Cheap eats at the Spit Junction

Opened in 1995 by chef Lanna Tran and her chirpy husband Tri, who works the floor, this place is as full as a goog by 7pm. Banh xeo, that super popular Vietno pancake, is a bubbly omelette-yellow, filled with prawns, barbecue pork, mushrooms and crisp, crunchy bean sprouts. Tri skips over and suggests eating this with the green leaves and nuoc cham (fish sauce, palm sugar and chilli) dipping sauce, which enlivens, sweetens and refreshes the dish. 

The food at Don Adan stands up to their coffee. The usual breakfast and lunch offerings like eggs on toast, muesli, banana bread and wraps are all here, as are some Central American-inspired dishes like the ‘Typico’ big breakfast: refried black beans, guacamole, fried eggs, jalapeños and tomato sauce ($15). 

This Japanese restaurant on the Lower North Shore is known for its kaiseki banquet, a traditional Japanese multi-course dinner, and their wide sake offering. Choose from either the $49 Kaiseki menu or go all out and order the $63 menu. Either way you'll get to enjoy dishes like grilled kingfish with ginger and soy mayo, green tea soba soup, wagyu beef sukiyaki and fresh sushi and sashimi. À la carte options are also available.     

Thai Kanteen believe that the best food is shared food. This no-fuss Thai joint specialises in providing banquet menus for groups of four to 20 people. Got something to celebrate? Order their supreme banquet for gingery betel leaf and prawn wraps, zingy Thai Angus beef salad, organic massaman lamb curry and and crispy pork belly (just to name a few dishes). 

Goemon Sushi Café might be in Mosman but the restaurant’s food, style and service feel straight out of Tokyo. You’ll want for nothing as staff take care of your every need as you gobble up sushi, sashimi, gyoza, tempura and teriyaki dishes. 

Every neighbourhood needs a good, no-frills pizza shop – somewhere that you can get eight slices of tomato and cheese perfection with fresh, simple toppings. If you’re in Spit Junction you can get your dose of pizza heaven from Sopranos. The Sopranos team handmake their own pizza dough and passata sauce, and use a family recipe for their bolognese pasta. 

For a taste of Northern India select one of the restaurant’s tandoor-cooked meals such as tender lamb cutlets, prawns or even half a chicken. From the south, a Taste of India offers zingy coconut-based curries like prawn malabar – a traditionally Keralan peanut, prawn and coconut curry. Add some pappadums and pickles to your meal and finish with some syrupy gulab jamun.