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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.

Nestled away in Greenwood Plaza, Underground Espresso prides itself on specialty coffee, with beans by Di Lorenzo. The passionate and friendly baristars are experts in their trade and it's no wonder why locals flock here for their caffeine fix. Apart from the coffee, you'll also find a selection of delicious, freshly baked sweets. One of the best coffee shops north of the bridge, this hole-in-wall café is well worth a visit.

Surry Hills' sanctuary, Vaia Beauty offers personalised beauty treatments to suit all your needs. Whether you are looking for an aromatic facial, therapeutic massage, spray tanning, waxing or express manicure, Vaia and her team are experts in every field and deliver a luxurious, completely customised experience. Housed within a gorgeous terrace on Bourke Street, the salon and spa is a breath of fresh air in this bustling precinct.

Hailing from Brisbane, Harajuku Gyoza serves up traditional Japanese dumplings, straight from Tokyo's Shibuya ward. Built on the traditions of izakaya (an old-school Japanese bar), you'll find a selection of Japanese beers, including Kirin on tap, Hitachino and Sapporo, as well as wines and Japanese specialties like sake, umeshu and iced green tea. Don't leave without sampling their mouthwatering salted caramel dumplings with ice cream.

If you've got a hankering for a steaming bowl of udon, some incredibly fresh sushi, or all you can think about is biting in to a fresh, crunchy morsel of tempura, then Daruma will satisfy your cravings and then some. If lunchtime looms and you're looking for cheap eats in the CBD, look no further than the Daruma bento box or karaage curry. 

Located in the back streets of Darlinghurst, this boutique izakaya bar serves delicious home-style Japanese. Walking inside you'll feel as though you've been transported to Tokyo, with its vintage Japanese posters and vast range of sake. Highlights on the bill include in the yellow tail fish sashimi, teriyaki chicken and rolled omelette.

Founded by Shari Veitch in October 2013, sky–lab offers aerial yoga courses, combining methodology of yoga, dance, pilates and suspension fitness to get you looking long, lean and down right awesome. Don't be scared by the anti-gravity part of the yoga - you'll be safely suspended in a soft hammock where you'll learn simple moves all the way to more complicated poses. If you're after a unique way to exercise, sky–lab's anti-gravity yoga is definitely one to try!

The Eastern suburbs counterpart to the Newtown-founded Luxe Bakery is a different vibe, but still completely delicious. Open breakfast and lunch, the relaxed space caters to ladies lunches, groups, families and more. Head in for lunch and sample the selection of gourmet salads before deciding to head back in and work your way through the menu. 

Opening its doors in October 2014, Ippudo at Central Park is the second Ippudo ramen store to appear in Sydney. Ramen lovers can order a bowl of Ippudo's signature akamaru and shiromaru ramen with their famed thin Hakata-style noodles. For those needing a ramen fix in the Chippendale area, Ippudo is the place to go!

This drinking venue on Enmore Road has tagged itself as Newtown's neighbourhood blues and rock 'n' roll bar. Can't argue with that – on any given night, guest DJs or live musicians, play quality tunes. Cheer yourself up with a decent selection of imported and local beers, classic cocktails, wines-by-the-glass. For a fiver, score yourself a hot dog, or a Not Dog for the vegetarians. If you feel like splashing out, upgrade to some sauerkraut and cheese. No tacky themes here, just good vibes for good times.

Don't let the phrase 'health food' put you off. This place serves some of the tastiest and good-for-you meals this side of the Harbour Bridge. Tuck into a salad of organic chicken breast, carrot, pepitas and miso dressing, or a bowl of roast vegetables and kale, topped with quinoa and tahini. Wash it all down with a green smoothies and Little Marionette coffee. Mums, dads and suffering baby-sitters, your kids will have no qualms eating their vegetables with the children's menu, offering mini-me versions of the big-kids dishes. If you still can't make up your mind, check out their lunch and breakfast specials. Power up!

Gluten-freedom fighters, rejoice! This is one democracy that welcomes you with open arms. This bustling corner bakery churns out delicious wheat-free loaves that banish the chewy gluten-free cardboard of yesteryear from existence. From Monday to Sunday, take a break from the nearby ocean waves and feast on the pizza slice of the day, or excellent paninis stuffed with colourful salad greens. Sweets get a good look in too – if you're lucky enough, nab an almond croissant, spelt scone, or sticky-glazed fruit bun. Oh yes, and did we mention it's all organic?

Let's get this out of the way – it's pronounced "Lizzy and Bath". Great. Now let's talk about the food. It's good. And it's good for you. For the hungry worker lunch crowds, there is an ever-changing line-up of vibrant salads, organic sourdough sandwiches filled with pulled pork, rare roast beef or caprese salad, and for the colder months, soul-reviving stews and soups (kale, celery and tomato... Yes please!).

Tutti A Tavola! Everyone to the table! Such is the philosophy of Massimo Mele, the Tasmanian-born, Naples-raised head chef of Italian restaurant La Scala on Jersey. Whether or not diners choose to share dishes, the focus is on the communal experience of having a meal together. The a la carte menu offers a variety of shared plates (do the octopus salad. Do it!) and meaty and seafoody mains, while also catering for vegetarians and children.

Not since Fleetwood Macchiato have we laughed so hard at a cafe name styled on a pop culture icon. With the tag line "Bruce Leaves you satisfied", this salad bar, hidden behind a car dealership, knows how to make your greens taste so good. The salad range includes chicken or sashimi soba noodle with white sesame dressing; and spiced lamb with beetroot, kale, and couscous in a tamari-balsamic dressing.

Despite its name, Le Petite Tarte Cafe and Patisserie shows that it's not the size, but how you use it, that counts. And Glebe can count itself lucky for this slick eatery. The savoury dishes are modern cafe fare, speckled with hints of French culinary influence, and made with seasonal ingredients.

When you're thinking dumplings, Walsh Bay is not the first place that pops into your mind. This eatery fills up quickly with pre-theatre goers as well as regular diners, possibly lured by the killer combo of dumplings and cocktails.

This charming old-world bookstore is located at McMahons Point but will instantly transport you to the streets of London or Paris. A treasure trove for book lovers, Blues Point Bookshop houses a wide selection of classics, non-fiction, fiction and children's books, with friendly notes and recommendations from the shop's owner Helen Baxter. The comfy armchairs are the perfect spot to while away an afternoon.

Literally located on the busiest street in Australia, and part of QT Sydney, Parlour Lane Roasters is open from early until evening and can satisfy your needs from breakfast all the way to after work drinks. Head in for breakfast eat in or to go, a very reasonably priced lunch, or a cheeky cocktail after work. 

Indecisive diners breathe a sigh of relief because Bay Ten Espresso has you covered. Breakfast sees sourdough toast and muesli and yoghurt pairings while for lunch it's all about the sandwich. There are three varieties to choose from including: dijon roast beef with beetroot radish; poached chicken and avocado; and grilled eggplant and zucchini with crumbed goat feta.

This one is for all you Spanish food and drink lovers out there! Fino Par is bringing an authentic Spanish flair to Sydney's CBD. With a focus on sherry (not just for your grandma) and top-notch Spanish cuisine, you will be deliciously catered for. Don't go past the barrel-aged sangria and be sure to try one of their sherry based cocktails too. As for food, the smoked oysters are a winner as well as their croquettes. Yum!

From the team behind Barefoot Coffee Traders in Manly comes Kingswood, a rustic coffee hub in the middle of Sydney's CBD. Pop in and watch the coffee theatrics at work before being tempted by a stack of Belgian waffles with melted chocolate or a pastry from the ever-changing selection. 

Just a hop, skip and a jump from St James station in Hyde Park, Metro St James offer breakfast, lunch and a wine bar with dinner options for city-dwellers and foodies alike. We highly recommend the Hirasama kingfish with scallop, caponata, onion puree and seaweed with a glass of crisp white if you're heading in for dinner.

A favourite among the CBD crowd, Momo Brasserie combines a New York-style menu founded around reasonably priced and high quality fare. If you're heading in for lunch, be sure to sink your teeth into one of the deli sandwiches; the New York Pastrami is everything you could want in a lunch. 

Offering a chic, industrial fit out that perfectly transitions from early morning coffee to corporate lunch and romantic dinner, Bowery Lane offer fresh produce, delicious cocktails and a great atmosphere all day long. 

The minds behind La Renaissance Patisserie and Baroque Bistro created Baroque Pantry to offer the very best in daytime dining. Make your way in for brunch and indulge in a cocktail or two before diving into the eggs cocotte with smoked bacon, taleggio cheese, potato, mushroom and tomato on sourdough toast.

Housed within the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Matt Moran's CHISWICK At The Gallery offers a fresh, seasonal menu with a focus on local produce.

Located in (yes you guessed it) Redfern, Breadfern is the newest bakery to hit our streets and we're licking our lips in glee. Think handmade rye breads, tiramisu cakes, hot pastries, custard tarts, salted caramel fondants and so much more! Plus, there are plenty of creations for you gluten-free kids so there's no need for tears.

Melbourne's renowned pay-as-you-feel vegan restaurant has spread its roots to Sydney, with the opening of Lentil As Anything in Newtown. The 'honesty policy' restaurant founded by former Sri Lankan refugee, Shanaka Fernando, offers an array of tasty vegan dishes, where diners are invited to pay what they feel the meal is worth.

Health nuts rejoice in the raw, organic, cold pressed juice from Cali Press. The Bronte juice bar offers the full selection of cold pressed juices, a selection of organic wholefoods and AllPress coffee for those that need a bit more than a juice fix. If you're a green juice fan, go for evergreen: pineapple, pear, cucumber, kale, parsley, ginger and watercress. 

When we heard of Mama's Buoi and its selection of delicious Vietnamese cheap eats, it was full speed ahead to Surry Hills. Head in at lunchtime for a hearty bowl of pho or one of their wonderfully fresh rice paper rolls. Now offering lunchtime catering, there's no more excuses for sad desk sandwiches.