Vanessa's SYDNEY CBD Guidebook - all within walking distance to our place!
Food scene
COFFEE Great coffee right outside the front door.
Open weekdays only. Sandwiches & cakes to go! ($)
Speed Bar Espresso
27 Park StCOFFEE Great coffee right outside the front door.
Open weekdays only. Sandwiches & cakes to go! ($)
BRUNCH/LUNCH Great food and atmosphere in the city. Glam retro diner vibes. Very busy at lunchtime, so pays to book ($$)
18 locals recommend
The Grounds of the City
500 George StBRUNCH/LUNCH Great food and atmosphere in the city. Glam retro diner vibes. Very busy at lunchtime, so pays to book ($$)
MODERN CHINESE LUNCH/DINNER Love the modern Chinese food and interesting decor. Popular so, try to book in advance ($$$)
76 locals recommend
Mr. Wong
3 Bridge LnMODERN CHINESE LUNCH/DINNER Love the modern Chinese food and interesting decor. Popular so, try to book in advance ($$$)
FANCY DINNER Excellent atmosphere- live music and French- style food. Can be hard to get a table so book in advance ($$$$)
41 locals recommend
Restaurant Hubert
15 Bligh StFANCY DINNER Excellent atmosphere- live music and French- style food. Can be hard to get a table so book in advance ($$$$)
Sky Phoenix
Westfield)/188 Pitt StBRUNCH/HANG OVER CURE Yummy Yum Cha from 12pm. ($$)
Bars
Cool bar, staggering distance/ On our street. Live music too ($$)
62 locals recommend
Ramblin Rascal Tavern
60 Park StCool bar, staggering distance/ On our street. Live music too ($$)
The Baxter Inn
156 Clarence StFun speakeasy style - whiskey heaven ($$)
Dean & Nancy on 22
2 Hunter StreetSwanky bar with views. Dress up and take a date to impress ($$$)
It’s now called ‘Bar 83’ - classy, chic and a bit outrageous - has spectacular views. The highest bar in Sydney ($$$$)
339 locals recommend
Sydney Tower Eye
108 Market StIt’s now called ‘Bar 83’ - classy, chic and a bit outrageous - has spectacular views. The highest bar in Sydney ($$$$)
Museums & Galleries
A favourite. Modern Chinese art and tea room. An interesting and intimate gallery experience
329 locals recommend
White Rabbit Gallery
30 Balfour StA favourite. Modern Chinese art and tea room. An interesting and intimate gallery experience
Another favourite! One of Australia’s most celebrated modern artists
90 locals recommend
Brett Whiteley Studio
2 Raper StAnother favourite! One of Australia’s most celebrated modern artists
You can spend a whole day here! Amazing permanent and temporary exhibitions. Do not miss the annual Archibald Prize if it’s on during your stay. (Australia’s most celebrated art prize exhibition).
891 locals recommend
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery RoadYou can spend a whole day here! Amazing permanent and temporary exhibitions. Do not miss the annual Archibald Prize if it’s on during your stay. (Australia’s most celebrated art prize exhibition).
Always have strong exhibitions. Team this with a visit to The Rocks as that’s where the gallery is located.
829 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art
140 George StAlways have strong exhibitions. Team this with a visit to The Rocks as that’s where the gallery is located.
Australian Museum
1 William StOur natural history museum. A Great place on a rainy day
More of a science and technology bent. A bit of a walk but you can catch light rail.
168 locals recommend
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris StMore of a science and technology bent. A bit of a walk but you can catch light rail.
Fitness & Recreation
My sanctuary! Fabulously clean salt water pool. Great atmosphere. Queer friendly and a wonderful mixed crowd. Lots of travellers. Direct views of the harbour & Garden Island. Only open during the warmer months
168 locals recommend
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool
1c Mrs Macquaries RdMy sanctuary! Fabulously clean salt water pool. Great atmosphere. Queer friendly and a wonderful mixed crowd. Lots of travellers. Direct views of the harbour & Garden Island. Only open during the warmer months
Such a beautiful place to spend the day. pics don’t do it justice. Please don’t miss this! Stunning walks around the gardens. Take a picnic or eat at the cafe
15 locals recommend
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Macquarie St station
Such a beautiful place to spend the day. pics don’t do it justice. Please don’t miss this! Stunning walks around the gardens. Take a picnic or eat at the cafe
Great pool for all seasons, gym, fitness classes including yoga & Pilates. Casual visits welcome!
42 locals recommend
Cook Phillip Park Pool
4 College StGreat pool for all seasons, gym, fitness classes including yoga & Pilates. Casual visits welcome!
Sightseeing
A must see! You can book a Bridge climb if you’re keen! Often the focal point of the finale of Sydney’s world-famous fireworks 🎇
984 locals recommend
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour BridgeA must see! You can book a Bridge climb if you’re keen! Often the focal point of the finale of Sydney’s world-famous fireworks 🎇
The Rocks
Walk around Sydney’s convict buildings - tours can be booked on Airbnb
Sydney’s latest walking, dining & drinking Mecca. Set along the harbour
128 locals recommend
Barangaroo
Sydney’s latest walking, dining & drinking Mecca. Set along the harbour
Heritage listed building - a fun shopping experience. You can access the train station from the ground floor
355 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Heritage listed building - a fun shopping experience. You can access the train station from the ground floor
My favourite place to shop! Luxury and old world charm. Sublime place for coffee and people watching. A great restaurant on the top floor too.
121 locals recommend
La Rosa The Strand
133/193 Pitt StMy favourite place to shop! Luxury and old world charm. Sublime place for coffee and people watching. A great restaurant on the top floor too.
Pretty amazing - especially if you catch the choral choir during religious holidays
89 locals recommend
St Mary's Cathedral College
2 St Mary's RdPretty amazing - especially if you catch the choral choir during religious holidays
Entertainment
Fabulous architecture - book a tour, symphony, opera or a play
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
Fabulous architecture - book a tour, symphony, opera or a play
Best plays in Sydney are showcased here. The bar has sensational views
7 locals recommend
Sydney Theatre Company
15 Hickson RoadBest plays in Sydney are showcased here. The bar has sensational views
Theatre Royal Sydney
108 King StreetGreat shows direct from Broadway
Capitol Theatre
13 Campbell StSee ‘Moulon Rouge’ here! So good!
Necessities
Corner of Park & George St. Get all your fresh and stored foods here. They have a fresh sushi counter. There’s also homewares on 1st floor
66 locals recommend
Woolworths Town Hall
George StreetCorner of Park & George St. Get all your fresh and stored foods here. They have a fresh sushi counter. There’s also homewares on 1st floor
Market St. Gourmet food shopping. Great place to source a picnic hamper to take to the gardens ($$$)
6 locals recommend
David Jones Food Hall
108 Castlereagh StMarket St. Gourmet food shopping. Great place to source a picnic hamper to take to the gardens ($$$)
Chemist Warehouse
133 to 135 Oxford StPitt St. Cheap and well stocked drug store
Pitt St Mall. Shop for clothing and accessories from a range of designers under one roof
27 locals recommend
Myer
436 George StPitt St Mall. Shop for clothing and accessories from a range of designers under one roof
Elizabeth St. Upmarket shopping for clothing and accessories. Top designers under one roof.
26 locals recommend
David Jones - Elizabeth st
108 Castlereagh StElizabeth St. Upmarket shopping for clothing and accessories. Top designers under one roof.