Sydney's best places to eat and drink this Australia Day

Want to indulge in some Aussie classics this Australia day? Here are our top choices for barbecues, burgers, lamingtons and more (all washed down with a cold-one, of course).

Big Breakfast at Dee Why

The biggest event on the northern beaches and one of the most popular events there is. Starting at 7am, join thousands of people for a hot breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and sausage and egg rolls followed by a dip in the ocean. For those who prefer dryer ground, there are camel rides, live music and games to keep you entertained. What says 'Straya more than a thong-throwing competition?

Dee Why Beach, Dee Why NSW sydney.com

El Camino Cantina

A four-day weekend fiesta kicks off on Thursdaywith happy hour from 5-7pm and live band The Bedlams from 7pm. Go back on Australia Day to watch the Australian Open live and enjoy El Camino's food and drink package ($137, serves four).

18 Argyle St, The Rocks elcaminocantina.com.au

Flour and Stone

One of our top picks to get your lamington fix. The same classic vanilla sponge is soaked in pannacotta and completed with a berry compote centre and dark chocolate and coconut coating. If you're especially keen, you can order packs of half-a-dozen or lamington slabs big enough to feed as many as 20 people (depending on the size you choose).

53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo flourandstone.com.au

Fratelli Fresh

For a Vegemite fix closer to Sydney CBD, pop-in to Fratelli Fresh. The restaurant chain is serving a limited-edition Vegemite pizza especially for Australia day. The crust is smeared with Vegemite and topped with smoked mozzarella AND buffalo mozzarella. The pizza is available at all seven restaurants from Monday 22nd January to Sunday 28th January.

fratellifresh.com.au

LusciousKiki

Another lamington love-in. Choose from a quirky selection of different flavours, including 'the luscious gay-tyme' and "mango ginger tango". For those looking to really pull out all the stops, the Australia lamington is for you: big enough to feed 5-6 people, the Australia-shaped beauty stays true to the classic flavours of cream, chocolate and coconut. It's sure to be a hit.

16 Sydenham Rd, Brookvale, lusciouskikicakes.wixsite.com

Munich Brauhaus, Bavarian Bier Café and The Bavarian

Swap snags for bratwurst, tinnies for steins of beer, and indulge in the limited-edition Oz Day Schnitzelmeister: a 1kg schnitzel with bacon, three eggs and cheese ($100, serves four). On Australia Day there will be live music from 3pm, a free BBQ snag with the purchase of a stein and Aussie Pale Ale on tap all day (excluding Bavarian Bier Café Entertainment Quarter).

Munichbrauhaus.com, bavarianbiercafe.com, thebavarian.com.au​

Rockpool Bar & Grill

On the pricier-side but definitely worth the money, Rockpool's signature passionfruit pavlova ($23) is a treat. And what better time to try it than when celebrating all-things Aussie?

66 Hunter St, Sydney rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au

Sydney Olympic Park

With heaps of open space for you to set-up a picnic and enjoy a game of cricket, Sydney Olympic Park is a family friendly spot to enjoy Australia Day. If you're hoping for some entertainment, don't be disheartened. The park has FREE festivities from 2pm, complete with 8.30pm fireworks and a special screening of award winning Australian film Lion.

Sydney Olympic Park, sydneyolympickpark.com.au

The Australian Heritage Hotel

With celebrations across Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday the 28th, it's fair to say the Australian Heritage Hotel knows how to party. Celebrating all things Aussie, there will be live music, the Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown, and "the best Aussie beer in the country!" Standouts include a special Australia Day menu and a 'beer passport' event where you can "Drink your way around Australia!"

100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks australianheritagehotel.com

The Forresters

The Foresters is starting the party earlier and keeping it going across the whole weekend. There will be a range of specials Thursday-Sunday, including $20 cocktail jugs and an $8 sausage sizzle, complete with a DJ set from 2pm. If you're feeling especially patriotic, you could give their Vegemite waffles a taste. Or simply observe the spectacle over a $5 tinnie. The choice is yours.

336 Riley Street, Surry Hills forresters.com.au

The Glenmore Hotel​

The Glenmore is known for its rooftop so it only makes sense they would throw a rooftop party on Australia Day. With live music from 4pm, it's the perfect spot to watch the Australia Day Ferrython. Come back on Saturday to do it all again with the Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown playing from 12pm!

Menu and trade as normal, 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks theglenmore.com.au

The Greens

What do you get when you have a reptile petting zoo, fair dinkum face-painting and live tunes with the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop? Australia Day at The Greens. But, true-blue entertainment wouldn't be complete without an Aussie feast. Choose from roast lamb sambos, prawn cocktails, and Australian brisket, and a trolley worth of Aussie desserts with a twist. Bonza.

50 Ridge Street, North Sydney thegreensnorthsydney.com.au

The Hayberry​

To celebrate Australia day, the Hayberry is opening early for a 'Pre Oz Day Lunch'. The shining-star will be 'The Bogan Burger': a brioche bun stuffed with egg, bacon, cheese, barbecue sauce, pineapple, mayo and, yep, beetroot.

97 Willoughby Road Crows Nest thehayberry.com.au

The Tudor Hotel

The Tudor's kept is simple this year. Celebrate Australia Day with a range of Aussie sausages (starting at $10) and can of VB for just $5. A snag and a tinnie? Sometimes simple is best.

Sausages and beer available from 12pm, 90 Pitt Street, Redfern tudorhotel.com.au

Watsons Bay Hotel

Grab some friends to and celebrate the long weekend with the Hotel's resident DJ's playing all afternoon. As well as Aussie food, there will be plenty of Aussie grub like a Lamb Shank Pie with Chips, Lobster and Prawn Linguine and a Pulled Wagyu Beef burger. Add a $5 Kosciuszko Pale Ale to any of these meals to quench your thirst. But, leave room for dessert: the Watson's pavlova with lemon myrtle cream & berries is a must-try.

1 Military Road (corner of Marine Parade), Watsons Baywatsonsbayhotel.com.au

Host your own

Buy some lamingtons, buy some snags and host a barbie at home. While you're at it, why not make it a Big Red BBQ in support of Kidney Health Australia? Get a red theme going in your venue and donate the proceeds towards Australians affected by kidney disease.