The Boat House at Blackwattle Bay (Glebe, Ph: 9518-9011)
(see Sydney's Best Restaurants)
The snapper pie is a national favourite. Beautiful views of the city, relaxed atmosphere. Do have the oyster sampler.

Fish Face (132 Darlinghurst Rd., Darlinghurst, Ph: 9332-4803)
Inexpensive and great fresh fish. BYO. Have a pre-dinner drink at the Darlo Bar before hand on Darlinghurst Rd. Rumour has it that you can order the food from Fish Face and eat it in the Darlo Bar but we've never seen it actually happen.

Mohr Fish (202 Devonshire St Surry Hills, Ph: 9318-1326)
Tiny, cosy but amazing fish of all kinds! Inexpensive. Located in Darlinghurst.

The Fish Bowl (580 Darling St., Roselle, Ph: 9555-7302)
Two seatings a night only. Great selection of all kinds of fish done in every kind of way - Indian, Aussie, fish and chips, etc. Low key.

Sydney's Best Cheap Eats

Il Baretto (496 Bourke St, Surry Hills, Ph: 9361-6163)
This inexpensive little Sydney secret specialises in authentic Northern Italian cuisine. It's on Burke Street, just past Foveaux Street in Surrey Hills. They don't take reservations so go early.

Clock Hotel, Surry Hills (see drinks below).

Blackbird Cafe at Cockle Bay Warf, Darling Harbour.
Also Chinta Ria, Temple of Love for great Malaysian at Cockle Bay Warf. A bit more expensive but some good inexpensive options.

Verona Cafe & Bar (17 Oxford St, Paddington, Ph: 9360-3266)

Cafe at Tamarama Beach (see best water views).

Yulla (38 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, Ph: 9365-1788)
Great Mediterranean food with views of the ocean.

Lots of Sushi Train restaurants in Sydney, where you can take the sushi you would like off the conveyor belt that goes around the room. Try the one on Sussex St. and Goulburn in Chinatown for a real Tokyo-like experience. Inexpensive.

Best Pizza

Arthur's (260 Oxford St, Paddington, Ph: 9331-1779)
No reservations, BYO and be prepared to give your name and wait at the pub down the street until they come for you. Worth the wait.

Napoli in Bocca (73 Dalhousie, Haberfield, Ph: 9798-4096)
Considered the best true Italian pizza in Sydney, this and La Disfida also in Haberfield, are like a trip to Italy. Practise your Italian on the waiters!
Cost: cheap!

Nuovo Pizzaria @ Otto (Wharf at Woollamaloo, Ph: 9368-7488)
Trendy spot for pizza and pasta - they take no bookings so good luck getting a table. My advice, go early!
Cost: moderate.

Best Breakfast

Bill's Café (433 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, Ph: 9360-9631)
Sit at the communal table and read the daily newspaper or latest magazines while sipping on one of Sydney's best coffees and the most comforting ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter...mmmmmmm.

Hugo's at Bondi Beach (70 Campbell Parade, Ph: 9300-0900)
A bit pricey for breakfast by Australian standards but one of the best you'll ever have, especially with its view across Bondi Beach. Located on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach.

Aqua Bar (266 Campbell Pde, North Bondi Beach, Ph: 9130-6070)

Best Place for Drinks

Some of Sydney's newer and trendier bars are worth checking out:

• Posh and Cruise at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, west side of Circular Quay
• Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt St., City
• Will and Toby's, Level 1, 292 Victoria St., Darlinghurst

Horizon Room, top of the ANA hotel, The Rocks
Touristy but fun - stunning view of the entire city. Try the guavarita.
176 Cumberland St., The Rocks.

Clock Hotel
Trendy bar/pub in Sydney for the young, hip set. Sit out on the verandah upstairs. Also serves good meals.
470 Crown St., Surry Hills.

Darlo Bar
Great vibe, pool tables. Corner of Liverpool and Darlinghurst.

East Village
Feels like NYC. Corner of Liverpool and Palmer Sts, Darlinghurst.

Hugo's Lounge on Bayswater Road, Kings Cross.
It's one of Sydney's newest and coolest nightspots and they only serve real champagne - no sparkling wine on this list!!

And so many more like Establishment, Mint Bar, Fix Bar, L'hotel, ECQ (stands for East Circular Quay), Slip Inn, Cargo Bar, Pontoon Bar, Veranda, Peppermint Lounge, Mars Lounge and Middle Bar Kinsellas, just to name a few.

Jazz and Music

The Basement
Best for live jazz. Check papers for who is there. Near Circular Quay.
Location: 7 Macquarie Pl Sydney, Ph: 9251-2797

Jazz with supper at the very smart Wine Banc, Martin Place in the city ($$$). Call to see who's there and get details: 9233-5399.

Side on Café (83 Parramatta Road, Annandale, Ph: 9516-3077) regularly showcases Australia's best jazz muso's in a really intimate environment.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Pacific Insiders page.