A Tavola

Italian Restaurant

This buzzy diner's version of Italian cuisine is simple and inventive in equal parts. Take a seat at the polished marble table or enjoy something more intimate in the courtyard room. School yourself in artisanal pasta in all its guises, from silken spaghetti alla cozze and rigatoni al ragu to hand-cut papperdelle topped with slow-braised beef, wine and sage. If pasta isn't your thing, don't miss the roster of seasonal specials - memorable culinary creations high on fresh produce and heart.

Address

348 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

Phone

9331 7871

Alonso's Spanish Tapas

Authentic Spanish flavours

Disappear from Bondi's air of modern hip and into the authentic Spanish surrounds of this tapas haunt loved for accommodating service, to-die-for sangria and the garlic prawns to beat.

Address

Shop 3, 57-59 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach

Phone

9130 2004

Ananas Bar & Brasserie

Mediterranean glamour

Located within ArgyleXchange, Bar Ananas brings shimmering French glamour to The Rocks. Enjoy champagne and oysters after work and cocktails into the early hours. Or, indulge in a magnificent French meal in the Brasserie.

Address

18 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Phone

9259 5668

Azuma Japanese Restaurant

Traditional and innovative Japanese

This stylish restaurant owes its white hat status to dishes that elevate Japanese fare to high art. It also serves as the perfect backdrop for culinary theatre - whether you’re savouring a ten-course degustation in the private dining room, perched at the sushi bar watching chefs spin magic with rice, seaweed and sashimi or combining your business deal with the seductive pleasures of cloudy plum sake. Visit for a dining encounter with a real sense of occasion.

Address

Chifley Plaza, Level 1, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney

Phone

9222 9960

Baccomatto Osteria

Italian Restaurant

This sophisticated tribute to the classic osteria combines culinary nous with rustic charm. Stop by for cheese, wine, prosciutto or homemade pasta - the Italian art of all-day dining with a distinctly Surry Hills twist.

Address

212 Riley Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9215 5140

Baja Cantina

Mexican restaurant & beer garden

Chef Robert Comings shows off his extensive expertise in Californian Mexican cuisine at this authentic Latin American eatery. Enjoy sumptuous, spicy dishes and freshly-made sangria inside or in their buzzing outdoor beer garden.

Address

43-45 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Phone

9571 1199

Bananapalm Vietnamese Cuisine

Vietnamese restaurant

This modern interpretation of the traditional Vietnamese restaurant invites guests on a colourful journey through history with signature tastes and cooking techniques. Expect classic concepts bursting with Asian flavours combining to mark each dish a 'hero.' Start with Banh Xeo (traditional savoury pancake with pork, prawns, mung beans, bean sprouts and onions) and finish with the likes of lamb shank curry with sweet potato and eggplant. Fully licensed and BYO, it's a winner.

Address

260 Arden St, Coogee

Phone

9665 1212

Bao Dao Taiwanese Kitchen

Fuss-free Taiwanese fare

A slice of Taipei in Chatswood, Bao Doa Taiwanese Kitchen dishes up colourful bowls of stewed vegetables and a soulful Gwa-bao - a traditional steamed bun stuffed with braised pork and pickled mustard greens.

Address

8/376 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9419 6290

Bar Rialto

Pizza and tapas

Having perfected their style, Bar Rialto provides top quality Pizzas and Tapas, along with a full bar including tap beers and cocktails. Bar Rialto is the perfect place to come for a quiet drink, full meal, or late night cocktails.

Address

559 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9310 2266

Bar Zini

Honest Italian food

An intimate, European-inspired space with a simple yet exceptional daily menu and a love of Italy. Try their handcrafted pasta with a perfectly flavoured fresh sauce and other seasonal specials.

Address

78 Harris Street, Pyrmont

Phone

9660 5718

Baroque Bistro Patisserie

Classic French cuisine

Baroque brings to Sydney a little piece of Parisian savoir faire. Visually stunning, this architect-designed dining spot combines an industrial flair with a modern touch. With a seasonally changing menu by award-winning chef Kurt Menghetti, and an on-site patisserie that's bursting with macarons, cakes and desserts, Baroque treats cuisine like a love story. If you're a Francophile, luck is on your side, Baroque will surely have you mesmerised.

Address

88 George Street, The Rocks

Phone

9421 4811

Barzura

Café/restaurant/bar & yoga upstairs

Hospitality with heart, this fundraiser-friendly cafe, restaurant and bar is blessed with a view second to none. Guests are invited to marvel over Wedding Cake Island and the Pacific ocean - along with the menu of course.

Address

62 Carr St, Coogee Beach

Phone

9665 5546

Bassim

Authentic Korean BBQ and a la carte

Fancy expertly marinated slivers of meat gussied up with piquant kimchi? Home to an expansive a la carte menu, this Korean BBQ temple pulls in carnivores and culinary fiends alike.

Address

Shop 11/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9411 5772

Bavairan Bier Cafe Manly

Pure Bier, Pure Food, Pure Passion

Popular with locals and tourists alike for its waterside location on Manly Wharf and its awardwinning, all-natural bier, this restaurant and bar dishes up modern Bavarian food including eight varieties of schnitzel, burgers and local specialties.

Address

2/5 W Esplanade, Manly

Phone

9977 8088

Bavarian Bier Cafe Chatswood

Pure bier in sun-soaked surrounds

Beer purists flock to this sprawling drinkery for steins of golden Franziskaner bier - an oversized shortcut to freewheeling good times. The recent subject of a summery makeover, the Bavarian menu is heavy on flavour but light on carbs.

Address

4/1-5 Railway Street, Chatswood

Phone

8922 8100

Bay 88

Classic bistro

This breezy drinking hole combines an inspired Mod-Oz menu with a fitout that's a lesson in industrial chic. Pull up a courtyard table, order a share plate and settle in for a piece of year-round summer bliss.

Address

86-88 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay

Phone

8021 7389

Berta

Restaurant & Bar

Secluded down a laneway, Berta has its roots in Italian cooking. Sibling to Surry Hills restaurant, Vini. The menu is seasonal and designed to share, accompanied by a comprehensive Italian wine list. Four-course sagra dinner every Wednesday.

Address

17-19 Alberta St, Sydney

Phone

9264 6133

bills Woollahra

Slick cafe with outdoors area

A refreshing, relaxed approach to modern Australian dining with a winning formula of great coffee, fresh produce, exceptional service, including a spacious outside communal table, and world-famous eggs.

Address

Queens Court, 118 Queen Street, Woollahra.

Phone

02 9328 7997

Billy Kwong

Sustainable and organic Chinese

Inspired by the idea of re-creating a traditional Chinese eating house, Billy Kwong offers restaurant-goers fresh, sustainable and locally sourced dishes that captures the spirt of the Kwong's love of food.

Address

3/355 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9332 3300

Bishop Sessa

French cuisine

Fancy scallop ceviche, duck terrine or a salmon carpaccio that melts in your mouth? This classy diner's artful nod to French cuisine comes complete with global flourishes. Remember to take your passport.

Address

527 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

8065 7223

Bistro Bruno

Modern Australian cuisine

Bistro Bruno has created a warm and comfortable ambience with four separate dining areas. The quality of service and attention to detail carries through to the delightfully interesting modern Australian / European cuisine.

Address

3 Beattie Street, Balmain

Phone

9810 7707

Bistro Moncur

French bistro

Bistro Moncur has long been an iconic establishment in Sydney's East. With a menu offering French bistro classics showcasing Australia's finest seasonal produce, alongside an extensive award-winning wine list.

Address

116 Queen Street, Woollahra

Phone

9327 9713

BLACK by ezard

The contemporary Australian grill

A contemporary grill, BLACK by ezard serves up a bold and boundary-breaking menu that is a melting pot of global influences and specially sourced produce interpreted on a local plate.

Address

The Star, Level G, Harbourside (entrance via Pirrama Road), Pyrmont

Phone

1800 700 700

Blancharu

Japanese-French bistro

Award-winning chef Haru Inukai turns out superbly conceived and crafted Japanese-Franco cuisine in this relaxed fine dining bistro. Book ahead for the Japanese-style Bouillabaise or the chef's eight-course dinner special.

Address

Shop 1, 21 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay

Phone

9360 3555

Bloodwood

Restaurant & Bar

This former Newtown conservatory assembles industrial and reclaimed materials, fresh seasonal foods and classic drinks in a refined fashion. Studded with odd stools and contemporary art, wafts of the polenta chips and garlic prawns will test your restrain if you've ordered just one dish. With an emphasis on sharing, taste much with many.

Address

416 King St, Newtown

Phone

9557 7699

Blue Ginger

Fresh, friendly Asian food

Popular with the locals, this slick, lively Chinese/Thai eatery is known for its melt-in-your-mouth salt and pepper squid, grilled barramundi with chilli and blackbean sauce and crisp san choy bao.

Address

241 Darling Street, Balmain

Phone

9818 4662

Boca Argentinean Grill

Argentinean grill

A culinary celebration of Argentina's obsession with meat. Boca's traditional parrilla (barbecue) menu is informed by owner Marcelo Berezowski's mother's recipes, while the interior is a lush and colourful excursion in Argentinean patriotism.

Address

310 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst

Phone

9332 3373

Bodega Tapas Bar

Tapas restaurant and bar

With its garishly painted dining room and mouth-watering dishes, Bodega has risen meteorically to become Sydney's tapas institution. Our favourite: the sashimi Kingfish on garlic toast with cuttlefish ceviche and mojama- and share the Bodega family love.

Address

216 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9212 7766

Busshari

Boutique restaurant

It's all about flavour and freshness at this classy Japanese eatery in the heart of Potts Point. Sushi, sashimi and sake are the stars of a menu that's as authentic and unpretentious as the decor.

Address

119 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Phone

9357 4555

Cafe Mix at Shangri-La Hotel

All-day dining restaurant

Located on level one of the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Cafe Mix, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, offers an exquisite selection of international cuisine and mouth-watering desserts.

Address

Level 1, 176 Cumberland Street

Phone

9250 6206

Cafe Morso

Award winning licensed cafe restaurant

Priceless water views from this quintessential Sydney heritage wharf embody the Cafe Morso experience - exceptional and unassuming. Sample their award winning breakfast menu, signature dishes like house made gnocchi with bacon, truffle oil and soft poached egg and a variety of seasonal a la carte lunch options. Linger over a lazy lunch with a Pimms cocktail on the deck and enjoy outdoor dining in understated, Sydney style. Cafe Morso is also available for private evening events; from cocktail parties on the deck at sunset to intimate dinners under the grand chandelier inside.

Address

Lower Deck Jones Bay Wharf, 19-21 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

Phone

9692 0111

Cafe Nice

French cafe fare

Lovers of Cafe Sopra and Fratelli Fresh will be happy to hear that the team behind both dining concepts is back with a new cafe project, and there’s a lot to like about Cafe Nice. If you thought that French fare was heavy and rich you’ll change your mind after trying the green beans with hazelnuts, pickled eschalots and crème fraiche – it’s like spring on a plate.

Address

Corner of Phillip and Albert Streets, Circular Quay

Phone

8248 9600

Cafe XXII

Mediterranean cafe & restaurant

At Cafe XXII the menu changes every week with the promise of serving fresh, seasonal produce - creating an element of surprise for returning diners. Located in a gorgeous sandstone street corner building, Cafe XXII is open during the week for lunch and dinner and offers a heavenly weekend brunch menu. Try the Sydney rock oysters and crisp calamari fritti coupled with a glass of Margaret River white - a show stopping experience.

Address

22 Union Street, Pyrmont

Phone

9552 3093

Caffe Sicilia

Authentic Sicilian dining

Located in buzzing Surry Hills, Caffe Sicilia represents an authentic dining experience from old school Sicily. From the rustic regional Sicilian cuisine to the old world service and decor, this cucina, caffe and pasteria evokes 1940s Sicily unlike anywhere else in Sydney.

Address

628 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9699 8787

Cara&Co Restaurant

Cara&Co Restaurant invites you to experience a style of cooking found nowhere else in Australia. The Cara&Co menu is enriched by Flemish fine dining with the aim to challenge your usual eating habits. Constantly striving to create new food pairings, the restaurant offers pure cooking that delivers heightened flavours with each dish.

Address

Westfield Sydney, Level 4

Phone

9226 9988

Carre Noir

Centre of Chatwsood's bean scene

Velvety hot chocolate courtesy of Belgian cocoa Belcolade is the standout at this restaurant-cum-coffee shop. It also plays host to an inventive menu that couples European accents with culinary charm.

Address

Shop 1/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9411 1001

Catalina Restaurant

Waterfront award-winning restaurant

In keeping with the harbourside location, seafood is a Catalina specialty. Oysters are shucked to order, and long-standing relationships with Sydney's leading suppliers provide us with the best line-caught fish. The highest quality meat and poultry are sourced from all over Australia.

Address

Lynne Park, Rose Bay

Phone

9371 0555

Ceviche

Serving inspiration since 2003

The views of Coogee Beach from this contemporary Australian restaurant are hard to beat. Tear your eyes away and you'll enjoy equal visual feasts on your plate: Yamba prawns or kangaroo with beetroot relish, perhaps?

Address

56 Carr Street, Coogee

Phone

T: 9315 8811

Chat Thai

Honest and authentic Thai fare

Constant queues and loyal Thai patronage provide the best endorsement here. Authentic curries, salads, whole fish and marinated grilled meats range from mild to fiery and the dessert offerings are wide and mouthwatering. The supper menu kicks in at 10pm with bite-sized morsels like fish ball skewers and satay sticks available until 2am. A sweets order of par tuhng go is essential, deep-fried doughnut sticks made fresh and served with pandan custard.

Address

20 Campbell Street

Phone

9211 1808

Chica Bonita

Mexican restaurant

Who could fend off a pretty girl's charms? Drop into this inspired, hole-in-the wall for sublime margaritas, killer Mexican and the promise of around-the-clock good times. Don't miss the fitout — bohemian charm with just the right industrial edge.

Address

7 The Corso, Manly.

Phone

Cipri italian

Modern Italian with a classic twist

The Cipri brothers Joe, Carmelo and Anthony offer a modern take on Italian traditions of fine food and warm hospitality. Informal yet sophisticated, experience all the style, flavours and personality of modern Italy.

Address

10 Elizabeth Street, Paddington

Phone

9331 3333

Dae Jang Kum Korean BBQ

The best part about eating at a Korean restaurant is 'banchan', a spread of complementary side dishes that include salad, pickled vegetables and kimchee, fermented Chinese cabbage with Korean spices. Chilli lovers will relish the 'teok bok ki', spicy rice cakes and the 'bo ssam', pork belly boiled in a master broth best served with lettuce, chilli, and radish kimchee. It's not all hot - there are grilled cheese oysters, 'jap chae' clear potato noodles and crunchy fried chicken. Fully licensed, BYO wine available with $5 corkage.

Address

35 Goulburn Street

Phone

9211 0890

Delicado Foods

A Taste Of Spain

Delicado Foods and Wines is a 'Taste of Spain' in McMahon's Point. The wine and tapas bar, a previous winner of Restaurant and Catering's Best Tapas in NSW, is a true 'cult' foodies and wine lovers destination which mixes modern and traditional Spanish cuisine with superior wine and food knowledge, service and ambience. Delicado also consists of a European style delicatessen and specialty bottle-shop where monthly wine education classes are offered.

Address

134 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point

Phone

9955 9399

Delima Restaurant

Never tried Indonesian cuisine or would like to recall a fun filled journey in Bali? Delima offers a good start, set in tasteful surrounds with warm, wooden furnishings. The extensive menu has pictures of every dish, making ordering easy, but it's hard to go past Indonesian classics like chicken satay, 'Nasi Goreng Indonesia' or cubes of fall-apart-tender beef rendang. Fried chicken fans should seek out the ayam goreng kalasan, covered in a blanket of crispy spices for extra crunch.

Address

69/ 1 Dixon St, Haymarket

Phone

9267 7045

Din Tai Fung The Star

Award-winning restaurant originating in Taiwan

At world renowned Din Tai Fung, the creation of each dumpling is an art form. Made with extreme discipline, the pastry and filling must be weighed to an exact size and thickness. Don't miss Din Tai Fung's signature soup dumplings, Xiao Long Bao. Our tip: dip the dumpling quickly in the sauce, place it in a spoon, pierce with a chopstick to release the hot soup before popping into your mouth.

Address

Cafe Court, Level G, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont

Phone

9692 0791

Din Tai Fung World Square

Award-winning restaurant originating in Taiwan

At world renowned Din Tai Fung, the creation of each dumpling is an art form. Made with extreme discipline, the pastry and filling must be weighed to an exact size and thickness. Watch the dumpling artisans at work through the wallto- ceiling windows while you queue to be seated. Don't miss Din Tai Fung's signature soup dumplings, Xiao Long Bao. Our tip: dip the dumpling quickly in the sauce, place it in a spoon, pierce with a chopstick to release the hot soup before popping into your mouth.

Address

Shop 11.04, Level 1, World Square, 644 George Street

Phone

9264 6010

Doltone House Darling Island Wharf

Meetings, conferences, events & weddings

One of Sydney's most spectacular waterfront venues offering an exclusive retreat with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, city skyline and the Darling Harbour precinct. Catering for events ranging from 10 to over 550 guests.

Address

Darling Island Wharf (opp The Star), Accenture Building GF, 48 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

Phone

8571 0622

Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf

Meetings, conferences, events & weddings

One of Sydney's most spectacular waterfront venues offering an exclusive retreat with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, city skyline and the Darling Harbour precinct. Catering for events ranging from 10 to over 550 guests.

Address

Piers 19-21, Upper Deck, 26-32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

Phone

8571 0622

East Ocean Restaurant

Live seafood cooking and quality yum cha

With an emphasis on modern Cantonese cuisine, East Ocean is known for both its fresh seafood and quality yum cha. A recent shift to an a-la-carte yum cha menu sees your dumplings now cooked to-order and served piping hot from the kitchen to a quieter and less chaotic dining room. It also means no need to constantly look out for the elusive dessert trolley. For dinner try the lobster cooked in ginger and shallots, plucked live from the fish tanks, or the cold-served abalone. Peking duck and XO pipis are always a hit, or splurge on the King crab, divided and served three different ways.

Address

421-429 Sussex St, Haymarket

Phone

9212 4198

Efendy Restaurant

Turkish restaurant and meze bar

The taste of Turkey resides in a restored Victorian mansion, surrounded by oak trees as Chef Somer Sivrioglu blendstraditional and inventive Turkish cuisine to create an urban Istanbul concept that's steeped in Ottoman history

Address

79 Elliott Street, Balmain

Phone

9810 5466

Emperor's Garden

Exquisite Cantonese cuisine

A specialist in Cantonese cuisine, the newly renovated Emperor's Garden Restaurant seats a total of 350 diners over two floors. Curry crab is the signature dish here, a thick spiced yellow curry with coconut cream and a secret blend of Chinese spices that includes lemongrass, curry powder and a touch of dried chilli. Soak up the rich sauce with steamed fluffy mantou buns. The two-course Peking duck is also popular, or try the pan-fried barramundi with pork mince and vermicelli. Otherwise join the yum cha hoards at lunchtime and enjoy your pick of dishes from the roaming trolleys of steamed and fried dumplings. Sit outside in Dixon Street mall and watch the world go by as you feast beneath the iconic red gates of Sydney's Chinatown.

Address

100 Hay St, Haymarket

Phone

9211 2135/9211 2268

Enopizzeria

Contemporary Italian restaurant and bar

Restaurateur Mauro Marcucci has done it again. Enopizzeria is Italian at its best - a huge menu of simple and authentic dishes with a sharp wine list, even the bambinos are welcome too. You’ll wish you never had to say arrivederci.

Address

Shop 5, 19 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay

Phone

9953 0022

Essen Restaurant & Beer Cafe

Restaurant and beer cafe

Schnitzel, Weisswurst and strudel star on the menu here, focused on comfort food from northern Europe. The servings are generous, beers are imported and the schnapps list is hard to beat.

Address

133-135 Broadway, Ultimo

Phone

9211 3805

Essenza

Tuscan trattoria

Like a Tuscan trattoria, Essenza Italian offers a warm and rustic setting whilst maintaining a commitment to traditional Italian cuisine as shown in its selection of breads, pastas, salads, steaks, veal, chicken and seafood specialties.

Address

560 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9698 8907

Fat Buddha

Piping hot steamed prawn dumplings, freshly made rolls with tender BBQ pork, crispy salt and pepper squid and an all day yum cha menu awaits you within the stylish QVB. For a more decadent lunch or dinner, diners can indulge in dishes such as the "Legendary Eight Treasure" of double cooked whole duck stuffed with eight traditional ingredients such as lotus seed, pearl barley and salted duck egg, or the roasted pork ribs with vintage black vinegar.

Address

QVB, Level 2, North End

Phone

9264 9558

Finolas Restaurant

Family friendly and relaxed

Restaurant Owner, Finola Healy, shows her Irish roots in the traditional, hearty menu at Finola's. Great value and a welcoming atmosphere create a comfortable dining experience that's also available for functions.

Address

156 Darling Street, Balmain

Phone

9810 5100

Fiorenzoni

Home-style Italian cuisine

Fiorenzoni could double as the secret kitchen of your long-lost grandma, thanks to its homespun vibe and dishes such as semolina gnocchi with slow-cooked ragout. Though the main menu might be wholesome, the dolci is pure sin.

Address

Shop 1/809 Pacific Highway, Chatswood (Cnr Victoria Avenue)

Phone

9419 6411

Fish at The Rocks

The finest, freshest Australian seafood

Set against Sydney's history-rich Rocks district, this seafood eatery is equal parts classic and inventive. It lures theatregoers, travellers and locals with fixed menus and specials such as stuffed baby Barramundi.

Address

29 Kent Street, The Rocks

Phone

9252 4614

Flying Fish Restaurant & Bar

Fine dining one hatted restaurant

Set over two levels at the very end of historic Jones Bay Wharf and boasting spectacular harbour views, Flying Fish Restaurant & Bar delivers an innovative menu that flows with the seasons and constantly surprises the palate. If you're looking for a more relaxed vibe, Little Fish Bar, overlooking the western side of the wharf, offers a year-round destination where guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails, fine wines and a modest bar menu any night of the week.

Address

Lower Deck Jones Bay Wharf, 19-21 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

Phone

9518 6677

Food & Art Restaurant

Modern Australian cuisine

Part gallery, part restaurant, this cosy eatery spotlights work by talented world artists. If you can tear you're your eyes away, drama of an equal kind unfolds on the plate: mod-Australian fare, impeccably presented.

Address

Shop 1A, 1-11 Oxford Street, Paddington

Phone

9380 7414

Food Society

Modern Eastern European cuisine

This open kitchen-style restaurant is a welcome celebration of fine food mixed with old school hospitality and unparalleled service - a refreshingly down to earth addition to the Sydney circuit.

Address

91 Riley St, Darlinghurst

Phone

8090 3462

Forbes and Burton

Exquisite food day and night

A Darlo institution in knowable new hands showcases seasonal menus to match the time of day, the freshest possible ingredients, all day breakfasts on weekends, a transformable dining room and free wifi with your organic coffee.

Address

225 Forbes Street

Phone

9356 8788

Forest Lodge Hotel

Pub, bistro, cafe

Refreshingly relaxed and homey, 'the Flodge' is where you'll find many Glebe locals enjoying a drink, coffee or bistro bite. Join them for a rump steak, a spot of trivia, or free live music on Sunday afternoons.

Address

117 Arundel Street, Glebe

Phone

9660 1872

Francesca's Cuisine

Simply chic & uniquely fresh

It's a little bit French, a little bit Italian, and all- round tasty. This place oozes Mediterranean charm, from the homey menu - think avocado and orange crisp pancetta salad and pork and fennel gnocchi ragu - to the cosmopolitan dining room.

Address

130 Victoria Road, Rozelle

Phone

9810 2555

Fratelli Fresh CBD

Ever fresh goodness

A buzz of energy radiates from the hidden Fratelli Fresh on Bridge St. The venue is home to the infamous Cafe Sopra, a Mozzarella bar for the cheese obsessed, Aperitivo Bar, Pizzeria, a private dining room and private bar. Breakfast is also available until late.

Address

11 Bridge Street, Sydney

Phone

8298 2701

Front Restaurant and Bar - The Sebel Pier One Sydney

Waterfront restaurant

Located next to the Harbour Bridge in The Sebel Pier One Sydney, this relaxing waterfront restaurant and bar has a modern Australian menu. With amazing harbour views, Front is a great choice for harbourside dining.

Address

11 Hickson Road

Phone

8298 9999

Fujiyama JapaneseTeppanyaki

Sleek Japanese eatery specialising in teppanyaki

Tucked up a flight of stairs, Fujiyama Teppanyaki Restaurant is equal parts intimate and artful. Take a seat near the kitchen and watch the chefs spin magic with flawlessly seared pieces of meat.

Address

Level 1, 77 Archer Street, Chatswood

Phone

9419 8006

G'Thai

Authentic Thai with a left-field touch

Hot, sour, salty, sweet... traditional flavours get a sleek makeover at this popular Thai eatery. It also boasts a revolving roster of lunch specials high on imagination but low on price.

Address

Shop 2/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

8971 3268

Galileo

Fine Dining Restaurant

Chef Anthony Craven, now at the helm of Galileo Restaurant, has crafted menus using fresh and local produce to create innovative modern Australian cuisine.

Address

89-113 Kent St, Sydney

Phone

8248 5252

Gastro Park

Restaurant & bar

Grant King of Pier fame has brought his culinary bravado to Kings Cross with this modern dining restaurant and bar. The menu offers an imaginative snack selection and inventive mains along with an adventurous, well-edited wine and cocktail list. Come for a relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and note-perfect dishes - the type of creations that see classic ingredients spun into high art.

Address

5-9 Roslyn Street, Potts Point

Phone

8068 1017

glass brasserie

Luke Mangan's one hat restaurant

Fresh, seasonal and local ingredients showcased with a clean and contemporary twist exemplify Luke Mangan's one-hatted glass brasserie. The epitome of decadent dining, glass is an Australian evocation of the classic French brasserie, providing an outstanding dining experience in the very heart of the city.

Address

Hilton Sydney, Level 2, 488 George Street, Sydney

Phone

9265 6068

Glebe Point Diner

Humble, homely fare

Address

407 Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe

Phone

9660 2646

Golden Bo

Wallet-friendly Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine

Beyond the no-frills fitout, this local staple's take on authentic Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine is anything but ordinary. You can't go past the pho - a fragrant broth topped with coriander, chilli and bean sprouts.

Address

2-76 Archer Street, Chatswood

Phone

9884 9688

Golden Century

One hat winning restaurant

The wall of fish tanks at the entrance tells you how seriously Golden Century takes its seafood. Pipis in XO sauce are a must-have - mop up the spicy seafood sauce with batons of golden brown deep-fried bread. Live seafood from the tanks include parrot fish, abalone and prawns. Open until 4am every day, it's the perfect spot for a late night fix of salt and pepper squid or Chinese rice porridge congee.

Address

393-399 Sussex Street, Sydney

Phone

9212 3901

Gowings Bar & Grill

European brasserie

Sydney's newest hotel is set above the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings and blends restored historical features with cutting edge design and technology. The property's 200 individually designed rooms are a vintage design lover's dream and if you're bored with bland mini bar offerings, you'll love the ginger ninjas and espresso martini making kits in each room.

Address

Gowings Building, 49 Market Street, Sydney

Phone

8262 0000

Graze Restaurant

Small grazing dishes

Graze takes dining to a new level. Diners are encouraged to 'nibble' and 'graze' a menu of traditional food with a modern twist including the torched ocean trout, ginger salt with orange and ginger gel or explore the cauliflower milkshake and jamon and cheese toasty.

Address

182 Harris Street, Pyrmont

Phone

9518 5025

Ho.Mei

Asian fusion tapas

This unpretentious eatery blends a sense of adventure with the soulfulness of a home kitchen. Come for Asian-style tapas, a well-edited drinks list and the type of warm, unhurried service that elevates your dining encounter to culinary bliss.

Address

Shop 8/38-52 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills

Phone

8021 4806

I Love Pho

Unique Vietnamese restaurant

Know your pho ga from your mien ga? Picky when it comes to your bun bo hue? You'll be in your element at this dimly lit Vietnamese joint, showcasing cuisine from across the country in a dining room decorated with black-and-white photos, bamboo panels and wicker baskets reinterpreted as lampshades. While pho noodle soup stars on the menu, there are dozens of other salads, stir-fried and claypot dishes that will have you hankering for Hanoi.

Address

47 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest

Phone

8065 1129

I'm Angus Steak House

Waterfront steak house

Award winning waterfront steakhouse with an established reputation for premium quality steaks and a wide selection of Australian wines. Mouth watering range of cuts that chefs flame to perfection on an open grill, enthralling diners and passers by.

Address

The Promenade, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney.

Phone

9264 5822

Izakaya Arigato

Izakaya grazing in an inspired setting

This home of izakaya dining offers a note-perfect version of the Japanese Holy Trinity - sashimi, sake and teppanyaki. Pull up a table for Tokyo - style culinary mastery with a side of Sydney fun.

Address

7/1 Railway Street, Chatswood

Phone

9411 6596

Jah Bar

Wine & Tapas Bar

This imaginative watering hole might take its cues from Argentina's cobblestoned backstreets but its soul is pure Manly. Locals can't get enough dishes such as sweet potato gussied up with sherry vinegar, fennel and mint.

Address

Shop 7, 9-15 Central Avenue, Manly

Phone

9977 4449

Kam Fook

Yum cha fit for a queen

This seafood restaurant conjures all the mystique of Imperial China thanks to ornate furniture, opulent fittings and a dining room with a vast sense of space. Don't miss the daily yum cha - ancient cooking techniques with modern flair.

Address

Level 6, Westfield Shopping Centre, Anderson Street, Chatswood

Phone

9413 9388

King Street Wharf

Food and drinks destination

Waterfront neighbourhood has been given over to sanctuary and sophistication at King St Wharf. This culinary and social playground of food and drink outlets nurtures a pulsing scene.

Address

The Promenade (via Lime St), Sydney

Phone

Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse

Stylish waterfront steak & seafood restaurant

Long Lunch on the Wharf is King here. Kingsleys takes surf & turf to a new level with succulent steaks, fresh salads & delicious crab.

Address

10/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Phone

1300 546 475

Kobe Jones

Modern Japanese with a twist

Fusing Eastern spices with elegant simplicity, Kobe Jones is Japanese with a twist. Its stunning terrace overlooking Darling Harbour is the perfect setting to experience this luminous blend of chic Californian and modern Japanese cuisine.

Address

29 Lime Street.

Phone

9299 5290

Kujin

Izakaya style teppanyaki

This bustling Teppanyaki and noodle bar brings a little bit of Western Japan to Elizabeth Bay. Watch the chefs at work and enjoy a savoury pancake stuffed with their signature grilled seafood or meat.

Address

41B Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay

Phone

9331 6077

La Grande Bouffe

Authentic French dining

French bistro fare served up in a smart, contemporary dining room is the business of David and Meredith Poirier. Pop in for some French Toast for breakfast or settle in for the divine degustation for dinner.

Address

758 Darling Street, Rozelle

Phone

9818 4333

La Grillade

French inspired grill

It's been welcoming diners for 25 years but this French-styled cornerhouse restaurant is as fresh and tasty as ever. Recently revamped by Rob Rubis (behind Sydney's Manta in Woolloomooloo), La Grillade's sumptuous dining room and courtyard are a slice of provincial France: exposed beams, vintage oak doors, terracotta floors. The produce-driven menu begins with classics before moving on to grill-style fare and predictably decadent desserts. The wine list offers a dizzying array of quality vintages.

Address

118 Alexander Street, Crows Nest

Phone

9439 3707

La Pesa Trattoria

Boutique Italian Restaurant

La Pesa's cuisine reflects the authentic and typical Milanese style of their sister Trattoria La Pesa in Milan - bringing the same passion for sourcing quality produce and creating beautiful dishes for you to enjoy

Address

174 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst

Phone

9331 4358

La Rosa Bar & Pizza

Inventive and intimate Italian

Inventive and intimate in equal parts, this Italian diner lures pizza purists with calzone stuffed with ricotta, salami and fennel as well as an inspired take on the classic margherita. Here, the dolci is a lesson in the art of sweet - think Tuscan toffee, vanilla bean gelato and limoncello sorbet that's the dessert equivalent of a sun-soaked holiday in Rome. Take your friends, stake out a candlelit table and settle in for a slice of the good life.

Address

Shop 133, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 193 Pitt Street, Sydney

Phone

9223 1674

Le pelican

Sandstone-walled French bistro

Ensconced in a heritage building complete with sandstone wall and garden, this French inspired restaurant run by Jean-Francois Salet serves modern meals imbued with the soft, lighter style of Mediterranean cuisine.

Address

411 Bourke Street.

Phone

9380 2622

Limoncello

Cool & refreshing Italian Restaurant

Like the zesty liqueur that gives this family ristorante its name, the interior and staff are quintessentially Italian. Contemporary dishes like oysters with lemon sorbet and rustic woodfired pizza with light toppings explain the buzz.

Address

29 Bay Street, Double Bay

Phone

9363 3656

Linda's on King

Contemporary/Mod Oz

Linda's gained a warm reputation for modern Australian bistro classics during its 11-year residence at the back of Newtown Hotel. Despite the sophisticated look at Linda's 'new' address, locals know it's still simple, beautiful food on the plate.

Address

341 King St, Newtown

Phone

9550 6015

Longrain Surry Hills

Restaurant and cocktail bar

Wicked cocktails and Thai street food circulate Longrain's chic and sexy cocktail bar, with resident DJ's setting the perfect mood. Try the Caipiroska, Ping-Pong and Bloody Longrain cocktails, or sit-down to contemporary Thai upstairs.

Address

85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9280 2888

Lucio's

Italian restaurant

Celebrating 30 years, Lucio's remains as fresh as ever. Á la carte and tasting menus spotlight northern Italian fare, from homemade pastas to daily specials. The wine list and private art collection are equally impressive.

Address

47 Windsor Street, Paddington

Phone

9380 5996

Macleay St Bistro

Foodies' delight

This local institution epitomises Sydney's finest cuisine in an intimate setting. Indulge in their blend of classic French and contemporary Australian dishes enhanced by an impressive list of local and imported wines and boutique beers.

Address

73a Macleay Street, Potts Point

Phone

9358 4891

Mad Cow

Flamboyant New York-style grill

This fabulously flamboyant New York-style grill draws upon fresh, quality produce and the flair of Head Chef, Chris Whitehead. With the finest steaks grilled to your specifications, Mad Cow deserves its loyal local following.

Address

330 George Street, ivy, Sydney

Phone

9240 3000

Maggies Restaurant

Authentic Austrian-German Kitchen

The crisp, crunchy schnitzels and rosti are a much loved local institution at this authentic Austrian-German café restaurant. Visit soon for a warm welcome. Takeaway also available

Address

7-9/50 Macleay Street (via Fitzroy Gdns)

Phone

9331 2226

Makanai Japanese Ramen Noodle House

Ramen made with skill and love

Chatswood's shrine to Japan's national dish combines fresh, local produce with a deep respect for culinary authenticity. Try the signature Makanai ramen: a sublime concoction of Karaage chicken, slow-braised pork, black mushroom and bamboo.

Address

Shop 223A, Westfield Shopping Centre, Anderson Street, Chatswood

Phone

9419 4817

Mamak

Authentic Malaysian Cuisine

Check out the live roti-making show in the windows before ordering the flaky roti served with curry sauce. Other highlights include Malaysian style fried chicken, smoky chicken satay sticks and sweet roti tisu glazed with sugar.

Address

15 Goulburn Street

Phone

9211 1668

Mamak

A shrine to the perfect roti

It's easy to see why we owe roti worship to Mamak. This bustling eatery turns out dream renditions of this cult Malaysian streetfood - fluffy on the inside and crisped to perfection.

Address

9/1-5 Railway Street, Chatswood

Phone

9411 4411

Marigold Restaurant

Exquisite yum cha spot

Every lunchtime, Marigold is bustling with yum cha trolleys and diners eating their way through a menu that spans over 100 varieties of dim sim. There's no shortage of choice and staff are happy to lift a bamboo steamer lid for you to take a look if you're not sure. A new night-time dim sum degustation is one way to beat the crowds - a set menu of 11 dishes is available Sundays through Thursdays during dinner.

Address

Level 4 and 5, 683 George Street, Sydney

Phone

9281 3388

Mizuya Japanese Restaurant & Karaoke

Authentic Izakaya dining

Booth seating and touch screen menus as well as 24 private dining rooms equipped with karaoke facility. Browse through the extensive drinks menu with 180 options including Japanese style cocktails and mocktails.

Address

Basement 614 George St, Sydney

Phone

9266 0866

Morena

Modern Latin American fine dining

Headed by Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia, diners can expect haute cuisine Latin American style at Morena. Saravia deftly combines Peruvian flavours with fine Australian produce from blue eye cod to seared alpaca backstrap.

Address

15/425 Bourke St, Surry Hills

Phone

0405 902 896

MoVida

Award winning Spanish fare

The Sydney outpost of this celebrated Melbourne tapas empire combines Frank Camorra’s trademark culinary nous with a fitout that nods to Catalan warmth and sophistication. Try the anchovies crowned with tomato sorbet.

Address

50 Holt St, Surry Hills

Phone

8964 7642

Mr Wong

Chinese and Cantonese restaurant

With a Cantonese-style menu featuring over 60 dishes including Chinese roasted duck, Steamboat-style Abalone and an unrivalled dim sum selection, Mr Wong plays homage to classic Chinese influences in a contemporary setting.

Address

3 Bridge Street, Sydney

Phone

9240 3000

Mrs Sippy

Bar, lunch, dinner and events

The breezy summer vibe at this friendly bar is more chilled-out LA than Double Bay. Cocktail adventurers will dig the signature Mrs Sippy cocktail - a heavenly mix of Zubrowka bison grass vodka, Licor 43, grapefruit juice and fresh passionfruit.

Address

37 Bay Street, Double Bay

Phone

9362 3321

Namaste

Indian cuisine

Guests at this Indian restaurant are given a front-row seat to action in the kitchen, where chefs prepare countrywide specialties including chicken reshmi kebab from the tandoor oven as well as vegetarian favourite, aloo tikki.

Address

1/80 Hall Street, Bondi Beach

Phone

8021 8217

New Shanghai

Culinary mastery meets Old World glamour

Communist nostalgia meets Oriental fantasia at this one-of-kind eating den. Come for floor-to-ceiling Mao posters, flickering crimson lanterns and broth-filled Xiao Long Bao worthy of Shanghai royalty.

Address

Shop B038, Chatswood Chase, Chatswood

Phone

9412 3358

Nick's Bar & Grill

Innovative cuisine and stunning views

The very best of casual alfresco dining with stunning waterfront vistas and Nick's infamous Seafood Platter for Two. Relax with a cocktail, beer or wine while the chefs prepare your meal on the chargrill.

Address

The Promenade- King Street Wharf.

Phone

02 9279 0122

Nick's Bondi Beach Pavilion

Innovative cuisine and stunning views

Combining the best fresh local seafood and quality chargrills, the innovative cuisine is complemented by an extensive range of premium Australian wines. Perfect for special occasions as Nicks provides an unforgettable experience.

Address

Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach Pavilion.

Phone

9365 4122

Nick's Seafood Restaurant

Innovative cuisine and stunning views

A restaurant capturing the essence of Sydney harbourside dining. With an emphasis on quality and freshness, Nick's is famous for succulent oysters, a wide array of fish, chargrilled seafood and seafood platters.

Address

The Promenade, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney.

Phone

9264 1212

Nielsen Park Cafe & Restaurant

Takeaway kiosk & cafe/restaurant

Locals flock for the fish and chips served at this café housed in the 1914 heritage building. Eat in or grab takeaway and sit in the surrounding parklands, soaking up stunning views of the kid-friendly harbour beach.

Address

Nielsen Park, Greycliffe Ave, Vaucluse

Phone

9337 7333

No Name Darlinghurst

Italian restaurant

Don't let its cryptic name fool you - there's nothing elusive about this eatery's take on rustic Italian fare. Pull up a table and settle in for soulful spaghettis and an infamous veal schnitzel fried to a heavenly golden crisp.

Address

83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst

Phone

9380 9760

North Bondi Italian Food

Roman trattoria

North Bondi Italian Food is a high voltage Italian trattoria. It's all about lifestyle, Italian food, and ethical eating. Be it a Sunday arvo or a special dinner for two, watch the sunset over the water with a plate of pasta and a Campari and orange.

Address

118-120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi

Phone

9300 4400

Nourishing Quarter

Nourishing soul food

A fusion of unique Latin American ingredients like Quinoa & Amaranth, Asian and Mediterranean soul foods, NQ has your wellbeing in mind. Avoid processed foods and observe gluten and dairy free options to sustain your day to day.

Address

315 Cleveland St, Redfern

Phone

8399 0888

Ocean Room

Modern Japanese

Famous for its sushi, sashimi and tasting menu, this modern Japanese restaurant combines an elegant, architecturally designed fitout with celestial harbour views. Lingering over fresh and sumptuous flavours in the private dining room is a defining Quayside experience.

Address

Ground Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West, Sydney

Phone

9252 9585

Olivo on Blue

Italian & Modern Australian casual dining

For great Italian and Modern Australian casual dining, head to Olivo on Blue in Mcmahons Point village. From breakfast to dinner and all in-between, it's friendly ambience will hit the spot whatever you're after.

Address

133-135 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point

Phone

9922 2064

Orto Trading Co.

Rustic, British-inspired dining

A British-inspired home to hearty meals with a warm design feel. Graze on truffle popcorn before tucking into rustic share plates like beef and Guinness stew, lamb belly or whole roasted artichoke

Address

38 Waterloo St, Surry Hills

Phone

9698 9427

Oscillate Wildly

Intimate fine dining restaurant

Oscillate Wildly is bold modern dining with a penchant for seasonality. An 8 course degustation will challenge as much as it delights with matching wines in intimate surrounds.

Address

275 Australia St, Newtown

Phone

9517 4700

Osteria Balla

A little piece of Milan

Stefano Manfredi, the award winning 'Godfather' of Italo-Australian cooking, has once again achieved cult status with Balla. Quality, simplicity and seasonality are articulated through an inspired menu and sophisticated design.

Address

The Star, Level G, Harbourside (entrance via Pirrama Road), Pyrmont

Phone

1800 700 700

Otto Ristorante

One hat Italian waterfront restaurant

"Vivi Bene Mangia Bene." 'To live well is to eat well' is the philosophy Otto Ristorante lives by. A friendly welcome, spectacular views and waterside location, with simple fi ne food makes Otto Ristorante a great place for any occasion. Chef Richard Ptacnik creates a constantly evolving menu embracing all that is local, seasonal and artisanal, with a spirit that is distinctly Italian.

Address

8/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Phone

9368 7488

Out of Italy

Italian pizza bar

The most authentic Italian pizza this side of Napoli with a nice wine list, a humble choice of pasta and service with a smile. Out of Italy offers takeaway and delivery. PS: Don't forget to try their homemade tiramisu.

Address

1/51 Bayswater Rd, Rushcutters Bay

Phone

8021 9686

Palmer & Co.

Bar

This speakeasy features a flawless Prohibition-era fitout and a cocktail menu worthy of Scott and Zelda. Sink into a corner table with a Blood and Sand - a heady blend of whisky, cherry brandy and sweet vermouth.

Address

Abercrombie Lane, Sydney

Phone

9240 3172

Paper Planes

Japanese restaurant, cocktail bar and live music

Paper cranes, not planes, hang from the ceiling at this creative Japanese joint. And that's not the only quirk. Martinis come shaken with wasabi, and edamame are topped with chilli-salt. It's fun, tasty and lively. The pretty plates of food range from salmon tartare nachos with wasabi-miso dressing to skewers of mocha rice cake and smoked spek. Don't miss the green tea Rocher for dessert - a Japanese take on the moreish Ferrero Rocher.

Address

Shop 15, The Beach House, 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Phone

T: 9300 0673

Parma

Authentic Italian Food

This restaurant encapsulates everything that’s good about the Italian town of Parma: antipasto platters with all the trimmings, hard-to-find wines and a lively dining room. Now open for breakfast daily from 8am.

Address

285 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9332 4974

Pendolino

Elegant eatery

This elegant eatery serves up exquisite interpretations of regional Italian fare, courtesy of chef Nino Zocalli. Come for dishes such as polenta with meltin-your-mouth slow cooked lamb, reef snapper enhanced with Sicilian chocolate capanata and pappardelle, a culinary reimagining of Florentine backstreets. The restaurant also doubles as a temple to extra-virgin olive oil and artisanal pasta.

Address

Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney

Phone

9231 6117

Phamish

Hanoi street market food

Lined with East-bound hipsters eager for traditional tastes amid modern surrounds, Phamish has earned a rep for plating up exceptional Vietnamese food. One of the city's most iconic culinary experiences.

Address

Republic 2 Courtyard, 248 Palmer St, Darlinghurst

Phone

9357 2688

Pitt Street Diner

Fresh produce, menu changes daily

Look onto the quaint slice of Pitt Street, through huge wooden bi-fold windows. This Diner's affordable innovations in modern breakky and lunch are fresh, inspired and changing with the season

Address

96 Pitt St, Redfern

Phone

8668 5936

Pizza Capanna

Great Italian pizza & pasta restaurant

Come to the surf side of town and enjoy one of the best pizzas in Manly made traditionally with the freshest and best produce. Experience Alfresco dining and friendly service - you'll be sure to want to come back.

Address

5/49 North Steyne, Manly

Phone

9977 7700

Pony Dining

Woodfire grill, bar & restaurant

Like its sister in The Rocks, this Neutral Bay establishment is sleek and sophisticated. Dark leather banquettes, wooden wave ceilings and stained-glass windows set the scene for simple wood-fired meats, share plates and boutique wines.

Address

2/19-25 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay

Phone

9904 3400

Pony Lounge & Dining

Restaurant and bar

An open kitchen, industrial stainless steel, exposed beams and pony hide counter are the centrepieces of this spectacular restaurant in a former bond warehouse. Pony offers an honest, flavour driven menu and an uncomplicated approach to modern Australian food. Widely regarded as pioneers of the wood fire grill and led by award winning Chef Damian Heads, Pony showcases a contemporary mix of grill dishes and share plates using the finest cuts of meat, freshest seafood and locally sourced produce.

Address

Cnr Kendall Lane and Argyle Street

Phone

9252 7797

Public Dining Room

Boutique cuisine, iconic location

Public Dining Room woos guests with its iconic Balmoral Beach waterfront views, contemporary Scandinavian design perspective and boutique a la carte or all day tapas style menus. It's flawlessly raw, natural and modern.

Address

2A The Esplanade, Balmoral

Phone

9968 4800

Rainford Street Social

Warming neighbourhood bistro

Sink into one of the beckoning corner Chesterfields with a Numero Uno coffee, sip on one of the come-hither cocktails at the bar or dine on a menu of predominantly British influenced dishes designed for sharing with old and new friends alike. The community-orientated nature of Rainford Street Social is evident not just in the Outré Gallery artworks adorning the walls or the pooch bowls out the front but the sense of homeliness that pervades the whole room.

Address

500 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9357 2573

Red Chilli Szechuan Restaurant

Tongue-tingling sensation of Sichuan

Chilli fanatics will revel in the tongue-tingling menu that comes with a helpful chilli grading for heat gauge. The newer Harbour Street restaurant focuses on modern Sichuan dishes - the stir-fried mud crab with pork mince, preserved vegetables and dried chilli is a bestseller. At their original venue on 51 Dixon Street, expect more traditional dishes like kung pao chicken and mapo tofu.

Address

Shop 3, 51-53 Dixon Street (entry via Little Hay Street)

Phone

9211 8122

Red Chilli Szechuan Restaurant Harbour Plaza

Tongue-tingling sensation of Sichuan

Chilli fanatics will revel in the tongue-tingling menu that comes with a helpful chilli grading for heat gauge. The newer Harbour Street restaurant focuses on modern Sichuan dishes - the stir-fried mud crab with pork mince, preserved vegetables and dried chilli is a bestseller. At their original venue on 51 Dixon Street, expect more traditional dishes like kung pao chicken and mapo tofu.

Address

Shop 108/25-29 Dixon Street, Harbour Plaza (entry via Harbour St)

Phone

9211 8130

Restaurant Arras

A chic location of modern design, Arras encourages good conversation over a pick of fine dining delicacies. A diverse selection of freshly baked bread is ready to nibble on, when anticipating the following four course spread.

Address

204 Clarence St

Phone

9283 1922

Ribs & Burgers

Hot, fresh & succulent

Carnivores, rejoice! Meat, and the occasional mushroom, stars on the menu at this burger joint. Buns come stacked with trimmings alongside ribs, chips and — gasp! — salads. Specials are chalked up by staff wearing pinstriped aprons.

Address

3/19-25 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay

Phone

9904 5774

Ripples Chowder Bay

The essence of relaxed Sydney dining

Metres from the pristine waters of Clifton Gardens Beach, Ripples at Chowder Bay encapsulates the essence of relaxed Sydney dining. Italian inspired food, excellent service and a wonderful alfresco ambience.

Address

Building 7, Deck C, Chowder Bay Road.

Phone

9960 3000

Rocket

An elegant Mod Oz excursion

This classy restaurant elevates lunch to high art, thanks to its focus on seasonal produce and imaginative nod to Modern Australian fare. Its wine list reads like a well-heeled tour through the Barossa, Yarra Valley and Marlborough regions.

Address

1/1-5 Railway Street, Chatswood

Phone

9411 8933

Rockpool

Two-hatted restaurant

Seasonality is key at Neil Perry's two-hatted flagship restaurant. Experience evocative fine dining where local and international ingredients unite for sumptuous a la carte and tasting menus, with produce from spanner crab to quail

Address

107 George Street, Sydney

Phone

9252 1888

Rubyos

Modern Australian grazing restaurant

rubyos is a new concept in casual dining featuring a modern Australian grazing menu, which is designed to be shared. Fill a table with friends, entrée size dishes and voluptuous wines. Savor mixed morsels until full.

Address

18-20 King St, Newtown

Phone

9557 2669

Sackville

Warm and buzzing pub and bistro

With an excellent bistro, inviting courtyard and a hotchpotch crowd of regulars, the Sackville Hotel distils all the best things about Balmain pubs. Sink into a cosy corner with a schooner and steak, or sample a drop from the extensive wine list.

Address

599 Darling Street, Rozelle

Phone

9555 7555

Saigon Saigon

Vietnamese cuisine

Specialising in Vietnamese culinary delights, Saigon Saigon is also known for its uber-cool interior. Auspicious red walls are lined with traditional conical hats from the region and red silk lanterns hang delicately from the ceiling.

Address

97 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Phone

9660 3888

Sailors Thai

Iconic Thai restaurant

This iconic Sydney restaurant is a hit with locals and visitors, thanks to its stylish chartreuse and timber fitout and inspired interpretation of Thai classics. For a lesson in culinary artistry, try the red curry with crispy Berkshire pork belly and the roast duck salad with lashings of chilli and lime.

Address

106 George Street, The Rocks

Phone

9251 2466

Sake Restaurant & Bar

Contemporary Japanese cuisine

Housed in a heritage-listed building, Sake serves one of the most exclusive ranges of its namesake drink in Sydney as well as contemporary Japanese fare by renowned chef Shaun Presland (awarded a chef hat by SMH Good Food Guide 2012). With a long granite bar, a dramatic central sushi counter and open kitchen, as well as a raised area for traditional shoes-off tatami dining and cosy izakaya-like booths, there is plenty of choice for an intimate dinner to a night out with friends.

Address

12 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Phone

9259 5656

Scarlett Restaurant - Harbour Rocks Hotel

Fine Dining Restaurant

Original convict-laid sandstone walls flank this chic contemporary bistro serving modern Australian food in the boutique Harbour Rocks Hotel. Get a table overlooking the historic cobblestone Nurses Walk laneway for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Address

34 Harrington Street

Phone

8220 9999

Selah

Dining in style is kept simple at Selah with a menu of sustainable, seasonal and unprocessed ingredients. A place for any occasion, locals flock to Selah for an easygoing yet craftily prepared dish.

Address

12 Loftus St

Phone

9247 0097

Seoul Ria

Diverse mix of Korean and Japanese cushiness

Not sure whether to have Japanese or Korean? Seoul Ria offers both in this fusion restaurant that's bigger than you'd expect. Take the lift and you'll find yourself in a huge eatery flanked with modern wooden tables and chairs. Try the Jok Bal, cold slices of boiled pork leg served with kimchee or NakJi Duk Bbok Gi, octopus and chewy rice cake in a spicy sauce.

Address

Level 2, 605-609 George Street

Phone

9269 0222

Sepia

Known for their excellence in food, George Costi and Martin Benn have created Sepia's modern Australian menu. This award winning location offers both a la carte and degustation choices with a wine list to match. Rich with the highest quality local produce and inspired by Japan, each plate holds a delicacy resembling delightful edible art.

Address

201 Sussex St

Phone

9283 1990

Shanghai Stories

A glamorous spin on Shanghainese staples

You won't find Lazy Susans at this elegant diner - just pristine white tablecloths and a yum cha menu that brings a touch of 1930s Shanghai to Chatswood. The Xiao Long Bao is the stuff of dreams.

Address

Shop 4/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9412 3880

Signorelli Gastronomia

Licensed Italian restaurant

Inspired by their father's humble beginnings as a greengrocer, the ignorelli family know and love food. Instrumental for bringing premium produce and culture to our city, the Signorelli Gastronomia is much more than a food store. It's a food and wine manifesto where you can eat, drink, shop and learn to cook. Within this stunning marketplace you'll find sustainable products, learn where your food comes from and how to prepare it with style and flair - just like a true Signorelli!

Address

Accenture Building GF, Trouton Place, Pyrmont

Phone

8571 0616

Slide

Bar, restaurant, cabaret

Sydney's home of the acclaimed El Circo and nightly cabaret, this venue is housed in a 1920s Art Deco building moments from Hyde Park. Relish cocktails on the mezzanine, entertainment and fine dining packages or book a function

Address

41 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

Phone

8915 1899

Sokyo

Modern Japanese with a twist

The tradition of Japan overlaid with the freshness of Sydney. Create your own culinary experience from a mouthwatering menu with a twist, precisely curated by Chef Chase Kojima.

Address

The Darling, The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont

Phone

1800 700 700

Spanish Tapas

Authentic Spanish cuisine

Immerse yourself in the magnificent culture and cuisine of Spain right in the heart of Glebe. With rancho wagon wheel chandeliers, paintings reflecting the colour and movement of Spain, traditional terracotta Cazuela serving dishes and charming host and owner Javier you'll soon forget that you're actually in Sydney. Renowned for its range of tapas, authentic Spanish dishes including paella, and homemade sangria, this popular restaurant treats diners to flamenco shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

Address

26 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Phone

9571 9005

Spencer Guthrie

Modern Australian restaurant

Ex L'etoile and Lucio's chefs Troy & Oliver have combined more than their last names in this new venture. Striking a balance between sustainability and practicality, focusing on local produce, Spencer Guthrie will have you coming back for more!

Address

399 King Street, Newtown

Phone

8068 1080

Spice Temple

In an art deco basement den with oriental-style interiors, experience a food excursion through regional China's hot, sweet and sour. Exciting textures and finesse galore from this venture from culinary icon Neil Perry.

Address

10 Bligh St

Phone

8078 1888

Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki with a modern twist

Asian tradition fuses with chic sensibility at this superb modern Japanese restaurant. Black tasselled lamp shades, a long communal table, dim lighting and staff in kimono-inspired dresses- An experience not to be missed.

Address

ivy, Level 2, George Street, Sydney.

Phone

9240 3000

Terrazza Restaurant & Pizzeria

Classic Italian with a modern twist

Sublime gnocchi gorgonzola and crisp wood-fired pizzas star at this much-loved Italian eatery. Come for an inspired take on Italian classics and a fitout that combines one part elegance with two parts soul.

Address

3/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9419 5304

The Apollo

Modern Greek Taverna

Sit at the big marble bar and check out the grecophiles and Potts Point locals whilst sampling the delicacies of Head Chef Jonathan Barthelmess at this modern Greek taverna.

Address

44 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Phone

8354 0888

The Bathers' Pavilion

Beautiful Bathers' Pavillion at Balmoral

Just steps from Balmoral Beach, Bathers’ is actually three eateries in one: the Kiosk serves up coffee, baguettes and gelato to go; the Cafe focuses on Mediterranean meals in a casual environment; and the Restaurant offers a fine-dining experience courtesy of chef/owner Serge Dansereau.

Address

4 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach

Phone

9969 5050

The Bulgogi

Korean eatery high on sizzle

Fainthearted types should steer clear of this lesson in Korean BBQ - it's famous for sizzling plates of marinated meat, ocean-fresh seafood and a condiment lineup that's an assault on the senses. Or throw caution to the wind and try the buffet.

Address

380 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Phone

9410 3900

The Corner House

Quintessential Bondi dining experience

Crafted to create a laid-back feel that nods to the historic roots of the building, salvaged railway tracks, wooden ferry pews and acid-treated steel floors form a series of homely spaces to enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail, watch the action in the open kitchen or share seasonal Italian food with friends.

Address

281 Bondi Road, Bondi

Phone

8020 6698

The Cut Bar & Grill

Contemporary steak restaurant

Where the steak is king and the seafood is fit for royalty, The Cut Bar & Grill is nestled in a historic setting but inspired by a New York state of mind, and serves prime Australian beef in only the very finest cuts.

Address

6 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Phone

9259 5695

The Devonshire

Modern European style restaurant

Jeremy Bentley and Matthew Kemp ensure a Modern European experience here where diners are treated like old friends. Plates are adorned with scallops, squid, celeriac and pomegranate through to Devonshire tea creme brulee.

Address

204 Devonshire St, Surry Hills

Phone

9698 9427

The Dining Room at Park Hyatt

Quintessential Sydney dining experience

Chef Andrew McKee’s take on modern Australia is equal parts classic and artful, thanks to stints at Beijing’s celebrated Aria restaurant, Park Hyatt Tokyo’s famous New York Grill and Sydney’s Aqua Luna. At The Dining Room he serves up Alaskan king crab topped with corn, beef glazed with molasses and whiting fillets gussied up with scallops and smoked pork – dishes that work as culinary counterpoints to the delicious harbour view.

Address

7 Hickson Road, The Rocks

Phone

9256 1234

The Duck Inn

Restaurant and bar

The exterior looks suspiciously like any other pub, yet inside The Duck Inn has been stylishly renovated. Cheer is brought by bright cushions and shabby stools that somehow match the comfy armchair in the corner. The innovative owners have seasonal specials like a defrosting winter Pimms or summertime long necks in the beer garden. Staples include Monday night trivia and great seasonal comfort food is always on the menu - you'll feel like this is your home away from home.

Address

74 Rose Street, Chippendale

Phone

9319 4415

The Eathouse Diner

Casual Diner with seasonal menu

A South American inspired colour scheme abounds at this diner offering a constantly changing seasonal menu served in generous portions. Try the Jamaican Jerk spiced spatchcock with savoury mango salad and rice and beans against the backdrop of bizarre vintage curios and old world gestures. Or take a Hokey Pokey Sundae by the tropical mural of a parrot in flight and sample a cocktail at this cosy, casual eat spot.

Address

306 Chalmers St, Redfern

Phone

8084 9479

The Eight Modern Chinese Restaurant

You're bound to be in luck at The Eight - considered a lucky number by the Chinese - a stylish modern restaurant with a comprehensive menu that runs from traditional to new-wave fusion Chinese dishes. By day it's yum cha central, with over 70 dishes to choose from. It's hard to resist the glamour of Peking duck carved at your table: a two-course affair that starts with crisp duck skin in soft pancakes and finishes with duck sang choy bow lettuce cups. Wok-seared beef with foie gras paste is one of their signature dishes, and live seafood from the tanks is always popular.

Address

Level 3, Market City

Phone

9282 9988

The Meeting Point

Try The Meeting Point's signature dish - collagen shabu shabu, made with all natural ingredients. Sample this and other dishes inspired by traditional Taiwanese cuisine with a dash of Szechuan style. The restaurant space evokes an old industrial feel, holds regular live music on weekends and has free Wi-Fi. Check their Facebook page to keep up to date.

Address

Shop R1.01B/9-13 Hay St, Haymarket

Phone

9280 3680

The Moose Newtown

Bar, restaurant, live music

This intimate bar is a hub for musicians and locals. Moose antlers grace the dimly lit red walls. The drinks list is divided into spirit headings with a plethora of cocktail interpretations for each. Wednesdays are live music nights.

Address

530 King Street, Newtown

Phone

9557 0072

The Rocks Teppanyaki

Serving Traditional Japanese Teppanyaki Cuisine

Experience the traditional art and taste sensations of Japanese Teppanyaki. Located in a historic 1840s building, guests sit at one of six private, individual cooking tables ideal for entertaining friends and loved ones.

Address

176 Cumberland Street.

Phone

9250 6020

The Sailors Club

Waterfront lounge bar & restaurant

1960s Palm Springs meets modern-day Sydney at this one of a kind Rose Bay destination. Relax on the deck with traditional dishes executed with a twist, a sublime cocktail menu and a note-perfect fit out in canary yellow and turquoise.

Address

594 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay

Phone

9327 6561

The Sardine Room

Modern Seafood Bistro - BYO

If you have an inclination to indulge in an authentic dining intimacy only found in European backstreets, The Sardine Room lures with its kitchen energy and adorably passionate owner, Angela Heracleous. Offering a seaside cabaret alongside a hand selected wine list, the menu is verbally delivered with enthusiasm to stimulate salivation. Rendezvous here with friends to experience when flamboyance meets fish.

Address

2/31 Challis Ave, Potts Point.

Phone

9357 7444

The Tea Room Gunners Barracks

A Sydney icon - lunch & high tea

Offering a contemporary modern Australian lunch menu and one of Sydney's most revered High Tea services, The Tea Room Gunners' Barracks is a Sydney icon. Nestled within bushland of Georges Head, complete with stunning harbour views, enjoy the opulence of this historic sandstone building and former military barracks. Traditional morning and afternoon tea is served daily, with an array of sweet cakes, savoury pastries, finger sandwiches, scones, Ronnefeldt teas and more.

Address

End of Suakin Drive, Georges Heights

Phone

8962 5900

The Terrace

Bar & casual dining

One of Woollahra's premier establishments, The Terrace combines an up-market atmosphere in a relaxed setting, with a range of deliciously prepared meals, mouthwatering cocktails and all your pub classics that will have you coming back.

Address

116 Queen Street, Woollahra

Phone

9327 9777

The Victoria Room

Bohemian elegance, restaurant & bar

Reminiscent of a 1920s Shanghai bar with its antiques and ornate furniture, this bar and dining room is luxurious and spiced with an air of mystery and the exotic. A local favourite for dinner and decadent High Tea on the weekend.

Address

Level 1, 235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst.

Phone

02 9357 4488

The White Hart

Cocktails, wines, tapas & casual dining

Offering a unique and modern twist to the old English ale house, The White Hart serves up bespoke cocktails, fine wine, tapas and casual dining with a splash of nostalgia, finesse and humour. Think hipster bar meets English tavern.

Address

19-21 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay

Phone

8021 2115

Three Blue Ducks

Honest, innovatice and local

Three Blue Ducks is a small, intimate licensed restaurant located a short stroll up the hill from Bronte beach. The food is of the highest quality reflecting the head chefs' fine dining resumes, but is served in a casual cafe setting.

Address

143 Macpherson Street, Bronte

Phone

9389 0010

Tilbury Hotel

A little taste of good taste

Situated in the heart of Woolloomooloo, the Tilbury's boasts a warm and comfortable environment with varnished wood, long leather banquettes, fireplaces, a generous sized deck and tranquil courtyard. The downstairs dining room offers a view out to the courtyard.

Address

12-18 Nicholson Street, Woolloomooloo

Phone

9368 1955

Toko

A contemporary style sushi bar

Toko Paddington prides itself on serving the freshest and best quality sushi and sashimi while offering many dishes with a contemporary twist in a sophisticated yet comfortable venue.

Address

362 Oxford Street, Paddington

Phone

9380 7001

Uighur Cuisine

If you like lamb, you'll love the kebabs at Uighur Cuisine, chunks of juicy lamb dusted with cumin and grilled on sword-like skewers. There are also stir-fries, handmade noodles, and dumplings available steamed and pan-fried. Halal food is also available.

Address

1/8 Dixon St, Haymarket

Phone

9267 8555

Ume Japanese Restaurant

Modern Japanese

This celebrated restaurant serves up a masterful take on modern Japanese fare and won itself a Sydney Morning Herald chef's hat in the process. It also offers a sake lineup to stoke your love affair with rice wine.

Address

478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9380 7333

Umi Kaiten-Zushi

Modern Japanese dining bar

An impressively long fish tank provides a tranquil backdrop for patrons at this modern Japanese dining bar. Take a seat at the sushi train and pick and choose from the sushi plates - colour-coded by price - that trundle past on the circular conveyor belt. Salmon, tuna and prawn are joined by more unusual items like surf clam, sea urchin, turban shell and the Japanese favourite, natto femented soy beans. All fish is bought daily with specials dishes on offer depending on what has been sourced at the markets.

Address

Shop 1 LG Floor, Sydney Central, 477 Pitt Street (Cnr Hay & Parker Street)

Phone

9281 2006

Umi Sushi + Udon

The recently opened Umi Sushi + Udon offers both traditional and creative sushi options alongside a focus on Sanuki Udon, characterised by its firm, chewy texture using a special type of wheat traditionally grown in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Enjoy a traditional Kyoto style decor as you venture through Umi Sushi + Udon's specialty Japanese cuisine.

Address

Shop 19, Darling Quarter, 1-25 Harbour Street

Phone

9283 2006

Universal Restaurant

Vibrant restaurant, global flavors

At Universal, Christine Manfield presents a brave new world of global flavours, offering an ever changing, a la carte menu of same size tasting dishes with optional wine matches.

Address

Republic 2 Courtyard Palmer Street, Darlinghurst

Phone

93809006

Velero

Spanish restaurant & tapas bar

Embark on a culinary tour of provincial Spain with cured meats, imported cheese, paella and tapas alongside Spanish sherry, beer or wine. With private dining also available, Velero offers a unique niche at the picturesque Woolloomooloo wharf.

Address

2/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Phone

9356 2222

Verde Restaurant and Bar

Traditional Southern Italian restaurant

Housed in a heritage-listed Victorian building, this elegant restaurant is an ode to the flavours and textures of Southern Italy. Surrender to a succession of sublime regional dishes courtesy of head chef Antonio Ruggerino.

Address

115 Riley Street, East Sydney

Phone

9380 8877

Vini

Italian Restaurant

Find simple yet elegant Italian food put on the menu board daily. Choose from over 25 Italian wines available by the glass. Vini holds weekly regional dinners on Tuesdays.

Address

3/ 118 Devonshire Street (via Holt Street), Surry Hills.

Phone

02 9698 5131

Waterfront Restaurant

Historic harbour front restaurant

With its enviable views of the harbour and Opera House, and nautical decor, this lavish restaurant offers the quintessential Sydney waterfront dining experience. Take a seat on the terrace for some fresh seafood and wine.

Address

27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks

Phone

1300 115 116

Watts on Crown

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Partners in life and business, the owners of Watts on Crown present an inviting bistro reflective of 10 years of European living - a local vibe that can mean something to everyone. Fresh and homemade inspires the evolving menu.

Address

368 Crown St, Surry Hills

Phone

8068 0461

Westfield Restaurants

Some of the best of Australia's culinary community offer express and dine-in options at 'The Food Atrium' on Level Five, where Justin and Georgia North's Becasse and Quarter Twenty One Restaurants are also located. The premium restaurant precinct on Level Six is a worldly dining destination in its own right and home to Sydney favourites, Chat Thai, Sky Phoenix, David Tsirekas' 'fun park of Greek food' Xanthi, and Alessandro Pavoni's nostalgic Lombardian restaurant Spiedo Restaurant & Bar.

Address

Westfield Sydney, Level 5 & 6.

Phone

Wockbar

Asian street hawker food

Hot, sour, salty, sweet... this hip Pan-Asian eatery serves up ancient flavours with an unabashedly modern twist. The yum cha menu features inventive versions of Chinese classics - the steamed pork buns are nothing short of heavenly.

Address

2/27 Belgrave St, Manly

Phone

9977 1288

Woollahra Hotel

Chic bars and cellars, home to Bistro Moncur

From cocktails at the chic Front Bar, French-inspired fare at Bistro Moncur and boutique, rare and classic wines at the new Moncur Cellars, this handsome pub deserves its excellent reputation.

Address

116 Queen Street, Woollahra

Phone

9327 9777

Yachiyo Japanese

Japanese restaurant

Riding on the success of Sushi Yachiyo in Darlinghurst, Katsu Yachiyo is proudly serving creative Japanese deep fried dishes as well as fresh Sushi and Sashimi.

Address

208 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9690 2424

Yulli's

European and Asian vegetarian restaurant

Yulli's is a vegetarian restaurant, providing share style food that fuses southern European and South East Asian cuisines. There is a 30 strong NSW brewed craft beer list and locally sourced boutique wine list to boot.

Address

417 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9319 6609

Zilver Restaurant

Contemporary and classic Chinese dishes

The east-meets-west menu at Zilver is matched by decor that is modern and sleek with bronze pillars, timber screens and billowing silk canopies overhead. The menu runs the gamut of both contemporary and classic dishes, with a section dedicated to fusion dishes. Specialty dishes include the deep-fried live mud crab tossed in salted egg as well as the seafood curry with pumpkin. Those seeking something a little different should try the roasted pigeon or the wok-seared beef with wasabi sauce. The flaming pork ribs with mayonnaise is always an attentiongetting spectacle. At lunchtime, Zilver is buzzing with yum cha patrons keen on getting their dumpling fix. A dedicated bar area is perfect for drinks before or after dinner.

Address

Sydney Central Building (opposite Capitol Theatre) Level G, 477 Pitt Street (cnr Hay and Pitt Street)

Phone

9211 2232

ZoZo

If you've always fancied yourself as a chef, then Korean barbeque is the perfect chance for you to show off your cooking skills. At ZoZo you can order marinated meats and seafood and then take charge of the sizzling barbecue on the tabletop hotplate. Waitstaff are always happy to lend a hand if you're not sure what to do. Prefer to relax and let the kitchen do all the cooking? Then check out the crispy seafood pancake, fire chilli chicken and bibimbab: a traditional crispy rice dish served in a hot stone bowl. A special lunch menu is available Monday to Friday.

Address

Shop 10/26 Liverpool Street, World Square (under Monorail station)

Phone

9267 8040

Zushi Surry Hills

Modern funky Japanese restaurant

This local take on izakaya dining serves up artful sashimi along with an ambience that conjures the elegant backstreets of Kyoto. Ask for a Ginger Ninja cocktail and retire to the sake garden for a piece of Japan-inspired bliss.

Address

2A/285A Crown Street, Surry Hills

Phone

9380 8830