The Yeeros Shop - Marrickville

I'd have to say this is possibly the best Yeeros shop in SYD. There's just something about it. I've been going there for years and it somehow keeps getting better. The Yeeros are generous, the bread is so much better than the kebabs you get in SYD and the sauces are kick-ass.

Go here for a late-night dinner (one Yeeros is enough to fill you up for two days!). All Yeeros are priced under the $8 mark and you can get a drink or something to go with it.

All in all - great place for a simple, no fuss late-night feed and very affordable too.

Marrickville
431 Illawarra Road
Sydney, 2204

Chat Thai - Haymarket

Waitresses look like they're all still in school. Most of them can't speak English, let alone understand your questions. Service is fast and efficient though. Only thing - don't expect to have things explained to you by the staff. Trust the menu and roll with it.

Food - the most important thing, is definitely one of the best you could get in SYD. The flavors are amazing, the taste very authentic and servings generous.

The decor is very trendy - very hip. It's always packed and at times you might have to share a table with strangers but that doesn't really matter - the place is noisy enough and you just get lost in the flavors of the food.

All in all - great Thai food, great vibe, fast service but on communication from the staff, to many people it might even seem rude (though you do get the typical Thai welcome from most waitresses).

20 Campbell St, Haymarket

Little Haveli - Ultimo

I wouldn't be exaggerating if said the food at this little shack is much better than most Indian restaurants in Sydney. Seriously.

The place has a feel of a city take-away, not fancy at all, unpretentious Indian Diner. The staff is humble and efficient while being friendly at the same time. The real deal though is the food! The taste, the flavors, the colors! God it's good stuff!

I have a suspicion that whoever is incharge of the kitchen happens to be an experienced Indian chef unlike most of the Indian places in Sydney that are run by people who have little or no experience in Indian cooking at a commercial level (hence, the real low standards that are widely accepted by most Sydneysiders when it comes to Indian food). The food has a taste that is reminiscent of food at popular dhabas in northern India. Very similar. To a point where south-Indian fare like Dosa et al, taste slightly off the mark. Again, very reminiscent of places in the northern part of India.

All in all, great place for great tasting Indian food. Try the thali - that get's you a lots of different stuff in small portions.

(02) 9212 2471

ULTIMO
153 Broadway
Sydney, 2008
www.littlehaveli.com.au

Gazebo Wine Garden

Now this is owned by the same mob that owns the Winery at Surry Hills. So the similarities are granted. Extensive wine list, funky uniforms and a swiftness that brings casualness to the service.

Food is a bit different, which is good but the main difference is the set up. The winery is huge, this is small comparatively.

Location-wise, its Kings Cross, with an Elizabeth Bay address. Sounds good. Better, I should say. Desserts sound well-thought and desirable. Food is not bad either. Price-wise, not too expensive, not cheap.

All in all, a good place to catch up with friends or hold work-related get-togethers.

Deus Ex Machina - Camperdown

This is a nice place. The look, the feel, the staff, all very busy, what you see is what you get. Don't go in expecting a suburban cafe-type service. The people working at this place are busy - and it shows. This is a place where you go in, order, sit and then eat and get out. That's lunch.

Dinner is different. The prices a touch shy from fine dining but the quality almost the same. It is a part of a motorcycle shop - that you need to keep in mind. A rather expensive motorcycle shop that has a cult following.

Also, this place is fully licensed and the wine list is adequate for a restaurant.

Warning: lunch time here is busy most days (which is a good thing), be prepared to wait a little.

All in all: good cafe, better diner.

Delhi 'o' Delhi

Indian food for Australians. Good quality, nicely laid out and more on the fine dining side of things. Not hardcore Indian food the way most people who know Indian food would like it to be. If you can't take hardcore Indian, this is the place for you. Clean, polished and the food is good. Romantic date? Indian? Can't go past this place.

The food is slightly more expensive than your usual Indian in Sydney but then the place has got some finesse as well. Don't depend too much on the wine list, go BYO for a complete experience. Seafood is done the best. All other curries are a bit too westernized for my taste but if I'm feeling like typical Indian Punjabi food, I go to Surjit's.

All in all: good place to have classy Indian in the Inner-west area.

Zacharys/Viva Bar Pizza - Kings Cross

Note: Zacharys is now known as Viva Bar

This is a nice place. It's so good, I, personally, want it to be in Leichardt! The pizzas are good - a lot of amazing flavors and combinations are available. The bar serves good beers and wine. The place is usually packed so its a good idea to book in advance. I'd like to add: This place is great for having group dinners/get-togethers. Parking is hard to find so public transport is your best bet.

As far as the pizzas go, do not miss the Tandoori Chicken pizza - it's a stunner. Most pizzas are great. As far as wine is concerned, buy a few bottles and that'll take care of the night for most small groups.

All in all: good for parties, 8-15 people groups. Make sure to book in advance.