If we had to name just one inner city suburb to best represent what makes Sydney special, then a strong case could be made for Redfern. It combines slices of Sydney history and cultural heritage with buzzing hospitality and modern creative arts scenes. Some of the area's greatest offerings are hidden right in plain sight.
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 Redfern and Waterloo. 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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A converted warehouse with leather bench seating, exposed brickwork and lots of concrete and wood could describe any number of Sydney venues. But Three Williams, recommended by CP reader @thegourmetguy2.0, feels special. The 285 square-metre space was designed by architect Anthony Gill, and nails the balance between feeling fresh and modern while also being somewhere you could stay a few hours (which many do with their laptops). It’s proven such a success the cafe regularly hosts weddings and events.
Late last year, the menu was given an ambitious overhaul, courtesy of Fabian Mucke. The former Nel staffer has brought his fine dining prowess to elevated brunch favourites. On the sweeter side, there’s a crunchy brioche french toast, frozen guava custard and an Oreo and Weetbix crunch, plus a chia bowl with blue spirulina. You’ll also find savoury treats like an asparagus and wattleseed tart, served with a poached egg, and a soft shell crab roll with slaw and chipotle mayo.
Image: Kitti Gould
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Ciccone & Sons co-owner Mark Megahey has over 25 years of experience churning gelato. And aren’t Redfern locals lucky he chose to bring his expertise to their suburb in 2016? Recommended by CP reader @thegourmetguy2.0, Ciccone and Sons is all about small-batch artisanal gelato made on-site using quality ingredients — like jersey milk from Sungold Milk (part of Australia’s oldest dairy company).
Flavours change up occasionally but stracciatella, honeycomb and buttermilk and passionfruit are much-loved mainstays. It also does a couple of chocolate-coated gelatos on sticks, plus fruity sorbettos if dairy isn’t your friend. Dining in will also give you the option to delve into the more decadent desserts, like sundaes. Oh, and the store name is an homage to Madonna, which you have to appreciate.
Image: Kitti Gould
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We love hearing the stories behind venue names — and this one is particularly good. Bart Jr, a cosy corner bar recommended by CP readers @j03l5k1 and @whiteblankpage, is named after a local legend. Bart is a notoriously loose tomcat that roams the streets of Redfern allegedly leaving many a lovechild (or lovekitten?) in his wake.
From that anecdote, you should know what to expect from Bart Jr: a venue by and for locals (and their mates). A wraparound bar and communal tables encourage conversation between parties, and the drinks menu mostly consists of local craft brews and natural wines from Aussie producers.
The food menu is designed to share — ranging from smaller snack plates, like anchovy toast and haloumi with burnt honey, to big bowls of pasta.
Image: Katje Ford
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Brunching is a common pastime for Sydneysiders, but your go-to eggs on toast can get a little boring. There’s no danger of that at Kepos Street Kitchen, recommended by CP readers @monicamonica.d and @aroche85.
The long-running cafe has grown a loyal following for its hearty brekkies with an Israeli twist. We’re talking steaming shakshuka, zucchini fritters with sumac and goats cheese and sabich pita. For lunch, the venue shifts gears and serves up share-friendly dishes like cauliflower salad, whole baby snapper and grilled prawns. Friendly tip: don’t go too hard on the savoury stuff. The display case of cakes and sweet treats is something to behold.
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There are many reasons to visit Utopia Art Sydney. You could be looking for a relaxing rainy day activity. Perhaps you’re on the hunt for the perfect piece to brighten up a blank wall in your apartment. Or maybe you just want to stare at something beautiful for a bit.
Whatever your motivation for stepping inside this Waterloo gallery happens to be, we’re sure it’ll deliver. Since 1988, Utopia Art Sydney has been supporting contemporary Australian artists, particularly leading Papunya Tula Artists group and First Nations artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Highlights for 2021 include Pattern Maker by Kylie Stillman — a collection of stitched, beaded and painted paper works — and a retrospective of sculptor Marea Gazzard’s major works.
Image: Terence-Kent Ow
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On the corner of Redfern and Renwick Streets sits The Tin Humpy. The cosy cafe is owned and operated by Yvette Lever, a Bundjalung woman from the Tweed Heads area. Lever moved to Sydney almost two decades ago, and cut her teeth as a pastry chef at The Grounds of Alexandria before opening The Tin Humpy in mid-2018. Full circle moment: Lever now serves The Grounds coffee to her customers.
Lever and her team make many of the goods in-house, including fruit tarts, mini cakes and granola. The crew also incorporates native ingredients where possible. We’re talking finger lime and blackberry jam, lemon myrtle meringue tarts and blueberry and strawberry gum muffins. Larger meals are also available, from smashed avo and brekkie bowls to burgers. It’s also just started trialling dinner services on Friday and Saturday nights.
Image: Terence-Kent Ow