How to spend 48 hours in Sydney

Lunch at King Clarence

At King Clarence, modern Asian cuisine is served among artistic interiors, featuring sculptural furniture, a private room with a disco ball and paint- splattered floors. The semi- open kitchen is helmed by chef Khanh Nguyen, who rose to fame during his time at restaurants Sunda and Aru in Melbourne. Nguyen’s menu here is a stunning display of his masterful approach to flavours and his knack for sourcing ridiculously fresh ingredients.

Must-orders include the Goolwa pippies with lemongrass XO, bacon and vermicelli; 14-day aged duck with Davidson’s plum and radish; and a smoked kingfish collar with fermented hot honey and kumquat kosho.

An artful afternoon

Opened in 2009 in a Rolls-Royce service depot from the 1940s, the White Rabbit Gallery showcases one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art. The collection covers four floors of gallery space, spanning around 2,500 works by more than 500 artists, featuring established and emerging Chinese talents.

Next, check out the works of some local talent at Nanda\Hobbs, a gallery known for its support of emerging Australian talent across multiple mediums. This includes sculptures by Sydney-based Stuart McLachlan, hauntingly beautiful works by painter Marie Mansfield and the ethereal works of Adelaide- based Jason Cordero. You’ll also find stunning artworks by notable Indigenous artists such as Naata Nungurrayi and Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri.

Dinner at Kiln

Occupying the top floor of Ace Hotel Sydney, Kiln is a shining example of what a new generation of hotel restaurants looks like. The atmosphere? Buzzing. The service? Informal but attentive. The food? Creative yet unpretentious, offering a great place for locals to eat and giving visitors a delicious introduction to local flavours and ingredients. Be sure to get a table by the window to appreciate the view.

In January, chef Beau Clugston took the reins upon his return from Copenhagen, where, following a stint as R&D chef at Noma, he opened his own acclaimed restaurant, Iluka. Born and raised in Sawtell on the northern New South Wales coast, his innovative approach to cooking seafood draws inspiration from his upbringing by the sea.

Drinks at Lobby Bar

The beating heart of the hotel is the Lobby Bar, where you’ll find stylish, creative locals dancing with cocktails in hand, perched at the sprawling red marble bar or lounging in the soft leather banquettes. The music programming is varied, often featuring resident and visiting DJs—Japanese DJ Kuniyuki Takahashi played here recently—or live bands.

Tatler Tip: A vintage photo booth is set up at the back of the lobby—be sure to pop in.

Brunch at Small’s Deli

Small’s Deli is the kind of place anyone would be thrilled to have in their neighbourhood—a charming sandwicherie with friendly owners who are so in love with what they do, you can’t help but get swept up in the romance. Don’t sleep on its very grown-up ham and cheese, with triple cream brie, double smoked ham, mustard, cultured butter and hot honey. It comes with a side of crisps because it would just be wrong if it didn’t.

We also recommend the Toto, a panini packed with mortadella, pesto, butter bean and lemon puree, and toasted almonds.

Walk The Royal Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1816, this is Australia’s oldest botanical garden with 30 hectares of lush green lawns, ancient trees and exotic flora. The highlight, however, is definitely the postcard-perfect views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. If you’re a sucker for succulents, visit the Succulent Garden to see an impressive collection of cacti and other desert dwellers.

Dinner at Attenzione!

There’s nothing shy about this neo-bistro in Sydney’s Redfern, from the blaring red neon sign out the front demanding “Attenzione!” to the bold-as-hell flavours on the menu. We particularly loved the one-bite-wonder crisp chicken skin topped with smoked trout pâté, and the wonderfully chewy cavatelli with moreish zucchini cream and smoked scamorza.

Tatler tip: Don’t leave in a rush—there’s a lovely bar out back that’s perfect for a digestif.

Drinks at Cantina Ok!

If this hole-in-the-wall bar could be summed up in one word, it would be “discovery”, from its location at the end of an alley to discovering the shrine of agave-based spirits, to learning the stories behind each bottle—enthusiastically told by Cantina OK!’s lovely team. When we visited, we enjoyed a glass of G4 Blanco on the rocks. To pair, the team surprised us with a snack of perfectly-in-season nectarines sprinkled with cracked black pepper—a divine combination.

Capybara Bathing

Sweat out and soak away your sins with a morning session at Capybara Bathing, a stunning bathhouse about 15 minutes’ walk from the Ace. We love the earthy aesthetic of terracotta tiles, tropical plants and vintage bathhouse tiles. Here, you’ll find a hot stone sauna, cold plunge, a steam room and a magnesium- infused thermal bath.

Lunch at Pellegrino 2000

Arguably Surry Hill’s most beloved establishment, Pellegrino 2000 serves simple Italian food done exceptionally well—like a classic rigatoni carbonara; yellowfin tuna on a bed of stracciatella and pistachio; and a fantastic eggplant parmigiana. Do not leave without ordering the tiramisu. 

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