
best of... sydney
20th March 2025
Having only lived in Sydney for a short stint of three months, my knowledge might not be as thorough as it is for the Gold Coast. This, in addition to the fact that I was extremely extremely skint during this period, means that I had to find places on a budget. I have however, been back to Sydney several times since then (with a little more money in my pocket), so hopefully this list covers multiple grounds.
So, if you're backpacking Sydney or have just decided to move over here from overseas (don't want the Sydney locals coming for me), this list is a great place to start.
COFFEE / CAFES
CBD
-
Skittle Lane
-
Kafe Kooks
-
Haven
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The Walrus Cafe
-
Terrace on the Domain
-
Edition Coffee Roasters
-
AP bakery (several locations)
-
Issho Cafe
SURRY HILLS
-
Toast
-
Bang Bang Cafe
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Paramount Coffee Project
-
The Rusty Rabbit (Darlinghurst)
-
Ampersand
NEWTOWN
-
Brewtown
-
Soulmate
MANLY
-
Barefoot Coffee Traders
-
Rollers Bakehouse
-
Market Lane Coffee
FOOD
LUNCH
-
Cross Section - Darlinghurst
-
Good Ways Deli - Redfern
-
MLK Deli - Surry Hills
-
Delisia - Forest Lodge
-
Happy Alley - Rockdale
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Norma's - Manly
-
Lox in a Box - Manly
ITALIAN
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Fabrica - CBD
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Vacanza Pizza - Surry Hills
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Pocket pizza - Manly
-
Pizza bro - Erskinville
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Conte - Surry Hills
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Totti's - CBD
-
Cheeky's Pizza - Kings Cross
ASIAN
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Spice Alley - CBD
-
Tanuki - Double Bay
SMALL PLATES
-
Jozo - Paddington
-
Gildas - Surry Hills
-
Joji - CBD
MISC
-
Shaffa - Surry Hills (Middle Eastern)
DRINKS
-
Don't Tell Aunty - Surry Hills
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Jam Bar - CBD
-
Bar Copains - Surry Hills
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Martinez - CBD
-
Joji - CBD
-
Good Luck - CBD
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Swinging Cat Jazz Bar - CBD
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State Library Rooftop Bar - CBD
-
Abercrombie - Chippendale
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Vasco - Newton
-
Opera Bar (has to be done)

- Rollers Bakehouse

- Paramount Coffee Roasters

- Lox in a Box

- Spice Alley


- Cheekys Pizza and Bar
BEACHES
-
Tamarama
-
Brontë
-
Palm Beach
-
Collins Flat - Manly
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Quarantine Beach - Manly
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Redleaf
-
Freshwater
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Balmoral
-
Watson Bay
-
Milk Beach
-
Kutti Beach
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Mackenzie Beach
-
Gordan Bay
-
Wattamolla Beach
CLUBS
-
Argyle
-
The Ivy
-
Soda Factory
-
Coogee Pavilion
-
Cargo
-
Club 77
PILATES STUDIOS
-
AP Pilates
-
Sarana
-
Peaches
-
Body by Berner

- Milk Beach

- Club 77

- Body by Berner
best of... the eastern suburbs
COOGEE - BONDI
COFFEE / CAFES
-
Lox and Stock Barrel
-
Harry’s
-
Depot
-
South Bondi
-
Cafe Bondi
FOOD
-
Totti's - Italian
-
Bonditony’s - Burgers
-
Hurricane - Fish and chips
-
Anita’s / Messina - ice cream
-
D bowls - Acai
-
Fonda - Mexican
-
The char - Chicken
-
Tuga Pastries - Clovelly
DRINKS
-
Saltys
-
Revesis
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Bondi Pavilion
-
Beach Hotel
-
Bikini Bar
-
Coogee Pavillion

- Tamarama Beach

- Sarana Bondi