff happy to assist with choosing the right dishes. 

Photography: Courtesy of Rocks Teppanyaki

Following the highly successful Long Chim in Perth, David Thompson brings his authentic and creative Thai flavours to Sydney with the second Long Chim in Australia. Inspired by the vibrant and bustling streets of Bangkok, the decor is light industrial married with bright food packages and furnishings. The menu is alive with fire engine red chilis, elegant glass noodles and the zest of lime and is diverse taking diners and their taste buds on a sensory journey. P

Returning to the Sydney dining scene, Australian culinary chef icon Kylie Kwong brings her famous flavours to Sydney with Lucky Kwong in Eveleigh. Established in the old train sheds, the casual eatery is bursting with character, charm and aromatics that waft from the kitchen. Kwong creatively brings together the best of her Chinese heritage and pairs them with modern indigenous ingredients, producing innovative and memorable dishes. Everything about Lucky Kwong is effortlessly cool, and is one to add to your dining bucket list.

Diana, located at Sydney's Potts Point, brings a balance between old-traditional Asian cuisine into the new world of modern dining. The menu is extensive, exciting and explores different textures and flavours. To get the tastebuds going, why not start with the steaming delight of pulled pork buns, then try the delicate combination of the five-spiced duck breast served on a pancake with sides. The space is inviting, bright and ideal for date night or getting a group of friends together and sharing a few plates together.

Ms. G's has brought five floors of fun to its Potts Point neighbourhood. The funky noodle bar displays an irreverent edge, with super-charged Asian classics and an "anything goes" kind of style. Vietnamese banh mi are re-imagined as zingy sliders and Thai green curry is sandwiched into a jaffle with braised beed and buffalo mozarella. The cool decor, with its graffiti, pink neon and veggie garden, is just a bonus.