Surry Hills

Sydney

An inner-city neighbourhood of Victorian terrace houses south-east of the CBD, packed with Sydney's best cafés, restaurants and small bars.

Best for Nightlife · Budget

Transport: 4/5
Sights: 2/5
Value: 4/5
Quiet: 3/5
Food: 5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$170/night · 15 min to Circular Quay

See hotels in Surry Hills

Why stay here

Sydney's best cafés and restaurants
Close to Central station
Characterful terrace streets

Who should stay here

Food lovers
Return visitors
Travellers who want a local neighbourhood

Not ideal if…

You want harbour views
You want a beach
You want lots of hotel choice

What it's like

Surry Hills is where Sydney eats and drinks. Crown Street and the streets around it are lined with cafés, wine bars and restaurants in old terraces and warehouses, and Oxford Street and Darlinghurst are next door for nightlife and the city's LGBTQ+ scene.

It's a great base for food lovers and repeat visitors, with Central station at the bottom of the hill for the airport and trains. There are fewer hotels and no big sights, and it's a 20 to 30 minute walk to the harbour.

Best streets and sub-areas

Crown Street
The main street of restaurants and bars.
Bourke Street
Cafés, bakeries and quiet terraces.
Oxford Street
Nightlife on the Darlinghurst border.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Central station for trains and the airport, the L2/L3 light rail on Devonshire Street, and buses up Crown Street.
To Circular Quay: About 15 minutes
From Sydney Airport: About 20 minutes: airport train to Central, then a short walk.

Nearby attractions

Brett Whiteley Studio
The late artist's studio, free to visit.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Sunken garden in an old reservoir, a short walk east.
Paddington Markets
Saturday market of local designers on Oxford Street.

Where to eat and drink

Crown Street
Restaurants of every cuisine.
Brunch cafés
Sydney's famous brunch culture at its best.
Small bars
Wine and cocktail bars in old terraces.

Where to stay in Surry Hills

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

Paramount House Hotel

Why we like it: Design hotel in the former Paramount Pictures building.

Typical mid-range rate in Surry Hills: ~$170/night

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