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Budget friendly

‘You’re meant to slow down here’: The day-to-night cafe bringing country vibes to Newtown

Former Rolling Penny chef Robin Butler swapped King Street for the Central Tablelands over a year ago. Now he’s back with a new cafe by day, restaurant by night.

  • Lenny Ann Low
AK's South East Asian street food curries.

AK’s

Soul food with great tunes inside the Ovolo Nishi.

  • David Matthews
Egg World has more character than a snack stop at any multinational highway service station. 

Protein-maxxing is just a bonus at this fairylit food truck serving eggs 20+ ways

Whichever way you like your eggs, this spot in an unexpected location is bound to serve a riff on it.

  • Lee Tran Lam
Inside Frenchie, where the room feels blingy.
13.5/20

So Frenchy, so cheap: Good Food’s verdict on Frenchie, where almost everything is $14

There’s a giddiness to eating here, but is the food any good? Besha Rodell visits the vibey French restaurant.

  • Besha Rodell
Night market crispy chicken  (with Sichuan seasoning).
14/20

Bubble tea in cocktail form? It’s the drink on everyone’s lips at this fun Surry Hills bar

Taiwan’s most famous export is given the grown-up treatment at Linla. Serve with crispy chicken, and you’re set.

  • Kevin Cheng
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Chicken salt and thyme doughnut.

Chicken salt doughnuts? These plush, herby snacks are so much better than they sound

Find hand-rolled rings fried to order and bulging jam-and-cream-filled doughnuts at this new hot spot in Potts Point.

  • Erina Starkey
Crispy chicken rice.

Battambang Restaurant II

A second location for crispy chicken rice and silky Phnom Penh noodles.

  • David Matthews
Pho tai lan (Hanoi-style soup with wok-seared steak) at Huong Xua.

Huong Xua

A no-frills Vietnamese diner for noodle soups and congee.

  • David Matthews
Phnom Penh in Cabramatta.

Phnom Penh Mini Restaurant

A local favourite for num banh chok – Cambodian noodle soup.

  • David Matthews
Rice Face dishes at Palisa Anderson's new food-court eatery.

Come for the rice bowls, stay for the pandan Ice Magic at Chat Thai’s new food-court diner

Rice Face is serving some of the best value lunches in the CBD, and owner Palisa Anderson says her chicken rice stands up to the greatest she’s tried in South-East Asia.

  • Bianca Hrovat