From the beating heart of the city to the beauty of the harbour and around to Barangaroo, there’s a lot to soak up in the CBD and its surrounds.
In partnership with Concrete Playground, we’re celebrating what makes the CBD such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its 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.
Image (above): Palisade Hotel, Henry Deane, Destination NSW
DAY
HOW TO DO THE SYDNEY CBD
Do as the locals do by DAY
Cafes
Coffee is serious business, and thankfully everyone is well served, from suits on coffee breaks to daytime harbour strollers.
- REGIMENT: A bustling CBD cafe serving Five Senses coffee, soba noodle salad and hunks of caramel slice.
- SINGLE O CBD: This takeaway window on York Street serves great coffee, loaded crumpets and bacon and egg rolls.
- INDUSTRY BEANS YORK ST: The Melbourne coffee pioneer has brought its famed bubble tea-like cold brews to Sydney.
- THE GROUNDS OF THE CITY: The Grounds of Alexandria's CBD venue sets an impossibly high standard for themed dining in Sydney.
- JUNE'S SHOPPE: Visit this bright yellow cafe in the CBD for open sandos and top-notch coffee.
Image: Industry Beans Collins Street
Restaurants and pubs
Top-shelf takeaway joints, cosy pubs and sun-filled terraces ensure you won’t ever go hungry in the CBD — especially during the working week.
- JARDIN ST JAMES: Find a slice of Parisian paradise in a CBD church's courtyard.
- BAR LUKA: Go for the Blame Canada, stay for an outrageous weekly special.
- THE GLENMORE: This pub in The Rocks has a rooftop with one of the best views over the harbour.
- HOTEL PALISADE: This bar gained a new lease on life in 2015. Keep things casual downstairs, or head upstairs to enjoy the killer view.
- CONTINENTAL DELI BAR BISTRO CBD: A shrine of cocktails, charcuterie and canned stuff in the CBD.
Image: Hotel Palisade
Shops
Beyond the big department stores the area is home to some of the best fashion, homewares and food shops Sydney has to offer.
- SORRY THANKS I LOVE YOU: Every message you need to say, you can say through these perfectly curated artisanal gifts.
- SHORTSTOP COFFEE & DONUTS:Every message you need to say, you can say through these perfectly curated artisanal gifts.
- JET CYCLES:Here's where you'll find premium bike brands Specialized and Cannondale.
- COURTESY OF THE ARTIST:An inner city collective of artistic minds and passionate jewellery designers, championing Aussie materials, workers and talent.
- MISTER MISTER:Visit this Strand Arcade store for made-to-measure suits, jackets and trousers.
Image: Courtesy of the artist
Arts and culture
Get to know the city better on a walking tour or at one of the many museums and galleries dotted throughout. Best of all, most of these are free to visit.
- CUSTOMS HOUSE: Lose a few hours exploring the multi-storey library and contemporary exhibitions.
- MUSEUM OF SYDNEY: A salute to Sydney, past and present.
- JUSTICE AND POLICE MUSEUM: Discover the dark history of Sydney's real life cops and robbers.
- ART GALLERY OF NSW: Soak up some contemporary art and earn serious culture cred at this Sydney institution.
- THE ROCKS ABORIGINAL DREAMING TOUR: Take a journey into Indigenous heritage and culture.
Image: Art Gallery of NSW
Leisure
Unwind in stunning gardens by the sea, swim laps in a waterside sea salt pool or put your problem-solving skills to the test.
- ANDREW 'BOY' CHARLTON POOL: Make sure to admire the Sydney Harbour views as you come up for air.
- ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN: So much more than a pretty park.
- OBSERVATORY HILL PARK: Take in the Sydney Harbour Bridge and skyline from one of the best vantage points in the city.
- THE ENIGMA ROOM: Expect mind-bending codes and sensory overload at one of Sydney's most innovative escape rooms.
- THE ROCKS MARKETS: Spend the weekend hunting for handmade goods.
Image: Andrew 'Boy' Charlton pool
Shop online
Can't visit the area soon enough? Do some online browsing and get gems from these CBD-based businesses sent straight to you instead.
- INCU: The elusive mix of high-end and high-street fashion here will hook you in every time.
- HAIGH'S CHOCOLATES: Replace your chocolate bunny with an artisanal bilby.
- STRAND HATTERS: Where to go if you want to drop money on a hat that will last you 20 years.
- DOUBLE MONK: High-quality, handmade mens shoes perfect for city workers and special occasions.
- THE TEA CENTRE SYDNEY: An ethical tea emporium in Sydney's CBD.
Image: Incu
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in the CBD.
- Industry Beans York St: We've gotta hand it to our southern neighbours — they do know how to make a good cuppa joe. And this Melbourne-born roaster's bubble tea-like cold brew, with coffee-soaked tapioca pearls and condensed milk, is a caffeinated revelation on hot days.
- Wholegreen Bakery: Croissants, danishes, sausage rolls and sandwiches — but make 'em gluten free (and dairy- and sugar-free, too). The CBD outpost of Waverley's much-loved bakery is a go-to for hungry CBD dwellers with dietary requirements.
- Incu: See the latest from top designers at this well-curated retail franchise in The Galeries, launched in 2002 by twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu.
- Art Gallery of NSW: Plan your weekend around a trip to AGNSW. Check out the permanent works for free, or grab tickets to its latest exhibition.
Image: Wholegreen Bakery
HOW TO DO SYDNEY CBD
Do as the locals do by NIGHT
Restaurants and pubs
You’ll find some of the best restaurants in the city in this area, and with the Barangaroo precinct now added to the menu, there’s even more to choose from.
- RESTAURANT HUBERT: High-class French food in a subterranean space on Bligh Street, where the chicken fricassée is the stuff of legend.
- INDU: This is the Indian food we've been waiting for.
- LONG CHIM: Prep your chilli tolerance for a visit to David Thompson's Thai fine dining restaurant.
- BISTECCA: This underground CBD restaurant specialises in just one cut of steak.
- CIRRUS DINING: A cloud-shaped Barangaroo restaurant from the Bentley team.
Image: Long Chim
Bars
Whether you're looking for a rooftop for midweek bevs or want to take in the sights sipping a cocktail, there’s plenty of top spots for a tipple.
- OLD MATE'S PLACE: Creative cocktails, Philly cheesesteaks and old-school library vibes tucked away in a Clarence Street office building.
- CANTINA OK!: A hole-in-the-wall mezcal bar by the Tio's team.
- PS40: The 'open soda door' from former Bulletin Place, Sokyo and Der Raum folks.
- MAYBE SAMMY: An opulent 50s-inspired bar from the Maybe Frank team.
- BULLETIN PLACE: This long-standing CBD cocktail bar is still one of the best in the city (and the country).
Image: Cantina OK!
Live music
The CBD's live music scene caters for classical music aficionados, avid rock fans and everyone in between. Plus, you'll find yourself in some incredible venues.
- CITY RECITAL HALL: The Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Pinchgut Opera (among others) call this CBD concert hall home.
- SINCE I LEFT YOU: This courtyard bar could be your CBD paradise.
- SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE: The word iconic is overused, but not when it comes to the harbour city’s crowning glory.
- FRANKIE'S: Part dive bar, part New York-style pizza parlour, part blast from the past in the form of 80s metal.
- THE ORIENT HOTEL: Yet another longstanding pub in The Rocks that's had a makeover in recent years.
Image: Frankie's
Shops
Browse beautiful boutiques, a 60-year-old bottle shop and rare designs all after 6pm.
- HOKKAIDO BAKED CHEESE TART: Queue up, then load up on these famous cheesy, creamy tarts.
- THE OAK BARREL: As one of the oldest bottle shops in Sydney, the range is something to behold.
- MEN'S BIZ SYDNEY: Walk out of this CBD barbershop feeling fresh and fine, with new skin and hair care products to keep it going.
- TITLE BARANGAROO: Here's an independent bookshop proving print isn't dead.
- SNEAKERBOY: The high-end underground sneaker store of Kanye's wildest dreams.
Image: Men's Biz Sydney
Arts and culture
When the sun goes down there’s plenty to do — catch a play, attend a talk or simply look up at the stars.
- SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY: Discover the cream of Sydney's creativity crop at Roslyn Packer Theatre.
- STATE THEATRE: Old-world opulence awaits in this heritage-listed performance space.
- SYDNEY OBSERVATORY: Yes, the CBD has its own stargazing spot — head here after dark and discover the magic of the southern sky.
- BOOKS KINOKUNIYA: Pick up a book, attend a talk or meet a new author at this Japanese megastore.
- EMPLOYEES ONLY: Visit NYC's world-class cocktail bar's first late-night Australian outpost for cocktails and cabaret.
Image: Sydney Theatre Company
Concrete Playground Staff Faves
Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of CBD come alive.
- RAMBLIN' RASCAL TAVERN: Head to this basement bar for a booze-slingin' good time.
- BAR TOPA: A pint-sized tapas bar serving up innovative snacks and $8 half-size cocktails.
- THE BAXTER INN: A cavernous whisky bar where the bartenders know their stuff and good times are at the top of the agenda.
- RAGAZZI WINE AND PASTA: A CBD wine and pasta bar from the Love, Tilly Devine crew.
- MR. WONG: A classic CBD eatery loved for its dim sim, mud crab and vintage setting.
Image: Ragazzi Wine and Pasta
Editor's itinerary
Here is hour our editor loves to spend a few hours in the CBD.
- Ragazzi Wine and Pasta: This cosy spot in Angel Place works for many occasions. Dining solo? Nab a spot at the bar. First date? Get cosy in one of the leather booths. Client lunch? Secure one of the outdoor tables so you can fill awkward conversation lulls with people-watching.
- Cantina OK!: Venture down a tiny laneway off Clarence Street and you'll be rewarded with some seriously rare mezcal and one of the best margs in the city. You're also within walking distance of a bunch of other small bars, like Since I Left You, Lobo Plantation, PS40 and Old Mate's Place, if you want to do a bar hop.
- Frankie's: Tuesday night may be a bit early in the week to go out, but with an electric atmosphere, pizza by the slice, icy margaritas and Tuesday night live band karaoke, you'll be glad you made it to this late night favourite.
- The Oak Barrel: Not your average bottle-o, this shop — open since 1956 — stocks small producer and natural wines, craft spirits and beers from all over the world — from Guatemala to Taiwan, Japan to Mauritius.
Image: The Oak Barrel
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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