This CBD sequel to The Waratah takes its inspiration from Japan and its izakayas. That means an excellent line-up of drinks – and a great selection of food to enjoy with them.

Daiquiris, disco and dancing at this CBD bar.

The Cantina Ok team's other basement boozer specialises in Martinis, including Gibsons, Espresso Martinis and more. Cosmos and Gibsons are invited to the party too.

Thirty-two floors above Sydney CBD, The Intercontinental Sydney’s rooftop has 270-degree views of the Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens. While Australian flavours and local produce inform the menu, the bar is a nod to the great hotel bars found around the world.

Aalia’s Paul Faraag turns his attention to Japanese flavours at this glowing rooftop. Whether you treat it like a bar or a restaurant, you’re in for raw and robata-grilled dishes, plus cocktails by an alum of a top London bar.

Love Tilly Group’s underground bar is where you can eat Spanish tapas and order the entire wine list by the glass.

Head to The International rooftop in Martin Place for yakitori skewers, al fresco cocktails and live DJs until late.

The only bar in the sprawling Prefecture 48 precinct has an impressive list of whiskies and seasonal cocktails. Plus, find hidden surprises like a “stolen” stash of whisky bottles in the bathrooms.

A legit Americana bar in the heart of Sydney's CBD. Descend for a list of classic southern-style eats and whiskey cocktails paired with live country and rock’n’roll.

Merivale's first record bar brings 15000 vinyl records, a premium sound system and Japanese snacks to the Ivy Precinct.

Five types of Margarita, two popcorn machines and 100 hand-selected tequilas – the team behind acclaimed Sydney bar Cantina OK has done it again with this psychedelic, underground temple to agave spirits.

This sports bar from the group behind Fratelli Fresh has 40 beers, Buffalo wings done any style you like, and frozen Margaritas on tap. Plus, a 12-foot wide TV screen showing everything from tennis to golf and American football.

A laneway pasta bar and deli bringing the essence of Italian food culture to Circular Quay. Grab an early-morning espresso and pastry, or a fast bowl of freshly made pasta for lunch.

Descend to Swillhouse Group’s late-night hotspot for banging pina coladas and the smoked cheeseburger of our dreams. Plus, a live music program and DJs selecting from one of the world’s largest private vinyl collections.

The sister venue to Charles Brasserie and luxe basement bar Tiva evokes old-world European drinking and dining dens. Visit for bar snacks like kingfish crudo, and full-blown bistro meals such as flat-iron steak. A Martini here is a great idea, too.

Swish CBD basement bar Tiva is all about live music, high-end cocktails and a touch of theatre. It's part of three-in-one venue The Charles, and you can expect a mix of DJs and live performers most nights, as well as premium snacks from the impressive kitchen team upstairs.

The celebrated Darlinghurst speakeasy has resurfaced in the CBD – with a serious food menu, 37 signature cocktails and more than 500 whiskies. Enter via a discreet entrance on Wynyard Lane for all of the blazing bartending theatrics you remember.

To find this open-air oasis above the State Library's historic Mitchell Building, make your way through a grungy corridor and up a goods lift. You'll be met by a handsome bar serving cocktails and sublime views of the Domain and Sydney Harbour.

A timelessly beautiful bar set within a hollowed-out 400-tonne clocktower atop Shell House. Ascend for high-end yet relaxed service, plenty of whisky and fresh, crushable cocktails. Also, snacks befitting the space's old-world glamour: caviar, freshly shucked oysters and truffle toasties.

This luxe rooftop bar and open-air terrace is the cherry atop Shell House, combining sophisticated drinks and Mediterranean snacks with a statement-making design. Think Mad Men-era opulence combined with a 1930s Milanese speakeasy feel.

Francis Ford Coppola's landmark film The Godfather is the inspiration behind Apollonia, a dramatic basement bar beneath Hinchcliff House. A visit here involves Sicilian-style bar snacks, inventive house cocktails and a signature Negroni on tap.

The first of three stunning venues to arrive at the refurbished Shell House building. This one draws inspiration from the grand eateries of Europe, in the form of a daily Martini hour, lobster rolls and a 2am licence.

A Southeast Asian grill from the Bentley Group and Khanh Nguyen.

The first Sydney outpost of the self-proclaimed “world’s best pizza chain”.

Palisa Anderson’s rice-powered lunch counter serving bowls in a CBD food court.

The Odd Culture crew’s Italian all-dayer

An extension of Middle Eastern Aalia Restaurant next door, serving a menu built around smaller plates in a moody double-storey space.

The sibling venue to northern beaches institution Pilu delivers tastes of the Italian coastline, with harbour views and a dedicated crudo bar.

This 10-seat ramen bar in Circular Quay is dedicated to two kelp-based broths, each simmered for eight hours to deliver clean, refined flavour with umami at the forefront.

A refined Harry Seidler-designed building is the backdrop for the Sydney institution, but the menu – with its signature Malaya beef curry – remains unchanged.

A sprawling Venetian grill with enough beef and marble to sink a ship. Polished service and a lengthy menu of surf, turf and hand-made pasta add sizzle to the city’s steakhouse scene.

The Chinese restaurant from the Pellegrino 2000, Neptune's Grotto and Clam Bar team is another home-run. There's a lengthy menu that showcases China's Guangdong and Sichuan regions, a wine list by a legendary somm, and a stunning and fun dining room.

Turn at for breakfast for ham sangas, egg soldiers and snacky plates. Come lunch and dinner, it's snapper with chickpea, stuffed zucchini and more.

The centrepiece of Circular Quay’s Hinchcliff House is an ambitious Italian diner that incorporates native ingredients and broad influences from the Asian continent.

The former first Bank of Australia is now a flashy steak and seafood grill taking cues from the grand dining rooms of New York and Paris.

Martinez is about as close to the French Riviera as you’ll get without leaving Sydney. This handsome rooftop combines a breezy outdoor terrace with harbour views and a dining room serving up dishes from south-east France.

The headline act at The International in Martin Place brings white-tablecloth elegance to an iconic CBD site. Push the boat out with the finest steak and seafood cooked over woodfire, and an impressive list of wines from around the world.

This robata-style restaurant specialises in open-flame cooking. It’s all about fun and fire, and is one of six venues inside Japanese hospitality hub, Prefecture 48.

This refined diner blends classic European dishes with Japanese flavours. Choose three, four or six courses and let the chefs do the rest.

This 42-seat fine diner is the headline act at the sprawling Prefecture 48 precinct. Come for up to 18 courses in a contemporary kaiseki experience.

Soul Dining puts modern spins on classic Korean dishes like tteokbokki and sundae. It also brings the fun of eating out in Seoul to a sleek space that’s primed for both casual and special occasion dinners.

Tomoharu Shono's Michelin-recommended chain has arrived in Sydney. Hit this “farm to bowl” spot for a signature chicken soup – featuring house-made noodles made from Australian wheat varieties.

Meet the elegant restaurant making a strong case for hotel dining in Sydney. Ascend the grand stairway for a fire-powered open kitchen, a wine list celebrating Australian makers and leafy views of Hyde Park.

The Pellegrino 2000 team’s underground pasta cave is a love letter to northern Italy. It’s where you can lose track of time over a bottle of Barolo and a plate of handmade pasta, in one of Sydney’s vibiest dining rooms.

With just eight seats, Matkim is one of the smallest chef's table experiences in Sydney. But this tiny counter by the Tokki team is also a leader in the city’s Korean fine-dining revolution, and serves an 18-course spectacle you won’t soon forget.

Chef Jung-su Chang brings Michelin Star cred to Sydney’s Korean dining scene with this degustation-only diner. Come for an intimate, 15-course experience that’ll change the way you think about Korean food.

The Lotus Group really stepped it up a notch with this lavish Cantonese diner. Come for refined dishes from Guangzhou and Hong Kong and a sweeping 30-seat balcony overlooking the harbour.

Direct from Japan, this steakhouse lets you choose from three affordable cuts of meat, then watch as it’s slapped on a super-hot stone to cook at your table.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Brooklyn. Merivale’s fun basement diner takes cues from all three cities. As for the menu, it’s a no-rules affair by Totti’s executive chef Mike Eggert, powered by woks and woodfire.

Alfie’s is where you can order a Riverine sirloin steak (aged and butchered in-house) and it’ll be on your table in 15 minutes. It also serves what might be the coldest Martini in Sydney.

The overhaul of this once notorious late-night dive was a long time coming. And the chic public bar, elegant European bistro and sunny rooftop were all worth the wait. The best part? You’ll actually want to be there during daylight hours, too.

A veg-forward diner inspired by Turkey’s Aegean coastline. Meze is at the heart of the menu, and you can pair dishes such as beetroot falafel with Turkish wines you won’t find elsewhere.

The chef behind two of acclaimed Melbourne restaurants is bringing his produce-driven approach to the GPO building in Martin Place. At Morena, he's showcasing the best of Latin American cuisine, and Australia's largest collection of wines from the region.

The first Sydney location for the global ramen chain. Come for 10 takes on the Japanese noodle soup – from a signature tonkotsu with 12-hour pork bone broth to the spicy, choose-your-own-heat-level “God Fire”.

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.

There’s no physical menu and no dine-in space, but the lines were out the door from day one of Merivale's cranking little pizza joint. Come for sexy slabs of Roman-style pizza and schiacciata sandwiches laden with Italian cold-cuts. But be warned – they tend to sell out.

An ultra-luxe fine diner specialising in two of Japan’s great culinary traditions. The multi-course menus highlight premium produce, from lobster to Wagyu and abalone. But you can’t put a price on those stellar harbour views.

Say “hey” to a late-night spot with a top-tier wine list, cocktails inspired by Southeast Asia, and bar snacks available until late. You can even order a tableside hibachi until the early hours, and grill seafood and meats to pair with boundary-pushing cocktails.

Behind a nondescript door in town, the second iteration of Toko echoes the experience beloved at the original Surry Hills site for 15 years. Expect good-times playlists, signature dishes including Moreton Bay bug tempura, and a sushi bar.

The team behind Ragazzi have taken cues from their favourite Roman trattorias and New York's Gramercy Tavern to create their dream Italian joint – with a walk-in bar area and a beautiful art-filled dining room spanning 120 seats. Slide into a velvet-and-leather booth for a plate for lovingly made pastas, and a choice of 600 wines from Italy and beyond.

The best of New York inspires the Pellegrino 2000 team's seafood grill and steakhouse. As ever, it’s all about irreverently executed classics and cocktails riffing on the “daggy drinks” of the ’80s.

Dumplings, made-to-order bread and Afghan “Burgers” are on the menu at this refugee-led diner in the CBD. Not only does it train and employ women who have recently arrived from Afghanistan, but for every meal bought, it donates two more meals to Afghan communities in need.

Inside Sydney's Capella hotel, the team behind Bentley and Monopole are turning out modern Australian takes on classic brasserie dishes. There's an encyclopaedic wine list to match, which accesses all the rare drops stashed in the Bentley Group cellars.

Nigiri takes pride of place at this 12-seat omakase diner, and there's a formidable selection of Japanese whisky to go with it. You might end up sharing some with your neighbour – it's all about the convivial vibe here.

At Pinky-Ji, “unauthentic Indian” chef Jessi Singh brings all the fun and flavour of his Melbourne diner Daughter in Law to the Sydney CBD. Expect modern takes on Indian dishes in a neon-lit room draped in red velvet. Plus, a private dining room with a karaoke machine pumping tunes from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Clayton Wells’ follow-up to Automata has the chef’s signature all over it – literally. Come for unexpected dishes starring beautiful Australian ingredients, as you take in harbour views from within Sydney Modern at the AGNSW.

Under soaring ceilings in an art deco building, The Charles evokes Europe’s grand brasseries with plenty of thoughtful touches – including a roaming dessert trolley, and tableside saucing and carving. Order the whole dry-aged duck for a show-stopping signature.

The Ace Hotel’s eighteenth-floor diner is all about native ingredients, fire-based cooking and flavours from across the globe. The space exudes the Ace’s signature cool, with a view that’s begging for a glass of something cold.

Celebrating life's big moments is what it's all about here – come for tableside theatrics, premium Aussie steaks and complimentary cocktail amuse-bouches on arrival.

Serving up burgers under $10 and freshly churned thickshakes, this burger joint’s neon signs and sky-blue tiles are a vibrant ode to ’50s American diners.

Formerly an oyster bar, this al fresco French diner evokes the Mediterranean with its unmatched harbour views and sterling seafood. It's got you covered for all occasions, from pre-theatre snacks to big-budget lobster and champagne dinners.

Merivale’s opulent Japanese diner puts a modern spin on the country’s traditional cuisine. Take your seat at the white marble counter for a theatrical experience involving premium seafood, sake and no shortage of knife skills from the team of highly trained chefs.

Manon brings French flair to the Queen Victoria Building with a roll call of bistro classics such as croque monsieur, steak frites and crab bisque souffle. Take a seat in the handsome dining room, or people-watch Parisian-style at a streetside table.

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 in the former MLC Centre.

The one-two punch of exemplary Malaysian sweets and smoky char kway teow noodles is not one you’ll experience often. But that’s exactly what you get at this unassuming food court counter run by a husband-and-wife duo.

Steak frites is king at this two-storey French bistro in the heart of the city. But sophisticated Gallic standards are just one part of the picture – you'll also find a formidable wine list spanning Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhone Valley wine regions.

Fine dining meets Oaxacan flavours at this casual CBD spot. There's a rollicking bar with such vast quantities of tequila and mezcal, bartenders use a library ladder to access the top shelf. A pre-dinner flight here is highly encouraged – and well worth it.

This spectacular ninth-floor restaurant is the heart and soul of Shell House. Come for seafood, pasta and protein-heavy mains matched with classic French wines and new world naturals.

Southeast Asian street food is the focus at Merivale’s rowdy good-times diner: oysters spiked with Vietnamese-style vinaigrette, jungle curry with pipis and Phnom Penh fried chicken. To drink? Fresh cocktails and a famous yuzu slushie.

Pull up a chair at the former Chiswick at the Gallery site for mid-week and weekend brunch, long lunches, and extraordinary views over Sydney Harbour.

This all-day eatery inside Hinchcliff House mills its own flour, using grain supplied by NSW farmers. That means house-made pastas and ciabatta to go with produce-driven share plates and cocktails.

North side’s Fiore Bread team has crossed the bridge, serving loaves and CBD exclusive grab’n’go sangas out of a retro Italian-looking spot. Plus, the sauces and pickles are all house-made.

The Sydney-born, French-inspired glassware label has opened at The Strand. Shop signature designs including pom-pom wine glasses and those snail-shaped incense holders we love so much.

Chic, hyperfunctional luggage and accessories in eye-catching colours are what you get at this minimalist store from the popular online brand.

This onigiri and soba noodle shop believes people will make healthier choices if the price is right. When onigiri starts at $3.70 and a two-piece combo (with a snack and drink) starts at $10, it might be onto something.

It’s croissants and a riff on that Tokyo-style egg muffin until the meat’s ready. Then get Whole Beast porchetta and rotisserie-drip spuds.

Korean tissue bread steals the show here, where there are no croissants, no sourdough. Instead, find a bunch of carby hybrids, like a salty, buttery roll and a “thousand-layer” serve.

Make a pitstop for sweet fruit-topped tarts and rotisserie chicken baguettes, plus those signature plain croissants made with French butter and a chocolatey city exclusive.

This patisserie inside Prefecture 48 is helmed by a Michelin-cred pastry chef. Hit the sweet spot for cakes, tarts and omiyage (Japanese gifts).

Hit this “good time sandwich bunker” at the Museum of Sydney for focaccia sandos, doughnuts and choose-your-own-adventure salads.

This sun-soaked eatery at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool is here for the warmer months with a fresh menu, poolside dining and a bottomless brunch package – everything you need for a red-hot day out.

Yet another location for the cult bakery, this time in the heart of town. Come for pizza sandwiches stuffed with porchetta; cheesy cauliflower toasties; and salt and vinegar hash browns with your Reuben Hills coffee.

At the back of an unassuming food court near Wynyard Station, this buzzing spot is making specialty coffee great again – with warm service and rare single-estate geishas you won't find elsewhere. It hosts regular cupping sessions, and will bust your hunger with toasties, pastries and the occasional pop-up.

Find this hidden Japanese gem for rice balls filled with salted salmon or mushroom and cheese. Plus, konbini-style rolls and single-origin matcha.

Hester’s is one of the few cafes in the city where dining in for breakfast on a weekday is heartily encouraged. Come for Mediterranean-style dishes, lunchtime cocktails and espresso from north shore roaster Gabriel Coffee.

A one-stop shop for celebration cakes, savoury lunch-time pastries and croissants made with a recipe that took 15 months to perfect. From the street, you can watch the team prepare all of the above inside the glass-encased kitchen.

With its park-side vantage point and central location, this classic five-star hotel offers guests the best of both worlds. It also flaunts one of the CBD’s best hotel restaurants in Sydney Common.

Laze on lounges beside a rooftop pool, sip cocktails at a 1930s-inspired lobby bar, and dine all-day at the restaurant by celebrity chef Luke Mangan in a heritage-listed, art deco building.

A high-end hotel housed in a heritage sandstone building. Relax in luxury rooms with standalone tubs and French linen and unwind at a world-renowned day spa.

The North American hotel brand's Australian debut delivers an ultra-cool, five-star experience that was worth the wait. It’s also home to Kiln, one of the city’s must-try dining experiences.