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Sabbaba
Despite being situated in a block catering mainly to Bondi's Hassidic Jewish community, this Israeli falafel shop attracts more punters in board shorts than black coats (it's not strictly kosher). The vegetarian falafels in pita bread (around A$7 ) are a tasty bargain, or if that sounds too healthy, try a meat grill for a serious protein hit.
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Sailor's Thai Restaurant & Sailor's Thai Canteen
Sit down at the communal table in the canteen and feast on some of the best Thai food this side of Bangkok. Their talented chefs whip up complex dishes fit for royalty, and you'll be sampling and discussing it with a mixture of artists, politicians, locals and tourists. For something more romantic head downstairs to the fancy restaurant.
Read more about Sailor's Thai Restaurant & Sailor's Thai Canteen
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Sappho Espresso Bar
Hidden away in the back of a sprawling bookshop, Sappho is a wonderfully bohemian garden café where the walls are scrawled with generations of graffiti. The coffee's excellent, the staff adorable and the food a healthy selection of salads, panini and light breakfast options.
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Sea Bay Restaurant
Sea Bay has slipped the touristy tethers of Chinatown and drifted a few blocks north, but the aesthetic is the same. Expect brightly lit, basic surroundings and simple, satisfying food. The shredded potato with chilli is a winner, as are the pancakes and dumplings.
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Sean's Panaroma
You won't be disappointed in the always-evolving dishes at this modest eatery overlooking Bondi beach. Sean Moran and his team work hard to whip up complex dishes like preserved duck with potato cake, cabbage and pickled cherries. Sidewalk tables offer (sometimes windy) views; the ocean's charm makes your Barossa milk-fed lamb taste all the sweeter.
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Sel et Poivre
This casual bistro is perfect for homesick French expats; most of the staff speak French, the music is French, and the menu is available in French. Dishes like garlic snails, duck pâté and steak tartare are for the hard-core, so for something more mainstream order the delicious baguette sandwiches, roasted lamb loin or goat's cheese and walnut salad.
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Single Origin Roasters
It's hard to imagine a more passionate bunch of caffeine junkies than this crew - they practically bounce off the walls in their enthusiasm, happy to chat about the fair trade or environmental credentials of their various beans. The food's simple but delicious, including a great bircher muesli.
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Sloanes
Don't be put off by the tiny interior, head down the back where there's a sweet courtyard surrounded by mature trees. The breakfast and coffee are great and the lunch blackboard is always crammed with fancy pies, salads, wraps and soups. This is the place where former jailbird Paris Hilton famously, like, totally wandered off without paying her bill. Like, shut up!
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Spanish Tapas
Those in search of tapas need look no further, as this fancy joint offers those little Spanish dishes that range from good to great. Sample the mussels in tomato, tuna croquettes, garlic mushrooms or spinach and onion omelettes. The low lights, music and convivial diners add to the festive atmosphere.
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Spice I Am
In Sydney parlance this is definitely 'a thing right now'. Once the preserve of local Thais wanting an authentic taste of home, it now has queues out the door. No wonder, as everything we've tried from the over 70 reasonably priced dishes on the menu is wonderful - fragrant and spicy. Expect to be hurried out as soon as you're finished.
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Spring Espresso
It's hard to differentiate this place from La Buvette (around the corner at 35 Challis Ave; same size, clientele, standard - similar menu) and even more difficult before the first coffee of the day, so just grab whichever has the first table available. Spring's salmon breakfast hits the spot every time.
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Super Bowl
Take it as an extremely good sign that this is the place on Dixon St always crammed with Chinese diners. From the street-side tables you're well positioned to soak up the Chinatown vibe and slurp up a bowl of noodles. It's a good place for a post-midnight snack.
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Swell
Swell is an apt name for the swankiest place on the Bronte strip. Expect a skilful blend of European and Asian flavours, with simpler meals available at lunch (from around A$16 ) and a popular breakfast menu.
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Tabou
French right down to its lacy curtains, the flatteringly-lit Tabou is perfect for a low-key romantic dinner. Chef Jacob Brown whips out popular entrees like sauteed sweetbreads and cheese souffles, along with main dishes like the black pudding and veal fillet. Service is typically Gallic, meaning you'll either be flirted with or barely acknowledged.
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Ten Buck Alley
The name pays homage to the back laneway, once a notorious hangout for transsexual prostitutes. The cheeky chappies at this tiny café continue the alley's bang-for-your-buck tradition, only with delicious food and even better coffee.
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Tetsuya's
Tetsuya's has been ranked in the top five best restaurants in the world, and you must come here with a palate that seeks a culinary journey rather than a simple stuffed belly. The degustation menu offers ten courses of amazingly creative morsels of art that will exhilarate your senses. You'll need to book well in advance.
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Thai Pothong
The ever popular Thai Pothong is gradually taking over King St. It's now at least four times bigger than its original size, yet the food is just as impressive and the service as attentive. All of the prawn dishes are sublime.
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The Gumnut Teagarden
Housed in the leafy backyard of a wonderfully preserved Rocks cottage (1829), the Gumnut serves good, old-fashioned nosh such as sandwiches, pies and ploughmen's platters. The antique theme carries through to tables fashioned from Singer sewing machine bases. Expect quality coffee and cakes Granny would be proud of. Chill out to live jazz on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.
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The Source
If you're hankering for a coffee en route to Balmoral or the zoo, grab a seat at the communal table at this new, modern café. These guys are more than passionate about the stuff. Prepare to be tempted by the selection of fresh sandwiches and cakes.
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The Summit Restaurant Orbit Lounge Bar
Sure, it's not exactly cheap, but you're here for the supreme 360-degree views of Sydney. This high-rise restaurant rotates a full turn every 105 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the chilli-prawn tapas, seared rare tuna, wagyu beef rump or pepper-crust snapper before the view starts repeating itself. And remember to dress up: there's a dress code.
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Toby's Estate
While coffee is undoubtedly the main attraction at this tucked away roasters, it's a great place to drop in for a fresh baguette, toasted sandwich, nori roll or cake. As for the brown gold - it's strong, perfectly brewed and usually fair trade.
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Toko
Great sushi, quick and easy, is on offer at this small but popular place. Warm up with a bowl of miso soup, then grab those rolls and nigiri morsels as they pass by. More substantial noodle soups, along with gyoza , yakitori and teriyaki, are also on the menu. End it all with dessert: tempura banana with green tea and vanilla-bean ice cream. Yum.
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Toko (Surry Hills)
A new concept for Sydney, Toko dishes up delicious modern Japanese tapas - such as a superb soft shell crab (around A$16 ) and eggplant with miso (around A$9 ). Expect to spend upwards of around A$30 a meal, more if you're a sashimi junkie. Check out the brilliant lighting feature made of chopsticks in the so-cool-it-hurts cocktail bar.
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Tramezzini Espresso
There aren't a lot of good places in the city for a reasonably priced healthy bite, so this Italian café in the foyer of the AMP building is worth remembering. Unsurprisingly the clientele is extremely suity, but don't let that and all the ostentatious marble get in the way of a delicious egg and parmesan breakfast roll.
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Two Good Eggs
We love the egg-shaped lighting fixtures and industrial feel of this corner café on the lower slopes of Surry Hills. It's a great spot for a weekday breakfast, killer coffee and yes, eggs dominate.
