Leading Sydney chef Oscar Solomon has named a Portuguese restaurant hidden inside a Marrickville tennis club as the city's most underrated dining gem. In a recent TikTok interview with foodie account Secondz, the chef behind The Apollo, Cho Cho San and Olympus Dining revealed his ultimate picks for where to eat in Sydney.
When asked to nominate the most underrated restaurant, Solomon singled out Casa Do Benfica, located on Centennial Street in the inner-west suburb. 'It's like the best blend of true European food, but then an Australian bar that has Resch's on tap,' he said. The restaurant serves hearty portions of grilled Portuguese chicken, chargrilled seafood, beef espetadas and crisp vinho verde in a fuss-free setting.
Solomon warned that the venue's growing popularity might soon end its underrated status. 'If people keep recommending it, it's not going to stay underrated,' he said. Industry insiders, including Timothy from Olympic Meats, have also praised the spot, which is becoming known for long Sunday lunches and laidback Euro-style dinners at prices far friendlier than typical fine dining.
In the same interview, Solomon shared other Sydney food secrets. His top pick for roast chicken is the legendary Bondi institution Sean's Panorama. For the best café, he chose Single O in Surry Hills, praising its efficient coffee selection. His favourite pub is the Dry Dock Hotel in Balmain, where he said the food and drinks service are 'spectacular'. For a cheap treat, he recommended Mogu Mogu Onigiri Community in Surry Hills, and for a 'good time', the classic Greek taverna Steki Taverna in Newtown.
