E a t /d r i n k

SEAN’S PANAROMA Opened in 1993 Sean’s has continued to be one of Sydneysiders’ favourite restaurants. An intimate 45-seat jewel, lovingly decorated with a sprinkling of outdoor seating (weather permitting). Largely grown at Sean’s farm the food is thoughtful, seasonal and delicious. Bookings a must. seanspanaroma.co

FRED’S Crafted by Sydney designers Acme & Co. Enter into another world, more residential kitchen than restaurant with all the action on display. Beautifully designed from walking in via a delicately curtained front, to an intimate bar setting with beeswax candles burning, then into the lively kitchen. merivale.com.au/freds

10 WILLIAM ST Nestled in a narrow street of shops housed in terraces, a village in itself. This is the local kitchen and bar: small, cramped, noisy and perfect for a casual weeknight dinner. Sit where you can and be served by the boys with a glint in their eye who have a wicked wine list and Italian-inspired fare. 10williamst.com.au

IGGY’S BREAD It really is the best bread in the world but do arrive early before it sells out. I like to get there at 6.45am on a Saturday for when the doors open at 7am. The queue looks pretty serious but it moves quickly. Grab a coffee in store or across the road at Cali Press for the worthwhile wait. iggysbread.com; calipress.com.au

MR. WONG Located on Bridge Lane, this is a modern take on Chinese food in a converted warehouse over two oors – and still one of my all-time favourite design jobs to be involved with in a heritage building in the heart of the city. Tip: if you do not have a booking arrive before noon on weekends to secure a spot or before the doors open of an evening! Interiors by The Society Inc. merivale.com.au/mrwong

PALMER & CO Down an unassuming historic laneway in Sydney’s CBD, Palmer & Co is located in the vaulted basement of an 1850s warehouse, all raw convict bricks and the feel of a speakeasy with a discreet entryway. Once found, you then come in through a forgotten locker room before the transformed space is revealed. Often with a jazz band playing – a place where ‘crooks’ may have been found conspiring in a dimly lit corner. Interiors by The Society Inc. merivale.com.au/palmerandco

THE BOATHOUSE Choose one of The Boathouse’s magical harbourside locations (all great, all perfectly Sydney) at gorgeous Balmoral Beach, Shelly Beach in Manly or Palm Beach, bursting with cut owers and ourishing plants, and fresh Australian fare. If you have time the ultimate way to soak up Sydney’s beauty is by seaplane from Rose Bay right to the door of The Boathouse at Palm Beach. theboathousepb.com.au; sydneybyseaplane.com

CHISWICK Located in leafy grounds with its very own kitchen garden, Chiswick’s lightdrenched rooms offer seasonal food with fresh cocktails that are worth a visit on their own. Sit at the copper bar-height table for snacks and cocktails or take a long lunch in the dining rooms. chiswickrestaurant.com.au

THE COOK AND BAKER Hands down this place has the best croissants in town. It’s a hole-in-the-wall, more kitchen than cafe, with a curated offering of delicious sandwiches, frittatas, coffee, chai and the most delightful sweet treats of bite-sized desserts and to-die-for cakes and slices – yum, yum. I buy all my cakes here, then pop some owers on top and totally claim the praise! Or, grab supplies here for a picnic at Centennial Park across the road. thecookandbaker.com.au

ICEBERGS TERRACE After you have done a few laps at Bondi Icebergs, pop up to admire the pool from above or just watch the waves roll in from the terrace. It’s on the coastal walk but feels somewhat hidden away and boasts uninterrupted ocean views. Great coffee; perfect casual fare in an outdoor setting. idrb.com/terrace

PARTERRE The newly opened glasshouse and courtyard at Parterre is the perfect pit stop after perusing the shops of Queen Street or just strolling the beautiful streets of Woollahra. Make your way through the shop and its beautiful antiques to the pretty courtyard. Parterre is renowned for its landscape design and the cafe is a magical showcase of their cleverness. parterre. com.au

PORCH AND PARLOUR Join the locals for an after-swim coffee (or turmeric chai) and breakfast bowl opposite Australia’s most iconic beach at my favourite northern end. If there’s not much of a wave then kick-start the day with a jump off the rocks and a swift swim into shore. Opens at 6am. porchandparlour.com

J&M BAR A perfect whisky bar (although I don’t drink whisky) atop historic pub the Angel. It’s almost a speakeasy with its hard-to- nd entrance in the depths of the city. Enter via Angel Place, go up the steep stairs to the top oor to a beautiful bar – all leather, wood and cosiness with glass vitrines of objects and oddities re ecting the history and beginnings of those it honours. merivale.com.au/angelhotel