If you have a foodie in your life — or better yet, you are the foodie — you’ll know that planning a day of dining with them is no small undertaking. These are the people that know their gouda from their gruyere, their chenin blanc from their chardonnay, their kefir from their crème fraîche (and they aren’t afraid to let you know). If impressing them is the raison d’etre, not just any haunt will do. In fact, a single venue might not wow them at all, but a visit to more than one, in one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings? Wow factor, guaranteed.

Here, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide for a perfect day at the QVB for the gourmand.

Start with a light but luxurious breakfast

A day of indulgence is all about pacing yourself. Start the morning off with a flaky, buttery almond croissant and a coffee at Babette on the Ground Floor, the QVB’s courtyard-style cafe serving French pastries and specialty coffee by Ona.

Make your first stop at Gewurzhaus

A few stores down from Babette you’ll find the family-run Gewurzhaus. A spice boutique renowned for its extensive range of house-milled spices, salts, rubs and seasonings, it’s a mecca for foodies looking to dial up the flavour on their home cooking.

Follow your nose to Nutorious and Koko Black

Once you catch a whiff of that nutty, buttery aroma wafting through the QVB’s hallowed halls, it’ll be hard to focus on anything else. Follow your nose to Lower Ground 1 where you’ll find artisan roastery Nutorious. Expect caramelised cashews, salted, roasted macadamias and a slew of beautifully packaged, moreish snacks. While you’re on Lower Ground 1, wander a few stores down the Australian chocolatier Koko Black and pick up a block of their limited edition Festive Cranberry, Macadamia and Cherry chocolate.

Head back upstairs for lunch

Time to lunch like the French. Manon Brasserie on Level 1 is about as close to a Parisian bistro as you’ll get in the city, and it’s the perfect place to sit alfresco and watch the world go by. Order a Paris Baguette (butter, ham, pickles and gruyere cheese) with a Petite Salad on the side, and if you’re feeling fancy, a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley.

Pick up a gift at Haigh’s

Right across from Manon you’ll find one of the country’s most iconic chocolatiers, Haigh’s Chocolates. Everything is expectedly delicious, but you can never go wrong with a bag of milk scorched almonds. At the register, don’t walk away without your complimentary treat.

Enjoy an afternoon tipple at Reign Champagne Parlour

Set on Level 1 at the Druitt Street end of the QVB, there are few places better to rest weary feet than Reign Champagne Parlour. Start with a glass of G.H Mumm Grand Cordon, and as the sun dips below the buildings, experiment with a grower champagne or a champagne flight.

End the day with a bite at Esq

Whether you decide to dine tapas style or would rather experience Esq’s comprehensive grill menu, there are few haunts more fitting to end the day at than Esq on Level 2. Moody lighting and live jazz set the tone while mixologists shake cocktails behind the bar. The perfect end to a delicious day.