Darling Square on a plate

Open from 7am (all the way through until 10pm) you’ll start your day right at Auvers Café. It’s French-inspired (read: excellent croissants) with an Asian-Australian twist. Their creative breakfast menu which includes such delights as coconut pandan polenta porridge, Auvers pancakes with red bean paste and matcha glaze and octopus okonomiyaki, will taste as good as they look in your Instagram feed. Utterly inspired. 12 Nicolle Walk, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000, www.auverscafe.com.au

Also try: Il Bacio, open from 6am offering old fashioned Italian hospitality with your baked eggs and ricotta hotcakes. Shop 3, 35 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, ilbacio.com.au

You can’t go past Belles Hot Chicken – fried, golden and delicious chicken with its signature crunch and southern spices. It’s as good on a burger or with a side of chips and coleslaw. From wings and tenders to succulent drumsticks, simply set your spice level and you’re good to go. It’s like a warm hug – for your stomach. 7 Steam Mill Lane, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, belleshotchicken.com

Also try: Hakata Maru Ramen, where steaming bowls of authentic Hakata-style ‘tonkotsu’ ramen will fill you up with soothing broth, silky noodles and tasty toppings. Katsu curry and karaage chicken are also on the menu if you want a bit of crunch. 6/8 Nicolle Walk, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000

You can’t go past Boque by Tapavino for perfect small bites paired, washed down with a glass of Sangria. From salads and charcuterie to Croquetas and empanadas, they offer tasty Spanish fare for small and large appetites alike, which takes its cue from the La Boqueria Markets in Barcelona. It’s simple fresh food, in a casual relaxed atmosphere.
T03 The Exchange, 1 Little Pier St, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, www.boque.com.au

Also try: Mr Bao, where delicious steamed buns, with succulent fillings such as karaage chicken or tempura prawn – will satisfy a small appetite – or a ravenous hunger. It’s all in the ordering.
Maker’s Dozen, 1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, 2000, Mrbaobuns.com.au

A Japanese/Scandinavian fusion café with expertly brewed coffee? That’s what you get at Edition Coffee Roasters where single origin coffee beans are roasted to perfection. Décor is inspired by a Japanese Farmhouse – and accompaniments to your espresso include their irresistibly fluffy Souffle Pancakes. What’s not to love?
60 Darling Drive, Darling Square, Haymarket, NSW 2000
Editioncoffeeroasters.com

Also try: Haven Specialty Coffee, an Asian fusion coffee house with unique brews designed personally for you. 85 Harbour Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, NSW 2000, havenspecialtycoffee.com.au

Daring Square is a melting pot of authentic Asian, Asian fusion and creative Asian-with-a-twist concepts, serving up everything from Vietnamese, Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese to Philippino and Sri Lankan cuisines. Highlights include Bau Truong for Vietnamese-inspired Tacos (Shop 4/1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, bautruong.com.au), Made In China for fresh, seasonal Chinese Cuisine (9 Steam Mill Lane, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, micdumpling.com.au), ‘new school’ Vietnamese at Hello Auntie (Shop 2, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, hello-auntie.com.au), and Goobne Chicken – a health Korean food concept (16e Tumbalong Blvd, Darling Square, Haymarket Sydney 2000, goobnechicken.com.au) For authentic Shanghainese cuisine head to Lilong by Taste of Shanghai, a family-owned and operated restaurant with a focus on quality and innovation. (1 Little Hay St, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000, tasteofshanghai.com.au) Dig in!

Also try: Dopa by Devon, for Asian-inspired dessert and savoury plates with a twist. Expect dessert beverages in flavours like tiramisu and strawberry shortcake, and savoury don bowls full of fresh, tasty ingredients. Shop 5-6, 2 Little Hay St, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000, facebook.com/dopabydevon

Try the insta-worthy bubble tea at Bubble Nini where the preservative-free pearls are handmade daily. Our favourite? The Sun and Moon, created from Sun Moon Lake black tea imported from Taiwan, full cream milk and fresh brown sugar pearls. Once you’re done sipping, buy a bunch of flowers from the in-store florist. Blooming lovely.
Makers Dozen, 1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, facebook.com/bubble-nini-tea

Also try: Bucket Boys Bar, craft beer specialists serving up the best of Aussie beer along with cocktails, spirits, natural wines and local brews. Makers Dozen, 1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000, bucketboys.com.au

Sometimes, only a bowl of pasta will do, in which case, Spago will send you straight into a carb-coma. Think: mouth-watering pappardelle with luscious ox cheek ragu and carbonara alla chittara with cuanciale and smoked egg yolk. Expect generous servings, authentic flavours and premium produce, both local and straight from Italy. Coming Soon. 9/1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, Sydney 2000

Also try: Shortstop Coffee and Doughnuts, for perfect rings of fluffy, carby, sugary, doughy goodness with flavours such as pandan & coconut sugar, maple walnut & brown sugar, and passionfruit brulee. Need we say more? 15, Little Hay Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, www.short-stop.com.au

For OTT pastries, huge dessert pies and cakes that double as art, Saga Lyte is the place for sweet tooths. From sugar flowers to surprising flavour combinations, meringues, pastries and more, this is food to satisfy your sugar cravings and delight the imagination.
Makers Dozen, 1 Little Pier Street, Darling Square, Haymarket, NSW 2000. www.sagaenmore.com

Also try: Bengong Black where Asian flavours meet the influence of French Patisseries. This luxury flagship dessert bar boasts pillow-soft pastries and bouncy breads filled with fruit-infused cream and brown sugar pearls. (2 Little Hay Street, Haymarket, NSW 2000 bengongstea.com.au). And for the perfect scoop of ice cream, you can’t beat the iconic tastes at Gelato Messina, with 35 traditional flavours and five rotating specials.
Shop 2, 2 Little Hay Street, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000, www.gelatomessina.com