A quintessential Sydney institution is the Sydney fish markets in Pyrmont. If you're there over the weekend - go for lunch and have a look around the markets. Either you can buy a seafood platter there including a dozen oysters for $12 and a bottle of young Semillon and eat on the harbour side (beer battered snapper is ace) or buy some green king prawns and whatever else takes your fancy and head to a beach (Bondi or Coogee are good) spark up one of the barbies there and make you own seafood feast.

Pyrmont

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For breakfast, Bills is a Sydney institution. There are two locations - Crown Street in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. Must trys are ricotta hotcakes or the sweetcorn fritters. Make sure you do brunch at least one day of your stay as I swear nowhere in the UK does brunch like Sydney does. If you can't get to Bills and want a view Ripples cafe across the harbour from the city is a lovely place for brunch. Yellow at Potts Point Maclay Street is also good.

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For quintessential Sydney I would recommend Icebergs it really is a must go to place. It has stunning views overlooking Bondi beach and a really good vibe - great if you fancy a night of cocktails and champagne - this is where all the beautiful people go. Try to get there early before sunset so you can take in the amazing views. The restaurant is very good here and great for either a lunch or supper but equally you can just enjoy a cocktail here. The food is fab although it is the view that is king.

Bondi Icebergs Club
1 Notts Avenue
Bondi Beach
www.icebergs.com.au

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I am a massive fan of Thai and Sydney probably does the best Thai food outside Thailand - this is the best and most funky Thai in Sydney. You can't book but there is a great funky bar with awesome cocktails while you wait. The Bloody Longrain is an interesting twist on a Bloody Mary.

Food wise you must order the betel leaves with smoked trout and prawns as an entree - stunning. And whilst it may not sound very nice the caramelised pork hock is out of this world. The pork ends up very crispy so don't worry about the fat.

Other great dishes are crispy trout on a green mango salad and any of the braised beef fillet curries will be great. Soft-shell crab is another highlight.

Should be about $140 for two including wine. If you want something a bit different to go with the meal order the sparkling Shiraz they have on the menu - it is great with Thai which is traditionally difficult to match with wine. Arrive quite early if you go on a Thurs/Fri or Sat as they get very busy and usually if you don't get your name on the list early they don't have any spaces left. I would say make sure you're there by 8pm to ensure you eat relatively early, otherwise you may not get a table until 10.30pm.

85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney

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This place is situated right on a stunning little beach with clear blue sheltered waters. Stunning views and I would say really a day time place so great if you want to get away from the city for a day and have a day on the beach with a lovely lunch.

There are two options at Bather's - a posh restaurant which you can book and does fabulous and interesting seafood. Or the cafe which is more brassiere style with great food and wine. You just rock up to the cafe as you cant book. It is a little difficult to get to Balmoral - it is a 20 minute drive from the city over the harbour bridge on the north shore. I think you can get a bus from Wynyard station or get a taxi - about $35 one way.

Balmoral Beach

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