Sydney institutions

 

Everyone knows about the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Here are a few more worth checking out: cafes, breakfast, pizza, bars, bakeries, cakes, wineries and more...


Sydney By Diva - Get a tour of Sydney with a drag queen. See the inner suburbs of Sydney or the Hunter Valley wineries. It'll be memorable!
Ph: (02) 9360 5557
www.sydneybydiva.com

Harbour Circle Walk. There is a 26km walking path around Sydney Harbour which takes in the Harbour Bridge, the organic heart of Sydney - Rozelle, mangrove swamps in Lane Cove and jaw dropping harbour views.
Ph: (02) 9228 6333
www.planning.nsw.gov.au/harbour/walking.asp

Ginseng Bathhouse - Crest Hotel, 111 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. A Korean style bathhouse with spas, saunas, body exfoliation, facials, and a cafe. Separate areas for men and women.
Ph: (02) 9356 6680
www.ginsengbathhouse.com.au

Wylie's Baths - Grant Reserve, Coogee. for $3, you can access a great Sydney ocean pool. This place is an institution. If you are a female, there is a cheaper alternative. McIvor's Baths is for women and girls only. Boys aged under 3 are permitted. A small donation is appreciated upon entry. The facilities are basic but well appreciated by the visitors. Both pools are surrounded by huge rocks you can walk on at low tide.
www.randwick.nsw.gov.au

Bondi Beach - Campbell Pde Bondi
Manly Beach - North Steyne and South Steyne, Manly
North Head - via Darley Rd, Manly

Paddington Market - Oxford St, Paddington. Saturdays 10am - 4pm. This is where many designers got their start and is still a great place for clothes, bags, accessories, jewellery, artwork you won't find anywhere else.

www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au

Sydney Fish Market - Bank St, Pyrmont. Open every day except Christmas. Drive or catch the tram there. A huge supply of fresh fish, a deli, fruit and veg, fish and chips, sushi, and Doyle's seafood restaurant.
www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

Darling Harbour - Popular with families on weekends. Here you will find the Sydney Aquarium, IMAX, Powerhouse Museum, ferries, Sydney Wildlife World, and the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

www.darlingharbour.com/

Luna Park - Olympic Drive, Milsons Point. Rides, entertainment and great views. Especially good for kids and teenagers. Open Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat Sun.

Ph: (02) 9903 7676

www.lunaparksydney.com/

Breakfast

east:

Danks Street Depot - 2 Danks St, Waterloo. Quality and choice.

Ph: (02) 9698 2201
www.danksstreetdepot.com.au

 

Fratelli Paradiso - 12 - 16 Challis Ave, Potts Point. A cafe and bakery with delicious food, cakes, bread and gooooood coffee.

Ph: (02) 9357 1744
 
Bill’s at the Meridian – 355 Crown St, Surry Hills – fresh produce and mouth watering food. Ph: (02) 9360 4762


inner west:

About Life - 600 Darling St, Rozelle. The best organic supermarket and cafe in Sydney. Ph: 8755 1333

The Barn - 731 Darling St, Rozelle. Cafe and groceries in a 1920's style set up. Ph: 9810 1633

Hospscoth Cafe - cnr Annandale and Reserve streets, Annandale. Green eggs and ham.

lower north shore:

Bather's Pavillion - 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach. This is a showstopper. Cakes are baked on the premises every morning, the service very good and polite. Stunning views.

Ph: (02) 9969 5050

www.batherspavillion.com.au 

 

Ripples Cafe - Olympic Drive, Milsons Point. You can find this place at the Sydney Olympic Pool. Amazing views, and quality food.

Ph: (02) 9929 7722. There's also a Ripples Cafe at Chowder Bay with sublime harbour views and good food. Deck C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman. Ph: (02) 9960 3000

www.ripplescafe.com.au

 

 

Cafes

 

east:

Danks Street Depot - 2 Danks St, Waterloo. This place first came on the scene a few years ago in a part of town bereft of any cultural life. In fact, the area wasn't even considered safe. The Danks Street Depot was the first cafe to open up in Danks Street. Now, the street is a must for lovers of food. And this cafe does great breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Ph: (02) 9698 2201

www.danksstreetdepot.com.au

 

Bar Colluzi - 322 Victoria St, Darlinghurst. A super cool cafe with tiny stools that's been serving up great coffee for decades. The arty set, philosophers, locals and old timers love coming here.

Ph: (02) 9380 5420

 

Govindas - 112 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst. A vegetarian restaurant and cinema with futon lounges, a place you can come for cooking classes, yoga, music, workshops and anything else that's going to give you peace of mind.

Ph: (02) 9380 5155

www.govindas.com.au

 

Bondi Iceberg's Club - 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach. Good food, superb views of Bondi, not pretentious at all. But, the restaurant downstairs is rather pricey and comes with an image. Visitors who live more than 5km outside the club can enter for free. Visitors who live within 5km of the club must join the social club for $55 or be signed in by a member. ID is asked for at the door.

Ph: (02) 9130 3120

www.icebergs.com.au

lower north shore:

Bather's Pavillion - 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach. This is one of the most superb places in Sydney to grab a coffee, have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Set in an old bathing pavillion, visitors can now drink and dine in a building with great, relaxing decor and sublime views of Middle Harbour.

Ph: (02) 9969 5050

www.batherspavillion.com.au 

 

Yum Cha

city:

Marigold - Citymark Building, Levels 4 and 5, 683 - 689 George St, Haymarket (Chinatown). This is a huge place with delicious food, and it's not overpriced.

Lunch daily from 10am - 3pm. Dinner daily 5:30pm - midnight.

Ph: (02) 9281 3388

east:

Kam Fook Chatswood - Shop 600, Level 6, Westfield Shoppingtown, Help St, Chatswood. Hordes of people come here.

Lunch Mon - Fri 10:30am - 3:30pm, Sat - Sun 9:30am - 3:30pm. Dinner daily from 5:30pm - 11pm 

Ph: (02) 9413 9388

 
lower north shore:

Sea Treasure - 46 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest. This is another winner on the yum cha front.

Lunch Mon - Fri 11am - 3pm, Sat - Sun 10am - 3pm. Dinner daily 5:30pm - 11pm.

Ph: (02) 9906 6388

 

Pizza

inner west:

Cafe Morreti - 47 Norton St, Leichhardt. Sensational crusts and toppings. Even has Nutella pizza. Ph: (02) 9568 1354

La Disfida - 109 Ramsay St, Haberfield 2045. Thin crust pizza and simple toppings. Ph: (02) 9798 8299

Napoli in Bocca - 73 Dalhousie St, Haberfield 2045. Great bases and toppiings. Ph: (02) 9798 4096


east:

Jilted Anchovy - 348 Clovelly Rd. Ph: (02) 9665 6558

Love Supreme - 180 Oxford St, Paddington. Ph: (02) 9331 1779

Lucio's - 248 Palmer St, Darlinghurst. Ph: (02) 9332 3766

Pompei's - 126 Roscoe St, Bondi Beach. Ph: (02) 9365 1233

Pizza Mario - 417–421 Bourke St, Surry Hills. Ph: (02) 9332 3633

Pizza e Birra - 500 Crown St, Surry Hills. Ph: (02) 9332 2510


lower north shore and north shore:

Beaches Pizzeria - 22 Darley Rd, Manly. Delicious thin crusts and simple but fully flavoursome toppings. Ph: (02) 9977 0078

Fratelli's Gourmet Wood Fired Pizza - 332 Military Rd Cremorne – Ph: 9953 000

Bars

 

inner west:

Madame Fling Flong - Level 1, 169 King St, Newtown, at Soni's. A cosy restaurant and lounge in the heart of Sydney's grunge capital, King St. Retro lounge, funky decor, classic, cult and foreign movies screen on Tuesday nights at 8:30pm. $20 for the movie and a meze plate and glass of wine. Bookings for the movies are essential because the cinema is small.

Ph: (02) 9565 2471

www.madameflingflong.com.au

east:

Hugo's Lounge - Level 1, 33 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross. Yes, it's a bit pretentious and full of beautiful people, but it is a Sydney institution. So, check it out.

Ph: (02) 9357 4411
www.hugos.com.au

The Lotus Bar - Challis Ave, Potts Point. At the back of the Lotus restaurant. Chic decor.Great cocktails. 

Ph: (02) 9326 9000 

 

Iceberg's Dining Room and Bar - 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach. It's famous, it has great views, and it is friendly.

Ph: (02) 9365 9000
www.idrb.com/

 

Longrain - 85 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills. Friendly staff, great drinks, converted warehouse setting.

Ph: (02) 9280 2888

Rambutan - 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. A tropical themed drinking den with good cocktails, wine and food. Open from 6pm every day.
Ph: (02) 9360 7772
www.rambutan.com.au

 

Water Bar - W Hotel, Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo. Great cocktails in a swanky setting.

Ph: (02) 9331 9000

 

The Victoria Room - Level 1, 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst. Colonial tropical decor, and very popular with young people at night. On Sunday's, it serves up a very mean high tea for around $45.

Ph: (02) 9357 4488
www.thevictoriaroom.com

city:

Opera Bar - Lower Level Concourse, Sydney Opera House. This place is always busy and easily impresses with its great views.

Ph: (02) 9247 1666 

 

Bakeries and Sydney's best bread

 

inner west:

Haberfield Bakery - 153 Ramsay St. Don't expect a trendy bakery, but be prepared for delicious and crusty Italian ciabatta, pane di casa, and dinner rolls.

Ph: (02) 9797 7715

 

Victoire - 285 Darling St, Balmain. Delicious bread, twists, cakes, and gourmet sweets served by a Frenchie or two.

Ph: (02) 9818 5529

 

Sonoma - 215a Glebe Point Rd, Glebe. A small bakery and cafe. This is bakery specialises in spelt, and supplies quite a few of Sydney's gourmet delis. 

Ph: (02) 9660 2116

 

Bowan Island - 183 Victoria Rd, Drummoyne. Set on busy Victoria Rd, this bakery does great sourdough, yeast free breads, muffins and Turkish bread.

Ph: (02) 9181 3524

 

east:

Infinity Sourdough - 225 Victoria St, Darlinghurst. This is a tiny bakery with a massive reputation. Plenty of Sydney's top restaurants buy their bread from here.

Ph: (02) 9380 4320

Bourke Street Bakery - 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills - great coffee, cakes, sandwiches, sourdough breads. Ph: (02) 9699 1011

Sydney's best cakes

 

inner west:

Abla - 402 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill. A massive choice of Lebanese deserts of all shapes and descriptions. It'll be hard to walk out of here with just one cake. There are plenty of chairs and tables in case you decide sitting and eating in is more your thing.

Ph: (02) 9560 5088

Adriano Zumbo - 296 Darling Street, Balmain. Inspiration from around the world fuels the creations in this amazing cake shop.  2041. Ph: (02) 9810 7318

Fernandes Patisserie - 516 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill. If you are after some of the best Portuguese custard tarts in Sydney, you would have to have rocks in your head to give Fernandes Patisserie in Dulwich Hill a miss. $1.20 a piece. On weekends it's full of Portuguese families.
Ph: (02) 9568 2114

Pasticceria Papa - 145 Ramsay St, Haberfield. Fab Sicilian cakes with sensation canoli. Ph: (02) 9798 6894

 

Pasticceria Tamborrino - 75 Great North Rd, Five Dock - Delicious Sicilian cakes. Try the sfogliata.

Ph: (02) 9712 1461
 

Sweet Belem Cake Boutique - 35C new Canterbury Rd, Peterhsam. Great Portuguese cakes.
Ph: (02) 9572 6685

Victoire - 285 Darling St, Balmain - as well as great breads, this place has finger licking cakes.
Ph: (02) 9818 5529


east:

Bourke Street Bakery - 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills. Locals are fiercely loyal and addicted to this place. It's amazing.

Ph: (02) 9699 1011

Croissant d'Or - 117 Macleay St, Potts Point. Tiny extravagant and colourful French cakes/petit fours.

Ph: (02) 9358 6014

Croquembouche Patisserie - delicious French pastries. 65 Belmore Rd, Randwick. Ph: (02) 8062 5950
 

Hytone Cake Shop - 296 Bondi Rd, Bondi. This shop has a deceptive appearance. Hytone serves up the best poppyseed strudel in Sydney. Everything is made on the premises, including the cheese, cheese and spinach or meat burek - a Serbian specialty.

Ph: (02) 9130 5170

La Gerbe D'or - 255-257 Glenmore Rd, Paddington. Try the citrus tart. Ph: (02) 9331 1070

Paris Cake Shop - 91 Bondi Rd, Bondi. citrus cakes, pastries, raspberry mouse. Another good cake shop on Bondi Rd.

Ph: (02) 9387 2496

Sweet Infinity - 53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo. Good tarts.

Ph: (02) 93312448

Sweet Kiss Cake Shop - 343 Clovelly Rd. Traditional but unpronounceable Hungarian sweets like Flodni and Jzerbo through to the good ol’ Aussie meat pie.

Wellington Cake Shop - 157 Bondi Rd, Bondi. OK, so the service may not be the friendliest, but who cares when the ice-cream and Hungarian Jewish cakes here taste so good.

Ph: (02) 9389 4555

 
Yellow Bistro and Food Store - 57 Macleay St, Potts Point. Divine cakes but not so cheap.

Ph: (02) 9357 3400


lower north shore:

Beatrice Levanti - 63 Spit Rd, Mosman. Very French and very yummy. Ph: (02) 9960 2565

La Patissier Chocolatier - 121 Military Rd, Neutral Bay. Melt in your mouth pastries and cakes and flans. Ph: (02) 9953 8550

south:

Croquembouche Patisserie - 2/1633 Botany Rd, Botany. The best cake shop in the south. Ph: (02) 9666 3069

Sugarloaf Patisserie - 37 President Ave, Kogarah. Another goody.

Wine

east:

Kemeny's - 137 - 147 Bondi Rd, Bondi. Ph: 138 881 

 

Five Ways Cellars - 4 Heeley St, Paddington. Set in a small terrace house packed with interesting labels, these wine merchants specialise in boutique wines from cooler climates. Great, friendly advice. Ph: (02) 9360 4242


inner west:

Summerhill Wine Shop - 7 Lackey St, Summer Hill. A small wine shop that specialises in boutique wines from around Australia.

Ph: (02) 9798 7282 

 

Ultimo Wine Centre - 99 Jones St, Ultimo. This is the place to come to if you are after the obscure. Good quality wines from around the world. Ph: (02) 9211 2380

Sydney Walks

 

There are numerous walks you can do in Sydney, even if you are only there for the day and have just a few hours. CLICK on the options below for more information.

1 - INNER SYDNEY ART AND CULTURE (several hours)

2 - BONDI TO BRONTE (2 hours return)

3 - TARONGA ZOO TO BALMORAL BEACH (1 hour and 40 minutes one way)

4 - MANY TO SPIT BRIDGE (3 hours one way)

 

Farmers' Markets

Good Living Growers' Market - Pyrmont Bay Park, Pyrmont. 7am - 11am. This is a food lovers paradise. Gourmet smoked meats, cheeses, organic meat, fruit and veg, coffee, bacon and egg rolls, and water views. It's held on the first Saturday of every month, except January when all holders take a holiday. For more information on Sydney's markets, go to Day Trips

Farmers' Market - The Entertainment Quarter, Langs Road, Moore Park. Every Wed and Saturday from 10am - 4pm. A small market with friendly farmers and growers selling organic produce, conventional produce, fresh eggs, tasty bread.

 

Orange Grove Organic Market - Orange Grove Public School, Balmain Rd, Rozelle. Every Saturday 8am - 1pm. This is a small market but the woman who makes flans is worth getting out of bed early for. The chocolate flan is divine. Get there early or be disappointed. Mayan coffee, artisan breads, vegan food.

 

Out of town

 

Lilianfels Resort and Spa - Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba, Blue Mountains. Restaurant, bar, luxurious accommodation. The architecture, setting and decor are great, and the views are pretty impressive. Llianfels has a one hat restaurant - Darley's - and a bar. Both are welcoming. There's a piano player and singer on Friday and Saturday nights at the bar. A bit of indulgence is good, sometimes.

Ph: (02) 4780 1200

www.lilianfels.com.au

Yindi Day Spa - 15 - 47 Katoomba St, Katoomba. Dr Hauschka products, massage, facials, hair, scalp and body treatments.
Ph: (02) 4782 1111
www.yindi.com.au

Megalong Valley Tea Rooms - Megalong Valley Rd, Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains. Not too many Sydneysiders know about this place. Breakfast and lunch is served here in the perfect rural idyll setting. Tables and chairs are set on the grass, amongst trees and shrubs with a view of the Blue Mountains. The is the perfect place for a chilled out lunch or devonshire tea on a sunny day. All food is home made, including the scrumptious jams. Eggs from the farm are on sale, there's organic porridge, and big breakfasts.

Ph: (02) 4787 9181
www.megalongtearooms.com

Ashcrofts - 18 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath. Award winning gourmet dining.

Ph: (02) 4787 8297
www.ashcrofts.com

Solitary - 90 Cliff Drive, Leura. This is a must stopover for food lovers. Dinner Wed - Sun, lunch on weekends.
Ph: (02) 4782 1164
www.solitary.com.au
 

Echoes - 3 Lilianfels Ave, Katoomba. Another must stop for food lovers.
Ph: (02) 4782 1966
www.echoeshotel.com.au

Melbourne Breakfasts
North:

Babka – 358 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Ph: (03) 9416 0091

Cafe Brunetti - 194 Faraday St (near corner Lygon St). Ph: (03) 9347 2801

Marios – 303 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Ph: (03) 9417 3343

Mitte – cnr Michael and Rowe sts, Fitzroy North. Ph: (03) 9077 7379
** best breakfast café 2009

Pippa May Cook - 719 High St, Thornbury. Ph: (03) 9416 8556. Delicious and creative breakfast menu.

Red Door Corner Store – 70 Mitchell St, Northcote. Ph: (03) 9489 8040

Small Block – 130 Lygon St, Brunswick East. Ph: (03) 9381 2244

Sugardough -163 Lygon St, Brunswick East. Ph: (03) 9380 4060


South:

Crue – 194 Toorak Rd, South Yarra. Ph: (03) 9827 5058

Gunter's Kitchen and Cafe - Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick. Ph: (03) 9523 0925

Las Chicas - 203 Carlisle St, Balacalva. Ph: (03) 9531 3699

Loco cafe, foodstore and catering - 438 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick Ph: (03) 9532 4455


East:

Bosisto's Liquor Bar - 318 Bridge Rd, Richmond. Ph: (03) 9428 6888

Liar Liar - 90 Kinkora Rd, Hawthorn. Ph: (03) 9818 8864

New York Tomato - 2 New St, Richmond. Ph: (03) 9429 0505

Porgie and Mr Jones - 291 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn. Ph: (03) 9882 2955


West:

Breizoz Crepes - 139 Nelson Pl, Williamstown. Ph: (03) 9397 2300 www.breizoz.com.au

Made – 60 Pin Oak Cres, Flemington. Ph: (03) 9372 6429. South American food.