At this garage-style trattoria, you can disappear into delicate prawn ravioli in rich brown butter and sage sauce, a list of mainly Italian vino, and a lively soundtrack spanning Afrobeat and Italian pop. From the rock star trio behind Potts Point neo-bistro, Bistro 916.

At this lofty fine-diner atop Crown Sydney tower, celebrated Irish chef Clare Smyth brings to Sydney the same farm-to-plate concept that earned her London restaurant, Core, three Michelin stars. Expect signature dishes and locally inspired numbers, backed up a 3000-bottle wine list and spectacular harbour views.

Thai-food legend David Thompson’s right-hand woman, Annita Potter, is behind this seductive eatery. From the theatrical open kitchen, she’s celebrating the nuances and beauty of Thai cuisine, with flavour-punching dishes you might not find anywhere else in Sydney.

Chase Kojima's ramen restaurant serves the dish like never before as part of a lively, seven-course degustation. There's a killer snack game involved, too, served in a neon-lit space soundtracked by pumping tunes.

Giorgio De Maria's latest venue is three acts over two levels, created in partnership with wine importer Mattia Dicati and chef Enrico Tomelleri of 10 William Street, Ragazzi and more. Downstairs is a bar and bottle shop styled after the enotecas of Italy. And upstairs, a colourful restaurant for pasta and specialty wines.

Sumptuous takes on north-eastern Spanish flavours are at the heart of this warm and intimate fine-diner. The tapas-inspired menu features Australian produce prepared with a Catalonian twist, with plenty of seafood cooked over a charcoal Josper grill.

At this bright Italian joint just back from the beach, one of the city’s best chefs, Orazio D’Elia, returns to the place that cemented his reputation. Come for puffy, high-walled pizzas, pastas, carafes of wine and tiramisu. Plus a Sydney-famous porchetta roll that calls for a two-handed attack.

Playful takes on British cuisine are the specialty at this sultry backstreet bar. Think Scotch eggs with curry mayo, madras Wagyu pie with pappadums, and sticky toffee pudding with rum-roasted pineapple. There are also cocktails on tap and around 300 natural wines to try.

An all-day bistro, bakery and "traiteur" (deli) serving a slice of French life north of the bridge. Pick up a coffee and kouign-amann in the morning, pop in for salade niçoise and chardonnay at lunch, and get a fresh baguette at any time of day.

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.

A small, rustic space focusing on just four types of ramen and a tight list of snacks. Go for the classic Tokyo-style shoyu ramen, made with 18-hour broth and topped with a gooey soy egg.

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.

A handsome brasserie-style spin-off by the team from Arthur Restaurant. It’s primed for casual afterwork drinks and snacks with a sharing menu focused on zero-waste.

Josh and Julie Niland’s second Fish Butchery is an expanded version of the Paddington original. You can still buy takeaway items such as yellowfin tuna pies, banh mi made with scallop mortadella, and fresh oysters. But the option to dine-in menu ups the ante even further.

The sequel to Chaco’s popular Darlinghurst ramen joint brings all the favourites to the Bondi, including the chilli-coriander and yuzu-scallop ramens. There are also a few Bondi-only numbers, such as yakitori, prawn fried rice and pre-batched cocktails.

Neil Perry’s first solo venture arrived a little over a year after the Rockpool chef announced his retirement. That said, it’s an instant classic. Settle into the luxe dining room for produce-driven Perry cuisine – lobster with sambal butter and wood-fired rotisserie chicken with smoked eggplant puree.

At his first solo restaurant, acclaimed chef Phil Wood explores and expands Australian cuisine with a produce-driven menu combining classic European cooking with local ingredients. There are nods to Aboriginal history, too, plus a fresh take on the classic peach Melba dessert.

An elegant-but-approachable Mediterranean diner from the mind behind Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street. The highlights? A rising star in the kitchen, oysters served at least three ways, standout cocktails and million-dollar ocean views.

This art deco drinks-and-dining complex has three seductive bars, but the heart and soul of the building is the spectacular ninth-floor restaurant. Take your time with a lengthy menu of seafood, pasta and protein-heavy mains, and a wine list highlighting French classics and new world naturals.

This elevated fish'n'chipper by Saint Peter's Josh and Julie Niland recreates the simple joy of a takeaway roast-chook dinner – but with fish. Order whole, half, and quarter Murray Cod fillets crackled to perfection, luxe sides, and sustainable cocktails by pioneering zero-waste bar, Re–.

Inside the Norfolk Hotel’s former sports bar is a vibrant wine nook inspired by the Barcelona suburb it’s named after. Expect a range of vermouths, plus mussels and chips, crackers topped with Cantabrian anchovies, and skewers cooked over a flat grill. From the team behind Love, Tilly Devine.

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 hidden Marrickville restaurant celebrating the cultural diversity of Sydney's suburbs. Beyond the low-key roller door, it’s plating up citrussy schnitzels; charcoal-grilled octopus with endives and raspberry; and bouillabaisse bolognaise with prawn and bacon XO sauce.

At every turn, chef Dylan Cashman’s smart 20-seater is guided by provenance and zero waste. Whole beasts are used from nose to tail; fresh produce comes from the garden out back; and local winemakers are placed front and centre. Ask for the “secret” drinks menu – it’s got super rare French drops and cocktail specials.

A bright Barangaroo taqueria doing mezcal and tequila cocktails, plus stellar tacos and share plates marrying Mexican flavours and cooking techniques with Australian produce.

A meal at this six-seater omakase restaurant is like a culinary mystery tour, where what you eat is left completely to the chef.

Chaco Bar's Keita Abe brings Japanese dining like you've never seen to Surry Hills with this theatrical omakase restaurant. Sit around the centrepiece wraparound counter and order from a constantly-shifting menu of sushi, Osaka-style tempura and delicate desserts.