HAYMARKET AND CHINATOWN
Whether you’re after 40-cent cream puffs or late-night karaoke, the Haymarket/Chinatown area is one of the best places to eat, drink and be merry in Sydney’s inner city.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Haymarket such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
Flick the switch above, and we’ll dim the lights to show you the best things to do once the sun goes down. You can also explore more inner city suburbs and discover more local businesses to support here.
Whether you’re after 40-cent cream puffs or late-night karaoke, the Haymarket/Chinatown area is one of the best places to eat, drink and be merry in Sydney’s inner city.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Haymarket such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
Flick the switch above, and we’ll turn on the lights to show you the best things to do pre-6pm. You can also explore more inner city suburbs and discover more local businesses to support here.
The opening scenes of The Matrix — where Neo gets into the car — were shot in Chinatown. Head to the bridge underpass on the corner of Campbell and Elizabeth streets, ideally on a drizzly day, to recreate the scene for yourself.
Chinatown is edged by Goulburn Street, Elizabeth Street and the pedestrian-friendly The Goods Line. Get there by public transport — all trains stop at the nearby Central Station — then continue your adventure on foot.
The 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art never fails to impress. The not-for-profit gallery has a rotating roster of new works that explore the links between Australia and its regional neighbour, Asia. It’s a surprising, visionary oasis in the middle of Chinatown’s hubbub.
Chinatown’s food courts are legendary. Each has its own character: the grungy underground Dixon House, the impressive (and promisingly named) Eating World and Market City. Feast like the locals, and feast like a king.
The Capitol Theatre building was originally home to the New Belmore Markets in the 1890s, before being converted to a hippodrome for the Wirth Bros circus company. It was developed as a theatre in 1928, and narrowly escaped demolition in the 1980s. The theatre was restored in the 1990s to the tune of $30 million.
Chinatown sits on the southern point of Sydney’s CBD. Get there by public transport — all trains stop at the nearby Central Station — then continue your adventure on foot. Trains usually run until midnight, but if you miss the cutoff, grab a Nightride bus which runs until 4.30am.
Hunt down Chinatown’s hidden (or not-so-hidden) street art — the artworks glow at night. Jason Wing’s In Between Two Worlds on Kimber Lane (just off Dixon Street) is an awe-inspiring installation that explores heaven, earth and spirits and takes cues from Chinese and Aboriginal spiritual motifs.
Don’t be fooled by the snaking line at Emperor’s Puffs. It moves quickly, thanks to the efficient cast iron machine that churns out the creamy cake-puffs, oozing with golden custard. They’re a steal at 40 cents, or if you’re flush with cash, fork out two dollars for five puffs.
How to do Haymarket and Chinatown
Do as the locals do.
Cafes
There’s a growing cafe culture in Chinatown, which means you’re only ever a stone’s throw from a decent cup of coffee.
1. Edition Haymarket
2. Dopa Donburi and Dessert Darling Square
3. Auvers Cafe Darling Square
4. Kingswood Coffee
5. Toastiesmith - Darling Square
Restaurants
Wear your stretchy pants. The precinct is bursting with amazing culinary specialties from the Asian region.
1. Yang Guo Fu Ma La Tang - CLOSED
2. Kogi Korean BBQ
3. Mr Chen Beef Noodle
4. Chinese Noodle House
5. Belles Hot Chicken Haymarket - CLOSED
Shops
Drop some cash at Chinatown’s specialty stores serving up Japanese cheesecakes, bubble tea and Thai produce.
1. Dulcet Cakes & Sweets - CLOSED
2. Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart
3. Sydney Party Warehouse
4. Pontip Exotic Fruit & Vegetables
5. Bubble Nini The Exchange
Arts and Culture
From galleries and street art to oft-forgotten architectural delights, there are many art gems in Chinatown to discover.
1. 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
2. Korean Cultural Centre
3. Civic Tower
4. Darling Square Library
5. UTS Gallery
Shop Online
Can't visit the area soon enough? Get gems from these Haymarket-based businesses sent straight to you instead.
1. Bucket Boys Bar and Bottle Shop
2. Arisun
3. Xi'an Biang Biang
4. Gumshara
5. Uncle Tetsu
CP Faves
These are the spots around Haymarket we love to hit up during the daylight hours.
1. Chinese Garden of Friendship
2. The Alley Lujiaoxiang
3. Dainty Sichuan - CLOSED
4. Boon Cafe at Jarern Chai Grocer
5. Hachi Sydney
How to do Haymarket and Chinatown
Do as the locals do.
Restaurants and Bars
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – you’re spoilt for dinner choices in this area. Here are some of Sydney’s favourites.
1. Bancho
2. Hello Auntie Darling Square
3. XOPP
4. Dae Jang Kum
5. The Dolar Shop
BYO Restaurants
Who doesn’t love a drink with their dinner? These restaurants serve top-notch meals for you to pair with your own BYO wine of choice.
1. Chat Thai
2. Pho Pasteur
3. Mamak
4. Chinatown Noodle Restaurant
5. Sea Bay Restaurant
Live Music, Arts and Culture
Chinatown’s not the most obvious place to get your live music fix. Lucky for you, we’ve scoured the hidden venues for your listening and dancing pleasure.
1. The Metro
2. K1 Karaoke Lounge
3. Civic Underground
4. Dynasty Karaoke
5. Capitol Theatre
Shops
You can buy trinkets, desserts or designer sneakers at Chinatown’s eclectic collection of nighttime retail haunts.
1. Morning Glory
2. Thai Kee IGA Supermarket
3. Fifteen Sheets
4. Gelato Messina Darling Square
5. Kurtosh Darling Square
Leisure
Head to some old-school, kitsch arcade game parlours, escape rooms and public outdoor areas (with free table tennis).
1. Capitol Square Gaming Arcade
2. Paddy's Markets Haymarket
3. Break the Code Escape Room
4. Crossover Dance
5. Men's Culture Barber
Locals Love
Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of Haymarket and Chinatown come alive.
1. Emperor's Puffs
2. Nakano Darling
3. Golden Century Seafood Restaurant - CLOSED
4. 678 Korean BBQ
5. Ho Jiak
Editor's Itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Haymarket.
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Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
The first Australian building designed by esteemed architect Frank Gehry, the man behind The Guggenheim and Walt Disney Concert Hall. -
Emperor's Puffs
Take the time to line up for these little balls filled with warm, custard-y goodness for only 40 cents a pop. -
Paddy's Markets
Don’t be put off by Paddy’s Markets' reputation as a purveyor of cheap knock-off goods — the flowers alone are worth the visit. -
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Sculptures, light shows, photography and talks run constantly at this multi-faceted art centre.
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Heaven and the Dixon Street Light Screens
This permanent light installation on Dixon Street wows passersby each night as it morphs from one colour to the next from 6pm to midnight. -
Pipis in XO from Golden Century
Momofuku’s David Chang said that this dish is "probably my favourite dish ever". A big call, worth backing up with first-hand analysis. -
Mamak
Snack on this mouth-watering roti at Sydney's award-winning Malaysian restaurant, or pair the tasty flatbread with some delicious curry. -
678 Korean BBQ
Be king or queen of the grill at this Haymarket favourite. Beef tongue, pork neck, octopus — if they have it, you can barbecue it.
Find Your Way Through the Haymarket Area
Track down the must-visit local haunts.
Explore more of Sydney and your favourite suburbs through the eyes of other locals by following #sydneylocal on Instagram.
