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You'll feel like you've boarded a plane to Italy at Vacanza, where authentic, delicious and friendly Italian food is on the menu. Try out the Buffalo Mozarella Degustation and work your way on to a pizza. These guys focus on the philosophy that when it comes to pizza toppings, less is more – and they really make it work. 

If you like dumplings, roasted pork buns, peking duck and pretty much any other delicious, authentic Chinese food, then Old Town Hong Kong is a must visit for any rumbling tummies. Best to head there with a group and make the most of the menu or live seafood tank. 

Joining the list of Sydney's best cocktail bars, BLACK Bar hails back to prohibition days with its vintage fit out and signature 'forgotten' cocktails. To compliment the international drink list there's a selection of tasty bar snacks such as Wagyu sliders, ocean trout crackling and an insaley moreish king prawn roll. If you're keen to try something new, go see bar manager Marco Oshiro and be prepared to be blown away by some creative cocktails.

The guys behind Goodtime dedicate themselves to making all your burger fantasies a reality. Priding itself on the typical USA experience, this cheeky Bondi Junction joint is decked out to resemble the classic American diner complete with red vinyl booths and checkerboard floors.

At Proteini, a café at the Darlinghurst end of buzzy Crown St, the mantra is 'love your guts.' And they mean it. With offerings of healthy, tasty food that's gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and wheat-free, Proteini caters to urban paleo-diet adherents, vegans and coeliacs alike. 

If you love chocolate as much as we do you're probably well aware of Just William Chocolates in Paddington. A landmark on Sydney's dessert scene, Just William Chocolates is famed for its handmade truffles, pralines, ganache and creams that are perfect for any occasion!

Now that Newtown station is looking all brand new, it's only right that commuters also have access to top-notch coffee, served with a dose of whimsy – this is Newtown, after all. The beans are by Coffee Alchemy and there is also Single Origin filter coffee available if you swing that way. Cuckoo Callay is the brainchild of a lovely couple who have combined their knowledge of coffee and food with an Alice in Wonderland theme to create a truly distinctive café.

This boutique coffee shop and teahouse creates its own handmade chocolates that are almost as beautiful as they are delicious. Stop in for a coffee (the selection changes constantly depending on what is fresh) or a pot of tea (choose from more than 40 varieties) and you might also catch the Four Friends chocolatiers in action!

A peaceful North Bondi sanctuary, Sage is dedicated to a holistic beauty experience with ocean views. Experienced practitioners cover all aspects of beauty and well-being, offering organic facials, remedial massage and eating disorder counselling along with traditional beauty therapies such as eye-brow waxing, pedicures and make-up for special occasions.

A one-stop shop for the city-dwelling vegan, The Cruelty Free Shop is stocked with food, beauty and home products that cause no harm to our furry and feathered friends. After hearing many stories from people who tried to go vegan but found it too difficult, owner Jess Bailey opened her first bricks-and-mortar store in Glebe.

This award-winning restaurant serves a mix of traditional Peking, Szechuan and Cantonese fare. Offering yum cha daily and an a-la-carte menu in the evening, The Dynasty is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney – think barbecued pork buns, prawn dumplings, sweet and sour spare ribs and live seafood from the tank.

For those who love seafood, this Sydney Chinese restaurant is your go-to.

This fine dining gem sits upstairs in the famous Newport Arms Hotel, and offers panoramic views, fantastic views and an incredible wine list to boot. The Terrace is the perfect place to while away an afternoon or watch the sun set before dinner. The Spanner Crab Linguine with tomato, chilli, lemon and basil is delicious as an entree, and the vanilla slice with sour cherries and passionfruit ice cream is an instant classic. 

Hidden in the heart of Cremorne, Bread and Butter offer a delicious balance of naughty and nice. Nice in the form of great coffee, Botanica Juices and fresh fruit with muesli, and naughty in the form of 'The Elvis' Toastie: bacon, banana, honey and peanut butter with a dusting of icing sugar. Don't try to resist it - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em – see you there!

The first of its kind in Sydney, Sweethearts Rooftop offers delicious drinks and a setting that makes you feel as though you've landed in a beach bar in Hawaii... Except you're in Potts Point. Take the stairs to the top of The Sugarmill to sample their mouth-watering grilled seafood and barbecued meats.

Boasting over 160 years of history, Customs House Bar is an iconic Sydney pub with lovely outdoor seating and delicious food to boot! Catch live music while devouring its selection of seafood, pizzas and burgers, and enjoying a pint of draught beer. This casual watering hole is conveniently nestled at Macquarie Place and is ideal for after work drinks or a long lunch.

A Darlinghusrt stalwart, the Courthouse Hotel offers authentic pub food, a wide selection of beers on tap and weekly entertainment every Friday and Saturday. This late night haunt is extremely popular among the younger set that flock upstairs to Judgement Bar. Stop in for $12 lunch deals Monday to Friday with staples like beer battered fish & chips, cheese burgers and chicken schnitzel.

A real Paddington institution, The Light Brigade Hotel's art deco interior has stood the test of time with locals and visitors alike. Head in and watch the game while enjoying a $17 drink and dine special; the classic Light Brigade Parmigiana is a must. 

With Tuesday poker and happy hour every weeknight, Hunters Hill Hotel is one of the local's favourite pubs on the north side. Affectionately known at HHH, the relaxed atmosphere demands you kick back in the beer garden or enjoy a hearty meal at the bistro. Our picks the BBQ duck pizza or smoked salmon risotto.

Featuring more than 100 of the world's best whiskies, The Whisky Room has landed at Surry Hills' The Clock Hotel. The bill includes all the usual suspects from Islay, the Highlands and the USA, as well as some of the best from Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia. Be sure to sample the monthly Whisky Flight of three hand-selected whiskies chosen to highlight a region, country or brand.

Nestled in the piazza of Australia Square, The Lemon Tree is the newest outpost from the team that brought us Pelicano Bar and Catalina. Mixing youthful energy with timeless elegance, the new CBD eatery serves up delicious Italian fare and classic cocktails. Menu highlights include veal Milanese, Tuscan lamb cutlets and grass-fed scotch fillet. 

This beachside café at Dee Why is the perfect spot to kick back after a dip. Housed within a converted shed at the south end of the beach, this casual eatery serves great coffee via the Daily Grind and nourishing food options like quinoa bircher and smashed eggs on toast with all the trimmings.

The newest addition to Ultimo's vibrant café scene, The Pigeonhole Café serves some of the best coffee in the neighburhood (via Melbourne's Industry Beans) and a bunch of lunchtime staples. There's Sonoma toast, daily fresh salads and a wagyu cheeseburger that's sure to curb your midday hunger pangs. Take away a treat from Luxe bakery for that afternoon sugar hit.

Something of a local institution, Chaos and its quirky hand-painted chairs have been serving up delicious fare for over 15 years. Start with a pineapple, apple and mint frappe, and move on to the BLAT – make sure to bring your appetite for this one, it's a monster! 

Owned by two hospo veterans and situated on Balmain's bustling Darling Street, Casual Mondays is all about relaxed service and great food, with delicious coffee to boot. The Brekkie roll with bacon and eggs on brioche with blackened chilli aioli will whisk away any ailments, so head in and bask in the courtyard sunlight or get cosy next to the fire inside.  

This vego café that made its way down from NSW's South Coast will make any carnivore forget about their meaty desires, and is a vegetarian's dream. Open for breakfast and lunch, Pilgrims offer a huge spread of brekkie, burgers, wraps, toasties and a mouth-watering Mexican menu that will make all your guac fantasies come true. Be sure to try the soft tacos with spicy red beans or Mexican black bean brew. 

Brunching in Bondi is one of life's biggest joys, and local Sydney cafe, Skinny Dip has the perfect environment for an early or mid-morning meal, as well as some great lunch options.

This healthy eatery in Avalon offers up a flourish of wholesome options, and has attracted a loyal following citywide. You can select from a variety of hearty options, including 3 grain Aztec porridge, almond and banana pancakes, and sage and ricotta tart—delicious!

Housed in an old corner store, Surry Hills' Cowbell 808 offers great coffee, friendly service and a selection of milk bar classics. There are ricotta hotcakes, a mouthwatering burger and bacon and egg rolls that'll melt in your mouth. Be sure to check the blackboard for their daily specials, and order their infamous Bloody Mary – it'll knock your socks off!

Duck Duck Goose is challenging everything we know about kid-friendly cafes in Sydney. Inside you’ll find a super cute play area to keep the kids occupied while you sit back, relax, enjoy the amazing coffee and browse the menu – which, by the way, is amazing.

Self-taught vegan chef, Suzy Spoon comes as a blessing to Sydney based vegetarians with her meat-free, self-titled Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher.

Specialising in natural effect eyebrows, The Eyebrow Studio offers eyebrow cosmetic tattooing using the feathering effect to achieve natural-looking hairstroke results. Also offering eyelash tinting, perming and lash lifts, with over 12 years' experience in the industry, you know you're in safe hands at this North Sydney salon. 

Feeding hungry students nearby, the humble Chinese Noodle House resembles street food deliciousness and prices.

Wang Wang is an ideal go-to for quick, cheap Chinese, especially for dumplings and dim sum. You’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu, from pork and chives to prawn to greens. You can see the dumplings being hand made in the little glass room, which is always fun to watch. Eat to your heart’s content without having to worry about the bill. 

Hidden in the backstreets of St Peters, this if the perfect cafe in Sydney if you’re a late riser in need of good coffee, quick service and a couch to collapse into (covered in velvet, of course) while enjoying the all day breakfast menu. With their eclectic fit out including a Batman feature wall revolving around and old, bright orange Datsun and mismatched vintage furniture, Velvet Garage makes you feel like you’re at home - just with better food. 

Renowned as one of the best fish and chip shops in Sydney, this place gets packed to the brim, especially during the summer months. Get your fish ‘n’ chips to go and wander down to the spectacular Gordons Bay or Clovelly Beach. The burgers are equally as delicious, and worth a try. 

Darlinghurst’s Don Don is always chock-a-block with hungry patrons. Sydneysiders flock here for their deliciously simple bowls of don, which are priced under $15. The pork katsudon or chirashi sushi don, paired with the tastiest agedashi tofu and a plate of gyoza, makes for a mighty fine Japanese feast in Sydney.

This Marrickville haunt is renowned for having the best hot chips in Sydney, and that is no easy feat. Make sure you order the traditional lamb yeeros, which is stuffed with lamb, vegetables, tzatziki and paprika, served with a side of chips (chicken salt is a definite yes). Your taste buds will be happy as will your wallet. 

Brought to you by the husband-and-wife duo of Hartsyard, The Gretz is the newest Sydney bar to hit bustling Enmore Road. With a nautical theme that features a whole lot of nets and oars hanging from the ceiling, as well as a seafood-focused menu, this part of town just got a whole lot more fun.

Sea Bay is the queen of cheap Chinese food in Sydney and makes the perfect pit stop before you head for a night on the town. You’ll find that regulars have their favourite orders down pat, but if you’re a newbie there is plenty of choice. You can’t go wrong with plates of dumplings (the pumpkin ones are delicious!) and stir-fried pepper pork. Beware of busy lunch hours and a packed dinner service, with everyone from solo diners to party groups enjoying the best of Sea Bay. 

When we heard about Chubby Girl's Bunz Shop we were immediately intrigued. But if the name didn’t get you, then the handmade dumplings and noodles are bound to lure you in. While the interior is not much and can only fit about eight people, Chubby Girl's Bunz Shop is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Lamb and cumin buns and hot beef buns are among the highlights, and are a true cheap eat in Sydney and will only set you back just $1.50 a pop. There are a handful of tasty soups and noodle dishes on the menu too, so your bound to be well satisfied. 

You know you’ve hit the jackpot when the menu is both laminated and has individual photographs for each dish. Cabramatta’s Duy Linh is no exception, with a huge menu (no less than 200 items) that has everything from pho, Vietnamese pancakes and plenty of varieties of dumplings and steamed buns. Whether you go with the basics or opt for something more adventurous, like the French bean and soya prawns (trust us, they’re delicious!), you definitely won’t be disappointed. 

When talking about banh mi in Sydney, it seems everyone has their place of choice. But with long lines that sprawl around the corner, Mascot’s resident king of a tasty and affordable lunch, Hong Ha is certainly up there with the best banh mis in Sydney. It’s definitely worth waiting in line, and at just $5 a pop it’s guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.

When a restaurant has been open for over 20 years, you know they must be doing something right. This is especially true when said restaurant has been serving up Mexican cuisine before Mexican food was even cool. Say hola to Had To Happen.

For over 20 years, Bar Reggio has been serving up some of Sydney’s best Italian to hungry diners of Darlinghurst. A popular choice for groups, the menu features a range of pasta, risotto and pizzas for a carb-heavy, cost effective catch up. Bring your own wines, friends and an empty stomach, and have a good time at this classic Sydney restaurant.

Ito’s Malaysian is one of the city’s best lunch spots. From the team that brought you To’s Malaysian Gourmet in North Sydney, Ito’s Malaysian, is serving up traditional and affordable dishes that will make your mouth water. Make sure you try the nourishing chicken laksa, and beef randang.