New South Wales

Sydney with a population of nearly 4 million is Australia's largest city, it is the country’s centre of business and also the main tourist destination with about 35% of all visitor nights. This means that lots of money is spent in restaurants.

It is also one of the two most racially mixed of Australia's cities (22% non-English speaking, overseas born, to Melbourne 23%) and, as could be expected, hosts many wonderful ethnic restaurants. However, Sydney’s traffic congestion tends to isolate them.

In spite of the welcoming climate footpath dining is rare except in tourist areas like Darling Harbour and Bondi.

Repressive liquor licencing laws mean that bars are mostly in pubs and, as the normal licence ends at midnight, the city closes then – except for China town and nightclubs.

*Smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, is banned in NSW with the exception of hotel or nightclub premises.

Also, see Andrew Corrigan on New South Wales wine regions.