The Beresford

Great for: Eating trattoria-style in a cobbled courtyard under the shade of a magnolia or Japanese maple.

Details: 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills. theberesford.com.au
 

Great for: Enjoy pre-dinner drinks outside in the chic decked area 

before heading indoors for seasonal modern fare.

Details: 12-18 Nicholson St, Wolloomooloo. tilburyhotel.com.au
 

Great for: Getting an eyeful of the harbour. Out-of-towners and locals alike can’t help but be impressed.

Details: Lower concourse, Opera House, Circular Quay. operabar.com.au

 

Great for: After-dinner drinks. Peer down at the bright lights of George St before the music kicks off inside. 

Details: Level 4, Hilton, 488 George St. (02) 9265 6070; zetabar.com.au
 

Great for: Sunday-afternoon beers with friends on the old-fashioned rooftop, smack bang in The Rocks.

Details: 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks. (02) 9247 4794; glenmorerooftophotel.com

 

BEST AL FRESCO DINING
 

Great for: Malaysian food. It’s called the Temple of Love; bow to the big Buddha and grab a table outside.

Details: The Roof Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park Level 2, 201 Sussex St. chintaria.com
 

Customs House 

Great for: A bite of history. Balcony tables have the best views in this eatery at the top of Customs House. 

Details: Level 5, Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Circular Quay. (02) 9251 8683; cafesydney.com
 

Great for: Laneway lunches. Snack on sharing plates at the most intimate venue in the Ivy complex.  

Details: 1 Ash St, Sydney. (02) 9240 3000; merivale.com
 

BEST PICNIC SPOTS
 

Great for: Lunch-hour lounging. Pull up a piece of grass or fight city slickers for a bench in the patch of green between Museum and St James. 

Details: Between Elizabeth and College Sts, Sydney. citofsydney.nsw.gov.au
 

Great for: Cucumber sandwiches and scones. Manicured lawns and duck ponds ring the Harbour around Farm Cove so bring your picnic blanket and settle in.  

Details: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney. rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

 

Great for: Organic produce and gourmet goodies. Come early: the fruit, vegies, artisan cheeses and baked goods sell out fast. 

Details: First Saturday of the month, 7-11am, Pyrmont Bay Park on Pirrama Road. pyrmontvillage.com.au
 

Great for: Anything and everything. The original high-quality tourist weekend markets have expanded to include Markets by Moonlight in summer, Farmers’ Markets on Fridays. 

Details: Playfair and George Sts, Jack Mundey Place, The Rocks. therocks.com
 

Great for: Traditional trinkets and street food. Stroll through Chinatown on a Friday; there’ll be twice the number of people vying for attention.

Details: Haymarket. chinatownnightmarket.com.au

 

WALKING TRACKS
 

Great for: Harbour views. You’d have to hold up traffic to truly appreciate Sydney’s iconic landmark while driving over it. The walkway on the eastern side is a much better option. 

Details: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
 

Great for: Cityside sanctuaries. Go round the 3.8km circular track or through the fig-tree-filled parklands.  

Details: Paddington. (02) 9339 6699; centennialparklands.com.au
 

Great for: Jaw-dropping views of the headlands on a cliff-hugging 4km walk from Bondi to Bronte. Follow the coast south to Clovelly and Coogee. 

Details: waverley.nsw.gov.au