Sydney's never been short of delicious food offerings, and we're always happy to take recommendations from people in the know. Following the opening of their highly anticipated ACME x Merivale pop-up, Kingdom of Rice, head chef Lillia McCabe and front-of-house manager Sophia Thach share with RUSSH their favourite Sydney food spots.

Paperbird, Potts Point
Lillia McCabe: Best congee in town, they have it on for brunch. Their counter meals are also sick. Weather it’s the food, drinks or service, it’s always so spot on. The fit out is pretty whack too!

Primary Coffee Roasters, Potts Point
Sophia Thach: Primary are guns at what they do – coffee. My number one spot to hit every time I leave my apartment, even if I don’t feel like coffee. No kitchen, just a coffee machine and a selection of the butteriest croissants, cookies and donuts. Make it early though, as they do sell out of pastries (I only make it in time one out of six days).

VN Street Foods, Marrickville
LM: Marrickville has always been great for Vietnamese food but VN Street Foods is just so good. The Bún Cha is my favourite, I always ask for extra pickles. It’s always so fresh and consistently tasty. Plus you can get a durian avocado shake while you are in the area.

Bar Topa, CBD
LM & ST: When we’re in the city we like to hit Bar Topa for their fun sized drinks and food that Sydney has missed out on for a while. The half martinis and negronis are bomb, with plates of cuttlefish, sardines and steak sandwiches. What else do you need for a fun time?

Gaku Robata Grill, Darlinghurst
ST: Ramen by day, grill by night. Hands down, the best ramen in town. I always opt for the duck and yuzu ramen – it’s fresh, super umami and the noodles are cooked perfectly every damn time! There’s limited amount of bowls each day, make it on time and get your slurp on.

Ételek, Potts Point
LM: Wolfy is one of the most talented chefs in Sydney. Ételek has been popping up around Sydney for over a year now, they are currently on Roslyn street in Potts Point and have extended until NYE. Eastern European vibes, totally unique and delicious. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Bowen’s at Kings Cross Markets
ST: I don’t know how I only discovered the best bacon and egg roll spot recently but it’s changed my Saturday mornings. Crispy bacon, runny fried egg on a fluffy white bread roll. Simplicity at its best.

Room 10, Potts Point
LM & ST: We’ve been getting too much screen time lately preparing for Kingdom of Rice’s opening and to get us through, before, during or after our work we always head to Room 10 - it never disappoints.