Mark’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Darling Harbour is absolutely beautiful day or night. Enjoy a meal or drinks while looking out at the sparkling water.
892 locals recommend
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is absolutely beautiful day or night. Enjoy a meal or drinks while looking out at the sparkling water.
Catch a musical or a concert at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
Catch a musical or a concert at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Drink in the history of this beautiful building as you enjoy a cafe meal or as you peruse the stores. Come back in the evening and have some champagne at Reign in the QVB.
355 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Drink in the history of this beautiful building as you enjoy a cafe meal or as you peruse the stores. Come back in the evening and have some champagne at Reign in the QVB.
Have a wander in Hyde Park and check out the gardens, the giant chessboard and the War Memorial.
374 locals recommend
Hyde Park
Elizabeth StreetHave a wander in Hyde Park and check out the gardens, the giant chessboard and the War Memorial.
Get some picnic supplies from Woolworths (one block away) and then wander over to the Royal Botanic Gardens and join the Sydneysiders picnicking by the water. And don't forget to check out the Succulent Garden! It's one of my favourite parts of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
985 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Mrs Macquaries RoadGet some picnic supplies from Woolworths (one block away) and then wander over to the Royal Botanic Gardens and join the Sydneysiders picnicking by the water. And don't forget to check out the Succulent Garden! It's one of my favourite parts of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Walk, take a train or take the light rail to Circular Quay and explore The Rocks. Markets are on every weekend, providing the perfect opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the food stalls. Wander around and stumble upon the historically significant sites and buildings in the area.
612 locals recommend
The Rocks
Walk, take a train or take the light rail to Circular Quay and explore The Rocks. Markets are on every weekend, providing the perfect opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the food stalls. Wander around and stumble upon the historically significant sites and buildings in the area.
You will love exploring this beautiful building. Ask staff if you can see the Shakespeare Room and the Friends Room. When you're done exploring, pop round the side of the building and take the elevator up to the rooftop bar. Enjoy panoramic views of the city as you sip on a delicious cocktail.
35 locals recommend
State Library of New South Wales
1 Shakespeare PlYou will love exploring this beautiful building. Ask staff if you can see the Shakespeare Room and the Friends Room. When you're done exploring, pop round the side of the building and take the elevator up to the rooftop bar. Enjoy panoramic views of the city as you sip on a delicious cocktail.
While Events Cinema is just down the road, if you want to have a unique movie viewing experience, go to Golden Age Cinema and leave enough time to have a drink at their speakeasy bar.
75 locals recommend
Golden Age Cinema & Bar
80 Commonwealth StWhile Events Cinema is just down the road, if you want to have a unique movie viewing experience, go to Golden Age Cinema and leave enough time to have a drink at their speakeasy bar.
Food scene
Boon Cafe is a restaurant and Thai grocery store combined. You will enjoy the authentic Thai food (though be warned that their spicy food options are not for the faint hearted!). While you're here, take the opportunity to check out the part of the city known as Thai Town.
14 locals recommend
Boon Cafe
425 Pitt StBoon Cafe is a restaurant and Thai grocery store combined. You will enjoy the authentic Thai food (though be warned that their spicy food options are not for the faint hearted!). While you're here, take the opportunity to check out the part of the city known as Thai Town.
This is one of our favourite Thai restaurants. They have live music on Friday nights. :)
56 locals recommend
Thanon Khaosan
413 Pitt StThis is one of our favourite Thai restaurants. They have live music on Friday nights. :)
You can't go wrong with Macchiato if you're looking for an Italian fix. We're here so often the staff know us by name and order!
9 locals recommend
Macchiato Wood Fire Pizza & Coffee Roastery
338 Pitt StYou can't go wrong with Macchiato if you're looking for an Italian fix. We're here so often the staff know us by name and order!
J&M
1 Angel PlIf you're after a cozy and atmospheric bar, J&M will be up your alley.
This is our favourite bar. Be in the know and check out this underground rum bar.
78 locals recommend
Grandma's Bar
275 Clarence StThis is our favourite bar. Be in the know and check out this underground rum bar.
This cafe is 1 minute away from our apartment and has truly excellent food and coffee.
9 locals recommend
Pablo & Rusty's Sydney CBD
161 Castlereagh StThis cafe is 1 minute away from our apartment and has truly excellent food and coffee.
Right by the historical Chinatown (which is also worth checking out), Darling Square is a vibrant place where you can get a meal, some dessert and bubble tea. Go to Kurtosh with a friend or by yourself where you can buy cake, slices and pastries by weight and sample a collection of their delicious treats.
8 locals recommend
Darling Square
35 Tumbalong BvdRight by the historical Chinatown (which is also worth checking out), Darling Square is a vibrant place where you can get a meal, some dessert and bubble tea. Go to Kurtosh with a friend or by yourself where you can buy cake, slices and pastries by weight and sample a collection of their delicious treats.
This hidden-away cocktail bar is a must-visit. You can't go past their signature drink: the Africola.
PS40
40 Skittle LnThis hidden-away cocktail bar is a must-visit. You can't go past their signature drink: the Africola.
This is one of the best yum cha places in the city. Their cheung fun and har gow are absolutely delicious. You may have to wait for a table but if you get there at 10 or 10.30am, the wait won't be long.
The Eight
13 Hay StThis is one of the best yum cha places in the city. Their cheung fun and har gow are absolutely delicious. You may have to wait for a table but if you get there at 10 or 10.30am, the wait won't be long.
Neighbourhoods
Newtown is a funky bohemian neighbourhood with lots of small bars, restaurants, bookstores and cafes. If you're vegetarian or vegan, you will have your pick of meal options. Take a bus or train into Newtown. It won't take long and you will love it.
331 locals recommend
Newtown
Newtown is a funky bohemian neighbourhood with lots of small bars, restaurants, bookstores and cafes. If you're vegetarian or vegan, you will have your pick of meal options. Take a bus or train into Newtown. It won't take long and you will love it.
Paddington is a trendy neighbourhood with boutique stores, excellent pubs and a charming cafe and second-hand bookstore called Ampersand. Walk (20-30 minutes) or take the bus to this part of Sydney.
112 locals recommend
Paddington
Paddington is a trendy neighbourhood with boutique stores, excellent pubs and a charming cafe and second-hand bookstore called Ampersand. Walk (20-30 minutes) or take the bus to this part of Sydney.
The Organic Foods Market is on every Sunday and is one of our favourite ways to spend a lazy weekend morning. If you're after authentic Vietnamese food, check out this neighbourhood. VN Street Foods is a standout. Hop on a train or a bus and you'll arrive in Marrickville in no time.
Marrickville
The Organic Foods Market is on every Sunday and is one of our favourite ways to spend a lazy weekend morning. If you're after authentic Vietnamese food, check out this neighbourhood. VN Street Foods is a standout. Hop on a train or a bus and you'll arrive in Marrickville in no time.
City advice
Getting around
Public transport is the best option
It is best to leave your car at home. Affordable car park options are close to non-existent. There is also no need for your car as Sydney is very walkable and if you want to go further out, buses, light rail and trains will get you to wherever you want to go. We let go of our car years ago and haven't looked back since.
Ways to save
Free things to do and cheap places to eat
The Museum of Contemporary Art has free events on Friday evenings. Similarly, The Art Gallery of NSW holds free events on Wednesday nights.
The markets at The Rocks and Marrickville are a wonderful way to spend a morning without breaking the bank.
You can eat cheaply and well in Sydney. The restaurant options listed in this guidebook are all reasonably priced. MuMu is probably the most expensive but all the other restaurants mentioned won't strain your hip pocket. If you're after a particularly cheap and cheerful feed nearby, David's Kitchen is a reliable option.