Where To Shop Like a Local In and Around Glebe
Discover the inner west suburb's craft breweries, local grocers and (literal) gems.
Where To Shop Like a Local In and Around Glebe
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Discover the inner west suburb's craft breweries, local grocers and (literal) gems.
This leafy inner west suburb is home to local artists, students and creative start-ups, and the charming mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops along Glebe Point Road reflects the laidback attitude of the people who choose to live and work there. Alongside secondhand bookshops that have thrived in the area for decades, you'll find pocket breweries and cute grocery stores — plus, it's all within a short walk from Sydney's CBD.
With so many unusual and distinct businesses along one stretch, it can be hard to know where to start. So with the help of American Express, we've picked out the best places to shop at in Glebe so you know you're supporting the indie businesses that make it such a great place to visit. Follow our locals' guide to Glebe Point Road and shop small with your Amex Card.
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Named after the legendary Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos, this cafe, restaurant and secondhand bookshop is a long-standing favourite for Glebe locals and visitors alike. Lose yourself in the aisles of books and snap up a bargain, or relax with a coffee in the leafy courtyard out the back. Feeling hungry? Grab some tapas or share plates from the fully licensed bar. It’s a great spot to be on your own with a book, or with friends and a glass of prosecco in the afternoon sun. The bookshop and cafe is open seven days a week and the bar is open Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm till late. A real neighbourhood gem.
Image: Daniel Boud/Destination NSW.
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Finding a decent bottle shop can be a tricky business these days. But Glebe Liquor’s husband and wife team Louise and Tim Smith seem to have it just right, striking a balance between being extremely knowledgeable, yet relaxed and unpretentious. They tend to focus on whatever region or grape variety is doing well at the time, and the booze is charmingly sorted into tongue-in-cheek budgetary themes: Struggle Street, Easy Street, Suburbia and Nob Hill. If wine isn’t your poison, the shop also boasts an impressive selection of local and imported beers, spirits and liqueurs.
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After growing up in the family business of mining and jewellery, Jessa Lahoud and partner Jed Underwood decided to open their crystal and jewellery store in Glebe in 2015. The light-filled store offers a wide variety of ethically sourced crystals, gemstones, fossils and handmade jewellery. Sourcing semi precious, precious and unique stones from all over the world, the pair offers friendly advice on the stones’ various properties. Family-owned and run, this store is the perfect place to pick up a personalised gift, or a retreat for you, where you can walk away with a little bit of magic.
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In a world of giant supermarket chains, Galluzzo Fruiterers is a long-standing breath of fresh air — and fresh produce. A stalwart of Glebe Point Road since 1934, the business has remained in the hands of the Galluzzo family for three generations and continues to serve the people of Glebe today. Boasting fresh, organic fruit and vegetables in a traditional market-style atmosphere, Galluzzo’s is indicative of the simple pleasures in life, with family, community and good food at the forefront. Saturdays can get a little crowded here, but that’s just testament to the quality and service that Galluzzo’s is known for.
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As you make your way down Glebe Point Road you will inevitably come across the unmissable floral display outside Flowers on the Point. With a truly stunning collection of roses, lilies, natives and potted plants adorning the rustic wooden floorboards, this bustling little store stocks something for every occasion. Alongside the collection of flowers on offer, there is also a selection of scented hand soaps and candles if you’re looking for an understated gift idea.
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Since 2012, this family-owned business has sprung up multiple successful stores from its home in Byron Bay — and has made its way down to Glebe Point Road. The corner store offers a healthy, organic and plastic-free approach to stocking your home full of ingredients for delicious snacks and fragrant meals. The focus is simple: healthy, organic food free from plastic packaging. Take a few jars down and fill up on nuts, seeds, oats, flours and dried fruit.
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Staves is certainly covering all of its bases, and in spectacular fashion. As well as boasting multiple award-winning beers in its core range, this Glebe brewery also has rotating seasonal and limited releases and a 60-seat taproom and beer garden. Conveniently located right next to Broadway Shopping Centre, the craft brewery is one of the rare places where you’ll get to sample the beers in Sydney. It has a late-night licence and there’s often live music, comedy or open mic nights from Thursday to Sunday. Staves Brewery is the perfect place to catch up with mates after work, see a local gig or pop in for after visiting Glebe Markets on a Saturday. Say hello to owner Steve Drissell, who is often manning the taps and having a yarn like a proper old-school landlord.
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This Middle Eastern restaurant has bold, adventurous and modern flavours that sets Thievery apart from its contemporaries. With atmospheric lighting, exposed brick walls and a small bar vibe, the restaurant features meat dishes — like wagyu brisket shawarma and char sui spiced lamb rump — alongside standout vegetarian eats, such as roasted cauliflower fattoush and a haloumi dish that’s served with macadamia dukkah and honey. Now that Thievery serves brunch on weekends — with the option of bottomless booze, no less — we know where we’ll be dining come the weekend.
