Sydney

A compact, design-forward outpost in buzzy Surry Hills, with warm, earthy interiors and a lobby bar the locals have adopted. The rooftop restaurant is a destination in itself.

A polished harbour-side hotel in a grand heritage sandstone building, well placed between Circular Quay and Martin Place. Expect generous rooms, a handsome pool and serious service.

A Potts Point institution beloved for its handwritten menu, excellent pasta and benchmark Italian wine list. Squeeze in and soak up the buzz.

A refined showcase for Australian produce from one of the country's most influential chefs. Come for beautifully simple cooking that lets top ingredients shine.

The home of a chef who has rewritten the rules on cooking fish, using every part of it. One of the most exciting seafood tables in the country.

The global flagship for Australia's most famous boots, made to last a lifetime. The handsome George Street store is a fitting showcase.

A beautifully preserved Victorian arcade packed with local brands across three storeys. A characterful alternative to the big malls.

A theatrical, Rat Pack-inspired cocktail bar that has won the city global acclaim. Slick service, inventive drinks and a real sense of fun.

The dazzling Sanaa-designed wing of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, pairing global blockbusters with a deep collection of Indigenous art. A landmark addition to the city.

A vast repurposed railway workshop hosting art, concerts, fairs and a weekly farmers' market. There's nearly always something on.