Australian cities offer a wealth of great eating and drinking options, with everything from sophisticated five-star restaurants to casual modern cafes and intimate, funky bars. Here are some of the best finds in the Sydney neighbourhood:

For a splurge, a major occasion dinner or to wow visitors, you can't go past Icebergs Dining Room & Bar at Bondi Beach. As globe-trotting NeoNeighbourhood Co-founder Verity Byth puts it, "There is simply nowhere else with this view, atmosphere, food, wine and service all at once, all the time." In a word: Extraordinary.

For a cool night out with friends, the first stop should be Madame Fling Flong in Newtown. A glamorous little upstairs nook, it's a bit tongue-in-cheek '80s, with sexy red everywhere except for the funky mix of vintage chairs. Staff are attentive and the atmosphere encourages lounging, with cocktail in hand.

To find out why Sydney chefs and their fusion dishes are such a force on the world stage, head for Universal in the nightlife precinct of Darlinghurst. Culinary wiz Christine Manfield puts flavours together in a way that will surprise you. "Get your palate ready for a ride through all the sensations that characterise Asian cuisine, done in a way you've never known them before," says Byth.

To get a feel for Sydney's laidback cafe lifestyle, visit Fifi Foveaux's, in the lively and diverse neighbourhood Surry Hills. It's become a local institution by getting right what so many others seem to get wrong. It has great coffee, service that's sassy in a good way, and quality eating, whatever time of the day.

For a casual but excellent dinner out with friends, make a beeline for Sean's Panaroma, at iconic Bondi Beach. The decor is informal and both staff and customers are relaxed, but there's nothing but the best ingredients, beautifully prepared, on the plate. No wonder you need to book.

For more great experiences in Sydney and other Australian and international cities, visit NeoNeighbourhood There's food, shopping (fashion, home, pantry, books and music), hotels, galleries and concert venues and much more.