Sydney Restaurants

Whatever you've heard about the food here could never do it justice. For value, for freshness, for variety, for innovation, for sheer epicurean delight, Sydney is arguably as good as it gets. Proximity to Asia and a rich migrant history have fused an altogether different attitude to the traditional mono cultural cuisine of Europe.
Take Ms. G's for example; forget whatever preconceptions you had about Asian food, or Asian decor. Ms. G's, like the iPhone, changes everything. The only problem with 'her' bite-size burger of chicken liver parfait, spicy mayo, braised pork belly and pickled vegetables, is trying not to order too many. But there are the classic Cantonese staples, reinvented and renovated for a more discerning and educated palate, like the Golden Century in Chinatown.
For seafood by the seaside, you're a naturally spoilt for choice, whether lining the harbor or perched above a beach. Manly Pavilion won Best New Restaurant, 2010, in the Good Food Guide awards, and deservedly so. Wrapped around an old 1930s building, this new temple to Italian gastronomy is all terrazzo floors, white washed walls and offers a close-up view of criss-crossing yachts or ferries approaching Manly wharf. But for something a little less formal but no less stunning, the Bathers' Pavilion Cafe (not to be confused with it's more grown-up 'restaurant' sibling next door) inspires wistful, relaxing, laid-back longing on Middle Harbor.
But for a true taste of the diversity of food on offer, inner city precincts around Darlinghurst, Paddington and Surry Hills are the dining hotspots. You like meat like Argentinians cook and eat? Try Porteno, an authentic asador (steakhouse), where huge carcasses slowly rotate and roast for hours. Fancy the perfect pate or flank steak and fries, just like your favorite Parisian bistro? Felix is it.
Ten minutes west of the city in Balmain can be found one of this town's best breakfasts at Kazbah on Darling; it's part Moroccan, part Lebanese, but with a modern Australian twist (try feta potato cake, with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and red wine onion marmalade) but truly, wholly satisfying. Which, when you think about it, sums up dining in this city.

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