1. BOON CAFE at Jarern Chai Grocer
With a unique setup, hipster coffee vibe and an extraordinary fresh take on Thai cuisine, Boon is a cafe hidden in a fantastic Asian grocery where you can find an impressive selection of Thai fruit, herbs and vegetables.Think an intricately stencilled glass shopfront, brick walls, white subway tiles, industrial pendant lights whilst the scent of Thai spices drafts incessantly in the air.
As illustrated by its slogan “Sarni by day and isaan by night” (a sandwich by day and isaan cuisine by night), the Thai cafe serves delicious sandwiches with a Thai twist for lunch and isaan regional cuisine from north-easthern Thailand for dinner.
Boon also offers Single Origin roasters killerbee blend (a blend of beans from Sidamo Ethiopia, Mneb India and Veracruz Mexico), Penny Four pastries and breads from Brickfields.
1/ 425 Pitt Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
2. HENRY LEE´S
Named after the Nick Cave waltz, Henry Lee´s is without a doubt one of our favourite cafes to chill over a coffee in Sydney. Located in the newly developed arts and culture precinct of 16 Eveleigh Street Redfern, Henry Lee´s is a concept cafe where food and design come together.
Once a hosiery factory and then a handbag factory, Arquitect Atelier Andy Carson has created a unique sun-filled garden courtyard detailed with steel, polished concrete and exposed brick. Marble-like white tables, black wire chairs, baritone walls…This dynamic and surprising cafe has a sublime industrial feel.
The spacious courtyard setting is adorned with an impressive mural by illustrator Gemma O’Brien.
16 Eveleigh st, Redfern
3. THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA
Interior designer and co-owner Caroline Choker has turned a 1900s Four ´N Twenty pie factory into one of Sydney’s most frequented and loved cafes. The Grounds Of Alexandria is an artisan bakery, coffee tasting facility and organic kitchen garden all in one.
It’s not surprise this quaint, cozy and inviting cafe has been shortlisted for the Interior Design Excellence Awards in Australia. With lush plants hanging everywhere, vintage interiors and splendid home-style selection of dishes, this inspiring venue offers an authentic coffee experience.
Building 7A, No2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW
4. BOWERY LANE
Featuring wholesome food crafted from farm-fresh local and seasonal ingredients, Bowery Lane takes its inspiration from the oldest thoroughfare on Manhattan Island which was named in the later 17th century by Dutch settlers as Bouwerij Road, literally translated as “the farm”.
Within the lobby of a sky-high office building, the CBD boutique restaurant offers a little bit of evertything, including classic American themed cocktails from the speakeasy era.
The Manhattan-style restaurant has a sophisticated industrial vibe with its raw concrete, white tiles, warehouse-style ceilings, exposed bulb lighting and soft black leather banquettes.
Shop 1, Level 4, 1 O’Connell S
5. CHUR BURGER
Winner of numerous awards including the Australian Good Food & Travel Guide and the Sydney Morning Herald, Warren Turnbull’s gourmet burgers are simply delicious.
According to the New Zelander chef, who made his name at Sydney fine-diner Assiette, Chur is Kiwi slang for “awesome” and that´s exactly what you say the moment you take your first bite of the succulent burger.
48 Albion st, Surry Hills
6. MR. TIPPLY´S
With a vibrant African- influenced interior, garden- inspired dining area and cocktail lounge, the three-storey venue at the former City Hotel offers an enticing menu that focuses on Asia-style share plates. Highlights of Mr.Tipply‘s menu include delicious burgers.
347 Kent st
7. HARRY´S, CAFE DE WHEELS
Harry´s Cafe De Wheels is a unique piece of Sydney´s history. Famous for its iconic pie and peas, the venerable cafe is an Australian legend.
Enterprising Sydneysider Harry “Tiger” Edwards opened a pie caravan at Woolloomoolloo naval dockyard just before WWII. At that time, roadside caravans were an affordable options for eating out and attracted the night-time city population. Harry´s pie and pea combo soon became extremely popular especially among sailors, soldiers, cabbies, starlets and coppers alike. Hot dogs were included on the menu to meet demands from visiting American sailors.
A long list of international celebrities have visited the legendary harbourside iconic food stall over the decades including Frank Sinatra, Ava Gadner, Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacal. Don´t miss Harry´s signature Tiger Pie which is a pie served with mash, mushy peas and gravy. The original caravan is now in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.
8. THE AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE HOTEL
Located in the historic area known as The Rocks, the Australian Heritage Hotel holds the longest running hotel license in Sydney. With a unique and attractive Edwardian style architecture, The Australian is renowned for its brilliant selection of gourmet pizzas and wide range of Australian beers (over 100 Australian beers).
The Australian Heritage Hotel
100 Cumberland St
9. PUBLIC DINING ROOM
When we finally made it to Australia, my wonderful friends Vesna & Joycelyn got a booking at Public Dining Room to celebrate our arrival.
With a Scandinavian inspired design, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Balmoral beach and beyond, sophisticated atmosphere and visually appealing dishes, the girls could not have chosen a more perfect spot!
My wonderful Seafood Risotto
2A The Esplanade, Balmoral
10. THE BOATHOUSE
Located on the Esplanade along Balmoral Beach in Mosman, The Boathouse exudes a peaceful, beachy vibe. The beautiful entrance framed in baskets of flowers, the rustic and oceanic unique setting, the relaxed decor in refreshing light blues and cool white make it worth the trip to Balmoral.
Unfortunately, the breezy venue has a no-reservations policy, so be prepared to queue. We took a seat on one of the white picnic benches on the wharf overlooking the ocean and then ordered inside from a menu written up on a blackboard.
The sun bathed cafe offers delicious breakfasts (think of saucy bacon and egg roll, fluffy French toast piled up with mixed berries and drizzled with maple syrup and mascarpone), lunch meals full of flavour, great coffee, fresh juices and rich & creamy milkshakes.
We absolutely loved the vanilla milkshake which came in an old glass milk bottle and little touches such as the chocolate anchors on our cappuccinos.
2 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach
11. THE PALACE TEA ROOM
Built around the elegant of Victorian drinking tea, The Palace Tea Room located inside the historic Queen Victoria building, exudes opulence and grandeur.
Tempt yourself with their fine selection of teas and extensive menu -from tantalising sandwiches, hearty salads and impeccable pasta dishes to fishes delights and a selection of succulent meat.
With 29 different teas, the Palace Tea Room is perfect for an intimate afternoon tea whilst shopping or sightseeing.
Queen Victoria Building, 20-22 George St
12. AQUA S
Sydney’s most Instagrammable ice-cream.
AquaS is a heavenly soft-serve ice-cream parlor that has become a instagram phenomenon thanks to its ethereal sea salt-flavoured soft serve, topped with a pillowy bed of fairy floss, caramel popcorn, popping candy and a flame-toasted marshmallow.
27/501 George St
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