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T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney

1. BREENSPACE

17-19 Alberta St (Wentworth Ave), Darlinghurst, NSW
Art Gallery · 2 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Don’t be fooled by this gallery’s nondescript exterior: inside are works by Australia’s top talent, including Mitch Cairns and Simryn Gill.

2. Carriageworks

9.3
245 Wilson St (Codrington St), Eveleigh, NSW
Performing Arts Venue · 36 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: This converted 1880 rail yard hosts Sydney’s most progressive theater and contemporary art performances. A highlight: “Playwriting Australia,” a series of plays by local writers.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

3. Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

8.6
140 George St, Sydney, NSW
Art Museum · Circular Quay · 108 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Carve out an afternoon to explore the new wing of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

White Rabbit Gallery is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

4. White Rabbit Gallery

9.3
30 Balfour St, Chippendale, NSW
Art Gallery · 38 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: A well-curated collection of modern Chinese art assembled by collector Judith Neilson, one of Australia’s richest women. We love artist Cang Xin’s 2007 sculptural series.

5. The Intersection

122 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW
Pedestrian Plaza · 4 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Swing by this high-end emporium for avant-garde and traditional Australian labels.

6. Alannah Hill

412-414 George St, Sydney, NSW
Women's Store · Sydney City Center · 3 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Looking to brighten up your wardrobe? Browse Alannah Hill’s colorful dresses fit for Katy Perry.

7. Sass and Bide

Oxford St, Paddington, NSW
Women's Store · 2 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: A yummy-mummy staple with its slinky denim and vintage-inspired separates.

Dinosaur Designs is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

8. Dinosaur Designs

339 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW
Jewelry Store · 3 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: A local mainstay known for its Day-Glo resin jewelry and housewares.

He Made She Made is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

9. He Made She Made

70 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW
Art Gallery · 1 tip

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: The place to go for whimsical art and furniture (think graffiti-covered chairs) by emerging regional designers.

Donna Hay General Store is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

10. Donna Hay General Store

Holdsworth Street (Morrell street), Woollahra, NSW
Gift Store · 4 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: An old house converted into a pastel-colored shop filled with Hay’s signature streamlined products: 1940’s-style ceramics, scented candles, and white enamel bakeware.

11. Victor Churchill

8.1
132 Queen St, Woollahra, NSW
Butcher · 15 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: This butcher’s shop looks like Willy Wonka’s meat-minded counterpart, down to the cast-bronze sausage links that serve as the front-door handle. Don’t miss the house-made goodies to go.

12. Taj Blue Hotel - BLUE Sydney

A Taj Hotel, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Sydney, NSW
Hotel · Woolloomooloo · 13 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Rooms at this hotel gem on Woolloomooloo Wharf are loft-style, with exposed beams and plush beds set against a chocolate-brown and aquamarine palette.

The Darling is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

13. The Darling

7.3
80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont, NSW
Hotel · 11 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: At this sexy, cutting-edge hotel on Darling Harbour, there’s black-and-red flecked wallpaper in the corridors, and the push of a button works your room’s blinds, TV, and air temperature.

14. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

8.4
199 George St, Sydney, NSW
Hotel · Sydney City Center · 73 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: From the sky-high atrium lobby to the clubby hotel bar and spacious outdoor pool, this classic hotel in the Rocks never disappoints.

15. Hilton Sydney

8.1
488 George St, Sydney, NSW
Hotel · Sydney City Center · 80 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: The glass-walled Hilton tower, designed by architects Johnson Pilton Walker (the team behind the Opera House makeover), is a quick stroll from the main landmarks.

Park Hyatt Sydney is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

16. Park Hyatt Sydney

8.8
7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks, NSW
Hotel · The Rocks · 59 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: The city’s most coveted location, fronting the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. A $68 million renovation brought in floor-to-ceiling windows and amenities from cult perfumer Le Labo.

17. Gardel's Bar

358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills, NSW
Lounge · 17 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Chance a game on the 1940’s foosball table at this retro-style bar, fitted with leather booths and leopard-skin throws. On the menu: juicy chorizo-and-octopus skewers and chili-topped hot dogs.

Reuben Hills Coffee Roastery & Café is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

18. Reuben Hills Coffee Roastery & Café

8.5
61 Albion St, Surry Hills, NSW
Coffee Shop · 187 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: The place to sample the city’s best coffee, Aussie-style: ask for a flawless flat white from the apron-clad barista strolling the floor—he’ll take your order on his iPad.

Nield Avenue is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

19. Nield Avenue

Neild Ave., Darlinghurst, NSW
Road · 7 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Meze-style dishes are the draw here—there’s four-cheese arancini (deep-fried rice balls) and baked duck-egg custards. Don’t miss the funky interiors, with paintings of centaurs on the walls.

20. El Loco

64 Foveaux St. (at Bellevue St.), Surry Hills, NSW
Mexican Restaurant · 104 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Sydneysiders gather at El Loco’s colorful tables to munch on some of the city’s finest Mexican food, courtesy of renowned chef Dan Hong.

21. Chiswick Restaurant

8.5
65 Ocean Street (Wellington St), Woollahra, NSW
Australian Restaurant · 35 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Unfussy modern food by bad-boy chef Matt Moran, including wood-roasted lamb from his family farm. Call at least two weeks ahead.

22. Sticky Bar

182 Campbell St., Surry Hills, NSW
Wine Bar · 24 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Text the number on the door—the bouncer will appear within minutes to whisk you to the top floor. Order a Lovegun (amaretto, Campari, and orange juice).

23. The Roosevelt

7.5
32 Orwell St, Potts Point, NSW
Speakeasy · 25 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Mad-scientist-style cocktails are made using such ingredients as liquid nitrogen. Try the Martini of Tomorrow.

24. Love Tilly Devine

8.8
91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst, NSW
Wine Bar · 35 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Head here for a standout negroni (and a 300-bottle wine list).

25. Bronte Beach

9.4
Bronte Rd, Bronte, NSW
Beach · 69 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: A wonderful little cove with a beach, near Bondi. The snorkeling is great here.

Bondi Icebergs is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

26. Bondi Icebergs

8.9
1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach, NSW
Social Club · 99 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: This cliffside restaurant is perfect for a relaxing Sunday lunch, where you feel like you’re sitting on the water.

27. misschu

178 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, NSW
Vietnamese Restaurant · Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW · 20 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: You won’t go wrong by ordering delicious Singapore Slings with spring rolls and fresh dumplings at this Vietnamese tuck shop.

28. The Lord Dudley Hotel

7.9
236 Jersey Rd, Woollahra, NSW
Pub · 22 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: Chef Matt Moran’s (Chiswick) go-to bar for enjoying an afternoon pint in the peace and quiet.

Cooper Park is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

29. Cooper Park

8.2
Suttie Rd, Bellevue Hill, NSW
Park · 5 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: This park is very family-oriented, with tennis courts and plenty of open space. There’s also a huge hill that’s great for running.

30. Gordon's Bay

9.2
Gordon Ave, Clovelly, NSW
Beach · 19 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: One of the city’s best-kept secrets. Head down to the beach and feed the groupers.

31. Buon Ricordo Ristorante

7.6
108 Boundary St, Paddington, NSW
Italian Restaurant · 17 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: For an indulgent splurge, this is one of the most revered restaurants in Darlinghurst, with truffle pasta to die for.

Artisan Focacceria is one of T+L's Definitive Guide to Sydney.

32. Artisan Focacceria

230 Palmer Street (Liverpool Street), Darlinghurst, NSW
Italian Restaurant · 13 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: For a morning caffeine jolt, don’t pass up a flat white at this Italian café.

33. Lucio Pizzeria

7.7
248 Palmer St, Darlinghurst, NSW
Pizzeria · 32 tips and reviews

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: This pizzeria in Darlinghurst serves up some of the city’s best pies. It’s great for takeout.