Smack bang in the centre of one of our favourite streets in Sydney, Newtown’s vibrant Australia Street, lies Continental Deli. Giving big Italian New York deli energy, you can dine in the sun out on the pavement, enjoy deli sandwiches in the bustling bar area or feast on larger dishes upstairs in the nautical-inspired bistro. Expect to indulge in premium tinned seafood, cheese and charcuterie alongside Continental’s iconic canned cocktails and desserts.

Shell House Sydney seamlessly combines the best of old and new in a meticulously restored 1930s clock tower building. The aesthetics are top-notch, from the dishes themselves to the thoughtfully designed interiors by Anna Hewett which we’re sure your lunch gang will appreciate. The menu showcases an inventive blend of Mediterranean and French flavours, perfect for a lingering lunch. We recommend starting with fresh Sydney rock oysters or the caviar-topped steak tartare.

From the good people who brought us Love Tilly Devine and Ragazzi, Palazzo Salato is one of our favourite haunts for long lunching. The 120-seat venue is brimming with kitchen space, which means an even wider variety of unique hand-shaped pasta, grilled meats and more. Diners have the choice of the walk-in-only bar and the dining room, with interiors inspired by traditional Italian trattorias (that’s a relaxed Italian eatery to you and I).

A popular spot on Crown Street’s foodie trail, NOUR is perfectly placed for a mid-shop stop. The menu creatively pulls out the traditional flavours of Lebanon in dishes that will keep you intrigued throughout the meal. The interiors are just as gorgeous with a contemporary fit-out with glass doors opening out onto a terrace.

Aside from having one of the most enviable views in Sydney, CANVAS is also host to an exciting new approach to dining. Each season they introduce a new ‘in-residence’ chef who will contribute to the restaurant’s dynamic and ever-revolving menu.

If you have a penchant for saganaki cheese and charred calamari, then The Apollo is the lunch spot for you. Their take on Mediterranean flavours (with a strong focus on Greek food), along with a smattering of dishes cooked over wood and charcoal, is out of this world.

Such an impeccable wine list as that found at Ester is perfect for enjoying over a long lunch. Yet still, the food is the star of the show here. A seasonal menu celebrates the best Australian ingredients with providence at the fore. Whilst the food is undoubtedly elevated, no dish is off limits. Think blood sausage sangas side-by-side with wagyu scotch fillet and BBQ blue mackerel.

Set over the waves, mimi’s is one of the best spots for lunch in Sydney for both the views and the exquisite culinary offering. Simplicity and constrained elegance permeate through the food offering with skilful craftsmanship underpinning the quality seafood, meat and vegetables that are served up. Amid the chic, calm interiors, enjoy a drop from the 600-strong wine list to ensure your meal is perfectly accompanied.

This modern Italian venue serves up hand-crafted pasta, meats and classic Italian cocktails in a relaxed setting. What more could you want from a lunch with the girls? Totti’s menu is fun, simple and delicious, suited to all ages and designed to share, built around Italian-style flatbread, cooked to order and accompanied by small plates of local and house-made charcuterie, Italian cheese and seasonal fruits.

There’s nothing that screams ‘Sydney’ more than sparkling sea views and North Bondi Fish delivers. It also ticks all the right boxes for a ladies’ lunch in Sydney: a deck that soaks up the sun, a fresh and balanced menu (which, naturally, is all about seafood), and a huge selection of rosé. The interior is bright and airy, and the clientele is hip yet relaxed – so you and your crew will fit right in.

Whilst Bronte was a dreamy suburb before, the opening of Table Manners has elevated its status even further. A neighbourhood restaurant and bar with a European influence, you can expect approachable dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. As hospitality hero Alex Cameron’s first solo venture, it’s clear that a lot of love has gone into this opening.

Want to wine and dine with a view? Book a table at The Boathouse Rose Bay. This popular Eastern Suburbs venue is perched right on the water, offering sweeping views of Sydney Harbour. On the menu, there’s fresh seafood aplenty – such as crab, oysters, scallops and prawns – which is quite fitting with its sweeping bay views, don’t you think?

Sitting atop Sydney’s iconic Palm Beach, Dunes Palm Beach is Bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Sydney. Surrounded by beautiful parklands that open out onto that famous stretch of sand, this alfresco-style restaurant and kiosk more than capitalises on its idyllic location – making it the perfect destination for a long lunch.