December can be just a little bit hectic, so we’ve made it easy for you – head to these places and celebrate the silly season and the start of summer in style! Whether you are after a delicious meal at one of Sydney’s best restaurants or some last minute stocking fillers, we have you covered.
Utopia Goods’ Summer Pop-up
Paddington
Open until the beginning of January, Utopia Goods has opened their very own summer pop-up store in none other than a purple heritage building in Paddington. Offering a great range of their contemporary hand-printed homewares, this is your go-to for that one-off Christmas present!
Yasaka Ramen
CBD
If you have a hankering for ramen look no further than Yasaka Ramen for your Japanese noodle soup fix. And they take it seriously here, painted on the brick walls is the quote “no ramen, no life”. The modern industrial style fit-out means you can sit by the bar and watch the masters in the kitchen work their magic, or if you have a bigger group, grab a table upstairs. You must try the grilled chashu ramen with shoyu tonkotsu broth – the housemade noodles are simply delicious.
Spring Street Social
Bondi Junction
Bondi Junction’s Spring Street Social is definitely goodie and well worth checking out. Delve into the fun food and drinks menu whilst enjoying amazing music from pretty much every genre imaginable (flamenco, anyone?).
GPO Pop-Up Dessert Bar
CBD
Did you say pop-up? They seem to be everywhere at the moment, but GPO’s Christmassy dessert addition is the first one ever to hit Martin Place – so get in quick and after your selfie with the Christmas tree, head next door and grab a Nutcracker or Rudolph dessert. If you’re still feeling the festive vibes, the GPO Gingerbread Village is a must-see.
Youfoodz
Online
The lead up to Christmas can be stressful, with a whole lot on your to-do list and not a lot of time to stay fit and healthy. That’s where Youfoodz comes in. A healthy home delivery food service allows you to switch from the frozen meals, with fresh and healthy meal plans shipped directly to your door making lunch and dinner-time hassle free. There’s a great menu online so head to the website to pick your week’s worth of healthy meals (think roasted macadamia barramundi and Morrocan chicken with quinoa).
The Coogee Burger Shack
Coogee
A visit to Coogee’s Burger Shack should be on the top of your to-do list this summer. Situated at the Coogee Bay Hotel’s beer garden, get amongst it and order a takeaway slow-cooked pulled pork burger with apple slaw and barbeque sauce for that perfect beachside lunch.
Mamma Mia India
Bondi
Mamma Mia India is a café with a fusion of everything Italian and Indian. And somehow it works. The food is simple and delicious, as is the coffee (you can’t go wrong). Perfect for your post-swim snack and shop, attached is an emporium and gift store so be on the lookout for that perfect new vintage knick-knack.
Lid & Jar
Chatswood
Café chains can sometimes be a disaster, but Lid & Jar gets it very right. This Chatswood addition only recently opened in August and has fast become hugely popular and rightly so. The menu offers a slight twist on the regulars and whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are sure to be satisfied. Our tip: try the Lid Burger!
Girl & Graaf
Bondi
If you love those stores that you can wander aimlessly through for hours, then head to Girl & Graaf in Bondi and check their one-of-a-kind selection of cute homewares and accessories. It’ll be hard to leave without buying something for your house.
Gyradiko
Bexley
The queue outside Bexley’s Gyradiko is a sure indication of the deliciousness inside. If you have faint but very fond memories of stuffing your face with a gyros after a night out in Greece and have craved the messiness ever since, then look no further then Gyradiko. Embrace the carbs and get in line!
Image credit: Coogee Bay Hotel