While Tokyo may be the most famous Japanese city among tourists, Osaka is just as popular when it comes to Japanese food. Named by some as the culinary capital of Japan - and perhaps even the world – it is home to unique, eye-catching, mouth-watering fare that arguably rivals that of any other Japanese city.

Europe may well be the most romanticised travel destination in the world. Earlier this year, we travelled there for the very first time, our journey spanning just under a month and taking us to the tourist hot-spots of Italy, France and the UK. We began in central Italy, starting in Rome, before working our way north to Paris. From there, it was an exciting train ride to London, finished off with a stopover in Singapore on the way home.

There is nothing quite like the scorched top of a freshly baked Portuguese Tart. The contrast of the irregular, blackened spots which stand out against the golden, gleaming baked custard is so alluring, as is the shattering crunch that sounds upon biting into the crispy, multi-layered pastry. 

When Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan opened it’s very first Sydney restaurant in Chatswood early last year, dim sum fans came from far and wide to get a taste of those revered dumplings and that famous bbq pork bun.

It used to seem to me that Japanese restaurants fell into either the higher-priced, contemporary dining category (Sokyo and Sake come to mind) or were fast, cheap eateries which offered sushi trains and bento boxes.

Melbourne is infamous for its coffee culture and hipster laneways, where one can spend hours wandering and eating away to their hearts content. It’s no wonder so many Sydneysiders travel over when they’re in need of a short getaway without leaving the comfort of suburbia.

While the debate of whether Sydney or Melbourne has the better coffee remains at large, it may seem as if the traditional cup of tea has lost its humble appeal. That’s most certainly not the case at Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

Few word combinations can conjure as much joy as the marriage of dumpling and bar. And when a restaurant has both in its name, you can rest assured that they take their dumplings very seriously. 

The term ‘comfort food’ means different things to different people. Some might immediately think of a steaming stew or an oozy, melted cheese toastie. For me, comfort food almost always involves rice.

I always look forward to the Aussie summer because it means barbecue feasts, long days at the beach, and, of course, lots and lots of seafood. And what better place to celebrate summer than at a restaurant and bar aptly named Café del Mar, the name of which means café of the sea!