Superfreak

Cafe · $$$ · marrickville

Superfreak’s head-turning fit-out makes it a contender for Sydney’s best-looking cafe. But there’s plenty more to love – including a fresh, homely menu and a vinyl soundtrack.

333A Enmore Road

Cafe Freda’s

Bar · $$$ · darlinghurst

This sunshine-yellow corner bar is perpetually heaving, and it's been one of Sydney's favourite spots to eat and drink ever since it opened. But all good things come to an end. Make sure to get in here before it closes on March 1.

191-195 Oxford Street

Amuro

Bar · Japanese · $$$ · darlinghurst

This polished sake room is inspired by a popular Japanese manga – hear the story behind each sake as you sip, and don’t hold back on the nostalgic snacks. We can't get over the Kewpie mayo-shaped chopstick rests.

2/255 Crown 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

Tita Carinderia

Cafe · Filipino · $$ · marrickville

Tita isn’t your typical Filipino carinderia. Hit this heaving cafe and bakery for classic Filipino breakfasts, egg and longganisa sausage muffins, house-made pandesal buns, and ube soft serve ice-cream.

359 Illawarra Road

Aalia

Restaurant · Middle Eastern · $$$$ · sydney

The Middle East’s lesser-known cuisines brought to light on a menu informed by ancient recipes and modern techniques. You can also try wines from Syria, Jordan, Morocco and more, in a stunning contemporary space.

25 Martin Place

Cafe Monaka

Cafe · Japanese · $$$ · mona vale

Decked out in raw oak, this breezy spot is one of a few Sydney cafes serving traditional Japanese breakfasts, plus brunch classics. The tea-house aesthetic is fitting – artisan green teas from Japan are brewed here daily.

24 Waratah St

Little Cooler

Bar · $$$ · sydney

The Maybe Sammy team has joined forces with Matt Whiley to open this rowdy, neon-lit pop-up cocktail bar that’s all about ’90s cocktails, loud music and good times.

275 Clarence Street

Porteño

Restaurant · South American · $$$ · surry hills

This South American wine bar and diner in Surry Hills, with its charcoal-roasted meats and long wine list, was well ahead of its time when it opened in 2010. But it hasn't lost a step since, and is still well worth seeking out.

50 Holt 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

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

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

Pina

Cafe · $$ · potts point

From Neil Perry to Josh Niland, top chefs love this heaving spot and its "everyday" brunch fare for good reason. Soaking up the European vibe in Llankelly Place with a plate of eggs and caponata is peak Sydney.

4/29 Orwell Street

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

Noon

Cafe · $$$ · manly

The Chica Bonita team takes on brekkie at community-minded Noon. Find the usual breakfast darlings, plus creative morning plays showcasing suppliers you don’t usually see on the northern beaches.

18 Raglan Street

Happyfield

Cafe · American · $$$ · haberfield

Walk past this sunny corner any day of the week and there’ll be a crowd of people lined up outside. They’re here for pancakes – fluffy, Instagrammable stacks of them – drenched in 100 per cent Canadian maple syrup.

96 Ramsay Street

El Jannah

Restaurant · $ · granville

There’s charcoal chicken joints, then there’s El Jannah. The Granville original put the Western Sydney suburb on the culinary map with its tender birds, addictively punchy garlic sauce and neon-pink radishes.

44-48 Flushcombe Road

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