Sydney Guide

Sydney is my perfect city and I love everything about it – water, beach, architecture, people and vibe. If I could choose one place where I’d like to spend the rest of my life, it would be Sydney. After a beautiful month that’s passed far too fast I refused to leave, but Tomasz tricked me, he’s a smart one. Not many of you know that I used to live in Australia, Sydney for two years and I always wanted to go back. Now I know I will, as I got a small souvenir from there, that guarantees it. Here are few places that I’ve visited during my last stay. It’s not a long list, but it’s good for the beginning.

EAT SYDNEY:

The Grounds Of Alexandria (Shop 7A, 2 Huntley St. (Bourke Rd.), Alexandria). My eternal dream is to have a tiny house far far away from civilisation with a big garden full of veggies and fruits (untypical for a foodie, isn’t it?), my two cats plus one cow, a sheep, two chickens and an ocean or a sea somewhere in 500m distance. The Grounds is in Sydney, no water around and no Ryszard and Lola, but except from this, it is my dream place. If you’re in Sydney check this out and I am sure you’ll like everything about it. They have a pig called Kevin Bacon, few chicks, beautiful garden, a corner where you can buy lovely flower composition. On a top of that they bake their own bread, use only organic products and everything served here is yummy. There can be a line, but don’t worry, get a pager and walk around a garden with a glass of their delicious lemonade.

Kitchen by Mike (85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery) – It’s a big place with a big concept. Each day they buy fresh products on markets and prepare few different dishes you can choose from. All of them are simple, fresh, seasonal and delicious. Go there for breakfast or lunch and experience it by yourself. I enjoyed it a lot.

Pasta Emilia (259 Riley Street (corner of Reservoir St), Surry Hills) – good italian place where everything is prepared freshly. They make their own pasta and use only the best organic products. You can taste it for sure.

Sydney Fish Market, (Bank St. (Pyrmont Bridge Rd.), Pyrmont NSW 2009) – you need to go there if you like seafood. This is the best place to get fresh and delicious seafood meal and the choice is a killer. You can buy a king crab bigger than your head and everything you could think of eating. If you don’t feel like cooking, you can choose from one of located here restaurants and collect as many goodies on your plate as you wish. Just remember my warning – it’s easy to take too much and it’s too good to waste it, so most probably problems with moving/walking will occur.

Brown Sugar (106 Curlewis St. (btwn Glenayr & Gould), Bondi Beach) – They serve breakfasts only three days a week and believe me, most probably there will be a line. Buttermilk pancakes, homemade granola, organic porridge, green eggs, everything is on menu. I took green eggs and it was a perfect choice. Not too complicated, basic mix of organic products, but they made it just right with a roasted tomato on side and a slice of a perfect sourdough. I loved it.

Black Star Pastry (277 Australia St., Newtown) – lovely bakery with awesome cakes. Try an orange cake – it looks pretty and tastes even better.

Porch and parlour (110 ramsgate ave, Bondi Beach) – you sense a surf vibe in this place. Staff is very friendly and food is delicious. I had a steak sandwich over there and I felt like ordering another one straight away (I am very greedy towards good food). I also like the interior, very “Berlin’s style”.

The Australian Heritage Hotel (100 Cumberland St., The Rocks) – a pub where you can try pizza with emu, kangaroo or crocodile meat. And it’s yummy.

Chiswick Restaurant (65 Ocean St. (Wellington St.), Woollahra) – an Australian restaurant with a good food. If you go there in a group of 6, you can order a collective menu and try many delicious things. Perfect for a dinner with friends.

Din Tai Fung (644 George St. (in World Square) – this was a crazy delicious experience, the best dumplings. I am polish and polish dumplings take the first place in my heart, but when I was eating in Din Tai Fung, I felt like a traitor. Expect a long queue, but it’s all worth waiting. I’d definitely recommend xiao long boa and lychee mint drink. But you want to take more.

Sonoma Artisan Sourdough Bakers – we went there for our first breakfast in Sydney and it was a good choice. They offer delicious sandwiches, quiches and more. You want to taste their bread for sure, but take a cup of coffee as well.

Le Paris Go Cafe (38 Hall St., Bondi Beach NSW 2026) – cosy little place in Bondi. You can sit on a comfy pillows next to a big open window and observe a relaxing Bondi life. I’d definitely recommend a breakfast burrito, I had it and I loved it.

Kawa (348A Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010) – I used to eat breakfast in this beautiful little cafe quite often few years ago. I must tell you that nothing has changed. They still have a friendly service and delicious food. It’s also good for lunch.

Bru Coffee (101 Brighton Blvd (Campbell Pde), Sydney NSW 2026) – I love this place. I used to come here around 7 am almost each morning for a delicious cup of coffee. So you can imagine that they serve a good coffee. It’s tiny, no sits inside, but people always chill outside on a bench. I’ll miss this place the most.

Zushi (2a/285A Crown St., Surry Hills NSW) – Japanese restaurant suggested by a friend. My meal was yummy and they have an interesting lunch options.

Pablo’s Vice (3/257 Crown Street, Surry Hills (Goulburn Street) – I used to live next to this cafe for over a year. It’s very small and very friendly. They serve good coffee, great chat and a nice bite. If you’re in CBD, this is a good place to sit and catch a breath.

Doyles on Fishermans Wharf in Watsons Bay – they serve a nice sea food (that used to be a bit better 6 years ago), but I think the all fuzz around this place is about location. You can eat on a wharf or on a lovely beach or in a park or climb a cliff and enjoy an amazing city view.

Adriano Zumbo Pâtissier (296 Darling St., Balmain NSW 2041) – they have few locations in Sydney. If you like yummy and pretty little cakes, macaroons and desserts, this is a place to visit.

Sushi Train Express, Shop 22, 63 Oxford St. (in Oxford Square), Surry Hills – it’s not a fancy restaurant but I like it. You can come, grub a plate of sushi, eat and leave. Kind of a sushi fast food, but they prepare everything freshly in front of you and it’s made out of good ingredients. It’s a place for someone who feels like a fast sushi bite.

Paddy’s Market (9-13 Hay St., Haymarket NSW 2000) – Asian experience in Sydney. I definitely suggest visiting the fruit/vegetable part, as everything is much cheaper than in other stores. When market comes to it’s end you can usually make a sweet deal like buying a 1 kg of bananas for $1.

SEE SYDNEY:

Cockatoo Island – This place is almost like San Francisco’s Alcatraz and has a rich history itself. It used to be a prison, place where ships are being build and home for troubled children. Nowadays it’s a place with awesome exhibitions from time to time. It’s worth visiting if you like to hang around old hangars and buildings. I do, and I spent a whole day over there. Sunset from Island’s perspective was beautiful.

Waverley Cemetery – located on a walk from Bondi do Coogee. It’s an old cemetery located on a cliff with an amazing view and a piece of a history. I’ve stopped here during a sunset time and the view was stunning.