Porteño Sydney Review: An Unforgettable Dry-Aged Steak Meal

One day during my Sydney trip,

I was really craving a luxurious and special dinner, which led me to the incredible

restaurant, Porteño.

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Sydney's Culinary Gem: Porteño

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This establishment is run by an Argentinian chef and is renowned for its incredible dry-aged steaks.

It's even ranked in the World's Top 40 Steakhouses,

and has won the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) award for 13 consecutive years!

To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what those awards meant,

but I trusted the hype and decided to visit.

The day we visited,

it was incredibly windy and dusk was settling in,

making Surry Hills street quite dark and quiet.

In this somewhat humble alley...

could there really be a fancy restaurant?

I even worried for a moment that we had come to the wrong place.

The moment we opened the door,

we were enveloped by warm lighting, inviting music, and a cozy atmosphere –

the ambiance was truly wonderful!

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How to Make a Reservation & Important Notes for Porteño

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I hadn't booked in advance;

in fact, I quickly searched and made a same-day reservation,

and luckily, it went through!

Usually, it's so popular that advance booking is essential,

and you can make reservations through their official website.

Official Website

- Select 'Reservations' menu

- Enter date, time, and number of guests

- Enter your email and complete

Important Notes

Cancellations are only possible up to 48 hours in advance

For no-shows or same-day cancellations, a penalty of $100 per person will be charged

Please make sure to check, as schedules are subject to change.

Upon entering,

a waiter greeted us, showed us to our table,

handed us the menu,

engaged in a bit of small talk, and then helped us with our order.

We ordered cocktails first,

and it seemed like they were confirming our main dishes, which we had pre-ordered when making the reservation.

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Menu Recommendations:

Chef's Selection Course Review

$140 per person

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We ordered Porteño's signature course menu,

the Chef's Selection ($140 per person),

and each of us got a cocktail.

(My hands were shaking a little... )

Cocktails

They were around $25 per glass,

and their refreshing flavor complemented the food perfectly.

They also had a bit more alcohol than I expected,

giving us a pleasant buzz.

Sourdough & Roast Beef Fat Butter

Rich and full of savory flavor, it really whets your appetite.

(But seriously, try not to eat too much bread at this point!)

Marinated Olives & Wagyu Carpaccio

It cleansed the palate beautifully

and the harmony between the egg, wagyu, and sauce was exquisite.

Cheese Dish & Chorizo & Charcoal Chicken

The combination of warm, soft cheese

and flavorful chorizo sausage was delightful.

The charcoal chicken wasn't overpowering;

its subtle smoky aroma was truly impressive.

I was already starting to feel full,

and the dishes kept piling up!

Main Course

Dry-Aged Sirloin Steak

This is Porteno's signature dish,

the dry-aged steak.

The one we had

was a sirloin that had been dry-aged for 3 weeks.

(I want to eat it again...)

It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside,

and even without a special sauce,

the natural flavor of the meat was absolutely perfect.

Sides & Dessert

Following the salad and fries,

sorbet and gelato even made an appearance!

Due to some miscommunication,

a mushroom dish that we hadn't ordered also arrived.

Although we were incredibly full,

everything was so delicious that we tried our best to eat it all.

In the end, we finished our meal having left quite a bit.

Throughout the meal,

they checked if the food was good

and if we were enjoying our meal.

It felt like there were more staff than guests.

They kept a close eye on every single customer.

I was a little worried they might strike up a conversation if we made eye contact...

Even though communication wasn't always smooth,

they were very accommodating, so we didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

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Payment & Tipping Guide

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The cost of the meal for three people that day was

the Chef's Selection course for 3 people and 3 cocktails,

including a few added items,

totaling approximately $500.

There are two ways to pay.

For card payments, the staff will bring the card machine,

confirm the amount,

and when the "Tip/Gratuity" option appears,

you can select a percentage.

Australia traditionally doesn't have a tipping culture, so

if you don't wish to tip,

you can simply select "No Tip" or "Skip."

When paying with cash,

after settling the bill, you can leave any leftover change on the table

or hand it directly to your server.

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Tips for Visiting Porteno

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1. Advance reservation a week prior is essential.

If you're lucky, walk-ins might be possible.

2. The cancellation policy is quite strict,

so confirming your schedule is a must!

3. If you’re enjoying a course meal,

make sure to allow at least two hours or more for your dining experience.

4. You absolutely HAVE to try their signature dry-aged steak!

5. If you visit for lunch,

I highly recommend a stroll through the charming Surry Hills streets afterward.

6. Instead of dressing too casually,

it’s a good idea to check the dress code and dress up a little.

7. Do a little menu research before you go!

I went without knowing much,

and I think I just ate everything deliciously without really knowing what was what.

8. If you’re going with a group of women,

ordering à la carte might be a good idea.

The portions are really generous,

and it was a shame to leave some behind.

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I really wanted to have a special dinner in Sydney,

which is why I sought out Porteño.

Thanks to the incredibly friendly staff, delicious food, and wonderful ambiance,

I had a truly memorable dining experience.

Since I found this place midway through my trip,

we were able to slowly share our thoughts on the journey so far, discuss where we might go tomorrow, and more.

Whether you're with friends, your partner, or family,

if you’re looking for a special dining experience on your Sydney trip,

I highly recommend checking it out.

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