My dearest friend Ferris packed his Adelaide belongings, this was for his maiden visit to my humble Paddington abode.There isn’t anything quite like having old friends visit, but the pressure to ensure they have a good time is all on you –
Bad restaurant choices, the weather, clubs not living up to the hype, and a bad poached egg (the horror) feels like the end of the world when you’re trying to show off your new city.
Here are my never fail TOP 10 places surely to win over your mates when visiting Sydney-
(Ferris is packing his records to move on over already - yay! ) Of course this is just a sample of the offerings that this brilliant city has to offer, oh well, it just leaves more for next time.
Gelato Messina
Victoria St, Darlinghurst
We had gelato for breakfast, because public holidays throw any type of normality out the window. On certain days/holidays/any given occassion they have special flavours that work in theme, for Australia Day we had pavolva and lamington. However the house favourites could never disappoint, my pick is the salted caramel with white chocolate.
Beach Burrito
Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Nothing beats a burrito and some chilli fries to tide you over for the next week.
On the plus side tourists always love to check out Bondi,
if all else fails you can just get your mate drunk on their refreshingly dangerous tequila margaritas.
Shady Pines Saloon
Crown St, Surry Hills
This captured Ferris' heart, and it probably will with your friends,
especially if they like shelling unlimited amounts of complimentary peanuts and have a thing for taxidermy. Basically it feels like you're in your rich school friends underground den, where his dad keeps all the 'good' liquor.
Good God Small Club
Liverpool St, City
Heading to the city for night life isn't quite known when you have such options in the East, however GGSC is worth the taxi ride. The restaurant 'The Dip' just won 'Best Eats' in the SMAC awards (that's telling you something) expect food such as pulled pork rolls and old school hotdogs with the lot - diner food at it's best.
The Bunker
Liverpool St, Darlinghurst
Nestled between a barber and a paella restaurant you'll find The Bunker, a quaint coffee shop with a lovely homely vibe.The chai tea comes in a little steel tea pot, its the a perfect elixar to read the papers outside on the communal table and to people watch. If you’re into celebrities this place was one of Tobey Maguires favourite haunts (he told me himself), sine he is such a coffee aficionado we should all take note.
The Darlo Bar
Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst
An eastern institution - cheap cider, pool tables, mismatched furniture and a beer garden with just the right amount of atmosphere if you want to escape the perils (and people) of the Cross.
Pocket Bar
Burton St, Surry Hills
"No shit you dig marvin the martian too?" Any place with Marvin painted on the walls and comfy sofas wins in my books. The fact that you can team some decadent crepes with your G&Ts is a sure fire winner... We may have idled down here because Shady Pines line was all just a little too tedious, but it was a pleasant detour.
Four Ate Five
Crown St, Surry Hills
Brunch is a serious matter in the Sydney-ites books, although I've endveoured to sample the delights of many places, Four Ate Five on Crown St in Surry Hills always wins hands down when faced with a choice. The juices are second to none and I never can't look past my own signature plate of a damn good piece of sour dough, haloumi, poached eggs and avo.
Tios
Foster St, Surry Hills
One of the newest ventures from the Shady Pines crew, Tios of taps into the Sydney 'mexicana' fever. This is the perfect place to go to be educated on all drinks tequila and instead of peanuts they give out brown paper bags filled with popcorn. If there is one thing I'm never not in the mood for it's a bag of popcorn. This particular night after being pelted with rain I decided to give my bag o' corn to a homeless man, just call me the good samaritan.
Kinokuniya
The Galleries, City
There is something about wall to wall book shops and pages just begging to be turned. Nestled on the second floor of the Galleries Victoria on George St you’ll find this book mecca.
Not only does it house the largest selection of Japanese literature/magazines/movies and random paraphernalia but an afternoon flicking through Terry Richardsons portraits can be an all over experience.
and....here a few snaps tourist we took along the way !
