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Sydney like a local

Newtown, Sydney, James Pipino

Must do

Eveleigh Artisan markets, Sydney, James Horan

Highlights

Sydney like a local

Discover plenty of new experiences around every corner of Sydney’s precincts within minutes of the CBD. Uncover local eateries in the inner city, bargains at weekend markets or the latest cocktail in a cool neighbourhood bar. Sydney’s  local neighbourhoods have their own special flavour when it comes to the important things in life – great food, drinks, shops and shows. Here are some of the coolest parts of Sydney to explore if you’re new to town.

Slices of Sydney booklet

Slices of Sydney

Download the Slices of Sydney booklet for things to see, do, eat, buy and enjoy in Sydney’s hotspots. The booklet offers tips on Sydney’s culinary highlights and how to soak up the local culture.
 

Paddington

Whether you’re looking for designer fashion on Oxford Street and surrounding streets or hoping to find a few bargains at Paddington’s famous Saturday market, you’ll find shopping in this fashionable neighbourhood enjoyable and fun. There are chocolate makers, bespoke shoe shops and tailors, milliners and gourmet food suppliers. Just a short bus ride from CBD.

Paddington Markets Pierre Toussaint

Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst, next to Surry Hills, is a busy neighbourhood, day and night. Streets fanning out from Oxford Street are packed with cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants as well as nightclubs and dance venues. Start the day late, with a big breakfast and then have fun exploring music stores, retro fashion, bookshops and vintage clothes. Taylor Square’s Sustainable Markets are held every Saturday. 

Eau de Vie cocktail bar, Darlinghurst
Newtown

Start your day in Newtown as the locals do, at a café on King Street drinking great coffee. Newtown is a contemporary bohemia offering an eclectic dining and shopping experience with everything from vintage fashion and recycled records to crystals, a string of terrific bookshops, leather shops and Afghan rugs; all easily accessible by train, bus.
Pretty Dog, Newtown, James Horan

Surry Hills

Inner-city Surry Hills is one of Sydney's coolest neighbourhoods. Known for its design shops, vintage fashion boutiques, bars and restaurants, it’s just by Central Station and the perfect spot to find something special. Start your adventure on Crown Street for small galleries and boutiques before easing into happy hour with a glass of vino or a cocktail at a bar or pub.

Edit store, Surry Hills, Daniel Boud

Walsh Bay

Around the corner from The Rocks/ with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge lies Walsh Bay, a harbourside neighbourhood that’s become an important part of Sydney’s thriving performing arts scene. This art precinct is home to Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Dance Company. Walsh Bay also has cafes, bars and restaurants for pre-theatre meals and drinks as well as casual lunchtime dining by the harbour.

 
Walsh Bay at night, James Horan

Kings Cross

Inner-city Kings Cross, easily accessible by train or bus, is a melting pot of cool bars, excellent restaurants, posh hotels and backpacker digs that spread out from Darlinghurst Road and Victoria Street. If you love late-night dancing, bars and cocktails, you’ll find them in the Cross. Night owls with an open mind will have fun in Sydney’s famous night life district which evolves into a relaxed daytime dining spot. 

William Street, Kings Cross, Robert Wallace

Potts Point/Woolloomooloo

Close to the city centre as well as Sydney Harbour, these neighbouring suburbs are tightly packed with grand old mansions, hotels and apartments. Visitors and residents alike enjoy great dining options, art and design galleries, casual bars and harbourside dining at Woolloomooloo Wharf. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan, arty and interesting.

Friends eating at 'Harry's cafe de wheels', Pierre Toussaint

Redfern/Waterloo

The unvarnished, industrial atmosphere of these neighbouring suburbs attracts cutting-edge galleries, a slow food scene, vintage stores and cool festivals. Highlights include Danks Street for food and art, Eveleigh Farmers’ Markets on Saturdays and anything performed or on show at Carriageworks. Keep an eye out for streetside cafes, cute bars and retro furniture along Redfern Street, just a short walk from the Redfern station

Danks Street Depot, Waterloo, James Horan

Glebe

Glebe, just a short bus from CBD or walk from central station, has harbourside parks, water views and narrow winding streets with grand old homes and cottages from another era. Wander along Glebe Point Road, slipping into a window seat at a wholefood café or ethnic eatery. Glebe’s holistic stores and bookshops do a brisk trade while Saturday’s market is a bargain-hunter’s dream.

 
Glebe Markets, James Horan

Pyrmont

Pyrmont is one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods with many examples of its past evident today in the wharves, wool stores and sandstone cliffs.  This harbourside location is perfect for exploring on foot with a walk or jog along the foreshore to Darling Harbour. Sydney Fish Markets are in Pyrmont as well as The Star and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

 
The Star, Pyrmont

Chinatown

Flip a coin and fill your belly with anything from yum cha to stir-fries, dumplings to crispy duck. Chinatown is a multi-Asian taste carnival with dumpling houses, tea merchants, neon food courts and oriental food galleries. Easy to get to by train, bus and light rail, Chinatown is within easy walking distance of the city centre.

Chinatown Night Market, Dan Boud
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