Widely regarded as Australia’s most dazzling city, Sydney is home to one of the world’s most beautiful urban beaches and carries its own unique brand of charm.
Thanks to its heady mix of salt water, world-class surf, and big-city buzz, this slice of the southern hemisphere is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world – and is perfect for anyone wanting to escape the harsh grey of winter for sunnier climes down under.
Home to an abundance of natural beauty – while still a little rough around its urban edges – beyond the crowds and influencers is a thriving hub of world-class restaurants, Art Deco architecture, stylish boutiques and – of course – breathtaking beaches, rugged rock pools and curving coastal walks.
From sun-drenched restaurants to lavish hotels and stylish boutiques a-plenty, here are some of Sydney’s best places to stay, eat, drink and shop.
STAY
Intercontinental Double Bay
A sumptuous hotel that has harbour views and a glittering roof top pool, Intercontinental Double Bay is located in the heart of one of Sydney’s most affluent enclaves and offers guests a perfect base from which to explore the city. Surrounded by smart shops and stylish fitness studios, the hotel’s allure lies in its spacious rooms, marble bathrooms and water vistas. Perched on some seriously upscale real estate, Intercontinental Double Bay enjoys easy access to the harbour, but sits away from the city’s main tourist traps. A hotel to stay in when you want to unwind and indulge, the draw of the sun-down cocktails served at the roof-top bar makes peeling yourself away from the poolside day beds almost impossible.
The crème de la crème of Sydney’s luxury hotel offering, Crown Towers Sydney goes above and beyond a five-star rating, earning an unofficial accolade as a six-star hotel – and it’s easy to see why. This 75-floor oasis is perfectly positioned with views across the harbour, and flanked by the excellent bars and restaurants of lively Barangaroo, with some of the best water views in Sydney. The high-end hotel features 349 rooms, suites, and villas, as well as multiple world-class dining options and a day spa. Home to Sydney’s only infinity pool – and what an infinity pool it is – the secluded cabanas, plush day beds and poolside dining are but the cherry on top of what is widely regarded as the place to be seen in Sydney.
Capella Sydney
Photo credit: Timonthy Kaye
A honey-hued hotel steeped in history (it occupies the former Department of Education building) that opened its doors in 2023, Capella Sydney, is a luxury hotel that has been creating quite the buzz since its recent $335 million refresh. The grand hotel has 192 guest rooms and suites, a bespoke spa with all the spoils, two swimming pools and three ground-level food and beverage outlets: Aperture, Brasserie 1930, and McRae Bar. Seven years in the making, the hotel also has views of Sydney’s iconic skyline plus elegant furnishings, standalone tubs, and curated art. Classy and cool with a serious dose of culture, this is high-end hospitality at its finest.
EAT + DRINK
The Charles Brasserie
A European-style brasserie housed in a heritage-listed Art Deco building in Sydney’s CBD, The Charles is the swanky restaurant Sydney regulars fight over reservations for. The smart and friendly waiters and opulent dining room give it an old school undertone, and the dishes are as delicious as you’d expect from this sort of elegant establishment. Try the Skull Island prawn agnolotti and the plum cherry tomato and nectarine salad, washed down with a glass or two of French champagne.
Chiswick Woolhara
Located on a leafy street in Woolhara, Chiswick is famous for its plant-to-plate experience, with much of its menu sourced from its on-site kitchen garden. Known to Sydney-siders as the go-to for locals wanting a long and leisurely lunch, it’s a dining experience not to be missed. Try their wood baked halloumi with honey, and their cured tuna with lemon cream – and no trip to Chiswick is complete without half a dozen of their Sydney rock oysters. With a sun-dappled dining room looking out to the garden, attentive waiters, and an impressive wine list, it’s the perfect spot for experiencing Sydney like a local.
Rose Bay House
With a sparkling ocean vista, Rose Bay House is a much-loved local haunt perched on the shoreline of one of Sydney’s prettiest eastern suburbs. Famous for its carefully-curated Eastern Mediterranean menu, they serve up everything from saffron prawn pasta to swordfish with charred sprouts, and their cocktail list is pretty great too. It sits away from the city’s centre, meaning that – despite its waterfront setting – it remains one of Sydney’s best-kept dining secrets.
mimi’s
Photo credit: Steven Woodburn
Fusing coastal fine-dining with a Mediterranean soul, mimi’s is a pastel-hued restaurant on the middle floor of Coogee’s lively pavilion. Famous for their caviar, diners can sample it by the gram or by ordering scallop mousseline and caviar pie. If you’re feeling fancy, try a caviar bump with frozen vodka, followed by the coral trout bun cha. With romantic white linen tablecloths and a shimmering ocean vista, it’s a great spot for a special occasion.
TO DO
Opera House
No trip to Sydney would be complete without a visit to the city’s opera house. Perhaps Sydney’s most recognisable landmark – and one which recently celebrated its 50th birthday – it’s the beating heart of Sydney’s cultural landscape. With a dazzling year-round program of events that includes everything from theatre, opera, comedy and talks with leading literary figures, it’s the perfect spot for a night of culture with unbeatable views of the city.
Bondi Icebergs
One of the world’s most Instagrammed ocean pools, Bondi Icebergs Club is perched on the edge of Bondi Beach, and enjoys a lofty setting overlooking the sweeping surf. First opened in 1929 for lifeguards to train during the winter months, this iconic Bondi landmark now has a spa and fine-dining restaurant with uninterrupted oceanfront views, and a museum for visitors to learn about its rich history. Go for a swim and a sauna, and finish with a bite to eat or a cocktail with panoramic views of the Pacific at what was once famously described by Nigella Lawson as her “favourite restaurant in the whole world.”
SHOPPING
Commune Bondi
Known and loved by locals, this neighbourhood boutique was opened by two local friends – Loren and Kristie – whose shared love for the ocean, handmade products, interiors, and fashion is illustrated in their suitably stylish shop. Think modern pops of colours, wheel-thrown pottery, Turkish beach towels and simple designs. It’s a boho shop of dreams where you’ll find Bondi residents picking up tasteful pieces for their homes and wardrobes alike.
23 Albert
A smart boutique shop located a stone’s throw from Manly’s bustling beachfront, 23 Albert is a whispered secret in Sydney’s fashion circles, and rightly so. It draws shoppers from all corners of the city, and is beloved by industry insiders for their handpicked collection of both established and emerging designers. Offering a personalised, head-to-toe service, 23 Albert is ideal for even the most discerning of shoppers.
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