The Best Restaurants in Marrickville for a Flavoursome Bite

Marrickville is one of Sydney’s most established foodie enclaves, offering a delectable array of restaurants, cafes and bars. With a rich array of Vietnamese restaurants, a buzzing bar scene and plenty of breweries, there is an abundance of places to eat and drink in this part of town.

If you don't know where to start, don't fret! We've whittled down all the best restaurants in Marrickville to make your tummy happy and satisfy all your cravings. 

20 Chapel 

Headed up by former Culinary Director of Hunter Street Hospitality and Rockpool Bar & Grill, Corey Costelloe, and chef Dave Allison, comes a menu packed with fire-cooked food. With a custom-built wood fire grill, produce direct from Allison's farm and an on-site aging room, you're in for culinary a treat. You can expect a range of lesser-known cuts to grace your plate at 20 Chapel alongside local brews and negronis on tap (literally). 

20 Chapel Street, Marrickville 

Kin Dining and Bar

Modern Australian meets Japanese and South American flavours at Kin Dining and Bar, bringing unexpected flavour and an elevated dining experience to Sydney's Inner West. The adults-only venue puts an innovative spin on Nikkei cuisine, designed to allow guests to fully immerse themselves in a refined ambience. 

The beef tataki is the perfect entry into the menu's Japanese elements, and the corn ribs served with miso butter are guaranteed to have you coming back for more. The roast chicken adobo is fast becoming a fan favourite thanks to an infusion of smokey heat from chipotle chillies. Pair it all with a drink from the seasonal cocktail menu - we loved the Pablo Esco Sour. 

5/359 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

Baba's Place

The talk of the Marrickville foodie scene, Baba’s Place is housed in a high-ceilinged warehouse and styled à la Nanna. Expect mismatched plates, odd chairs, candlelight illuminating walls of family photographs and classic lace-doily tablecloths. This Marrickville restaurant is an ode to the owner’s childhood growing up in Western Sydney migrant families.

The menu is so rich, varied and delicious that you’ll be tempted to go big before you go home, ordering up one of everything to share with your dining companions.

20 Sloane Street, Marrickville

Two Chaps

By day, Two Chaps is one of the best cafes in Marrickville but by night it’s transformed into one of the best pasta spots in Sydney. Vegetarian and with an emphasis on sustainability, almost everything at this Marrickville restaurant is handmade or locally sourced.

Their affordable set menu is available on Friday and Saturday nights and reliably features handmade pastas and local cheeses. Think of handmade ravioli and fresh fettuccine with an ever-changing selection of sauces to reflect the seasons. 

And, if you weren't already sold, Two Chaps is also a rare example of a BYO restaurant in Sydney with small corkage per bottle, giving you the perfect opportunity to bust out that wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

122 Chapel Street, Marrickville

Pizza Madre 

Pizza Madre's loyal following is renowned and its little wonder given they were recently awarded a spot in the top 50 pizzas in the Asia Pacific from 2023 to 2024. It's all about elevated meat-free ingredients like truffle cream, confit garlic, fried baby kale, capers and Brussel sprouts - all layered atop their delish 72-hour fermented sourdough bases.  The drinks selection is also killer with natural wines, house-made cocktails and craft beers aplenty. 

205 Victoria Road, Marrickville 

Hello Auntie

Bringing Vietnamese fusion to the dynamic foodie scene of Marrickville, Hello Auntie is a vetted spot by locals. A comforting staple for many, their pho is a warm embrace in a bowl, satisfying the cravings of the hungry masses. For those feeling adventurous or wanting a hands-on approach, the DIY rice paper roll kit is a must-try.

Vegans and vegetarians can take solace in the meat and dairy-free menu. Among their offerings, the vegan pho shines as one of the city's most popular plant-based delights—a hearty, flavourful bowl that transcends dietary preferences.

278 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre

Marrickville's laid-back vibe finds its epicentre at The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, a local watering hole and the official headquarters for Hawke’s Brewing Co. A hotspot for larrikins and beer enthusiasts, this place has it all—Hawke memorabilia in the pool room, a sun-soaked beer garden, and a tropical mezzanine.

But, it's the in-house Chinese-Australian bistro that steals the show. Lucky prawn toast and dim sims are permanent fixtures on the menu, ensuring nobody ever leaves hungry. Whether you're sipping a cold one in the beer garden or challenging mates to a round of pool, The Bob Hawke Centre should be on top of your list.

8-12 Sydney Street, Marrickville

Pepito’s

This small bar in Marrickville perfectly encapsulates the essence of the suburb. Like many institutions across the Marrickville foodie scene, Pepito's menu is a celebration in migration with local produce and taberna classics.

With a delectable array of seafood, spice and chargrilled meats, there is something for every palate and preference. Pepito’s is also a hot spot for pisco lovers, with a deep deck of the Peruvian spirit and perhaps the best pisco sour in Sydney.

276 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

Semola

For a taste of Italy in Marrickville, Semola on Marrickville Road is a must-visit among the vibrant restaurants in the area. Established in 2021, this stylish dining spot is the brainchild of a dynamic hospitality duo with a decade of experience in Sydney's top restaurants.

Their passion for true Italian food is evident in every dish, especially their house-made pasta. Crafted with 80% Italian ingredients, the pasta is drawn through a bronze die for that perfect texture to carry their delicious sauces. Whatever handmade pasta you choose, from spaghetti to fluffy gnocchi, Semola serves up authentic Italian flavours that linger in memory.

212 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Messina Creative

If you love Messina's famous gelato and you've got an adventurous palate, then you'll love Messina Creative, Sydney's first gelato-centric fine dining experience. Nestled in Marrickville, this intimate 20-seat restaurant offers an ever-changing six-course degustation menu, whipping up creative ways to turn gelato into unexpected, delicious dishes.

This unique gastronomic experience is complemented by its minimalist yet elegant set-up, making it a solid choice for a romantic date. The only catch - Messina Creative caters to patrons thrice a week, and its reservations open up every first day of the month, for the upcoming month. So get on their waitlist, stat!

1 Rich Street, Marrickville

Loved this round-up of the best restaurants in Marrickville and keen to keep exploring the best places to eat and drink through the Inner West? We've got you! Head here for the best brunch spots to try.