BREAKFAST
BILLS, 118 Queen Street, Woollahra
‘TV chef Bill Granger has three café/restaurants in the Eastern Suburbs and they are all superb. The one in Woollahra is probably best for breakfast but take your pick. If you want to check out all three, go to bills.com.au.’ Stephen David, entrepreneur
NIELSEN PARK CAFE, Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse
‘A gem tucked away in the National Park. Watch the yachts sail by on the harbour in this wonderfully stylish and totally relaxed café. The terrace area is particularly good.’ Jan Mitchell, fashion consultant
LUNCH
ICEBERGS DINING ROOM AND BAR, Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
‘An absolute Sydney institution, with one of the best views in the world overlooking Bondi Beach, and the famous outdoor pool, where intrepid regulars come to swim every day of the year. There’s a good bar, too.’ Lisa Bullen, radio producer
NORTH BONDI ITALIAN FOOD, Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach
‘Very much the place of the moment to be seen having late lunch and Sunday drinks.’ Tricia Lodge, communications manager
GRAPPA RISTOR E BAR, Norton Street, Leichhardt
‘Sydney is about much more than the harbour, it’s a thriving multicultural city, so be sure to visit the suburb of Leichhardt – Australia’s own Little Italy’. Caroline Furlong, fashion designer
DINNER
ARIA, Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay
‘There’s a Sydney saying: “The better the view, the worse the menu.” Aria disproves that for all time. Perfect view of the Opera House and fine dining on a grand scale. Ideal for a special occasion.’ David Thrum, television producer
BOTTOM OF THE HARBOUR, Balmoral Beach
‘You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Sydney harbour and its sublime views. Stroll down to Balmoral beach in the late afternoon and sit on the sand with a serving of great fresh fish and chips. There’s a bottle shop handily located close by.’ MP
CULTURE
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
‘Not quite as impressive on the inside, but it is a living, working building and not a monument. Catch a performance if you can and enjoy a stroll along the concourse as you arrive.’ Dave Oliver, cameraman
THE WHARF
Walsh Bay
‘Home of the Sydney Theatre Company and located in a truly spectacular location. Have a pre-show dinner in the converted wharf overlooking the harbour knowing that Cate Blanchett and husband Andrew Upton have hand-picked every production.’ MP
BEST BEACH
BONDI
‘The nearest surf beach to the city centre and a place you have to visit to see and be seen. It can be crowded at peak times but that’s half the fun. Best to arrive by public transport – parking can be a nightmare.’ Ainsley Maddock, medical student
SHELLEY BEACH, MANLY
‘Hop on the ferry and head to Manly. Shelley is tucked away. It’s sheltered and safe and there’s a great little kiosk there for food and drinks, too.’ Sarah Vaughan, film location manager
PALM BEACH
‘A beautiful beach on the northernmost shore of Sydney, surrounded by the houses of the city’s high society. It’s also home to the set of the soap opera Home and Away.’ MP
DAY OUT
PITTWATER
‘One of the most spectacular waterways in the world. Charter a boat yourself or hire a skippered vessel to explore the pristine deserted bays and beaches. The best bit is that Pittwater
is only half an hour’s drive from the city centre. Highly recommended.’ MP
BROOKVALE OVAL
‘Rugby League is the most popular winter sport in Sydney and matches here have a unique feel and atmosphere. The Hill at Brookvale Oval in Manly is a great place to start.’ Mike Bullen, film and television scriptwriter
SHOPPING
OXFORD STREET
‘You’ll find all the big stores in
the centre of the city, and the standard souvenir shops in the Rocks, but to shop where Sydneysiders like to go, head towards Oxford Street where it runs through Paddington. It’s fun to walk and take in the latest local designs.’ Cloudia Elder, dance student
QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING
‘An example of Victorian architecture housing small boutiques, positioned alongside Sydney’s contrasting modern cityscape. It’s been called “the most beautiful shopping centre in the world”.’ TL
BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS
PIANO ROOM, Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross
‘Hyper trendy and enormously popular, Piano Room pays homage to the New York cocktail lounge.’ Tania Rees, yoga instructor
THE IVY
George Street
‘Floor upon floor of bars, plus dining and a nightclub. It is the biggest place of its kind by far in the city and for many Sydneysiders it is where a night out begins – and often ends.’ Finn Crutch, yacht broker
WHAT TO BRING HOME
UGG BOOTS
‘This is the best (and cheapest) place to pick up the locally made, luxuriously soft and ever fashionable sheepskin boots.’ MP
Compiled by Michael Peschardt, broadcaster and foreign correspondent. His series, Peschardt’s People, can be seen on BBC World News.
