Ten Must-Visit Spots in the CBD for Every Occasion
Your next business lunch, date night and birthday party: all sorted.
Ten Must-Visit Spots in the CBD for Every Occasion
In partnership with
Your next business lunch, date night and birthday party: all sorted.
The Harbour City in all its glory — from the lengthy shopping strips of George and Pitt Streets to the scenic walk along Barangaroo — has a variety of sublime ways to spend your hard-earned dough. There's always somewhere excellent to eat (or grab a drink), another delightful store to browse artisanal and eclectic wares and somewhere to visit for after-dark adventures.
No two days look the same when you're in Sydney's CBD, which means you need a hit-list to call upon that'll suit whatever situation you find yourself in. That's where we come in. Together with American Express, we've put together a list of businesses useful for any occasion, whether you're after a romantic restaurant for a make-or-break third date or somewhere to grab an impressive gift when you forgot your mum's birthday (don't worry, it happens to the best of us).
-
10
Cabrito means ‘little goat’ in Spanish, and this darling little hole-in-the-wall gets its name from the popular myth that goats in Ethiopia get high from eating the coffee cherry. You’ll feel a similar calming feeling by visiting Cabrito Coffee Traders for your morning cup of joe because this little cafe in Bulletin Place is very friendly and homey.
The crew house-roasts a mean bean but it also offers a cracking selection of grilled sandwiches, so you can make sure you’re full and ready to go for the day. Craving jamón with all the cheeses? Yes please, thank you very much.
-
9
The legendary Surry Hills spot Bar Ume has sadly just shut its doors, but there’s no need to panic. You can still sample the crew’s Japanese-inspired flavours at its more casual outpost in Barangaroo — perfect if your office is in the 2000 postcode and your work crew is after a quick feast.
Unsurprisingly, burgers are what Ume Burger does best. If you’re a traditionalist, stick to the American-style signature burger or classic cheeseburger. Or, make room for the Japanese-style takes, including chicken or pork karaage with tonkatsu sauce or fish katsu with Japanese tartare sauce. Amp up your meal with fries with umami seasoning or renkon (lotus root) chips with seaweed salt and your choice of nori, spicy cod roe or curry mayo and order a house-made soda (passionfruit ginger, yuzu brown sugar or strawberry vanilla) to wash it down. This joint is also licensed with Kirin on tap, Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu on offer.
-
8
Lunch at Bentley is a surefire way to make sure any business deal goes successfully. Located on the street level of the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Bentley is a heavy hitter in Sydney’s fine dining landscape, so bringing your clients here will no doubt impress them with your good taste (we’ll let you take the credit).
You have the option of five ($150) or seven ($220) courses, and with dishes like storm clam custard with XO, dry-aged duck breast, and black sesame ice cream with yuzu granita, you won’t be leaving this gorgeous establishment hungry. Seal the deal with a glass or two from the benchmark wine list, too.
Image: Leticia Almeida
-
7
So, that business lunch went so well that the clients are keen to kick on? Or maybe you just want to celebrate your golden employee status with a colleague? Either way, we know just the place. Just a five-minute walk from Bentley is Continental Deli, the CBD outpost of the much-loved Newtown bar.
If you’re a lover of bar snacks, then walking into Continental Deli will be like walking up the golden stairs to heaven. Continental Deli shines the most when you sit at the bar and order cold meats, cheeses and some Mediterranean-inspired share plates, while sipping on a top-notch drink. The latter is what Continental specialises in – in fact, you can get some of its cocktails in cans, like the Mar-tinny and the Can-hatten. But Continental’s entire drinks list is unquestionably magnificent, so if you’re looking for an after-work tipple, this is your place.
Image: Kitti Gould
-
6
If you’re wanting to impress on a first date, then Kittyhawk is a no-fail choice. This French bar serves up expertly made cocktails — there’s an entire page of rum and rye old fashioned varieties, including one that’ll set you back a cool $250. Foodwise, expect refined modern French food that brings an old-world whimsy to the table: think leek and black pudding croquettes, caviar bumps, and scallops with saucisson sec.
Kittyhawk is themed on the 1944 liberation of Paris, and the decor and aesthetics of this stunning venue transport you to this fervent time and place in history with ease. Make sure to get there before 6pm take advantage of the Liberation Hour (happy hour) menu, featuring $6 beer, wine and house spirits, and $2 oysters.
-
5
The Metro is one of the most beloved live music venues in Sydney, and a pillar of the local music scene. If you’re looking for a night of live music and awesome entertainment, The Metro cannot be beaten. If you’re not seeing a band, then head to one of its theme nights to dance your arse off to just about any genre that takes your fancy — we’re talking Broadway tunes, T-Swift or the angsty emo hits of the 2000s.
Have a milestone birthday coming up? Book The Metro’s private function room, The Lair. The space fits up to 350 people and has an impressive dance floor and retro video games.
Image: Destination NSW
-
4
We asked Michael Cookson from Cabrito Coffee Traders for his favourite spot in the CBD. This is what he said about Red Eye Records: “It’s an institution for any vinyl lover or anyone that just loves a dig through the curated collection of beats available. Red Eye can be a blackhole of time when you get on the hunt, which is what makes this place so great. There’s nothing better than getting lost in some good music.”
Red Eye Records is indisputably a landmark destination for any music fan. This legendary music store opened in 1981 and is now Sydney’s largest independent music retailer.
The York Street location is a haven for lovers of vinyl. You’ll be able to find new tunes as well as older ones on a variety of modern and outmoded mediums. Red Eye revels in being able to track down rare records and other items for its customers. The staff are all music experts (of course) and are stoked to share their knowledge and recommendations. Regardless of what you’re after, you’ll be sure to find a world of musical and memorabilia gold.
Image: Arvin Prem Kumar
-
3
In need of some TLC after (or during) a long week at work? Men’s Biz is the place you may be looking for. Located in the stunning Strand Arcade, this joint offers professional barber services, including deluxe straight razor shaves and top-tier grooming advice and products.
The store caters for all budgets and holds a huge range of products — from shaving creams and tools, skincare, haircare and much more. So whether you’re after a new ‘do or you need to nab some goods to give yourself a facial at home, you’ll find it all here.
-
2
The Oak Barrel is one of the oldest bottle shops in the city. And there’s a reason it’s lasted more than 60 years — because the Barrel folks are just good at what they do, plain and simple.
If you’re planning an event of any kind, there is no better place to stock up on party juice than here. The Oak Barrel prides itself on its enormous craft beer selection (arranged by country of origin), as well as its range of hard-to-find wines and rare spirits. If you’re unsure of what to stock up on, the team is happy to help advise you on everything you’ll need, whether it be a nice bottle for a formal dinner party or a sessionable craft beer to keep a party going all night.
-
1
Adora Handmade Chocolate stores are found throughout greater Sydney, but the Bligh Street store is where to flock if you’ve done the worst and forgotten someone important’s birthday. After all, Adora takes its name from the Greek word for gift.
Adora makes its impressive range – there are more than 40 different types – of chocolates from Belgian chocolate and using time-honoured European techniques. Once you try one, it’s very, very difficult to say no to another. The goods here are distinct – the chocolatiers don’t use fancy moulds or OTT decorations, opting instead for simple, rustic designs. And though you may be going there to buy a gift, we suggest treating yourself to one of the signature hot chocolates, too.
