Come for traditional Italian pastries made using French techniques. Find cannoncini, northern Italy’s version of cannoli; maritozzi, brioche buns filled with orange and vanilla cream: and more.

Durability, recyclability and beauty are the three tenets of this furniture and homewares studio. Here, you’ll find plenty of innovative furniture and accessories by Australian designers.

Like its cyberspace counterpart, Drnks bricks-and-mortar bottle shop stocks one of the country’s best selections of natural wine. You’ll also find Aussie spirits and beer, plus pantry items and ferments. Best of all – prices here are the same as online.

Buttermilk ricotta, washed rinds, labne and fresh curd, all made in Sydney.

The place to pick up (barely) used designer furniture on the cheap.

The minimalist jewellery label has an Alexandria studio that’s open to the public.

A niche bakery with a wide range and sense of experimentation.

Original modern furniture, minus the aspirational price tag.

A second-hand furniture destination for treasure hunters.

Good Ways Deli’s petite second sanga shop lives inside a heritage-listed corner spot on a leafy residential street. Like the original it’s doing updated versions of Aussie classics, plus exclusive menu items including creaming soda spiders, a very oozy cheese toastie, and cheese-and-spinach rolls.

From a 50-year-old family-owned company that helped pioneer the Australian coffee scene, this cafe in a converted warehouse is where you’ll find espressos on the go, Italian pastries (like mini hazelnut bombolone and citrusy ricotta-stuffed sfogliatelle) and fresh panini sandwiches filled with freshly sliced cured meats.

A second cafe-bakery for one the city's finest Portuguese tart makers. Find a grand display of traditional and less-conventional baked goods, and a cafe menu that plays with the Aussie idea of breakfast while paying homage to its Portuguese roots.

The vast headquarters for one of Sydney’s top coffee roasters.

Skip the crowds at The Grounds and try the breakfast here. You'll be glad you did.

COOH Curl Curl Cafe and Roaster brings the wholefood movement into the old Vicinity space in Alexandria.

A 20-foot shipping container that’s been transformed into an Alexandria cafe.

Feels just like a trip to the Italian Riviera.

A strong sandwich and roll selection make this one good for takeaway and sit-in alike.

A summery oasis secretly disguised in a historic substation.

If you haven't waited in line here at least once, you're barely a Sydneysider.

Belgian blondes, Czech pilsners and rare European spirits: this small, family-run brewery is one of the few places in Sydney you can try them fresh from the source. Curb the effects with pizzas and grazing boards in the bright, spacious tap room.

Meet in the festoon-lit backyard of this heritage pub for a shipping container bar, DJs and the occasional live band. To eat, there's a menu of classic pub grub that goes hand-in-hand with the old carousel bar inside.

Pouring 12 vegan beers, local vegan wines and serving a full menu.

It’s sensory overload at this Old World arcade with boozy shakes.

Experimental cocktails in a converted warehouse.

The Lord Raglan focuses on craft beer and food that tastes best with it.

Australia's convict history is treasured at this brewery, where you can drink a Convict Lager or Hangman's Pale.

Order fettuccine carbonara and pizza slathered in cheesy sauce at this diner in Sydney’s Green Square.

From the guts of a football-fan store, Zona Azzurri serves pizza proven for 72 hours and handmade pasta.

This neighbourhood Italian diner marries the flavours and comfort of home cooking to with restaurant sophistication.

Plant yourself at The Potting Shed for a laid-back feast.

Bitton has steadily become a staple in the little industrial suburb of Alexandria.