Restaurant where you cook your own steak

As lovely as it is having someone else do the cooking, there is an undeniable novelty with sizzling, steaming, assembling or kneading when you don’t have to worry about the washing up (let alone the supermarket visit). From tossing pizzas to grilling steaks, theses are the best Sydney venues to visit when you’re in the mood to take your culinary prowess public.

Phillip’s Foote

Everything about this pub is quintessentially Australian, from its heritage charm and location in The Rocks to its sunny courtyard with BBQs. Here’s the deal: you cook your own steak, lamb cutlet, chicken breast, kebabs or fish (we love the barramundi or whole rainbow trout), and then you can load up your plate with salad, roasted veggies, pasta, potatoes and condiments for no extra charge.

101 George Street, The Rocks

The Oaks

Over in Neutral Bay, The Oaks is no ordinary pub. It’s an institution. It has a ‘meatatorium’ that’s manned by an in-house butcher who can help you choose between the grain-fed rib eye and wagyu rump. Once you’ve picked your perfect cut of beef, head to the beer garden, sidle up to a BBQ and cook your steak to your taste. Then, tuck in while swapping stories under the 70-year-old oak tree.

118 Military Road, Neutral Bay

The Dog Hotel

With its laidback charm, live music and multiple indoor and outdoor bars to mingle in, The Dog is the perfect local pub. Chef Chris (ex-Otto’s) also serves up a gourmet pub grub menu and a seriously good Sunday roast. On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than cooking your own juicy steak while soaking up the sun on the balcony.

2 Marks Road, Randwick

Signorelli Gastronomia

If you’re desperate to get your hands on Italian style dining, why not sign up for a workshop at this luxe Pyrmont cooking school? Offering cooking classes for pizza, pasta, salami, and a mozzarella masterclass, every class includes a glass of prosecco, antipasto, tastings of the dishes prepared during the class plus a recipe pack so you can replicate it all at home! Buono!

Ground Floor, Accenture Building, 48 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

678 Korean BBQ

Sydney is crazy for Korean BBQ, and those-in-the-know go straight to 678. And they do it for the endless supply of banchan, the array of (free) side dishes that appear on your table as soon as you sit down, like kimchi, sweet potato and pickled radish. After that, the cooking’s up to you. Order the pork belly or marinated wagyu short rib, and cook it over your tabletop barbecue until it’s charred on the outside and juicy on the inside. 

Level 1, 396 Pitt Street, Haymarket

Macelleria

While you won’t strictly be doing the cooking at this Newtown (now Bondi too!) haunt, you’ll no doubt be feeling very involved as you pore over the tantalisingly fresh options in the cabinet and handpick your preferred cut. The clever boys behind the counter will then fire up the grill and cook your eye fillet, cut of salmon, ribs, kebab or pattie to perfection.

Newtown and Bondi Beach

Sydney Seafood School

While it may not technically be a restaurant, you’ll still be able to sample the (restaurant quality) seafood dishes you’ve been slaving over with a glass of wine to match. With classes running from 2-4 hours you’ll have plenty of time to rack the brains of your instructor – hot topics include how to effortlessly prepare Singapore Chilli Crab and make eating it look equally as simple.

Sydney Fish Market, Pyrmont Bridge Road, Pyrmont

Danjee

Once you eat at Danjee, you’ll wonder why you didn’t know about it sooner. There are more BBQ options to poke a chopstick at, from the usual beef and baby octopus to pork belly, duck and ox tongue for the more adventurous eaters. The chefs will cook your food for $2 per dish, but it’s fun to nurse a Korean beer while cooking up a storm on the grills outside.

Shop 1, 7 Albion Place, Sydney

Rengaya Japanese

While these guys also serve all the Japanese classics, Rengaya offers Yakinaku dining, an authentic Japanese BBQ style in which meat, seafood and vegetables are grilled over a direct flame. They boast an impressive range of wagyu cuts (hello marbling) as well as DIY hot pots, steaming Bibimba and a delectable sashimi selection.

73 Miller Street, North Sydney

Kabuki Shoroku

If the sound of sizzling meat is music to your ears, go to this Japanese restaurant for date night. Whatever you do, order the premium wagyu beef sirloin, which arrives sliced, sitting in a light soy marinade, and with a side of veggies. On your table, you’ll see a smooth hot rock on a bed of salt crystals. Pop the meat on for about seven seconds each side, and savour every mouth-wateringly tender bite.

202 Clarence Street, Sydney

Stacks Bar & Restaurant

When you’re in the city, linger over a long lunch at this taverna. It serves up Mediterranean-style small plates, plus pizza, seafood and meat mains. The main dining room has a massive open barbecue grill, so if you’re in the mood, you can choose and grill your own Angus steak. Just let a waiter know if you want to complement it with creamy mash potato, chips or salad.

Darling Quarter, 1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney

Jang Ta Bal Korean BBQ

The city is flush with Korean BBQ restaurants, but this one sets itself apart by still using charcoal for their grills. And that’s why it’s buzzing every night. Every table is equipped with a barbecue pit that gives the food a rich, smoky and succulent flavour. Cook the wagyu beef yourself, then ask the chefs to whip up the famous cheese pork ribs.

48A The Boulevarde, Strathfield

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