Gentrification. A suburb on the rise. Having shaken off its rough image of the past, this up and coming neighbourhood has everyone keeping their eyes peeled on the market. Terrace Homes, warehouse conversions, new and old alike. Perfectly positioned. City fringe, suburban feel. The university locale pulls students and academics. Urban. Rejuvenation. Redfern.
18 Cooper St
Imagine gin and
tonic marmalade. Imagine having that on toast. For breakfast. Or whenever the
heck you fancy. If thats your idea of a good time, head on over to Moose
General Store and theyll sort you out. Moose is the type of café you have to actively seek out. Its off Referns beaten track so the main clientele are keen-bean coffee fiends who found out through word of mouth.The café is a fairly intimate – about as big as a decent sized bedroom – but not claustrophobic....
4 Pitt St
As the rest of Sydney pushes outwards, edgy inner-west suburbs such as Redfern, Marrickville and Chippendale are increasing in desirability. Places with smarts and attitude are opening their doors, sweeping out the hypodermic needles and serving a growing community of young professionals, artists and start-up families pushing all-terrain prams. The gentrification of Redfern isn’t a new thing – overpriced vintage furniture shops have raped the wallets of moneyed hipsters for years – but the...
96 Kepos St
With its flaking burgundy paint job and cracking view of the petrol pumps across the road, Strangers with Candys tatty urban charm wont instantly appeal to everyone. Cosy and buzzing with table chatter, its hard not to feel at home here under the corrugated plastic roof of the courtyard out back. Couples talk intently across the tea lights at most tables, interspersed with two or three noisier groups of six and staff are warm, quick with service and always nearby at the right time.
Standing out...
306 Chalmers St
You could be in a tattoo parlour, you could be in a bordello. In fact, we wouldnt be surprised to see the incredibly attractive waitstaff speeding by on rollerskates.
The Redfern gentry and their offspring are already packing it out, clamouring for space in the violently turquoise room. And in case the pram blight gets to be a little much, find a spot at the long, red Formica bar overhung by a tilted mirror – you can see what everyone else is eating. Or look down their tops.
As to whats on the...
421 Cleveland St
The room’s a little pink and girly,
but it’s certaily a lot fl asher than any other
Sydney Malaysian restaurants you’d care
to name and disheThe room’s a little pink and girly, but it’s certaily a lot flasher than any other Sydney Malaysian restaurants you’d care to name and dishes like the prawn mamak mee – kinda like an amped-up Malay take on pad Thai – earn these guys their stripes....
94 Redfern Street
Best for
Checking out an up-and-coming area
Order this
Potato hash stack with ham, avocado, tomato and asparagus topped with a poached egg
The X factor
They make all their jams and chutneys
In a great year for new café openings, Baffi and Mo deserve special praise. If the Hills are alive then neighbouring Redfern is kicking right now and Baffi and Mo is fuelling the gentrification of the area with hearty fare and heart-starting caffeine. The room, dominated by a friendly communal table, opens...
3-5 Baptist St
Enjoy fresh Italian cuisine, a decent wine list and unpretentious, anticipatory service – and learn why for ten years strong Alios been considered a hidden gem....
460 Cleveland St
Clean, green Japanese dining is the ethos at this small, minimalist eatery. The menu is gluten-, wheat-, dairy and refined sugar-free as well as organic, and theres even a selection of gluten-free beers on offer. Dedicated greenie and owner Yukako Ichikawa is so keen to reduce waste shell turn you away if your eyes are bigger than your stomach and offers a 30% discount to all plate-cleaners....