Marrickville

Things to do

On Sundays, visit the popular Marrickville Organic Food Market at the Addison Road Community Centre to pick up organic fruit and handmade goods. Be sure to check out the incredible enterprise known as Reverse Garbage, which has been “creatively reusing” garbage since the mid-1970s. Each year, it receives some 35,000 cubic metres of items that would have otherwise ended up in landfill, and then teaches people how to reuse those items in awfully creative ways in workshops. 

Clay Sydney offers classes at its two Marrickville outposts in Renwick Street and Victoria Road, from a six-week introduction to wheel-thrown pottery to how to make a keep cup. 

Clay Sydney, Marrickville

Nightlife & live music

If you’re into the arts or enjoy live music, you’ll have a wonderful time in Marrickville. Head to the community-run Red Rattler warehouse theatre for alternative drama, film and music. Factory Theatre puts on live performances from emerging talent as well as big names such as Pond, Mansionair and Montaigne. Camelot Lounge has been around forever and the line-up encompasses everything from cabaret to comedy. Lazybones Lounge, a glamorous upstairs space on Marrickville Road, offers live music every night of the week, and the shabby-chic Gasoline Pony has been hosting live music (everything from folk to gypsy beats) four to five nights a week since 2014.

Camelot Lounge, Marrickville

Multicultural dining

Make sure you bring your appetite because Marrickville’s reputation as an eating suburb is well deserved, serving up a range of cuisines. A former Greek enclave, you’ll find a great Greek deli and Greek restaurants, along with an amazing Italian cheese shop and some of the most authentic Vietnamese food in Sydney.

Stroll along Illawarra Road for fantastic Vietnamese at Banh Cuon Ba Oanh, Hello Auntie and VN Street Foods, find authentic Greek fare at the Corinthian Rotisserie Restaurant, and pick up all your Italian staples at the Paesanella Food Emporium. One of the best spots for banh mi in Sydney is at the tiny Marrickville Pork Roll.

VN Street Foods, Marrickville

The multicultural feast continues at Pepito’s, a Peruvian taberna where you can taste Latino-style tapas in a hip space in an old fish shop. Europe is represented at Pizza Madre, which serves meat-free, Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas; Barzaari, where ex-Quay chef Darryl Martin has embraced the food of the East Mediterranean, serving up Cypriot, Greek and Turkish delicacies; and Baba's Place, a friendly neighbourhood diner reminiscent of a cosy grandmother’s kitchen.

Baba's Place, Marrickville - Credit: Baba's Place

Cafe culture (and ice-cream)

Marrickville has a strong cafe culture, with many warehouse spaces having been transformed into coffee roasters. Coffee Alchemy on Addison Road sells single-origin and house blends and ONA Coffee is so serious about their brews that they encourage you to ask the barista where it came from. Other good options include Two Chaps (the doughnuts are delectable) and Double Roasters (which roasts its own blends in Carrington Street and serves them at its cafe on Victoria Road).

For a different kind of breakfast, head to Kurumac, which dishes up all-day meals that emulate the morning staples you might find in family-run joints all over Japan. Valentinas is an all-day American-style diner that will transport you to the nostalgic charm of classic diners in New York and Los Angeles, while Messina has a new HQ in Marrickville, where you’ll find all 40 gelato flavours.

Valentinas, Marrickville - Credit: Valentinas

Follow the brewery trail

An easy way to appreciate the flavours of Marrickville is on a food or brewery tour. Gourmet Safaris provides a wonderful introduction to the suburb’s culinary delights, or join Dave’s Brewery Tours and discover some of the suburb’s iconic microbreweries such as Grifter Brewing Co, Batch Brewing Co, Sauce Brewing Co, Wildflower Brewing & Blending, Mixtape Brewing and Philter Public Bar and Brewery (or take a self-guided tour with friends).

Grifter Brewing Co, Marrickville

Marrickville also offers an assortment of other drinking establishments, from lively pubs to small wine bars such as Where’s Nick. A local favourite is The Henson, an Art Deco pub with a charming beer garden. The Vic on the Park is a beloved pet-friendly venue, while The Marrickville Hotel is a cross between a small bar and a pub. Gin connoisseurs should head to Poor Toms to sample spirits in the Gin Hall, and those who want to dine on delicious Chinese bar snacks while sipping on a cold one shouldn't miss the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre.

The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville - Credit: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre

Getting there

You can catch a train direct from the city centre to Marrickville, getting off at either Marrickville or Sydenham stations, with the journey taking around 20 minutes. There’s also a range of bus services that connect Marrickville to the city and the neighbouring suburb of Newtown.