Latest posts from our Sydney expert:
Have your cake and eat it too!
There are a wealth of culinary talent in Sydney thanks to its multicultural population and a love for coffee/tea and its companions. This leads Sydneysiders constantly in search for the best cakes and pastries in town to satisfy their need for a dose of sweetness.
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Good coffee, great strawberry mouse cake and seating among fig trees along the small back lanes of The Rock, La Renaissance is no doubt a popular hunt for lovers of croissants, mouses and creme brulees. Hide in the courtyard behind the shop front and sip that perfect cup of coffee, you'd think you are in Europe in the middle of Sydney!
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A cafe and patisserie in one, and its date tarts are fantastic. Excellent cakes either way. They serve tummy filling foods as well. Come for dessert - from Tuesday to Saturdays they open til 10pm!
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Down the road from Yellow Bistro and a big competitor if not just a little better. This European style patisserie is perfect for that peckish afternoon in town. Delight yourself with that duck meringue (in shape, not in ingredient!) and a hazelnut macaroon.
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If it's in the Italian part of town, and you stumble across an old Italian papa whose home recipes from Sicily have been treating Sydney with some of the best cakes, breads, biscuits and pastries, you know you've come to the right place. It's not always about the sweet things, and some of Pasticceria Papa's hot foods such as foccaccias and pizzas are also very popular!
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Saving the best for last, Time Out Sydney magazine has listed Adriano Zumbo as the number one patisserie in Sydney and it lives up to its name. Talented Adriano Zumbo get his inspirations by simply walking down the isle at the supermarket, and have represented Australia in the World Pastry Cup in France.
Simply for that point, you'll have to visit. This little store in Balmain will have you coming back for more everyday.
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If not a hotel, then.....
They've always had a bad reputation: of mid-night drunkenness; of screeching old form beds; of public display of love making and the general hung-over vibe of the backpacking community. However, hostels have been getting a facelift through the past couple of years and are making a comeback to budget style accommodation. Not only are there clean and comfortable dorm rooms, the availability of single rooms some with even ensuite bathrooms are attracting travellers of all styles and ages.
So if not a hotel, then try one of the following hostels in Sydney. Sure they may not be equipped with a high definition tv and daily room service, but a comfortable bed, is still a comfortable bed!
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Wake Up! is one award winning hostel just outside the Central Station of Sydney. Roomes with view, clean and beautiful bathrooms and most of all, is a hostel that has won numerous independent awards that had many debate over whether it really is just a hostel or something more.
Clean comfortable rooms with its on cafe and night club down stairs, you wouldn't want to stay anywhere else!
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Some would argue that this is more than a hostel, however although not an award winning hostel like Wake Up, Billabong Gardens has characters of its own that no other hostels can compete with.
Situated in the heart of the inner west district of Newtown, in the centre of lively pubs, boutique fashion stores and a great cafe culture, this hostel is an oasis amongst it all. Offering dorms and private rooms for all styles of travellers, if you like the quirky side of Sydney, this is the place to stay.
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A new breed of hostel network around Australia and New Zealand offering young and hip backpackers a chance to stay right in the centre of the action without spending half of their wages. Base Backpackers in Sydney is conveniently located in Town Hall, a stone's throw away from Darling Harbour and the heart of Sydney's shopping icon the Queen Victoria Building.
It has a party atmosphere and has its own bar offering daily happy hour drinks so if life is the party on your travels, may be Base is where you head to for your night's stay.
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It's always a novelty to stay somewhere iconic and Bondi is, the iconic Sydney beach second to none. The YHA in Bondi has its own international standard comfort and arragement that will make your stay comfortable, and being in the heart of the surfing action and some of the best coastal walks around Sydney, no wonder it's one of the top choices for many visitors.
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Funny name? Well, what's in a name? The Wood Duck Inn is a quality budget hostel style accommodation near the hip nightlife of Kings Cross that does not compromise stanard with the size of your wallet. Close to all major public transport and within walking distance to the city centre, complete with a large BBQ area on the rooftop with great views across the city's skyline. They also offer information on casual work around town for long term visitors.
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The best coffees in Sydney
There is a vibrant cafe culture in Sydney, and it's outside the box of your average Starbucks stores. Sydney's multiculture lifestyle has brought some excellent baristas and coffee roasters to the city and here is a list to start you on your search for the best coffee in Sydney.
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This little cafe is a gem in The Rocks. Not only do they make some great coffee, their cakes and pastries are second to none. This French style cafe brings you some of the creamiest, softest and most irresistable cakes you'll ever taste in Sydney. Be sure to try their Creme Brulee!
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In the heart of Leichhardt, the Little Italy of Sydney, it is no wonder they make good coffee. Their efficient serving system ensures that no matter how busy they are, the taste of their coffee and food are consistent throughout. Order your favourite coffee style and simply watch the hustle bustle of Leichhardt go by.
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You have to know it to come to this tiny little cafe around the corner from the heart of Newtown. Campos roast their own beans and creates their unique aroma that attracts people from all over Sydney for a taste of their bittersweet coffee. They also sell their own beans too.
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It isn't chance that everyone in Glebe comes here to hang out. This place has more charm than bad manners and its warm and relaxed atmosphere will make you feel at home. Besides coffee they also serve some great light meals for lunch, and some excellent desserts for that sweet tooth as well.
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This popular coffee hunt has moved many times since when it was set up by the Italian boxer Luigi Coluzzi in the late '50s, yet people will follow it wherever it goes. Although there is very little room in the cafe to sit and relax, those who yearns for a taste of that rich and aromatic esspresso would spread out on the side walk creating a buzzing scene.
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High Tea experiences in Sydney
It is an English tradition amoung the high society to have afternoon tea with arrays of delicate cakes, scones and sweet breads. This, is now known as high tea, and many of Sydney's top cafes and coffee lounges now offer great high tea package to suit all tastes and budgets, a good way to sample some of the best cakes and pastries, and is a leisurely way to spend a lazy afternoon.
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Some of the first of coffee lounges to offer the high tea experience, the Tea Room, at the top of the famous Queen Victoria Building, has always been a classy venue for receptions or high end dining. It is meant to be a prestige venue, not just for high tea, but for events such as weddings or say the university alumni association conferences and business breakfasts.
Booking essential.
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It's no surprise the high tea package is one of the most popular in town with this award winning luxury hotel. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. French influenced menu, whose chef Mark Stone, is currently the only chef in Australia to have accredited French haute cuisine brand, Lenôtre certification.
It means the cakes and the pastries are certainly not to be missed, perfect combination with a pot of freshly brewed fine tea.
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A beautiful boutique hotel at the foot of the harbour bridge, this is a hidden secret in the business of high tea. 'Tea Master' Tjok Gde Kerthyasa's creation of 20 different blends of tea and the menu to match is sure to put a smile on every connoisseur's face.
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The Sheraton offers two types of high tea menus. You can either choose the traditional set with scones, jam breads, cakes and biscuits, or try the contemorary menu with a little something differet like lemon grass and lychee jelly. For those with a bigger ambition can also choose to have their high tea buffet style, with unlimited serves of both menus. Packages are served with bottomless coffee and tea which means you are welcome to stay for as long as you like.
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Great pubs, great beers
While the city is scattered with bars and nightclubs, it's really in Sydney's pubs that you will really soak in the local atmosphere and some great beers. The pubs are down to earth and great for socialising and here are just some of my choices for a great night out.
It's a grand pub crawl tour of Sydney!
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An old fashioned English pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the back streets of Woolloonooloo, it is easily accessible from the city centre. The Old Fitzroy has 2 bars, a bistro that claims to serve the best laksa dish in Sydney as well as a live theatre that has put on some great productions over the years. It has an open fireplace in winter and you can get so settled you may never leave!
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Located in the bustling restaurant hub of Neutral Bay, just across the harbour bridge easily accessible by buses, the Oaks Hotel has long been a favourite of local large social gatherings in its excellent beer garden with the famous Oak tree. Spreading its branches the tree provides a down to earth and friendly atmosphere and the beers on tap are great value too!
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This is arguably Sydney's oldest pub and just like the Old Fitzroy, it still has its old fashioned charm and runs its own microbrewery brewing some of Sydney's finest ale. The pub doubles up as an accommodation hotel where you can stay upstairs in a comfortable room for a reasonable price.
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A popular inner west cocktail bar that runs happy hour 6 days a week for their list of cocktails. Cozy and down to earth, it is best to arrive early to avoid being cornered out. Happy hour starts 6pm - 7:30pm Mon - Sats and it is buy one drink and get one free.
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Possibly the only one of the few 24 bars in Sydney, the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel is conveniently located near Darling Harbour and Star City and has some great steaks on the menu. Lacks character but still a great drinking place with friendly staff. Check out the Comedy Trivia on Monday nights and 'Toss the Boss' competition on Friday nights.
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A short stroll under the bridge and you will come to Harbour View Hotel. It is a modest pub that doesn't usually get noticed but has some great views of the harbour (hence the name!). The staff are friendly and is a great place to watch rugby on the big screen.
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A quirky inner west bar in Glebe that is completely different to the rest of the pubs on this list. Popular among university crowds and sells sangria in buckets. Great selection of tapas are available but its drinks are not as cheap as there are no beers on tap (must buy in bottles) and spirits start at $6. However it is a pleasant place without all the seedy and unpleasant pub feel some of the local pubs can get.
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Star spotting in Sydney
Not only is Sydney one of the top city destinations in the world, the celebrities love it too for its hip and great party lifestyle and the beautiful harbour to relax their million dollar feet on. Some of the hotels and bars are frequented by celebrities now there is no better place to try to spot some of the big names of our society.
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Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz are two A-list starts that have been spotted enjoying the surf and attention at Sydney's most famous beach, attracting fans and media alike following them around while they strot and parade in their beautiful binikis.
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Not only is this a high class entertaining venue for the rich, it's also definitely for the famous too. After the celebrities have enjoyed a day on the beach they all flock to this hip and cool dining bar to enjoy a great night out. Once again, Cameron Diaz is among one of the frequent visitors as well as Pink, Nicole Kidman (who chose to come here for a 40th birthday bash) and Australia's super model Megan Gale drops in from time to time. Even Robert de Niro made a rare appearance once here.
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It seems Bondi doesn't get all the attention as Wolverine prefers his quieter location of Bronte Beach than the image important Bondi. Hugh Jackman makes Bronte his local and is often spotted here tanning when he is not away doing another x-men movie or a musical.
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This is the bar that gave Australia a real princess. The Slip Inn is where Crown Princess Mary of Denmark met her prince charming Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark. And yes, the bar continue to be one of the best places to pick up rich and eligible bachelors!
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Romantic and full of atmosphere. This restaurant overlooking Circular Quay, the harbour bridge and the opera house is simply stunning and is no wonder Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughan decided to spend a romantic dinner here during their holiday in Sydney.
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Its excellent food and service have drawn many famous faces such as Robert de Niro, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and Billy Joel. Of course, to spot a star here you must pay the price. The meals average around $40 for a main course which will definitely set you back at least $50 per person with drinks.
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Fashionable Sydney
Sydney is establishing itself as a city just as fashionable as Paris or New York. Shopping is of course, always on the agenda for visitors to Sydney and here is a quick guide to get you started on some of the best shopping places in town. (List to be updated with more destinations)
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Queen Victoria Building is a combination of designer fashion and budget shopping. The building itself is an important historical heritage and is conveniently linked to Town Hall train station.
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Newly opened a few years ago, the Galleries Victoria has installed some of the modern day designers such as Kookai and Mook creating a shopping heaven for the younger crowd. The excellent bookshop Kinokuniya sells international titles and is the best place to find that hard to find print.
The underground passage also links to the Queen Victoria Building and Town Hall Station.
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An old style arcade with boutique stores and a nice cafe. One of Sydney's largest duty free store is also in the basement of The Strand.
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Some of the best bargains are here and many good brands on sale under the one roof. There are cafes and eateries as well to give you some time in between your shopping to rest your feet.
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Another factory outlet centre but a lot more pleasant to shop in than the DFO. Waterfront location and the half open shopping centre makes it a nice environment to shop in, and the prices are a little cheaper than the DFO.
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