North Sydney is more than a metropolis of sleek high-rise towers boasting priceless harbour views – it’s also an area that’s shifting to embrace to a burgeoning hospitality scene led by some of the city’s best operators and chefs.
From rooftop bars to local markets, Instagram-worthy Brazilian barbeque, killer coffee, there’s never been more top-notch variety in this underrated pocket north of the bridge – both workday and weekend.
Here’s our pocket guide to for what to eat, drink and do in North Sydney.
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SIGN UPNorthside Bunker
Coffee by The Grounds is always a telltale sign of quality in a cafe. So is a healthy ruckus on a Monday morning, courtesy of the working crowd fueling up for the day ahead.
Expect both at Northside Bunker, a vibe-y little bolthole on the corner of Mount and Walker streets. You’ll find breakfast essentials such as omelettes, sweet corn fritters and a signature Benedict on brioche. But after 11.30, a roaring lunch trade hinges on pastas and risottos, plus a raft of salads, sandwiches, and burgers you don’t need a suit to swoon over.
Concertina French doors give way to a neat, exposed brick dining space for those eating in. But the fact this place is in the heart of North Sydney’s CBD means this stuff is good to-go if in a hurry.
Hunter Gatherer
From the rooftop of the Greenwood Plaza, Hunter Gatherer beckons with a winning formula of barbeque, craft beer, and some stellar North Sydney views.
Head chef Chris Hulm (ex-The Old Growler) has created a menu equally-inspired by the smoky flavours of Brazilian churrasco and American-style barbeque. Get across both with a hunter gatherer feast for two: your choice of protein (think 12-hour slow-braised lamb shoulder, or beef brisket smoked with ironbark and cherry wood) and comforting sides such as maple-glazed carrots, and seasonal greens.
That’s one way to dine here. The other is by settling in among lush greenery of the indoor craft beer garden. It’s a more laid-back affair that pushes the Americana edge with down-home burgers, hot-wings and curious craft ales for days.
The Greens
This heavenly slice of turf flanked by towering palms is a playground for lawn-bowlers and savvy diners alike.
Where to start? Kick off your shoes and make for the pristine bowling green, taking in those million-dollar harbour views as you roll. Then it’s off to the clubhouse, beaming with retro charm on the outside and modern chic interiors within. Excellent coffee, elevated mains and share dishes star on the menu by day. But as the sun wanes, you’d best try one of the vibrant signature cocktails, or something effervescent from the sprawling list of international wines.
Finish the day (or fire-up your evening) in the shaded outdoor beer garden. When you’re this close to picturesque parkland and the harbour, it’s fair to call this a quintessential Sydney experience.
Northside Produce Market
On the second weekend of every month, Civic Park becomes a vibrant farmers market bursting with seasonal produce from around the state – rain, hail, or shine.
Growers from Kiama, Orange and beyond converge here to hawk their award-winning wares. It’s not all about the super-fresh fruit and veg, though. Hand-crafted condiments, micro-roasted coffee and artisanal liqueurs are all in good show. You can also feast on fresh-baked pies and pastries, salads, and sweets from any one of the food vendors set up beneath the majestic Jacarandas trees.
Take advantage of the free parking at Ridges Street carpark, and be sure to bring the pooch with you. And when you spend money here, you’re not just supporting the farmers and food vendors – the market is also a major fundraiser for the North Sydney Community Centre.
Sunset Cinema North Sydney
Summer in Sydney is enviable for many reasons, not least of all its star-studded season of outdoor cinema.
Every summer, North Sydney Oval transforms into a family-friendly mecca where you catch the latest blockbusters, family-friendly flicks, and cinema gems from yesteryear on a massive open-air screen.
Food and drink options abound, but you can always pack a picnic for grazing beneath the stars. And when you spring for the lawn lounge, you’ll get the best seats in the house: a bean bag recliner in prime viewing position and a bottomless supply of popcorn.
Green Moustache
If there’s a sure-fire reason to stick around North Sydney after dark, it’s this hidden rooftop bar and eatery just off the Mount Street junction.
The greenhouse-inspired space is flush with greenery and impeccable design touches. When the sun isn’t pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s plenty of sexy neon and pendant lighting to assist you in perusing the immense list of sommelier-chosen wines and signature cocktails.
On the food front, former Chin Chin chef Pete Fitzsimmons brings the pan-Asian flavours of his former post to a menu of Mod-Aus fare, featuring a splash of Mediterranean energy for good measure. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner, but you can’t go past a good bottomless brunch – it’s two hours-worth of unlimited rose, prosecco, and pale ale.
Bourke Street Bakery
This powerhouse bakery needs no introduction. Its petite North Sydney outpost in Brett Whitely Place is perfect for those on the move, slinging more hand-held goodies than you can poke a breadstick at.
Croissants, pain au chocolat, danishes and tarts generously line the pastry cabinet, and the pie warmer has your mid-morning savoury sorted: seasonal quiches such as bacon, gruyere and leek, plus the daily range of Bourke Street’s legendary pies and sausage rolls. Our pick? It’s the chicken, sweet potato, pea and lime pickle pie, encased in that signature buttery pastry.
Of course, everything here pairs perfectly with coffee. Sip your selection inside in a warm industrial-tinged space.
Firehouse Hotel
As the name suggests, this heritage-listed hotel was once the old North Sydney fire station. Swathes of its original 1890s charm remain, but these days it’s looking better than ever thanks to a slick modern refurb.
Downstairs is all exposed brick and high ceilings, with recycled timber tables and American-style booths. The lounge area is cosy when the weather cools and the fireplace is roaring.
The bar upstairs, with its chic leather banquettes and chandeliers, is a class act year-round. It spills onto a semi-covered terrace planted with greenery that’s both heated in winter and breezy in summer. It’s a perfect celebration space, or just somewhere to tuck into the Firehouse’s well-priced pub fare.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Stockland. Discover the new Affinity Place in the heart of North Sydney.