Entree: Sydney

Georges Mediterranean Bar and Grill

17 Lime Street

(georgesrestaurant.com.au)

Sink into comfortable loungers at the bar while you sip a cocktail and gaze at the water views. The bar area offers a Greek mezedes menu of Mediterranean finger food, such as chilli salt squid with capsicum mayonnaise, spicy chorizo sausage with black olive tapenade; hand-cut pea and polenta chips with salsa rosso, at A$9 (HK$61) per plate. Try the slow-cooked goat with silver beet, caramelised shallot, lemon, olive and feta (A$29.50) or Georges' Mediterranean fish pie (A$29.50). Expect to spend about A$55 for three courses.

Velvet Slide

11 Lime Street

(velvetslide.com.au)

After a big night out slip into vivacious Velvet Slide, a no-nonsense cafe with a bright red bar. For breakfast, try the yogurt hotcakes (A$9.50) or the grand Velvet breakfast of grilled bacon, sausage, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and steak with thick toast and eggs (A$16.50). For lunch there are several varieties of gourmet burger (A$17) and a menu of mains, including smoky barbecued beef ribs (A$22.50).

Bungalow 8

The Promenade King Street

(bungalow8.com.au)

Bungalow 8 serves fresh seafood to complement its casual al fresco waterside environment. Tuck into salt and pepper squid (A$16), crispy skinned whole baby barramundi with a soy, chilli and ginger sauce (A$22) and Atlantic salmon with a mango and coriander salsa (A$21). But the house specialities are its mussel dishes, which are served piping hot and presented in traditional Belgian kilo pots and served with crusty baguettes (A$21).

James Squire Brewhouse and Restaurant

22 The Promenade, King Street Wharf

(jamessquirebrewhouse.net)

This lively pub and eatery is named after Australia's first brewer, James Squire, who landed on the shores of Sydney as a convict in 1788. Squire was the first person to grow beer hops in the new colony. As its name suggests, the restaurant has a bias towards serving beer and is the only place in Sydney that serves the entire range of James Squire beers on tap. The on-site micro-brewery brews beers exclusively for the restaurant, such as the Governor King (a pale ale), the Highwayman (a red ale) and the Craic (an Irish stout). The menu provides suggestions for beer matching with all meals. Try the salt and pepper soft shell crab salad (A$17) with a pilsener, or the grilled high country pork cutlet served on mashed potato with braised cabbage, roasted apples and port wine (A$27.50) with the Governor King pale ale.

La Cita

9 Lime Street

(lacita.com.au)

Salsa the night away at La Cita after tucking into a Latin American feast. Chef Salvador Hernandez cooks Central and South American dishes using fresh Australian produce. The La Cita tasting plate offers a selection of tapas such as Spanish black olives, fetta cheese, roast capsicum, chorizo, scallop ceviche, patatas bravas served with salsa roja, beef empanada and pacific oysters (A$30). The nightclub is open every night, with Latin dance classes on offer most nights of the week. Classes cost A$20.