Eat and drink in the Rocks

Spent a long, hard day perusing art at the MCA? Then it's time to relax and refuel.

During the daytime the MCA Café is your best bet. It's open 10am–4pm daily for lunch (and breakfast on weekends) and not only boasts harbour views and a seasonal menu, it's licensed.

In the evening, venture out into The Rocks– it's blessed with great places to wine and dine, from those cheap enough for the impoverished art student to some of the best restaurants and bars in the country.
 
Pancakes on the Rocks is open 24/7 so you can pop in at any time for buttermilk pancakes, crispy fried bacon and eggs, a gourmet pizza, savoury crepes or ribs.

If you've got a predilection for classic bistro fare, head to Baroque. It's reasonably priced, with amazing macaroons to boot.

Located in the Park Hyatt Hotel, the Harbour Kitchen & Bar has a Mediterranean-spiced mod-Oz menu, which is sophisticated and satisfying.

Sailor's Thai Kitchen and Canteen offers authentic Thai food in an upmarket setting. Upstairs is more casual where you can get the usuals like pad thai and som tum, while the downstairs restaurant is a little more fancy (and expensive).

Saké boasts clean lines, bleached wood, shochu cocktails, excellent Japanese food and plenty of fun.

Time Out Sydney's restaurant of the year for 2010, Rockpool, is a must-visit for every self-respecting Sydneysider. Neil Perry's flagship restaurant is on top form offering modern Australian fare with a Chinese edge.

At Quay, floor-to-ceiling windows guarantee that no matter where you are in the room you'll be able to look at the Opera House, Bridge and ferries chugging along through the harbour. Voted in at Number 27 on the coveted S Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list thanks to their signature shark's fin soup, the food is intricate and fascinating.

Need a stiff drink after some of the bleaker works the In the Balance exhibition?

If you're in the mood to guzzle beer, head to the Mercantile, an authentic Irish pub in the heart of the Rocks. Be warned, though, that tables go like hot cakes on St Pat's day.

Alternatively, try the Glenmore Hotel. It's survived wars, depressions and plagues (not to mention being punted over the road when the Harbour Bridge got built) to bring you cold schooners, cracker views and one of the best roof gardens in town.

The Orient has live bands on weekends, an upstairs dance area, pub grub and cold beer.

There's excellent outdoor seating at the 95-year-old Australian Heritage Hotel, too. They're renowned for their Dundee-esque cavalcade of kangaroo, crocodile and emu pizza.

Wildfire is the go-to place for cocktail enthusiasts. Its long skinny room is taken up by a bar stocked to the gills with the world's best booze - rare tequilas and rums line one shelf and another is spilling over with any gin you care to mention.

At the Argyle, a cobblestone path leads you into one of the coolest courtyards in Sydney, which in the early days of settlement served as an unloading dock. Behind the bar you'll find just about any spirit you could ever hope for, all served fast, flashy and friendly.

Set in an 1880s heritage building, Wine Odyssey offers a multitude of fermented grape experiences. The Enomatic wine dispensing system is the crowning glory here - a "wine" card allows patrons to help themselves to a selection of 44 boutique and premium Australian wines in 25ml, 75ml or 150ml tastes.

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