Nomad’s Guide to Sydney

Sydney is known for its beautiful beaches and for having one of the most iconic harbours in the world. But there is so much more to this city than that! With a population of 5.6 million people, there is something here for everyone.

I originally grew up in New Mexico and migrated to Sydney over 10 years ago. I live for Sydney summers but to be honest we have beautiful weather year-round. I love beach hopping, walking in nature and enjoying the laid back lifestyle you can find here in Australia. You can follow my adventures at x_ellesse on Instagram.

EAT HERE

Being so close to Asia, we are spoiled for choice for amazing Asian food in Sydney. A must visit is Thai Town. The dishes at Doodee Haymarket can be tailored to your spice tolerance from level 0 (nursery/non-spicy) up to Level 7 (super nova). Boon Cafe & Restaurant is an excellent place to get a Thai drink, dessert or some snacks for the road.

Marrickville Pork Roll is rated Sydney’s #1 rated Vietnamese bánh mì destination. It started as a hole in the wall but now they can be enjoyed at multiple locations across the city.

Visit the cosy and intimate Arthur for a true modern Australian meal. You will experience an Australian-only menu using ingredients native to Australia while sourcing exclusively Australian grown and produced products.

Bistecca will offer a unique dining experience and the best steak you’ll ever have. The meat is cut and weighed, then presented to diners before being cooked fireside over ironbark and charcoal to a perfect medium-rare.

EXPERIENCE THE HARBOUR

The most indulgent way to see the harbour is with BridgeClimb Sydney. You will not get better views than this. For a cheaper alternative with similar views, visit the Pylon lookout and museum. For the totally free option, you can walk across the Harbour Bridge on the pedestrian pathway.

 

There are two free rotundas to sit and take in the harbour views; the first is Rotunda,Observatory Hill and the second is the Rotunda Observation Deck.

Experiencing the world famous Sydney Opera House up-close is a must. If you don’t catch a show, you can grab a drink at the famous Opera Bar and catch live music or for a more intimate experience cosy up inside the Opera House at The Bennelong Bar.



The Royal Botanic Gardens is a huge garden minutes away from the busy streets of the city, with lots of areas to explore within - a great place to connect with nature, learn more about plants, and have a quiet moment.

DRINK HERE

The Inner West Ale Trail showcases 17 local breweries, all within walking distance of each other. Each brewery has something unique to offer. If you go on the weekend you will see groups of people on “pub crawls”, usually celebrating a buck’s/hen’s or birthday.

In the heart of the CBD, down a hidden stairway you will find Ramblin Rascal. The staff, drinks and vibes are always good. Be sure to catch happy hour or live music.

Do not be fooled by the butcher shop facade, it’s a bar! Earl’s Juke Joint serves up saloon-style cocktails with a New Orleans vibe.

Where else can you drink on-site batched and canned cocktails? Only at Continental Delicatessen. Pick between choices such as "Mar-tinnie" and "Can-hattan"? For a full experience be sure to also try their charcuterie and tinned seafood.

EXPERIENCE SYDNEY SWEETS

Visit Black Star Pastry for the famous and unique Strawberry Watermelon Cake. Make sure to share it on your socials because it is indeed the most Instagrammed cake in the world.

No doubt you will need to cool down after some sight seeing and adventures. Gelato Messina is a Sydney establishment and has multiple locations. If you are a next-level gelato enthusiast make sure to book yourself in for an interactive class at Messina’s HQ.

There is no shortage of where to get a delicious lamington - an Aussie icon. But you can’t go wrong with Huxtons at Bronte, HUMBLE or Tokyo Lamington.

Indulge and relax with the famous QVB High Tea. Live like royalty while eating off of Royal Albert fine china and British silverware settings while enjoying the delectable selection of petits fours with tea or coffee of your choice.

WALK & SWIM HERE

Start the Bondi to Coogee walk at the world famous Bondi Beach and enjoy 6km of beaches, bays, dramatic cliffs, golden sands, rock and ocean pools.



Another popular (but much longer) coastal walk is the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. At the end, take a dip at Manly Beach and take the ferry back to Circular Quay soaking in some of the best views of the city.



A quieter walk option is the Hermitage Foreshore track. You will pass a number of beaches - both tiny (Milk Beach) and larger (Shark Beach) - you can’t go wrong with any of them.

In the middle of Sydney you will find ‘the lungs of the city’ - Centennial Parklands. Here you can walk, rent a bike, or just explore the gardens and ponds.

GET YOUR FLAT WHITE HERE

Sydney is known for its coffee and cafe culture. It’s no surprise that Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters was voted the best coffee shop in the world.


Diggy Doo’s Coffee is a tiny shop hidden in a lunch arcade near Wynyard Station. The latest geisha and single origin coffees of the day are listed on a blackboard.

Skittle Lane is a boutique coffee roaster that sources its beans from small-batch producers across the globe, from Africa to South America. Each one of their five locations showcases sleek industrial beauty.

Coffee Alchemy is dedicated to crafting the perfect cup of coffee, from their carefully sourced specialty coffee beans to their expert brewing techniques.There’s no question why they’ve been around since 2004.

Edition Roasters is a unique cafe that blends Scandinavian and Japanese cultures seamlessly. Along with your omni-roasted coffee, tea or matcha you can enjoy a Scandinavian-style open sandwich or Japanese dessert.