The north shore is a beautiful part of Sydney, and its proximity to the water means an abundance of restaurants and bars with stunning views.
With beautiful scenery to enjoy, time spent shopping and dining in this area is like being on holiday. You can lose hours exploring the luxe fashion boutiques, homewares stores and fine diners.
We’ve teamed up with American Express to bring you the creme de la creme of local businesses so you can support your favourites. Armed with these shopping lists, you can shop small around the area — from the bustling streets of Chatswood to the Mosman boutiques — all with your American Express Card.
The traditional way to reach the north shore is via ferry. You can hop on the Mosman Bay route at Circular Quay, which takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can hop on the T1 train line to North Sydney, then jump on the 230 bus. If you’re heading to Crows Nest or Chatswood, stay on the train — it’ll deposit you right at their doorsteps.
Bringing a little bit of Europe to the north shore is Four Frogs Creperie, a quaint cafe serving up some of the most delicious crepes outside of France. Head there for an indulgent savoury crepe with bacon, swiss cheese and raclette potatoes cooked in cider. Have more of a sweet tooth? Try the one with organic maple syrup.
Mosman’s Military Road, lined with cosy cafes, luxe restaurants and high-end shops, is the main thoroughfare of the harbourside suburb. In Crows Nest, you’ll find most of the action happening just off Princes Highway on Willoughby Road. Keep travelling up the highway and you’ll land in Chatswood.
When you live on this side of the bridge, you’ve likely marked some special occasion — a birthday, anniversary, promotion or graduation — at Burnt Orange. With sweeping water views, an artfully designed interior and incredible food to boot, you can’t go to this long-standing local institution just once.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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RestaurantAnnata
69 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
A hatted Crows Nest gem stepping up the North Shore's fine dining game with a seriously impressive wine list.
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RestaurantMama Mulan
Level 1, The Concourse, Chatswood
Chatswood's stunning 180-seat restaurant pairs an elegant modern space with regional Chinese fare.
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CafeShuk Chatswood
260 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
A lower north shore spot from Bondi's much-loved Israeli cafe.
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CafeThree Beans Chatswood Chase
345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Brunch in a shopping centre just got better.
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RestaurantKazzi Beach Greek
11A The Esplanade, Mosman
A Greek Island-inspired eatery opposite Balmoral Beach.
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ShopEndota Spa Crows Nest
38 Willoughby Road, Sydney
Pamper yourself at this certified organic spa.
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ShopAje Chatswood Chase
345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Where you'll find edgy casual clothes through to embellished evening wear.
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ShopCyclery Northside
815 Pacific Highway, Chatswood
Test ride gravel bikes and lightweight e-bikes at this specialist store.
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ShopExclusive Meats North Turramurra
288 Bobbin Head Road, North Turramurra
Find Nuremberg-style bratwurst and continental frankfurters at this family-run butchers.
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ShopTom's Cellars
284 Bobbin Head Road, North Turramurra
A boutique bottle-o that stocks booze by the small guys.
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ShopBalmoral Cellars
7 The Esplanade, Mosman
This beachside bottle-o and convenience store has been around since 1951.
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CafePattison's Patisserie - CLOSED
345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Beautiful desserts that taste as good as they look, and the coffee's pretty good, too.
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ShopQuattro Deli
365 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Build your ideal charcuterie board at this traditional Italian grocer.
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ShopFresh City Fruit & Vegetables
256-260 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
A friendly neighbourhood green grocer in Chatswood.
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ShopMonsterthreads Chatswood
1 Anderson Street, Chatswood
Find t-shirts, accessories and left-of-centre gifts featuring designs by independent artists from around the globe.
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ShopThe Source Bulk Foods
2/34-48 Alexander Street (entrance On Burlington Street), Crows Nest
Stock up on organic pantry staples at this waste-free local store.
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RestaurantFour Frogs Creperie Mosman
175-179 Avenue Road, Mosman
Celebrate the end of the week with a fiery crepe made the French way.
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CafeHeirloom Specialty Coffee
81 Avenue Road, Mosman
This northern suburbs cafe is one of the best places for coffee in the area.
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CafeSunflower Lounge
37A Spofforth Street, Mosman
A sunny Mosman cafe doing great coffee and croque monsieurs.
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ShopMeadow Meat
16 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
A local butchery and takeaway joint in the heart of Crows Nest.
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CafeBoronia Kitchen
152 Pittwater Road, Gladesville
Hunters Hill's new all-day eatery from an ex-ARIA chef is serving up standout in-house meals and healthy lunches to-go.
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BarGreengate Hotel
Cnr Pacific Highway And Greengate Road, Killara
Killara's mainstay pub on the Pacific Highway.
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RestaurantHunter Gatherer - CLOSED
Greenwood Plaza Rooftop, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney
Forage your way to North Sydney's new rooftop eatery.
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RestaurantNew Shanghai
B38 Chatswood Chase, 345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
For when you can't (don't want to) choose between a soup dumpling and a pork bun.
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RestaurantDos Senoritas
265D Victoria Road, Gladesville
Award-winning tacos in traditional Guadalajaran-style.
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RestaurantVia Napoli
141 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove
Ordering a one-metre long pizza is as good as life gets.
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RestaurantBerowra Waters Inn
Public Wharves, Berowra Waters
Refinement in a bush setting proves that Berowra Waters Inn hasn't finished making history yet.
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CafeThe Roots - CLOSED
83 Mount Street, North Sydney
From the black stuff to the foodfare, you'll find it hard not to strike up a 'spromance with The Roots.
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BarThe Hunter - CLOSED
5 Myahgah Road, Mosman
It’s not the plains of the Serengeti, but a chic new watering hole with a wild safari-inspired menu.
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BarThe Foxtrot
28 Falcon Street, Crows Nest
Deliciously smooth and wickedly gratifying, much like the whisky the Foxtrot showcases.
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CafeSalvage Specialty Coffee
5 Wilkes Avenue, Artarmon
A specialty coffee joint tucked into the quiet side of Artarmon's train station.
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RestaurantFourth Village
5a Vista Street, Mosman
Fourth Village, like going to any Italian home means you're dragged into a fun, loud place where good food is never far away.
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RestaurantStreet Market Asian Tapas - CLOSED
Shop 3/12 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli
Make your way into the sensory celebration that is Street Market.
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BarThe Pickled Possum
254 Military Road, Neutral Bay
Widely renowned as one of the more bizarre establishments in Sydney, the person with the microphone is king at the Pickled Possum.
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