Our Sydney: Here Are Our Readers' Favourite Spots to Visit in Chippendale

Sydney’s consistent blue skies mean we’re often caught off-guard on a rainy day. Concrete Playground reader Cordelia Williamson has a suggestion. “Heading to White Rabbit Gallery on a rainy weekend for some solo art-lovin’ time, then sitting down to dumplings and tea is a vibe,” they told us. Other readers, including @up_anne_away, @teaguese, @meelsonwheels and @trvlrshaun also gave the gallery a mention in our call-out.

At this free gallery, opened in 2009 by Judith Neilson, you can wander through four floors of Chinese art — all of which has been produced in the 21st century. Then, once you’re done, pop into the teahouse to debrief with your artsy companion over handmade dumplings, biscuits and Chinese tea. The gallery is currently closed to prepare for its upcoming exhibition Lumen, due to open on March 6, 2021.

Image: Kimberley Low

If White Rabbit is where you should spend a rainy day, then Carriageworks Farmers Market is where to spend a Saturday morning. CP reader @ally_brown88 loves the super popular market for its “great produce and fresh flowers” and calls it the “perfect start to the day”.

Grocery shopping is usually a boring chore but here it feels anything but — especially when you’re supporting some of Sydney’s best independent producers slinging fresh organic produce, artisanal bread, single-origin coffee and the aforementioned flowers. Head there every Saturday between 8am–1pm to stock up on brekkie bites from Crumpets by Merna, ghee from Pepe Saya, veggie sausages from Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher, handmade pasta from Pasta Emilia and plenty more.

Image: Jacquie Manning

It would be easy to look at Concrete Jungle, in all its rainbow-hued smoothie bowl-, terrazzo table- and indoor plant-filled glory, and think it’s all style and no substance. But this Chippendale cafe, recommended by CP reader @gimmeyourdeetz, is delivering on all counts, serving up hearty and nutritious food in a beautiful setting.

It aims to use only fresh, local produce, evident in dishes like The Pita Pocket (roasted baby beetroots, heirloom carrots, coconut labneh, coconut fritters and dukkah) and Greenoodles (ocean trout, green miso pesto, noodles, zucchini, snow peas and poached egg).

The venue is now open at night, too, trading as a bar called Roar. Expect the same produce-driven approach to share-style plates, like crispy brussels sprouts with almond curd and aged beer tartare with nashi pear. They’re served alongside left-of-centre cocktails like the riberry gimlet and the vodka-spiked ginger kombucha.

Skater boys, girls and non-binary folk: you need to know about this independent shop in Central Park Mall. Recommended by Concrete Playground reader Wil Jenkins-Manning, UPS Skate Shop is where to get your hands on some of the best skateboards, sneakers and streetwear in Australia.

The owners are skaters, of course, so they’re passionate about sourcing and supporting local and international brands, including Vans, Baker, Hoddle, DC Shoe Co and Quasi. They manage to get their hands on plenty of limited-edition releases, too.

Walk a few blocks down an inner city street and you’re bound to pass a place to get a cuppa joe. Sydneysiders are certainly not lacking choices for their morning coffee, and that makes it all the more impressive when you stumble upon a small kiosk cafe that has built quite the fanbase. Hatch Espresso is just that. You’ll find it underneath the Mercure, near Central Station, and there may be a line — we’re not kidding about it being popular — but it moves quickly. 

It serves The Grounds coffee, brekkie burgers, toast and pastries from as early as 6am. It has some mighty tasty (and affordable) Lebanese-style savoury pastries, too, including spinach, cheese and meat pideler. It’s also, according to CP reader @tashsaba, “one of the only spots close to the city for authentic Lebanese manoush”.

There is no shortage of hairdressing salons and barbershops in Sydney, but Rumbie & Co sets itself apart. Here, the team, led by Rumbie Mutsiwa, specialises in cutting, treating and styling wavy, curly and afro hair. After finishing her apprenticeship, Mutsiwa opened the salon in 2014 with a mission to help clients “embrace every curl”.

Unlike traditional salons, Rumbie & Co stylists cuts hair dry to “enhance the natural curl pattern”. After the curls are looking well-defined and the client is happy with the shape, they are then treated to the usual shampoo, blow-dry and style. Rumbie & Co also offers specialty afro styling, including cornrows, dreadlocks and weaves. The usual hairdressing services like colouring and treatments are available, too.

To help with the upkeep, the salon has its own range of products, including curl gels and silk pillowcases, to take home. Plus, it runs workshops on styling and caring for curly and afro hair on occasion.