Our Sydney: Here Are Our Readers' Favourite Spots to Visit in Alexandria and Rosebery

When we asked Concrete Playground readers to tell us their favourite spots in and around Alexandria, no shop, restaurant or bar received as many shout-outs as Social Society. The cafe is only relatively new on the scene — it opened in December 2019 as a tenant of Green Square’s new food precinct — but it’s quickly gained a loyal fanbase for its Pinterest-worthy fit-out and next-level dishes.

The space was produced in collaboration with interior designer Blank Creatives. It’s a millennial dream with pink leather booths and curtains, neon signs and terrazzo tables. The menu features dishes that are as photogenic as they are tasty, so expect the likes of pink pasta with prawns, pickled beetroot and pink caviar cream, and eggs benedict served in a flaky croissant. But that’s just the start of the OTT options. You can also indulge in fried chicken and waffles with maple-infused gravy, ricotta pancakes topped with popping candy, and bone marrow served with charcoal garlic toast. And coffee is by Sydney-based roastery Gabriel Coffee.

Image: @elleshungry, courtesy of Media in Action

The Drink Hive was at the forefront of the craft bottle-o movement which has since overtaken many Sydney suburbs. With a special focus on supporting artisanal producers from across Australia (and the world), the shop, based inside The Cannery, is where to visit if you want to add a little unpredictability to your liquor game — from naturally brewed mead to bottled cocktails and surprisingly tasty alcohol alternatives. As CP reader Quinn Connors points out, the store also has a sustainable angle, too. “They have refillable wine bottles that you can come back and trade in for a new bottle of whichever wines they’re pouring at the time. Less waste, excellent wine,” they tell us.

Pokemeow Cafe in Rosebery opened in late March 2020 right before the state government imposed strict lockdown measures. Despite opening in one of the toughest periods that Sydney’s hospitality scene has ever faced, Pokemeow has proved resilient and captured the hearts of locals, likely thanks to its interesting business model. As Concrete Playground reader @mauricio.f90 explained, “I love having lunch at Pokemeow Cafe, watching their cats. It’s so relaxing. Also, great food”.

They’re hugely popular in Asia (particularly in Japan), but if you’ve never been to a cat cafe before, here’s the deal: like all other cafes, you sit and enjoy a coffee and a meal — but you do so while watching little kittens play in an adjoining room through a glass wall. For a small fee, you can also enter the cat playground for a cuddle and a play with the furry friends. At Pokemeow Cafe, it’s $20 for an hour session, which needs to be booked in advance. In terms of the food offering, it’s mostly standard cafe fare — think smashed avo and a poached egg on sourdough, a brekkie burger and an acai bowl — though there are some outliers, like a crab and prawn gribiche croissant.

CP reader @hannahsager thought homewares megastore Koskela was worthy of a shout-out, and we couldn’t agree more. Operating out of a 2000-square-metre, 100-year-old warehouse, Koskela boasts the largest range of locally and ethically produced homewares, furniture, lighting and art in the country.

Co-founders Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky are committed to innovative, quality designs that have a low environmental impact, but a high social impact. Everything is manufactured in Australia to ensure good work conditions and fair wages and to reduce each item’s carbon footprint. Plus, ten percent of the company’s revenue is invested in Indigenous-owned art centres, which support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and makers to uphold their traditional practices. In the market for a new rug or piece of furniture, but don’t know where to start? The store also offers free consultations with its interior stylist both virtually and in the showroom.

Image: Anson Smart

Within the same warehouse space as Koskela, you’ll also find Three Blue Ducks. This is the second Sydney outpost from the Ducks and is headed up by Masterchef Australia 2012 winner (and now judge) Andy Allen. According to CP Reader Tahlia Phillips, “Three Blue Ducks Rosebery is a big vibe for brunch”. They also suggest you “try to nab a seat in the leafy outdoor courtyard”. In keeping with the Three Blue Ducks ethos that tracks across its now six locations, seasonal produce and sustainability are at the core of its offering. See also: a smoky theme, thanks to a woodfired oven, charcoal pits and an Argentinian grill in the garden.

If, like Tahlia, you visit for brunch, you’ll be treated to the likes of kingfish pastrami with sweet potato hummus, poached eggs and zaatar on toasted sourdough. Or, visit a bit later in the day to enjoy wood-roasted lemon sole with smoked anchovy butter; roasted chicken with burnt eggplant and braised chickpeas; and six-hour spit-roasted pig with chimichurri and jus. it’s obvious to see why this is one of the best places to visit in Sydney’s Rosebery.

If it wasn’t already obvious that locals love Alexandria and Rosebery’s cafe offering, this should settle things. You’ll find Welcome Dose inside The Cannery, and you’ll possibly smell it before you see it, due to the giant 1956 German coffee roaster that is set up directly on the shop floor. Yep, co-owners Kit Cheong and Michael Cookson roast all the coffee on-site, often during service hours so you can watch the action unfolding while you sip.

CP reader @nikithompsonmilne recommended this spot as it has “the best coffee and interesting, yum food”. Pair your expert brew — or an amazake (traditional Japanese fermented rice drink) — with sourdough crumpets, a brisket sambo or a cheese and truffle toastie.