Guidebook for Surry Hills

Lucia
Guidebook for Surry Hills

Food Scene

More award-winning restaurants per square metre than any other suburb in Australia. Also home to more humble cafe offerings for those just after a quick brunch.
201 moradores locais recomendam
Surry Hills
201 moradores locais recomendam
More award-winning restaurants per square metre than any other suburb in Australia. Also home to more humble cafe offerings for those just after a quick brunch.
For serious coffee lovers, this beautifully restored Deco building (once Paramount Pictures HQ) is also home to the Golden Age Cinema. Try the poached chicken salad. Light but incredibly satisfying.
80 moradores locais recomendam
Paramount Coffee Project
80 Commonwealth St
80 moradores locais recomendam
For serious coffee lovers, this beautifully restored Deco building (once Paramount Pictures HQ) is also home to the Golden Age Cinema. Try the poached chicken salad. Light but incredibly satisfying.
Great spot for a wood-fired pizza and the house specialty, duck lasagne. Extensive wine list and very friendly staff. Limoncello pops up frequently at the end of the meal.
Parma
285A Crown Street
Great spot for a wood-fired pizza and the house specialty, duck lasagne. Extensive wine list and very friendly staff. Limoncello pops up frequently at the end of the meal.
Clean lines and cosy atmosphere, Mr Mo is a hidden gem in the bustle of Surry Hills. Lovely coffee, very good music selection and excellent smoked home made baked beans - terrific hangover cure.
7 moradores locais recomendam
MO SURRY HILLS (CLOSED)
7 moradores locais recomendam
Clean lines and cosy atmosphere, Mr Mo is a hidden gem in the bustle of Surry Hills. Lovely coffee, very good music selection and excellent smoked home made baked beans - terrific hangover cure.
Another Sydney institution of contemporary Asian cuisine that just keeps delivering. Great Bunker Bar underneath the main restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. Shortgrain does counter lunches next door.
65 moradores locais recomendam
Longrain Restaurant
65 moradores locais recomendam
Another Sydney institution of contemporary Asian cuisine that just keeps delivering. Great Bunker Bar underneath the main restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. Shortgrain does counter lunches next door.
Newish kid on the block, this restaurant has been winning fans since it opened its door. Share plates are terrific, beautifully designed and spacious industrial/organic interior hybrid. Lots to love.
88 moradores locais recomendam
NOMAD
16 Foster St
88 moradores locais recomendam
Newish kid on the block, this restaurant has been winning fans since it opened its door. Share plates are terrific, beautifully designed and spacious industrial/organic interior hybrid. Lots to love.
Street hawker style Asian now residing in an old parking lot, House delivers great food at a modest price. Run by the Spice I Am crew. Buy your cheap drinks next door at the shady Triple Ace bar.
6 moradores locais recomendam
House
202 Elizabeth Street
6 moradores locais recomendam
Street hawker style Asian now residing in an old parking lot, House delivers great food at a modest price. Run by the Spice I Am crew. Buy your cheap drinks next door at the shady Triple Ace bar.
Routinely voted best coffee in Sydney. For serious coffee snobs as well as those in transit. Also a hub for other cafes with Toast and The Reservoir within spitting distance of it.
68 moradores locais recomendam
Single O Surry Hills
64 Reservoir St
68 moradores locais recomendam
Routinely voted best coffee in Sydney. For serious coffee snobs as well as those in transit. Also a hub for other cafes with Toast and The Reservoir within spitting distance of it.
Sounds more industrial than the little picket fenced cottage it resides in actually suggests. Good South American-inspired breakfasts. Good for hangovers too.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Robocog
249 Riley St
8 moradores locais recomendam
Sounds more industrial than the little picket fenced cottage it resides in actually suggests. Good South American-inspired breakfasts. Good for hangovers too.
Great sushi. Can get expensive with share plates but the quality's terrific.
29 moradores locais recomendam
Zushi Surry Hills
285A Crown Street
29 moradores locais recomendam
Great sushi. Can get expensive with share plates but the quality's terrific.
good coffee but also try their Fish Finger sandwich. Modestly named but featuring fried fish on brioche with aioli. Other great brunch offerings too.
13 moradores locais recomendam
BangBang Cafe
113 Reservoir St
13 moradores locais recomendam
good coffee but also try their Fish Finger sandwich. Modestly named but featuring fried fish on brioche with aioli. Other great brunch offerings too.
Run by the Xage crew, this great little converted terrace has super tasty Vietnamese dishes including pho ... naturally. Directly opposite Bar H too.
20 moradores locais recomendam
Madame Nhu
82 Campbell St
20 moradores locais recomendam
Run by the Xage crew, this great little converted terrace has super tasty Vietnamese dishes including pho ... naturally. Directly opposite Bar H too.
An institution if you're after fantastic Chinese. This is where all the chefs eat when they knock off after midnight. Open noon till 4am. Try the salt & pepper tofu!
104 moradores locais recomendam
Golden Century Seafood Restaurant
393 Sussex Street
104 moradores locais recomendam
An institution if you're after fantastic Chinese. This is where all the chefs eat when they knock off after midnight. Open noon till 4am. Try the salt & pepper tofu!
The famous chain of thoroughly addictive soup dumplings is only ten minutes walk away. On the first floor of World Square, this retail precinct is also worth a look.
113 moradores locais recomendam
Din Tai Fung World Square Restaurant
644 George St
113 moradores locais recomendam
The famous chain of thoroughly addictive soup dumplings is only ten minutes walk away. On the first floor of World Square, this retail precinct is also worth a look.
New to the neighbourhood, this Asian dining room just 5 minutes up the road is getting rave reviews. (must try it myself!).
48 moradores locais recomendam
Chow Bar & Eating House
320 Crown St
48 moradores locais recomendam
New to the neighbourhood, this Asian dining room just 5 minutes up the road is getting rave reviews. (must try it myself!).
Reliable sushi. $3.30 plates. Takeaway too. I just about live at this place.
Sushi Train
81 Foveaux St
Reliable sushi. $3.30 plates. Takeaway too. I just about live at this place.
Good coffee, very nice breakfasts and excellent smoothies. A nice old warehouse corner space with a few outdoor tables, diagonally opposite Harmony Park. Friendly vibe too.
22 moradores locais recomendam
Burger Project Macquarie Place
1 Macquarie Pl
22 moradores locais recomendam
Good coffee, very nice breakfasts and excellent smoothies. A nice old warehouse corner space with a few outdoor tables, diagonally opposite Harmony Park. Friendly vibe too.
Great Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Get there early otherwise you may have to wait. If there's a queue duck down to House on the next block. It's run by the same people.
56 moradores locais recomendam
Spice I Am
90 Wentworth Ave
56 moradores locais recomendam
Great Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Get there early otherwise you may have to wait. If there's a queue duck down to House on the next block. It's run by the same people.
New York feel to this cafe just down the road (5 mins). Good breakfasts and an arty crowd. The Reservoir cafe and Single Origin both opposite.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Toast Cafe
45 Reservoir St
12 moradores locais recomendam
New York feel to this cafe just down the road (5 mins). Good breakfasts and an arty crowd. The Reservoir cafe and Single Origin both opposite.
Attached to the Royal Albert Hotel, this reasonably priced dumpling restaurant has a great range of dim sum. Try the dessert dumplings (green tea, mango, taro etc) for something different.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Bamboo Dumpling Bar
140 Commonwealth St
8 moradores locais recomendam
Attached to the Royal Albert Hotel, this reasonably priced dumpling restaurant has a great range of dim sum. Try the dessert dumplings (green tea, mango, taro etc) for something different.
Beautifully restored old pub with lots of space in the main bar, lively restaurant and the all important beer garden out the back. Mean cocktails, great music and movie nights upstairs too.
203 moradores locais recomendam
The Beresford
354 Bourke St
203 moradores locais recomendam
Beautifully restored old pub with lots of space in the main bar, lively restaurant and the all important beer garden out the back. Mean cocktails, great music and movie nights upstairs too.
My current favourite! Lovely industrial space that runs from street to back alley (with rollerdoor always up, letting the breeze through). People cross town for their salted caramel milkshake too.
109 moradores locais recomendam
Reuben Hills
61 Albion St
109 moradores locais recomendam
My current favourite! Lovely industrial space that runs from street to back alley (with rollerdoor always up, letting the breeze through). People cross town for their salted caramel milkshake too.
One of Oz's most hatted restaurants, this is a pilgrimage for any serious foodie. Book in advance as it's a hot ticket. People cross country/globe to get in so take advantage of the 7 min walk.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Zambo Restaurant
355 Crown Street
7 moradores locais recomendam
One of Oz's most hatted restaurants, this is a pilgrimage for any serious foodie. Book in advance as it's a hot ticket. People cross country/globe to get in so take advantage of the 7 min walk.
Another seriously awarded restaurant. New take on Asian. They don't take bookings so get there early(ish).
105 moradores locais recomendam
Billy Kwong
105 moradores locais recomendam
Another seriously awarded restaurant. New take on Asian. They don't take bookings so get there early(ish).
An institution for Bill Granger's ricotta pancakes if nothing else. Seriously good place for brunch. Pick up his cookbook while you're there.
88 moradores locais recomendam
Bills
433 Liverpool St
88 moradores locais recomendam
An institution for Bill Granger's ricotta pancakes if nothing else. Seriously good place for brunch. Pick up his cookbook while you're there.
Great thin-crust pizzas, nice wines and a view out to bustling Crown Street. Checked tablecloths and candles in Chianti bottles the only concession to tradition.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Mad Mex
241 Crown St
10 moradores locais recomendam
Great thin-crust pizzas, nice wines and a view out to bustling Crown Street. Checked tablecloths and candles in Chianti bottles the only concession to tradition.
Light airy restaurant serving up fresh Vietnamese. A solid cheap eat only 7 minutes' stroll from home.
Saigon Bay Restaurant
249 Oxford St
Light airy restaurant serving up fresh Vietnamese. A solid cheap eat only 7 minutes' stroll from home.
Quirky little cafe with astro turf stools out he front, art on the walls inside and a little outdoor area tucked away out the back. Low key, but funky,.
Me and Art - Sydney
62 Mary Street
Quirky little cafe with astro turf stools out he front, art on the walls inside and a little outdoor area tucked away out the back. Low key, but funky,.
While I haven't been there myself yet, this comes recommended by a number of friends. Nice vibe but always pretty busy, particularly at night.
41 moradores locais recomendam
Thai Me Up on Oxford
112 Oxford St
41 moradores locais recomendam
While I haven't been there myself yet, this comes recommended by a number of friends. Nice vibe but always pretty busy, particularly at night.

Drinks & Nightlife

An institution, owned by Doris, a former Hollywood starlet, retains its Heritage listed retro interior design. Cheap drinks, mirror balls, great music (live and DJs) and a relaxed atmosphere.
19 moradores locais recomendam
Hollywood Hotel
2 Foster Street
19 moradores locais recomendam
An institution, owned by Doris, a former Hollywood starlet, retains its Heritage listed retro interior design. Cheap drinks, mirror balls, great music (live and DJs) and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hole in the wall bar & dumpling restaurant. Just got its council approval for al fresco seating so you can perch on a stool at the bar and watch the madding crowd. Try the orange wine for a change.
27 moradores locais recomendam
Bar H Dining
80 Campbell St
27 moradores locais recomendam
Hole in the wall bar & dumpling restaurant. Just got its council approval for al fresco seating so you can perch on a stool at the bar and watch the madding crowd. Try the orange wine for a change.
Need to catch up on the latest game? This pub is the closest spot to watch soccer, rugby or anything else (probably even darts and curling). Does a great counter lunch with roasts + trimmings.
11 moradores locais recomendam
The Porterhouse Irish Pub
233 Riley St
11 moradores locais recomendam
Need to catch up on the latest game? This pub is the closest spot to watch soccer, rugby or anything else (probably even darts and curling). Does a great counter lunch with roasts + trimmings.
If you want a noisy hang full of beautiful people downing cocktails in a garden and fairly lit setting, this one's for you. A bit of a scene, for those after one!
228 moradores locais recomendam
The Winery
285A Crown St
228 moradores locais recomendam
If you want a noisy hang full of beautiful people downing cocktails in a garden and fairly lit setting, this one's for you. A bit of a scene, for those after one!
Light fuse and get away. This place goes off at night, particularly the first floor dance floor. Heaving with gay, straight and in betweens, it's a love-in of sweaty pulsating dancers until very late.
25 moradores locais recomendam
The Colombian Hotel
125 Oxford St
25 moradores locais recomendam
Light fuse and get away. This place goes off at night, particularly the first floor dance floor. Heaving with gay, straight and in betweens, it's a love-in of sweaty pulsating dancers until very late.
Subterranean club which feels like a Croatian disco circa 1980. Cheesy music til 1am then doof doof doof thereafter. Super friendly crowd. Women must wear closed toed shoes to get in.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Palms On Oxford Nightclub
124 Oxford St
18 moradores locais recomendam
Subterranean club which feels like a Croatian disco circa 1980. Cheesy music til 1am then doof doof doof thereafter. Super friendly crowd. Women must wear closed toed shoes to get in.
Mexican themed bar run by the Baxters and Shady Pines guys. Haven't been there since it opened but it's always teeming. Right next door to the Hollywood Hotel too.
43 moradores locais recomendam
Tio's Cerveceria
14 Foster St
43 moradores locais recomendam
Mexican themed bar run by the Baxters and Shady Pines guys. Haven't been there since it opened but it's always teeming. Right next door to the Hollywood Hotel too.
One of my locals, this suburban pub has lots of microbrews and a dumpling bar attached to it. Lots of great drinks on tap and very friendly staff.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Royal Albert Hotel
140 Commonwealth St
11 moradores locais recomendam
One of my locals, this suburban pub has lots of microbrews and a dumpling bar attached to it. Lots of great drinks on tap and very friendly staff.
Cross Oxford St and find yourself rolling past the corner roller door and into this long bar with cool drinks and great people.
68 moradores locais recomendam
Mister Pocket
13 Burton St
68 moradores locais recomendam
Cross Oxford St and find yourself rolling past the corner roller door and into this long bar with cool drinks and great people.
This is a down and dirty pub on Oxford Street but the jukebox is good. Gets pretty messy in the early hours but a heap of fun with lively locals who dance even though there's no dancefloor.
The Brighton Hotel
77 Oxford St
This is a down and dirty pub on Oxford Street but the jukebox is good. Gets pretty messy in the early hours but a heap of fun with lively locals who dance even though there's no dancefloor.
The pub looks unprepossessing on the ground floor but upstairs is quite a nice space for a drink. There's also an outdoor roof terrace area that's a good place to hang. Good music too.
Gaslight Inn
278 Crown St
The pub looks unprepossessing on the ground floor but upstairs is quite a nice space for a drink. There's also an outdoor roof terrace area that's a good place to hang. Good music too.
The Mac is a good local pub with a solid line up of music on a regular basis. They have their own microbrewery too. Cheap accommodation too.
THE MACQUARIE HOTEL
42 Wentworth Avenue
The Mac is a good local pub with a solid line up of music on a regular basis. They have their own microbrewery too. Cheap accommodation too.
Gay bar with drag shows on after midnight. Locals don't frequent it too often but you should give it a go once. Be mindful there'll be a queue to get in from about 10.30 onwards.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Universal Sydney
85-91 Oxford St
12 moradores locais recomendam
Gay bar with drag shows on after midnight. Locals don't frequent it too often but you should give it a go once. Be mindful there'll be a queue to get in from about 10.30 onwards.

Everything Else

Newly refurbished 50m outdoor swimming pool, with stunning oversized gold umbrellas to shade sunbakers on rolling lawn. Greatly appointed, good cafe. Surprisingly low key particularly on weekdays
272 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Príncipe Alfred
Chalmers Street
272 moradores locais recomendam
Newly refurbished 50m outdoor swimming pool, with stunning oversized gold umbrellas to shade sunbakers on rolling lawn. Greatly appointed, good cafe. Surprisingly low key particularly on weekdays
7min walk to award-winning 50m Olympic pool, spa and gym. Undercover with some outdoor areas for sunbaking.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Cook Phillip Park Pool
4 College St
42 moradores locais recomendam
7min walk to award-winning 50m Olympic pool, spa and gym. Undercover with some outdoor areas for sunbaking.
Decent barber/hairdresser five minutes away. No trouble getting bookings because there are half a dozen stylists on hand. They have a DJ and offer you wine too.
Ziggy's Barber Salon
183 Riley St
Decent barber/hairdresser five minutes away. No trouble getting bookings because there are half a dozen stylists on hand. They have a DJ and offer you wine too.
An institution for beauty treatments (male and female) this has just moved even closer to the top of Brisbane Street, so is just three minutes away.
Ciao Bella Beauty Salon
2-8 Brisbane St
An institution for beauty treatments (male and female) this has just moved even closer to the top of Brisbane Street, so is just three minutes away.
$50 spa manicure and pedicure (in the same complex as Sushi Train and Duffy's Supermarket). Reliable service and they can always fit you in.
California Nails
63 Oxford St
$50 spa manicure and pedicure (in the same complex as Sushi Train and Duffy's Supermarket). Reliable service and they can always fit you in.
Torture yourself and detox in a 90 min bikram class. 8 or so classes a day. Not for the faint-hearted but a great way to punish yourself if you're a masochist.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst
185 Foley St
7 moradores locais recomendam
Torture yourself and detox in a 90 min bikram class. 8 or so classes a day. Not for the faint-hearted but a great way to punish yourself if you're a masochist.
The closest gym to home. Will take casuals. Recently refurbished with large exercise space and two studios. Body Jam classes are choreographed routines that mimic interval training. Lots of fun.
34 moradores locais recomendam
Fitness First Darlinghurst
63 Oxford St
34 moradores locais recomendam
The closest gym to home. Will take casuals. Recently refurbished with large exercise space and two studios. Body Jam classes are choreographed routines that mimic interval training. Lots of fun.

Arts & Culture

Terrific venue with two stages. Features an excellent lineup of music pretty much every night. Run by good people who appreciate great music, art and creativity.
119 moradores locais recomendam
Fábrica de Arte de Oxford
46 Oxford St
119 moradores locais recomendam
Terrific venue with two stages. Features an excellent lineup of music pretty much every night. Run by good people who appreciate great music, art and creativity.
Retro cinema seating around 80. A time warp back to the golden age of cinema indeed. Very cool lower level bar makes you feel like a starlet about to get seduced on the casting couch. Cool as ...
75 moradores locais recomendam
Golden Age Cinema & Bar
80 Commonwealth St
75 moradores locais recomendam
Retro cinema seating around 80. A time warp back to the golden age of cinema indeed. Very cool lower level bar makes you feel like a starlet about to get seduced on the casting couch. Cool as ...
Hub for regular events including movie nights, market stalls, dance nights etc. For something a bit different ...
Campbell Street
Campbell Street
Hub for regular events including movie nights, market stalls, dance nights etc. For something a bit different ...
Outre stocks beautiful art, specifically prints and earthenware, with a pop culture sensibility; Shag being a favourite. Lovely eye candy even if you don't have room in your suitcase.
Outré Gallery
285 Crown St
Outre stocks beautiful art, specifically prints and earthenware, with a pop culture sensibility; Shag being a favourite. Lovely eye candy even if you don't have room in your suitcase.

Sightseeing

Sydney's most comprehensive museum for artefacts. Keep an eye out for Jurassic Lounge, themed nights with DJs, bars, Silent Disco, burlesque, bands and full access to museum rooms. A great night out.
320 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Australiano
1 William St
320 moradores locais recomendam
Sydney's most comprehensive museum for artefacts. Keep an eye out for Jurassic Lounge, themed nights with DJs, bars, Silent Disco, burlesque, bands and full access to museum rooms. A great night out.

Shopping

Retro/vintage clothes for inner-city hipsters. A riot of colour for passers-by too.
Grandma Takes A Trip
263 Crown St
Retro/vintage clothes for inner-city hipsters. A riot of colour for passers-by too.
Restaurant, cafe and pasta supplies. I haven't been yet but friends say the food is great, just a little slow so go there when you're in a languid mood. Three minutes away.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Pasta Emilia
259 Riley St
18 moradores locais recomendam
Restaurant, cafe and pasta supplies. I haven't been yet but friends say the food is great, just a little slow so go there when you're in a languid mood. Three minutes away.
I defy anyone who's interested in design, art, architecture or the like to walk out empty handed. Beautiful pages indeed. Books, magazines and a smattering of objet d'arts to delight the senses.
Beautiful Pages
I defy anyone who's interested in design, art, architecture or the like to walk out empty handed. Beautiful pages indeed. Books, magazines and a smattering of objet d'arts to delight the senses.
A Surry Hills institution. Channel your inner rockabilly or cowgal with retro/vintage gear that will have you shaking your tail feather before you know it.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Route 66
82-84 Enmore Rd
6 moradores locais recomendam
A Surry Hills institution. Channel your inner rockabilly or cowgal with retro/vintage gear that will have you shaking your tail feather before you know it.

Essentials

Another supermarket on the strip. Handy if you're on your way back from Sydney CBD and don't want to detour.
75 moradores locais recomendam
IGA Supermarket
23 Oxford St
75 moradores locais recomendam
Another supermarket on the strip. Handy if you're on your way back from Sydney CBD and don't want to detour.