Food is often the heart and soul of neighbourhoods, and what better way is there to get to know a place than hitting where the locals love to eat and hang out?

Bar Wa Izakaya – Jelly Shots and Ramen

Nothing beats a huge bowl of ramen, especially during winter. Bar Wa serves up steaming hot ramen daily with housemade tare and a deep, complex broth that’s been brewed for hours. However, if you’re after something a bit share-friendly (hands off our noodles!), head in after dark where you can pull up a seat and go to town on a menu stacked with morish Japanese bar food. Our hot take: try the yuzu jelly sake. It’s an awesome experience that will put a smile on your face and set you up for a great night. Just give the can a really good shake first.

Rude Boy – got chicken?

Dreaming of a tropical holiday or a rum-fuelled jaunt around the Caribbean? Rude Boy, while thousands of miles from anything remotely tropical, is the place to hit. The vibe inside instantly puts you in a party mood, and if that doesn’t, the wall of rum behind the bar certainly will. The food is really good too. Rude Boy specialises in some kicken’ fried chicken with a wide range of sauces and sprinkles to go with it. We’re big fans of the jerk seasoning, BBQ rum sauce and cheese dust. Pair it with a pineapple rum cocktail and you’re set for the night.

Sonny – Oysters with A Side of Led Zeppelin

If you’re after great eats paired with music and a decent glass of wine, then Sonny is for you. While the intimate wine bar recently farewelled founder Matt Breen, rest assured Sonny is still in good hands. Alister Roberston, Breen’s partner-in-crime and the bar’s resident wine expert, is leading the ship. Sonny is Midtown’s go-to for small plates oysters and beautiful things on toast, an extensive wine list backed by a solid breadth of wine knowledge, and the locally built Pitt + Giblin sound system always playing something interesting.

Grinners – it’s taco time! Right next door to the best chicken in town is Grinners, a grunge-themed dive bar that serves up some mean Mexican. Tasty street tacos with a side of jalapeno poppers and all washed down with the meanest margaritas this side of town. Just yum. They host some awesome live music too and their menu is always evolving. Our faves are pork adobo and butternut pumpkin tacos with jalapeno poppers, of course.