Sydney, NSW, travel guide and things to do: Nine highlights

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This was published 2 years ago

Sydney, NSW, travel guide and things to do: Nine highlights

By Ute Junker
Updated
There's always something new to discover in Sydney.

There's always something new to discover in Sydney.Credit: iStock

THE ONE BAR WITH A VIEW

Sitting pretty with a prime perch at Wynyard, the new Shell House has a range of venues to suit your mood but it's the rooftop Sky Bar that has people buzzing. With a stylish design by Woods Bagot, a range of indulgences to suit any pocket ("champagne and caviar, madame?") and an elevated setting, this bar really does rise above the competition. See shellhouse.com.au

THE ONE FINE DINER

Just opened in Crown Sydney, the hotly-anticipated Oncore by Clare Smyth doesn't disappoint. The UK chef's sophisticated, sustainable food includes dishes designed especially for the Sydney menu, such as Beef and Oyster, a spin on a Victorian-era beef, oyster and Irish-stout pie. Diners can also enjoy panoramic harbour views and a wine cellar housing 3000 bottles. See crownsydney.com.au

THE ONE CAFFEINE FIX

There aren't many places where you can get your caffeine hit both day and night, but the swellegant Sammy Junior serves it up with style no matter the hour. In the morning, Sammy Junior dishes out espressos in its cafe incarnation. In the evening, the lights go down and cocktails are the go, including an entire menu of coffee-based cocktails. See maybesammyjunior.com

THE ONE OMAKASE

He already won over ramen and yakitori lovers with his Chaco Bar in Darlinghurst; now restaurateur Keita Abe has turned his attention to tempura. At the thimble-sized Haco, which seats just 12 diners, head chef Kensuke Yada is winning plaudits for his 20-course omakase menu focused on tempura. See hacosydney.com.au

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THE ONE HAPPENING 'HOOD

Next time you are feeling thirsty head for The Rocks, where new bars are springing up like mushrooms after November rain. New players Frank Mac's (for gin and cocktails), The Keel (for rum) and pop-up wine bar Le Foote (inside the heritage-listed Philip's Foote) will soon be joined by Hickson House Distilling Co. See frankmacs.com.au; thekeel.bar; swillhouse.com; hicksonhouse.com.au

THE ONE FOODIE HUB

Once a wool store, the magnificent sandstone building now known as Hinchcliff House offers four floors of Italian-inspired indulgence set back from Circular Quay. After a meal at either of the restaurants - all-day diner Grana, or seafood restaurant Lana – pop downstairs to Apollonia, a magnificently moody Sicilian-inspired cocktail bar where the Negronis are on tap. See hinchcliffhouse.com.au

THE ONE WINE BAR

Plush antique-pink chairs and an over-sized image of Sophia Loren set the tone at Vini Divini, the laidback wine bar located at Wynyard that boasts one of the most intriguing wine lists around. Although the focus is on the wines of the Mediterranean - including not just Italy and Greece but also Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco and Israel – you will also find wines from Georgia, Armenia and Australia represented. See vinidivini.com.au

THE ONE HOTEL

Credit: Wolter Peeters

There's a distinct Manhattan vibe at A By Adina, which brings the conveniences of apartment living to the hotel experience. It's there in the friendly check-in in the high-rise lobby, and in the sleek rooms where skyscrapers provide a striking urban backdrop through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It's also there in the hotel bar, Dean & Nancy on 22, which channels a smooth mid-century vibe. See abyadina.com

Read Traveller's full review here.

THE ONE GELATO BAR

There are no swirling mounds of gelato on display at RivaReno at Barangaroo – this Italian company is all about quality, which means keeping the gelato at a steady temperature inside sealed cylinders to preserve the velvety texture that is RivaReno's trademark. The gelato is made fresh daily, using imported Italian ingredients, including hazelnuts and lemons. See rivareno.com.au

ONE MORE THING

There is something very fitting about the timing of the magnificent Matisse: Life & Spirit, Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. Matisse's exuberant work often embodies a sense of joy – and after the year we have had, we can all do with a dose of that. See artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Ute Junker stayed with the assistance of A by Adina

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