Sydney’s inner west has boomed in recent years in all the ways that matter.
Here, you’ll find new restaurants celebrating myriad cuisines, niche bars perfecting both classic and crazy cocktails, independent boutiques boasting vintage collections, and secondhand bookstores with obscure titles and that beloved old-book scent.
We’ve teamed up with American Express to sift through the vast collection of stores spanning Sydney’s inner west and find the creme de la creme. These local gems will no doubt become your new favourites — and you can shop small here with your Amex Card.
If you feel like stretching your legs, Glebe is a short walk from Central Station — but if you aren’t up for the trek, hop on the light rail. For Newtown, take the T2 line from Central. Enmore is a six-minute walk from Newtown Station. The most scenic way to reach Balmain is by ferry, but if you’re prone to seasickness, the 442 bus from the QVB will get you there promptly.
If you’re yet to jump on the e-book bandwagon, the inner west will certainly deliver all your physical literary needs. Sappho Books‘ huge collection may take a while to trawl through so, fortunately, there is a wine bar attached. Newtown’s Better Read Than Dead hosts regular author talks and book clubs, while specialist bookstore and gift shop Pentimento is the place to head for hard-to-find titles, candles and stationery.
SWOP Clothing Exchange in Newtown is all about unique, beautiful and sustainable fashion. It’s got both contemporary and vintage threads — all hanging in colour-coded order. Glebe Point Road is the main thoroughfare in Glebe — after walking the length and taking in the stores, stop for a drink at Staves Brewery.
Connoisseurs of craft brews, organic wines and bespoke spirits are well catered to in this area. From the cosy bars like Earl’s Juke Joint and Where’s Nick to the specialty booze shops like Bucket Boys and P&V Wine and Liquor, the inner west is the spot to track down, or discover, a rare tipple or two.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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BarThe Lady Hampshire
91 Parramatta Road, Camperdown
Camperdown's resurrected pub is a haven for live music, cheap beers and classic pub feeds.
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BarNorth Annandale Hotel
105 Johnston Street, Annandale
Come for the live music on Sundays and a chicken parmy.
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ShopMr Burrows Hair Newtown
27 Enmore Road, Newtown
Lounge in leather slingbacks while getting your hair washed and massaged.
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ShopThat Vintage Shop
395-397 Enmore Road, Marrickville
Allergic to IKEA? You'll find old gems at this antiques specialist on Enmore Road.
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ShopThe Corner Booth
105 Booth Street, Annandale
This Annandale boutique has a surprisingly extensive range of goodies.
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ShopAcademie Salon
110 Johnston Lane, Sydney
Treat yourself to a relaxing hair cut in a 19th-century chapel building.
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ShopSouvlaki Boys
179 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
Find authentic Greek souvlaki in Marrickville.
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ShopNapoli Food and Wines
1-21 Smith Street, Marrickville
This Italian wholesaler is where to come for deli items from the motherland.
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ShopWheelhaus Bicycle Boutique
263 Enmore Road, Enmore
Where you'll find road, gravel and cyclocross bikes alongside Attaquer apparel.
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ShopInner City Cycles
151 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Glebe Point Road's long-standing bicycle shop has a broad range of bikes, including electric and hybrid.
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ShopAnnandale Cellars
91 Booth Street, Annandale
Discover preservative-free wines at this independent bottle-o.
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ShopChiswick Cellars
45 Blackwall Point Road, Chiswick
Test your pairing prowess at this bottle shop cum Italian deli.
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ShopSeed Flora
44, 76b Edinburgh Road, Marrickville
This events floristry duo isn't afraid to experiment with grand gestures.
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ShopPanetta Mercato Marrickville
Marrickville Metro, 20 Smidmore Street, Marrickville
A one-stop shop for your grazing platter needs.
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ShopFlowers On Norton St
332 Norton Street, Leichhardt
Pick up posies from $40 a bunch at this Norton Street flower and gift shop.
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RestaurantCherry Moon General Store
77 Nelson Street, Annandale
A cafe, general stores and woodfired bakery in Annandale.
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