The Judges Awards

03.2 Tokonoma, Sydney, by Matt Darwon

This minimalist Japanese restaurant and bar, located next door to its sister eaterie Toko, specialises in bite-sized Japanese dishes and cocktails with shochu, which is made by distilling barley, buckwheat, sweet potato and sugar. Architect Matt Darwon is responsible for the flowing, mainly timber interior, with stools at a long bar down one side and leather banquettes along the other. Artist Reni Kung's 11m-long light sculpture (comprising half a million lentils set in resin) casts an ambient glow. It's the kind of place where you come for cocktails and find yourself staying for dinner. The menu features omakase, the chef's selection depending on the catch of the day.

490 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney

Key features: An elegantly minimal cocktail bar and lounge

Cuisine: A classic Japanese sake bar menu, with tapas-sized dishes, sushi and shochu-based cocktails

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