Guidebook for Surry Hills
Food Scene
More award-winning restaurants per square metre than any other suburb in Australia. Also home to more humble cafe offerings for those just after a quick brunch.
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Surry Hills
More award-winning restaurants per square metre than any other suburb in Australia. Also home to more humble cafe offerings for those just after a quick brunch.
For serious coffee lovers, this beautifully restored Deco building (once Paramount Pictures HQ) is also home to the Golden Age Cinema. Try the poached chicken salad. Light but incredibly satisfying.
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Paramount Coffee Project
80 Commonwealth StFor serious coffee lovers, this beautifully restored Deco building (once Paramount Pictures HQ) is also home to the Golden Age Cinema. Try the poached chicken salad. Light but incredibly satisfying.
Great spot for a wood-fired pizza and the house specialty, duck lasagne. Extensive wine list and very friendly staff. Limoncello pops up frequently at the end of the meal.
Parma
285A Crown StreetGreat spot for a wood-fired pizza and the house specialty, duck lasagne. Extensive wine list and very friendly staff. Limoncello pops up frequently at the end of the meal.
Clean lines and cosy atmosphere, Mr Mo is a hidden gem in the bustle of Surry Hills. Lovely coffee, very good music selection and excellent smoked home made baked beans - terrific hangover cure.
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MO SURRY HILLS (CLOSED)
Clean lines and cosy atmosphere, Mr Mo is a hidden gem in the bustle of Surry Hills. Lovely coffee, very good music selection and excellent smoked home made baked beans - terrific hangover cure.
Another Sydney institution of contemporary Asian cuisine that just keeps delivering. Great Bunker Bar underneath the main restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. Shortgrain does counter lunches next door.
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Longrain Restaurant
Another Sydney institution of contemporary Asian cuisine that just keeps delivering. Great Bunker Bar underneath the main restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. Shortgrain does counter lunches next door.
Newish kid on the block, this restaurant has been winning fans since it opened its door. Share plates are terrific, beautifully designed and spacious industrial/organic interior hybrid. Lots to love.
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NOMAD
16 Foster StNewish kid on the block, this restaurant has been winning fans since it opened its door. Share plates are terrific, beautifully designed and spacious industrial/organic interior hybrid. Lots to love.
Street hawker style Asian now residing in an old parking lot, House delivers great food at a modest price. Run by the Spice I Am crew. Buy your cheap drinks next door at the shady Triple Ace bar.
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House
202 Elizabeth StreetStreet hawker style Asian now residing in an old parking lot, House delivers great food at a modest price. Run by the Spice I Am crew. Buy your cheap drinks next door at the shady Triple Ace bar.
Routinely voted best coffee in Sydney. For serious coffee snobs as well as those in transit. Also a hub for other cafes with Toast and The Reservoir within spitting distance of it.
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Single O Surry Hills
64 Reservoir StRoutinely voted best coffee in Sydney. For serious coffee snobs as well as those in transit. Also a hub for other cafes with Toast and The Reservoir within spitting distance of it.
Sounds more industrial than the little picket fenced cottage it resides in actually suggests. Good South American-inspired breakfasts. Good for hangovers too.
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Robocog
249 Riley StSounds more industrial than the little picket fenced cottage it resides in actually suggests. Good South American-inspired breakfasts. Good for hangovers too.
Great sushi. Can get expensive with share plates but the quality's terrific.
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Zushi Surry Hills
285A Crown StreetGreat sushi. Can get expensive with share plates but the quality's terrific.
good coffee but also try their Fish Finger sandwich. Modestly named but featuring fried fish on brioche with aioli. Other great brunch offerings too.
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BangBang Cafe
113 Reservoir Stgood coffee but also try their Fish Finger sandwich. Modestly named but featuring fried fish on brioche with aioli. Other great brunch offerings too.
Run by the Xage crew, this great little converted terrace has super tasty Vietnamese dishes including pho ... naturally. Directly opposite Bar H too.
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Madame Nhu
82 Campbell StRun by the Xage crew, this great little converted terrace has super tasty Vietnamese dishes including pho ... naturally. Directly opposite Bar H too.
An institution if you're after fantastic Chinese. This is where all the chefs eat when they knock off after midnight. Open noon till 4am. Try the salt & pepper tofu!
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Golden Century Seafood Restaurant
393 Sussex StreetAn institution if you're after fantastic Chinese. This is where all the chefs eat when they knock off after midnight. Open noon till 4am. Try the salt & pepper tofu!
The famous chain of thoroughly addictive soup dumplings is only ten minutes walk away. On the first floor of World Square, this retail precinct is also worth a look.
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Din Tai Fung World Square Restaurant
644 George StThe famous chain of thoroughly addictive soup dumplings is only ten minutes walk away. On the first floor of World Square, this retail precinct is also worth a look.
New to the neighbourhood, this Asian dining room just 5 minutes up the road is getting rave reviews. (must try it myself!).
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Chow Bar & Eating House
320 Crown StNew to the neighbourhood, this Asian dining room just 5 minutes up the road is getting rave reviews. (must try it myself!).
Sushi Train
81 Foveaux StReliable sushi. $3.30 plates. Takeaway too. I just about live at this place.
Good coffee, very nice breakfasts and excellent smoothies. A nice old warehouse corner space with a few outdoor tables, diagonally opposite Harmony Park. Friendly vibe too.
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Burger Project Macquarie Place
1 Macquarie PlGood coffee, very nice breakfasts and excellent smoothies. A nice old warehouse corner space with a few outdoor tables, diagonally opposite Harmony Park. Friendly vibe too.
Great Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Get there early otherwise you may have to wait. If there's a queue duck down to House on the next block. It's run by the same people.
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Spice I Am
90 Wentworth AveGreat Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Get there early otherwise you may have to wait. If there's a queue duck down to House on the next block. It's run by the same people.
New York feel to this cafe just down the road (5 mins). Good breakfasts and an arty crowd. The Reservoir cafe and Single Origin both opposite.
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Toast Cafe
45 Reservoir StNew York feel to this cafe just down the road (5 mins). Good breakfasts and an arty crowd. The Reservoir cafe and Single Origin both opposite.
Attached to the Royal Albert Hotel, this reasonably priced dumpling restaurant has a great range of dim sum. Try the dessert dumplings (green tea, mango, taro etc) for something different.
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Bamboo Dumpling Bar
140 Commonwealth StAttached to the Royal Albert Hotel, this reasonably priced dumpling restaurant has a great range of dim sum. Try the dessert dumplings (green tea, mango, taro etc) for something different.
Beautifully restored old pub with lots of space in the main bar, lively restaurant and the all important beer garden out the back. Mean cocktails, great music and movie nights upstairs too.
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The Beresford
354 Bourke StBeautifully restored old pub with lots of space in the main bar, lively restaurant and the all important beer garden out the back. Mean cocktails, great music and movie nights upstairs too.
My current favourite! Lovely industrial space that runs from street to back alley (with rollerdoor always up, letting the breeze through). People cross town for their salted caramel milkshake too.
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Reuben Hills
61 Albion StMy current favourite! Lovely industrial space that runs from street to back alley (with rollerdoor always up, letting the breeze through). People cross town for their salted caramel milkshake too.
One of Oz's most hatted restaurants, this is a pilgrimage for any serious foodie. Book in advance as it's a hot ticket. People cross country/globe to get in so take advantage of the 7 min walk.
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Zambo Restaurant
355 Crown StreetOne of Oz's most hatted restaurants, this is a pilgrimage for any serious foodie. Book in advance as it's a hot ticket. People cross country/globe to get in so take advantage of the 7 min walk.
Another seriously awarded restaurant. New take on Asian. They don't take bookings so get there early(ish).
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Billy Kwong
Another seriously awarded restaurant. New take on Asian. They don't take bookings so get there early(ish).
An institution for Bill Granger's ricotta pancakes if nothing else. Seriously good place for brunch. Pick up his cookbook while you're there.
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Bills
433 Liverpool StAn institution for Bill Granger's ricotta pancakes if nothing else. Seriously good place for brunch. Pick up his cookbook while you're there.
Great thin-crust pizzas, nice wines and a view out to bustling Crown Street. Checked tablecloths and candles in Chianti bottles the only concession to tradition.
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Mad Mex
241 Crown StGreat thin-crust pizzas, nice wines and a view out to bustling Crown Street. Checked tablecloths and candles in Chianti bottles the only concession to tradition.
Light airy restaurant serving up fresh Vietnamese. A solid cheap eat only 7 minutes' stroll from home.
Saigon Bay Restaurant
249 Oxford StLight airy restaurant serving up fresh Vietnamese. A solid cheap eat only 7 minutes' stroll from home.
Quirky little cafe with astro turf stools out he front, art on the walls inside and a little outdoor area tucked away out the back. Low key, but funky,.
Me and Art - Sydney
62 Mary StreetQuirky little cafe with astro turf stools out he front, art on the walls inside and a little outdoor area tucked away out the back. Low key, but funky,.
While I haven't been there myself yet, this comes recommended by a number of friends. Nice vibe but always pretty busy, particularly at night.
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Thai Me Up on Oxford
112 Oxford StWhile I haven't been there myself yet, this comes recommended by a number of friends. Nice vibe but always pretty busy, particularly at night.
Drinks & Nightlife
An institution, owned by Doris, a former Hollywood starlet, retains its Heritage listed retro interior design. Cheap drinks, mirror balls, great music (live and DJs) and a relaxed atmosphere.
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Hollywood Hotel
2 Foster StreetAn institution, owned by Doris, a former Hollywood starlet, retains its Heritage listed retro interior design. Cheap drinks, mirror balls, great music (live and DJs) and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hole in the wall bar & dumpling restaurant. Just got its council approval for al fresco seating so you can perch on a stool at the bar and watch the madding crowd. Try the orange wine for a change.
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Bar H Dining
80 Campbell StHole in the wall bar & dumpling restaurant. Just got its council approval for al fresco seating so you can perch on a stool at the bar and watch the madding crowd. Try the orange wine for a change.
Need to catch up on the latest game? This pub is the closest spot to watch soccer, rugby or anything else (probably even darts and curling). Does a great counter lunch with roasts + trimmings.
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The Porterhouse Irish Pub
233 Riley StNeed to catch up on the latest game? This pub is the closest spot to watch soccer, rugby or anything else (probably even darts and curling). Does a great counter lunch with roasts + trimmings.
If you want a noisy hang full of beautiful people downing cocktails in a garden and fairly lit setting, this one's for you. A bit of a scene, for those after one!
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The Winery
285A Crown StIf you want a noisy hang full of beautiful people downing cocktails in a garden and fairly lit setting, this one's for you. A bit of a scene, for those after one!
Light fuse and get away. This place goes off at night, particularly the first floor dance floor. Heaving with gay, straight and in betweens, it's a love-in of sweaty pulsating dancers until very late.
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The Colombian Hotel
125 Oxford StLight fuse and get away. This place goes off at night, particularly the first floor dance floor. Heaving with gay, straight and in betweens, it's a love-in of sweaty pulsating dancers until very late.
Subterranean club which feels like a Croatian disco circa 1980. Cheesy music til 1am then doof doof doof thereafter. Super friendly crowd. Women must wear closed toed shoes to get in.
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Palms On Oxford Nightclub
124 Oxford StSubterranean club which feels like a Croatian disco circa 1980. Cheesy music til 1am then doof doof doof thereafter. Super friendly crowd. Women must wear closed toed shoes to get in.
Mexican themed bar run by the Baxters and Shady Pines guys. Haven't been there since it opened but it's always teeming. Right next door to the Hollywood Hotel too.
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Tio's Cerveceria
14 Foster StMexican themed bar run by the Baxters and Shady Pines guys. Haven't been there since it opened but it's always teeming. Right next door to the Hollywood Hotel too.
One of my locals, this suburban pub has lots of microbrews and a dumpling bar attached to it. Lots of great drinks on tap and very friendly staff.
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Royal Albert Hotel
140 Commonwealth StOne of my locals, this suburban pub has lots of microbrews and a dumpling bar attached to it. Lots of great drinks on tap and very friendly staff.
Cross Oxford St and find yourself rolling past the corner roller door and into this long bar with cool drinks and great people.
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Mister Pocket
13 Burton StCross Oxford St and find yourself rolling past the corner roller door and into this long bar with cool drinks and great people.
This is a down and dirty pub on Oxford Street but the jukebox is good. Gets pretty messy in the early hours but a heap of fun with lively locals who dance even though there's no dancefloor.
The Brighton Hotel
77 Oxford StThis is a down and dirty pub on Oxford Street but the jukebox is good. Gets pretty messy in the early hours but a heap of fun with lively locals who dance even though there's no dancefloor.
The pub looks unprepossessing on the ground floor but upstairs is quite a nice space for a drink. There's also an outdoor roof terrace area that's a good place to hang. Good music too.
Gaslight Inn
278 Crown StThe pub looks unprepossessing on the ground floor but upstairs is quite a nice space for a drink. There's also an outdoor roof terrace area that's a good place to hang. Good music too.
The Mac is a good local pub with a solid line up of music on a regular basis. They have their own microbrewery too. Cheap accommodation too.
THE MACQUARIE HOTEL
42 Wentworth AvenueThe Mac is a good local pub with a solid line up of music on a regular basis. They have their own microbrewery too. Cheap accommodation too.
Gay bar with drag shows on after midnight. Locals don't frequent it too often but you should give it a go once. Be mindful there'll be a queue to get in from about 10.30 onwards.
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Universal Sydney
85-91 Oxford StGay bar with drag shows on after midnight. Locals don't frequent it too often but you should give it a go once. Be mindful there'll be a queue to get in from about 10.30 onwards.
Everything Else
Newly refurbished 50m outdoor swimming pool, with stunning oversized gold umbrellas to shade sunbakers on rolling lawn. Greatly appointed, good cafe. Surprisingly low key particularly on weekdays
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Prince Alfred Park
Chalmers StreetNewly refurbished 50m outdoor swimming pool, with stunning oversized gold umbrellas to shade sunbakers on rolling lawn. Greatly appointed, good cafe. Surprisingly low key particularly on weekdays
7min walk to award-winning 50m Olympic pool, spa and gym. Undercover with some outdoor areas for sunbaking.
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Cook Phillip Park Pool
4 College St7min walk to award-winning 50m Olympic pool, spa and gym. Undercover with some outdoor areas for sunbaking.
Decent barber/hairdresser five minutes away. No trouble getting bookings because there are half a dozen stylists on hand. They have a DJ and offer you wine too.
Ziggy's Barber Salon
183 Riley StDecent barber/hairdresser five minutes away. No trouble getting bookings because there are half a dozen stylists on hand. They have a DJ and offer you wine too.
An institution for beauty treatments (male and female) this has just moved even closer to the top of Brisbane Street, so is just three minutes away.
Ciao Bella Beauty Salon
2-8 Brisbane StAn institution for beauty treatments (male and female) this has just moved even closer to the top of Brisbane Street, so is just three minutes away.
$50 spa manicure and pedicure (in the same complex as Sushi Train and Duffy's Supermarket). Reliable service and they can always fit you in.
California Nails
63 Oxford St$50 spa manicure and pedicure (in the same complex as Sushi Train and Duffy's Supermarket). Reliable service and they can always fit you in.
Torture yourself and detox in a 90 min bikram class. 8 or so classes a day. Not for the faint-hearted but a great way to punish yourself if you're a masochist.
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Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst
185 Foley StTorture yourself and detox in a 90 min bikram class. 8 or so classes a day. Not for the faint-hearted but a great way to punish yourself if you're a masochist.
The closest gym to home. Will take casuals. Recently refurbished with large exercise space and two studios. Body Jam classes are choreographed routines that mimic interval training. Lots of fun.
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Fitness First Darlinghurst
63 Oxford StThe closest gym to home. Will take casuals. Recently refurbished with large exercise space and two studios. Body Jam classes are choreographed routines that mimic interval training. Lots of fun.
Arts & Culture
Terrific venue with two stages. Features an excellent lineup of music pretty much every night. Run by good people who appreciate great music, art and creativity.
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Oxford Art Factory
46 Oxford StTerrific venue with two stages. Features an excellent lineup of music pretty much every night. Run by good people who appreciate great music, art and creativity.
Retro cinema seating around 80. A time warp back to the golden age of cinema indeed. Very cool lower level bar makes you feel like a starlet about to get seduced on the casting couch. Cool as ...
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Golden Age Cinema & Bar
80 Commonwealth StRetro cinema seating around 80. A time warp back to the golden age of cinema indeed. Very cool lower level bar makes you feel like a starlet about to get seduced on the casting couch. Cool as ...
Hub for regular events including movie nights, market stalls, dance nights etc. For something a bit different ...
Campbell Street
Campbell StreetHub for regular events including movie nights, market stalls, dance nights etc. For something a bit different ...
Outre stocks beautiful art, specifically prints and earthenware, with a pop culture sensibility; Shag being a favourite. Lovely eye candy even if you don't have room in your suitcase.
Outré Gallery
285 Crown StOutre stocks beautiful art, specifically prints and earthenware, with a pop culture sensibility; Shag being a favourite. Lovely eye candy even if you don't have room in your suitcase.
Sightseeing
Sydney's most comprehensive museum for artefacts. Keep an eye out for Jurassic Lounge, themed nights with DJs, bars, Silent Disco, burlesque, bands and full access to museum rooms. A great night out.
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Australski muzej
1 William StSydney's most comprehensive museum for artefacts. Keep an eye out for Jurassic Lounge, themed nights with DJs, bars, Silent Disco, burlesque, bands and full access to museum rooms. A great night out.
Shopping
Retro/vintage clothes for inner-city hipsters. A riot of colour for passers-by too.
Grandma Takes A Trip
263 Crown StRetro/vintage clothes for inner-city hipsters. A riot of colour for passers-by too.
Restaurant, cafe and pasta supplies. I haven't been yet but friends say the food is great, just a little slow so go there when you're in a languid mood. Three minutes away.
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Pasta Emilia
259 Riley StRestaurant, cafe and pasta supplies. I haven't been yet but friends say the food is great, just a little slow so go there when you're in a languid mood. Three minutes away.
I defy anyone who's interested in design, art, architecture or the like to walk out empty handed. Beautiful pages indeed. Books, magazines and a smattering of objet d'arts to delight the senses.
Beautiful Pages
I defy anyone who's interested in design, art, architecture or the like to walk out empty handed. Beautiful pages indeed. Books, magazines and a smattering of objet d'arts to delight the senses.
A Surry Hills institution. Channel your inner rockabilly or cowgal with retro/vintage gear that will have you shaking your tail feather before you know it.
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Route 66
82-84 Enmore RdA Surry Hills institution. Channel your inner rockabilly or cowgal with retro/vintage gear that will have you shaking your tail feather before you know it.
Essentials
Another supermarket on the strip. Handy if you're on your way back from Sydney CBD and don't want to detour.
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IGA Supermarket
23 Oxford StAnother supermarket on the strip. Handy if you're on your way back from Sydney CBD and don't want to detour.