Guidebook for Redfern
Food Scene
This artisan gelato shop scoops up traditional as well as outside-the-box seasonal flavours of gelato and sorbet that are just sweet enough without being cloying. The shop uses a creamy Jersey milk base and locally sourced produce. Portions are liberal and reasonably priced. A delightful dessert stop for everyone.
23 locals recommend
Ciccone & Sons
195 Regent StThis artisan gelato shop scoops up traditional as well as outside-the-box seasonal flavours of gelato and sorbet that are just sweet enough without being cloying. The shop uses a creamy Jersey milk base and locally sourced produce. Portions are liberal and reasonably priced. A delightful dessert stop for everyone.
Housed in the 16 Eveleigh Creative Precinct former-warehouse space (also home to the cool Cake Wines Cellar Door), Henry Lee’s is one to add to the breakfast bucket list. With a generous menu of creatively named (and concocted) dishes, a range of specialty lattes, hot chocolates with a twist, and a great brunch, you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.
33 locals recommend
Henry Lee's Redfern
16 Eveleigh StHoused in the 16 Eveleigh Creative Precinct former-warehouse space (also home to the cool Cake Wines Cellar Door), Henry Lee’s is one to add to the breakfast bucket list. With a generous menu of creatively named (and concocted) dishes, a range of specialty lattes, hot chocolates with a twist, and a great brunch, you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.
Its a perfect spot for breakfast with a colourful and very local Redfern crowd.
27 locals recommend
Meet Gerard
54 Henderson RdIts a perfect spot for breakfast with a colourful and very local Redfern crowd.
Organic bakery, fresh and delicious, great friendly service, biodegradable takeaway coffee cups, superior milk in good espresso coffee.
47 locals recommend
Breadfern Bakery
306-308 Chalmers StOrganic bakery, fresh and delicious, great friendly service, biodegradable takeaway coffee cups, superior milk in good espresso coffee.
This beautiful, glossy bricked, street-corner gem is the latest from the team that brought us Scout's Honour and Morris – two of inner Sydney's sweetest cafes.
Tip: For a guaranteed seat, arrive before 7.30pm – the place is catnip for Tinder dates.
Must Try: The grilled haloumi makes for an excellent savoury-for-dessert.
40 locals recommend
BART Jr.
92 Pitt StThis beautiful, glossy bricked, street-corner gem is the latest from the team that brought us Scout's Honour and Morris – two of inner Sydney's sweetest cafes.
Tip: For a guaranteed seat, arrive before 7.30pm – the place is catnip for Tinder dates.
Must Try: The grilled haloumi makes for an excellent savoury-for-dessert.
This is my favourite local. Though it’s only a few years old, Redfern Continental has quickly become a neighbourhood institution. Lovers of this bistro come for the traditional European dishes. For the small bar down the back – GDR – they come for a slightly different dose of nostalgia, as well as the good drinks. You’ll be forgiven for believing you’ve stepped through a time warp to nearly 50 years ago. Think disco ball and lots of green velour.
80 locals recommend
Redfern Continental
180 Redfern StThis is my favourite local. Though it’s only a few years old, Redfern Continental has quickly become a neighbourhood institution. Lovers of this bistro come for the traditional European dishes. For the small bar down the back – GDR – they come for a slightly different dose of nostalgia, as well as the good drinks. You’ll be forgiven for believing you’ve stepped through a time warp to nearly 50 years ago. Think disco ball and lots of green velour.
Named for the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes, St Jude Cafe has answered Sydneysiders’ prayers for a simple-but-satisfying all-day breakfast. Or simply pop in to this cosy corner cafe on the quiet end of Bourke Street for that daily coffee hit.
45 locals recommend
St Jude Cafe
728 Bourke StNamed for the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes, St Jude Cafe has answered Sydneysiders’ prayers for a simple-but-satisfying all-day breakfast. Or simply pop in to this cosy corner cafe on the quiet end of Bourke Street for that daily coffee hit.
Brought to you by owners and Redfern residents Katie Shortland and Scott Gault, RaRa Ramen serves up thin, authentic Hakata-style noodles. Be prepared to queue at popular times – seats are at a premium. Alongside your ramen, choose from a short but sustainable wine list, Japanese beers or local brews on tap from Yulli’s Brews.
21 locals recommend
RaRa
66b Regent StBrought to you by owners and Redfern residents Katie Shortland and Scott Gault, RaRa Ramen serves up thin, authentic Hakata-style noodles. Be prepared to queue at popular times – seats are at a premium. Alongside your ramen, choose from a short but sustainable wine list, Japanese beers or local brews on tap from Yulli’s Brews.
This recently opened restaurant is already gaining momentum as a local favourite. Ron’s Upstairs brings the flavours of the Mediterranean – with a side of kitsch – to Redfern. Dine amid the faux grapevines and fairy lights overlooking Redfern Street on rotisserie meats, savoury seafood dishes, shareable sides and yes, some vego options. Ron’s is the latest realisation from Redfern hospitality evolutionaries Dave Jank, Brett Pritchard, Susie Pritchard and Kim Fasher, owners of Redfern Continental (and its Gunther’s Dining Room down the back) and Arcadia Liquors.
9 locals recommend
Ron's Upstairs
133A Redfern StThis recently opened restaurant is already gaining momentum as a local favourite. Ron’s Upstairs brings the flavours of the Mediterranean – with a side of kitsch – to Redfern. Dine amid the faux grapevines and fairy lights overlooking Redfern Street on rotisserie meats, savoury seafood dishes, shareable sides and yes, some vego options. Ron’s is the latest realisation from Redfern hospitality evolutionaries Dave Jank, Brett Pritchard, Susie Pritchard and Kim Fasher, owners of Redfern Continental (and its Gunther’s Dining Room down the back) and Arcadia Liquors.
Tea never tasted so good! At Japanese diner Juan Bowl & Tea, chef and owner Anna Ishiguro pairs premium teas with a menu that is petite but perfectly to the point. If it’s past tea o’clock, you can pair your dishes with wine, beer or sake too. The quaint and vibrant space is petite, too, seating only 28 lucky diners. Bookings recommended.
JUAN Bowl & Tea
94A Pitt StTea never tasted so good! At Japanese diner Juan Bowl & Tea, chef and owner Anna Ishiguro pairs premium teas with a menu that is petite but perfectly to the point. If it’s past tea o’clock, you can pair your dishes with wine, beer or sake too. The quaint and vibrant space is petite, too, seating only 28 lucky diners. Bookings recommended.
Drinks & Nightlife
Time Out Sydney's 2016. Best Neighbourhood Bar.
This combination drinking establishment and art space features a flashy decor, including eccentric wall hangings and bold fabrics. Classic cocktails headline the drinks menu, which also includes draught and bottled beers, a handful each of whites, reds, and bubbles and a generous spirits list. Complement your quaffing with bar snacks, build-your-own ‘Jacuzzerie’ boards of meats and cheese, pizzas and pastas. The Bearded Tit is also home to 5 exhibition spaces for artists as well as a performance stage.
139 locals recommend
The Bearded Tit
183 Regent StTime Out Sydney's 2016. Best Neighbourhood Bar.
This combination drinking establishment and art space features a flashy decor, including eccentric wall hangings and bold fabrics. Classic cocktails headline the drinks menu, which also includes draught and bottled beers, a handful each of whites, reds, and bubbles and a generous spirits list. Complement your quaffing with bar snacks, build-your-own ‘Jacuzzerie’ boards of meats and cheese, pizzas and pastas. The Bearded Tit is also home to 5 exhibition spaces for artists as well as a performance stage.
Arcadia was, in fact, one of Redfern’s first small bars, and it’s still going strong. Not the ideal spot for an intimate tete-a-tete, the conversation is loud and lively here. Be sure to check out the lush courtyard out back. And inside, with cold beer, a warm atmosphere and hot toasties, what’s not to love?
120 locals recommend
Arcadia
7 Cope StArcadia was, in fact, one of Redfern’s first small bars, and it’s still going strong. Not the ideal spot for an intimate tete-a-tete, the conversation is loud and lively here. Be sure to check out the lush courtyard out back. And inside, with cold beer, a warm atmosphere and hot toasties, what’s not to love?
Unassuming inside and out, Happy D’s dumpling and beer bar saves its showiness for its delicious petite food parcels. The modest decor includes a massive faux fish tank backdrop and a neon sign promising ‘Dumplings & Dreams’ just like Tom Cruise’s Cocktail. Choose from a short but oh-so-sweet dumpling menu (or just try everything!). The drinks list features Japanese and local beers, sake, cocktails, Japanese whiskies and Aussie wines.
12 locals recommend
Happy D's
169 Regent StUnassuming inside and out, Happy D’s dumpling and beer bar saves its showiness for its delicious petite food parcels. The modest decor includes a massive faux fish tank backdrop and a neon sign promising ‘Dumplings & Dreams’ just like Tom Cruise’s Cocktail. Choose from a short but oh-so-sweet dumpling menu (or just try everything!). The drinks list features Japanese and local beers, sake, cocktails, Japanese whiskies and Aussie wines.
The Noble Hops pours a regularly rotating array of on-tap craft beers from around the world. The bottled beer selection rotates as well, shifting with the seasons. It’s a great spot to enjoy some specialty suds in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. There’s spicy popcorn, too, if you’re peckish.
20 locals recommend
The Noble Hops
125 Redfern StThe Noble Hops pours a regularly rotating array of on-tap craft beers from around the world. The bottled beer selection rotates as well, shifting with the seasons. It’s a great spot to enjoy some specialty suds in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. There’s spicy popcorn, too, if you’re peckish.
Entertainment & Activities
This is my favourite farmers market in Sydney! Come early and have breakfast and leave with fresh produce and flowers :)
33 locals recommend
Carriageworks Farmers Market
245 Wilson StThis is my favourite farmers market in Sydney! Come early and have breakfast and leave with fresh produce and flowers :)
This is a comedy club and much more! Check out their programming, always something good to see.
9 locals recommend
Giant Dwarf
280 Cleveland StThis is a comedy club and much more! Check out their programming, always something good to see.
Getting Around
Redfern Station is connected to everything, only 3 minutes walk from the apartment!
171 locals recommend
Redfern Station
Redfern Station is connected to everything, only 3 minutes walk from the apartment!
Shopping
This is a great stall market to find gifts to take back home for those you love.
252 locals recommend
Paddington Markets
395 Oxford StThis is a great stall market to find gifts to take back home for those you love.
It’s easy to lose yourself in this out-of-the-ordinary, densely packed curiosities shop. Formerly a Georgian-style house and later a workshop, this colourful emporium is now chock-full of flowers, home décor, great gift ideas and a pre-1950s treasure trove of furnishings, collectables and artefacts.
15 locals recommend
Seasonal Concepts
122 Redfern StreetIt’s easy to lose yourself in this out-of-the-ordinary, densely packed curiosities shop. Formerly a Georgian-style house and later a workshop, this colourful emporium is now chock-full of flowers, home décor, great gift ideas and a pre-1950s treasure trove of furnishings, collectables and artefacts.
This truly unique boutique is a pleasure to enter. It’s full of a delightful collection of collectible art, homewares, furniture, lighting and gifts. The D E A Store – D E A stands for delicate eye area – is just the place for those beautiful one-of-a-kind finds.
7 locals recommend
The DEA Store
146 Regent StThis truly unique boutique is a pleasure to enter. It’s full of a delightful collection of collectible art, homewares, furniture, lighting and gifts. The D E A Store – D E A stands for delicate eye area – is just the place for those beautiful one-of-a-kind finds.
Bev’s sells an affordable and amazing range of upholstery fabrics from both overseas and local fabric designers. Customer care is full-service here. Bev does made to measure and will even recommend an upholsterer.
Bev's Remnant House
722 Bourke StBev’s sells an affordable and amazing range of upholstery fabrics from both overseas and local fabric designers. Customer care is full-service here. Bev does made to measure and will even recommend an upholsterer.
The Chee Soon & Fitzgerald showroom has been a Redfern fixture since it made the move here from its original Surry Hills location in April 2013. Here, vintage pieces mix with contemporary, and Aussie brands mix with international, as well as with the Chee Soon & Fitzgerald’s own brand, CSF. With everything from homewares, decorative artworks and gifts to furniture, fabrics and lighting, the showroom’s full of waiting-to-be-found pieces.
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald
173 Regent StThe Chee Soon & Fitzgerald showroom has been a Redfern fixture since it made the move here from its original Surry Hills location in April 2013. Here, vintage pieces mix with contemporary, and Aussie brands mix with international, as well as with the Chee Soon & Fitzgerald’s own brand, CSF. With everything from homewares, decorative artworks and gifts to furniture, fabrics and lighting, the showroom’s full of waiting-to-be-found pieces.
Essentials
IGA Waterloo
13-21 Botany RdThe closest supermarket for emergencies and last minute errands