FOOD AND DRINK Cosy Italian 

Surry Hills restaurant Fauna plates up refined Italian classics with native Australian accents. Head chef Ace Espiritu gently leans on his Filipino heritage and time at Iceberg's Dining Room and Bar to create innovative dishes served in the elegant, soft-hued dining room. 

Dishing up disco 

Slip into your most fabulous sequins and frock up on the first Saturday of each month for Out at Margot's at the Kimpton Margot Sydney. Following its success during World Pride, the five-course set menu disco brunch is back at Luke's Kitchen. Enjoy chef Luke Mangan's menu, entertainment and bottomless glasses of sparkling rose for just $95. 

French accent 

Surry Hills is glowing up French style with the arrival of a new brasserie from the team behind Potts Point's Franca. Settling in with caviar and burgundy-coloured banquettes at the former Toko site on Crown Street, Armorica Grande Brasserie will be serving contemporary interpretations of the classics alongside bubbles and cocktails.  

Freshly baked  

Former software engineer Ben Lai quit his day job when his Covid-era, Instagram-based pastry business outgrew his home oven. That same business is now a bricks and mortar bakery, Home Croissanterie, in Balmain, a small and stylish bakery cafe serving both classic and creative treats. 

Mexican fave  

The vibrant flavours of Mexico add spice to Rosebery's The Cannery with the new, family-owned Elf & Taco. Folding tortillas with smoky carne asada and other delicious fillings, this fresh, traditional and sustainably minded kiosk is the place to hit for a genuine taco or quesadilla and the lesser-known vampiro (grilled, crunchy taco topped with molten cheese) and mulita (two tortillas sandwiching meat and cheese). 

New dough  

Firing up delicious, stone-baked, sourdough pizza, Bsp'eria is set to become a south Sydney neighbourhood classic. The small Penshurst shopfront mostly fills takeaway orders, but you can perch on a milk crate or stool to devour your Neapolitan-style pizza hot from the oven.  

A place to dine 

Pop into Sydney Place, Circular Quay's exciting dining precinct, to dine out on Sydney cult-favourites Malay Chinese Takeaway, Lode Pies, and Kosta's Takeaway. With more restaurants opening soon, there'll be plenty of good fare to be enjoyed at the harbour end of town. 

ACCOMMODATION  Self-care at Sofitel 

Stays at luxury hotel Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour can now be enhanced with a restorative appointment at the brand-new Sofitel Spa. Featuring exclusive products from Biologique Recherche, book in for a luxurious massage or rejuvenating facial, or dedicate the day with the five-hour wellness journey, a curated experience of care, rest, nutrition and movement.  

EXPERIENCE  Star spotting 

Head to the heart of the Royal Botanic Gardens for an illuminating night of stargazing at Astronomy at The Calyx. Over select dates between April and October, sip wine to a backdrop of exotic cacti within the Love Your Nature exhibition and gaze skywards through powerful telescopes to learn about the cosmic bodies beyond our own.  

A true pleasure  

Join in the new era of Newtown's late-night revelry this July with the opening of Odd Culture's Pleasure Club. The 120-seat underground bar and live music venue will be the first in 150 years to secure a 4am licence, continuing your good times into the early hours.  

Music to many 

Dance, head bang, strut and vogue at Camperdown's beloved Lady Hampshire on Parramatta Road, which has been brought back to life as a live music venue. Find yourself in front of the stage for a robust line-up of diverse gigs from Wednesdays through to Sundays. On other days, pop by for a pizza and a tinnie.