Located in the glass and steel business district of North Sydney, Glorietta is a restaurant that channels the Italian countryside with a refined twist. Alexander & Co designed the space with a contemporary aesthetic anchored in agricultural ancestry. The result? A one-of-a-kind space that puts a focus on great atmosphere and great food. The restaurant features a striking rattan ceiling, green marble, stone and wood surfaces, as well as eclectic furniture designs. As for the menu, expect to find simple and delicious Italian fare, including pizza made in a wood-fired oven, charred vegetables, and fresh seafood along with a range of craft cocktails.

Matteo Double Bay brings the welcoming Italian lifestyle to Sydney as it captures the flavour, energy and relaxed vibe inspired by the Amalfi Coast. The food concept will draw on Chef Orazio D’Elia ’s traditional Italian upbringing in Southern Italy, and his culinary and cultural journeys through regional Italy. D’Elia’s food philosophy is to take simple and traditional dishes and execute them using exceptional ingredients.

Located in the 1936 City Mutual Building which was designed by Emil Sodersteen, the Rockpool Bar & Grill may be one of the most gorgeous restaurants you’ll ever have the chance to visit. And the menu is not too shabby, either. It features carefully sourced beef that is aged on the premises to enhance its flavor, locally sourced seafood and one of Australia’s finest wine lists.

If you can visit only a couple of museums on your trip to Sydney, make sure that White Rabbit Gallery is on your list. This gallery houses one of the most fascinating collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world, spread across four floors. With an ever-expanding collection that features some 2,500 artworks created by more than 500 artists, the exhibitions change two times a year. The gallery also features a tea house and a gift shop.

Dedicated to one of the most renowned Australian artists, the Brett Whiteley Studio offers visitors the chance to walk through the late artist’s home and studio. Brett Whiteley bought this former warehouse in 1985 and converted it into a living/work space. The gallery includes a changing collection of the artist’s paintings as well as memorabilia, unfinished work, and walls covered in graffiti, text, and images.

Opened in 1992, the Sydney Jewish Museum documents the Holocaust and commemorates the millions of Jewish and non-Jewish victims of one of the darkest periods in human history. Some of the permanent exhibits also delve into the history of Jewish people living in Australia, illustrating their traditions, culture, and religion. The museum is housed in the historic Maccabean Hall, which was built to honor the NSW Jewish men and women who have served and died in WW1.

A must-visit place for lovers of archaeology and cultural artifacts, Nicholson Museum houses the largest antiquities collection in the Southern Hemisphere. The collection features around 30,000 artifacts from all over the world and includes everything from Roman funerary monuments to Egyptian mummies and East Asian art. Also, admission is free.

Dating back to 1816, the building now known as “The Mint” has a rich and dark past. It first functioned as a convict hospital and then an infirmary for the poor, gaining an infamous reputation because of its appalling conditions. Later, the building became the Sydney Royal Mint, and thus the birth place for over 150 million sovereigns. Now, the museum offers access to captivating collections that go deeper into the site’s history. The building itself is worth the visit on its own, as it shows architect Richard Francis-Jones’ vision of bringing together heritage and contemporary architectural features.

The Sydney Observatory is one of the major branches of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. A heritage site, the museum has been used by government scientists throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries, with public access provided only in 1982 when the building became a museum. Visitors can check out some fascinating heritage objects here, including the Time Ball timekeeping device and the country’s oldest telescope. Other exhibits showcase the history of Australia’s relationship with the cosmos, from Aboriginal stories to space flight videos.

A popular destination for tourists, Powerhouse Museum is part of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, alongside the Sydney Observatory. The museum’s collection is incredibly varied and features over 400,000 objects and artifacts. You can browse through the science, computer and space technology, or communication exhibits before turning to the more creative decorative arts, design, furniture, fashion, and media collections.