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The best places to go out in Surry Hills, Sydney

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Posted 09 Jan 2025

By
Amelia Ball

Inside Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills, Sydney

Does this vibrant inner-Sydney pocket actually have it all? These top bars and restaurants make a very strong case.

People often pick on Sydneysiders for never crossing the city and leaving their own little ’hood. But to anyone who lives in Surry Hills, we absolutely get it if you tend to stay close to home. For a jam-packed suburb that offers everything from grunge to glam, cheap to chic, party to sophisticated and so much more (sometimes all in the one strip), why would you go anywhere else? 

If it’s been a while since you ventured into Surry Hills, we’ve rounded up some of the highlight bars and restaurants to check out on your next visit. Whether you’re chasing a tiki-inspired cocktail, a hit of quality Italian, Japanese or Mexican, or a moody spot for the best date night out, it’s all here in Surry Hills.

The best places to go out in Surry Hills, Sydney
Sydney
Itō
Fusion is back and better than ever at this Surry Hills hotspot that flies the flag for two of Sydney’s favourite cuisines – Italian and Japanese – and rocks a top-notch drinks list.
Sydney
White Horse
This old inner-city pub is full of new tricks thanks to a no-holds-barred revamp by an all-star cast of hospo pros, now delivering thoughtful drinks and smart food at locals-friendly prices.
Sydney
Poly
Come to this pared-back hidey-hole in one of Sydney’s coolest neighbourhoods for the frisky wines and breezy cocktails and stay for the clever wood-fired snackage.
Sydney
Tucano’s
Expect a sunshower of tropical cocktails and fun fruity wines set amid technicolour splendour with tropical prints, a bit of Miami vibe and a good helping of disco dazzle.
Sydney
Kurumba
The cocktails at this Sri Lankan restaurant are as layered and fragrant as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean itself, making fine partners to the beautifully spiced dishes.
Sydney
Bar Soul
The Soul Dining team deftly delivers Korean small plates with fetching wines, showing the food isn’t just a standalone thing of excellence, but a magical match for the grape as well.
Sydney
Lokal
With natural wines, vermouth on ice, killer snacks and a breezy outlook, pocket-sized Lokal is punching well above its weight in a forgotten slice of Surry Hills.
Sydney
Wyno x Bodega
Sydney’s original rock ’n’ roll tapas haunt collides with a bar-bottle shop to offer killer snacks backed up by a wine offering that moves to the beat of the staff.
Sydney
Bar Copains
“Copains” means “buddies” in French and you’ll want to make friends with this charming neighbourhood bar with its strong wine game and clever European-leaning snacks.
Sydney
Pellegrino 2000
In a city not short of fine Italian eateries, the skilful cooking of an acclaimed chef, the unflinchingly Italian wine list and charming staff make Pellegrino 2000 a Sydney hotspot.
Sydney
Bar Conte
Come for the pick-and-mix menu of 20 Negronis, stay for the exclusively Italian wines, house-made focaccia and Negroni-flavoured tiramisu at this family-run neighbourhood bar.
Sydney
Gildas
Head to Spain’s Basque Country via Sydney’s Surry Hills for small plates of bold flavours, a deep-dive into Spanish wines and sherries, and peerless hospitality.
Sydney
The Rover
A name change and glow-up have put a spring back into The Rover’s step, placing this neighbourhood mainstay back on the map as a grown-up drinking and dining destination.
Sydney
Eileen’s Bar – Four Pillars Gin
It’s the bar at the Four Pillars Gin Laboratory, but this well-designed, friendly venue is a fully realised bar in its own right, provided, of course, that you’re a fan of the juniper juice.
Sydney
Bar Suze
A cosy next-gen Euro-style wine bar with a Scandinavian edge, Bar Suze stakes a claim as Surry Hills’ next big thing with alt wines and a weekly changing menu.
Sydney
Tio’s Cerveceria
Sydney’s best Margarita bar, Tio’s Cerveceria feels like a jam-packed cantina in Mexico where the drinks are cold, the music is loud and the good times never stop.
Sydney
Tokyo Bird

Tokyo Bird leans on the pillars of a Japanese drinking den, offering snacks with an emphasis on yakitori skewers and an enviable collection of whisky and cocktails.

image credits: Top image, Pellegrino 2000.
Authour image
Amelia BallAmelia Ball is a journalist, editor and former Editorial Director of Halliday Wine Companion, who specialises in drinks, food and travel.
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