Guidebook for Balmain
Food Scene
Our favourite Italian restaurant in Balmain. Pizza is great and meals always delicious. Owned by a Sicilian family.
Gigi's Pizza Balmain
239 Darling StreetOur favourite Italian restaurant in Balmain. Pizza is great and meals always delicious. Owned by a Sicilian family.
This restaurant is more expensive than Gigis however they have a wood-fired oven and make a really fantastic Margherita.
Il Casale Nobili
374 Darling StreetThis restaurant is more expensive than Gigis however they have a wood-fired oven and make a really fantastic Margherita.
Despite the French name, this is a Turkish-owned cafe serving fantastic food all day. They are warm and welcoming and we've always loved the variety of food.
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Le Cafeier
322 Darling StDespite the French name, this is a Turkish-owned cafe serving fantastic food all day. They are warm and welcoming and we've always loved the variety of food.
Our favourite Indian restaurant. These guys are quite famous and usually provide excellent service. All the usual dishes are here however it's focused more on North Indian cuisine.
Manjits Balmain
360 Darling StOur favourite Indian restaurant. These guys are quite famous and usually provide excellent service. All the usual dishes are here however it's focused more on North Indian cuisine.
Our go-to coffee shop. The best coffee in Balmain (in my opinion). Service can sometimes be disorganised, but worth the wait. Food is ok. If anything, try the Börek.
411 Darling St
411 Darling StreetOur go-to coffee shop. The best coffee in Balmain (in my opinion). Service can sometimes be disorganised, but worth the wait. Food is ok. If anything, try the Börek.
Expensive but outstanding restaurant, just across the road. Highly recommended for a special occasion.
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Efendy Restaurant
79 Elliott StExpensive but outstanding restaurant, just across the road. Highly recommended for a special occasion.
Drinks & Nightlife
Closest pub. We haven't ever been (not bar people) but they seem to have a good selection of food along with crafty beers on tap.
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Cat & Fiddle Hotel
456 Darling StClosest pub. We haven't ever been (not bar people) but they seem to have a good selection of food along with crafty beers on tap.
The Cottage is a trendy inside/outside bar in Balmain. It's not very cheap but a great place to enjoy a hot summer's evening.
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The Cottage Bar & Kitchen
342 Darling StThe Cottage is a trendy inside/outside bar in Balmain. It's not very cheap but a great place to enjoy a hot summer's evening.
Mexican with style. Cantina is our go-to place if we feel like a few drinks and something to nibble on. I wouldn't come here if I was hungry as you pay a lot and get a little (but It's VERY good)
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Cantina Bar
350 Darling StMexican with style. Cantina is our go-to place if we feel like a few drinks and something to nibble on. I wouldn't come here if I was hungry as you pay a lot and get a little (but It's VERY good)
Essentials
Grocery shopping if you're into organic, free range, artisanal, or just freakin' tasty food. It's more expensive than Woolies, but definitely worth it for fresh items and bread.
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About Life Rozelle
605 Darling StGrocery shopping if you're into organic, free range, artisanal, or just freakin' tasty food. It's more expensive than Woolies, but definitely worth it for fresh items and bread.
Sightseeing
Walk around the foreshore, or catch a ferry. Some of the best views of the city are from here.
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Mort Bay Park
Mort StreetWalk around the foreshore, or catch a ferry. Some of the best views of the city are from here.
Definitely come for a walk to Ballast Point. There are old ruines from the first settlement in Sydney and brilliant views of the harbour bridge.
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Ballast Point Park
Ballast Point RoadDefinitely come for a walk to Ballast Point. There are old ruines from the first settlement in Sydney and brilliant views of the harbour bridge.
Wharf with the best view in Sydney. As you walk out on the whalf there will just be water leading up to the high-rise buildings and bridge on the other side. Catch the bus down darling street.
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Balmain East Wharf station
Wharf with the best view in Sydney. As you walk out on the whalf there will just be water leading up to the high-rise buildings and bridge on the other side. Catch the bus down darling street.
Shopping
Birkenhead shopping centre has a lot of major brands with significant discounts from retail prices. This can be good if you can stomach the crowds in the carpark and inside.
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Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet
19 Roseby StBirkenhead shopping centre has a lot of major brands with significant discounts from retail prices. This can be good if you can stomach the crowds in the carpark and inside.
The best shopping centre if you want to be able to drive and park. Free parking for 3 hours, easy to get to and everything you probably need.
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Broadway Sydney
1 Bay StThe best shopping centre if you want to be able to drive and park. Free parking for 3 hours, easy to get to and everything you probably need.