Aalia ★ 4.6
Paul Farag's two-hat modern Middle Eastern room on Martin Place, Sydney. Saj manakish on the open hearth, Iraqi masgouf and slow-roasted shoulder of lamb.
Signature: Hummus with smoked lamb, Saj manakish, Iraqi masgouf
Chat Thai Haymarket is a thai restaurant in Haymarket, Sydney.
Amy Chanta's flagship Thai room on Campbell Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Boat noodles, Bangkok-style street snacks and the Thai dessert counter at the front.
Signature dishes: Boat noodles, Pad see ew, Mango sticky rice
Address: Shop 1, 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000, Sydney
Paul Farag's two-hat modern Middle Eastern room on Martin Place, Sydney. Saj manakish on the open hearth, Iraqi masgouf and slow-roasted shoulder of lamb.
Signature: Hummus with smoked lamb, Saj manakish, Iraqi masgouf
Japanese sake bar on Wilson Street, Newtown, Sydney. Kaiseki-style seasonal plates pair with one of the country's deepest sake-by-the-glass lists.
Signature: Otsumami snacks, House-made tofu, Seasonal sashimi
No-frills Greek grill on Marrickville Road, Sydney. Walk-in only, BYO, nothing over A$21 on the menu, and a long queue of locals from 5pm every night.
Signature: Lamb on the spit, Saganaki, Greek chips with feta
Yugoslav-Mediterranean diner on Marrickville Road, Sydney. Cevapi, pljeskavica and a long natural-wine list; open Tue-Sun dinner and weekend lunch.
Signature: Cevapi, Lamb shoulder, Spanakopita
Hussein Sarhan and Alex Tong's neighbourhood bistro on King Street, Newtown, Sydney. The ex-Fred's chef runs a tight, seasonal European menu.
Signature: Steak tartare, Pasta of the day, Wood-roasted fish
Modern Chinese on Bligh Street in the Sydney CBD. Crispy poultry, Sichuan beef tongue and oysters in chilli oil, recommended booking on weekends.
Signature: Crispy poultry, Sichuan beef tongue, Oysters in chilli oil