Discover The Hidden Gems Of Surry Hills: Exciting Things To Do And Explore

Welcome to the Sydney City’s most stylish suburb, Surry Hills. Parking is always scarce in Surry Hills because the neighbourhood is constantly crowded, whether you are going to a trendy restaurant or cafe for a bite to eat or just to work. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat, drink, shop, visit and park in Surry Hills.

Eat and drink

Looking for somewhere to have a meal or a drink? You’re spoilt for choice in Surry Hills. It’s one of Sydney’s best-known foodie destinations, with a multitude of restaurants, bars and pubs ranging from ultra-casual to fine dining and covering many different types of cuisine.

The ricotta pancakes at bills on Crown Street are world-famous, making it a must-do for breakfast. Across the road, The Dolphin Hotel dishes up pub fare that’s a cut above in arty surrounds. Firedoor, which featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table BBQ, is all about wood-fired cooking and serves up one of Sydney’s most sought-after steaks.

Surry Hills is also home to the Sydney outpost of a Melbourne favourite, the loud and buzzy South East Asian eatery Chin Chin. Wherever you decide to eat, start (or finish) your night off right with a drink at the Hotel Hollywood. This old-school, slightly grungy but unpretentious Art Deco pub is a veritable Surry Hills institution.

Coffee

Sydney is a city of coffee aficionados, and some of the city’s best brews can be found in Surry Hills.

Try the popular Single O in Reservoir Street, where they serve filter coffee on tap. Postage-stamp sized Sample Coffee on Devonshire Street might be small, but that doesn’t stop it from turning out a seriously good cup of joe. And at Artificer Specialty Coffee Bar & Roastery, they’re so focused on making the perfect cup of coffee that they don’t sell anything else.

Shopping

Take home your own little piece of Surry Hills cool with a purchase from one of its hip stores. Give your home instant design cred with something from Vampt Vintage Design, a treasure trove of vintage and mid-century furniture, or lose hours browsing the vinyl records, film, and books at specialist bookstore Title.

Visit Shannon Reserve on Crown Street on the first Saturday of the month, and you’ll find the Surry Hills Markets in full swing. They’ve been running since 1981 and are a great place to find vintage, second-hand or recycled fashion, homewares and art.

For the ultimate souvenir, visit one of Surry Hills’ tattoo parlours. Several of Sydney’s best studios are found here, including Little Tokyo, Hibernia and Authentink.

Culture

There are plenty of places to indulge your inner culture vulture in Surry Hills. A visit to the Brett Whiteley Studio on Raper Street is a must. The studio was once Whiteley’s workplace and home, and it has been preserved just as it was when he was alive, right down to the graffiti-covered walls. Or soak in the vintage vibes at the Golden Age Cinema and Bar.

Catch an indie or arthouse film in the basement cinema of the 1940s Paramount Pictures building, or just enjoy an artfully mixed cocktail at the bar. If live action is more your style, the Belvoir Street Theatre (housed in an old tomato sauce factory) is a stalwart of the Sydney theatre scene.  

Where to park

Surry Hills is serviced by buses and light rail, but not trains and driving is often the easiest way to get there. Finding parking in Surry Hills in the narrow, one-way streets can be a challenge, but don’t worry – when it comes to parking, we’ve got you covered.

• Feeling organised? Download the DIVVY app from the App Store or Google Play and pre-book your parking in Surry Hills at 359 Crown Street, Centennial Place Tower B & Centennial Place Tower C on Elizabeth Street.
• Heading to Haymarket from Surry Hills? Park with us at 14-18 Lee Street. The easiest approach to score a cheap parking spot is usually to book in advance.
• Looking for casual parking? Don’t waste time Googling ‘parking near me’. DIVVY public parking solution Drive Up makes casual parking a breeze. No need to pre-book – just tap your credit card, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay at the car park entrance, and you’re away. You won’t be charged until you tap your payment method again when you’re leaving. Available 24/7 at Adina Apartment Hotel, 359 Crown Street, Surry Hills (car park entry on Fitzroy Street).