Think of North Sydney, and you might envision corporate offices and bland takeaway salads. However, since the opening of the Victoria Cross Metro station two years ago, a reinvention has been underway. With more people having easier access to the neighbourhood, a slate of cafes and restaurants has emerged and given people a reason to stick around after work or make a trip over the Harbour on evenings and weekends. At the heart of the transformation is VicX, a buzzing precinct right by the metro that offers a place to eat, drink and unwind amongst one of Sydney's busiest suburbs. From cult-favourite Japanese ramen to American-style comfort food and specialty coffee, these are the spots worth knowing for your next trip to North Sydney. Machi Machi Known for its playful Taiwanese tea creations, Machi Machi brings a colourful dose of fun to the VicX precinct. Whether you're after a spot to meet your friends on a Saturday or a signature drink to give you a dose of energy between meetings, Machi Machi at VicX is one to add to your list. Mensho Tokyo Ramen fans will want to make a beeline for Mensho Tokyo. The Michelin-recognised Japanese ramen restaurant is known for its meticulously crafted bowls, so expect rich broths, house-made noodles and fresh ingredients. The restaurant was specifically designed with North Sydney in mind, making it a brand new hyper-local expression of the beloved Mensho Tokyo. Only Coffee Project Is a neighbourhood considered a hot spot without a speciality coffee option? Thankfully, North Sydney has Only Coffee Project. If the name sounds familiar, that's because its Crows Nest cafe was named Australia's highest-ranked coffee shop, securing fourth place globally and the title of Oceania's Best Coffee Shop in the 2026 World's 100 Best Coffee Shops awards. Now, it's opened a store in VicX, so you don't have to trek to another suburb to try one of Australia's best cafes. Top Impression Bakery For something a little more indulgent, Top Impression Bakery brings a Chinese bakery offering to VicX, with a selection of freshly baked treats, pastries and breads. It's a welcoming spot for a morning coffee and something sweet on your commute, or a leisurely stop while exploring the precinct on the weekend. Top Impression Bakery is even open on Sundays for your sweet treat needs. Mary's Sometimes you need a hearty fried meal, and Mary's delivers just that. With a menu of juicy burgers, crispy fried chicken and loaded sides, Mary's offers a casual fast-food option in VicX that's perfect for a Saturday afternoon feed before heading over the bridge on a night out. North Sandwiches Say farewell to sad sangas on your lunch break at VicX. North Sandwiches is putting a little more thought into the humble lunch option. With stacked creations including the famous Portugese Chicken and Roasted Veggie sandwich, it's a relaxed spot for a work lunch if you're nearby and well worth the trip over the bridge if you're in the sandwich game. The Fold The Fold is both a cafe and social enterprise that's empowering and employing women who are rebuilding their lives after homelessness and domestic violence. At VicX, you can stop by for coffee and something sweet while supporting a business that creates meaningful employment opportunities for women living in crisis. Enjoy breakfast options like avocado smash and breakfast pitas, plus nourishing lunch bowls made with fresh ingredients. As more venues open, the area is giving people more reason to stick around North Sydney beyond the usual workday. There's now a growing mix of places to eat, drink and meet, adding a little more life to this part of the CBD. So, next time you're on the north side, get off at Victoria Cross station and explore the new VicX precinct. Explore more of VicX Lead Image Credit: Only Coffee Project