Urban List Recommends

(S)MER is a Sydney-based studio that brings together fragrance and denim under one clear vision.

Discover the bold, boundary-pushing Marrickville florist putting Sydney/Eora on the map.

Buttered is a Sydney bakery and cafe offering a selection of much-loved Korean pastries and top-notch drinks.

International thrifting brand Savers now has a Thrift Boutique on Oxford Street, bringing affordable pre-loved goods to Darlinghurst.

Global thrifting giant Savers’ first Sydney store in Hoxton Park Prestons is 1590 square metres of pre-loved gems waiting to be discovered.

The Sydney CBD is now home to the world’s largest LEGO store, covering 900 square metres over two storeys of hands-on fun for future designers, inventors, builders and artists.

Forget celebrity fragrances and department store clerks handing out smelling strips. If you love hard-to-find, boutique fragrances dreamt up by artisans from far-flung places, Libertine Parfumerie is for you. 

While our shores were long awaiting a dedicated Golden Goose store, Sydney now plays host to two boutiques: the first located in Sydney’s CBD and a second outpost at Bondi Junction. 

Shopping in Sydney will get a whole lot more exciting when cult Scandi brand GANNI opens its doors at The Galeries on Friday 2 June. 

SWOP is a store selling sustainably sourced vintage and preloved gear, launched in Brisbane. Just a few years later, SWOP has gone on to open stores in Sydney and Melbourne.

Travelling or dreaming of travelling? HAULIER's Paddington flagship boutique, inspired by 70s-era airport lounges, should be just the ticket. Think vintage Holiday magazines and Slim Aarons Euro summer and you've got the right vibe. 

Translated simply as “butcher shop”, Macelleria is more than just that, since the Chief Meatologist (yes, it’s a thing), Peter Zaidan believes in their ethos of providing quality meat with good value for money in mind. In a genius move, they also have a burger menu that allows you to try their meat before you commit to buying it for the fridge at home. There are three chicken schnitzel options, with fillings like seeded mayo, Parmigiano, and coleslaw to accompany your chook. There are a staggering nine options in the beef department and the 100% Cape Grim Angus beef patties are accompanied by bacon, cheddar, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, depending on your preferences.

Led by Grant Hilliard, Feather and Bone takes sustainable practice very seriously. That means only selling pasture-raised meat from regenerative farms—each personally visited by the Marrickville butchers with information passed onto you.

The name Victor Churchill carries some real weight in Australia’s butcher game.

Headed up by Mike Bennie and Lou Dowling, P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants' Newtown outpost is our forever go-to for delicious chilled reds, pet nats, orange wines, funky wines, and hard-to-find Aussie spirits that'll seriously level up your home-made Negroni game.

It’s finally happened. After a handful of years operating as a pop up shop in the leafy streets of Surry Hills, Little Succers has left its roots, so to speak, and made the big leap over the pond to greener pastures. We’re talking about a permanent terrarium studio right in the heart of Neutral Bay.

If you’re a ceramic fiend, you would have definitely heard of cutting-edge pottery studio Bondi Clay. The Flood Street institution is well-known for its cute date night classes and its sustainable approach to pottery. It's one of the few studios that sticks to renewable energy and doesn’t use single-use plastic bags.

The fact is, a city can never be too overcrowded with florists, which is why you need to know about Sydney’s newest floral mecca dedicated to luscious blooms and whimsical flowing foliage.

Sharpen up team, The Bespoke Corner Tailors have officially landed in Sydney and our wardrobes couldn’t be happier. After taking Melbourne by storm with their South Yarra boutique, the dynamic duo behind the store—Miles Wharton and Rami Mikhael—have returned to their roots in Sydney. 

Created by the legends behind men’s streetwear label ZANEROBE, SUBTYPE features a very covetable collection of sneakers, all hand-selected based on their design credentials, exclusivity, innovation, and creativity.

Brosa is a digital-first furniture and homewares brand that's all about disrupting the way we shop for furniture. Located in Rosebery's trendy Cannery Precinct, their recently-opened bricks-and-mortar studio is a space to reimagine your digs and create your dream home—all without the scary price tags, hardcore salespeople, and lengthy lead times. Brosa allows you to shop direct from makers, cutting out the ticket items that tend to make shopping for furniture in Australia so expensive (export fees and warehousing costs). 

The fact of the matter is—a city can never have too many greenhouses and nurseries. And, the newest house plant emporium to land on Sydney soil is hailing in hard from the Central Coast, so bring a car with enough space because you’ll be going home with the lot.

UPDATE: For the course of the COVID-19 lockdown, Bondi Clay has launched a set of online tutorials and take-home clay kits. You can pick up full and half bags of white stoneware clay and tools from the Bondi studio, or have the clay delivered if you live in the Eastern suburbs. 

Sydney’s sassy same-day plant delivery service PlantGirl has opened its first bricks-and-mortar set up in the heart of the Inner West, which means you’ll be able to deck out your digs in lush greenery and bright planters.

Bringing a little Swedish heritage to Sydney, Fjällräven CBD concept store is packed with all the durable gear you could need. And made in classic Scandinavian designs, expect a whole lot of sustainable materials like recycled wool, recycled polyester and PFC-free waterproofing.

Founded in Melbourne, NIQUE's Surry Hills outpost features their full range of minimalist, monochrome and androgynous streetwear. 

Enter Sydney based painter Vicki Lee's eponymous two-storey gallery space and get ready for a sweet sensory experience. 

Bringing its easy-going styling to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Assembly Label’s Manly retail store fits perfectly with the Australian coastal lifestyle. The Scandinavian-inspired fit-out, courtesy of design duo Mr and Mrs White, breathes new life into this Manly street corner.

Chris Kyvetos, the creative mastermind behind the reinvention of luxury stores Harrolds and Assin, has established a new paradigm for 21st century retail with Sneakerboy. Described as an online store that you can walk into, Sneakerboy employs e-commerce technology that allows customers to control their shopping experience, completing their transactions on smartphones and digital devices and having their goods delivered direct to their door, all the while having a physical retail space in which they can browse and try on.

Above The Clouds is a mid to high-end streetwear and sneaker boutique in Darlinghurst, offering some lust-worthy shoe porn that is worth blowing your rent money on.

Espionage has been Sydney’s specialised sneaker and streetwear hub since kicking off in 2002.

The legend behind Tokyo Bird and Osaka Trading Co., has brought Sydney something extra special. Banchō Bar, is the latest venture from Jason Ang, located in the lane behind Quay Street in Haymarket.

After the huge success of their Surry Hills paint and sip studio, Cork & Chroma has added a second location over the bridge in St Leonards, because Sydney’s art scene just won’t quit.

Lyons Gallery showcases never-before-seen glamourous celeb shots from the most collected photographers in the world. 

“Women buy about 27kgs of clothing a year and throw away about 23kgs of that amount away per year,” says EKOLUV founder Emily Kate Symes. Woah.

The brand new Sydney CASA LOEWE flagship store showcases modern elements of Loewe's hometown, while paying homage to the iconic label's heritage.

International brand, MUJI is bringing their minimalist, affordable and uber cool vibes to Westfield Chatswood. Covering over 884 square metres (that’s really freakin’ big) the Japanese store offers errrrythang from clothing and homewares, to skincare and travel products…its literally the ideal one-stop-shop. 

Rejoice, you homeware fanatics. In Bed has just opened its first shop in Paddington and it’s the literal reincarnation of its oh-so-famous virtual store.

NOLM launched first as an online boutique in 2017, sporting a serious edit of some under the radar emerging designers that you would be hard pressed to find in store anywhere in Australia. Now they’ve opened a bricks-and-mortar one-stop-shop in Chippendale, a stone’s through from other cool, ground-breaking Sydney institutions like White Rabbit Gallery and LP’s Quality Meats. 

Slingers of pizza, pasta and other Italian deliciousness, Fratelli Fresh has just opened a mammoth new restaurant in Darling Harbour. 

It’s a fact—bath bombs turn your regular bath into a party bath. Why have everyday tap water for your weekend soak, when you could have water that’s fizzy, scented and softens your skin?

If you haven’t been to The Soda Factory in Surry Hills, do you even Sydney? An institution for anyone over the age of 18, this hidden speakeasy can be found behind a ‘50s Coca-Cola door on Wentworth Avenue.

If you have ever wanted an excuse to purchase a hanging floating chair for home, this is it. German-born furniture company, DEDON has recently opened their first flagship showroom in Sydney and ICYMI, that is very good news for you... and very bad news for your credit card. Located in The Cannery, this place sells woven outdoor furniture that has aesthetic goals written all over it. We're talking about the kind of things you’ve got saved under your dream home Pinterest board and don’t even bother denying it, we all have one.

Get ready to unleash your inner rebel kids because Dr. Martens is making its way down under for their first ever Australian retail store. 

Here to change the jewellery game in Sydney, Sarah & Sebastian just opened their first flagship store on Oxford Street in Paddington. These are the guys behind the super fine jewellery you’ve probably seen on Insta and if you’ve been stuck on what to buy your mum/friend/girlfriend (you get it), you’ve just found it.  

They say a new workout wardrobe is the best way to motivate yourself back into the gym and TBH we’ll take any excuse to kit out our wardrobe. 

Got a special event coming up, but nothing to wear? Never fear—Your Closet, an online rent-a-designer-dress service, has opened its first brick and mortar store in Neutral Bay. 

The three most romantic words in the English language: chocolate gift box. Gift-giving just got a whole lot easier (and prettier) with the beautiful little handcrafted truffles from Good Measure Co.

If you’re not familiar with The Daily Edited (TDE.) then prepare to have your handbag-loving mind blown. TDE. is the place you head (either on the interwebs or in DJ’s Sydney) when you’re in desperate need of personalised leather goodies. ICYMI, every single one is crazy beautiful.

The Galeries is the perfect mix of luxe, artsy and damn delish food. And now it’s getting a brand new addition—the gentSac flagship store. Think of this place as the ultimate destination for the millennial gentleman, whether you’re buying for yourself or your S.O. 

Jillian's Cakery on Elizabeth Street in Sydney's trendy Surry Hills is a haven of vintage cakes. Seriously this place will give you strong primary school bake sale vibes and remind you of your grandmother's kitchen—cue nostalgia and drooling. Jillian Butler quit her corporate day job to pursue her passion for baking and we couldn't be happier that she did because her cakes and other sweet treats are just what the doctor ordered. Jillian's Cakery offers a serene sanctuary where it's the norm to while away an afternoon sipping on coffee, tucking into delicious slices of cake and being treated like princes and princesses with the great service. 

Little Box Of Happiness is an awesome delivery service sending out bundles of joy to happy Sydney siders on the daily. Filled with goodies designed to lift your mood, help you relax and get you enjoying some "me time", the boxes are the perfect gift for anyone who needs a little extra sunshine in their lives, or just for yourself!

Kin & Kind is the home of Sydney’s best workshops for parents, with classes that’ll feed your creativity (hello indoor gardening), your belly (hit up the kimchi workshop) or teaches you how to master the art of the perfect phone-shot movie. Founders Miriam and Josie are the brains behind this genius operation, offering a dynamic alternative to the standard child-focused activities on offer. 

ICYMI birthday cards are so 2016; now the only way to celebrate another spin around the sun is with a big ol’ cake delivered direct to your door.

Okay Sydney—let’s face it. Whether we like to admit it or not, we can be a bit snobby when it comes to our coffee, our wine, and yes even our booze. But what about sake (we know it’s booze, but really, it’s a whooooole thing on its own)? 

Sydney now has a dessert delivery service and all of our dessert dreams have just come true. Sweet Vibes are ridiculously cute and their little boxes are packed with handmade goodies like a Lindt chocolate fudge popsicle (we’re listening), two chocolate pyramids in Tiffany blue (see, cute!), marbled vanilla cookies and a vanilla rose doughnut. 

When The Strand Arcade opens a brand new boutique, it only means one thing—our credit card is in some serious danger—especially when it’s Camilla and Marc. This is the Aussie label’s fifth Sydney boutique and it certainly lives up to the expectations. The interior combines modern luxury with The Strand’s Victorian era design, where marble, glass and timber are king.

Leaf Supply are Sydney's ultimate indoor plant people. Fresh-delivering gifts of greenery and potted happiness to doorsteps around Sydney, Leaf Supply believes green spaces are better places and foliage is the new flower.

If trendy boutiques are your jam then you need to get yourself to The Standard Store in Barangaroo, STAT. 

When you think of wax, it's usually a painful thought of the uncomfortable appointment at your local beautician. But Hutwoods candles will persuade you to think otherwise, with their range of 100% natural soy wax candles emanating scents you didn’t even know existed—but you’ll be oh-so-glad that they do.

What happens when a couple of Irish folks open an American bar and grill? Steak and beer, of course. For any Aussie, this is the ultimate combo, which is exactly what Mr. G’s is serving up on the daily. And by any means, this certainly isn’t your average steakhouse—enjoy your sirloin, rump or scotch, straight out of a wood-fired, charcoal driven oven. The only electricity here is the one you’ll feel when you pair your smoky steak, with an American craft beer or whisky (there’s 100 to choose from FYI).

French-Australian designer Magali Pascal has opened her first Australian Flagship store within Paddington’s The Intersection. Already home to a few of our favourite Australian designers, they’re joining the likes of Camilla, Bassike and Zimmerman, among other bespoke labels (excuse us while we hightail it to Paddington).

Sydney’s newest addition to the luxury fashion scene, Harrolds, has opened up in CBD Westfield. If you’re looking to treat yourself (who isn't?) after a hard-earned promotion, a breakup, running your first marathon, or just for making it to Friday in one piece (totally warranted), we guarantee your next purchase is hiding in Harrolds.

Vintage threads without the massive price tag exists. Whether you’ve been searching for that perfect Persian princess dress (we know you), or a killer new (to you) denim jacket with a story, The Sleeveless Society has done all of the hard work, sifting through the chaos that is second-hand fashion, and have plucked out the good stuff for us. Driven by their passion for one-off statements, the Waverly treasure has hopped on the pre-loved bandwagon, and it’s all available online too, so you don’t even need to leave the house to spend up a storm.

With more to like than just their good looks (and smells), Bondi Wash will have you smelling and feeling great with their non-toxic, biodegradable and plant-based products. We love to support local, and so do these guys, using ingredients sourced from the best Australian suppliers (Tasmanian pepper, Sydney peppermint and lemon tea tree all feature). Their home, body, lifestyle and dog ranges (yes, pups are included), mean there’s something for everyone and every occasion. Is there anything these guys haven't got right? We don't think so.

For the creative amongst us, Petal Post delivers a box of long lasting blooms straight to your doorstep, and they’re just waiting to be whipped up into a totally instaworthy floral arrangement. Perfect for those times when you want to send just a little something, or an everyday I’ve got my life together bouquet, these boxes start at $45, including delivery. And if you’re not as florally focused as some, never fear because the Petal Post team include a floral arranging guide in every box. Make sure to order the night before because these bad boys are picked straight from the market the morning of delivery. Talk about some sweeeeeet petal service.

The Cork & Chroma paint and sip studio has opened in Surry Hills, following three years of crazy success at their flagship studio in Brisbane. We’re pretty glad they’ve come to town and you should be too. These guys run guided painting sessions, where you are encouraged to bring all of your mates and a bottle of wine (it’s BYO) to sip as you paint. We know, it’s pure genius.   

The best things in life are minimalistic so deck yourself out in all things Bassike and join the ranks of the Sydney style set.

If you’re looking for a way to vamp up your interior style (or window shop away a weekend) Sutherland homewares store, Ur Place, was made for you. Specialising in all things monochrome, this trendy lil’ place will make you re-think every bit of Ikea you own (as well as the you had planned on saving).

Lucy Folk is a jewelry and accessories brand that combines designer Lucy’s love for food, travel and design by transforming them into wearable pieces of art. Think super cute hats, pretty sunglasses, a curated collection of clothing, and dainty jewellery. It’s an Australian brand so we can’t help but be a little bit proud. PLAYA is located on the corner of Gould and Hall Streets in Bondi Beach so while you’re taking a stroll through the shops on your beach break, don’t miss this gem. You’ll definitely find a reason to treat yo’self at Lucy Folk.

Joining the ranks of Somedays store in Surry Hills, the Someplace team have opened a brand new outpost in Barangaroo. Basically, they’re trying to bring back the brick and mortar in a time where we are lazily ordering online without ever trying anything on. Stocking brands like Céline, Garrett Leight and Nikben, each piece has been selected to strike a balace between Scandinavian, European, American and local fashion and accessories. 

Lululemon is moving down to Bondi Beach, opening their brand new concept store right there next to the sand (or close to it, anyway). One of only five in the world, the store will stock a curated collection of clothing and swimwear. It’ll basically have all of your favourite Lululemon activewear pieces, plus a whole bunch of brand new pieces.

Some of the world’s best baked cheese tarts have finally landed in Australia and it needs to go on your hit list for this weekend ASAP. Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts have been plating them up to hungry locals in Kuala Lumpur for years and thanks to the team over at Papa Rich, you’ll be able to nab one too. If you're already a fan of the tarts, then you might be in for a slight, barely-there amount of disappointment because the formula is being shaken up slightly, featuring Australian-only cheeses. We're more than okay with the change though, because us Australians definitely know our way around dairy, that's for damn sure.

Saporium is the gift that just keeps on giving. In addition to plying us with coffee, baked goods and healthy food that actually tastes good, they’ve gone and opened a bottle-o with wine and beer refilling stations. Let’s all just take a moment to let that sink in. 

Bondi beach babes unite! The quintessential Australian activewear label, First Base, is popping up in Bondi for the entire duration of summer so you can nail the sports luxe look whenever you’re not busy tanning.

Behind the façade of what looks like a plain ol’ garage in Leichhardt lies coffee haven and car buff’s dream, Kollector Cars and Coffee.

No matter whether you’re after a quick brekkie, relaxed coffee date or late night whisky, Shirt Bar in Barangaroo is sure to impress you. The café-come-bar doubles as a boutique retailer (yes, we’re serious) and is open for breakfast, lunch and tea (our fave).

Tucked away in Cronulla, Anna’s Shop Around the Corner is one of our fave spots in Sydney to cosy up to a good book and sip on velvety hot chocolate on a cold, rainy, winter’s day.

We’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like a good smashed avocado on toast, so Bondi’s new toast bar, Mr Topper’s should be on everyone’s list. You can dine-in with some classic 60s music and take in the New York vibe, or grab your brunch on the go and one of their refreshing iced coffees. Mr Topper’s has every possible toast topping under the sun on the menu for $11. To be more specific, there’s nine different topping combinations served on a thick slice of delicious toast. THE DAILY is a classic avocado smash with feta and chilli flakes and for any bacon and egg lovers out there we recommend that you go for the HOMESTYLE, which has crispy bacon, muddled egg, and sweet tomato chutney as the topping. 

If you’re looking to treat yourself to a little retail therapy, Collector Store by the harbour at Barangaroo is definitely worth your hard earned cash. From the legends that brought you the oh-so-famous Crown Street boutique of the same name, this mini fashion mecca has all the goodies your wardrobe and home wants (but probably doesn’t need).

Charlie Rabbit is Sydney’s ultimate dessert bar, and they’re committed to satisfying that sweet tooth of yours in a single visit to their CBD store (although you’ll no doubt be back again for round two). 

If #cleaneating is the way you choose to live, you should probably choose to shop at Naked Foods at Tramsheds too.

Sydney’s first ever Egyptian food truck has finally arrived and these guys are serving up Cairo’s three most traditional—and delicious—dishes. All three are vegetarian and jam packed with flavour as you’d expect, plus they’ve got a whole lot of superfoods in them to boot—yes we’re serious. This one is the Taameva, served in a traditional balady flatbread pouch, with tomato, cucumbers, pickles, radish and tahini, these super food patties are like falafels but better. We’ve also got our eye on the Koshary, lentils, macaroni and rice topped with Middle Eastern spiced tomato sauce and may or may not be drooling at the thought of it.

Another notch has been added to Barangaroo’s bedpost, with the opening of European-style food emporium, Bel & Brio. We’re talking 800 square metres of wining, dining, take away and shopping and it is one of the only places in the area that you can head to, to pick up your weekly essentials, a morning coffee or a quick lunch. Once the sun goes down they’re even serving wine and cocktails as well as a light dinner. 

If you’re hesitant to head online for a much needed wardrobe overhaul, then you’ll love the Style Lab concept store by online retailer, Kent and Lime. It all starts in exactly the same way as it does with their online store – by answering a few questions about your personal style. But that is where the process changes, because now you’ll actually get to try on your new clothes on the spot.

Attention to the self-confessed bakery lovers of the Inner West. It would be wise for you all to abort the seven-day juice cleanses, ditch the no-carb-sugar-free-no-fun diets and forget the plans for that perfect summer bod, (well, at least temporarily) because there is going to be a tasty new addition to Newtown in the delicious form of the Bourke Street Bakery, located on King Street.

Finally launching their very own brick and mortar store in Sydney, Grumpy Donuts is your newest go-to for artisan doughnuts. They are known for flavours like the Choc Oreo Peanut Butter and S’Mores as well as their ridiculous Maple Bacon bar, which is just as delicious as you are imagining. There will also be a barista on hand to brew up your morning caffeine hit, which is perfect, since coffee and doughnuts are one of our favourite combos and we assume it’s one of yours as well.

Cult Marrickville Brewery, Wildflower, will be opening their doors from 8 June for tastings next month, and if craft brews and takeaway beer related goodies sound like something you’d be into then keep reading. To celebrate the opening, Wildflower will release two limited edition brews—Gold and Amber blends—and they’ll be selling a limited quantity of each, so get in quick.

Since the success of their health food store in Manly, oFarm has recently opened a store and raw café in the new fresh section of Westfield Warringah Mall. oFarm sells certified, biodynamic and chemical free goods, so if you're after something a little healthier, this is the place you need to go where you can buy absolutely everything; from meat and dairy to bread and grocery items including many organic treats.

Chef Dan McGuirt of Jazz City Diner fame is bringing American style doughnuts and coffee to the streets of Sydney with Jazz City Joe Dough in the QVB. In partnership with the guys from Jet Bar Caffe, the guys here are utilising organic ingredients and natural flavours to serve up handcrafted American doughnuts and coffee in the CBD.

Grifter Brewing Co is blessing Marrickville locals with a copious selection of beers from their epic brewery and tasting bar (and said locals are more than a little bit excited about it). They’ve got it all—from American Red Ales to German Helles Larger and if you like your beer, you’ll love it here. Open Wednesday to Sunday it’s the perfect place for a Friday after work bev or a Sunday session with your mates. You know what to do.

Devoted to bringing back the essence of good, simple food, Berkelo Bakery’s food (and life) philosophies are something we can easily get behind. Focused on long fermentation breads, using local ingredients and enjoying ‘naughty foods’ in moderation are what Berkelo Bakery is all about. This Brookvale bakery uses 100% Australian stoneground flours for all of their breads and pastries.