Golden Century

City Centre & Haymarket


The fish tank at this frenetic Cantonese place, a Chinatown classic, forms a window-wall to the street, filled with fish, crabs, lobsters and abalone cooked to order. Splash out (you can rack up huge seafood bills here) on the whole lobster cooked in ginger and shallots or try the delicious sucking pig or beef brisket with turnips. Service is brusque but attentive.

It's open very late but is also wildly popular for weekend yum cha (Cantonese brunch). Love celebrity chefs? Roll up here late at night and you'll likely spot some: it's a favourite place for kitchen crews to dine out after finishing the washing up.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby City Centre & Haymarket attractions

1. Chinatown

0.04 MILES

Dixon St is the heart of Chinatown: a narrow, shady pedestrian mall with a string of restaurants and insistent spruikers. The ornate dragon gates (paifang…

2. Golden Water Mouth

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On Chinatown's Hay St, the surreal Golden Water Mouth sculpture drips with gilt and water. Formed from a eucalyptus trunk from Condobolin, the destination…

3. Chinese Garden of Friendship

0.18 MILES

Built according to Taoist principles, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is usually an oasis of tranquillity – although one increasingly dwarfed by…

4. Darling Walk

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5. Tumbalong Park

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Flanked by the modern Darling Walk development, this grassy circle on Darling Harbour’s southern rump is set up for family fun. Sunbakers and frisbee…

6. Dr Chau Chak Wing Building

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Opened in 2015, this university business school was donated by the father of an alumnus and designed by Frank Gehry. It's a striking sight, all windows…

7. Christ Church St Laurence

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Step off Sydney’s main drag into this calming 1845 sandstone church. The rather charming neo-Gothic interior is atmospheric, with dark wooden fittings and…

8. Powerhouse Museum

0.28 MILES

A short walk from Darling Harbour, this cavernous science and design museum whirs away inside the former power station for Sydney’s defunct, original tram…