One of Sydney’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Surry Hills is packed with some of the city’s buzziest bars, standout restaurants, top-tier coffee, and an ever-evolving lineup of things to see and do.
Stylish, creative, and always buzzing, Surry Hills earns its place as one of Sydney’s best suburbs with its seemingly endless lineup of eateries, bars, and boutique shopping.
Ideally located in Sydney’s inner-city, Surry Hills is easy to reach by bus or light rail and just a short walk from Central Station. The suburb also neighbours other popular pockets, including Darlinghurst, Paddington and Redfern, meaning that it’s also a great place to base yourself when visiting Sydney.
Take it from someone who’s spent countless nights catching live jazz at The Cricketers Arms Hotel, sipping their way through its funky wine bars, and diving into the deep end at Prince Alfred Park Pool — Surry Hills is not one to skip when you find yourself in Sydney.
Our guide to Surry Hills
The best restaurants
Surry Hills has earned its reputation as one of Sydney’s premier dining precincts, drawing both locals and visitors with its vibrant mix of exceptional restaurants. Here are some of our favourites.
Bessie & Alma’s
Another Surry Hills restaurant serving up woodfired dishes, Bessie & Almas is all about high-quality, Mediterranean-style dishes. Sister to the iconic Surry Hills bar, Bar Copains, their menu features crowd favourites like the Moreton Bay bug sandwich, beef fat potatoes, grilled wagyu rib cap and fried cuttlefish. Check out their mouthwatering plates on their Instagram here, which will no doubt convince you to book that table.
Where: 111-115 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Jane
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the kangaroo tartare and perfectly crisp potato chips at Jane. This small but polished spot is quietly one of Sydney’s best, championing native Australian ingredients like bush tomato and wattleseed across a sharp, seasonal menu.
Their Australiano Hour is a must-book. In just 45 minutes, you can work your way through a standout set offering, with bites like $6 tuna brioche and $3 rock oysters, alongside cocktails at seriously good prices. Think a dirty highball with reposado, lime and olive brine for $12, or the signature Jane martini for just $14.
Where: 478 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Pellegrino 2000
Pellegrino 2000 shot to viral fame a few years ago when pop icon Taylor Swift dined there, but even without a visit from music royalty, this neighbourhood trattoria more than lives up to the hype. The Italian favourite has earned a loyal following for its standout dishes, from rich rigatoni bolognese to delicate prawn ravioli in brown butter, and a perfectly crisp veal Milanese.
Where: 80 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
The White Horse
The White Horse is easy to spot on Crown Street, thanks to the huge (you guessed it) white horse statue rearing on top of the big white building. In early 2024, the restaurant underwent a significant multi-million dollar renovation, transforming it into one of Surry Hills’ premier dining and drinking destinations. Try W.A. rock lobster with a miso broth and pork belly French toast downstairs, then head to its luxe bar upstairs for a sophisticated post-dinner cocktail.
Where: 381 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Nour
This contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant doesn’t mess around when it comes to next-level dishes. Reimagining traditional Lebanese cuisine through a modern Australian lens, Nour serves up fresh fish, mouthwatering shawarma and plenty of woodfired goodness, from Abrolhos scallops to eggplant. They also have a couple of set menus to choose from, if you want to try all the best things on the menu in one sitting.
Where: 3/490 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Bars and pubs
Crown Street is the beating heart of Surry Hills’ bar and pub scene, lined with some of the suburb’s best spots to drink, but great places to sip are scattered right across the neighbourhood.
Bar Copains
Ask any Surry Hills local to name their favourite wine bar, and chances are Bar Copains will come up. Tucked into a corner, this effortlessly chic spot is one of Sydney’s best places to settle in with a great glass of vino. The tightly curated wine list is matched with a selection of thoughtfully crafted bites, making it just as good for a quick drink as it is for a long, lingering evening. Order a martini, take in the street-side buzz, and enjoy the simple pleasure of people-watching from one of the city’s coolest perches.
Where: 67 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
The Cricketers Arms Hotel
No Wednesday night feels complete without a stop at The Cricketers Arms Hotel, where the weekly free jazz night reliably packs the bar from start to finish. The atmosphere is loose, lively, and unmistakably local, helped along by a strong lineup of independent brews on tap and house wines that won’t break the bank. Head upstairs to Chez Crix when hunger kicks in, where the menu elevates classic pub fare into something far more memorable.
Where: 106 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
The Dolphin Hotel
Set across three sprawling levels, The Dolphin Hotel has cemented itself as one of Surry Hills’ swankiest go-to spots. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for casual drinks with mates as it does for date nights or big celebrations. There’s an open-air terrace made for long afternoons and Aperol Spritzes, plus an in-house pizzeria, which has a handcrafted Neapolitan Moretti Forni wood oven. Whether you’re dropping in for a quick drink or settling in for something a little more special, this place delivers on all fronts.
Where: 412 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
The Clock
Another Surry Hills staple, everyone knows that an espresso martini on The Clock Hotel’s balcony is the perfect Sydney experience. Perched above the street, it’s prime territory for people-watching, drink in hand, as the neighbourhood hums below. Inside, the pub delivers on all fronts; there’s a spacious courtyard, multiple bars to keep things moving, live sports on rotation, and even a pool table for good measure.
Where: 470 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Tio’s Cerveceria
Cold beers and colder margaritas at Tio’s is a rite of passage for anyone who finds themselves in Surry Hills. This MUCHO Group venue (the hospo team behind Bar Planet and Cantina OK!) is renowned for its innovative cocktails and free bags of popcorn. Drop by for their $13 margarita happy hour (on from 5pm until 6pm every night), or go on Sunday and share their huge $35 mega margs.
Where: 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Top-tier cafes
Surry Hills is home to some of the best cafes in Sydney, and coffee is taken very seriously in this suburb. Here are five cafes you should make sure to check out during your time in Surry Hills.
A.P House
A visit to any A.P Bakery outpost is a guarantee that you’re about to eat some of the best bread and pastries in the city. The ham and Gruyère croissants (baked fresh daily) are the kind that ruin all others, while the Sri Lankan chicken curry pie has earned cult status for good reason. A.P House, perched on the rooftop of the Paramount House Hotel, is the bakery’s first outpost, so it’s an extra iconic location.
Where: L2/80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Single O
Single O’s Reservoir Street location is where everything started for the coffee roasters in 2003. Their coffee menu is extensive, featuring different innovative blends and Single O twists, like banana bread cold brew and espresso tonic. They also have an all-day menu serving up incredible dishes from yuzu eggs benny to crispy corn fritters and a barramundi burger.
Where: 60/64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Humble Bakery
At Humble Bakery, everything is baked fresh daily. The cabinet is a rotating showcase of top-tier breads, sandwiches, and pastries, alongside nostalgic classics like their much-loved finger bun and beautifully made cakes. Whether you’re stopping in for something sweet or savoury, there’s plenty to tempt you: an iced matcha and a burnt butter cookie for a quick treat, or a pork and fennel sausage roll and a slice of cherry tomato focaccia if you’re after something more substantial.
Where: Shop 2/50 Holt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Reuben Hills
Describing itself as a “boutique micro-roastery,” Reuben Hills takes its coffee seriously, and it shows. Beans are roasted locally in Sydney, resulting in consistently excellent brews that draw a loyal crowd day after day.
The food menu more than keeps up, spanning everything from fluffy ricotta pancakes to indulgent fried chicken baskets, alongside the classics like avo and eggs on toast, served, of course, on bread from A.P Bakery. It’s the kind of place that nails both your morning coffee ritual and a long, leisurely brunch.
Where: 61 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Four Ate Five
A Surry Hills staple since 2009, Four Ate Five has built a loyal following with its Middle Eastern–inspired menu and effortlessly relaxed vibe. Think hearty sandwiches, vibrant salads, and superfood smoothies. Buzzy yet laid-back, it’s a go-to for easy brunch dates or catch-ups with friends. Nab a spot outside, order something fresh, and settle in for some prime street-side people-watching.
Where: 485 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Things to do
Go for a dip at Prince Alfred Park Pool
Prince Alfred Park Pool is easily one of the city’s best outdoor swimming spots, whether you’re powering through laps in the fast lane or taking it easy with friends in the recreational pool. Day entry is just $7.90, making it an affordable way to spend a sunny afternoon. You can also pick up snacks from the on-site café and relax on the grass with a picnic, or stretch out on one of the poolside sunbeds.
Where: 105 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Watch cult classics at Golden Age Cinema and Bar
Tucked beneath the streets of Surry Hills, the Golden Age Cinema and Bar is housed within the historic Paramount House, offering a richly atmospheric, vintage-style cinema experience. This award-winning independent venue curates a distinctly eclectic program, from exclusive screenings and special events to beloved classics, cult favourites, genre gems, and standout new releases.
Adult tickets are typically priced at $24, plus a booking fee. It’s worth arriving early to make the most of the bar before your screening, where you can enjoy a range of signature cocktails alongside a tempting menu, from matcha cheesecake to steak frites and prawn linguine.
Where: 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Shop ’til you drop
Surry Hills is packed with boutique shops, vintage treasures, and standout streetwear. Crown Street is the heart of it all, home to spots like Above The Clouds Store for on-trend sneakers, Mud Australia for beautifully crafted Australian ceramics, and Hunter Candles for locally made, innovative candles.
For vintage finds, Zoo Emporium Vintage on Campbell Street is a go-to, while Uturn Recycled Fashion (back on Crown Street) offers a wide range of affordable secondhand pieces.
Where: Stroll down Crown Street for the best shops.
Enjoy Australian theatre at Belvoir St Theatre
Belvoir St Theatre, housed in a converted factory, is one of Sydney’s most cherished theatre companies. Its story began in 1984, when a collective of 600 theatre lovers came together to purchase the building and save it from redevelopment into apartments. Since then, Belvoir has become a cornerstone of Australian theatre, renowned for its bold storytelling on stage. The theatre has nurtured some of Australia’s biggest talents, from Cate Blanchett to Leah Purcell and Simon Stone.
If you’re a theatre fan who wants to see new Australian works, head to the Belvoir St Theatre’s website and book tickets to one of their shows. The theatre features two performance spaces: the main Upstairs Theatre, which seats approximately 350 patrons, and the more intimate Downstairs Theatre, accommodating around 80–90. With both venues in use, there’s always a diverse range of productions on offer, ready to be enjoyed.
Where: 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Paint and Sip
Cork & Chroma hosts a variety of fun, creative-themed social sessions, from Paint and Sips to the Art Café, where you can order a project (painting, collage, beading, or one of our rotating craft specials) and test your creativity while sipping and snacking at your own pace. Food and drink are BYO, but they’ll offer complimentary T2 tea for you to enjoy while you create.
At their Paint and Sip classes, experienced artists guide you step by step as your canvas comes to life over a relaxed, sociable three-hour session. You’ll leave with your own finished masterpiece, so it’s worth giving the “paint” as much attention as the “sip.”
Where: Shop 1/55 Holt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
