It’s no secret that Petersham is the Portuguese hub of Sydney. But can too much of a good thing be bad? It can when there’s just one of you and so many of these restaurants, leaving you with the looming question: Where should I go?
Try out these 11 Portuguese bodegas, some in Petersham and others sprinkled across Sydney to save you from a lifetime of indecisive hunger!
Literally meaning “soul” in Portuguese, Alma delivers exactly that from the bar and kitchen, straight to your table. During the day you’ll be under cheerful lights that not only brighten the room but your mood as well; in the evenings you’ll be dining under their mysterious glow. You can pick a sit on their upstairs area to look over the afternoon life of Darlinghurst and Stanley Street or watch the elegant flow of eager customers coming and satisfied patrons at their street level.
Wherever you decide to dine, make sure to try their Bacalhau A Bras (codfish), an indispensable choice to the Portuguese along with some signature wines. If you’re here for some casual drinks, relish in the bartenders’ talents that come in the form of cocktails or try their $5 house wines and beers! They’re also a breakfast favourite for locals, especially for their eggs benedict. Serving soulful dishes, ambience and service morning till night, there is always time for Alma Bar & Kitchen.
Price Range: Approximately $40 per person
Address: 66 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Website: here
Sporting the three P’s: Portuguese, Pastries and Petersham, this café is perfect for afternoon tea, a sugary snack and cute dates alike. If you’re new and aren’t too sure what to get, enjoy their Galão (Portuguese coffee with one-fourth coffee and three-quarters foamed milk) with their Broa (traditional cornbread) for a typical Portuguese snacking.
If you’re up for something sweeter, enjoy their variations Portuguese Tarts perfected with flavoured custards enveloped with a crispy outer shell. Their tastes complement their humble, homey interior reminiscent of the simple yet classy aura of Portugal. Their excellent service also mimics the friendly nature of Portuguese people. Always delivering fresh delicacies straight out of the oven and ready for your enjoyment, Sweet Belem is not to be missed!
Price Range: Approximately $12 per person
Address: 35B New Canterbury Road, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
Also known as O’le Charcoal Chicken Kensington, it may look like an ordinary fast food place from the exterior but don’t be fooled; this is one eatery you do not want to scoff at. With a choice of burgers, wraps, salads, seafood dishes, it’s nothing close to fast food joint and everything you’ve ever wanted. If you’re a first timer, definitely order their one of their O’le Burger Meals as it’s their signature dish.
First-time customers get 10% off their first order so there’s no excuse to miss out! O’le appeals to a lot of UNSW students as it’s a walkable distance from campus, making it a great venue for casual chitchats. Although the restaurant itself is a little small, the menu is very popular with kids as well with families often grabbing takeout as a treat! Embracing the combined spirit of fun and quality food this bistro is the embodiment of a perfect Portuguese meal.
Price Range: Approximately $17 per person
Address: 142 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033
Website: here
Named after the most common last name in Portugal (Silva), this bodega brings you home-style Portuguese cooking. From Caldo Verde Soup (Portuguese Green Soup), Chourico Assado (Flame-grilled sausage), Polvo Grelhado (Grilled octopos) and Portuguese Chicken Burger along with their Sagres (Portuguese Beer), you’ll have an adventurous journey through their traditional tastes.
Their colourful menu complements their uplifting interior. From full wall windows to eccentric paintings, just looking around will plant a smile on you! You can book a function, come in for a family dinner, lunch date with friends or a treat your significant other here and all patrons are sure to leave happiness brimming by the lips! It does get a little bit crowded though so a booking is always a good idea. Or you can get takeaway from 10:30am to 9pm and experience their homey tastes in your own home! Be a part of the Silva family and have a go at this Petersham treasure!
Price Range: Approximately $22 per person
Address: Shop 1, 82 Canterbury Road, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
Opened in 1988, Gloria’s Portuguese Café was started after a single mother of four realised there were no restaurants that catered to the Portuguese community and how much Sydney-siders were missing out. With an amazing variety of traditionally Portuguese tapas, mains, deserts and drinks, Gloria welcomes vegetarians, meat-lovers, seafood enthusiasts and desert fanatics alike.
Some of the Petersham locals’ favourite mains include Alentejana Porco (diced pork with friend clams served with cubed potatoes and pickles), Sardinhas a Casa (fried Portuguese sardines served with Boiled potatoes, green beans and carrots) and Guisado de Carneiro (lamb and red wine casserole served with potatoes and carrots).
Their native tastes compliment their tavern-like ambience, ideal for a large group of friends, special family occasions (which is all occasions) and couples up for a little romantic dinner. The intimate lighting, especially in the evenings, is a celebratory gesture to the people you love brought together by the genuine tastes of Portugal! At Gloria’s you get nothing short of the real deal where each and every meal is an occasion in itself!
Price Range: Approximately $35 per person
Address: 82 Audley Street, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
Divine is right, this Portuguese palace is another one of Petersham’s pleasures you do not want to miss. With bargain prices worth the top-notch standards of the food along in a fancy yet homey setting, you’re bound to have a wonderful time no matter who you bring.
Its lavish interior is enough to create a date-like atmosphere, perfect for couples, but casual enough to relieve any tension. The inside also being spacious, you won’t have any problem coming here with a large family or group of friends. As your eyes feast on Divino’s decorations, try their equally incredible dishes such as Ameijoas a Bulhao Pato (pipis with coriander, garlic and wine), Feijoada de Marisco (seafood stew) and Espetada (Beef kebabs) from their classically Portuguese menu. For a lack of better word, at Divino Restaurant Café, you’re sure to have a divine time.
Price Range: Approximately $35 per person
Address: 98 Audley Street, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
It may not be in Petersham among the prominent Portuguese food places but Angelos Portugalia is definitely a top competitor when delivering their native tastes. This Kensington gem is a great variant for the many Asian eateries along Anzac Parade, serving some of Portugal’s signature dishes like Camaro ‘a Portugalia (Portuguese prawns pan fried with garlic, peri-peri and Portuguese sauce), Portugalia Steak and Chanfana (slow-roasted lamb) and Espetada (prime Angus beef grilled over open charcoal).
Their heavenly flavours accompany their fast, outstanding and polite service, truly like you’re being served by angels! Bring your family, friends or significant other here and you’ll find just how welcoming and comfortable it is in this restaurant. Their interior is very spacious, making it a great venue for large functions. Petersham may be the Portuguese hub but don’t miss out on Angelos Portgualia or you’ll be missing one of Sydney’s jewels!
Price Range: Approximately $45 per person
Address: 262 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033
Website: here
Delivering the flavours of South-Central Portugal right to the Inner West of Sydney, Sabores do Alentejo will make you question where you really are. Dishes such as Boxexas de Porco (roast pork with baby potatoes and salad), Salmao Grelhado and Ameijoas a Bulhao Pato (Clams in olive oil, garlic, white wine, coriander and lemon juice) will fool you into thinking their doors have teleported you straight to mainland Alentejo.
Along with their traditional menu, they also mimic the eclectic style of Portugal with their colourful interior, never failing to put even the hungriest of patrons in a good mood. This extremely family friend restaurant creates the home-away-home feel, regardless of whether you’re actually from Portugal or not. Who says you can’t be in two places at once? At this eating-house, you’ll feel like you’re in Alentejo and Sydney all at once!
Price Range: Approximately $55 per person
Address: Shops 3 & 4, 98-106 Audley Street, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
Living up to their name, you can trust Costa Do Sol to always serve delightfully delicious cuisines that will brighten your days just as much as the suns rays. Their authentic dishes like Misto de Mariso A Costa Do Sol (Char-grilled Seafood Platter), Panado de Vitela (Veal Snitzel served with salad and fried potatoes) and Carne de Porco A Alentejana (Pork Meat Alentejana style with clams served with fried potatoes) will fill and warm you up from the inside!
Even more so, their thoughtful service will warm you up with love! Costa do Sol also has a Group and Party Menu, welcoming large groups, whether of friends or family, to their venue. With infectious smiles, sunny personality and piquant dishes, Costa do Sol radiates with warmth and positivity you just don’t want to miss!
Tip: The seafood platter is big enough for 2 people and goes well with Vinho, a Portuguese wine.
Price Range: Approximately $30 per person
Address: 102 New Canterbury Road, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
Moving away from the restaurant type venues and from Petersham in general, this Portuguese joint is one reason to get up in the morning! That’s a reference to their name, O galo, which means “the rooster” in Portuguese, but that isn’t the only reason! Have a go at their burgers, especially their signature Ogalo Burger, and you’ll see that their authentic and natural flavours are worth waking up for!
If you aren’t much of a burger fan, don’t worry because they’ve got an assortment of wraps and salads as well where you can still enjoy their Portuguese style grill. They’ve also got a Family Pack and a Jumbo Pack options for large groups or Ogalo enthusiasts (no judgement, it’s great!). With a number of chains from Kensington to Kings Cross, Bondi to Macquarie, Darlinghurst to Parramatta and so many more, there just isn’t a reason not to try this rooster out!
Price Range: Approximately $15 per person
Address: Shop B, 127 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: here
Now that we know what “rooster” is in Portuguese, it’s time to talk about its counterpart: the chicken, or in the native tongue, Frango. Proudly living up to their name and speciality, Frango Charcoal Chicken serves burgers, chips, barbecues, skewers, salads, seafoods, an assortment of entrées and side dishes, and deserts to wrap it all up! Try their Famous Frango Burger or their number one house special: the Portugese Charcoal Chicken and you’ll see why chicken is their undisputed speciality.
Don’t worry though, one look at the menu and you’ll see they’ve got just as many pork, beef and seafood dishes as well! They’ve even got a children’s menu section so families with kids are welcome! The employees of this effervescent bistro enthuse over providing first-rate service for patrons to enjoy top quality food with top-notch company. Come on now, make like the last syllable and have a go to Frango’s!
Price Range: Approximately $20 per person
Address: 98 New Canterbury Road, Petersham NSW 2049
Website: here
With these 11 Portuguese restaurants you’re sure to be cultured, be fed and be satisfied! And we guarantee you’ll enjoy every step (or should we say, bite?) of it! If you’ve been to any one of these places or if there are other restaurants that bring a little bit of Portugal to Sydney that we might’ve missed, let us know in the comments!
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