Explore the Best of Sydney With Chef Christine Manfield

The famed chef (Paramount and Universal in Sydney; East@West in London), awardwinning author and gastronomic-tour leader is preparing, with fellow queer chefs Nornie Bero and Reece Hignell, a fabulous feast for Pink Salt, WorldPride’s signature culinary event, in Newcastle, just over a twohour drive north of Sydney, on 18 February.

Now living on the NSW North Coast with Margie Harris, her partner of 45 years, Manfield is a visitor when she hits the city these days. But she still knows where to go.

Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House

“We go to the Opera House for theatre productions and every show that Bangarra Dance Theatre has put on. Tied to all of that is being able to sit in the Bennelong dining room and feel a part of the building, the architecture. The food is accessible, skillfully plated and has a big focus on Indigenous ingredients, seasonal and local. It’s a quintessential Sydney experience.”

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

“When I come to Sydney, we do the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk then, hopefully not too sweaty and dirty, have a leisurely lunch at Icebergs. Being in that space feels like you’re part of the ocean. For [owner] Maurice Terzini, it’s not just a restaurant, it’s part of Sydney culture.”

Sydney Modern, Art Gallery of NSW

“The new gallery is extraordinary – not just the architecture but the content. They’ve brought out a lot of stuff they had hidden in the vaults and focus on the Aboriginal art in the collection. For any visitor, it should always start with that connection to Country.”

Tribal Warrior Cultural Cruise

“This is a harbour cruise led by Aboriginal Elders. It gives you what I call the ‘truer history’ of Sydney Harbour and they also do a walking tour of Redfern. It’s giving back to community and making it part of our bigger story.”

A bar hop

“A great way to get an overview of a city is to make a list of cool bars that do snacks and have one drink and one snack at each place. In Sydney, I’d start at 5pm at Piccolo in Kings Cross then Paski Vineria Popolare on Oxford Street. Head to Surry Hills to the hottest ticket in town, Gildas, for seriously cool food, fantastic cocktails and great wines. I’d go to Redfern, first to Re in the South Eveleigh precinct then up the road to Bart Jr and finish at Ante in Newtown – Matt is the Australian importer of sake and his partner, Jemma, is a hot-shot chef.”

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon

“Claire’s Kitchen is on Oxford Street near Hyde Park. Marc Kuzma, aka Claire de Lune, is a chef and he does dinner, drag and a cabaret-style show. Those nights are hugely popular.”