From the sparkling harbourfront of Barangaroo and the colonial architecture of The Rocks to the hawker-style eateries in Haymarket and the buzzing bar scene in Redfern, Sydney's inner city is a diverse landscape of culture, history and art.
You can sip a cocktail and watch the ferries putter past in Barangaroo, hop on a train and be feasting on dumplings fifteen minutes later in Chinatown, then head to a Redfern bar for a late-night performance.
We’ve partnered with American Express to bring you the very best of local businesses in the inner city. All of these divine hotspots welcome you — and your American Express Card — so you can shop small with ease.
A good pair of shoes, your Opal card and the Sydney Trains timetable are all you need to get around the inner city. Central Station is the bustling transport hub of Sydney — from here, you’ll be able to find your way anywhere you want to get to either by train (to Redfern and around the city circle), light rail or on foot.
Say what you will about Sydney’s nightlife, but it does boast a thriving small bar scene. These haunts, including the CBD’s PS40 and Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, and The Bearded Tit in Redfern, are experts at stirring, shaking and serving up inventive cocktails, and live entertainment, for the post-work crowds.
The CBD’s Pitt Street is where you’ll find high-end boutiques and big-name brands, while Barangaroo Avenue plays host to specialty food stores and eateries. Meanwhile, Redfern’s high street offers a more suburban experience with an eclectic mix of buzzing bars and neighbourhood essentials.
In a city that’s seen a few facelifts (hello Light Rail and Barangaroo), it’s comforting to know that good local businesses can withstand constant change. Nowhere maintains this sense of history and local pride better than the Victorian-era mall, the Strand Arcade, housing longstanding milliner Strand Hatters, cobbler Andrew Macdonald Shoemaker, and the artisan hub Courtesy of the Artist. Head inside for a history lesson in quality customer service and craftsmanship.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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Design & StyleBarangarooCollector Store Barangaroo
This city outpost of a Surry Hills favourite stocks thoughtfully designed fashion and homewares.
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Arts & EntertainmentSydneyKings Comics
One of Australia's longest running comic retailers, this pop culture haven receives new stock from the US every week.
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Design & StyleSydneyCourtesy of the Artist
An inner-city collective of artistic minds and passionate jewellery designers, championing Aussie materials, workers and talent.
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Travel & LeisureSydneyMen's Biz Sydney
Walk out of this CBD barbershop feeling fresh and fine, with new skin and hair care products to keep it going.
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Design & StyleSydneyStrand Hatters
Where to go if you want to drop money on a hat that will last you for 20 years.
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Design & StyleRedfernChee Soon & Fitzgerald
A Sydney institution supplying bold ceramics, cushions, textiles and vintage design pieces.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleThe Lord Gladstone
Continuing the Abercrombie's legacy of deep-fried Golden Gaytimes and Chippendale chill-outs.
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Food & DrinkZetlandThe Colins Butcher Sydney
This Zetland butchery specialises in premium cuts and handmade products.
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Food & DrinkPyrmontQuick Brown Fox
A Pyrmont cafe with Single O coffee and food by an ex-Fat Duck chef.
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Food & DrinkRedfernRedfern Fruit Market
A classic local fruit and veg market and Asian grocer in Redfern.
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Food & DrinkThe RocksThe Fine Food Store
A Brooklyn-inspired eatery serving simple but delicious cafe meals and really good coffee.
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Food & DrinkSydneyForty Licks
An underground restaurant serving Vietnamese noodle soups and fancy cocktails.
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Food & DrinkThe RocksAslan Coffee Roasters The Rocks
Specialty coffee from Indonesia — and the cafe eats to go with it — in the city.
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Food & DrinkSydneyChica Bonita CBD
Refined Mexican fare in a stunning restaurant on Clarence Street.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleThe Beer Barrel
This hidden gem specialises in pouring quality craft beers directly into growlers.
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Food & DrinkSydneyMCA Cafe
The rooftop cafe is now serving an all-vegetarian menu by Cornersmith — and everything is under $20.
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Food & DrinkSydneyPortal
This new CBD spot combines all-day eating, an ex-Mecca chef and serious support for those in need.
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Food & DrinkRedfernHuxtaburger
The Melbourne hamburger haven's first Sydney store has 20 different burgs and triple-scoop shakes.
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Food & DrinkSydneyPablo & Rusty's
A bustling CBD cafe that's serving up the chain's signature blends and a big all-day menu.
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Food & DrinkSydneySingle O CBD
This takeaway window on York Street serves great coffee, loaded crumpets and bacon and egg rolls.
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Food & DrinkSydneyShelbourne Hotel
A CBD gem, great for anything from al fresco afternoons to late-night dance sessions.
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Food & DrinkSydneyCross Eatery
This buzzing CBD cafe boasts healthy salads, quality coffee and kombucha on tap.
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Design & StyleChippendaleTriple Major Store
A concept store originating from China celebrating independent fashion.
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Food & DrinkSydneyIppudo Sydney
In a city not short on a bowl of ramen, this soupy joint stands out from the crowd.
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Food & DrinkSydneyDae Jang Kum
Get smoky with a Korean BBQ experience. Knock back some marinated beef ribs and tasty bulgogi with a cold Korean beer.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleSneaky Possum
Chippendale's multifaceted bar can satisfy your morning caffeine fix and your late-night margarita craving.
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Food & DrinkSydneySasaki
Some of Sydney's best Japanese fare is being served out of this hole-in-the-wall behind a police station.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleOlio
Kensington Street's Sicilian restaurant serving traditional dishes with contemporary flourishes.
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Food & DrinkSydneyThe Walrus
A bright, reliable CBD cafe doing fried chicken burgers, coffee and house-made sodas.
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Food & DrinkRedfernMjolner
A Thor-inspired carvery doing modern Nordic food and exceptional cocktails.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleEastside Kitchen
A New York-style steakhouse with acclaimed chef Stanley Wong behind the wheel.
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Food & DrinkRedfernRedfern Continental
Arcadia Liquors' European bistro is the perfect neighbourhood bistro
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Food & DrinkSydneyDown N' Out Sydney
Sydney's In-N-Out-inspired burgers have found a permanent home inside a CBD pub.
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Food & DrinkSydneyLong Chim
Prep your chilli tolerance for a visit to David Thompson's Thai fine dining restaurant.
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Food & DrinkSydneyMercado
Nathan Sasi's restaurant focuses on Spanish food and house-made smallgoods.
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Food & DrinkSydneyThe Port
Darling Harbour has a new French coastal-inspired bar and eatery...and it isn't your usual tourist spot.
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Food & DrinkBarangarooZushi Barangaroo
The Sydney sushi masters' third offering brings their acclaimed offering to Barangaroo.
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Food & DrinkSydneyChat Thai Circular Quay
The Sydney stalwart has opened in Gateway at Circular Quay.
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Food & DrinkUltimoSalt Meats Cheese Broadway
Their city outpost goes beyond the basics with burgers, a DJ and a menu devoted to Nutella.
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Food & DrinkSydneyKittyhawk
Combining a French military aesthetic with an end of war party vibe, and stocked with over 900 spirits — expect banging cocktails.
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Food & DrinkAlexandriaSonoma Cafe
The bakery's Alexandria outpost set within an industrial warehouse.
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Food & DrinkRedfernMoya's Juniper Lounge
This classy Redfern gin bar is gunning to become your local haunt (if it's not already).
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Food & DrinkSydneyRivaReno Gelato Barangaroo
The Surry Hills favourite brings its pistachio, mascarpone and, of course, cremino harbourside.
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Food & DrinkWaterlooThe Cauliflower Hotel
A sprawling old pub (established in 1838, in fact) which plays host to a rotating roster of bands.
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Food & DrinkWaterlooKepos & Co.
A delightful piece of old Jerusalem gracing Waterloo with a mix of Aussie favourites and Middle Eastern flavours.
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Food & DrinkSydneyBasket Brothers
The name of the game at Basket Brothers is next level comfort food.
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Food & DrinkSydneyBarrio Cellar
Some of Sydney's best tequila and mezcal cocktails await at the Barrio Chino team's basement bar.
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Food & DrinkSydneyThe Swinging Cat
A sophisticated homage to New Orleans and its signature drink, the sazerac.
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Food & DrinkSydneySea Bay Restaurant
Dishing up tasty north-west Chinese classics and some of the gooiest dumplings around town.
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Food & DrinkSydneyThe Spice Room
Head chef Darbyan Singh transforms Peshawari-style Indian street food into must-try, high-end dining.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleIppudo
Are you a hopeless ramen-tic? Find comforting bowls of bone broth at this popular ramen chain.
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Food & DrinkRedfernThe Bearded Tit
Turn left at the crocheted penises and enter Redfern's brazen art bar.
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Food & DrinkSydneyKingswood Coffee
Kingswood Coffee not only has your coffee needs covered but also offers a little nod to Sydney's past.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleZigi's Wine Bar
Art, wine and cheese, it’s the golden trifecta. It’s not in the title, but they do cooking classes, too.
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Food & DrinkSydneyPiccolo Me
Piccolo Me is pulling out some pretty quirky stops to help attract a crowd.
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Food & DrinkSydneyNoOk Urban Fresh Bar
Fresh produce, creative all-day brekkies and outstanding local coffee in the heart of Sydney's CBD.
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Food & DrinkSydneyRamblin' Rascal Tavern
More Swillhouse graduates make for a booze-slingin' good time.
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Food & DrinkRedfernMilk Bar by Cafe Ish
There's more to Milk Bar than just the milk. Though the milk is pretty spectacular.
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Food & DrinkRoseberyBlack Star Pastry Rosebery
Whereas the Newtown store is driven by cakes, here it’s more about lunch, bread and the woodfired oven.
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Food & DrinkSydneyCafe Del Mar Sydney
Whether it's a part of the original brand or not, this venue is topnotch.
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Food & DrinkSydneyBristol Arms Hotel
Not one but two large roof terraces - just in time for summer.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleThe Duck Inn Pub & Kitchen
Across from the Seymour Centre and hidden just out of view from the hustle of Cleveland Street is a real quacker of a pub.
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Food & DrinkSydneyThe Lobo Plantation
The moment you step up to the bar, you're made to feel like a real regular at this relaxed yet refined slice of old Cuba.
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Food & DrinkRedfernKepos Street Kitchen
All-day Israeli dining, where you can have falafel for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Food & DrinkSydneyYork Lane
York Lane is the CBD's much needed coffee shop turned small bar. Caffeine addicts and after-work boozers rejoice.
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Food & DrinkRedfernSt Jude
A café at the Redfern end of Bourke Street that's it's the answer to our prayers.
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Food & DrinkSydneyMojo Record Bar
Tucked away behind Mojo Records on York Street lies this inner city drinking cave.
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Food & DrinkHaymarketChat Thai
A Sydney mainstay doing favourites well — and at very, very reasonable prices.
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Food & DrinkSydneySmall Bar
It’s quaint, home to good company, good food and tasty mulled wine - the perfect choice for chilly winter nights.
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Food & DrinkRedfernCoffee Tea & Me
Coffee Tea & Me has that unique combination of charming decor, really good food, and delightfully low prices.
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Food & DrinkSydneyAssembly
Assembly is a spanking new option on the city's map of small bars with the atmosphere of an adult's treehouse.
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Food & DrinkChippendaleThe Rose Hotel
This vibrant beer garden has provided an inner city oasis for over one hundred years.
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Food & DrinkRedfernFernside Coffee Shoppe
Fernside, cheekily distancing itself from the neighbouring Surry Hills, isn’t revolutionising the café concept but what they do, they do damn well.
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Food & DrinkSydneyPoolside Cafe
All your beach parties and frolicking in the ocean counts for nothing if you haven't visited this place.
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Food & DrinkThe RocksThe Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel and home of Australia's oldest pub brewery.
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Food & DrinkSydneyOpera Kitchen
The classiest food court our city has to offer. Harbourside views make this perfect for pre/post show wining and dining.
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