Al-Oi-Thai , Shop 2, 50 Beaumont St, Hamilton (tel 02/4969 1434). Delicious traditional Thai food served in stylish surrounds that's justifiably popular. Lunch Wed-Sat, dinner Tues-Sun; BYO. Fronted by a cheaper express noodle bar serving superb noodle soups and fried noodles. There's another Al-Oi-Thai at 133 Darby St (tel 02/4929 3610).

Dolomiti Gelato , 20 Beaumont St, Hamilton. Great home-made gelati , plus pasta and focaccia in a typically casual Italian cafA©. Closed Sun.

Goldbergs Coffee House , 137 Darby St. This popular, buzzy cafA© is big and airy with modish green walls and polished wooden floors. The emphasis is on the excellent coffee, plus very reasonably priced eclectically modern meals. Daily 8am-midnight. Licensed.

Italian Centre Restaurant , Upstairs, 44 Beaumont St, Hamilton (tel 02/4961 4656). Good, authentic food in a homely restaurant above the Italian community centre. Balcony to sit out on. Licensed. Closed Mon.

Little Swallows CafA© Restaurant , 54 Beaumont St, Hamilton (tel 02/4969 2135). Simple place, a favourite daytime coffee hangout for Italian locals presided over by the friendly owner Paolo. Captures the earthy feel of a traditional Italian trattoria, with suitably generous portions. BYO. Daily 9am-10pm.

Market Square Foodcourt , upstairs in the Hunter Street Mall. Best place in the city centre, with a good range of food bars - Italian, Chinese, kebabs, roasts - and mightily generous salad sandwiches and fresh juices at the Oak Dairy Bar . Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, Thurs until 9pm.

Scott Street CafA© Restaurant , 19 Scott St (tel 02/4927 0107). Smart, minimalist restaurant close to Newcastle Beach. The small seasonal dinner changes every six weeks, with contemporary-style dishes like King Prawn risotto with coriander and chilli to slaver over. BYO. Brunch Sat & Sun 10am-3pm, dinner Mon-Sat from 6pm.

Splash , 126 Darby St. Freshly cooked budget takeaway seafood; tempura prawns and crumbed calamari are among the offerings. Mon-Thurs 4.30-8.30pm, Fri-Sun 11am-9pm.

Taj Takeaway , 120 Darby St. Quick and tasty Indian takeaway - and also a grocery. Daily 7am-11pm.

View Factory , cnr Scott and Telford streets (tel 02/4929 4580). Calling itself an "arts cafA©", this airy, slickly decorated brasserie/cafA©/gallery near the waterfront serves all the cafA© favourites - from big breakfasts to focaccia and nachos - plus a pricier restaurant menu (nightly from 6pm) which makes creative use of seafood and fine ingredients. There's even a pool table. Licensed. Daily 11am-10pm/midnight.