For the theatre of a Michelin-starred meal without the stiffness, look no further than Alessandro Pavoni’s elegant Italian diner. Come for Genovese pesto pounded tableside, a roving gelato cart and sparkling harbour views.

An ambitious New Orleans-inspired barbeque restaurant and whiskey bar on the Barangaroo waterfront.

This dazzling fine diner – from the duo behind legendary CBD restaurant The Bridge Room – was worth the wait. Each kitchen of the four kitchens here harness a different element: steam, fire, smoke and ice. From the seafood kitchen, you'll find piles of caviar and roe. From the woodfire grill? Think whopping, 270-day-aged T-bone steaks.

The CBD outpost for the Western Sydney Indian favourite dials back the spice but keeps the classics intact. Crowd your table with butter chicken, kebabs, paneer tikka masala and samosas.

Japanese-inspired burgers and crazy good soft-serve.

Nashville-style spicy fried chicken, natural wines and craft beers.

Contemporary Chinese meets native produce is the brief at Lotus. The group's Barangaroo restaurant takes full advantage of its waterfront location, and is a perfect spot for oysters, dumplings and cocktails.

Celebrated Irish chef Clare Smyth brings to Sydney the same farm-to-plate concept that earned her London restaurant three Michelin stars. Expect signature and locally inspired dishes, backed up a 3000-bottle wine list and spectacular harbour views from atop Crown Tower.

Ethically sourced seafood on the waterfront.

This is the long-awaited Sydney outpost for the beloved Japanese dining empire, and it's brought its signature miso cod along for the ride. Dine on salmon-sashimi tacos and evaporate-in-your-mouth nigiri, knock back "sushi cups" and enjoy some aged sake.

Nikkei fare stars at this 104-seat harbourside diner, where a nine-part crudo line-up is joined by a tight list of mains cooked on an open parrilla grill.