In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Alexandria and Rosebery such vibrant communities to live in and visit: their local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
DAY
HOW TO DO ALEXANDRIA, ROSEBERY AND GREEN SQUARE
Do as the locals do.
Cafes
Choosing between the local lineup of elite coffee brewers and brunch masters is a privileged problem keenly felt in Alexandria and Rosebery.
- TEXTBOOK BOULANGERIE PATISSERIE: This inner-city patisserie's croissants have gained a cult following in Sydney.
- WENT TO SEE THE GYPSY: An Alexandria specialty coffee hot-spot with a state-of-the-art brew bar, salted pistachio espressos and food by an ex-Cho Cho San chef.
- BREAD & CIRCUS WHOLEFOODS CANTEEN: The impression of wellbeing and earthy goodness is hard to escape at this ever-popular spot.
- MEET GERARD: Once you have, thank him for the top-notch feed.
- MENTMORE & MORLEY: Find fresh, inventive takes on classic dishes in a sunny indoor/outdoor space.
Image: Went to see the Gypsy
Restaurants and pubs
This on-the-up area is attracting exciting new names in the food scene who are eager to move into the ever-expanding drinking and dining district.
- THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA: The Grounds is innovative, idealist and a little bit chic — in the best possible way.
- THREE BLUE DUCKS ROSEBERY: This big, bright outpost of a Bronte fave brings farm-to-table ethos and darn good coffee to Rosebery’s up-and-coming food precinct.
- SUSHI JONES JAPANESE BISTRO: An affordable, unassuming Japanese eatery that will become your new go-to.
- THE NIGHTHAWK DINER: Sydney's beloved Americana food truck.
- ROCKS BREWING CO: Brews inspired by the dubious characters of colonial past
Image: Three blue ducks Rosebery
Shops
Worthwhile fashion outlets, delicious food emporiums and pre-loved wares reign supreme in this area of warehouse stores worth getting lost in.
- LUNATIQUES: A mammoth (300-square-metres) warehouse of well-curated vintage finds from eras past.
- INCU OUTLET: The longstanding fashion retailer's chic new outlet store offers luxe emerging and established labels for up to 60 percent off.
- KOSKELA: Carefully created interior warehouse with sustainability at its core.
- MR COOK: For epic wedding-worthy garlands, call Mr Cook.
- SIMON JOHNSON PROVIDORE: The long-standing providore market has transformed its Alexandria shop into a clearance store.
Image: Lunatiques
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Alexandria and Rosebery.
- Went to See the Gypsy: From soy lattes to single origin filters, this specialty cafe from the crew behind Gypsy Espresso is a true coffee lover's oasis. You'll find it in a sprawling warehouse space kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.
- Lunatiques: Browse the excellent rustic, vintage wares at this 300-square-metre warehouse full of antique furniture and homewares.
- Three Blue Ducks: The focus here is smoke and fire, with lamb, pork, beef and chicken cooked over its Argentinian grill in the garden.
- The Cannery: Spend an entire afternoon at this former cannery housing a sustainable bottleshop, French brewery, fine dining and plenty of other culinary treats.
Image: Went to see the Gypsy
NIGHT
HOW TO DO ALEXANDRIA, ROSEBERY AND GREEN SQUARE
Do as the locals do.
Restaurants and pubs
From industrial warehouse to Italian farmhouse, the restaurant interiors are as inventive as the cuisine served within.
- DA MARIO: This pizza's so good it'll sabotage your ability to try anything else.
- COOH ALEXANDRIA: For wholesome dining in an unsuspecting industrial area.
- FRENCHIES BISTRO AND BREWERY: Parisian bistronomy and local brewing come together at this newish spot run by two ‘Frenchies’ with a penchant for culinary delights.
- PINO'S VINO E CUCINA: Dig into rustic dishes and divine cocktails set amongst dark timber and candlelight in the style of an Italian farmhouse.
- NGUYEN BROTHERS ALEXANDRIA: Get your pho and rice paper roll fix here.
Image: Pino's Vino e Cucina
Bars
If you’re searching for drink diversity, you’ll never get bored in this neighbourhood rife with craft creations and cocktails.
- YULLI'S BREWS: A 100 percent vegan (and dog-friendly) taproom and restaurant.
- ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLERY: If you're looking to lift your spirits, this gin distillery is the place to be.
- NO. 5 RESTAURANT AND BAR: Once a gemstone processing facility, now a local restaurant with a cosy fire, craft beer and a pooch area.
- ARCHIE BROTHERS CIRQUE ELECTRIQ: The activity-filled warehouse comes from the team behind Holey Moley and features ten-pin bowling, dodgem cars and cocktails.
- THE LORD RAGLAN HOTEL: This brewpub tries to do it all, and actually succeeds.
Image: Archie Rose Distillery
Shops
Find shops that cater to your creative inclination, whether that be towards food and drink or the arts.
- THE DRINK HIVE: Not only replenishing your growlers with local brews, this joint also has refillable wine stations.
- MITCHELL ROAD ANTIQUE AND DESIGN CENTRE: Bring water and provisions, you could be browsing through this antique gold mine for quite some time.
- GELATO MESSINA ROSEBERY: Get a scoop at Sydney’s beloved gelateria’s headquarters in the inner south — or learn to make your own.
- AUSTRALIAN MEAT EMPORIUM: Don an insulated jacket and explore the biggest public cold room in the country to discover meat cuts of all shapes and sizes.
- HUNTER AND FOX TATTOO: Get inked by some of the best in the biz.
Image: The Drink Hive
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Alexandria and Rosebery.
- Archie Rose: Take a tour of Sydney's first distillery in over 160 years, then pop into the neighbouring bar to sample its tipples as well as other Australian distillers.
- Da Mario: Although the Rosebery branch of Pizza Mario offers a more extensive menu, the pizza's just so good it'll sabotage your ability to try anything else.
- The Drink Hive: Sustainability is key at this bottle shop where you'll find both refillable beer and wine stations, plus hard-to-find, quality brews, vinos and spirits.
- Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq: Channel your inner child at this arcade-bar-kidult wonderland. Also, dodgems are only $6, laser tag is $12 and bowling is $21.
Image: Da Mario
Content provided through a content partnership. To find more guides on Sydney visit Concrete Playground.
All details are accurate as of 01 May 2021. Information may change. Check businesses websites for the most up-to-date information.
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