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Leichhardt’s thriving strip boasts a wonderful range of Italian food. The main section of Norton Street, running from its corner on Parramatta Road, is packed with cafés, bars and restaurants. Try the great pasta and gelato in the cheap and cheerful surroundings of Bar Italia.

In a corner of the CBD you’ll find the Torres Deli, selling chorizo and jamon, as well as several tapas joints. The Spanish Club serves yummy but lethal sangria. La Campana has Latin dance lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

A large Japanese community resides in the lower North Shore, and many good restaurants line Neutral Bay’s Military Road. Tsukasa is the pick of them, but all offer authentic food, super-fresh sushi and good prices. To marvel at the unusual foods and amazing packaging of Japanese groceries, visit Anegawa Enterprises Pty Ltd.

Excellent Cantonese food can be found all over Sydney, but head to Chinatown (see Chinatown Eateries) for the widest selection. The market on Dixon Street makes it particularly lively on Friday nights. Browsing the arcades off the Dixon Street Mall often leads to interesting discoveries such as herbal remedies, dried fish snacks and jade carvings.

Catch a train into Auburn and it’s a short stroll to the heart of the Turkish community. Try kebabs and pide , Turkish pizza, at Sofra. Finish up with a thick Turkish coffee and dondurma, traditional ice cream made from salep (orchid tubers) at Mado.

Portuguese custard tarts, natas , are found all over Sydney, but you haven’t really tasted them until you’ve tried Honeymoon Patisserie. Silvas offers traditional charcoal chicken and Gloria’s Café serves up great country dishes.

The central Lebanese mosque is at Lakemba but the best food can be found at the suburb of Punchbowl. Head to The Boulevarde for hummus, falafel and baklava. Jasmin1 is a good place for a very quick, cheap and tasty meal. Nearby Summerland is a bit more swish and has bellydancers most nights.

Any kind of food could be kosher, but two main styles, Israeli and traditional Jewish food, are readily available in the Bondi area. Savion is the stalwart, offering Israeli street food such as chicken shwarmas. Try Katzy’s for chicken soup with matza balls, and don’t miss the bagels and cakes at Carmel Bakery.

While there are many Greek businesses in Marrickville and it’s fun to browse the many shops on Marrickville Road, the best Greek restaurants are spread further out. For wonderful modern food, visit Perama. Steki Taverna is more traditional, plate-smashing included.

Many of Sydney’s Indian community choose to eat at the authentic restaurants in Surry Hills, several of which are packed into a small section of Cleveland Street between Crown and Bourke Streets. Have a South Indian flavoured thali or masala dosa at the vegetarian restaurant Maya, and then sample some of the traditional sweets. The neighbouring shops sell Indian ingredients, spices, incense, and Bollywood movies.