Cafe Sopra

Student attention spans would be in fine shape if school blackboards were as interesting as Cafe Sopra's. The enticing menu includes serious tempters, including brilliant vegie options (polenta with oyster mushrooms and gorgonzola, anyone?) and hearty classics such as lamb ragu with chilli and rosemary. Every spoonful of the creamy-sweet choc-dusted banoffee pie is rewarding. Sopra's excellent formula ensures queues at all four branches, each connected to a Fratelli Fresh grocer with shelves stacked with gourmet goods. Also at Shop 8, 16 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay 8243 2700, 81 Macleay Street, Potts Point 9368 6666, 11 Bridge Street, Sydney 8298 2701.