The Best Things To Eat, Drink And Do In Chippendale
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
Chippendale is the slept-on inner-city suburb that is quietly doing it all. Wedged between Central Station, Broadway and Redfern, this compact pocket blends heritage warehouses, leafy terraces and striking modern architecture into a neighbourhood that feels equal parts creative, convenient and community-driven.
On any given day you’ll find uni students ducking out between lectures, locals walking their dogs through Chippendale Green, office workers lining up for a quick lunch on Kensington Street and weekend visitors gallery-hopping before settling in for a long pub lunch. It’s walkable, well-connected and packed with genuinely great spots—no matter what your schedule (or budget) looks like.
The appeal is simple: standout cafes for your morning ritual, affordable eats near campus, destination restaurants for date night, character-filled pubs, rooftop bars, indie galleries and a shopping strip that makes an easy afternoon wander. Whether you live nearby, work in the area or are just passing through, Chippendale rewards a slow explore.
Here’s your complete guide to what to eat, drink and do in Chippendale in 2026.
Jump to:
- The Best Restaurants In Chippendale
- The Best Cafes & Bakeries In Chippendale
- The Best Bars & Pubs In Chippendale
- The Best Things To Do In Chippendale
The Best Restaurants In Chippendale
Radio Taco
67 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Radio Taco | Instagram
Truly an "if you know, you know" eatery, Radio Taco is the 12-seat Chippendale taqueria that’s been selling out most nights. Focused almost exclusively on Jalisco-style birria, this inner-city newcomer keeps things tight: slow-cooked, 48-hour marinated beef simmered with imported Mexican chillies and served with that ultra-rich consommé for dunking.
The must-order is the queso taco—crispy, cheesy and dripping in broth—but you can also load up on birria burritos, nachos and even a cult-fave birria ramen. There’s a mushroom option that more than holds its own, plus chicken, with goat reportedly on the way.
Insider Intel
- Keep an eye on their specials board—expect birria to pop up in tortas, tamales and other limited-run drops.
Poketto
Shop 2, 10 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Poketto | Instagram
Set inside Chippendale’s former Cadbury factory, Poketto is a light-filled Japanese-inspired cafe from the team behind Kurumac and Cool Mac. The 24-seat space pairs polished concrete floors and tall factory windows with a pair of carefully tended bonsai—calm, minimal and made for slow brunches or midweek lunches between classes.
The menu leans into comforting cafe staples, with a focus on noodles taking centre stage. There's a classic poke bowl, yuzu chicken udon in a light dashi broth, a mentaiko udon with cod roe and shimeji mushroom—and that's just half of it.
Insider Intel
- The matcha and mont blanc here are some of our personal favourites in Sydney.
Hongdae Pocha
5 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale
Image credit: Hongdae Pocha | Supplied
Hongdae Pocha is a ode to Korea's nightlife and its pocha dining scene: outdoor carts which serve piping hot dishes and soju to the streets of Seoul. The latest venture from hospitality group Vuza, Hongdae Pocha is set right next to the viral bakery Buttered—bringing modern Korean culture to the heart of Chippendale.
For the menu, expect authentic Korean snacks as well as full dishes—with staples like tteokbokki, kimchi udon, and Korean BBQ favourites. The star of the show is their Yetnal Tongdak: an entire deep–fried chook half topped with spring onion and a mustard soy glaze, and half with a 90s style sweet, sour and spicy sauce, reminiscent of old–school, street–side Korean fried chicken.
Insider Intel
- Ice–cold Korean beers, black raspberry wine, and a selection of peach, yogurt, and grape soju lead a dependable, no-fuss drinks list.
Ester
46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Ester | Instagram
What began in 2013 as a modest neighbourhood spot centred around a woodfired oven has become one of Sydney’s most influential dining rooms. Ester still runs on the same philosophy—seasonal produce, house-made elements where possible, and a menu that shifts constantly—but the execution is sharper than ever.
Fire drives everything here. Expect blistered vegetables, deeply caramelised meats and sauces built for mopping up with bread. Dishes change often, but favourites have included whole roasted cauliflower, oysters bathed in sake butter and the cult potato bread served with cultured cream and roe. Larger plates lean generous and smoky, from lamb chops with rich jus to roasted seafood finished with punchy butters.
Insider Intel
- If the potato bread is on the menu, order it—no table regrets it.
The Best Cafes & Bakeries In Chippendale
Khanom House
15 Meagher Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Khanom House | Instagram
Khanom House is a striking turquoise corner bakery in Chippendale specialising in Asian-influenced cakes and pastries, as well as a rotating list of coffee and matcha specials that are worth the trot. The cabinet shifts between seven-layer honey cake, pandan or crème brûlée–filled doughnuts, chiffon cakes, matcha or Thai milk tea Basque cheesecakes, strawberry shortcake and coconut mango Swiss rolls.
Founder and baker Yeen Verasenee is self-taught, refining recipes through extensive testing and consistently pulling back sugar levels to let flavours like pandan, black sesame and young coconut come through cleanly. The result is a lighter, more restrained style of baking that stands apart from heavier Western formats.
Insider Intel
- The matcha here is among the best in Sydney, hands down—we are currently obsessed with their pandan coconut matcha foam.
You Might Also Like:
- The Best Margaritas In Sydney
- Sydney’s Oldest Cafes, Restaurants And Pubs
- Sydney’s Best Day To Night Venues
Bear Espresso Bar
G Shop 1/28-30 Queen Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Bear Espresso Bar | Instagram
Tucked along Queen Street, Bear Espresso Bar is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spots that quickly becomes part of your daily routine. This small, family-run café keeps things simple: good coffee, friendly faces and quick service for locals, students and nearby workers on the go.
They pour specialty beans from Headlands, with “Flour Mill” dialled in for smooth, balanced milk coffees and “Flower Dance” reserved for a cold brew that actually carries flavour. Every cup is carefully calibrated, whether you’re grabbing a takeaway before work or pausing for five quiet minutes to yourself.
Insider Intel
- If you’re a cold brew drinker, ask what’s on tap—“Flower Dance” is a standout in warmer months.
Brickfields
206 Cleveland Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Brickfields | Instagram
If you haven’t tried a Brickfields toastie, you haven’t lived. The bacon sandwich at this Sydney bakery is a perennial favourite featuring manchego, pickles, lemon aioli, and streaky bacon on a seeded ciabatta, and the pastries, sweets, cakes, and flaky seasonal sweet and savoury tarts are mind-blowingly good.
Insider Intel
- Their bread alone is worth a visit—but it makes for a cute morning coffee stop as well.
101 Kissa
94a Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Image credit: 101 Kissa | Instagram
Sitting pretty on the corner of Meagher and Abercrombie Streets, 101 Kissa is a bright, sun-soaked cafe known for its generous outdoor seating and dog-friendly vibe. It’s an easy pick for a laidback brunch, especially if you’re rolling through with friends (or a pup in tow).
The menu leans into Japanese-Asian-Australian fusion with big, colourful plates. Think jumbo lobster and scallop rolls, curry chicken karaage paninis and their signature butterfly pea flower rice—complete with lobster, scallop and eel tamagoyaki layered over striking blue fried rice.
Insider Intel
- Grab a table outside on a sunny morning—the corner position makes it prime people-watching territory.
Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters
32-36 City Road, Chippendale
Image credit: Toby's Estate | Instagram
Chippendale isn’t short on strong caffeine contenders—but Toby’s Estate has officially taken things global. The City Road café and roastery was recently crowned the best coffee shop in the world at the inaugural World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops Gala, putting Sydney firmly on the specialty coffee map.
Known for its meticulous sourcing and in-house roasting, Toby’s Estate has long been a go-to for serious coffee drinkers. The expansive Chippendale space lets you watch the roasting process up close, chat flavour notes with baristas and settle in for a brew that’s been dialled to precision.
Whether you’re a uni student fuelling a study session, a nearby creative on deadline or just chasing a genuinely excellent flat white, this is the benchmark.
Insider Intel
- Keep an eye out for limited single-origin drops and seasonal blends—this is the place to branch out from your usual order.
The Best Bar & Pubs In Chippendale
The Lord Gladstone
115 Regent Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Chippo Lord | Instagram
Proudly calling itself “your favourite pub’s favourite pub”, Chippendale’s Lord Gladstone has an almost cult-like following. Renowned for its boozy, wild live music nights and its endless support of local artists, it comes as no surprise that this is where all the cool kids congregate.
The biggest drawcard here has to be their daily happy hour: between 3pm and 6pm, score $6.50 wines, beers and spirits, as well as $12 cocktails.
Insider Intel
- With cheap eats and an event on almost every night of the week, the Glady is most definitely where the party’s at.
The Rose
52-54 Cleveland Street, Chippendale
Image credit: The Rose Hotel | Instagram
Built in 1877, The Rose Hotel has long been a cornerstone of Chippendale life. Its heritage façade has barely changed over the decades—cherubs and all—while inside, it’s evolved into a true locals’ pub with a strong focus on independent Australian producers.
The drinks list is the headline act. Expect 30 rotating craft beers on tap alongside classic pours, plus a solid line-up of Australian tinnies. Wine leans local too, with a growing focus on organic and biodynamic vineyards, and the back bar spotlights independent distilleries from across the country.
Food covers all the pub essentials: pizzas, share plates and classic mains, with weekly seasonal specials keeping things interesting. Upstairs, the Rosebud Cocktail Bar opens Friday and Saturday nights, serving up a tighter, late-night drinks list in a more intimate setting.
Insider Intel
- Head in earlier if you’re chasing a full menu—during the final hour of kitchen service, it’s pizza only.
The Abercrombie
Level 2/100 Broadway, Chippendale
Image credit: Abercrombie Sydney | Instagram
A long-time fixture of Sydney’s late-night scene, The Abercrombie has reclaimed its spot as one of Chippendale’s most energetic venues. After a major revival, the historic Broadway pub now balances big party energy with polished drinking and dining spaces across multiple levels.
The ground-floor public bar keeps things loud with DJs, club nights and a revived dancefloor that draws a mixed crowd of students, locals and hospitality regulars. Upstairs, Casa Rosa shifts the mood—think rooftop cocktails, plush surrounds and Italo-disco-inspired playlists made for sunset sessions that stretch late.
Insider Intel
- Map out your night across all three spaces—it’s easy to start with wine, move to rooftop cocktails and end downstairs with a DJ set.
The Best Things To Do In Chippendale
Give Your Credit Card A Workout At Jillian Boustred
25 Meagher Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Jillian Boustred | Instagram
Jillian Boustred is a Sydney label known for classic, flattering pieces made with a genuine commitment to local, ethical production. Most collections are crafted in Australia, with a focus on quality fabrics, thoughtful silhouettes, and wardrobe staples designed to last.
Her Chippendale flagship store is a must-visit for anyone seeking to invest in quality staples with longevity in mind.
Insider Intel
- Look out for limited seasonal drops—core styles often return, but standout fabrics and colours tend to move quickly.
Catch An Exhibition At White Rabbit Gallery
30 Balfour Street, Chippendale
Image credit: White Rabbit Gallery | Jiang Zhi and He An by Hamish McIntosh
Collector and philanthropist Dr Judith Neilson set up White Rabbit Gallery more than a decade ago to showcase her private collection of contemporary Chinese art, which she believes should be accessible for all to appreciate.
Hosting a handful of exhibitions a year, the works on show are nothing short of mind-blowing, and the space itself is impressive in its architecture—make sure you head up to the completely immersive cinema room on the top level.
Insider intel
- Enjoy one of the daily free guided tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and end your visit with some handmade dumplings and the best Chinese tea at the lobby teahouse.
Browse The Shelves At Simple, Beautiful Things
30 O'Connor Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Simple Beautiful Things | Instagram
Tucked along O’Connor Street, Simple Beautiful Things is a two-level design store dedicated to well-made, thoughtfully chosen objects. Step inside and slowly move between shelves of Japanese porcelain, notebooks and stationery, Baggu bags, travel tumblers and organic teas.
The edit leans timeless rather than trend-led, with furniture and homewares selected for craftsmanship, clean lines and materials that age well. Expect scented candles, incense and everyday pieces that elevate the small rituals—morning tea, desk resets, quiet weekends at home.
Insider Intel
- Pop in when you need a low-key gift—it’s a reliable spot for something useful, beautiful and not overdone.
Source Curated Designer Pieces At Reborne Shop
116 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Image credit: Reborne Shop | Instagram
Set in the creative heart of Chippendale, Reborne Shop is a curated designer boutique known for its ever-evolving monthly pop-ups. Each rotation spotlights a fresh mix of local and international designers, creating a direct link between emerging talent and fashion-forward shoppers.
Inside, it feels playful and expressive—think bold silhouettes, statement pieces and festival-ready looks alongside elevated wardrobe staples. The focus is on individuality, with collections designed to help you experiment, layer and rework your style on your own terms.
You can shop the edit in-store or online (with worldwide shipping), but the in-person experience is where it shines—new designers drop regularly, so there’s always something unexpected on the racks.
Insider Intel
- Check their socials before visiting—monthly pop-ups mean limited runs and quick sell-outs.
Main image credit: The Rose Hotel | Instagram
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy, or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
Sydney’s Best St Patrick’s Day Parties For 2026: Guinness, Irish Fry-Ups And All-Day Craic
Sydney’s Best Pilates Studios To Stretch And Sweat In
