I tried the kangaroo dish, fish and chips, calamari, and the lemon lime bitters drink. Awesome! The kangaroo dish was delicious it literally tasted like steak but more lean meat, fish and chips was great the fried fish isn't greasy and perfect fish to batter, calamari is different seemed less chewy from all the calamari I've had in the US and while in Aus. nonetheless it was good... but the highlight of my entire trip was the LEMON LIME BITTERS no alcohol unless you want it but tastes like a 7up/Sprite with bitters it's a unique taste. Ordered it my entire trip after I had it. Service - was great everyone super friendly and made great recommendations- great place overall!! ***the rocks has a cool weekend market - have to try Danieli's food it's amazing!!! read more

lugar muy agradable para pasar la tarde con una buena compañía, la comida muy rica y el capuchino de los mejores que eh probado, el servicio y la atención excelente sin duda un espacio agradable y por supuesto un lugar que visitaría regularmente read more

My girlfriend and I visited from the US, and one of the dishes on my bucket list was kangaroo. I had the grilled kangaroo fillet, and I have to say it was cooked perfectly. The meat was so tender and full of flavor, I would absolutely recommend coming here if you want to try some good kangaroo! read more

The Rocks Cafe - Kangaroo fillet - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Food, service and ambience were all incredible. Eggs Benedict cooked to perfection (bacon). Husbands Spanish omelette was full of flavor. Flat white was too pretty to drink, read more

The Rocks Cafe - Flat white - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Conveniently located near Circular Quay and right in the historic "The Rocks" neighborhood. If trying a kangeroo burger or crocodile burger is on your list, this is the place to stop by to check it off your list. My husband's kangeroo burger was tender and quite flavorful. It tasted similarly to a beef patty but it did have a unique aftertaste with a tang to it. I got a crab linguine dish that was all right. It was not too flavorful but I did appreciate the fresh and plenty crabmeat in the dish. Not a place I thoroughly enjoyed but it was conveniently located and we were starving in the area. read more

This was a great place in the oldest neighborhood of Sydney. Service was perfect. I had the Kangaroo burger and it was very tasty. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Kangaroo burger with fries and salad. - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

The best coffee I have had in Sydney for a very long time. Popped in on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Easy to order from the table. Thanks.

On our walk to The Rocks Cafe, we passed many a business touting burgers. Ironic, given our goal of heading to The Rocks Cafe was their kangaroo and crocodile burgers! They sat us upstairs where we had the space nearly all to ourselves one weekday shortly after noon. They had a special offer of a selection of entrees with a drink for $20, of which their kangaroo burger were one of the options. A la carte the kanga burger was $24, while the crocodile was $26. We decided to split a couple of each and added the Zucchini, Carrot & Sweet Corn Fritter (soft poached egg, crispy bacon, avocado salsa & grilled tomato) $23 as a shared appetizer. The fritter was nice, well flavored, though it could have been improved with a crispy texture. The croc patty was too soft a consistency to enjoy as a burger, while the roo patty could have been mistaken for a normal burger if no one had said otherwise. read more

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Fantastic restaurant, amazing staff and unforgettable food. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Garlic bread loaf was buttery and crispy. All of our mains were delicious. My son's eyes glazed over and said it's the best cheesecake he's ever had. read more

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This is a cute little place right on restaurant row. The staff were nice and food was ok, we had a Caesar salad and lamb pita. It took about 45 minutes for the food so not a "quick bite" by any means. read more

When we asked for a "non-fine dining" place to grab some good food, the concierge at our hotel recommended The Rocks Cafe. My wife had the fish & chips, and I had the kangaroo burger. Both were very good. It was my first time with kangaroo, and had a nice flavor -- a sort of "gamy beef." The burger had two patties and the wonderful juiciness that I love in a cafe-style burger. My wife's fish were fried in a light batter, letting the fish and the tarter speak for themselves. I do wish there was a longer beer list, but that's a trifle. read more

Our first night in Sydney, and we found this gem of a restaurant with great fish and chips. Would definitely go back.

Service is bad. Yes it's a Saturday and we waited for a long time in line (not complaining) But after we sat down, it took 40+ mins to get our food, despite we were told it is coming soon multiple times (after waited for 30 mins etc). The waitress started to make excuses that I asked to wait for my appetizer to finish before bringing the entrees (which I never did), but my appetizer took more than 35 mins to come! Finally food came, and it was no good. The food is pretty plain and tasteless! I am actually surprised for all the good reviews they got. Not good at all, bad service bad food. read more

Went on the review and wasn't disappointed. Great food (Kangaroo burger), quick and polite service with a smile and jus cool Sitting outside and soaking up the atmosphere read more

Food was quite good, and the service was fine as well. We were a party of six, however, and the restaurant refused to split our bill. "It's our policy!" was their explanation. Come on, get with the times. Splitting bills is a simple matter that should be possible anywhere. read more

TL:DR - Weird unappetizing calamari. Kangaroo burger tasted like a chewier beef burger, but still good. Service was off-putting but not terrible. You can easily do better in the area. This place was alright. Upscale pub fare. My partner and I split a calamari appetizer and a kangaroo burger because #Australia. The calamari is very different than what I was expecting. It came in triangle shapes and had a smoothish french fry type of fry and had little flavor. I had to add lots of salt and pepper. This is contrast that what I'm used to with a breaded fry with lots seasoning. The kangaroo burger tasted like a normal burger. The meat itself had a bit more chew than a normal beef burger. I wonder if it's only tourists who get the kangaroo burger over the beef burger. Outside of that, the place was fine. Our server seemed disinterested in general. So overall a really Meh experience. You could do better when in the area. read more

This is a very friendly and pleasant place to fill your sightseeing empty tummy with scrumptious offerings in dinners but especially in desserts. We went back and had just about one of each so we didn't have to miss anything. Andrea was an excellent server. Enjoyed our experience immensely. Don't miss this Aussie gem in The Rocks! read more

Food was great staff was able to get us table on a Friday night quickly. Service was prompt and staff very helpful. Loved the outside seating was perfect read more

We grabbed some dinner here after visiting The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia since it was right across the back entrance and we wanted to try "Australian" food. Can definitely recommend the Kangaroo steak as that was expertly done. I was worried it might be too gamey bit was proven wrong by taking the chef recommendation of medium rare. The steak was supple and tender. We also shared the tiramisu for dessert. That was just ok as it wasn't as moist as I expected - resembled a regular cake. But their cappuccino was excellent! Overall, the place has a nice vibe, not too expensive considering the area where it's located. We sat outside since the weather was gorgeous but they also have inside booths on the first level, and tables upstairs. Just as a caution: they have the world's smallest bathrooms. It's quite a mastery they were able to fit 2 stalls in there, each with their own tiny sinks. Highly recommend if you're in the area. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Tiramisu cake and cappuccino - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

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Cute spot across from the Museum of Contemporary Art. I had read some great reviews and supposedly this place has the best fish-n-chips unfortunately they don't serve lunch until 11:30am and it was 11:15am. So I had the salmon Benedict. It was delicious and would have given the place 5-stars but the coffee was sour. Don't know if it was the milk or the coffee but it wass bitter and slightly sour. The decor is cute and the service was great read more

The Rocks Cafe - Cute upstairs seating area - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

If you're a tourist like me and are looking for a spot to try some native meat, then The Rocks Cafe is here for you. I didn't think much of the restaurant when I walked by on a weekday afternoon. I had just gotten out of the zoo and was feeling like tasting a bit of kangaroo (morbid I know...), so I did a quick Yelp search and came across this little joint that served kangaroo burger. The restaurant never got too busy and had a nice ambience. There were only solo travelers dining in and I was able to grab a table relatively quick. I ordered the kangaroo burger ($24) and their homemade lemon & mint iced tea ($5.50). Rather pricy if you ask me, but nonetheless these are Aussie tourist prices we're talking here. My kangaroo burger was topped with lettuce, tomato, and onions, with spreads of garlic aioli and beet relish. Interesting combination of tastes if you ask me! My burger was definitely interesting and after taking care of it, I realized I may not be the biggest fan of kangaroo meat. However, quality and presentation was very much on point here. As for my drink, it was a good accompaniment to a long awaited meal here in Sydney. Overall, place was a bit pricy but that's to be expected, and food here is good. If you're looking for a variety of Australian dishes in one area in Circular Quay, this is a good place to check out. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Kangaroo Burger - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

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I was recommended to come here by someone at the Four Seasons Hotel (a short walk away) and I had a very nice lunch. The atmosphere is very quaint and feels like it's been there for a very long time. I had a burger and fries (I know, very boring) and it was delicious. I'm gluten-free and they did have a gluten-free bun (I opted to have mine without bread). The fries (chips) were crispy and the service was friendly and attentive. They had a very selection of awesome looking pastries (not for we who are gluten-free, but if you're not, I'd recommend taking a peek). read more

The Rocks Cafe - Burger with chips - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Sunday morning coffee done right! Ordered a large long black for takeout since the place was a little crowded. It was a beautiful day outside so no complaints! Service was fast and super friendly, everyone was so nice. The coffee was perfect! As a recent Aussie coffee convert, this was the best I've had so far. Rich flavor, hot, and no bitter after taste-- almost had a dark chocolate essence! The location was what initially drew me in. The cafe is in an old building right in the heart of the Rocks. It's also conveniently located right near the open air market held on the weekends that features local arts and craftsmen. Started off my Sunday morning on a great note! :) read more

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Lunch time menu looked ok, nothing incredibly interesting looking. We were hoping to try the Roo that everyone was talking about but, unfortunately, it wasn't on this menu. Sat outside. Waitress was friendly enough but food was just ok. Pretty pricey for what it was. The zuchinni, carrot, corn fritters (21$) was ok but had asked for bacon on the side and it came out sitting on top. eww. Burger was fine but really couldn't justify the price, think In-in-out set on a plate for 20$. Personally, 4$ seems more reasonable. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Burger - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

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Located in neighborhood so-called "The Rocks" near Circular Quay. It's sort of tourist trap stretch. It was quite easy to find and tables on the sidewalk and lively crowd atmosphere surely got my attention while I was venturing out the city on day 1. Hungry and tired, I was pretty much sucked into this place. When I looked at the menu, something caught my eyes - "Kangaroo Fillet". I didn't know kangaroo meat could be delicacy. Curiosity killed the cat, I ordered one. It was... Ok. It's quite lean.. Actually very lean that it was a bit dry? But taste was rather close to beef. And I kinda rather enjoyed the mash potatoes which bedded the meat. But l can see this dish can be healthy 'n lean alternative for athletes. Service was overall good and staffs were pretty attentive and pleasant. I guess waiting time for food felt bit long. 20+ minute. But hey, I came out smiling, I guess it was ok. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Kangaroo fillet!! A bit dried but still delicious though. - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

While this is a charming little cafe, it is quite small, which means that it gets pretty packed pretty quickly. This is moreso the case when the cruise ships dock namely because being in the Rocks means that this place is one of the first place that they see when they jump off for a bit of a wander around. However, the cafe still has a bit of charm, and and they do serve a nice pot of tea. They do have an upstairs area though, which for some reason I didn't check out, but it can be a little difficulty getting in and out at times. read more

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Faced with a morbid curiosity about the taste of kangaroo ("Australian deer" to Americans) I stopped here for a kangaroo burger or filet. The staff convinced me that filet was the way to go. I tried it and to be honest thought it was like a drier, less flavorful version of beef. Which I am glad it was because I kind of think roos are cute and don't really want to eat them. So why four stars? Because the service was super friendly and the meal preparation was excellent - delicious mashed potatoes and greens served along with the steak that gave me the confidence this restaurant knows what it's doing. Crocodile burger next time. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Roo fillet! - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

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What a wonderful surprise. This little cafe has a wonderful chef that we were both impressed by. My husband had fish and chips and he is fairly picky. He said the batter was light and crispy and the fish was very good. I was hesitant to try the kangaroo filet. It was tender and delicious. The potatoes and wine sauce were very nice. Highly recommend! read more

Updated Review after 2nd visit: 4 stars down from 5. The chicken and mushroom pie was just ok and the espresso cake was good but a bit dry. The Rocks Cafe has a charming and eclectic feel to it with a smallish dining room and old pictures of Sydney on the walls. With rotating specials and a diverse menu there is surely something you'll love. The food was equally delicious and the service was quick and friendly. The pan roasted salmon was the best fish my wife said she had in a long time and my gnocchi was light with a flavorful sauce. This is a great stop if you're in The Rocks. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Pan roasted salmon - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

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We stopped here after walking back from the Pylon Lookout for lunch. It was early (11:30ish) and fairly quiet. We opted for a table outside. It felt a bit like we were in a main traffic area, seated on the side of a road. But it did have a bit of a view of the bridge behind it, which was nice. The food was absolutely fine, just nothing particularly exciting. I ordered the smoked salmon salad and my husband ordered the crocodile burger. The salad was good, and it hit the spot. The crocodile burger was decent, but perhaps a little more exciting in concept than interesting in taste. All in all, a completely solid lunch stop, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Crocodile burger and smoked salmon salad - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Great food and service. Loved the food. Tried vegimite for the first time. They had gluten free options for my friend. Cappuccinos were delicious also and just what I needed. Friends got the salmon toast, the avocado toast, and shasuka (eggs in tomato sauce), and everything was perfect. The iced coffee was also great. read more

Had my second meal of the week at this place. It was fantastic. Staff is super friendly. I got the potato & leek soup to start. My husband got the Rocket & Pear salad. Both were outstanding. For our mains we had the Kangaroo Filet & Crab Linguini. Both were delicious and perfectly prepared. We finished off our meal with Carrot Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake. Both we outstanding. read more

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Absolutely excellent food and presentation. I'd highly recommend the Kangaroo Steak. It's not a novelty item, it's legit delicious. Not very gamey. Great char. Cool atmosphere. The only thing preventing this from being a 5 Star review is the ridiculously slow pace at which my waiter worked. It took more than 30 minutes to get my check from when my table was cleared. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Good service - sit outside if possible. Inside and upstairs are less desirable. Good food, especially the grilled kangaroo. Fish and chips were above average. Bathrooms are small and at the top of narrow and steep stairs. Drinks were fairly priced. read more

Great stop. Good food and friendly service. Best chicken sandwich ever. Outdoor seating under umbrellas. Go!

Solid choice for breakfast. Nice outdoor seating. Had the avocado toast (without feta) and an English breakfast tea. Avocado could have been a little less puréed. Toast was great. read more

The Rocks Cafe - Avocado toast (no feta) $18 - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW

Service was slow but to be expected in the touristy area. My husband loved the lamb pita with 8 hour cooked meat, pickled condiments and fresh labneh. read more

I really wanted to like this place more. Service was good and we like the atmosphere, but the food was just ok. We sat upstairs by a window with a view of George Street. I ordered the kangaroo burger. I was thinking that they would cook it right, but it came out overcooked and rather dry. I am told by locals that, like other wild game such as elk or deer, it gets tough when overcooked. The chips were good. We did have some birds visit us and look in the window while we were eating, that was pretty cool. read more

Almost our last day in Sydney and we found this gem. It is in a touristy area, so we came in with low expectations. Chose it because my son wanted to try a kangaroo burger and my favorite fish (Dory)was in the fish and chips dish. We were ecstatic to discover that the meals exceeded our expectations...in fact, it was the beT meal either of us had in Sydney. The couple next to us had amazing dishes as well and raves about the Shepherd's pie. Everyone was so nice. When my daughter got a vegetarian burger that wasn't a pattie but instead was veggies on a bun, the manager even took her meal off the check and offered her a replacement meal. Made us all happy. And the cheesecake!!!! read more

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Stopped in here for breakfast as it was close to our hotel. Cappuccinos we're good and the avocado toast was decent but my eggs Benedict were very bland. Maybe this place is better for lunch? Service was friendly and attentive so I would come back and try something else. read more

The Rocks Cafe - First Australian cappuccino with chocolate shavings on top yum! - Modern Australian Near Me - The Rocks, NSW