Where to Eat, Drink and Play like a Sydney Local When You've Done the Touristy Thing

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When you first visit a major city, it's natural to come armed with a list of must-see venues and landmarks. You've done your research, taken recommendations from family and friends, now you're ready to make your way through all the famous sites along with hundreds of other tourists. But what happens when you've ticked everything off your list? Sure, you could revisit the same spots — an arvo spent at Bondi Beach or the MCA will never get old — but why not discover another side of the city?

To give you some inspiration and put a few more must-sees on your list, we've partnered with City of Sydney and crafted an itinerary that'll get you far away from the tourist traps and into the real Sydney. Yep, you'll be living like a legit Sydneysider in no time.

Don't Tell Aunty.

EAT AND DRINK

Sydney is a big ol' melting pot of different cultures and one of the best ways to experience the city's inherent diversity is via food and booze. Make tracks to the colourful inner-city burrow of Surry Hills to sample some top-notch multicultural nosh from all corners of the globe. There's trail-blazing Indian that breaks all the rules at Don't Tell Aunty, molto buono Italian at Caffe Bartolo, authentic family-style fare at Korean joint Sang by Mabasa and traditional Lebanese eats at Nour restaurant — and, really, that's barely scratching the surface.

At the other end of the spectrum, there's a throng of venues focused on making native Australian ingredients sing. For a chance to savour indigenous flavours, head along to Paperbark in Waterloo's Casa Building. The experimental plant-based menu changes weekly depending on what's in season, but you can expect the likes of finger limes, saltbush, wattleseed and pepper berry. Similarly, Barangaroo's expansive 230-seat restaurant 12-Micron is "a culinary salute to Australia's surrounds". Here, the menu is simply a list of the main ingredients in each dish, like rock oysters, blue swimmer crab and spring lamb, so you're given a chance to really appreciate each element.

PS40 by Alana Dimou.

Next, to get a dose of bush tucker in an upscale cocktail, head to celebrated 'soda door' PS40. At this cuisine-bending bar, you can expect tipples that borrow from a variety of different cultures. The cocktails are kind of pastiche, blending together native and unusual ingredients — so, yes, you'll get wattleseed but you'll also get smoked miso caramel, Ayurvedic spiced yoghurt, beer pretzel reductions and pandan barley soda. It's weird but wonderful stuff. The best part? The non-alcoholic sodas and mocktails are equally as tasty.

For a slightly different take on native Australian ingredients — we're talking true-blue, dinky-di kinda stuff — head to The Unicorn in Paddington. Here, you'll find Jatz and dip, potato scallops, fruit-plenty pavs and basically a whole bunch of Aussie classics that'll bring a patriotic tear to your eye. Speaking of patriotic, the bar has a 100-percent homegrown beer and wine list because, well, Aussie alcohol rules. Duh.

Young Henrys by Destination NSW.

And, if you need further proof of this, check out a few of the breweries and bars slinging beers made right here in Sydney. There's a ton within the city limits, like Yulli's Brewing (Alexandria), Frenchies (Rosebery), Staves (Glebe), Sydney Brewery (Surry Hills), Bitter Phew (Darlinghurst) and Young Henrys (Newtown). Be sure to pick up a couple of growlers of your favourite beer, they make great gifts for family and friends back at home — if they make it home, that is.

Cafe Lounge.

PLAY AND SEE

Given you're on Eora land, kick off your Sydney adventures by checking out some local Aboriginal art. In the heart of The Rocks, you'll find Spirit Gallery — one of Sydney's pre-eminent galleries for Aboriginal arts and craft. Since 2002, the gallery has been showcasing the work of many traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artists. In addition to canvas paintings, the gallery also exhibits carvings, boomerangs, ceramics, glassware, baskets and bark paintings. Oh, and a large portion is available for purchase at quite affordable prices. If that wasn't enough of an arty fix, take a short stroll to Gannon House Gallery. Operating for nearly 30 years, the gallery exhibits a hefty selection of Aboriginal art from the Central and Western Desert, as well as Arnhem Land. Be sure to check out the striking work by Minnie Pwerle; her bright colour palette and rhythmic linear patterns are utterly striking.

Next, nab a seat in the stalls with some local Sydneysiders for a spot of theatre. Looking past the Opera House and Sydney Theatre Company, you'll get a glimpse at some emerging local actors, dancers, singers and comedians. So opt for a Sydney-based theatre house (or pub with a makeshift stage). This no-frills style of theatre allows you to really focus on the actors without any fancy bells and whistles (read: big-budget sets and costumes) to distract you. There are a handful of places in suburbs Kings Cross, Surry Hills and Redfern, including the Griffin, Old Fitz, Belvoir, Cafe Lounge, Giant Dwarf and The Tudor.

The Social Outfit by Luisa Brimble.

Then, when you're ready for some retail therapy, spend some time traversing the boutique shops and local stores across the city. Newtown, somewhat of a design mecca, has a host of spots to pick from. We suggest Milk & Thistle, run by designer Danielle Atkinson and renowned for its stylish, easy-fit garments that are designed, printed and made entirely in Australia. And The Social Outfit, an ethical trading social enterprise where you can get some cracking threads while helping out the refugee and migrant communities. Since 2014, The Social Outfit has been recycling clothing and providing employment and training in the fashion industry to refugees and new migrants. If you're closer to the city, pop by The Standard Store (Surry Hills) for Australian and international fashions and Squidinki (The Rocks) for Sydney-infused souvenirs you'll actually want.

The Old Clare.

STAY

When you're ready to rest your head (and your belly), you'll want to sleep somewhere equally boutique and Sydney-centric. Thankfully, over the past few years, a number of luxe-yet-local joints have popped up over the city, meaning you don't need to stay at the usual big names. Situated in the quiet, cute neighbourhood of Chippendale, you'll find The Old Clare, an immaculately finished hotel which exudes luxury. Hell, it even has a 14-metre rooftop pool complete with sweeping panoramic views of Sydney's skyline.

Paramount House Hotel by Tom Ross.

A short stroll away, in neighbouring suburb Surry Hills, lies Paramount House Hotel. Opened is 2018, the upscale accommodation blends old with new in a similar fashion to The Old Clare. The red-brick heritage building — the former headquarters of Paramount Pictures Studios — features swanky amenities, like a rooftop gym, outdoor cafe, private terraces and even a mini-bar stocked with snacks from local favourite LP's Quality Meats and Tom Shobbrook wines. It's this juxtaposition between the refined and the raw, the polished and the crude, that makes this style of accommodation so endearing.

But, if you want less exposed brick and more of a modern stay, book a night at The Urban in Newtown. The chic industrial-style boutique accommodation is a stone's throw from buzzing King Street where you'll find a host of pumping bars and eateries. Plus, you get a free mini-bar. Really, what else do you need? Other standout stays include Hotel Palisade (The Rocks), complete with a rooftop bar boasting one of Sydney's best views, and dog-friendly Medusa (Darlinghurst), Sydney's alleged first 'true' boutique hotel.

Forgo the tourist traps and instead traverse the great City of Sydney like a local. Discover more around the city here.

Top image: PS40 by Alana Dimou.