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Authentic Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine in Sydney is hard to find, and we think that’s because no one wants to compete with Temasek’s cult like status! With diners travelling across Sydney to experience their food, it is fair to say that it’s exceptionally good. If you want more value for money, grab a lunch special like the nasi goreng for under $10 every Tuesday to Friday.

If you’re looking for some of the best coffee in Cammeray, a top-notch brunch and a friendly chat with the staff, Laneway Café is the place to be. All your classic brekkie and lunch faves are in the mix, with an ever-changing selection to keep things interesting. 

Who doesn’t love a local institution? Especially one that has had a hand in shaping the community as it is known to Cammeray regulars. It’s nothing but good, honest food with a Southern Italian twist at Maggio’s – we highly recommend the corn, zucchini and haloumi fritters if you’re heading in for breakfast at this Sydney restaurant, or one of their famous paninis if it’s feeling more like lunch time.

This sushi train is hidden within The Galeries in Sydney's CBD. We can't get enough of their freshly made nirigi, hand rolls and inside out rolls. Yum! If you don't see what you want on the train, simply ask for what you want and highly skilled sushi chefs will make it for you.

When we heard a modern Italian restaurant and bar had cruised its way into Cammeray, we knew we had to head to the north side quick smart. Wilcox has the whole bar meets restaurant thing down pat, with exposed brick walls, mood lighting and an incredibly well-stocked bar. Head in for an espresso martini and stay for a few small plates or make it a full dinner – we love the yellow fin tuna carpaccio.

We love nothing more than a place that allows us to stuff ourselves silly with some of the best Italian food in Sydney at Cafe Sopra, and then get lost in an adjoining store full of gourmet goodies. Fratelli Fresh Alexandria gives us just that, so it’s not uncommon for us to spend an entire Saturday (and all of our money) eating or buying our weight in cheese and pasta. 

We do love to be pampered, and this Chippendale salon is the perfect excuse to get primped and primed while relaxing in the plush space. If you find yourself popping in for a mani-pedi, it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself booking in for a massage, a full head of foils and an eyelash tint. Esstudio Galleria really is your one-stop shop for every possible beauty need. 

If you’ve ever done the obligatory Greek Island hopping tour, you’ll know there’s no better way to satisfy a hunger, a hangover or just a hankering for something big and meaty than with a traditional gyros. Traditional Gyradiko keep it simple, serving beef or pork gyros with a smile.

While the combination of Indian and Italian might sound a bit odd, they mingle perfectly in this North Bondi café and gift store that has garnered quite a cult following among locals. Drop in for a delicious Italian-style coffee and the breakfast plate before getting lost in the attached emporium and understanding how the two cultures come together in this lovely space.

This popular Japanese restaurant in Coogee is an exciting and fun sushi train that's a hit with locals. Come in and enjoy the array of sushi options on the train or order a party platter if you're hosting a dinner and want something a little special. We're partial to heading in on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for their sushi specials, which leave you and your wallet feeling satisfyingly full.

A bowl of steaming hot, perfectly springy ramen noodles swimming in a slightly thick and ever-so-porky broth is the stuff of dreams, and Yasaka Ramen in the CBD serves up your favourite Japanese soup with all the trimmings you could possibly desire. There are three signature styles to try, so you better start ticking them off your ramen bucket list.

This contemporary Japanese sushi train located in the CBD is known as one of the best sushi trains in Sydney. A great option for your lunch hour or dinner, Rokujuni means 62 in Japanese. Nigiri is not the only dish on the menu here, udon, sashimi and larger dishes are also available (and delicious).

This sushi train in the heart of the city is always busy, and it's not hard to see why. The sushi is fresh and delicious plus there are a tonne of other menu options to satisfy any grumpling belly. Our favourites are the soft shell crab hand rolls, aburi salmono nigiri and the hamburg nigiri (which is a little burger patty on rice). Sushi Rio is also very friendly to your wallet, so you can eat like an emperor without shelling out a tonne of cash.

Located upstairs at Paddington's The London, Burger Liquor Lobster is one big seafood party. With lobster rolls, lobster cobb salads, prawn rolls and soft shell crab burgers, if seafood is your thang then you've found yourself in the right place. 

Lunio' Hair offers top quality hair services without the snobbery. Located on Crown Street in Surry Hills, this salon caters to both males and females and offer a range of hair services including cuts, colours and blow drys. A light, bright and airy salon, getting your hair did at Lunio' Hair is always a pleasure.

One of the best nail salons in Sydney, The Nail Lab prides themselves on giving a personal and professional experience to each and every one of their customers. With a huge range of colours available, including options for nail art and feature nails, your hands are in safe hands with the experienced folks at The Nail Lab. Be sure to book in advance as this is one popular salon!

Ooh la la! Find a little bit of France on Crown Street, Surry Hills. Serving a range of savoury galettes and sweet crepes, as well as traditional French dishes like croque monsieur, beef bourguignon, cassoulet, French Touch Bistro has you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. For those adverse to gluten, the galettes have been made with buckwheat flour making them gluten-free and delicious.

If it's not spectacular, it's not worth serving at The Powder Keg. As one of Sydney's best restaurants with killer cocktails and a food offering to match, this Potts Point establishment has quickly cemented itself as a destination restaurant, but it turns out there are some pretty good reasons to turn it into a regular haunt too.

Gift emporium, Opus, opened its first store in Paddington in 1968 and now has two more stores, OCTOPUS in Newtown, and the new Paddington store OPUS Design Co, a few doors down from the original. The company now stocks kitchenware and clever cooking tools, stationery, books, homewares, gifts, quirky novelties and gadgets.

Brothers Nick and Mike Garnham run Jardan, a Melbourne-based furniture design and manufacture business with a showroom in Sydney. Each piece is made to order and carefully constructed in Melbourne using sustainable materials. The pieces are made to last and Jardan recommends you ask the kids which sofa, dining table or bedframe they like – since they’ll be the ultimate owners.

Budding kombucha brewer? Organic skincare convert? Green smoothie freak? Ingredients for Health in Crow’s Nest stocks all the supplements, organic produce, super foods and cosmetics you could ask for. The store also has a team of alternative health professionals to advise and has delicious organic sandwiches and other treats for purchase.

Balmain’s first Indian restaurant remains a firm favourite 30 years later. The extensive menu has something for everyone, from vegetarian curries to chicken from the tandoor and many seafood options, all prepared by expert Indian chefs. Murals and artifacts decorate the walls of the elegant dining room in Balmain’s busy Darling St.

If it’s a feast from the Middle East you’re after, the Surry Hills/Redfern end of Clevelend Street is the place to go in inner Sydney. Erciyes, named after a Turkish mountain, began life as a take-away joint 20 years ago and in 2006 extended to a 150-seat restaurant.

Searching for the light? Some of the most sought-after European lighting and furniture brands are available in Australia through ECC Furniture+Lighting. The company’s showrooms are filled with exciting and unique pieces from around the world as well as creations from local designers. 

This well-established food emporium and cafe provides organic produce, meals and coffee that reflect the healthy-living ethos of its Bondi customers.

Hail a ferry to check out Manly’s New York by-the-beach bar, Donny’s. Locals are already flocking to the laneway bar that’s the brainchild of ex-Merivale barman Matt Clifton. With its bare brick walls and cocktails in mason jars, Donny’s would fit right in on the Lower East Side but it’s got the added bonus of beach-side cache.

You’ll feel as relaxed as if you just stepped off the beach in Maui after one of Sydney Kahuna’s signature massages. The 1.5-hour treatment is just one of many specialty treatments offered at the Paddington Clinic, including pregnancy massages and invigorating body scrubs.

This Leichhardt spot is a favourite with kids for its big comfy couch and toys; and for worn-out parents in need of sustenance, too. Check out the delicious brekkie dishes such as chilli jam eggs with sweet potato rosti and Asian herbs, or pop in for a bite from its ever-changing lunch menu. 

Feeling bouncy? Get yourself to Alexandria’s Sky Zone Trampoline Park for some indoor fun. Whether you’re after a quick bout of anti-gravity (i.e. flying!), some dodgeball or a pit of foam to practice your flips – there is something for everyone.

Stillery, located in the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, focusses on local and imported craft, vintage and rare gin. Led by bar manager, Aaron Gaulke, the talented bartenders prepare some of the best gin and tonics you'll find in this fair city. In addition to the impressive drinks menu, a seasonal menu is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Sporting amazing views of the Sydney skyline, a contemporary menu and fancy cocktails, The Butler is a must see. Another stunning venture from the guys at Applejack Hospitality Group (SoCal, Bondi Hardware, Della Hyde and The Botanist), making it no surprise to us that this Sydney venue remains a longtime fav.

The Smoking Panda is a welcome change from the typical stale-beer-smell establishments in the area. With a retro Chinese feel and a very cool neon fish tank filled with jellyfish, The Smoking Panda is the perfect spot to grab some food (think dumplings, prawn toast and chicken wings) and some very unique cocktails.

H-Poem believes in reclaiming vintage materials to create unique, one-off, handmade pieces, giving its creations eco credentials far beyond its furniture design competitors. Drop in to this Sydney furniture store in Eveleigh to view the ever-changing range.

Lunchtime favourite, Madam Char Char is renowned for its char-grilled Portuguese chicken, slow-cooked meats and delcious salad bar. Nestled in the heart of Crown Street, this is the perfect spot for your midday fix. Madam Char Char also offers catering for picnics, BBQs and large corporate events.

If you like lederhosen, pretzels, beer and meats, then The Löwenbräu is the place for you. Pop in for a plate of meaty goods that will be impossible to pronounce but very much worth it. Have a crack at the Knuspriger Schweinebauch, a tempting plate of crackling roast pork belly with Löwenbräu bier sauce, sautéed potatoes and slow-braised red cabbage; it's worth every mispronounciation.

For your daily dim sum fix look no further than Phoenix. With outposts in Rhodes, the CBD, Manly and Castle Hill, these guys mean business and their yum cha offerings are some of the best in town. Think trolley carts stocked to the brim with steamed dumplings, fried wontons, roast pork, salt and pepper squid and so much more!

Perfect for all you busy bees, Youfoodz deliver healthy, nourishing dishes straight to your door. Everything is made fresh, and there’s a variety of different meal plans for you to choose from, including options for the paleo and gluten-free. You’ll never eat frozen again.

Located where the infamous Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab restaurant used to be sits Surry Hills Eating House. Part of the Spice I Am group (aka some of the best Thai in Sydney), this southern Thai restaurant doesn't let the team down.

Adding another mouth-watering location to its already stellar repertoire, The Star introduced Pizzaperta in November 2014 and there has been plenty of talk about its relaxed atmosphere and delicious pizza. Headed up by industry veteran Stefano Manfredi, Pizzaperta is the casual dining you've been looking for.

Heading up the shopping centre restaurants, the aptly named King Fook with its 600-seat dining space, it really is the king of them all. If it's yum cha you’re craving, then this is the place you want to head come late morning, although the menu does provide an abundance of choice for those wishing to order something a little more specific.

A visit to The Spice Room in Circular Quay makes you feel like you've taken a trip to colonial India. With lavishly designed interiors (including the bathroom!), indulge in an Indian feast full of spicy curries, fluffy naans and some of the house specialties. Unlike many Indian restaurants, The Spice Room also offers a number of delicious cocktails to accompany your meal.

What's not to love about this Bavarian-themed hall of food, friends and frothy bier? The best way to enjoy the relaxed hangout is to gather up a group of mates, order steins of ale and share a mountain of food. We recommend the Bavarian Tasting Platter with a big helping of crispy pork belly, haus sausages, schnitzel, sauerkraut, red cabbage, creamy mash, apple compote and bier jus. It's a challenge of the mind and the soul, so be sure to bring your appetite!

Essen offer comfort food at its finest, and will deliver the delicious delicacies of Germany without costing you a plane ticket. We almost fainted at the first mention of Curry Wurst: sausages in tomato sauce with a hint of curry and served with fries and mixed salad. If it's a schnitty you're after, the Gypsy Schnitzel with sweet and spicy tomato capsicum sauce is a hit.

Adding some delicious Korean-Japanese fusion to the Woollahra end of Oxford Street, Sura by Ku serve a combination of small and large plates; be sure to try the pork belly tacos and the mushroom edamame risotto. 

Adding some much-needed wine bar action into Double Bay, Vine offer a relaxed atmosphere to drinking and dining that is sure to become one of your new favourite bars. Vine is the perfect combination of chilled in the daytime, and romantic in the evening.

The coastal-inspired interiors at Charing Cross Hotel house a public bar, as well as a dining room that pumps out delicious meals (for adults and the kids). With a delectable cocktail list, a light-filled beer garden and mouth-watering menus to boot, Charing Cross Hotel in Waverley is a must-visit.

The first of its kind in Australia, the Dior Perfume and Beauty Boutique is entirely devoted to Dior fragrances, makeup and skincare. Inside, the team of experts offers a comprehensive range of services for the most luxurious experience. Be pampered with their flash makeup tips, total makeovers or signature facials, you'll leave feeling a million bucks.

With a focus on healthy breakfasts, decadent desserts (hence their name) and delicious coffee, Dezerts in Brighton le Sands is a popular choice for locals and for those paying this waterfront suburb a visit. From waffles to crepes, pancakes to gelatos, Dezerts has you covered in the dessert department! Vegans, you're in luck - they also cater to your needs with a number of vegan options on the menu too.

Sometimes you dream about a michelin-starred French chef dropping by to help cook dinner for you and your mates... Or is that just us? Impossible. The team at Chef Up! offer healthy, approachable cooking classes for you and your friends, as well as corporate or private catering.

Old Joe's is the new kid on the block at Cronulla. The name gives a nod to the operator of a former local milk bar, as does the light, bright decor. Sorbet and pastel hues are paired with candy stripes and wooden floors, a happy marriage of retro goodness with modern touches.

The jokes about bad British food stop at Bistrode CBD. The Merivale-group's modern bistro has won hearts and minds with brains. Lamb's brains. The signature dish from head chef Jeremy Strode's kitchen features lamb's brains deep-fried to crispy perfection, served with grilled lamb's heart, tartare sauce, and an offal-free salad of green beans and almonds. Classic British fare is given a contemporary tweak with dishes such as creamy chicken parfait with pickles and sourdough, and duck confit and 'gizzards'. Organ fun for everyone.

The folks at Bru Coffee do the laid-back beach vibe so well, you might want to bring your own ukulele. Pull up a milk crate out front, nestle amongst the bronzed beach babes, and sip on an excellent Allpress coffee made by friendly baristas. If coffee ain't your thang, perhaps an acai smoothie will tickle your fancy.

Call it tall-poppy syndrome. At a time when fine-dining chefs are downsizing to burger joints, and small bars are located in cupboard-sized venues, 465 The Avenue is unashamedly ostentatious. The triple-threat cafe/restaurant/bar channels a 1920s Berlin cabaret atmosphere with plush red velvet furnishings, table lamps, and leather booths. Marvel at the huge overhanging chandelier, then concentrate on the expansive menu.

Even before you take a sip of absinthe at this boutique bar, you've already been transported to another time and place. The Absinthe Salon evokes the bohemian stylings of Paris circa 19th century, and serves up the heady spirit to match. The absinthe preparation ritual is hypnotic – a water fountain is placed on the table, and a sugar cube is placed on a slotted spoon, suspended above your crystal-glass of absinthe. The water slowly drips onto the sugar, which dissolves into your glass, making your beverage cloudy, and releasing its herby aromas. There's a three-drink limit per customer at the Absinthe Salon, for good reason. Though you won't feel any serious hallucinogenic effects, it certainly does have an effect on your feel-good levels!

Located in the heart of Sydney's CBD, Palace Chinese Restaurant provides Sydneysiders with an exciting range of yum cha favourites, without having to get lost in Chinatown. Specialising in traditional and modern Cantonese fare, you'll be able to satisfy your yum cha cravings with delicious dumplings and duck pancakes, or for something more adventurous opt for the stir-fried kangaroo or crocodile fillet in XO chilli sauce. Yum cha is available seven wonderful days a week.

Crows Nest stalwart Sea Treasure prides itself on live seafood, and walking into the restaurant you'll immediately notice the colossal tanks filled with fish and other sea critters. But apart from the delicious seafood, locals flock here for their renowned yum cha, which includes all the staples including steamed or fried dumplings, Peking duck pancakes and egg custard tarts. Yum.

A welcome addition to Rushcutters Bay, ACME serves up non-traditional pasta in a cool and casual setting. Be sure to order one of their baloney sandwiches to start (don't worry, they're small) and go in on their range of unusual pastas that will blow your mind. ACME is a great place to have a casual (but nice) date, a catch up with friends or even a long table dinner for up to 15 of you.

Nestled in Cabramatta, Vinh Phat attracts hungry diners citywide seeking out its delicious yum cha. The trolleys are stacked with all the Chinese favourites, along with more daring specialties such as pig intestines, crab claws, jellyfish salad and chicken feet. If you're sticking to the more traditional options, the egg tarts and seafood spring rolls are some of the best in town!

One of the best Chinese restaurants in town, Hung Cheung has attracted a cult following amongst Sydney foodies. The daily yum cha attracts a large queue, which often spills around the block. If you manage to get a seat be sure to sample the BBQ pork buns, pork san choi bao, soup dumplings and tripe in black bean sauce (if you're game!), you won't be disappointed.

Looking for your morning caffeine fix? Walk down the stairs at Martin Place and you'll find the little gem that is The Lab Cafe. With beans roasted by Di Lorenzo, the café is inspired by the espresso bars of Italy and offers a selection of tasty morsels to accompany the rich, creamy coffee. For those working outside the CBD, The Lab Cafe can also be found at Neutral Bay, Edgecliff and Mascot, so be sure to stop by.