For many Aussies, charcoal chicken is something adored and not to be messed with, and that ethos can be found at Sydney’s best charcoal chicken shops. So if your mouth is watering just thinking about the tasty bird, then check out our list of the best charcoal chicken shops Sydney has to offer.

Frango’s has been serving amazing traditional Portuguese style charcoal chicken to Sydneysiders in Petersham know as the Portuguese capital of Sydney since it first opened in 1992. Their recipes have been passed down through generations, blending the spices of their ancestors in Angola and the traditional charcoal techniques from Portugal. This blend is what makes their charcoal chicken and charcoal chicken burgers so good. The Chicken here is available in full, half or quarters. But that’s not all add some tasty chips or other traditional Portuguese favourites as well as the Fernandes family secret sauce and you’ll be in coming back for more.

Silva’s is renowned for its traditional home-style Portuguese charcoal chicken. Located in Sydney’s “Little Portugal” also known as Petersham, Silvas bring traditional Portuguese spices and techniques to produce some of the best charcoal chicken in Sydney. Their amazing charcoal chicken is available in full, half or quarters and other traditional Portuguese favourites are also on offer here. Their charcoal chicken and chicken burgers are amazing on their own but when it’s slathered in chilli and or garlic sauce with chips you’ll understand why Silva’s is one of Sydney’s favourite chicken shops.

El Jannah is a much-loved Lebanese style charcoal chicken shop. With seven venues across Sydney, it’s easy to see why they have a large cult following. El Jannah has a reputation for their crispy and juicy Lebanese charcoal chicken with thick-cut chips and their amazing fragrant garlic sauce. You can try this amazing chicken in full, half or quarters, in rolls or even burgers. Apart from tasty charcoal chicken, you can also get homemade hummus and ­baba ganoush and an extensive range of skewers and marinated meat plates.

Chargrill Charlies has become a much-loved charcoal chicken staple in Sydney since it first opened in 1989. Since then they’ve opened 17 stores across Sydney and even Melbourne. Chargrill Charlies has always been a family business and since day one they have made and sold home-styled food that keeps bringing people back for more. But what really brings people back is their tasty traditional charcoal chicken, stuffed chickens and their Portuguese style chickens which is in full, half or quarters. Here they have used the same outstanding recipe for the past twenty-five years.

Henrietta is a new charcoal chicken eatery that celebrates and specialises in traditional Lebanese cooking techniques to produce some tasty Middle Eastern styled charcoal chicken. Their chared and juicy charcoal chicken is served with a glistening layer of smoky and spicy sauce it’s no wonder why it’s the main attraction here. But Henrietta also has chicken-tawouk, spring rolls with toum and lamb kibbeh, san choy bow. As well as brisket-shawarma tacos with zhug and even falafel bao with harissa and mint yoghurt.

Butter is a hybrid eatery, champagne bar and retail space in Parramatta’s CBD. The store is set over two levels with the eatery and champagne bar downstairs and retail shop upstairs. The chicken here is highly sought after at their Surry Hills location and especially at the Parramatta store. The menu here is similar to the surry hills one with their famous chicken and burgers, but the Parramatta location also features new additions to the already tasty menu. Like the Butter 3000 burger, fried chicken thigh will meet smoked pastrami, pickled daikon and kabayaki sauce on a bun and many more.

Founded by the legends behind Belle’s Hot Chicken, Sunday is a relatively new restaurant on the Sydney charcoal chicken scene. Designed to capture the iconic Sunday night family dinner, this hotspot is effortlessly simple and just a little bit snazzy. Here, you’ll enjoy organic roast Bannockburn chicken from Victoria’s Gippsland, chip butties and Argentinian-style chorizo hot dogs. What more could you ask for?

Belle’s Hot Chicken is a favourite for many Melbourne locals, but recently Belles hot chicken has come to Sydney. Bringing the signature flavours of the deep south to Sydney. Us Sydneysiders can now experience their intense signature crunch, which coats the most succulent chicken meat. The chicken here is available in full, half, tenders, wings or drumsticks. You can select the level of heat of the chicken, as it can be made to suit different heat levels.

The char rotisserie is a locally owned and family-run Bondi business. The Char is your local chicken destination, where you’ll find perfectly cooked free-range rotisserie chicken. They also have a daily rotating menu using only the freshest produce, with a huge range of seasonal salads, burgers, rolls, delicious take-home meals and juicy rotisserie chicken and Portuguese chicken. Here you’re spoiled with full, half and chicken pieces like spicy chicken wings available, along with their special sauces including Peri-peri and lemon and herb.

The chicken shop is a neighbourhood gem located in Paddington, That dishes up succulent hormone-free air-chilled Bannockburn chickens daily. Their chickens are cooked at a higher heat, making the skin darker and more caramelised and juicier. And with a side of roast veggies or potato gratin or some tasty fries and their amazing gravy, what more could you ask for. The chicken shop also has a selection of sandwiches, salads and sides available for takeaway.

For over twenty years Awafi has served perfectly cooked free-range Lebanese style charcoal chicken. Since 1998, the original Awafi charcoal chicken recipe has remained a closely guarded secret. Everything is made fresh and in-store their taboulie and famous homemade garlic sauce is made with fresh ingredients from local markets and is prepared daily in our kitchen. Fatoush, kebabs, kibbe, falafel and other Lebanese classics are also available here.

The key factors to keep in mind when deciding where to go:

If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Sydney, we’ve got you covered with some of the options listed below. You can also check out our list of fun things to do in Sydney. If you’re looking for a more specific cuisine, check out our list of burgers or ramen restaurants. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best rooftop bars or show you the best Sydney museums.

With an editorial team full of foodies, Man of Many has had the unique opportunity to directly sample and experience the atmosphere of the best spots in Sydney. It is also based on our experience, in-depth research and customer reviews of charcoal chicken shops in Sydney. As expert journalists who guide people between competing products and services, we have provided our independent opinion in formulating our selections. Our editors have taken into account food, service and atmosphere while also making a concerted effort to highlight a few spots outside of the CBD. You can review our editorial policy here surrounding how we maintain our independence in our editorial reviews.