"In 1989, the late Amy Chanta opened her first Chat Thai restaurant. Many outposts followed, spreading her popular takes on larb, noodles, and stir-fries, and she helped launch Thai Town in 2013. (Along with daughter Palisa Anderson, she also cooked the final staff meal for Noma Australia’s pop-up in 2016.) On her farm, Palisa grows holy basil and multiple kinds of garlic, which add a fragrant punch to the 200-item menu at Circular Quay, including six types of papaya salad and a rainbow of curries. Grab a bite before jumping on a harborside ferry or catching a show at the Sydney Opera House. Know before you go: Chat Thai’s success opened pathways for exciting Thai eateries across Sydney, from more recent arrivals such as Porkfat to older favorites like Caysorn." - Lee Tran Lam