Dan Zhai's Guidebook
Food scene
Henrietta is an institution of Charcoal Chicken. No longer do you need to travel to Western Sydney for this cultural feast, you'll find it right here in Surry Hills!
Like all Charcoal Chicken shops, the bread and garlic sauce is a must have!
Henrietta Charcoal Chicken
500 Crown StHenrietta is an institution of Charcoal Chicken. No longer do you need to travel to Western Sydney for this cultural feast, you'll find it right here in Surry Hills!
Like all Charcoal Chicken shops, the bread and garlic sauce is a must have!
This is the best place outside of Tokyo for Ramen. It's better than quite a few of the Ramen stalls I frequent in Tokyo too. Char grilled pork belly and a rich broth make this place a stand head and shoulders above others.
Be warned, there is always a line.
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RaRa
66b Regent StThis is the best place outside of Tokyo for Ramen. It's better than quite a few of the Ramen stalls I frequent in Tokyo too. Char grilled pork belly and a rich broth make this place a stand head and shoulders above others.
Be warned, there is always a line.
If you're keen on icecream, this is a must visit. My favourite go to flavours are pandan coconut and also bounty. Ooooooof.
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Gelato Messina Surry Hills
389 Crown StIf you're keen on icecream, this is a must visit. My favourite go to flavours are pandan coconut and also bounty. Ooooooof.
Chester white is an institution and the meal to get is their cheese wheel pasta with truffles, it is amazing. It's a small italian outfit in the middle of Kings Cross, a suburb that is an experience in itself.
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Chester White Cured Diner
3 Orwell StChester white is an institution and the meal to get is their cheese wheel pasta with truffles, it is amazing. It's a small italian outfit in the middle of Kings Cross, a suburb that is an experience in itself.
Thirsty bird is within the "Uber Eats" radius and travels well to Surry Hills. However, if you do head to Newtown, you'll be greeted by all the weirdness of the place. It's an experience in and of itself.
It's a chicken shop and the best thing there is the Stinger burger and the chicken nuggets among other crowd favourites like the whole bird. This is not a classy affair, at all. It is absolutely the best fried chicken you'll ever have though.
Thirsty Bird Newtown
226 King StThirsty bird is within the "Uber Eats" radius and travels well to Surry Hills. However, if you do head to Newtown, you'll be greeted by all the weirdness of the place. It's an experience in and of itself.
It's a chicken shop and the best thing there is the Stinger burger and the chicken nuggets among other crowd favourites like the whole bird. This is not a classy affair, at all. It is absolutely the best fried chicken you'll ever have though.
If you're out in Newtown (maybe for Thirsty Bird?) then this is the place for artisanal gelato.
Mapo Newtown
123 King StIf you're out in Newtown (maybe for Thirsty Bird?) then this is the place for artisanal gelato.
Amazing fresh handmade pasta and a changing menu. You can always expect it to be delicious and there are plenty of wines to help it all go down. Book ahead.
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10WilliamSt
10 William StAmazing fresh handmade pasta and a changing menu. You can always expect it to be delicious and there are plenty of wines to help it all go down. Book ahead.
Small bar with great food, wine and conversations without the need to shout. Book ahead.
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BART Jr.
92 Pitt StSmall bar with great food, wine and conversations without the need to shout. Book ahead.
Rooftop bar in the historic rocks area with views of the bridge, tasty bites menu and drinks to cool down. Your Sydney-siders get a little bit fancy and dressed up. Oh and book ahead!
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Henry Deane
35 Bettington StRooftop bar in the historic rocks area with views of the bridge, tasty bites menu and drinks to cool down. Your Sydney-siders get a little bit fancy and dressed up. Oh and book ahead!
The picture makes it look like a creepy underground dungeon or the bottom of a fire exit. It's neither because it dumps you onto the coolest underground bar ever with more whisky than there are days of the year.
It's an experience and a seriously awesome bar.
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The Baxter Inn
156 Clarence StThe picture makes it look like a creepy underground dungeon or the bottom of a fire exit. It's neither because it dumps you onto the coolest underground bar ever with more whisky than there are days of the year.
It's an experience and a seriously awesome bar.
Chinese food made by non-Chinese people (though the head chef is Asian - google tells me Vietnamese heritage) and enjoyed by both Chinese and non-Chinese people. Dumplings that look and taste amazing. If you need more carbs, try the tried rice, typhoon style. Book ahead.
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Mr. Wong
3 Bridge LnChinese food made by non-Chinese people (though the head chef is Asian - google tells me Vietnamese heritage) and enjoyed by both Chinese and non-Chinese people. Dumplings that look and taste amazing. If you need more carbs, try the tried rice, typhoon style. Book ahead.
Head to tail seafood - fish charcuterie, aged fish, maybe a fish curry and definitely chips. You may know the head chef Josh Niland from the first season of the Masterchef reboot as a guest judge. Counter dining only and you can probably nab a seat by booking two months ahead of time.
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Saint Peter
362 Oxford StHead to tail seafood - fish charcuterie, aged fish, maybe a fish curry and definitely chips. You may know the head chef Josh Niland from the first season of the Masterchef reboot as a guest judge. Counter dining only and you can probably nab a seat by booking two months ahead of time.
Delicious and ever-changing carbs in pasta form. You may get hangry at us if you prefer quantity but there's a McDonald's not too far away. Book ahead, they do some walk ins if you're lucky and the weather lets you sit outside.
Ragazzi Wine and Pasta
1 Angel PlDelicious and ever-changing carbs in pasta form. You may get hangry at us if you prefer quantity but there's a McDonald's not too far away. Book ahead, they do some walk ins if you're lucky and the weather lets you sit outside.
D.O.C. Pizza
78 Campbell StreetPizza. Woodfired. Book a table.
If you're looking for a special meal for a moderately special price (it has become a lot more expensive now that it has two chefs hats), book in LuMi with your special people.
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LuMi Bar and Dining
56 Pirrama RoadIf you're looking for a special meal for a moderately special price (it has become a lot more expensive now that it has two chefs hats), book in LuMi with your special people.
Different brews on tap every week from local breweries around Australia. A nice little pub owned by my mate Joe. It's a short but worth it walk from our place in Surry Hills to Redfern.
Before arriving, get your name on the RaRa's Ramen waiting list!
20 íbúar mæla með
The Noble Hops
125 Redfern StDifferent brews on tap every week from local breweries around Australia. A nice little pub owned by my mate Joe. It's a short but worth it walk from our place in Surry Hills to Redfern.
Before arriving, get your name on the RaRa's Ramen waiting list!
Sightseeing
Feeling like a run? Are your cycling legs getting a bit too fresh during your holiday? Never fear, Centennial Park is the Oasis for exercise and it's just around the corner. Take the light rail if you're time poor or simply walk or run there from Surry Hills.
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Centennial Park
15 Locked BagFeeling like a run? Are your cycling legs getting a bit too fresh during your holiday? Never fear, Centennial Park is the Oasis for exercise and it's just around the corner. Take the light rail if you're time poor or simply walk or run there from Surry Hills.
Bring your swimmers and hop onto the Light Rail heading to the city and stay on all the way till Circular Quay. Any travellers can use their credit or debit cards to tap on and off all public transport within Sydney.
Board a ferry to Manly and be sure to get yourself a seat on the outside of the vessel for the best views of the Sydney Opera House, Bridge and Sydney Harbour. Manly has really good beach walks and views, perfect for a swim too.
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Manly Beach
Bring your swimmers and hop onto the Light Rail heading to the city and stay on all the way till Circular Quay. Any travellers can use their credit or debit cards to tap on and off all public transport within Sydney.
Board a ferry to Manly and be sure to get yourself a seat on the outside of the vessel for the best views of the Sydney Opera House, Bridge and Sydney Harbour. Manly has really good beach walks and views, perfect for a swim too.
Some of the best free views of the bridge are here along with a lovely walk into The Rocks, Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
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Barangaroo Reserve
Hickson RoadSome of the best free views of the bridge are here along with a lovely walk into The Rocks, Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
If you've never been to Sydney, you need to come here. This is the starting place for your walk across the Harbour Bridge or stroll to the world famous Sydney Opera House. For your stay, it's a simple hop onto the Light Rail in Surry Hills all the way to Circular Quay (it's the last stop).
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Circular Quay
Alfred StreetIf you've never been to Sydney, you need to come here. This is the starting place for your walk across the Harbour Bridge or stroll to the world famous Sydney Opera House. For your stay, it's a simple hop onto the Light Rail in Surry Hills all the way to Circular Quay (it's the last stop).
A walk you won't want to miss and it's not too far from Sydney - located in the beautiful Blue Mountains. You'll likely need to hire a car to get there though.
Walks can range from short one hour affairs to some tracks longer than 6 hours for those daring enough.
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Wentworth Falls Lookout Track
Wentworth Falls Lookout TrackA walk you won't want to miss and it's not too far from Sydney - located in the beautiful Blue Mountains. You'll likely need to hire a car to get there though.
Walks can range from short one hour affairs to some tracks longer than 6 hours for those daring enough.
It's a short bus ride to Coogee from our place and that's where you can start this amazing walk, the Bondi to Coogee. It is legitimately life changing and I highly recommend you do it if you're in Sydney.
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Bondi til Coogee gönguferð
It's a short bus ride to Coogee from our place and that's where you can start this amazing walk, the Bondi to Coogee. It is legitimately life changing and I highly recommend you do it if you're in Sydney.
Take a bus, get off at the spit bridge for a 10km coastal walk to Manly Beach. Bring your swimmers as there are plenty of small beaches to accessible by foot or from the water only along the way. Once you're in Manly, you can take the scenic route home by the ferry back to Circular Quay.
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Spit to Manly Walk
Fisher Bay WalkTake a bus, get off at the spit bridge for a 10km coastal walk to Manly Beach. Bring your swimmers as there are plenty of small beaches to accessible by foot or from the water only along the way. Once you're in Manly, you can take the scenic route home by the ferry back to Circular Quay.
Coffee and brunch
Super trendy and equally delish. Three Williams is a firm favourite but be warned, it's a line up and no booking affair so get there early or expect to wait.
65 íbúar mæla með
Three Williams
613A Elizabeth StSuper trendy and equally delish. Three Williams is a firm favourite but be warned, it's a line up and no booking affair so get there early or expect to wait.
Royale has the best coffee in Surry Hills, if not Sydney. The owners are super nice and the cappuccino is off the charts. Secretly not on the menu is the ham and cheese toasted croissant, they serve the best local pastries (portuguese tarts from Tuga and other pastries from Pioik) and this chomp is a must.
Sonny is the barista behind the machine and he is absolutely funny and very talented at his craft. We go here almost every day for coffee but take note, they're not open on Tuesdays.
Royale Specialty
475 Crown StRoyale has the best coffee in Surry Hills, if not Sydney. The owners are super nice and the cappuccino is off the charts. Secretly not on the menu is the ham and cheese toasted croissant, they serve the best local pastries (portuguese tarts from Tuga and other pastries from Pioik) and this chomp is a must.
Sonny is the barista behind the machine and he is absolutely funny and very talented at his craft. We go here almost every day for coffee but take note, they're not open on Tuesdays.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
Light Rail Surry Hills
The light rail is a turn up and go service, it's literally up the road from our place. Head right into the heart of the Sydney or travel to the infamous Centennial Park and Moore Park if you're up for a game, picnic or some traffic free cycling.
Samgöngur
Central Station
We're not far from Central Station and this is your one stop for all the trains. Literally all of them. If you're travelling to any other part of NSW, chances are you're hoping on here.
Walking distance is about 12 minutes on foot or walk 5 minutes up the road to the Light Rail and get off on the first stop towards the city.
Samgöngur
Google Maps and Credit/Debit Cards for getting around
Need to get somewhere? Google Maps directions are actually really good in Sydney with many public transport options getting full ETA updates by the minute.
All public transport in Sydney lets you tap on and off with your credit or debit card. No need to get a dedicated travel card at all, just use what you've got in your wallet. Google and Apple Pay also works on public transport but just make sure you tap on and off with the same method (ie, don't tap on with Google Pay and tap off with your physical card).