Haile Kilos has been serving up feel-good Ethiopian food for nine years in his breezy market stall in Moore Park. You won’t find a cloying designer interior here but you will find a stream of customers leading to the heart of African cuisine. Rich in flavour, the food is deceptively light and will have you sprightly going about your afternoon. The layered concoction of spinach lentils, braised beef, pumpkin salsa infused with many spices is fortified by a signature Ethiopian pancake or “ingera” if you want to impress your friends. If you like your food hot, healthy and in the open air, come back to earth and taste what you’ve been missing. (Kristie Beattie) Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park (Wed, Sat, Sun)

This trendy cafe is carved out of an old wharf in Pyrmont that was previously used for art production and underground parties. More restaurant than cafe, fine dining chefs produce gourmet dishes because they “believe in breakfast wholeheartedly”. Their signature dish, bacon and egg gnocchi with baby herbs and truffle oil, is beautifully presented in a brown butter sauce and served till 3pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends. The coffee is great and breakfast is reasonably priced between $9.50 and $16.50. Cafe Morso also regularly features fine beers and wines from independent brewers. (Jason Marshall)  Jones Bay Wharf, 21/19 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 9692 0111

A weekend isn’t the same without breakfast at Brown Sugar. And it’s always the same breakfast for me – Asparagus and parmesan eggs – because it’s so damn good. Of course I peruse the menu and consider the fluffy buttermilk pancakes and the organic porridge with cinnamon and rhubarb, but in the end I opt for the trusted favourite. Try the excellent homemade hash browns and fresh juices too. There are plenty of reasons this Bondi favourite appears on every “best of” list. Get there early on the weekend to avoid the crowds. (Nerissa Penfold)    106 Curlewis St, Bondi, 9130 1566

This cafe makes extremely delicious sandwiches. It’s not complicated but in its simplicity and excellence it answers the question of the city-bound lunch hour. Their huge range of baguettes, foccaccias, wraps and sandwiches is delectable, healthy and not too pricey, and they have pretty damn good coffee too. They cater for vegetarians excellently: the mushroom, goat’s cheese, baby spinach, sweet onion and garlic aioli focaccia is extremely well-balanced and subtly flavourful. Also look out for the extravagant Colliers’ Club (pictured): poached chicken, bacon, avocado, cranberry sauce, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, and honey mustard mayonnaise on panini. A real feast between slices of bread. (Justin Wolfers)  Shop 2, 87-91 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo 9358 6233

What more needs to be said? This picture truly speaks for itself. Can you imagine more personalised service when taking care of your personal needs? They also do a mean Chai and carry that great service ethic through to all areas of the cafe! (Chris Peken) 101 Bondi Rd, Bondi 9389 6405 katipocafe.com.au

Many people naively say they don’t like seafood. Take them to Golden Century and they will find out what a ludicrous statement that is. All the seafood is so fresh and thickly tasty it reminds you of how much incredible variety there is in the flavour and texture of even different clam species, let alone the difference in taste between a lobster and a barramundi. Not only do all the fresh cuts of different slithery sea creatures taste staunchly different, they also taste incredibly good. All the prize dishes at Golden Century skimp on nothing; the pippies, lobster and squid are so overloaded with thick and rich flavours the whole experience will leave you feeling outrageously full and rich. (Nick Jordan) 393-399 Sussex St, Sydney 9212 3901

Tucked away in the back of Paddo RSL, past the razzle and dazzle of pokie machines and keno screens, is one of the Eastern suburb’s best kept secrets.  Until now. Klaus’s Brasserie, after opening late last year, has already built a solid reputation among Paddington locals. Klaus’s offers a diverse and delicious menu of contemporary Australian cuisine, with all meals made to order and all steaks cooked to perfection. Long-time business partners Klaus Rettenbeck and Warwick Campbell run the restaurant, blending together fine dining cuisine with a friendly community ambience. Klaus’s is open for lunch, 12pm – 2:30pm, and dinner 5:30pm – 9:00pm, and is available for functions. (Erin Halligan) Paddington RSL Club 220 – 232 Oxford St, Paddington

Tucked away in the labyrinth of Potts Point is Ll Wine and Dine, a quirky restaurant that celebrates new Sydney food diversity and old Sydney history. In 2010, inspired by the Hong Kong bar scene, brothers Matt, Tim and Chris Barge reinvented what was a seedy adult bookshop into a trendy locale, keeping the space’s historical eccentricities. The remnants of old Kings Cross can be seen in the ‘60s-era porn wallpaper and the split level back dining room, once a den for illegal gambling. Amidst this rich history you can expect the best of contemporary Asian cuisine and funky cocktails, like the ‘Botanical Fling’ made with Hendricks gin, elderflower and kaffir lime. Top picks on the menu include the deconstructed pork buns (a far cry from the stodgy Yum Cha favourite), the zesty san choy bow and the crispy pork belly. Despite the risk of stomach explosion, the ginger sugar-coated doughnut balls filled with coconut cream were well worth it! (Kristie Beattie) 42 Llankelly Place Potts Point 9356 8393

This culinary mainstay stays clear of Norton Street and bridges the city’s two Italian suburbs: Leichhardt and Haberfield. The genius behind the ever-evolving menu? Sicilian chef Ciccio Totaro who is kept on his toes by his equally talented 32-year-old son and prodigy Adriano. Tasty highlights include the homemade gnocchi, suckling pig and Garfish but often regulars just ask the chef to lay out a spread. At 64, chef Ciccio is officially retired but works at the family-run establishment pro bono. His restaurant repertoire includes Bar Italia, Frattini, La Rustica (Parramatta Road), and L’Unico (Balmain). On Friday and Saturday nights, the 20-table bistro can pack in 140 diners so be warned and book in advance. (Deb Erwin) 194 Marion St, Leichhardt, 9518 0960/9560 2255 www.littlesicily.org

If our bodies were cars, then Iku Wholefoods would be premium unleaded bio-fuel. Iku makes food that loves your body back, using over 200 organic and biodynamically grown ingredients that are prepared nearest to their natural state as possible to keep all the goodness intact. From macro-burgers and millet-balls to lasagnes and laksas with lime-pickled tofu, the 13 Iku stores around town will cater for most types of allergies and intolerances with their unexpectedly delicious range of gluten, dairy and additive-free snacks to fire up your engine and keep it running throughout the day. (Liz Fields) 25a Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, 9692 8720 www.ikuwholefood.com/home