The Best Restaurants in Redfern, From Ramen to Rooftops

These are the best restaurants in Redfern right now, from buzzy wine bars to rooftop Mexican and proper Greek feasts. Once known for just a handful of standouts, the suburb has become one of Sydney’s most exciting places to eat, with trendy cafes, casual ramen and polished diners all within a few blocks.

Sofia

Sofia is a coastal Mediterranean-inspired diner showcasing traditional homestyle dishes backed by renowned Australian Chef, Justin North. The dishes are flavourful yet uncomplicated, highlighting the quality and seasonality of locally sourced produce. Mouth-watering dishes include a Chargrilled eggplant salad with parsley, currants and pine nuts, 1kg of slow-cooked, charred lamb ribs with oregano, lemon and flake salt and a Walnut syrup cake with mascarpone. The best part yet? All cooking is done with Sofia’s own extra virgin olive oil, made from the family’s olive groves in Greece.

Find Sofia at Level 1/433 Cleveland St.

Mezepotamia

Mezepotamia brings a thoughtful take on Middle Eastern cuisine to Redfern, drawing inspiration from the ancient region of Mesopotamia, often referred to as the birthplace of agriculture and some of the world’s earliest recorded recipes. Having recently relocated from Leichhardt, the restaurant has settled into a warm, inviting space designed for leisurely shared meals over wine and conversation. The menu centres around generous mezze plates, with standout dishes including onion dolmas stuffed with beef, currants and pine nuts, and a refined take on Ali Nazik featuring aged grass-fed steak served over smoked eggplant purée with chilli butter. With chef Burak at the helm, whose experience spans Turkish, Greek and Italian kitchens, every dish feels grounded in tradition while still offering a polished, contemporary edge.

Find Mezepotamia at 12 Redfern Street, Redfern.

Lottie

Perched above The Eve Hotel, Lottie is a vibrant rooftop restaurant and mezcaleria that reimagines Mexican cuisine through a distinctly Australian lens. The all-weather space is lush and inviting, making it just as suited to long lunches as it is to sunset cocktails. The entirely gluten-free menu is designed for sharing and showcases exceptional local produce, with standout dishes including roast chicken in Sinaloa marinade, a potato-based sope topped with slow-cooked kangaroo, and deeply flavoured goat barbacoa. Head chef Joe Valero, formerly of Tacos, Tacos, Tacos, brings serious tortilla expertise to the kitchen, with house-made tortillas served warm in a leather sleeve to keep them perfectly soft and pliable. Pair it all with one of Lottie’s agave-forward cocktails and you’ve got one of Redfern’s most exciting rooftop dining experiences.

Find Lottie at The Eve Hotel, 8 Baptist Street, Redfern.

Olympus

Olympus captures the spirit of a lively Greek village taverna, where generous plates, polished service and a sense of occasion come together beneath one of Sydney’s most striking dining rooms. At the centre of the space stands a 50-year-old bougainvillea, framed by a retractable glass roof that creates a dreamy indoor-outdoor setting year-round. In the open kitchen, head chef Ozge Kalvo leads the team in crafting a menu of traditional and modern Greek meze. Begin with house-made dips like tarama and fava, before moving on to the famously delicate spanakopita, king prawn saganaki and whole roasted milk-fed lamb. Designed for sharing and lingering over, Olympus is the kind of restaurant that turns dinner into a celebration.

Find Olympus at 2 Baptist Street, Redfern.

The Norfolk Hotel

The Norfolk Hotel is one of Redfern’s most historic pubs, spanning two levels, with two bars and an expansive outdoor courtyard. The menu boasts a selection of classic pub eats like Chicken Schnitzel, Chicken or Eggplant Parmigiana and mouthwatering burgers. The main event however is the meats off the grill, served with mash and vegetables or triples and salad. Highlights include the Bufferflied Half Chicken, 250g Riverine Pasture & Grain Fed Rump Steak, and the 250g Southern Ranges Sirloin. Plus, visit for Taco Tuesday where tacos are $3 and every time you hear ‘The Bell’ ring, you can get them for just $1 for 15 minutes only.

Find The Norfolk Hotel at 305 Cleveland St, Redfern. 

Fontana

Nestled in the heart of Redfern is Fontana – a cosy and inviting Italian diner serving authentic Italian food with a rustic flair. In the kitchen, owner and chef Daniel Johnston oversees the creation of a menu that highlights familiar and nostalgic flavours. Although the menu changes frequently, guests can expect a variety of share plates, delicious pasta options, and hearty mains. Start off with a cocktail and ricotta della casa with house-made focaccia, before moving onto pappardelle osso buco – tender braised veal shanks that fall right off the bone.

Find Fontana at 133A Redfern St.

Bush

Bush takes a page from traditional Aussie culture, using it as inspiration to offer a single-page menu of no-nonsense dishes. Head Chef, Grant Lawn, viewed the restaurant as a chance to reintroduce the Australian bush to the forefront of Sydney’s dining scene, with food and ingredients directly inspired by the Australian outback. There are small starters to get your appetite going, like Smoked Eel pikelet with chilli jam and saltbush spliff. Larger plates get more experimental, with Kangaroo, Pepperberry, Warrigal Greens, and Illawarra Plums scattered throughout. 

Find Bush at 55 George St.

RaRa Ramen

There are only 28 seats at Redfern’s Rara, making the izakaya-style eatery an intimate and cosy affair. Customers flock near and far to get their hands on hand-pulled ramen, vegetarian options and snack-style share food, but perhaps the most popular is Rara’s tonkatsu broth. In keeping with tradition, the tonkatsu broth at Rara is made using only water, garlic, and pork bones. The signature bowl of tonkotsu ramen offers a choice of Shio (salt) tare, black garlic oil or chilli oil, and is garnished with smoky chashu. The chashu, made from Bundarra Berkshire pork, is slow-roasted, seasoned, and finished over a coal grill, adding a unique smoky flavour you won’t find anywhere else.

Find Rara Ramen at 66b Regent St.

Bart Jr

Bart Jr is the second Redfern venue from the Scout’s Honour crew, perfect for those seeking a sophisticated yet relaxed wine bar. Its menu rotates every three weeks, with seasonal food and drink specials to keep you on your toes. The dishes are simple, creative small plates that are made for communal sharing, like Pappardelle with duck & porcini ragu and tuna rojá with curry leaf butter. Drinks are carefully curated, featuring a selection of locally grown and biodynamic options. Beers are from local brewers, and cocktails are shaken with a rotating menu, also, which means you’re bound to discover new favourites all the time.

Find Bart Jr at 92 Pitt St.

Kepos Street Kitchen

Bringing the flavours of the Middle East to the heart of Redfern is Kepos Street Kitchen, known for its all-day Israeli-inspired menu. The eatery serves coffee, organic tea, and even mocktails alongside brunch-style cafe food, and it runs well into the late afternoon. Tel Aviv falafel and homemade hummus is one of their signature dishes, each bite being more flavourful and crispier than the last. For main dishes, you can choose between soft-baked eggs and delicious sandwiches, or stick to lighter options like their tabouleh salad, tossed with finely diced tomato and pomegranate.

Find Kepos St Kitchen at 96 Kepos St.