Overview
Occupying the shoreline that stretches from Rozelle Bay to Pyrmont Bay, the suburbs of Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont have had many identities over the years. They were once known as primarily industrial suburbs. Then, following a period of disrepute, the 21st century saw the area reinvent itself into a thriving entertainment hub.
Its storied past is evident in its restored terrace houses and preserved buildings, many of which are now home to grungy bars and a diverse range of restaurants. Pair these with dozens of eclectic shops, galleries and live music joints and you can easily lose days discovering everything these suburbs have to offer.
To help you explore more of this part of Sydney, we teamed up with City of Sydney to ask Concrete Playground readers what businesses they love to visit and support around Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont. Here are some of your top picks.
Read on to discover some of the most popular picks to visit during the day. Then, flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do once the sun goes down.
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Deciding to live a vegan lifestyle — whether for the animals, your health or environmental reasons (or all three) — is no longer as difficult as it once was. But when Jessica Bailey opened her business, first as an online store and then a retail shop in Glebe, things were a little different. The aim was to make it easier for people to find vegan products without “all the time-consuming label reading”.
Recommended by CP reader Louisa Kirby, Vegan Grocery Store (formerly The Cruelty Free Shop) stocks everything from vegan food — including egg substitutes, plant-based meats and chocolate — to vegan leather belts, backpacks and shoes. It also sells cruelty-free and eco-friendly products, like reusable bamboo facial pads, compostable bin liners and mineral makeup.
Image: Trent van der Jagt
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It’s hard to know what to expect from a place called Dirty Red. Thankfully, the words ‘coffee’ and ‘brunch’ emblazoned on the venue’s baby blue terrace exterior provide some clues. With ample seating, including a bright and airy interior and a leafy courtyard, Dirty Red is the type of place you’ll want to stay in all day. And, in fact, you almost can as the venue transforms into a cosy wine bar on Friday and Saturday nights, too.
For now, let’s focus on the main affair: brunch. The extensive, produce-packed menu turns cafe classics up a notch — think eggs and soldiers served with halloumi fries or eggs benedict served on jalapeño and cheddar cornbread. Plus, it has what CP reader @ally_brown88 calls “the best brekkie roll in Sydney”.
To pair with your meal is coffee by Mecca, including a nitro cold brew, plus fresh juices and shakes made using gelato from nearby Little Red Gelato. And if you’re looking to level-up your brunch session, the cafe also serves booze during the day. This includes a stellar selection of cocktails, like the Brekkie Martini and the Dirty Red Mary. Plus, it does $10 espresso martinis between 2–4pm.
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This area of Sydney is packed with specialty stores and one of the most fun to visit is Mineralism. The Glebe Point Road shop, recommended by CP reader Nathalie Reiter, is packed with precious stones and minerals of all shapes, sizes and origins. If you’re into collecting crystals — or just enjoy looking at colourful, shiny things — you’ll want to have this on your radar.
This family-run business, led by Jed Underwood and Jess Lahoud, collects its products from all over the world. You could walk out with labradorite from Madagascar, azurite from Morocco or dragon’s blood sage from the US. The store sells tarot and oracle cards, handmade jewellery and essential oils, too.
Image: Kitti Gould
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Pioik means ‘bread’ in the ancient Egyptian language, Coptic. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at this Harris Street bakehouse, which was suggested by CP readers @steveorrphoto and @japantha. The team here churns out everything from rye and gluten-free loaves to a whopping two-kilo wholewheat sourdough loaf, appropriately named The King.
But that’s not all. Take a peep through the shopfront window and you’ll spy glass displays filled with colourful pastries, tarts, cakes, meringues, biscuits and flatbread pizzas topped with seasonal ingredients. And set against the exposed brick walls are wooden shelves stacked with artisanal pantry staples, including flour, coffee and olive oil, and fridges full of eggs, cultured butter and jersey milk.