The Resy Guide To The Women-Owned Restaurants of Sydney

A Sydney institution, modern bistro Bloodwood has an incredibly strong following in surrounding Newtown and the wider city, largely thanks to chef-owner Claire Van Vuuren and her team’s consistently excellent food and service. Van Vuuren’s efforts to promote opportunities for women in the restaurant industry are legendary, as are her efforts to highlight female distillers and support the LGBTQ community through events such as the Heaps Gay Street party. 

Late night legends don’t come much more storied than Barrio Cellar. Nicole Galloway’s late night basement bar and taqueria is perfect for getting loose with a few mezcals, followed by the obligatory after-hours quesadillas and tacos. A sleek space and anything-goes crowd make for an infectious vibe that’s hard to resist. 

Known for an affordable and ever-changing tasting menu that leans on local produce, Rebecca Rosier and her partner Tristan earned a coveted Chef’s Hat at this tiny 35-seat space in Surry Hills. Based in an 1880s Heritage listed Art Deco building, the emphasis on unpretentious cooking and welcoming ambience has made Arthur a favourite among locals. 

Practically part of the landscape of Potts Point, Nicole Galloway’s affectionately-monikered Cantonese nook (‘Fei Jai’ translates to ‘Fat Boy’ in local dialect) is beloved for outstanding yum cha and dishes best enjoyed on warm evenings, where outdoor seats become coveted. Don’t miss the XO pipis and fried rice.

Calle Rey’s all-vegan menu melds Mexican, Peruvian and Nikkei flavours, and it has been nothing less than an emphatic triumph since it opened on busy King Street, with an aesthetic and approachability instilled by owner Madison Cohen. The Peruvian “sashimi” Nikkei that mimics the real thing has to be tasted to be believed, and pisco cocktails in the dedicated bar are also a must. 

If anyone knows how to make Sydneysiders happy, it’s Grace Watson. Owner of the ultra-popular Peppe’s in Bondi, her bright, spacious Osteria in Waterloo buzzes with locals who return for outstanding pastas, wine, and a signature gnocchi with pesto, crisp kale chips, and toasted pine nuts.  

Stacked with accolades, Gemma Lin’s artsy Surry Hills establishment (previously Mamasan) won a global award for its innovative, environmentally-conscious design. Asian-inflected comfort dishes like lamb and cumin dumplings, and crispy duck pancakes provide the perfect foil for cocktails loaded with Japanese whisky and sake; live bands and thrillingly eclectic interiors seal the deal.

There are few greater pleasures than posting up on the patio at Chula, a brilliant restaurant from the team behind Barrio Cellar and founded by the inimitable Nicole Galloway. Expect a vegetable and seafood-focused offering of tostadas, aguachile, and Oaxacan tlayudas perfect for warmer weather, plus killer margaritas and mezcal cocktails for knocking back at the bar. 

Having returned from a cooking stint in Mexico, Amelia Stokes instinctively understood the similarity in culture and connection between the sea and land in Bondi, leading her to co-found Chupacabra, a relaxed Mexican spot in Suffolk Park. Strong margaritas, handmade tacos, and dishes from the grill are perfect for relaxed hangs in the main dining room, headed up by affable GM Moira Waterfall.