Andy Cooks’ favourite restaurants and cafes in Sydney and Melbourne
The chef and social media superstar offers a long list of his favorite restaurants and cafes in Sydney, Melbourne and London, as well as top tips on what to order while you’re there.
Chef Andy Hearnden, aka Andy Cooks, may have spent 20 years working at top restaurants in London, Sydney and Melbourne, but he’s really left an impression on social media – or a few million people.
The New Zealand-born, Sydney-based chef started posting cooking videos during the pandemic, and it’s safe to say they’ve gone viral. Current followings: TikTok @andy_cooks 6 million. instagram @andyhearden: 4.6 million. YouTube @andy_cooks: 6.18 million subscribers.
One of Andy’s most popular TikTok videos remains his chili oil noodle dish, which has garnered 50 million views. Hey baby TV seriesis where wife and recipe tester Katelyn Flood (aka ‘baby’) asks for her favorite recipes.
Andy is also a guest judge. MasterChef Australia On Sunday, May 3, the contestants will hold an immunity challenge themed “Family Favorites” to see how creative they can be with eggs.
Considering he is the son of a poultry farmer, Andy is keen to see what they will create. For information, the most preferred egg dish at home is the goat cheese and chive omelet.
These opportunities are no longer missed for the global cooking superstar. “I’m pretty lucky that this is now my job, my profession, and I can continue to share my love of food with the world.”
Here are some of her favorites.
eating out
My favorite Sydney restaurants and cafes
Surry Hills is home to some of my favorite eateries in Sydney. a meal Sáng of Mabasa It’s like eating at a Korean home and they make really nice potato dumplings and a great raw wagyu dish. Coffee is amazing Odd OSo are eggs Benedict and ham. I love paninis Luigi Panini and I always order mortadella and stracciatella.
I’m a big fan of simple Roman pasta. Vin-Cenzo – for me it’s always cacio e pepe. For a large T-bone steak to share with friends Oyster Bar. I also love the Pellegrino, which I recently ordered with octopus and potatoes – delicious. I’m having fun Bar Copains. I ate the most nostalgic polenta chips with aioli there. I’m not usually a fan but they sent them out and it was a food memory that took me back to eating chips with my family on the beach in New Zealand as a kid. They were incredible.
I liked it for takeaway appizza. It recently opened in Darlinghurst and I can thoroughly recommend the pepperoni and hot honey pizza.
My favorite Melbourne restaurants and cafes
On: Cam’s KioskIn Abbotsford they make a lovely omelet stuffed with ham, cheese and tomatoes. They also make a great veal cheek polenta.
For good old fashioned burgers, Danny’s Burgers Fitzroy is in the North. For takeaway, I always order a few dim sims before the burger, usually one with a fried egg on top.
If it’s after 10pm, I always order the burger at: Gimlet – and don’t forget to wink at the waiter when I do this. I also love the gnocco fritto with parmesan cream or go bougie with saffron rice lobster. Moreover, Butcher’s Restaurant for a cheeky midnight burger.
I’m very anti-burger – beetroot and pineapple don’t belong on a burger – and my chef friend Ben Shewry and I have many heated arguments about this. Andrew’s Hamburger is another favorite spot to get takeout.
Aziz Ali one of those Melbourne institutions that always feels the same; I was working there, it was like putting on your favorite socks. I order boiled eggs for my Mexican Cousin.
Some other Melbourne favorites include PalaceHere they prepare a wonderful bone marrow dish and kinilaw, a traditional Filipino raw fish dish.
My partner Katelyn and I love to go Kirk’s Wine Bar – he was working there. No one does French food like the iconic France-Soir. I always order veal chops. I liked it too Supper Club Drink a tonic water when you’re out with drinking friends.
My favorite hometown restaurant (and go-to food)
I lived on the Sunshine Coast for years. My favorite places is a cozy place located in Maroochydore. Samila Gaeng for the best Thai food. I always order a khao soi [curry egg noodle]. I love too Umami Ramen For the best grilled pork chashu ramen.
My favorite hometown cafe and/or bar
Always Lamkin Lane Espresso BarThey have a great coffee program here. I’m always a double espresso kind of guy. If it’s eggs, it’s always ham Benedict.
I stopped drinking alcohol eight years ago, but when I go to a bar I usually drink a non-alcoholic wine or soda, like NON. You’ll find me over there Dicky Surf Beach Club In Caloundra.
on the way
Favorite Food City
London.
What are your favorite places to eat there and why?
st john’s is original. You can’t go past bone marrow, or you can’t go past sour toast.
mantecca There is another great spot for Italian cuisine in Shoreditch. They use the whole animal and I always order linguine. The deli program is also excellent.
Beigal Bakery On Brick Lane for a salt beef bagel with hot English mustard.
Akoko is a magnificent two Michelin star West African restaurant. The team prepares a spectacular smoky jollof rice as part of the tasting menu.
Frog Oven From croissants to custard Danishes and saffron tea cake, London’s the place to be for all kinds of pastries.
Where do you stay while you’re there and why?
I’m staying Shoreditch House. It has a great common area where you can hang out, work, and watch people pass by.
eating
Signature dish and go-to place at home
A seven-hour lamb shoulder with balsamic onions and good sides like potato salad or fries.
guilty pleasure
A Magnum of vanilla ice cream from the freezer section of a service station. There may also be hazelnuts on the outside!
Kitchen wisdom I stick to
Before you start cooking a meal, make sure you’re ready to cook it.
Catch Andy Cooks as a guest judge on MasterChef on Sunday, May 3 at 7pm. and 10Play.
Jane Rocca is a regular contributor to Sunday Life Magazine, Executive Style, The Age EG, a columnist and a columnist for Domain Review, Domain Living’s Personal Space page. He is an author with four published books.Connect with: X or email.
