Or perhaps ...

212 on Riley (02) 9212 1111, , 212 Riley St, Surry Hills

Albies Restaurant - The Sebel (02) 9289 0000, , 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills

Cafe Cinque (02) 9519 3077, Shop 1A, 261 King St, Newtown - This cafe exudes energy. At the entrance to the Dendy cinema, CD store and book shop, it attracts constant trade.

Carlisle Castle Hotel Bistro (02) 9519 9988, 19 Albemarle St, Newtown

Clock Hotel (02) 9331 5333, Clock Hotel, 470 Crown St, Surry Hills - Once a workman's watering hole, now a large and airy bar, very much a meeting place for the groovy 'Surry Hills' scene

Dolphin on Crown (02) 9331 4800, 412 Crown St, Surry Hills

Foveaux Restaurant And Bar 9211 0664, , 65-67 Foveaux St, Surry Hills

Kawa (02) 9331 6811, 348A Crown St, Surry Hills

Linda's on King Street (02) 9550 6015, 341 King St, Newtown

A Little on the Side Cafe (02) 9698 7767, Boundary St cnr Ivy Ln, Darlington - It's only a little bit of a thing stuck on the side of a block of flats but it has all Sydney trying to get in for their fabulous breakfasts.

Non La (02) 9332 1050, 59 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills

Paua (02) 9319 2976, 555 Crown St, Surry Hills - This stylish little bistro seems to be selling its food at NZ (where the owners come from) prices in Sydney.

Rustic Cafe (02) 9318 1034, 560 Crown St, Surry Hills

Souk In The City (02) 9357 7577, , Shop 5, St Margaret's, 431 Bourke St, Surry Hills

South End (02) 9517 1344, 644 King St, Newtown

Uchi Lounge 9261 3524, 15 Brisbane St, Surry Hills - This little gem, Darlinghurst meets the Ginza, is welcomingly tucked away from the roar of Oxford St.