Take our food-lovers’ walking tour for some of the city’s best food experiences.
There are hundreds of fantastic food experiences just waiting to be tasted in Sydney’s city and suburbs. But what’s merely good and what’s truly not to be missed? Here’s a selection of chocolate, tea, cheese and other gorgeous food shops and cafés right in the middle of the city. They’re arranged in an approximate circuit, beginning at Sydney Central Plaza, then north along George Street toward Circular Quay, then south along Pitt Street. The total distance is less than 3km, much less if you omit Adora chocolates at one end, or Kinokuniya bookshop at the other. You can visit as many or as few as you like. And remember, this is merely a small selection, so you’ll pass as many more again on your tour that are worth a visit. All stores are open every day, except where noted below.
1. Sugar Fix
Ground Floor, Sydney Central Plaza,
George Street.
Tel: 9222 1491, www.sugarfix.com.au
Stock up for your travels on lollies and treats from Australia and overseas. Squirrel away Hershey Bars, Dutch liquorice, German marzipan, monster gobbstoppers and other old favourites.
2. Taka Tea Garden
Shop 12, Ground Floor,
The Strand, 412-414 George Street.
Tel: 9222 1577, www.takateagarden.com.au
Tony Kwok and his family are serious about tea, particularly green tea, but also special tea from around the world including the sought-after Gyokura variety from the slopes of Mount Fuji.
3. L’Olioteca
Shop 100-102, Level 2, The Strand,
412-414 George Street.
Tel: 9231 6117, www.lolioteca.com.au
Chef Nino Zocalli runs the only specialist olive oil shop in Sydney, in the front of his restaurant, Pendolino. Try and buy Italian and Australian oils by region.
4. The Nut Shop
Shop 25, The Strand, 412 George Street.
Tel: 9231 3038, www.nutshop.com.au
Nuts about Vienna almonds? Sydney has been too, at least since the 1940s when Karl Mendel set up shop selling every almond style imaginable, as well as confectionery and chocolates. It’s still a family business, run by Karl’s grandchildren Vicki and Daniel.
5. GPO Cheese and Cellar
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Martin Place.
Tel: 9229 7701, www.gposydney.com
Sit down to a ploughman’s lunch or a cheese platter and a glass of wine, or load up on the best Australian and overseas cheeses to take away with you. You can also buy dried fruit and biscuits, wine and chocolates. There’s plenty of advice on offer and you can book for tastings and special cheese-and-wine events. Both the dining room and shop are closed on weekends.
6. Adora Handmade Chocolates
Shop P9, The Wentworth Connection, 2A Bligh Street.
Tel: 9232 6601, www.adora.com.au
Adora was a 2008 recipient of a Foodies’ Guide to Sydney Foodies’ Award, which means serious food lovers rate it very highly. It’s owned and run by sisters Katerina and Tina. Their truffles, chocolates and pralines are made without preservatives and artificial flavours and use the best and freshest ingredients. The city store now includes a café for sandwich lunches. Closed weekends.
7. The Bagel House
MLC Centre, Shop 26,
Food Court, Martin Place.
Tel: 9810 4205, www.bagelhouse.com.au
Sydney’s famous Bagel House in Taylor Square is now conveniently on your inner-city food-lovers’ tour (or at least an outlet of the family bagel business). Buy every flavour of bagel imaginable. There are filled bagels and prepared breakfast and lunch boxes to take out. The store is only open weekdays.
8. The Tea Centre
The Glasshouse, 146 Pitt Street Mall.
Tel: 9223 9909, www.theteacentre.com.au
If you can tear yourself away from the splendour of the window display, come inside for a cup of tea in comfort and buy fine teas, flavoured teas and infusions.
9. David Jones Food Hall
Market Street.
Tel: 9266 5544, www.davidjones.com.au
A one-stop shop for food lovers. Stock up on quality cheese, chocolate, meat, bread, cakes, seafood, fruit and vegetables, specialty groceries and much more within the gorgeous department store that is a Sydney institution. And if there’s a chance you’ll buy up big, leave David Jones until last.
10. Kinokuniya Bookstores
Level 2, The Galeries Victoria,
500 George Street.
Tel: 9262 7996, www.kinokuniya.com
Work up an appetite for your next food-lovers’ tour with a stroll a couple of hundred metres farther south along George Street. No eating required! This huge Japanese bookshop has an extraordinarily well-equipped food section. Browse by cuisines, methods, ingredients, literature and history. Find popular, academic and obscure titles.
Still hungry?
Sydney’s terrific food experiences aren’t confined to the CBD. There are dozens of significant food precincts throughout the suburbs. Create your own food-lovers’ walking tours. Here are some ideas
It’s all Greek to me: Marrickville,
7km south-west of the CBD, near the international airport.
Marrickville’s big Greek population settled in the area in the mid-20th Century. Although the suburb now has a large Vietnamese population, the busy shopping strips along Illawarra and Marrickville Roads maintain their Greek flavour. Particularly look out for: Thessalia Butchery (441 Illawarra Rd); Hellenic Bakery (371 Illawarra Rd); and Lamia Super Deli (270 Marrickville Rd).
Italy of the west: Haberfield
9km west of the CBD.
Ramsay Street, Melbourne may be famous around the world to lovers of the TV soap Neighbours, but Ramsay Street Haberfield is famous for Italian food. We’ve provided a few tasty suggestions below, but be sure to leave time to wander the pretty streets and parks. The entire suburb is heritage listed. Watch for: Frank’s Fruit Market (94 Ramsay St); Lamonica IGA (155 Ramsay St); Paesanella Latticini Cremeria (88 Ramsay St); Zanetti 5 Star Delicatessan (108 Ramsay St); Cassaniti Bakery Haberfield (153 Ramsay St); Peppe’s Pasta (151 Ramsay St); and Sulfaro Pasticceria Italiana (119 Ramsay St).
Darling of the west: Rozelle
4km west of the CBD.
You won’t starve if you find yourself in Rozelle and adjoining suburb, Balmain. There are restaurants and cafés everywhere, including Italian favourite Il Piave at 63 Darling Street, Rozelle (tel: 9810 6204). Also look for: Gelateria Caffe 2000 (650 Darling St); About Life (605 Darling St); The Bagel House (621 Darling St); Belle Fleur (658 Darling St); and Strudel Baron (644 Darling St).