This is considered the best of several African restaurants along the King Street strip. The roast lamb, crunchy spinach, couscous and beans are delivered on wooden platters by servers clad in flowing cloaks who sway around the high-ceilinged premises. The menu is written on a blackboard and varies occasionally. Go for the tuna or chicken, both bathed in a rich tangy sauce, if available. Amazingly good value at about A$20 (HK$118) per head.

Old Saigon

107 King Street

Well established (founded by a war correspondent, but now run by his Vietnamese brother-in-law) and well loved, Old Saigon has done a good job of fusing two cuisines. Wrapping grilled meat in rice paper with lettuce and mint is part and parcel of Viet cuisine, but try it with a slice of kangaroo or venison. The spicy squid is also exceptionally good. A lot of mediocre Asian-style restaurants have come and gone along King Street - this one is here to stay. Most dishes cost about A$12.

The Peasants Feast

121A King Street

The food is imaginative and highly respectable - double-baked goat in a herb crust with rosemary jus or slow roasted duck with pear poached in orange - and the pricing is simple, with all starters at A$10, mains at A$15 and desserts at A$8. If it seems a bit noisy upstairs, it's because the Peasants Feasting Room has been booked for a function.

Rowda Ya Habibi

101 King Street

The Middle East puts in a sterling appearance here, with occasional weekend belly dancing and a room full of cushions draped with rugs and other tapestry. The falafel turns out particularly well, and the deep-fried cauliflower and lamb and chicken kebabs draw praise from regulars. The set, rather-more-than-you-can-eat menu costs A$16. Lebanese and similar restaurants led the way in sprucing up Sydney dining, and Rowda Ya Habibi shows exactly why. Grab a piece of Turkish Delight on the way out.

Oscillate Wildly

275 Australia Street

Just off King Street, OW is on the small side, so reservations are a good idea if you want to dine well on mod Australian cuisine in smart art deco surrounds. The wild barramundi with pancetta and red wine butter is something of a signature dish, and the service is excellent. Expect to pay A$40 for a full meal. Like many restaurants in the city, OW is BYO, charging A$3 corkage per person. There are plenty of well-stocked liquor stores nearby.