Our list of best restaurants in Crows Nest goes like this.

Of all the Crows Nest restaurants, Small Bar has to be the cutest. A romantic courtyard and impressive wine list distinguish this renowned bar from others of its kind, making it a hot date spot come nightfall. Australian and New Zealand wines tend to dominate the list, though you’ll also find quality vinos from countries like France and Italy. That’s joined by a surprisingly substantial food menu, which includes both tapas and sharing plates. During daylight hours, meanwhile, Small Bar is one of the best lunch and brunch destinations in Crows Nest. What’s there not to love?

If you’re looking for fine dining in Crows Nest, look no further than Annata Restaurant. The main event at Annata is by far the Chef’s Set Menu of four or five courses — a carefully crafted menu from Chef Jordon Garcia. Or, try the ‘Abbondante’  menu, an A’ la carte style with delicious options like kingfish Crudo and potato and leek lasagna. Plus, matching wines are available from the in-house talented sommelier.

Did someone say paella? Lola Cocina offers the ultimate Spanish fare in Crows Nest, serving up everything from tapas, countless takes on traditional paella and a huge range of Spanish wines and beers. We can’t go past their vegan paella — packed full of zucchini, cauliflower, beans, broccoli, mushrooms, carrot, green peas and their famous paella sauce.

Located in the heart of Crows Nest, top restaurant Luho delivers playful vibes and serious eats. If you’re looking for pan-Asian staples like duck pancakes, chicken satay, crispy soft shell crab, Angus beef stir fry, lemongrass curry, and a slew of other dishes, you’ll find them here and in mouthwatering form. Come during the week and eat banquet-style because you’ll want to try a little bit of everything. Luho is one of the finest Crows Nest restaurants on our list.

Serving up authentic Tokyo-style ramen, Ryo’s Noodles keeps the flavours coming and the crowd moving. If you’re having trouble locating this perennial hotspot, just look for the line out the door on Falcon Street. Step inside the quaint locale to discover an array of choice entrees, including spicy soups, rice dishes, fried chicken or soft-shell crab, noodles, and sandwiches. It’s all here and it’s all wonderful.

Stoned Crew is one of the most popular Crows Nest restaurants at the moment. People flock to the North Shore for the elevated pub fare at this rustic hotspot. Come for the wood-fired pizzas, Angus beef burgers, assorted tapas, and half chicken schnitzel, stay for the creative cocktails and convivial atmosphere. Should you be more of a beer, cider, or wine drinker, Stoned Crow definitely has you covered in that department as well. For lunch or dinner in Crows Nest, this top restaurant makes for a veritable crowd-pleaser and easy choice.

Nestled on Willoughby Road in the heart of Cros Nest is Salmon & Bear, a neighbourhood fish eatery that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Their menu features fresh seafood, steaks and salads, all with affordable casual dining prices. The light-filled space and green outdoor courtyard surrounded by our herb garden makes for the perfect setting to sit back and enjoy a delicious meal.

Since opening its Crows Nest location, Garfish has wasted no time in becoming one of the area’s top seafood destinations. Kickstart your night with a craft cocktail and plate of oysters before diving into entrees of chargrilled octopus, fish & chips, Moreton bugs, crisp fried whole baby snapper, and much more. If seafood simply isn’t your thing, options like bourbon barrel smoked beef brisket or pork cutlet will easily suffice. And don’t forget to swing by for a happy hour, where the drinks are offered at a discount.

Mexican cuisine is always a winner, especially when you’re dining with a big group, and El Gringo’s Tacos knows what’s up. Not only do they serve endless varieties of your favourite Mexican dish — tacos, but they also have an absinthe bar downstairs. Intrigued? The only way to find out more is to check it out for yourself.

Laid-back vibes, shawarma, falafel & mixed plates all in one big, welcoming space — what could be better? Serving up some of the best Lebanese fare in Crows Nest, Taboosh Lebanese Restaurant is all about bringing people together through food, their menu goes on for miles and is packed of plenty of vego options. They also have a restaurant in Manly, if you find yourself up that way.

Sekka Dining is the ultimate spot for modern Japanese cuisine on Sydney’s lower north shore. Open for lunch and dinner, we can’t go past their kara-age chicken and Hokkaido scallops to start, followed by one of their delicious ramen options. For something new, try their earl grey tea custard for dessert — don’t diss it before you try it!

Xenos Restaurant Bar Cafe is an institution in Crows Nest, serving u delicious food for decades and being much-loved among locals. Since 1969 it’s come from a milk bar to what it is today, the Greek restaurant is known across Sydney for serving up traditional, fresh Greek cuisine. They’re about as unpretentious as it gets and we don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon.

No date night in Crows Nest is complete without a stop at this sleek and conceptually elevated bar and kitchen. Located on the famous foodie strip, it delivers choice bites and terrific drinks within a truly memorable setting. At the front of the restaurant is a classy New York-style bar while there’s a second, steam-punk-themed bar toward the rear. Between the stimulating decor and ample selection of wines, whiskies, cocktails, and snacks, you may never want to leave. This is nightlife done right.

If Crows Nest eatability were to go by any other name, that name might very well be Yakitori Yurippi. Perched on Falcon Street, this top Japanese restaurant doles out tasty meat, fish, and vegetable skewers within a hip and relaxed setting. No one argues with chicken meatballs, savoury pork belly, marinated black cod, and other izakaya-style bites and we’re not about to start. Wash your food down with some cold sake or shochu and don’t stop visiting until you’ve tried it all. This is easily one of the top Crows Nest restaurants out there.

Johnny Bird is not one of your typical Crows Nest restaurants. What was formerly Johnny Lobster is now Johnny Bird, where you’ll find not just the best fried chicken in Crows Nest, but maybe all of Sydney (we said maybe, all you local fried chicken experts out there!). That’s joined by American-style classics such as cheeseburgers, bbq chicken, fried chicken sandwiches, mac & cheese, and potato salad. Bring your mates and your cravings and stuff yourself accordingly.

It might take a full day to recover from your next trip to The Hayberry, but we say it’s worth it. Within the festive confines of this colonial-themed bar and restaurant, you’ll encounter plates the size of your head. Chow down on buffalo wings, waffle fries, BBQ meats, fried chicken, burgers, and tacos, and don’t forget to chase every bite with a sip of cold beer. In the air during peak hours are rocking tunes and the lively gab of a packed crowd. Put it all together and you get one of the best places to eat in Crows Nest.

For an exciting take on a traditional cocktail bar, head to The Foxtrot. The bar is located in the heart of Crows Nest and boasts an extensive, carefully curated drinks menu for the ultimate night out when you find yourself just North of the bridge. The menu is seasonal, but some of our seasoned favourites include their barrel-aged negroni and banana bourbon old-fashioned. Their food menu is just as good, with a heavy meat focus as well as some snacks, and a spiced doughnut for dessert!

Pop over to BahBQ Brazilian Grill for delicious Brazilian BBQ and cocktails. Expect a Brazilian tasting menu, fused with South American and Australian influences. Their highlight is by far the Churrasco menu — where meats and vegetables are spit-roasted over natural charcoal and iron bark to create an intense heat of aroma and perfume. We’re drooling just thinking about it.

More than a Mecca for coffee drinkers, this celebrated cafe is one of the best places to eat in Crows Nest and beyond. Both the breakfast and lunch (and brunch) menus are overflowing with tasty selections, including a number of vegetarian and pescatarian options. All the while, Bean Drinking’s award-winning espresso drinks remain the stuff of legend. Not only are the beans roasted on-site and then served through a variety of brewing methods, but the cafe lays claim to one of the world’s rarest espresso machines (also known as the Slayer).

This Hungarian cafe takes its name from the mighty Kürtoskalács (or Kürtosh for short)—also known as a ‘chimney cake’—which remains its signature pastry. Coating layers of caramel in cinnamon sugar, chocolate, nuts, or other spices, the exotic delicacy tastes exactly as good as it sounds. Don’t sleep on the other pastries or exquisite coffee drinks, either. Kürtosh knocked the socks off of Randwick and Surry Hills before setting up a location in Crows Nest to similarly spectacular results. Should you live nearby, come see what all the fuss is about.

If there’s a Grill’d location, you have to add them to a best restaurants list. Grill’d burgers are unlike any burger in Sydney, they aren’t here to tempt you with extra cheese dip and stacked patties. They want to offer you a healthy burger that is good for the body and the tastebuds. Grill’d is the healthy burger company and with low-carb bun options, vegan burgers, and salads, this is one of the healthy places to eat in Crows Nest.

Once you’ve visited one of these delicious Crows Nest restaurants, you’re gonna need some dessert afterwards. Lipsmacking words like “chocolate” and “gelato” are enough to peak your interest and thankfully, this beloved dessert parlour delivers on the hype. From gooey waffle sticks to banana Nutella crepes to brownie smackdowns, C9 promises to leave no sweet tooth unsatisfied. When you’re in Crows Nest for dinner, stop here on your way out of the ‘burbs. You’ll be glad you did.

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 the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney or the best burgers in Sydney. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best rooftop bars in Sydney.

The Man of Many team spends almost every Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night checking out the latest restaurants and venues across Sydney, so we’re well-versed in choosing the favourites. We’ve included great Crows Nest restaurants for groups, couples, and food while introducing a few unfamiliar names to the list. Here you’ll find everything from the best pubs with rooftop bars to five-star hotels decked out above the horizon. Check out our top recommendations below and then narrow down a favourite by checking out the rest of our list.