City Oltra

Restaurant · pizza · $$$ · haymarket

Two gun pizzaiolos have teamed up with inner-west distillery Poor Toms to create the ultimate inner-city hangout – with not-quite-New York pizzas, chunky square pies, plates of gabagool and a riff on a legendary Perth sandwich.

11 Eddy Avenue

Bennelong

Restaurant · $$$$$ · sydney

The only thing better than dining with a view of Sydney's most famous building is dining inside it – and a meal at Bennelong, chef Peter Gilmore's counterpart to his fine diner Quay, is the best way to do it.

Sydney Opera House

Mapo

Shop · Italian · $$$ · newtown

A traditional Italian gelateria doing gelato the old school way, using organic ingredients with no preservatives. Opt for a scoop of classic fior di latte, Pepe Saya salted caramel or seasonal fruit.

123 King Street

Temasek

Restaurant · Malaysian · $$ · parramatta

A homey Singaporean-Malay restaurant famous for its Hainanese chicken, Singapore chilli crab (order ahead for that) and laksa. That laksa is arguably one of the best – and most faithful – laksas in town.

71 George

Bar Planet

Bar · $$$ · newtown

The Martini reigns supreme at this psychedelic cocktail bar. The gun bartenders pour them any way you like, and the bottomless popcorn will keep you thirsty.

16 Enmore Road

Cantina Ok!

Bar · $$$ · sydney

This seriously tiny, perennially packed laneway bar is considered one of the best tequila and mezcal bars in the world. But the friendly, knowledgeable staff here will help you navigate the list with confidence.

Council Place

Cafe Cressida

Cafe · $$$ · woollahra

Part Paris cafe, part LA hotel, this playful spot from the owners of Ursula’s in Paddington is here whatever time of day you need it. Come early for a classic big breakfast, or later on for pasta and salads. It’s all elegant.

118 Queen Street

Kosta's Takeaway

Cafe · Deli · $$ · rockdale

A “no bullshit” sandwich deli doing cold-cut layered paninis, cracking chicken-schnitty rolls and spectacular salad sangas. Served from a canteen-style window next to a smash-repairs workshop in Rockdale.

412 West Botany Street

Letra House

Bar · Spanish · $$$ · sydney

Love Tilly Group’s underground bar is where you can eat Spanish tapas and order the entire wine list by the glass. And staying up till the early hours is easy thanks to the dedicated late-night menu.

344 Kent Street

Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant

Restaurant · Cantonese · $$$ · haymarket

In the old Golden Century site, this 400-seat Cantonese diner is ushering in a new era for Chinatown. The seafood tanks are full, the yum cha trolleys are back in action and late-night dining runs until 3am.

393-399 Sussex Street

Menya Monaka

Restaurant · Japanese · $$$ · mona vale

Menya Monaka, by the owners of nearby Cafe Monaka, is a noodle shop by day and izakaya by night. Visit at lunch for excellent ramen bowls and gyoza, and small plates and sake in the evenings.

Waratah Street

Bar Vincent

Restaurant · Italian · $$$ · darlinghurst

You can always count on fresh oysters, complimentary bread and a razor-sharp wine program at this exemplary neighbourhood diner. Come for an Italianate menu, served in one of the inner-city’s most romantic dining rooms.

174 Liverpool Street

Ho Jiak Haymarket

Restaurant · Malaysian · $$$ · haymarket

Char kway teow noodles with jumbo prawns, Hainan chicken rice and a signature wok-fried crab are the highlights at Junda Khoo’s nostalgic Malaysian diner. Ho Jiak in Strathfield or at Town Hall are also very worthwhile.

92 Hay Street

Corner 75

Restaurant · $$$ · randwick

This decades-old Randwick restaurant – and icon in the Hungarian community – has been revamped by the Sixpenny and Baba’s Place teams. Don't worry though – that schnitzel hasn't gone anywhere.

75 Frenchmans Road

Ragazzi

Restaurant · Italian · $$$ · sydney

A sexy wine bar from the team behind Love, Tilly Devine, where the pasta menu changes almost daily. You might order cavatelli with pippies and house-made pork sausage one day, and goat ragu mafaldine the next.

2-12 Angel Place

King Clarence

Restaurant · Japanese · $$$ · sydney

Acclaimed chef Khanh Nguyen leads the Bentley Group’s 100-seat East Asian restaurant – complete with the playful xiaolongbao and Filet-O-Fish crossover we never knew we needed.

171 Clarence Street

Kiln

Restaurant · Seafood · $$$$ · sydney

Helmed by esteemed chef Beau Clugston, the Ace Hotel’s eighteenth-floor diner is all about native ingredients, fire-based cooking and flavours from across the globe. All set within one of Sydney's most unique dining rooms.

47-53 Wentworth Avenue

Baba’s Place

Restaurant · Mediterranean · $$ · marrickville

This hidden restaurant in Sydney’s inner west celebrates the cultural diversity of the city’s suburbs. Find creative nods to our Greek and Middle Eastern communities, and a cocktail list built around a classic Balkan spirit.

20 Sloane Street