Dear Aa Readers,
We’re back down under. In the second Aaustralian edition of Aa Explores, two resident editors show you around the beautiful city of Sydney. As we explore Sydney, Aa recognises and honours the traditional custodians of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pays our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.
As unlikely as it may sound, I, a proud Queenslander, love Sydney. I won’t weigh in on who has the better beaches, but I’m still riding the high of our State of Origin win earlier this year. Between the endless Bondi run clubs (god forbid you walk), the sunburnt tourists, and the post-Pilates coffee queues that somehow stretch into next week, Sydney has its own rhythm. It’s chaotic, confident, but so irresistible.
Beyond the clichés, the city’s changing fast. There’s a pulse of new creative spaces, small restaurants doing things differently, and a wave of people who actually build something here.
Save our Google Maps list, send us your hidden gems, and check back as we keep adding more.
Xx,
Christina Lai @chr8stina and Claudia Checketts @claudiachecketts
Cover Visual by Anastasia Gviniashvili @2440u
STAY
Hotel Morris
Hotel Morris brings 1920s art deco charm into the present, with all the right splashes of colour. A beautiful interior, a cute bar to start the night off, and intimate rooms make this boutique stay uniquely Sydney.
Ace Hotel
Choose a vinyl, let it spin, and relax in a room that channels the creative grit of Surry Hills. Whilst you’re there, make sure to check out Loam, an all-day restaurant, or Kiln for a more intimate dinner.
Paramount House Hotel
A boutique hotel in Surry Hills, in the old Paramount Picture Studios HQ. The five rooms are stylish and industrial-chic. Paramount House also boasts a cafe in the foyer, a cinema, a restaurant and rooftop reformer pilates and A.P Bakery.
DRINK
Bar Freda’s
Formerly Cafe Freda’s, Bar Freda’s is now in Chippendale, located within the Abercrombie. There are DJs, wines and also great food! A good spot to stop during a night out.
Cantina OK!
Tucked away in a little garage in the city, this mezcal-forward bar is the perfect place to grab a cocktail to start the night. It’s cosy, and the bartenders are a joy to speak to.
Vic on the Park
A relaxed pub in Marickville. The Vic serves delicious and generous pub food and hosts live music :))
PS40
Speakeasy-style, with some silky cocktails and amaaaazing freshly baked Catalan-style flatbread.
Paradise
As the name suggests… Paradise is a corner wine bar in a great neighbourhood in Potts Point. A great selection of wine and snacks here.
Lazy Thinking
Super gezellig! Emphasis on live music here – check their Instagram for upcoming gigs.
Love, Tilly Devine
A small wine bar and a good date spot, hidden in a little laneway in Darlinghurst. LTD has a sexy atmosphere and tasty share plates.
DINE
Gilda’s
A beautiful Spanish tapas restaurant, offering delicious wine pairings. Our tip? Get the chef’s table. It’s fascinating to watch.
Caravin
A small dinner spot with great wine, great food, great service.
Emma’s Snack Bar
Enmore Lebanese spot, sharing food, lively, BYO, warming food, open for more than 50 years!
Kiln
Hyper-Australian, minimal-intervention dining from an ex-NOMA head chef. Kiln is the restaurant within the Ace Hotel and champions attentive service and bold flavours. Our recommendation? The tasting menu.
Baba’s Place
A homey Lebanese restaurant in Marickville. Great interiors and family-style dining. TIP: Get the tarama toast and sit by the kitchen so you can see the action.
TenTo Ramen
Tucked down a Surry Hills laneway, this Japanese courtyard spot does solid ramen and ochazuke – rice bowls with sashimi that you pour green tea over. The coffee is also great, served in handmade ceramic mugs!
Marrickville Pork Roll
A great bánh mì spot in Marickville – only $9 for a pork roll. It is humongous and so delicious.
Fontana
Fontana is an Italian spot with natural wines in Redfern. They have ever-changing pastas :)))
Clarence and V
A spot in the CBD with European flavours and a daily-changing menu. They’re open from 7am till 9pm.
Vn Street Foods
The BEST Vietnamese in Marrickville. They have bento boxes that let you build your own combo – rice, main, veggie, salad, soup, for around $16. Caramelised pork belly or beef in betel leaf are so yummy.
South Dowling Sandwiches
A family-run sandwich shop in Darlinghurst since ‘99. They are so deliciously big and deliciously priced. The Hugo is the best.
Dear Saint Éloise
Dear Saint Éloise is a great wine bar in Potts Point with seasonal small plates and the best anchovy brioche. It gets quite busy, but very worth it.
CAFE / BRUNCH
We have the best coffee in the world. Undebatable. It’s straight to the point, and so so smooth.
Skittle Lane
The BEST coffee. Luckily you can find them in multiple spots across the city in the CBD, Circular Quay, Manly, Brookvale and Bondi.
Superfreak
A perfect brunch spot by Enmore Park. Coffee and food are both equally delicious. The brunch plate is my fave.
Norma’s
A spot in Manly with a generous array of deli items, baked goods, a gourmet grocery section and sandwiches. Also check out their sister venues – Rollers Bakehouse and Butterboy (INSANE COOKIES)!
Good Ways Deli
A deli with two locations serving tasty sandwiches. You have to try the kangaroo sausage roll!
Iggy’s
Sourdough specialists! Go here early, as most things are sold out before midday. They also do pastries, bagels, rolls and good coffee. Iggy’s makes the iconic sourdough bread roll wheel if you’re feeling adventurous.
A.P Bakery
Bread, pastries, pies, and cakes. A.P. shows a delightfully overwhelming spread of delicacies. A.P has seven locations dotted across Sydney’s inner city – making your pastry fix ever accessible.
Theeca
Theeca is tucked off Oxford St and serves up delicious brunch. It is also open later for wines on Thurs, Fri and Sat. The pancakes provide a stellar performance.
Parami
A spot in Surry Hills with the best matcha and onigiri <3333
Queen Ester Falafel
A favourite for shawarma and falafel in the Northern Beaches. The food is so fresh.
Small Talk Coffee
Gorgeous bagels and coffee in Dulwich Hill.
Pinã
Best brunch spot ever. Super busy but zo lekker
Noon
Noon is a fairly new but very lively brunch spot in Manly. Great coffee and delicious food! Their hash browns are to die for. They also have a few other sister venues for dinner which are worth checking out.
SHOP
MAILLOT
A Japanese-inspired select shop, with some amazing pieces from independent brands. The staff are lovely, with 10/10 style.
SWOP
A sleek consignment store in Darlinghurst. You can bring your own pieces in to swap for cash or store credit. They have a range of items from designer to other vintage.
Fanatico Records
A fabulous independent record store in Marickville.
NIAMH GALEA
Some truly unique pieces, all designed and made in Australia. If you’re looking for something with a pop of colour, striking patterns and cool cuts, this is the place to be.
BTWNLNS
Amazing furniture, design and art books, zines with the friendliest owner.
Chinatown Country Club
A concept store with inspiring creative direction, you’re bound to find a new designer to fall in love with. More than a shop, CCC encourages you to slow down. Find a great selection of Asian contemporary brands, as well as European designers like Camiel Fortgens, Kiko Kostadinov, and Wales Bonner.
Above the Clouds
With a global selection of designers and brands, this store, based in both Sydney and Melbourne, gives you a wide range of stylish streetwear to choose from.
Knap Store
Your next unique vintage find is here.
PAM
Graphic, colourful and fun clothing. Stocking brands like Cave MPT and Stray Rats.
Maple Store
A staple for Sydney shopping, with brands you know and love such as Levi’s, Gramicci, and Carhartt.
CULTURE
White Rabbit Gallery
An amazing showcase of Chinese contemporary art, with complimentary entry. A perfect place to stroll and soak in the art on a rainy day. Plus, a really cute gift shop.
Art Gallery NSW
The Art Gallery of NSW is freshly renovated with two buildings that overlook the harbour. The New Yiribana Gallery is dedicated to showing Indigenous Australian art and is truly beautiful.
1301SW
A very small gallery in Alexandria showcasing both international and local exhibitions.
Phoenix Central Park
Phoenix Central Park is an intimate performance space and gallery in Chippendale. The architecture is incredible, warranting a visit alone. The tickets are free via a ballot system for live music performances!
Mothership Studios
Mothership hosts everything from zine fairs and DIY gigs to creative workshops and exhibitions.
Tiles Lewisham
Showcasing artworks that span different media, Tiles is an independent art gallery that’s definitely worth a visit.
See you on the other side! 😉
Xx, Aa
