Where to eat lunch in Sydney: Fine dining for less

Lunchtime specials can be a clever way to try some of the city’s most revered dishes without splashing all of your hard-earned cash. Whether you’re looking for a workday treat, or somewhere to kick back with friends on the weekend, these are the deals worth dishing out for.

Kuro Bar & Dining

It really is luxe for less when lunchtime rolls around at hatted Japanese restaurant Kuro. Head chef Nobu Maruyama presents a selection of some of his best dishes for just $49 (the set dinner menu starts at $100), including the signature charcoal-coloured Kuro fried chicken. The price includes two courses, with optional desserts starting from just $12.

Fri-Sat from noon
368 Kent Street, Sydney, kurosydney.com

Lana, $69
Hatted CBD restaurant Lana is serving its $69 express lunch menu every Thursday and Friday. Sample The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chef of the Year 2023 finalist Alex Wong’s innovative cooking with inclusions such as calamari and octopus ssam, pumpkin torta with miso and sage furikake, and potato focaccia with black garlic butter.

Thu-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm
Level 1, 5-7 Young Street, Sydney, lana.sydney

a’Mare, $79

Experience the excellent service at hatted Barangaroo restaurant a’Mare with Pranzo al Volo: a midweek lunch menu curated by head chef Alessandro Pavoni. The price includes a shared antipasto table, a selection of four mains (including the delightfully cheesy cacio e pepe), salad and petit fours.

Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm
Crown Sydney, level 1, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, crownsydney.com.au

Alma and St Alma, $49

The Mexican food at Alma (Avalon Beach) and its little sister St Alma (Freshwater) is innovative and delicious – and just $49 for three courses at lunchtime on Friday. It’s a great excuse to kick off the weekend early, as the price includes an ice-cold margarita with your choice of entree, main and sides (think dishes such as kingfish ceviche, burrata with salsa verde, and smoked chicken with corn-truffle mousse).

Fri from noon
47 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, almaavalon.com.au
20 Albert Street, Freshwater, st-alma.com.au

The Charles Bar, $25

The sleek, European-inspired bar at The Charles is offering triple-decker club sandwiches brimming with bacon, chicken and salad as part of their $25 lunch special every weekday. The price includes a side of crisps and your choice of soft drink or beer.

Mon-Fri noon–3pm
66 King Street, Sydney, thecharles.sydney

Esteban, $65

There’s ceviche, tacos, steak and potatoes on the express lunch menu, or almuerzo pequeno, at hatted Mexican restaurant Esteban. Journey down the fairy-lit CBD laneway any time between noon and 2.30pm for a quick meal (and maybe a cheeky mezcal while you’re at it).

Wed-Sat noon-2pm
1 Temperance Lane, Sydney, estebanrestaurant.com.au

Spice Temple, $25

The lunchtime noodle special has returned to Spice Temple, where you can enjoy a bowl and a beer (or wine, if you prefer) at the bar for $25. There are five options to choose from, ranging from hearty comfort food (Beijing noodles with Blackmore wagyu) to a spicy mid-afternoon kick (fried Shanxi noodles with lamb and cumin).

Thu-Sun noon-3pm
10 Bligh Street, Sydney, spicetemple.com.au

Aalia, $55

The weekday express lunch menu at hatted Middle Eastern restaurant Aaliais meant for sharing, with a selection of skewers and mezze from $55 a head (minimum two people). Menu highlights include smoky buffalo labne with beetroot molasses, harissa and Murray cod skewers, and chicken shawarma.

Tue-Sat from noon
Shop 7.07-7.08, 25 Martin Place, Sydney, aaliarestaurant.com

Redbird Chinese, $89

Hatted Redfern restaurant Redbird is serving a plant-based Chinese tasting menu alongside a selection of minimal-intervention wines every Sunday for just $89. The weekend lunch special, “Native and Natty”, includes dishes such as Sichuan-braised eggplant and kung pao tofu, spinach and water chestnut dumplings, and san choy bao, plus two hours of bottomless natty wine.

Sun 1pm-3pm
99 Redfern Street, Redfern, redbirdchinese.com.au

Lola’s Italian and Bar, $49

For just $49 you can try the new Italian menu from head chef Toby Stansfield, who took over the kitchen at Bondi Beach restaurant Lola’s this month. The lunch special includes a full three courses, with standouts such as the calamari fritti, orecchiette with cime di rapa, and tiramisu. Bonus: the special is available on the weekend, allowing you to get stuck into their impressive selection of Italian wines.

Thu-Sun from noon
Level 1, 180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, lolasitalianandbar.com.au