People's Choice

Winner

Glebe Point Diner, Glebe

Glebe Point Diner has been referred to by some as the Sean's Panaroma of the inner west. While there are some similarities (the restaurant's manager Andrew John and chef Alex Kearns are both ex-Sean's and the menu has a strong focus on local produce cooked simply), GPD is an entity all unto itself.

Sunday afternoons are the best time to visit - Glebe's a bit quieter as the markets aren't on, and it's also hospitality day, so it's likely you'll see some of your favourite chefs eating here. And no wonder it's so popular with Sydney's leading taste makers: it's the type of food you want to be eating every day of the week (roast chook with bread sauce, say, or roast suckling pig with lentils and greens). The menu changes daily so there are no guarantees on what you might be eating, but it's a pretty sure bet there'll be chicken liver paté with house-made bread and deep-fried calamari - fantastic for the table to share as you decide on the rest.

At Glebe Point Diner they do vegetarian food exceptionally well. A tasting plate features a single carrot, a tiny pile of lentils, three spears of asparagus and Brussels sprout leaves, each cooked individually. It sounds spare, but it's a great example of the minimalist attitude at GPD. Desserts are another highlight - depending on the season, you might have strawberry jelly with hand-churned vanilla ice cream or chocolate mousse floating in a sea of toffee sauce.

The wines are all locally sourced, there's house-made lemonade and the service is so laid back you'll feel as if you're home. No wonder Time Out's readers chose it as their favourite restaurant of 2009.

Runners-up

Bodega, Surry Hills
It's a casual, rambunctious tapas bar and heaps of fun. Their café next door does excellent churros during the day, too.

Quay, The Rocks
Chef Peter Gilmore and company dish out art on a plate, Sydney style. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views of the harbour.

Marque, Surry Hills
You couldn't find a more interesting and refined restaurant combining peerless service and magnificent food in Sydney if you tried.

Longrain, Surry Hills
This Thai restaurant just celebrated its tenth birthday. The combination of flavour-packed Thai dishes and cocktails is a winner.

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