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Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

‘High-definition flavour’: Bentley Group’s new venue proves Med-cooking reigns supreme

It’s high-voltage Mediterranean snacking and staff who never miss a beat at the latest two-hatter by the team behind the Good Food Guide’s New Restaurant of the Year.

  • Myffy Rigby
Xiao long bao.
14/20

It’s easy to find dumplings in the CBD. But this ‘smashing’ new spot is doing things differently

Hoppy Dumpling combines two of its owner’s passions under one roof: dumplings and craft beer. Plus, there’s a basket of free, help-yourself prawn crackers.

  • Dani Valent
Wagyu lasagne with truffled manchego.

Good Food’s critic loves the late-night lasagne at STC’s new bar

It’s also pouring a “joke of the week” cocktail, complete with a joke, which was actually kind of funny.

  • Myffy Rigby
Flaminia offers views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Flaminia

An elegant Italian diner from the team behind Pilu.

  • David Matthews
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

‘Pleasure to eat’: Pilu team’s new Circular Quay venue captures Italian coastal elegance

Don’t expect burrata or tiramisu at Giovanni Pilu’s harbourside restaurant Flaminia. The menu takes inspiration from Italy’s port cities.

  • David Matthews
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Late night souvlaki at Stalactites.

Stalactites

A reliable late-night gap-filler.

Bar Demo.

Dive into cult wines and deliciously unhinged cocktails at this cute 50-seat bar in Newtown

Excellent bartending pedigree, footpath seating, chef takeovers, and a custom-built hi-fi system bring big concept energy to dog-friendly Bar Demo on Enmore Road.

  • Myffy Rigby
The Hardware Lane eatery.

Kirk’s Wine Bar

Light snacks, streetside, seating and Euro vibes.

Maiz.
Good Food hat15/20

Think you can’t get good Mexican food? You haven’t been to this Newtown one-hatter

The “best place for a meat-free meal in Sydney’s inner west” has a chef skilled at reformatting dishes from Oaxaca and Baja California.

  • Callan Boys
Chicken schnitzel with Italian coleslaw.
14/20

City Wine Shop

The premier spot for spontaneous drinking and dining.