Yama @ QVB, Sydney

Tucked within the Queen Victoria Building, Yama - a Japanese café restaurant - offers a serene pause above the Sydney CBD bustle. Sunlight drifts through windows and high glass ceilings, sketching patterns across a calming space.

The kitchen leans into clarity and craft - highlighting the elegant sashimi entrée, a crispy tempura starter, and a vibrant smoked salmon avocado salad. Flavours are clean, umami-led and refreshingly balanced, delivering pure comfort.

For something heartier, the teppan brings its reassuring sizzle with Yama's yakiniku burger, a teriyaki Tasmanian salmon steak, and teppan-yaki udon noodles tossed with marinated Black Angus beef. You'll find classic culinary rituals too, with chilled zaru soba dipping noodles and the easy satisfaction of donburi rice dishes - ranging from savoury grilled unagi eel to a colourful arrangement of fresh sashimi over rice.

Whether you're pausing between shops or settling in for a dining reservation, Yama rewards unhurried appetites. Head upstairs, take a seat by the light, and let the city's hum fade to a satisfied murmur!