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What’s that? A brand new Newtown café for us to sink our teeth into? Excuse us while we sprint down there and reward ourselves with a big cup of coffee and an even bigger sandwich. We couldn’t say no to the soft shell crab burger, but others may be wildly tempted by the offering of eggs ‘all ways’.

The younger, larger, but just as fun sister of one of Sydney’s best restaurants, China Doll, set up shop on Hall Street in Bondi Beach in early 2014 and has done an epic job of satisfying the stomachs of Bondi locals as well as general people that enjoy eating and drinking (i.e. us).

Originally from Bellingen, the gelato geniuses have opened a second store in Rozelle and Sydney Gelato lovers are rejoicing! No longer is a 6-hour drive required to get a taste of their unique flavours made from all natural ingredients, such as Zabaglione, Coffee & Roasted Almond and Sour Cherry. They also offer limited edition and seasonal flavours, which keep the punters coming back for more.

Ritual Coffee Traders in Northbridge is a gem of healthy food on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Whether you’re on the look out for a good coffee, a goodness-packed green smoothie or a hearty bowl of quinoa and chia porridge, Ritual has you sorted. They are one of the first places to sell Hippie Lane sweet treats, which make it the perfect place to stop of for a guilt-free afternoon tea.

With branches across Asia and America, Din Tai Fung is a force to be reckoned with. Known for having some of the best dumplings in Sydney, Din Tai Fung hand make steaming hot dumplings by the hundred, day in and day out. Watch the dumpling maestros expertly fill, tuck and mold these delicious treats through the window and hear your belly grumble with the anticipation of the feast to come. 

Located in the Darlinghurst area, Catapult Design is home interior lover’s dream. Featuring a beautiful array of Australian design with a number of hand picked international products, you’ll be sure to find a piece of furniture, lighting or accessory to make you mentally design a space in your house to fit said product.

QT likes to remind everyone that it isn’t your average hotel, and in fact, the entry into Gowings Bar & Grill is an experience in itself. Step inside the lift that recalibrates its elevator music in relation to how many people are riding (for example lonesome, romantic or party tunes), then getting ready for all sorts of deliciousness. Restaurant consultant and food director, Robert Marchetti, has created a mouthwatering menu that is guaranteed to please Sydney’s food lovers. Described as brasserie food with a modern twist, think crispy-spiced duck, seafood pie and wood-roasted pork belly.

A year ago, Harry’s Bondi underwent a huge renovation from Harry’s Espresso Bar, which was attached to a convenience store to Harry’s Bar & Dining, a classy beachside restaurant. Now Harry’s is switching up it’s menu for the first time since it’s transformation to offer a more healthy menu, and in true Bondi style many meals will be without gluten, dairy and refined sugar! 

Bang Street Food has opened its doors on Crown Street serving up a delicious selection of Bangladesh-inspired cuisine. Headed up by Nicholas Gurney (of Farmhouse fame), the menu features a selection of share plates with highlights including the honey-roasted paneer, Wagyu tri tip curry and duck egg omelette with blue swimmer crab. Finish with the rum drunk doughnuts with caramelized peaches and wash it all down with a pick from their wine list, which by the way is entirely Portugese.

This Indian restaurant in Newtown restaurant blends tradition, techniques and bold flavours in order to create an authentic Subcontinental dining experience. Offering an extensive food and wine menu Delhi 'O' Delhi creates delicious food that emphasises simple presentation and fresh ingredients. If you're there with a group, try a bit of everything and order the banquet, which comes with a cocktail and four courses of deliciousness for just $40 per head. 

Regarded by pho aficionados as some of the best Vietnamese food in Sydney, you can’t go past An Restaurant in Bankstown. With 15 different varieties of pho, the beef pho bo is the overwhelming favourite, and for good reason. The rice noodles are long and slippery, but it’s the broth, which is cooked from bones and spices for a minimum of five hours, that attracts customers from across Sydney. For under $20, it’s a steal!

Canley Vale’s Hai Au is always packed to the brim with hungry patrons. Chefs carefully barbecue whole fish and chicken wrapped in banana leaf, and the aroma constantly fills this Sydney restaurant. There are plenty of traditional soups and steamboats on the menu, but the barbecue is not-to-be-missed. Budding chefs can cook-your-own bo la lop nuong, grill beef skewers on your table’s grill and of course, try your hand at the art of rice paper rolls.

Pho Tau Bay in Cabramatta draws patrons far and wide, and is known for serving some of the best pho in Sydney. The beef noodle soup is constantly in high demand so you’ll want to get in early. Be sure to try the pho dac biet (‘the works’) or a pho ga (chicken soup), and order a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee for that quick caffeine hit.

When in need of your dumpling fix, look no further than Chinaman Dumpling in Cremorne. This casual restaurant, run by ex-Mr Wong’s extraordinaire, Alex Lee, and fellow artisan dumpling maker “Gong”, will ensure your dumpling cravings are well taken care of. With a mouthwatering menu of seafood, pork and vegetarian dumplings, there is something to suit every taste or whim. We can’t go past the boiled squid, scallop and prawn dumplings served with hoisin and sesame, or a bamboo steamer of the prawn and pork combos. If you feel like shakin’ the boat a little, there’s a variety of delicious mains like the crispy Shandong chicken, or the scrumptious salt and pepper king prawns. Don’t leave without sampling their soon-to-be infamous duck pancakes - we called it first! 

Our stomachs grumble and mouths water at the mere mention of Devon on Danks. This cafe, which cooks up some of the best breakfasts in Sydney, also offers up killer coffee, sweet treats, cronuts and cakes galore. The Green Eggs & Ham is a delicious combo of mushy peas, eggs and bacon, and if you’re looking for something a little unique, the golden, crunchy, perfectly salted fries with caramel soft serve will leave you swooning for more. Naked bruschetta, soft shell crab with Nashi pear salad and perfectly spiced salmon and eggs with accompanying salad and croquettes also have us drooling. And, if you haven’t yet jumped on the cronut bandwagon, try them at Devon on Danks, we can guarantee you’ll be just as obsessed as we are.

This fun-sized sandwich shop might be teeny but their baguettes are jam-packed with flavour. Tio’s bartender, Arash Katrak and his partner, Anna Berry, have hit the nail on the head with their five-option specialty baguettes. There’s the banh-mi, stuffed with pork belly, duck liver pate, pickled carrot, daikon, cucumber, coriander, mayonnaise and chilli, or go the Japanese inspired chicken katsu with red cabbage, mayo and tonkatsu sauce. For the vegos, there’s soft goats cheese, fresh slices of pear and chopped walnuts (just like a fancy Waldorf). Get in early or risk joining the throngs of people lining up to get their hands on one.

The guys over at Fresh Blend sure know a thing or two about creating healthy smoothies, fresh juices and delicious salads. This place is perfect for a summertime health kick and we promise everything tastes amazing. The Zen Garden Salad with zesty balsamic dressing and free-range chicken goes down a treat, whilst the Aztec Warrior Salad with quinoa, craisins, rocket and cherry tomato makes us feel every bit as strong as a warrior. The juices and smoothies make for the perfect after-exercise energy boost or just a yummy (and healthy) snack.

Shiver me timbers! We are spoilt for choice now that a brand new small bar has opened its doors in Manly. And once we discovered it was adorned with a nautical theme, finding land-ho was the only option. Park yourself at this dimly-lit bar and spend your dubloons on some rum punch cocktails and bar snacks. Good times ahoy!

If bigger is better than Candelori’s has hit the mark. This Smithfield Italian restaurant seats 220, boasts 99 dishes on the menu as well as eight daily specials. That’s 21 types of pasta, 14 pizzas and 15 other mains. We’re talking a whopping 21 page wine menu too. Word of warning: preparation is key. Skip dinner the night before and wear your eating pants.

The Deus Ex Machina HQ is housed in a former factory building in Camperdown, and is home to its showroom, workshop, design studio and café. Motor-heads will feel like a kid in a candy store as they peruse the vast Deus’ collection of art, music, surfboards, motorbikes and clothing before kicking back with a coffee and delicious snack.

In 1799, John Macarthur bought Pyrmont for a gallon of rum. Named in homage of Pyrmont’s colourful history, Gallon has become a local institution and has recently seen the addition of a swanky new courtyard, dubbed the Stables. The menu is a mix of pizzas, share plates and hearty salads that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

A menu featuring a fusion of Asia and modern Australian cuisine is sure to please at Cronulla’s Summer Salt. With glistening ocean views and a menu that guarantees the freshest local produce, Summer Salt is one of Sydney’s best restaurants down south. You can’t go past their signature roast duck, seafood plate for two and Grade 9 Wagyu beef.

Playa Takeria is the newest addition to Sydney’s ever-growing Mexican food scene, combining a bar, diner and shop in the heart of Darlinghurst. Inspired by the famous Playa del Carmen on the Mexican Caribbean Coast, this intimate 30-seat restaurant is bringing some much-needed attention to detail with its authentic Mexican street food, craft beer and Mezcal. And as if things couldn’t get any better, did we mention they have a home delivery service?

Often called the Rolls-Royce of the chocolate world, this Japanese specialty brand is making waves in Australia. Founded in the northern island of Hokkaido, the rich natural environment and cold climate made it the perfect place for creating exceptional chocolate. Royce' has been dedicated to using the highest quality ingredients and perfecting original techniques since 1983. So head to Chatswood Westfield to source the best of the best!

Exclusive and intimate is on the menu at this sushi bar, Raita Noda, with only eight seats in the whole restaurant. You better get in fast, as this teeny tiny restaurant offers a ten course menu that features the freshest produce from the Sydney Fish Market. Did we mention the food at this Sydney Japanese restaurant is seriously delicious?

Ribs, burgers and a waterfront venue make for a pretty special combo here at the Meat District Co. This meat emporium is mighty popular in the United States, so brothers Coco and Gary Simonian decided to bring it to Sydney, and no doubt we are super glad that they did. The menu is brimming with tasty options, so whether you’re after ribs, steak, pork or a classic chicken burger, Meat District Co. has you covered.

If you missed the YouTube sensation that is Bondi Harvest, then you ought to check it out, or even better, head to their Bondi Junction restaurant. Calling the first floor of Bondi institution, The Eastern, home, this healthy restaurant in Sydney and its tan booths and stained timber tables perfectly reflect the healthy beachside lifestyle.

Lovers of meats assemble! Black Betty barbecue has officially set up shop at The Forresters’ beer garden in Surry Hills. They’ll be cookin’ up a storm every Sunday from 12pm until sold out. Think, big, juicy slabs of meat, smothered in barbecue sauce and served alongside a generous helping of coleslaw, beans and bread. It’s enough to make you weak at the knees.

Marrickville appears to have become a hub for all things healthy, organic and sustainable, and the opening of The Urban Farmacy is no exception. Run by farmers Cath and Hapi Fiefa, the store focuses heavily on the farm-to-table way of cooking and eating. You can expect plenty of fresh veggies and a selection organic meat and dairy. Yum!

LuMi Bar & Dining has quickly gained a loyal following since its opening in September 2014. A delicious menu that daringly blends traditional Italian style cooking with a fresh Japanese twist, offers Sydney foodies something truly unique. Dishes like the chawanmushi with Parmesan sauce instead of customary dashi stock or a risotto topped with seaweed are big hits. We also highly recommend the Evergreen dessert; you’ll be left dreaming about it for weeks.

Hidden within the busy Ashfields Leagues Club, Golden Times restaurant offers a delicious variety of traditional and western style dumplings, buns and noodles. Crowned as some of the best yum cha in Sydney, this restaurant draws in huge crowds during lunch hour and is celebrated for their authentic flavours and fast service. After the sun sets, Golden Times turns into a fancy a la carte restaurant where diners can select fresh seafood and have it cooked to their liking.

While the Sydney Fish Markets has its fair share of sea-dwelling fare, it also caters to the cheese lovers among us (read: everyone). Go in and expect an enormous selection of fromage, plenty of providores, and enough sweet treats to last you a week or two. So for those on the hunt for a cheese shop in Sydney, Blackwattle Deli will tick all the boxes!

This isn’t just your average cheese shop in Mosman; it’s a local institute. The folks behind The Cheese Shop have been in business for over 30 years and it’s safe to say they’ve learnt a lot about what makes the perfect cheese platter. Not sure what you’re after? Just head in and ask the friendly staff for a recommendation. Warning: you may end up with more cheese than you ever bargained for – win!

Hungry cheese enthusiasts and general lovers of all things delicious can be found lurking in and around this Surry Hills cheese shop. And these guys know how to please all manner of tastes; looking for a party favour, a gift, or just a wheel of cheese to go home and eat by yourself? Formaggi Ocello has you covered. It’s part cheese shop, part café and wine bar, and the selection is ever-changing. So head on in to your new favourite place on earth!

Since 1998, Dogue has been bringing sophistication into the canine world. Everything you could possibly want is here for your ‘fash-hound’, including a huge range of dog accessories, dog grooming, day care, dog walking, puppy school and nutritional advice. If you’re after more long-term care, there’s a Dogue Retreat in the Southern Highlands. Your four-legged friend can partake in a day spa, or enjoy a nice holiday in the boarding kennels available on their vineyard property. Dogue has it all.

Mona Vale’s much-loved Blacksmith Café has opened its doors in Surry Hills to the delight of inner city locals. On the bill are staples like toasties, French toast and house-baked granola, but we can’t go past the Smithy breakfast burger – a brioche bun stacked with bacon, fried egg, pesto, beetroot relish and pickled slaw. Plus, don’t leave without sampling their mouthwatering selection of cakes and pastries, and a cold drip coffee.

Sydney has no shortages of ice cream parlours, but nothing quite like Aqua S. The new soft serve joint has opened up in Regent Place, and is doing a roaring trade of its blue sea salt scoop enveloped in a cloud of fairy floss. There are other toppings too, like sweet popcorn, pop-rock candy and a flame-grilled marshmallow. It’s wonderfully weird and a must on your dessert hit list.

Do not be fooled by the Butcher shop exterior, although many have fallen into this trap. Earl’s Juke Joint may look strange upon first inspection, but good times are guaranteed once you step foot in this Newtown cocktail bar. Dimly lit and adorned with old time photos, this place gets packed out every night – so get in early or prepare to be patient. There’s a slight American theme here; plenty of cocktails and a selection of craft beers. 

Hailing from NYC, the Original Meatball Company has arrived in Sydney, dishing up a healthy dose of buns and balls. Take your pick from chicken balls, beef balls, fish balls and even vegetarian balls served on a soft brioche bun and laden with cheese. Carb haters you can take your balls on the green, with plenty of hearty salads like The Geisha or Hail Caesar. To wash it down order a mix ‘n’ match cookie crumble shake, it’s as good as it sounds.

Nestled in Castle Hill, The Baron has become a local institution with a focus on simplicity and sustainability. The menu changes seasonally, with highlights including the Wagyu skirt with polenta chips, the Baron Benny (smoked ham, brioche and a 63 degree egg) and homemade banana bread. Single Origin is taking care of the coffee, but there’s also a selection of milkshakes, housemade ice teas and cold brews.

New Shanghai Ashfield offers guests an authentic taste of modern Shanghai in a vibrate setting, mirroring the colourful streets of China. Using family recipes passed down from countless generations, this restaurant is famous for their dumplings, noodles, hot pots and pan-fried buns and is sure to please every palate. If you are a devotee, their famous speciality soup dumplings will not disappoint and the best part is, you can see them being made in the dumpling theatre!

When on the hunt for a hairdresser in Manly, look no further than the experts at Willow Hair. The team have trained in salons all over the world and bring their respective experience to Sydney’s northern beaches to perfect your locks every time.

Ever pondered the concept of hair psychology? Neither had we, until we stepped into Dario Salon. Nestled in Darlinghurst, the salon has a small team of dedicated experts that want to get to know you and your lifestyle, and tailor the perfect cut and colour to your look and needs. It’s a complete experience at this salon; from the shiatsu massage chairs to the glass of vino on offer as you wind down.

Craft beer delivered monthly to your door sound good? Then sign up for Beer Days, a delivery service where you can choose an option of an 8, 12 or 16 beer box that arrives either monthly or quarterly, so you are always well tuned to the crazy craft beer scene. Beer Days makes the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for boyfriend or dad, or even just a monthly surprise treat for yourself. They also offer beer tasting events with snacks for a perfect addition to any private function or corporate event.

Jasmin1’s Leichhardt is a welcome addition to the inner west food scene, with its famous shawarma guaranteed to please the locals. This Lebanese restaurant is well known for a reason and offers warm service and a whole host of delicious options. If you’re dining in a group be sure to order their famous mixed plate, featuring baba ganoush, hummus, tabouleh, falafel, chicken shish tawook, lamb, onion, kofta and kibbeh – it’s sure to keep you comfortably full for days.

This gorgeous little café on Glenayr Avenue in Bondi not only serves up delicious crepes, they provide excellent coffee and (maybe not for breakfast) unique cocktails.

Calling all dessert fiends! The Choc Pot in Burwood is answering all your inner west sugary needs. With decadent and playful handmade desserts, owner Ash says she “just wanted to bring the same happiness I’ve enjoyed to others” in the form of these desserts – and who are we to argue?

Hidden in a little laneway in Surry Hills, Tokyo Bird is a small bar which serves up yakitori and Japanese bar snacks alongside a solid list of Japanese whiskies, sake, cocktails and beer. A small food menu is supplemented by their specials of the day, which change depending on what is in season or what they find that day.

We know all too well that the search for Korean fried chicken in Sydney can be a difficult one, but locals will tell you that the menu at Red Pepper in Strathfield Sports Club will give you your crunchy fix. These guys dish up some of the crispiest damn fried chicken in Sydney, with plenty of different sauces to choose between.

Continuing the inner west's reputation on being able to make a good coffee, cult coffee brand Campos has opened their third store in Dulwich Hill. Serving up their signature coffees and pastries, the team are also offering lunch to hungry locals. Think freshly made sandwiches, baguettes and sausage rolls all prepared at their bakery, Rosetta Stone. The space itself is large, which leaves plenty of room to indulge in a coffee, one of their signature seasonal beverages or their affogato tasting tray (which is as good as it sounds).

Embracing the changing locale that is Chippendale, The Chip Off The Old Block is satiating hungry and thirsty patrons with their English style fare. Behind "The Chip", is mother-daughter duo Nicky and Katya Ginsberg who are wholeheartedly embracing the district and their British roots. Once an old church, the space has been transformed to a modern space complete with playing card, bar nuts and plenty of brews to choose from. With live music on Saturdays and meal specials during the week, The Chip is no doubt a favourite of the locals.

Serving up authentic, market fresh Mexican, Méjico will take you on a culinary journey to Mexico City and beyond. Drawing on a variety of regional flavours and seasonal produce, Méjico's menu features ceviches, tacos and a collection of vibrant salsas. Their vast cocktail list, array of tequilas and non-alcoholic chia concoctions, are sure to quench your thirst.

Me Oi in Vietnamese means ‘Hey Mum!’ – a term that many Vietnamese families use most when they are hungry. Me Oi, located in Sydney's CBD on Pitt Street, is a Vietnamese restaurant that uses home-style cooking by, you guessed it, mum. You’ll feel right at home as soon as you enter with all the food at Me Oi dedicated to founder Johnny Nguyen’s mum, as well as all the mums out there. Their pho is sure to bring on a case of the warm and fuzzies just like a mum-cuddle and it's no surprise to us that it's in the running for Sydney’s best pho. 

Everyone knows that when you’re looking for the best authentic Indian food in Sydney, Harris Park is guaranteed to deliver on flavour, service and value. You’ll find all of the classics, as well as many more exotic dishes at Ginger. 

This Petersham tapas restaurant sure knows how we like to do things i.e. ordering way too much food between plenty of people so we can justify the number of plates on our table. Smaller groups can always order mains to share as well. 

Food, booze, coffee, mates. When the slogan is your four of your favourite things it would be sacrilege to not actually try this cafe in Bondi Junction out. Zebra Green in the kind of place you can hit up for your Monday morning coffee fix, lunch with the squad or for a cheeky 5 o'clock knock-off drink. The sticky corn flake crusted French toast with toffee apple, banana and ricotta is to die for and, if you're feeling a bit cheeky, pair it with a raspberry bellini.

At Mercado, everything is prepared in-house. That’s right, from curing their own meats, to milling their own flour and bring you the freshest bread. The creators of China Doll and China Lane have formed a formidable partnership with Nathan Sasi (former Nomad chef) that has shaken things up amongst the foodie-sphere in Martin Place offering a nose-to-tail dining experience that leaves almost nothing behind.

It’s good to know that there’s another restaurant in Sydney that will feed our addiction to Greek-style haloumi and a slow cooked lamb shoulder. And this Petersham restaurant delivers just that and much, much more. If you’re trying to be saintly, the psito psari (grilled fish of the day) is a great pick before tucking into the soufflé of the day with vanilla bean ice cream.

You can find simple and tasty Chinese and Vietnamese food at this family run restaurant in Burwood with the Italian name. The knowledgeable staff are more than happy to give suggestions, like the classic steamed whole fish with ginger and shallots or Shandong chicken. An institution amongst Burwood locals, Botoli Restaurant will certainly curb your hunger. 

Annandale restaurant, Surjits, has been offering traditional rich Indian cuisine for the past 28 years. With all this experience under their belt, it is easy to see why their food and hospitality is so darn good. Cooking up tandoori flavours ranging from vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, this restaurant will transport your tastebuds straight to North India.