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Me-Gal in the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.

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50 of Sydney’s best long lazy lunch spots that go beyond the sandwich

Whether they’re on the waterfront, in the inner city or worth a longer drive, Sydney’s leisurely lunch spots are just perfect for sitting back, relaxing and soaking it all in.

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St Siandra at The Spit.
14/20

Soak up the endless summer and Mediterranean vibes at St Siandra at The Spit

  • Terry Durack
Toothfish skewers with prawn and lemongrass sambal.
Good Food hat15/20

Lunch right on the beach on the sprawling terrace at Promenade Bondi Beach

  • Callan Boys
Me-Gal in the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.
14/20

Linger for longer over the mesmerising view at Taronga Zoo’s Me-Gal restaurant in Mosman

  • Terry Durack
Go-to dish: Koshihikari risotto, XO and spot prawn crudo.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16.5/20

Take in some of Sydney’s sexiest views at Bondi’s renovated icon Icebergs

  • Callan Boys
The plush dining room at Nobu Sydney has back harbour views and rich textures.
13/20

Book a seat by the window in Nobu Sydney’s luxurious main dining room

  • Terry Durack
Aquna Murray cod, chickpea panisse, vongole and bourride sauce at Bistro Moncur.
14/20

Relax with the regulars at refreshed Woollahra favourite Bistro Moncur

  • Terry Durack
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Upstairs, downstairs: Ursula's two levels of dining are a fusion of old and new.
Good Food hat15/20

Ursula’s in Paddington is inviting, neighbourly and infinitely charming

  • Terry Durack
Must-order dish: Raw tuna with tomatoes, cucumber, tahini and garlicky chilli oil.
Good Food hat15/20

North Sydney’s ‘ridiculously attractive’ Rafi is one of the city’s hottest seafood spots

  • Callan Boys
Clam Bar is a New York-style steakhouse from the Pellegrino 2000 and Bistrot 916 team.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Soak up the New York steakhouse vibes at Sydney’s new two-hatted Clam Bar

  • Callan Boys
Next Door is next door to Margaret, the Double Bay restaurant that is, in many ways, the culmination of Neil Perry's long and storied career.
14.5/20

Take it easy at Double Bay’s casual, come-as-you-are spot Next Door by Neil Perry

  • Terry Durack
Go-to dish: Whole roasted duck to share, $190.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Bentley duo’s majestic two-hatted Brasserie 1930 hits the heights of luxury and quality

  • Terry Durack
Go-to dish: the Diner Burger is a spectacular, straight-up example of the craft.
13.5/20

The Surf Deck's burger is hard to beat on a summer afternoon

  • Callan Boys
Fred’s restaurant is home to Sydney’s most beautiful open kitchen.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Don’t miss the ‘supernaturally crunchy spuds’ at Sydney’s most beautiful open kitchen, Fred’s

  • Callan Boys
The clamorous dining room has a 20-seat private room and a stool-lined bar saved for walk-ins.
Good Food hat15/20

Love Tilly team’s buzzy new Palazzo Salato serves up proper pasta and candlelit glam

  • Terry Durack
The main 50-seat dining room is lined with an Etruscan mural, giving it the air of a basement crypt.
Good Food hat15/20

Join the labyrinthine adventure at Hubert team’s decadent new Mediterranean grillhouse Le Foote

  • Terry Durack
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Fennel, yoghurt, mandarin cake (left) and a salad plate with risoni, corn, pinenut, preserved lemon, roast pumpkin, dukkah, yoghurt, fennel, leek and pecorino at Salma’s Canteen in Rosebery, Sydney.

Andy Bowdy and Kepos Street Kitchen’s new cafe-ish collab ticks all the sweet and savoury boxes

  • Lenny Ann Low
Go-to dish: Spanakopita-filled manti with dill, yoghurt and burnt butter.
14.5/20

Greek restaurant Ploos’ quiet cobblestoned terrace boasts views of the Opera House

  • Terry Durack
Another smart Italian seafood restaurant by the sea? Go on, then.
Good Food hat15/20

Eat seafood by the sea at Pyrmont’s smart Italian restaurant Sala

  • Terry Durack
The dining room backdropped by the Sydney Opera House.
Good Food hat15/20

Dining by James Viles at Park Hyatt Sydney has well-spaced tables, and harbour views (at a price)

  • Terry Durack
Must-order toasty: Mozzarella in carrozza.
14/20

Take the ferry to The Fenwick and enjoy bridge views a chip’s throw from the water

  • Terry Durack
The go-to dish, eclair carbonara oozing pecorino custard.
Good Food hat15/20

Sydney’s newest luxe seafood and steakhouse The Sanderson pulls out all the stops

  • Terry Durack
Nigiri sushi goes luxe at Toko.
14/20

Dark and moody underground spot Toko has communal tables and a very cool private dining room

  • Terry Durack
Go-to dish: Lobster mornay frites.
13.5/20

La Riviera is the perfect lunch spot for the corporate and legal crowd

  • Terry Durack
Hunan-style tiger prawns.
14.5/20

Soak up the Hunanese hospitality (and heat) at The Chairman’s new home

  • Callan Boys
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Go-to dish: Murray cod with Jerusalem artichoke and samphire.
14.5/20

Hitch a ride on a seaplane to the magical waterfront setting at Cottage Point Inn

  • Callan Boys
Charred brussels sprouts Caesar with optional schnitty.

Snack on healthy salads in warehouse surrounds at Cafe Parker in Rosebery

  • Lenny Ann Low
Luke's Kitchen is a grand 1930s hotel restaurant pitched for business lunches and glitzy dinners at Kimpton Margot Sydney.
Good Food hat15/20

Luke’s Kitchen is a grand 1930s hotel restaurant made for business lunches and glitzy dinners

  • Terry Durack
The Charles has been created in homage to the grand brasseries of Europe.
Good Food hat15/20

It’s all about classic French finesse and gastronomic glamour at The Charles Grand Brasserie and Bar

  • Terry Durack
Lauren Eldridge's rhubarb, yoghurt and Davidson plum dessert was the NSW Good Food Guide magazine cover star.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Make the pilgrimage to beautiful Berowra Waters Inn via boat or seaplane

  • Callan Boys
Go-to dish: House-made tagliolini with lobster.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Sink back and order another glass of champagne at Bert’s, the perfect place for indulging

  • Terry Durack
Lobster thermidor with pommes allumettes.
14.5/20

Snag a sunny al fresco spot at Whalebridge right on the waterfront at Circular Quay

  • Terry Durack
Makeover magic works its charm at Manly Pavilion.
13.5/20

Manly Pavilion’s terrace has postcard-perfect sea views

  • Terry Durack
Crisp choux pastry puff filled with oyster cream.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Shell House’s handsome and finely tuned dining room is a beacon for Sydney’s corporate moths

  • Terry Durack
Go-to dish: Catalan coca, featuring tomatoes on a springy sourdough base.

Sink a chilled red and cop a sea breeze in a corner banquette at Una Mas

  • Callan Boys
Sean's, Bondi Beach.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Sean's Bondi is Sydney's favourite farmhouse kitchen by the sea

  • Terry Durack
Silks at Barangaroo is completely over the top in its opulence, luxury ingredients and expense.
Good Food hat15/20

Expect plush carpet and dazzling harbour views at Crown Sydney’s Canton palace Silks

  • Terry Durack
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