Guidebook for North Sydney
Drinks & Nightlife
Small Bar
85 Willoughby RdFun alternative to the pub! Noisy and full of character.
For the best view and buzz in Sydney. Unbeatable. (Don't even think about eating at any of the restaurants on the walk leading up to the Opera House - horrible)
403 locals recommend
Opera Bar
Macquarie StreetFor the best view and buzz in Sydney. Unbeatable. (Don't even think about eating at any of the restaurants on the walk leading up to the Opera House - horrible)
Catch the ferry from Circular Quay and sip on cocktails at The Island Bar whilst watching the sun go down. Italian food and great atmosphere.
104 locals recommend
Cockatoo Island
Catch the ferry from Circular Quay and sip on cocktails at The Island Bar whilst watching the sun go down. Italian food and great atmosphere.
Southern Californian-style restaurant and bar with a sunny rooftop. Eat quesadillas, ceviche, hot dogs and tacos. Popular so book.
51 locals recommend
SoCal Sydney
1 Young StSouthern Californian-style restaurant and bar with a sunny rooftop. Eat quesadillas, ceviche, hot dogs and tacos. Popular so book.
The Royal Hotel is the social hub of Paddington’s Fiveways. Have a drink on the rooftop - takes you to NYC!
79 locals recommend
Royal Hotel Paddington
237 Glenmore RdThe Royal Hotel is the social hub of Paddington’s Fiveways. Have a drink on the rooftop - takes you to NYC!
Sydney's most instagrammable pub!! Catch the ferry and soak up the atmosphere.
193 locals recommend
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
1 Military RdSydney's most instagrammable pub!! Catch the ferry and soak up the atmosphere.
Eat, drink..........party. Sydney's in spot with a heap of different areas to choose from. Try the Pool Club for some serious eye candy!
127 locals recommend
ivy precinct
330 George StEat, drink..........party. Sydney's in spot with a heap of different areas to choose from. Try the Pool Club for some serious eye candy!
Vini
118 Devonshire StreetFor serious wine drinkers and Italian food lovers. Small and friendly.
Food Scene
Malabar Restaurant
334 Pacific HwyExcellent Indian food. Try the dosai - not to be missed.
Great mix of Sri Lankan, African food with fun atmosphere. Eat here before or after the cinema.
43 locals recommend
Radio Cairo Restaurant
83 Spofforth StGreat mix of Sri Lankan, African food with fun atmosphere. Eat here before or after the cinema.
Go on Sunday (book as very popular) for an authentic Shanghai style decor and extraordinary food. Not your usual Chinese restaurant. Special - $$
76 locals recommend
Mr. Wong
3 Bridge LnGo on Sunday (book as very popular) for an authentic Shanghai style decor and extraordinary food. Not your usual Chinese restaurant. Special - $$
A must visit restaurant in Sydney overlooking Bondi Beach. Very expensive and trendy. If you want the same view but not the $ go to the cafe then tackle the unrivaled Bondi to Bronte cliff walk.
468 locals recommend
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts AveA must visit restaurant in Sydney overlooking Bondi Beach. Very expensive and trendy. If you want the same view but not the $ go to the cafe then tackle the unrivaled Bondi to Bronte cliff walk.
Great family kiosk serving light lunches and out of the madding crowd of Manly. Safe beach with enclosed beach pool.
101 locals recommend
Little Manly Beach Kiosk
42 Stuart StGreat family kiosk serving light lunches and out of the madding crowd of Manly. Safe beach with enclosed beach pool.
Fabulous for Sunday brunch but get there before 11am. Then take a walk over the harbour bridge and enjoy the markets at The Rocks.
40 locals recommend
Garfish
21 Broughton StFabulous for Sunday brunch but get there before 11am. Then take a walk over the harbour bridge and enjoy the markets at The Rocks.
Lovely location right under the Harbour Bridge. Not cheap but generally good food.
38 locals recommend
Ripples Milsons Point
1 Olympic DrLovely location right under the Harbour Bridge. Not cheap but generally good food.
Sails on Lavender Bay
2 Henry Lawson AveFine dining right on the water overlooking Luna Park.
Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Balmoral Beach is a superb family beach and this restaurant serves great food with a beautiful view. Stroll it off walking along the promenade afterwards.
96 locals recommend
The Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant
4 The EsplanadeGo for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Balmoral Beach is a superb family beach and this restaurant serves great food with a beautiful view. Stroll it off walking along the promenade afterwards.
Located at the old wool stores at Woolloomooloo. Sit outside and share exceptional modern Chinese whilst looking at the million dollar boats and the passing parade. $$
81 locals recommend
China Doll
6 Cowper Wharf RoadwayLocated at the old wool stores at Woolloomooloo. Sit outside and share exceptional modern Chinese whilst looking at the million dollar boats and the passing parade. $$
The Basement
7 Macquarie PlThe best jazz night club in Sydney.
Best oyster platter and fish pie. Looks over the Fish Markets.
43 locals recommend
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay
123 Ferry RdBest oyster platter and fish pie. Looks over the Fish Markets.
Get away from it all and have a lunch in the heart of Pittwater. If the wine list is too tempting, stay the night!!
31 locals recommend
Cottage Point Inn
2 Anderson PlGet away from it all and have a lunch in the heart of Pittwater. If the wine list is too tempting, stay the night!!
Simple & Irresistible Thai Restaurant
Excellent Thai food - take away or eat in.
Mario Brothers Pizza & Pasta
314 Pacific HwyCrusty based and tasty pizzas.
A must do is queue for an hour for fish and chips at Balmoral Beach. Buy a bottle of wine down the road, sit on the beach and life is perfect.
28 locals recommend
Bottom of the Harbour Seafoods
21 The EsplanadeA must do is queue for an hour for fish and chips at Balmoral Beach. Buy a bottle of wine down the road, sit on the beach and life is perfect.
Hotel Centennial
Victoria AvenueFor the Eastern Suburbs set. Buzzy and great food.
The Crabbe Hole
1 Notts AveMuch cheaper than Icebergs with almost the same view!
Authentic Italian pasta. Eat before seeing the Sydney Dance Company or some theatre. Busy.
11 locals recommend
Fratelli Fresh Walsh Bay
16 Hickson RdAuthentic Italian pasta. Eat before seeing the Sydney Dance Company or some theatre. Busy.
Everything Else
TITLE Store
501 Crown StFabulous book and music store.
One of the best zoos in the world with a view over Sydney Harbour. Catch the ferry there and back.
645 locals recommend
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Bradleys Head RoadOne of the best zoos in the world with a view over Sydney Harbour. Catch the ferry there and back.
If you like seafood, this is the place to buy it. Share your outdoor table with the seagulls or take it home and enjoy the best of Sydney.
399 locals recommend
Sydney Fish Market
Bank StreetIf you like seafood, this is the place to buy it. Share your outdoor table with the seagulls or take it home and enjoy the best of Sydney.
Nowhere else in the world can you do this. Expensive but really worth it. Even those scared of heights love it.
202 locals recommend
BridgeClimb Sydney
3 Cumberland StNowhere else in the world can you do this. Expensive but really worth it. Even those scared of heights love it.
Hire a bike and cycle round this wonderful old park. Great for a picnic.
1102 locals recommend
Centennial Park
15 Locked BagHire a bike and cycle round this wonderful old park. Great for a picnic.
A combination of bush and beach walks. Take your time, some of it is quite steep but well worth it.
Manly to Spit Bridge Scenic Walkway
A combination of bush and beach walks. Take your time, some of it is quite steep but well worth it.
Showcases excellent theatre from around the world. Eat at The Bar at The End of the Wharf.
82 locals recommend
Sydney Theatre Company
15 Hickson RdShowcases excellent theatre from around the world. Eat at The Bar at The End of the Wharf.
Perfect picnic spot. Explore the bush, take a swim or kick a ball.
24 locals recommend
Berry Island Reserve
10 Shirley RdPerfect picnic spot. Explore the bush, take a swim or kick a ball.
Arts & Culture
Art decor cinema showing a mixture of films. Go on Tuesday nights when it is discount night.
165 locals recommend
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
380 Military RdArt decor cinema showing a mixture of films. Go on Tuesday nights when it is discount night.
A must see for visitors. The Australian and Asian exhibits are excellent. Open Wednesday nights when it is much quieter for exhibitions.
891 locals recommend
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery RoadA must see for visitors. The Australian and Asian exhibits are excellent. Open Wednesday nights when it is much quieter for exhibitions.
Tiny theatre showcasing only Australian theatre. Cheap on Monday nights.
25 locals recommend
Griffin Theatre Company
13 Craigend StTiny theatre showcasing only Australian theatre. Cheap on Monday nights.
The Sydney Festival
Loads to see, do and eat with the Sydney Festival in January.
Not to be missed is this amazing outdoor and free sculpture exhibition along the Bondi coastal walk. Runs late October to early November. Avoid the weekends.
14 locals recommend
Sculpture by the Sea Incorporated
61 Marlborough StNot to be missed is this amazing outdoor and free sculpture exhibition along the Bondi coastal walk. Runs late October to early November. Avoid the weekends.
Essentials
Thomas Dux Crows Nest
You can find any foodstuff you need here. Great quality.
Entertainment & Activities
Drink in this wonderful ferry ride crossing the whole of Sydney Harbour. Whale watching in June.
67 locals recommend
Manly Fast Ferry
Drink in this wonderful ferry ride crossing the whole of Sydney Harbour. Whale watching in June.
For the kids and history buffs. Loads of fun exploring the tunnels, great bushwalks overlooking the harbour.
Middle Head Gun Placement and Tunnels
For the kids and history buffs. Loads of fun exploring the tunnels, great bushwalks overlooking the harbour.
Beautiful old wooden baths. Fun for all the family. See fish swimming under you as you do your laps. Indulge in the outdoor summer massage upstairs.
104 locals recommend
Wylie's Baths
4B Neptune StBeautiful old wooden baths. Fun for all the family. See fish swimming under you as you do your laps. Indulge in the outdoor summer massage upstairs.
Clovelly Beach
Fabulous snorkelling.
Very popular for snorkelling. Enjoy walking along the Manly promenade afterwards. Walk up to the headland for a bit of whale watching in season.
337 locals recommend
Shelly Beach
Very popular for snorkelling. Enjoy walking along the Manly promenade afterwards. Walk up to the headland for a bit of whale watching in season.
Get fit and check out the view of the harbour bridge and passing ferries.
88 locals recommend
Olympic Pool North Sydney
4 Alfred St SGet fit and check out the view of the harbour bridge and passing ferries.
Luna St
Watch the night lights of Sydney as you hurtle around on the rides. Don't miss Coney Island.
Sightseeing
Beautiful gardens near the Opera House. Take a picnic and enjoy the view.
985 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Mrs Macquaries RoadBeautiful gardens near the Opera House. Take a picnic and enjoy the view.
Drive up to the playground of Sydney's rich. Beautiful beach and restaurants. Home and Away is filmed here if you are a soapie fan!
353 locals recommend
Palm Beach
24 Ocean RoadDrive up to the playground of Sydney's rich. Beautiful beach and restaurants. Home and Away is filmed here if you are a soapie fan!
Lovely bushwalks and great view over to Palm Beach and over Pittwater.
102 locals recommend
West Head Lookout
West Head RoadLovely bushwalks and great view over to Palm Beach and over Pittwater.
We really shouldn't call them mountains but they are beautiful. For bushwalkers, sightseeers, art lovers and foodies. Heaps to do.
63 locals recommend
Blue Mountains
We really shouldn't call them mountains but they are beautiful. For bushwalkers, sightseeers, art lovers and foodies. Heaps to do.
Watch the fireworks, have a picnic, swim in Maccallum pool, stride out on the beautiful harbourside walk.
17 locals recommend
Cremorne Reserve
Milson RoadWatch the fireworks, have a picnic, swim in Maccallum pool, stride out on the beautiful harbourside walk.