The Gidley
Sydney
At a glance
The Gidley, nestled within a basement at 161 King St, offers a unique dining experience in Sydney's bustling CBD. This opulent steakhouse artfully combines the grandeur of fine dining with playful indulgence, presenting an atmosphere of golden-age hospitality. Upon entering, guests descend to the intimate Lounge Bar, where plush furnishings and discreet alcoves provide an inviting setting for enjoying a classic cocktail. The main Dining Room boasts a lavish ambience ideal for enjoying the restaurant's robust prime cuts and an extensive selection of reds, encouraging patrons to savor their meal in style.
For those seeking a private experience, The Gidley features several exclusive spaces. The Norfolk Room accommodates up to twenty guests and comes complete with its own private bar. The Library is a more intimate option, featuring an American Oak dining table and a unique poker table beneath it, while the Wine Room offers a semi-private setting with a circular table surrounded by a wine display, adding a touch of old-world romance.
Guests can expect convivial service and generous portions of hearty fare designed to satisfy both the palate and the soul. While the menu changes, the focus remains on indulgent, well-prepared dishes served with a side of cheeky bravado. Whether it's a formal gathering or a casual rendezvous, The Gidley provides a memorable culinary journey for adults, reinforced by its strict age policy and phone etiquette, ensuring an immersive dining experience free from distractions.
Reviews
An absolute hidden gem with a legendary burger! Finding the hidden basement door at The Gidley feels like stepping into an exclusive secret club. The venue boasts an incredibly cool atmosphere with a beautiful, upmarket presentation that immediately sets the tone for a great dining experience. I dropped in without a reservation and was incredibly lucky to secure a place. Given how bustling and popular it is, I highly recommend booking in advance! Despite the busy service, the staff were phenomenal: genuinely friendly, inviting, and highly accommodating. The restaurant operates with a seamless sense of organisation, and it's clear that the team is expertly trained and deeply knowledgeable about their steakhouse. I ordered their signature burger with a side of chips and mayo. The waitress kindly let me know upfront that the food would take about 35 minutes. I really appreciated this proactive communication; it perfectly managed my expectations, and it was entirely worth the wait! When the food arrived, the service went above and beyond. The waitress actually cut the burger in half for me at the table - a much-appreciated touch, because this burger is unbelievably juicy. As she did, she walked me through the origin of the ingredients, explaining how the meat is sourced and butchered at their sibling venue, and detailed everything from the cheese and sauce to the perfectly toasted bun. The taste was absolutely fantastic. The patty was cooked to a beautiful medium, and you can truly taste the high quality of the meat and ingredients in every single bite. The sides were just as impressive; the chips were perfectly cooked with absolutely no excess oil, dusted with a fantastic fancy seasoning, and paired with a flawless mayo. Without a doubt, this was one of the best burgers I had. If you are looking for an absolute legendary burger in the Sydney CBD, The Gidley is a definitive MUST!
What a great find. From the moment I took my first bite, I knew this burger was something special. The beef was juicy, packed with flavour, and perfectly balanced with the toppings. Generous in size without being over the top, it's exactly the kind of burger you'd expect from a quality steakhouse. Finding the place was part of the adventure. I walked past the entrance a few times because it's incredibly discreet, with no obvious signage. At first glance, it looks like a staircase leading down into a hidden basement rather than a restaurant. Once inside, though, it all makes sense. The hidden location creates a unique speakeasy-style atmosphere that adds a lot of character and makes the experience feel even more memorable. If you're serious about burgers, this place deserves a spot on your list. I'll definitely be back.
I organised a surprise dinner for my friends’ 10-year wedding anniversary in the Norfolk Room at The Gidley, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Caroline was fantastic to work with, ensuring all dietary requirements were catered for seamlessly and making the entire experience effortless. The food and drinks were exceptional throughout the evening. The rib-eye was cooked beautifully, the prawn cocktail far exceeded our expectations, and the truffle mac and cheese was rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. Although I didn’t manage to take a photo of the Bourbon Baba, it was a standout dessert and the perfect finish to an incredible meal. A huge thank you to Caroline and the team for helping create such a memorable celebration. We can’t wait to return.
I came here to try their famous “The Gidley” burger and it didn’t disappoint, one of the best I’ve had, taste was phenomenal (10/10) I loved it and also tried the “Prime Rib French Dip” served with crispy onion rings and a rich bone marrow jus (8.7/10) and it’s limited availability item. If i’m not wrong, they only make 10 serve per day so first come first serve. One of my favourite was the “Crispy Pickles” so yummy! (9.7/10). Prawn roll was good (8/10). Service was absolutely top notch! Lovely atmosphere.
Finally got to try the world’s 12th-ranked burger, and the ranking definitely makes sense. 🤌🍔 We also loved the oysters with calamansi, such a win for a Filo palate! The burger itself didn’t disappoint at all. Juicy, flavourful, and worth the hype!!! 😋 We waited around 30 minutes since we didn’t have a reservation and ended up dining at the bar, but they serve the burger there as well, so it still worked out perfectly. Definitely a spot worth trying if you’re a burger lover.
