Chippendale
Once a warehouse-filled commercial district, innercity Chippendale has been transformed into a thriving, cosmopolitan precinct. Wander its tree-lined streets with their heritage buildings and green spaces to uncover striking street art and galleries, historic pubs and lauded restaurants. On the fringe of the CBD and bordered by two university campuses, the neighbourhood buzzes day and night.
Take a culinary journey
A collection of nine casual eateries with alfresco tables arranged under red lanterns, Spice Alley (spicealley.com.au) is the last word in Asian-style street food in Sydney. If you’re in the mood for something more intimate and gourmet, book a table at Automata (automata.com.au), where head chef Clayton Wells’s set menu showcases clever spins on seasonal ingredients and deft culinary techniques. Dishes change often but the lighter-than-air angasi oyster cream with caviar is a consistent and memorable opening mouthful. Go all-out with the drinks pairing.
Head down the rabbit hole
Among neat residences on a tree-lined backstreet, White Rabbit Gallery (whiterabbit collection.org) specialises in 21st-century Chinese art. Founded by collector and philanthropist Judith Neilson, the four-storey space stages themed exhibitions of sculpture, painting, prints, video and installations that are thought-provoking – and free. The gallery’s streetlevel teahouse provides the ideal place to debrief post-exploration. Opening 6 March, Lumen features an artwork that produces actual cracks of lightning.
Visit a gin joint
Despite being tucked inside one of Kensington Street’s diminutive 19th-century terrace houses and named for a bleak but beloved 1750s English artwork, Gin Lane (ginlanesydney.com.au) offers a contemporary take on the titular spirit. Choose from one of the dozens of gins on offer, gathered from Australia and abroad, and sip a G&T. Alternatively, let the house mixologists craft you something a bit more creative, such as the Lightbulb Moment, served in a fog of liquid nitrogen.
Make room for dessert
It’s all about the sweet finale at KOI Dessert Bar (koidessert bar.com.au). The downstairs counter is filled with fruity creations, while the upstairs dining room offers a set four-course dessert menu (with some savoury snacks) that includes co-owner and MasterChef Australia alumni Reynold Poernomo’s pistachio, matcha and yoghurt Moss.