Divya Venkataraman

Summer 2023 update: Happy December! The sun is well and truly out, and the beers and schnittys are calling your name. From refreshing pints in a courtyard to a pizza and Margarita at your local, Sydney’s charming pubs are the place to be right now (post-swim, of course). We’re on our way. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray. On a sunny day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure. Cheers. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 

Summer 2023 update: The warm sunny weather is here, and we don’t know about you but we’re ready to crack a cold one (or several). Whether you’re heading out on a date, want an after-work tipple, or in for a long session, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to ace bars in Sydney. Below, you’ll find the very best ones. This list represents our picks of the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great drinks, ranked by our local editors, critics and fellow booze hounds including Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity and options at every price point. At the moment we're digging killer sake bar Ante, Freshwater's beloved Stowaway Bar, PS40 for brilliant cocktails and Bar Copains for excellent vino (and vibes). Cheers to you, Sydney. After a watering hole that's a bit more casual? See our list of the best pubs in Sydney, here. After a meal? Check out our best restaurants here.

There’s a lot to love about bottomless brunch. Firstly – and perhaps the most obvious one – is the allure of free-flowing booze enjoyed with your best mates over a few glorious hours, be it Champagne, Aperols, Margaritas or beers. Secondly, Sydney’s cafés and restaurants sure do put on a show with their bottomless brunch, with generous and delicious dishes, as our Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure can attest to (and, she’s tried a lot). Plus, they’re excellent value, when you consider you get a feast and a bunch of tipples. We’re collated our top bottomless brunch picks below, which include everything from pretty Middle Eastern restaurants to classic watering holes, chic wine bars and relaxed coastal eateries. Round up your gang, make a booking and get stuck in. Bottoms up.  RECOMMENDED: These are the best happy hours in Sydney right now Start your morning on the right note with our guide to the city's finest cafés Love a long lunch? Have a look at our guide to the top set menus in Sydney at all price points

You know you've reached peak Sydney when you're sipping a crisp vino over a beautiful meal and outside the windows is the big blue. Perhaps it's three-courses of modern Aussie fare from Sean's Panaroma overlooking North Bondi Beach? Or maybe you prefer the gentler harbour vistas you get at Chiosco or Catalina, or spots that are right on the sand like Bobby's and The Boathouse Shelly Beach? One thing's for sure, eating by the water gives your meal that extra shine, which is why so many Sydneysiders flock to the shores for a special occasion, year-round. For your next extra special soiree, book a table at one of the best waterfront restaurants Sydney has on the books, rounded up by Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, who has had her fair share (and then some) of long, boozy lunches by the sea. Looking for an epic place for a drink? Here's our guide to Sydney's very best bars.

Japanese food isn't just made to be eaten. It's an art of vibrantly coloured cuts of fresh fish, delicately layered condiments and the showmanship of an itamae (a sushi chef dishing up umami bites right in front of your table). And so it’s good that, thanks to all of the incredible Japanese chefs gracing our shores, we are never short of options here in Sydney. From the sushi roll lunch-run to the full sashimi-laden dego, Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have found the best of the best – here’s where to do Japanese in the city. Keep the culinary experience going with this list of Sydney's best ramen. Feel like heat? Check out our guide to the finest Thai spots around town.

The five days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a strange, awkward, in-between time for everyone. Most places have closed shop for the summer, while others have new holiday hours that are tricky to wrap your head around. At this time of year, Sydney tends to feel more empty than usual as most locals make a mass exodus for elsewhere, but if you plan on sticking around and having a lovely summer holiday in a whole city that you're likely to get (probably, mostly) to yourself, we have put together a list for you of all the coolest things for you to do in town between Christmas Day and New Years'. You're welcome.  Want more culture? Check out our guide to the best art exhibitions and theatre and musicals on in Sydney this month. 

At the foothills of the dormant volcano Mount Canobolas lies the picture-perfect vineyards and rustic, Federation-era houses of Orange. The surrounding area's varying altitudes and cool climate make Orange the perfect home base for produce like hazelnuts, truffles, cherries, figs and, of course, wine. Drive through cherry blossoms, wattle trees and gold mine adjacent creeks (that still yield a nugget or two) to find some of Australia’s most interesting wine-makers, a bevy of up-and-coming designers and artists, and a thriving, locally-focused food scene. Want to extend your wine tour of Australia? Check our guides to Launceston and the Hunter Valley. 

Maybe it's signalled by a glimmer of light under a door. Perhaps a queue in an alley that makes you take pause to wonder what the fuss is all about. Or is it the sound of revelry drifting up a flight of stairs in the distance that lures you in? Whatever it is, there's something about the pursuit of getting to a hidden bar – the build-up of anticipation or the knowledge that a drink is somewhere, out there, waiting for you – that we all just can't help but love. Whether they're up high or down below, some of Sydney's very best bars are not all that easy to find. In fact, you've probably walked straight past a few without even knowing they existed. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food and Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have searched for the best hidden bars – and here are the ones you'll have to hunt the hardest for.  Prefer to be out in the open? The best rooftop bars in Sydney might be your best bet, but there are a whole lot of waterfront bars and ace beer gardens worthy of your attention, too. 

We're all about a secret underground dive bar or two – but in a city as beautiful as Sydney, it seems like a damn shame to retreat into the depths for every tipple. From a sundowner by the harbour to a sunny rooftop in the Inner West, our town is awash with sky-high watering holes. So we've rounded up the best spots in the city to sip a cold one under a gorgeous open sky. But drinkers beware: Sydney's rooftop bars play host to some of the most contested seats in the city, so get in early for a spot in the sun.  For more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens. Looking for another top-notch watering hole? Check out the best bars in Sydney.

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And white Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, and down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce, choosing simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes, and cooking food with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are a wealth of excellent options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s editors and critics, including our Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining restaurants – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney

No two ways about it, Sydney's wine bar scene is flourishing. Full to the brim. A decade ago, there were only a handful of wine bars. Now? They're all over town. And we're here to happily drink them up. What's more, wine bars are now some of the best spots in Sydney to grab a nice dinner with friends.  It makes no difference whether you're a novice or an expert, fancy something natural or classic, old world or new, or whether you want to spend moderately or extravagantly, Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have curated this list for every palate, at every price point. Bottoms up. Can't get enough of that boozy stuff? Check out the absolute best bars in Sydney here.

Sandwiches? Well, they're the best thing to come out of slicing bread. Here, the criteria is pretty simple: very good things in between two very good slices of well-sliced bread. No burgers, bagels, scrolls and banh mi (they’re a league of their own). No half-hearted strings of romaine here, no siree. Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around carb-town (which frankly, is the most delicious place to be) to curate this list of the best sandwiches in Sydney. 'wich on, friends.  Want more budget food? Here are the best cheap eats in Sydney right now. Heading our later? Check out our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney.

September 2023 update: Sydney’s gorgeous Italian restaurant A’Mare has transformed its bar area into a relaxed offering called Cucinetta, offering chef and owner Alessandro Pavoni’s delicious food, but at a lower price point. All Cucinetta’s mains are under $40, most entrées under $30, and snacks under $10. We love to see it. The Italian word for ‘little kitchen’, Cucinetta’s menu showcases classic Italian flavours. Expect numbers like deep fried ‘gnocco fritto’ filled with Wagyu bolognese, mozzarella and Parmigiano; calamari with lemon mayonnaise; and spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino, made with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, chilli and Cantabrian anchovies. Us? We’ve got our eyes on the antipasto with salumi, cheeses, marinated vegetables and crackers. Pavoni said: “Cucinetta is the perfect addition to the A’Mare space – a place where people can drop by for a casual meal with the comfort of knowing that they are getting authentic dishes using the best ingredients.” A’Mare’s full wine and booze list is available at Cucinetta. On that note, we’ll take three Campari Spritzes, please. If you’ve always wanted to check out A’Mare, this is your chance to. Cucinetta will be open for lunch from noon-2.30pm everyday except Tuesday, and dinner 5.30-midnight daily. Walk-ins are welcome. - Avril Treasure ***** Read on for our original review of A'Mare from 2020. Alessandro Pavoni was one of the avant-garde in Sydney's modern Italian scene, but he's scaled it right back to old-world g

August 2023 update: Housed in a glorious Art Deco-style building, the Woollahra Hotel has been keeping Eastern Suburbs folk well fed and hydrated ever since it was built in the 1930s. In the last few years the pub – which is located next door to French institution Bistro Moncur – has undergone a massive renovation, sporting a polished timber bar, terrazzo floors and lush vertical garden in the open terrace, while still maintaining its classic Australian pub vibe. Head Chef Jordan Muhamad got his start at Rockpool Bar and Grill, before stints at Spice Temple and Chin Chin in Melbourne. His menu at the Woollahra Hotel showcases riffs on traditional pub fare with Asian influences. This looks like prawn wontons with ginger, shallots and coriander; caramelised pork belly with wombok, coriander, cucumber and Vietnamese hot mint; and beef massaman curry with potato, fried shallots and peanuts. And because this is a pub after all, you can also get your favourites, like a deep-fried chicken burger with chilli mayo, lettuce, pickled carrot and daikon; and Black Angus rump cap with salad, Sichuan black pepper sauce and fries. The team has just launched a bunch of specials on every day of the week: - Monday: A dozen dumplings for $15 - Tuesday : Three bao buns for $15 - Wednesday: Noodle stir fry for $15 - Thursday: Curry Night with a free beer or wine - Fridays $15 Margaritas - Weekends: Bottomless brunch So if you don't want to cook during the week – or spend big bucks, you know where

What does it take to stand firm in a rushing tide? One that suddenly comes not just from the expected direction, but from all of them, buffeting a woman from side to side?  Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the great legal mind, feminist, and later, improbably, the pop culture darling, would know better than most. And RBG: Of Many, One, written by Suzie Miller (of Prima Facie fame) and directed by Priscilla Jackman (White Pearl) tries to trace that journey, and let the audience feel the rush of all those tides.  So how did Heather Mitchell, the actress known for her screen appearance in Binge’s Love Me, and previously, for playing prominent transgender writer and former Australian Defence Force officer Catherine McGregor in the 2018 STC play Still Point Turning: The Catherine McGregor Story, find it within herself to embody an icon of American society? Especially one whose impact was outsized in her later years – which grew beyond her tiny frame into a face printed on mugs and tote bags, indie children’s books and fridge magnets alike?  Mitchell’s great power is in making her astute character study of Ginsburg feel effortless. Across a sparse stage setting, most often bare, sometimes hung with velvet drapes or centred with a chair, she inhabits Ginsburg through a series of periods in her life: from her impetuous girlhood, to her starry-eyed adolescence, to her college years, her nomination to the Supreme Court, and the pinnacles and nadirs of her 27-year stint on the highest bench in the

Adding to its sloew of venues across Sydney and Melbourne, luxe blow dry salon Blow Bar Co set up shop on the second level of Elizabeth Street's David Jones flagship store in 2020, and hasn't looked back since. Whether you're looking to make the most of your lunch hour in the city, or you want a swishable blowout before a night out on the town, Blow Bar Co's got you covered. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Sydney (@timeoutsydney) Not only will the hair geniuses give your locks a little oomph, they'll also put a little spring in your step with flutes of Champagne, rosé and platters of olives and antipasto. Go for a classic uptown girl blowdry – shiny, voluminous and flicked – lean into the drama with a toussled head of curls, or go straight and sleek. Hair treatments start at $59. Blow Bar Co also does make-up styling, up-dos, corporate functions, will allow you to host your hens parties there, and more. Book in online. 

In the same way that pad Thai is no longer the sole spokesperson for Thai cuisine in this country, and banh mi has shaken off the burden of representing all things Vietnamese, Gaurang Gahoi is determined to free butter chicken from the pressure to perform. Behind a gold pigeon embossed on a Surry Hills glass shopfront is a new eatery, the brainchild of Gahoi (ex-Four Seasons Hotel) and co-owners Javed Khan (Delhi O’Delhi) and Kunal Patel. Foreign Return – named affectionately for expats who leave India and come back home – is nixing the idea that Indian food is all creamy sauces, soft breads, and two-note spice blends, and putting 'lost' recipes back onto leather-bound menus. “I don’t want to do the same thing you see on most menus,” Gahoi says. “Three curries, similar bases, naan, lots of butter. We’re mixing it up.” Grandfather clocks hang on the matte, navy walls in the two-storey space that once held wine bar the Bishop. Old telephones with actual dials hark back to India’s colonial era, but there’s no misty-eyed colonial idolisation of the British Raj. The kitchen, helmed by Siddharth Kalyanaraman, the Australian men’s cricket team’s official touring chef, is all about shining the oil lamp on dishes from different corners of the subcontinent – without minimising their spicy multitudes or whitewashing their names to suit a Western palate. Kosha moghsho, a slow-cooked Bengali lamb curry, swims with meat tender from sitting and stewing in its spices. A creamy kathirikkai k

Here at Time Out, we're big fans of cheese in all its forms: hard, soft, brie, blue, smoked, cake – we love it all. But if there's a cheesy dish guaranteed to melt (and slightly clog) our hearts, it's the ultimate oozy Swiss delight: raclette. Harbourside hangout Opera Bar – with its glorious views you can never quite tire of, no matter how many times you go – is now dishing up this cold-weather favourite in roving carts, along with a selection of wintertime treats like s'more and mulled drinks.  The raclette takes 'adding cheese on top' to the next level: a semi-hard cow's milk cheese is melted under a grill and then scraped onto cheese-friendly accouterments like crisp potatoes, bacon and shallots – with an optional shaving of truffle – 'tis the season, after all. Then, get a little sweet fix with freshly flamed s’mores (chocolate and marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers) toasted at your table and drizzled with chocolate sauce. In the mood for a drink? Grab one of the bar's warming beverages: a buttered rum (Bacardi spiced rum, salted butter, nutmeg, anise); a mulled Dark and Stormy (Bacardi spiced rum, ginger, maple, apple, citrus); or a Blazer (Bacardi Ocho, Bacardi spiced rum, muscat, cinnamon, fruit oils). It's all made and served right at your table.  It all kicks off on July 21 through to August 28 – check out the details here.  P.S. Here are our favourite cheesy dishes in Sydney. 

There's no denying that this city loves a waterfront bevvy, ideally to be sipped while admiring one of the best views of the harbour you can find. So it's damn good news that after a two-year hiatus, a weekend-long celebration of small bars, their inventive cocktails and the pros behind them is headed to the harbourside digs of Opera Bar.  Bartenders from 13 of Sydney’s most innovative cocktail bars — including Re-, Maybe Sammy, PS40, and Double Deuce Lounge — are set to shake and stir 26 different cocktail recipes over two days, on the new dates this April of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10. Think fluoro 80s thoughts with PS40’s ‘Miami Vice’ - part watermelon cooler, part pina colada. Take a trip back to childhood with Rosenbaum & Fuller’s ‘Zappo’ (Bombay Sapphire, blackcurrant liqueur, grape soda, verjus, and lemon). Re’s exclusive festival creation is ‘Mjango Unchained’ with Bacardi white rum, mango, myrtle and sumac syrup, and lime. While Maybe Sammy’s ‘Bang Bang’ takes you on a citrusy Italian summer vacation. Can you think of a more enticing and terrifying way to spend a day than drinking with Sydney's most well-seasoned party monsters? Didn't think so. Plus, the mixing doesn't end with the drinks – DJs will be playing throughout the event, and event partner Bacardi will be running demonstrations and masterclasses on the side, too. Each ticket is $49, and it's a pretty sweet deal – you'll get entry to the festival, demonstrations from the cocktail masterminds, as well as thre

For the month of May, Sydney is set to turn into a Sazerac-stirring, Martini-shaking wonderland of cocktails and mixed drinks galore. It's the inaugural Australian Cocktail Month, and it's roping in some of the city's best bars and bartenders – and of course, locally made spirits, beers and more. So how does it work? Just buy a $24.95 ticket to get access to a menu specially prepared for the event, at venues across the city. The ticket gives you a solid discount on cocktails all month, too: each one comes in at $14, and non-alcoholic options at $10 (abstaining punters can get involved too – without sacrificing on flavour and depth).  A total of 72 venues have been tapped on the shoulder to be a part of the event across Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. In Sydney, you can wander into favourites like Maybe Sammy, the Doss House, and newcomer Jolene's in the CBD to try themed cocktails celebrating World Whisky Day and Paloma Day across the month. A host of notable brands will also be part of the lineup, including Bombay Bramble, Hendricks, Patrón and Glenfiddich.  Head to australiancocktailmonth.com.au for the full program. Tickets are now on sale. 

Since 2017, Mould: A Cheese Festival has been delighting turophiles the nation over. For 2022, the country's biggest cheese-fest is back at Carriageworks – and this year, the edition is slated to be bigger than ever. For the uninitiated, this festival embraces the crumbly and the creamy in a full-fledged celebration of quality, handcrafted Australian cheeses.  Over the course of two days, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Australia's best producers and taste your way through tart blue-veined varieties, hard cheddars, washed rinds and super smooth softies. The line-up is yet to be finalised, but past participants have included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Yarra Valley Dairy, Grandvewe, Section 28, Shaw River, Tolpuddle, Tongola and That's Amore among others.  Tickets include a turn at all cheese tastings and a wine glass to take home (and taste from – sessions include matched wines). If you're looking to feed your mind, demonstrations and masterclasses will also take place across both glorious days. If you're there for a good time, you can also grab yourself a Hartshorn Sheep Whey vodka and gin. A $45 (plus booking fee) ticket scores you all the cheese you can Muenster (that's the only pun you're getting) at one of the three timed sessions pver Friday and Saturday, August 12-13. Act fast – this one's guaranteed to go quick, and missing out would be pretty whiffy. 

Since 2017, Mould: A Cheese Festival has been delighting turophiles the nation over. For 2022, the country's biggest cheese-fest is back at Carriageworks – and this year, the edition is slated to be bigger than ever. For the uninitiated, this festival embraces the crumbly and the creamy in a full-fledged celebration of quality, handcrafted Australian cheeses.  Over the course of two days, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Australia's best producers and taste your way through tart blue-veined varieties, hard cheddars, washed rinds and super smooth softies. The line-up is yet to be finalised, but past participants have included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Yarra Valley Dairy, Grandvewe, Section 28, Shaw River, Tolpuddle, Tongola and That's Amore among others.  Tickets include a turn at all cheese tastings and a wine glass to take home (and taste from – sessions include matched wines). If you're looking to feed your mind, demonstrations and masterclasses will also take place across both glorious days. If you're there for a good time, you can also grab yourself a Hartshorn Sheep Whey vodka and gin. A $45 (plus booking fee) ticket scores you all the cheese you can Muenster (that's the only pun you're getting) at one of the three timed sessions over Friday and Saturday, August 12-13. Act fast – this one's guaranteed to go quick, and missing out would be pretty whiffy. 

Once the sun goes down, the party kicks off at the Hyde Park Barracks. On selected Thursdays every two months, the heritage site next door to Hyde Park transforms into a cultural hub with beats, a pop-up bar and food offerings as part of Sydney Living Museums' After Dark series.  Expect live music, ideas, installations and discussions, with a focus on interpreting the historic site in a contemporary way. An Archie Rose gin pop-up bar serves up their botanical flavoured canned cocktails, and you'll get to purchase food from food trucks from OzHarvest and Nighthawk Diner. A ticket to the event gets you complimentary museum entry, so you can explore the immersive experience for free on the night. Tickets are $30 per person – book online.  On Thursday June 30, After Dark is celebrating the third artwork in Sydney Living Museums' annual art commission: 'Boundary Conditions' by renowned Melbourne-based artist Daniel Crooks. Presented on a giant monolithic screen hovering in the forecourt of Hyde Park Barracks, the installation is an ambitious video work that portrays an alternate world of disparate spaces and non-linear time. During the evening Crooks will appear in conversation with Adam Lindsay, CEO of Sydney Living Museums. Composer and creator of the 'Boundary Conditions' soundscape, Byron Scullin, is curating a line-up of heavy hitters from the experimental music and sound art world who will perform live across the museum site. Artists featured include Chris Abrahams, Clare C

After receiving rave reviews when Darlinghurst Theatre debuted this throughly contemporary play in 2021, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner is back on the Sydney stage in 2022 ahead of a national tour. Read on for Time Out's five-star review from the 2021 season. Cleo tweeted that she wanted Kylie Jenner dead. She was (mostly) joking. Knife emoji. A blue-lit phone is the only source of light when Cleo (Moreblessing Maturure), waking up in her bedroom, scrolls down to see a tweet proclaiming that Kylie Jenner, youngest of the Jenner/Kardashian klan, has become Forbes’ ”youngest self-made billionaire”. Riled by the idea that Jenner could profiteer so blatantly by appropriating Black culture and aesthetics, she sends a tweet into the ether. Jenner made fuller lips fashionable by injecting lip filler, says Cleo, “but when Mac Instagrammed a picture of a Black model with lips of the same width she was called ugly”.  She hashtags it #kyliejennerfidead.  Over the next 90 minutes, the sharply delivered, jaw-achingly funny play written by British playwright Jasmine Lee-Jones and directed in its Australian iteration by Shari Sebbens, follows Cleo and her best friend Kara as they wade through murky waters: unpicking old resentments, hurling accusations of light-skinned privilege and homophobia, and reckoning with the experience of being a Black woman today. It unravels the life-cycle of a tweet: from praise to virality, backlash and public shaming to a counterstrike in the form of dr

There's a one-kilo cookie in town, and it's created by the patissier behind the much-hyped Banksia Bakehouse (home of what we christened the 'cramington', a croissant-lamington hybrid) in the CBD. It's a chocolate-chip stuffed marvel, soft and fudgy inside, with the right amount of chunk (a lot), which is why it'll set you back $50. For the choccy spread fiends, there's also a one-kilo Nutella version for $50. That's not all on offer at Thicc Cookies though – the Sydney brand run by Chris Sheldrick specialises in New-York style cookies – soft and hefty – and makes all kinds of flavours from Lotus Biscoff to Caramilk, s'mores, peanut butter and more (from $6 each). Better yet, you can get next-day delivery in Sydney. Plus, check Thicc's Instagram for a secret selection of specials – there's lemon meringue, cinnamon scroll and carrot cake, for example – and they're only available to buy in very limited time frames at various Sydney market stalls. Alongside the Thicc Cookies brand sits its other venture, Bigg Brownies: think dense brownies in a range of flavours, from triple chocolate to mint to matcha. Looking for an extreme version? Grab a massive slab of pimped-out brownie for $60.  Get your generously-sized cookie and brownie fix at Thicc Cookies and Bigg Brownies. They deliver Australia-wide.  A $50 cookie a bit out of your price range? Check out the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Australians are aware that we're blessed with the most beautiful beaches in the world, but it's nice when the international community affirms what we knew in our hearts all along. Global travel platform Tripadvisor has given us the official crown, with the Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach taking out the number one spot for 2021 in its annual list of the best beaches on the planet.  Protected by national park and situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, it's no surprise that the pristine Far-North Queensland shoreline took out the top spot (it did in 2013, too). Turquoise Bay in Exmouth, Western Australia made the list too, coming in at number six. Now that interstate travel is open, it's time they both found a spot on your travel hit-list. If you're dreaming of further-flung beaches, Cuba's Santa Maria Beach came in second, while Baia do Sancho in Brazil took out the third spot. Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos Islands came in fourth, and Florida's Saint Pete Beach was named the fifth best beach in the world. Eagle Beach in Aruba, Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Italy, Ka'anapali Beach in Hawaii and Baía dos Golfinhos in Brazil rounded out the top ten. (Oh, and check out our own ranking of the world’s most beautiful beaches right here.) The list was whittled down to its final form as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice Awards, which compares user reviews and ratings on the site, as well as how often users bookmark a page to come back to later.  Sure, they're a

Hamilton, the most hotly anticipated show of the season (the year? The decade? OK, we'll stop), is back on in Sydney after the season was rudely interrupted by the city's second city-wide lockdown. But the cross-cultural phenomenon that meshes hip-hop, R'n'B and jazz with revolutionary American history, isn't exactly a payday meal – one ticket to a showing at Sydney's Lyric Theatre averages $150-$180 ordinarily, with the steepest tickets priced at $250 each.  Unless, of course, you're the lucky winner of the show's weekly $10 ticket lottery.  Timing is crucial: each Friday at 12.01am for the next weeks' performance period, a select number of $10 tickets will be released. Winners are drawn each Thursday between 1-6pm, but you'll only have one hour to claim tickets from the time that you're notified before they're offered to another hopeful. You can enter for one or two seats – and there's absolutely no reason not to enter for two every time and bless your theatre-date-to-be with the show of a lifetime. It's easy to get excited about all this, but don't just enter willy-nilly: winning tickets are non-transferable. If you can’t use your tickets, no one else can, so you'll be depriving someone of the utter magic of seeing Hamilton come to life if you can't attend for some reason.  To enter, you’ll need to get the TodayTix app on your phone – you can get it on all iOS and Android devices in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Just beware: you're facing some steep odd

If your feet are itching to be back on the gorgeous sandy shores of the Bondi to Coogee walk, we've got a temporary salve for your situation. For now, you can feast your eyes on the clear blue waters of your favourite Sydney beaches with puzzles from Salty Sea Dog. Local photographer Nick Holton has been training his eye on the eastern beaches for some time now, and in an effort to stave off your isolation ennui, he's now bringing you his postcard-perfect prints in jigsaw form. You can start in the scenic waters by Coogee, wander over to Bronte, stop for a dip at the Bondi Icebergs pool and finish off at the iconic Bondi homestretch. Choose from aerial shots, ocean pools, and vistas of the city lit up at night from the sea. Each puzzle starts at $64.50, and you can choose between kook (260 pieces), intermediate (500 pieces), pro (1000 pieces), or if you're really feeling like a challenge, take on the extraordinaire (2000 pieces). Check out the range on the website. Just remember, always start with the corners.  Stuck? Here's what to say to your mates who aren't taking self-isolation seriously.  

Brace yourself to lift with your knees: there's a one-kilo cookie in town, and it's created by the patissier behind Sydney's much-hyped Banksia Bakehouse (home of what our Time Out Sydney team christened the 'cramington', a croissant-lamington hybrid).  The chocolate-chip stuffed marvel is soft and fudgy inside, with the right amount of chunk (a lot) – and it'll set you back $40. For the choccy spread fiends, there's also a one-kilo Nutella version for $50. These dense cookies come in a foil tray ready to pop into the oven, and there's even a mouthwatering YouTube video showing you how to ensure the cookies come out perfectly hot and gooey.  The big bikkies are the work of Thicc Cookies – a Sydney brand run by Chris Sheldrick that specialises in New-York style cookies – that is, soft and hefty. The brand makes lots of other flavours too, from Lotus Biscoff to Caramilk, s'mores, peanut butter and more ($7 each). The cookies stay fresh for around a week, but you can freeze them for up to three months and your future self will thank you.  Alongside the Thicc Cookies brand sits Sheldrick's other venture, Bigg Brownies: think dense brownies in a range of flavours, from triple chocolate to mint to matcha ($7-$8 each). Looking for an extreme version? Grab a massive slab of pimped-out brownie topped with treats like Maltesers, Oreo cookies, Tim Tams and more for $60.  Get your generously-sized lockdown cookie and brownie fix without having to leave your home or get the kitchen messy.

Everything that has happened since 2020 has been somewhat of a plot twist, but here's a sub-twist that threw us for a loop recently – suddenly we're lusting after flannel face masks like we once did shoes, and coveting boutique, distillery-made hand sanitiser in the way we once did Korean skincare products. If we've got to use hand san, we might as well support local businesses while we're doing it – so we've rounded up some of our favourites. Looking for masks? We've got you(r face) covered.  Archie Rose, a Sydney-based gin-maker, was one of the first distilleries in the country to pivot towards creating high-alcohol grade sanitiser, infusing their 65 per cent mixture with its gin botanicals. Archie Rose's first release sold out in a matter of hours, but you can get yours online here. A 500ml bottle costs $20.  Further north, Manly Spirits Co also makes a gin-based sanitiser featuring native botanical goodness. Smaller quantities are currently sold out, but you can grab some hand san in bulk here (it'll set you back $65 for five litres, $200 for a 20 litre drum, or $75 for a pack of 10 12mL bottles).  Now, Orange's Parrot Distilling Co isn't exactly Sydney-based, but its gin-based sanitiser has gained a huge following in its hometown for its refreshing scent and aesthetically pleasing bottles – it's the kind you want to show off. Find yours here, a 200mL spray bottle is $16. For an eco-friendly option, Koala Eco is owned by a Sydney-based husband and wife duo who are comm

Here at Time Out, we're big fans of cheese in all its forms: hard, soft, brie, blue, smoked, cake – we love it all. But if there's a cheesy dish guaranteed to melt (and slightly clog) our hearts, it's the ultimate oozy Swiss delight: raclette. Harbourside hangout Opera Bar – with its glorious views you can never quite tire of, no matter how many times you go – is now dishing up this cold-weather favourite in roving carts, along with a selection of wintertime treats like s'more and mulled drinks.  The raclette takes 'adding cheese on top' to the next level: a semi-hard cow's milk cheese is melted under a grill and then scraped onto cheese-friendly accouterments like crisp potatoes, bacon and shallots – with an optional shaving of truffle – 'tis the season, after all. Then, get a little sweet fix with freshly flamed s’mores (chocolate and marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers) toasted at your table and drizzled with chocolate sauce. In the mood for a drink? Grab one of the bar's warming beverages: a buttered rum (Bacardi spiced rum, salted butter, nutmeg, anise); a mulled Dark and Stormy (Bacardi spiced rum, ginger, maple, apple, citrus); or a Blazer (Bacardi Ocho, Bacardi spiced rum, muscat, cinnamon, fruit oils). It's all made and served right at your table.  It all kicks off on the new date of July 1 through to August 31 – check out the details here.  P.S. Here are our favourite cheesy dishes in Sydney. 

Not only will the soon-to-open Wisemans Surf Lodge be fitted with a giant, first-of-its-kind wave pool, a boutique hotel and a golf course – it's now also set to be the home of another outpost of acclaimed eatery Harvest, which originally hails from the Newrybar, in the Northern Rivers hinterland near Byron Bay.  Located an hour or so north of Sydney, the $75 million lodge is set to be an expansive set-up, nestled in bushland and perching just on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. It will open in 2022, serving produce from the Hawkesbury region, with outdoor dining spaces, a barbecue deck, a kiosk and a discovery garden for the little ones. “In our 15 years at Newrybar we’ve been able to scale up as our community grows with us," said creative director David Moyle. “Harvest Wisemans allows us to take these learnings and build this from day one through an extensive offering unique to the Hawkesbury. Whether you’re grabbing breakfast at the kiosk, exploring the garden or enjoying a sundowner on the deck, we look forward to enabling new food experiences for the region.”Its Newrybar iteration had a keen focus on sustainability, and Harvest's Hawkesbury home does too. The Surf Lodge looks to use renewable energy to break waves in its wave pool and power facilities through an on-site solar system. Access to the Lodge will operate on a membership basis, but the restaurant will be open to the public. Want more? These are the best new restaurants in Sydney right now. 

You're not ready to abandon the idea of a freshly brewed coffee, but the levels of effort you're willing to put into securing one are definitely more in the spoonful-of-clumpy-Blend-43-at-the-back-of-the-office-cupboard range. Lucky for you, oh pauper with princely tastes, we've got just the thing. Stitch Coffee, a Sydney-based specialty coffee brand with a roaster in Alexandria, sells ethically-sourced single origins and blends in whole bean form, ground, in pods, or – relevantly – in cute little drip bags. The drip bags are ideal for the fresh-brewed experience, minus the faff. Just tear one open, balance it on your mug with the ingenious paper handles attached, and pour over some boiling water. The coffee then blooms, releasing that aroma that makes life worth living, and drips into your mug. Easy. You can get bags with Rwanda Mbilima Peaberry beans, a Higgs Field blend or an Isshu-kan box with a couple of select single-origin blends. While Stitch has been selling its wares online and wholesale since 2015, it has just opened a flagship store and café at Broadway. There, you can try all of its coffees before you buy them, as well as explore its filter bar and try its range of organic teas. Be sure to pick up some biodegradable matcha pods, brew pots, pour-over kettles, French presses and more while you're there. Check out Stitch Coffee's concept space at 80 Bay Street – or buy any of its products online.  Want more? Check out the best new restaurants in Sydney right now.   

Known for its well-cut, made-to-order men's suiting, Melbourne label Oscar Hunt made the leap over to creating suiting for women this year – and now, it's looking to jump over state lines, too, by bringing its women-centric tailored range to Sydney. A suit in a man's wardrobe is something of a staple, but that isn't necessarily the case for a woman's. If you've been delaying getting a power suit of your dreams because of uninspiring colourways or ill-fitting options, Oscar Hunt has got you sorted – its tailor-made service allows you to choose your own, made-to-order suit in a range of different sizes, styles and fabrics. There’s everything from slim cut to wide-leg pants, long-cut blazers and classic-cut jackets to choose from, as well as over 3,500 luxury fabrics from both Italy and the UK. The process is designed to be as inclusive and hassle-free as possible. You can book in for a fitting at its Sydney showroom in the Strand Arcade. To celebrate the launch of its womenswear range, the brand is offering 10 per cent off all its custom-made designs, with each entry also going into the draw for a chance to win a free tailored suit valued at $950. Time to suit up.  Psst. Roving raclette carts and mulled cocktails are coming to Opera Bar this winter. 

There are few better ways to warm up than with a carb-filled, meaty spread. This winter, the German-inspired Bavarian is leaning into its cold weather roots and plating up boards of wintry treats straight from Deutschland. Grab a mate and tackle the Bavarian Tasting Platter ($59), with a slab of crackling pork belly; pork knuckle; flavour-packed German sausages; chicken schnitzel with a crisp golden crumb and other Germanic accoutrements like sauerkraut, mashed potato, apple compote and a bier jus. Keen to focus on just one kind of meat? The Ultimate Pork Platter ($59) serves up pork in four ways: as crackling pork belly, in a Nurnberger bratwurst, flattened and crumbed in a crisp pork schnitzel and stuffed in bao with a barbecue sauce. If you're a sucker for a schnitty, you can head straight for the Schnitzel Celebration Platter ($49), which brings the winter favourite to you in three forms: a cheesy chicken parmy; a garlic and parmesan rubbed chicken schnitzel; and the traditional Jagerschnitzel with mushroom sauce. There are also Southern-inspired platters with potato gems and Jack Daniels sauces, as well as one showcasing five kinds of sausage (cheese kransky, frankfurter, pepper and garlic kielbasa, Nurnberger pin wheels and liverwurst, in case you were wondering). Get your hands on these platters all winter long at Bavarian outlets around Sydney.  Want more winter warmers? These are Sydney's best chicken schnitties. 

If you're wandering anywhere close to the heritage buildings and cobblestone paths of the Rocks this Friday, June 4, you might be met with the cinnamon-scented waft of hot Portuguese tarts and freshly brewed coffee. To celebrate its opening, Black and White Espresso is giving away 100 fresh pasteis de nata, or Portuguese tarts, with every coffee order. Piped with a sweet, liquid-like egg custard and fashioned out of buttery, layered pastry, the tarts are made by cult-favourite bakery Tuga Pastries in Clovelly. They're are up for grabs from 7am – as are free Single O Parachute coffee units, until they’re gone. No time to drop by in the morning? Get a caffeine hit after work with one of 100 free Espresso Martinis by Mr Black from 5pm. Get in quick – they're sure to not be around for long.  Want more? Check out our best things to do in Sydney this weekend.