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The steamed seafood platter at Taste of Shunde.
Good Food hat15/20

This enormous steamed seafood platter is one of Sydney’s most incredible dishes

Taste of Shunde’s whole Murray cod or coral trout surrounded by rows of pipis and prawns is an “epic lifelong memory”.

  • David Matthews
Lunch at Tedesca Osteria begins with an opening bracket of snacks.
Good Food hatGood Food hat17/20

‘This is how it should be’: Join the waitlist for a shot at Victoria’s perfect long lunch

I had my doubts when hearing gushing accounts from other diners, but I fell into the embrace of two-hatted Tedesca Osteria’s relaxed hospitality, writes Besha Rodell.

  • Besha Rodell
Baix restaurant dining room (left) and 81 Bay wine bar in Brighton.
14.5/20

Is Baix the luxe European restaurant boujee Brighton locals have been waiting for?

Chef and Brighton local Ian Curley’s first restaurant as sole owner spans a fine-ish dining room and wine bar. Dani Valent compares three courses in both spaces.

  • Dani Valent
Ricotta with beetroots and rosemary.
Good Food hat15/20

This busy 20-seater is one of the best wine bars in the state (and isn’t where you’d expect)

Hey Rosey serves a daily-changing menu largely based on what local farmers are dropping off that week.

  • Callan Boys
Inside Ho Jiak, Junda Khoo’s fine-dining restaurant inside the middle of his three-storey complex.
14/20

A couple visiting Ho Jiak looked around in confusion. I can see why

Is trailblazing Sydney chef Junda Khoo’s ambitious Malaysian fine diner more ’80s hotel restaurant or a place for a big night out?

  • Besha Rodell
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Jangling Jack’s is a walk-in neighbourhood boozer that feels native to New York or Nashville.
14/20

This overlooked spot is perfect for dates and mates – and a stonking-good Sunday roast

This backstreet venue is still going strong after 10 years, serving lots of things we love to eat: anchovy toast, cacio e pepe and a spot-on sticky-date pud.

  • Callan Boys
Felons Seafood’s location, right on the water on Manly Wharf’s East Esplanade, is an open invitation for a long lunch.
13.5/20

The cooking can be great, but some head-scratching service keeps Felons from soaring

The views are stunning, the fish are jumping, but something’s missing from this new waterside restaurant.

  • Myffy Rigby
Curious’s new cocktail menu is designed by UK mixologist Matt Whiley.

Curious

The W Hotel’s theatrical, Alice in Wonderland-inspired cocktail bar.

Kangaroo tail sope.
Good Food hat15/20

‘This chubby, fried tortilla is one of the best, three-bite snacks I’ve had all year’

Perched on the new Eve Hotel at Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane precinct, Lottie is one of the swishest spots to sweep up guacamole.

  • Callan Boys
Good Food hat15.5/20

This country spot is the ‘pub’ every town wishes it had on the corner

If you can’t find an old pub, make one. That’s the approach the You Beauty team has taken to create this award-winning community-led venue.

  • David Matthews