From the sparkling harbourfront of Barangaroo and the sandstone buildings of The Rocks to the hawker-style eateries in Haymarket and the small 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 15 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. You can shop small at all of these divine hotspots with your American Express Card.
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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BarBurrow Bar
Basement, 96 Clarence St, Sydney
A small basement bar with a big personality where theatrical bartending, creative cocktails and Vietnamese snacks are on the menu.
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BarRocks Brewing Co Tap House
160 Bourke Road, Alexandria
Brews inspired by the dubious characters of colonial past should be enjoyed in one of the best beer gardens in Sydney.
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RestaurantUme Burger
33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Japanese burgers and a soft serve machine by the water.
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RestaurantOlio
Level 2, 2-10 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Kensington Street's Sicilian restaurant serving traditional dishes with contemporary flourishes.
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RestaurantChat Thai Randwick
222A Carrington Road, Randwick
The Sydney stalwart's eastern beaches outpost.
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RestaurantOpera Kitchen - CLOSED
Lower Concourse, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
The harbourside restaurant has a new bakery, pasta bar and Japanese kitchen dishing up ramen and katsu sandos every day.
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BarGolden Age Cinema and Bar
Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
This revamped screening room and small bar brings a little old-school charm to a night at the movies.
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ShopFace of Man
Level 10, 300 George Street, Sydney
A 40-year-old barbers with that old-school smoking lounge charm.
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ShopSHINKA Hair The Galeries
Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney
Japan-trained hairdressers and specialist treatments.
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PubPeg Leg Tavern - CLOSED
11A Pyrmont Bridge Road, Pyrmont
A good location for people-watching with a side of plant-based dining.
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ShopSomedays Barangaroo
Shop 14, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
This Barangaroo boutique has Nordic brands and upmarket gifts for when you need them most.
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ShopManning Cartell - The Strand Arcade
412-414 George Street, Sydney
Ethically made evening wear and sophisticated style is what you'll find from this Australian brand.
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ShopZink & Sons Tailors & Shirtmakers Sydney
56 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Visit this Oxford Street stalwart for bespoke tailoring.
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ShopFabrique Vintage
127 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Head here for second-life denim and Americana.
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ShopAbove The Clouds Store
4/285a Crown Street, Surry Hills
Head to this Crown Street store for the freshest kicks and streetwear labels from around the globe.
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ShopJet Cycles
80 Clarence Street, Sydney
Here's where you'll find premium bike brands Specialized and Cannondale.
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ShopClarence St Cyclery
104 Clarence Street, Sydney
Chat to the friendly staff about which bike model is best for you at this long-running CBD store.
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ShopWaterloo Superior Meats
29A Botany Road, Waterloo
Regulars return week after week to have a chat with owner Kristallis — and pick up house-made snags and lamb on the bone.
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ShopCrown Street Grocer
365 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Small but mighty; this is where you'll want to do your weekly food shop.
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ShopCollector Store Barangaroo
Shop 13, Shipwright Walk, Barangaroo
This city outpost of a Surry Hills favourite stocks thoughtfully designed fashion and homewares.
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ShopKings Comics
Shop 15, Level 7, The Dymocks Building, 428 George Street, Sydney
One of Australia's longest running comic retailers, this pop culture haven receives new stock from the US every week.
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ShopCourtesy of the Artist
Shop 122, Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney
An inner city collective of artistic minds and passionate jewellery designers, championing Aussie materials, workers and talent.
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ShopNOAH Barber Sydney
414 George Street, 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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ShopStrand Hatters
Shop 8, Strand Arcade, 412 George Street, Sydney
Where to go if you want to drop money on a hat that will last you 20 years.
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ShopChee Soon & Fitzgerald
173 Regent Street, Redfern
This Sydney institution supplies bold ceramics, cushions, textiles and vintage design pieces.
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ShopThe Colins Butcher Sydney
4 Defries Avenue, Zetland
This Zetland butchery specialises in premium cuts and handmade products.
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ShopRedfern Fruit Market
193 Regent Street, Redfern
A classic local fruit and veg market and Asian grocer in Redfern.
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CafeThe Fine Food Store
Shop 9, The Rocks Centre, Corner Mill And Kendall Lanes, The Rocks
A Brooklyn-inspired eatery serving simple but delicious cafe meals and really good coffee.
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RestaurantForty Licks - CLOSED
Basement, 24 York Street, Sydney
An underground restaurant serving Vietnamese noodle soups and fancy cocktails.
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CafeAslan Coffee Roasters The Rocks
25 Nurses Walk, The Rocks
Specialty coffee from Indonesia — and the cafe eats to go with it — in the city.
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BarBulletin Place - CLOSED
Level 1, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay
This long-standing CBD cocktail bar is still one of the best in the city (and the country).
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RestaurantChica Bonita CBD - CLOSED
156 Clarence Street, Sydney
Refined Mexican fare in a stunning restaurant on Clarence Street.
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ShopRedfern Convenience Store
152a Redfern Street, Redfern
People travel from all over to visit this local corner store with a cult-like fan base.
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RestaurantEliza Food & Wine - CLOSED
247 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
A casual eatery from Michelin-trained chef Jeremy Bentley.
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CafeNormcore Coffee Roasters
209 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
A CBD coffee haunt run by two award-winning baristas.
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CafePortal - CLOSED
1 Martin Place, Sydney
This new CBD spot combines all-day eating, an ex-Mecca chef and serious support for those in need.
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CafePablo & Rusty's
161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
A bustling CBD cafe that's serving up the chain's signature blends and a big all-day menu.
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CafeSingle O CBD - CLOSED
89 York Street, Sydney
This takeaway window on York Street serves great coffee, loaded crumpets and bacon and egg rolls.
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BarShelbourne Hotel
200 Sussex Street, Sydney
A CBD gem, great for anything from al fresco afternoons to late-night dance sessions.
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ShopAriel Booksellers
326 Oxford Street, Paddington
Visit one of Sydney's oldest booksellers right in the thick of it on Oxford Street.
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CafeCross Eatery
155 Clarence Street, Sydney
This buzzing CBD cafe boasts healthy salads, quality coffee and kombucha on tap.
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BarThe Doss House
77/79 George Street, The Rocks
This old-world whisky bar pouring more than 150 varieties is also a fascinating journey into the shady past of The Rocks.
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CafeBaby Coffee Co - CLOSED
810 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo
Neon, pastels, good coffee and great cocktails abound at this Waterloo spot.
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ShopTitle Barangaroo
400 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Here's an independent bookshop proving print isn't dead.
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BarSneaky Possum
86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Chippendale's multifaceted bar can satisfy your morning caffeine fix and your late-night margarita craving.
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RestaurantOld Town Hong Kong Cuisine
10 Dixon Street, Sydney
Serving up Peking duck steamed buns, dumplings, chicken feet and durian desserts till 2am.
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RestaurantSasaki - CLOSED
21 Alberta Street, Sydney
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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CafeThe Walrus
Shop 1, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney
A bright, reliable CBD cafe doing fried chicken burgers, coffee and house-made sodas.
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ShopVine Providore
780 Bourke Street, Redfern
You'll find wine and beer without the price tag at this bottle-o based inside an old brewery.
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RestaurantEastside Kitchen
Level 1, 2 -10 Kensington Street, Chippendale
A New York-style steakhouse with acclaimed chef Stanley Wong behind the wheel.
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RestaurantDown N' Out Sydney - CLOSED
77/A Liverpool Street, Sydney
Sydney's In-N-Out-inspired burgers have found a permanent home inside a CBD pub.
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RestaurantCabrito Coffee Traders
10-14 Bulletin Place, Sydney
Survive the daily grind with a quality cuppa.
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ShopThe DEA Store
146 Regent Street, Redfern
Find aesthetically pleasing homewares to fill your home with.
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RestaurantMercado — CLOSED
4 Ash Street, Sydney
Nathan Sasi's restaurant focuses on Spanish food and house-made smallgoods.
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BarThe Port - CLOSED
2-10 Darling Drive, Sydney
Darling Harbour has a new French coastal-inspired bar and eatery...and it isn't your usual tourist spot.
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RestaurantZushi Barangaroo
33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
The Sydney sushi masters' third offering brings their acclaimed offering to Barangaroo.
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RestaurantChat Thai Circular Quay
Level 1, Gateway Sydney, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney
The Sydney stalwart has opened in Gateway at Circular Quay.
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CafeLove Crepe - CLOSED
Shop 1, 104 Miller Street, Pyrmont
Pyrmont's palace of crepes, shakes and gelato.
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CafeSalt Meats Cheese Broadway - CLOSED
68 Bay Street, Ultimo
Their city outpost goes beyond the basics with burgers, a DJ and a menu devoted to Nutella.
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CafeSonoma Cafe
32 Birmingham Street, Alexandria
The bakery's Alexandria outpost set within an industrial warehouse.
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BarMoya's Juniper Lounge
101 Regent Street, Redfern
This classy Redfern gin bar is gunning to become your local haunt (if it's not already).
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CafeRivaReno Gelato Barangaroo
4 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney
The Surry Hills favourite brings its pistachio, mascarpone and, of course, cremino harbourside.
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ShopThe Oak Barrel
152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
As one of the oldest bottle shops in Sydney, the range is something to behold.
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BarThe Cauliflower Hotel
123 Botany Road, Waterloo
A sprawling old pub (established in 1838, in fact) which plays host to a rotating roster of bands.
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CafeKepos & Co. - CLOSED
Shop 5, Casba, 18 Danks Street, Waterloo
A delightful piece of old Jerusalem with a mix of Aussie favourites and Middle Eastern flavours.
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CafeBasket Brothers
196 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
The name of the game at Basket Brothers is next level comfort food.
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RestaurantSouth Dowling Sandwiches
377 South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst
Where locals can lunch every day and never get bored (or go broke).
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RestaurantThe Spice Room
2 Phillip Street, Sydney
Head chef Darbyan Singh transforms Peshawari-style Indian street food into must-try, high-end dining.
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BarThe Bearded Tit
183 Regent Street, Redfern
Turn left at the crocheted penises and enter Redfern's brazen art bar.
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BarZigi's Wine Bar
8 Shepherd Street, Chippendale
Art, wine and cheese, it’s the golden trifecta. It’s not in the title, but it does cooking classes, too.
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CafePiccolo Me
10 Bridge Street, Sydney
Piccolo Me is pulling out some pretty quirky stops to help attract a crowd.
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CafeNoOk Urban Fresh Bar - CLOSED
83 Clarence Street, Sydney
Fresh produce, creative all-day brekkies and outstanding local coffee in the heart of Sydney's CBD.
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BarRamblin' Rascal Tavern
Basement, 60 Park Street, Sydney
Whether you're thirsty for a crafted cocktail or a freshly pulled frothy, this basement bar with old-school pub vibes is ready to whet your whistle.
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CafeBlack Star Pastry Rosebery
Corner Dunning Avenue And Hayes Street, Rosebery
Whereas the Newtown store is driven by cakes, here it’s more about lunch, bread and the woodfired oven.
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BarCafe Del Mar Sydney
Rooftop Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, 35 Wheat Road, Sydney
Whether it's a part of the original brand or not, this venue is topnotch.
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BarBristol Arms Hotel - CLOSED
81 Sussex Street, Sydney
Not one but two large roof terraces - just in time for summer.
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RestaurantMr Crackles - CLOSED
155 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Pork rolls, hot dogs and crackling. Yes please, Mr Crackles.
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CafeKepos Street Kitchen
96 Kepos Street, Redfern
All-day Israeli dining, where you can have falafel for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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BarMojo Record Bar - CLOSED
Basement Level, 73 York Street, Sydney
Tucked away behind Mojo Records on York Street lies this inner city drinking cave.
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RestaurantChat Thai
20 Campbell Street, Haymarket
A Sydney mainstay doing favourites well — and at very, very reasonable prices.
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CafeCoffee Tea & Me
93B Redfern Street, Redfern
Coffee Tea & Me has that unique combination of charming decor, really good food, and delightfully low prices.
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