Things to do around Redfern, NSW

Travellarks, Things to do in Redfern, Sydney

Things to Do Around Redfern, NSW: A Guide to Food, Art, and Local Culture

Things to do around Redfern, NSW, go far beyond the typical Sydney experience. Redfern stands on Gadigal land and today, is one of Sydney’s hippest neighbourhoods – where art, food and coffee seem to dominate. And grotty is groovy. It’s now a destination suburb, vibrant and happening, just a stone’s throw from the city, Sydney, with an ever-growing number of trendy cafes, street murals, Redfern markets, galleries and pubs.

A Hot Spot for Food, Art, Politics and Culture

Redfern’s creative culture is woven into the fabric of the suburb, and it’s obvious from the moment you step onto the streets. The food scene is just as diverse as its art, with everything from cool cafes offering locally-sourced brunches to innovative restaurants featuring international flavours.

The neighbourhood is home to creative spaces where both established and emerging artists showcase their work, giving you a glimpse into the contemporary and Indigenous art scenes that thrive here. You’ll also see installations and political murals like “Tony Abbott marrying himself” and loads of street art that transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. This makes every corner of Redfern feel like an open-air gallery.

Whether you’re hunting for unique pieces at local boutiques, grabbing a coffee at a trendy café, or knocking back great street food at one of the many festivals, Redfern’s creative vibe keeps inspiration and engagement for locals and visitors. It’s not just a place to visit—it’s a place to experience.

Getting About Redfern

Redfern is about 10 mins by taxi and 30 min by bus from Sydney Airport. It’s also within easy access to Central Station and Metro services, railway and frequent bus network, to take you to the CBD, Circular Quay and across to the beaches. Walk or cycle everywhere or use the Go Get cars if you need wheels to Eveleigh or Fox Studio Markets, the Entertainment Quarter and beyond.

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Meeting Old with The New Redfern NSW

Wellness & Pampering Around Redfern

  • Beverley and Emilie’s Hairdressing: A high-end, creative hair salon offering personalised haircuts, colours, and treatments. Experience a very clever duo doing what they love. 144 Regent St, Redfern NSW. Ph: 0423 105 966
  • The Wholistic Medical Centre: Holistic Health. Combining traditional and alternative therapies, this centre offers acupuncture, naturopathy, and wellness consultations for mind and body healing. 6/50-56 O’Riordan St, Alexandria NSW Ph: (02) 9699 2022
  • Luna Apothecary: a go-to for high-quality natural skincare products and wellness items, perfect for treating yourself or finding unique self-care essentials. 3/50-58 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW Ph: (02) 9212 1435
  • Venustus: A luxury skincare clinic offering facials, skin treatments, and wellness services in an indulgent environment. 2/123 Oxford St, Paddington.
  • Mo+Wellness; Holistic Therapies – massage, acupuncture, yoga, and nutritional guidance. 2/38-40 Spring St, Bondi Junction NSW. Ph: (02) 9389 1849
  • Slow House: offers calming services like yoga, sound therapy, and mindfulness practices. 72 Hall St, Bondi Beach NSW. Ph: (02) 9130 7027
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Holistic Medical Team Redfern NSW

Explore & Discover Around Redfern

Outdoor Activities and Day Tripping:

  • Join a Redfern and Chippendale Walking Tour Including Coffee, and explore the neighbourhood through Art, Architecture and History. level 1/30-34 Wilson St, Newtown NSW.Ph1300776043
  • The Bearded Tit: A creative space for the local and LGBTIQA+ community. There’s a warm and welcoming vibe in this gallery/bar- nice drinks, music and a beautiful inspiring creative space with interesting conversation. Plus, you’ll experience performances and events outside of traditional gallery spaces and nightclubs.
  • Paramount Coffee Project shouldn’t be missed. This is an industrial-chic cafe with high ceilings, turning out creative, diner-style food like fried chicken. 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills in the Paramount House Hotel.
  • Virgin Active Moore Park
  • Fox Studios Australia
  • Sydney Park (St Peters): A huge, green space perfect for cycling, walking, and picnicking, with a lovely view of the city skyline. It’s dog-friendly, and you can often catch locals having a casual game of soccer or enjoying one of the park’s many walking trails.
  • Victoria Park Pool: City Road Corner of, Parramatta Rd, Camperdown
  • Hop on the metro or bus to Centennial Park or Circular Quay
  • The Royal Botanic Garden: Not too far from Circular Quay, this botanical gardens is a lovely walks, events, and regular outdoor movie nights during the warmer months.
  • Redfern Park: A little hidden park and local gem for relaxing in the heart of the neighbourhood, it’s perfect for a bit of quiet time. There’s also a sports field and tennis courts.
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Victoria Park Pool Chippendale Sydney NSW

Festivals Around Redfern:

  • Redfern Festival: Held annually, this festival celebrates Redfern’s diverse community with live music, food, and art installations.
  • The Sydney Fringe Festival: Check out performances, art installations, and pop-up events across Redfern, Chippendale, and nearby areas as part of this huge local celebration of independent arts.
  • Redfern Film Festival: This film festival celebrates diverse voices and stories, with a focus on local filmmakers and international films that tell unique stories of culture, social change, and community.
  • Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival: Usually held around November, this festival celebrates female jazz artists, with performances across various venues in and around Redfern.
  • Mardi Gras Parade & Festival: While not always directly in Redfern, the Mardi Gras events are part of the broader Surry Hills and Darlinghurst area. There are always smaller pop-up celebrations around Redfern, too, so it’s worth keeping an eye out!
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2020 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Sydney NSW

Indoor Events, Galleries, Breweries and Unique Events:

  • The Bearded Tit: A creative space for the local and LGBTIQA+ community. There’s a warm and welcoming vibe in this gallery/bar- nice drinks, music and a beautiful inspiring creative space with interesting conversation. Plus, you’ll experience performances and events outside of traditional gallery spaces and nightclubs.
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The Bearded Tit Redfern NSW
  • Cooee Art Leven Gallery: Australia’s oldest Aboriginal fine art gallery, in the former custard factory. The gallery showcases a stunning collection of ethically sourced contemporary Indigenous art, including paintings, bark art, early desert boards, sculpture, and limited-edition prints. See ever changing solo exhibitions and curated art collections, showcasing both up-and-coming and well-known Indigenous artists. There’s over 3,000 pieces here from more than 150 artists. The gift shop has prints, books, handmade gifts, and unique artefacts. Every piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, plus Cooee Art Leven is proud to be a member of the Indigenous Art Code.
  • Peach Black Gallery: a unique Contemporary Art Gallery with a range of paintings, figurative art, classes in water-colour and music events. 126 Abercrombie St, Chippendale
  • UMBER Aboriginal Art Dealer: Lower Ground, 23 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW
  • Aboriginal & Pacific Art: Small gallery open since 2017 championing indigenous & oceanic regional artists.
  • Check out the art, filming, festivals, fairs and commercial exhibitions at Carriage Works (at the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops) at 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
  • The National Art School: a short walk from Redfern and the oldest art school in the country. See open studios, events, and exhibitions from emerging artists.
  • Sydney Dance Company: offers performances and sometimes open classes or rehearsals.
  • Artspace: is a contemporary art space with exhibitions that push boundaries. Check out some awesome avant-garde Australian art and installations. Woolloomooloo.
  • The Factory Theatre: just a short hop from Redfern, it’s a popular venue for independent theatre, live music, and stand-up comedy. Marrickville
  • Greens Square and Surry Hills Libraries for events, programs and quiet space.
  • MCA, Circular Quay
  • White Rabbit Gallery: A shout out for it’s fantastic contemporary Chinese art, immersive exhibits and thought-provoking, plus it’s free entry!
  • Brett Whiteley Studio

Good Eats Around Redfern: Burger Joints, Pizza Spots and Local Favourites

  • Biri Biri Restaurant: Aboriginal restaurant with affordable comfort food with 1/2 the profits donated to Aboriginal Health and Education causes.137 Redfern St, Redfern NSW
  • Bread & Butter Project: this social enterprise bakery. They put 100% of our profits into providing training and employment pathways for people seeking refuge in Australia, who aspire to become bakers. Plus, the bread is absolutely delicious! 36G Fitzroy St, Marrickville NSW
  • Redfern Fish and Chips: Bill, Nick and the Team run a fabulous Fish and Chips establishment – super hot and crispy! It’s Takeaway and Dine In with an outdoor seating and a kids’ menu. Bad news? They don’t accept reservations for dining in. Good news – it’s worth the wait! 114 George St, Redfern NSW
  • Three Williams Cafe: Urban warehouse style with inventive day time menu. 613A Elizabeth St, Redfern NSW
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Three Williams Cafe Food Redfern NSW Photgraphy Natalie Sum
  • Bart Juniors: seasonal pub food & shared plates, plus wine, craft beer & cocktails. 92 Pitt St, Redfern NSW
  • Clem’s Chicken Shop: a super popular late-night haunt. 210 King St, Newtown NSW
  • Dad and The Frog Cafe – serving up stellar specialty coffee and a menu that will have you licking your lips in delight, all without pomp and pretense. Fitzroy Street in Surry Hills.
  • North Sandwich and Burger, South Eveleigh: Expect big things from our little sandwich shop – classic and gourmet sandwiches along with delicious burgers and healthy salads. Open 9am to 2;30pm Monday to Friday

North-Sandwich-and-Burger-Chips-South-Eveleigh-Redfern-NSW-TravellarksGourmet Sandwich and Chips. North Sandwich And Burger, South Eveleigh. Redfern, NSW

  • Gibbons Street Cafe, Redfern – a beautiful, thoughtfully crafted space, where artisan passion and technical mastery combine, creating both exceptional coffee and food.
  • Fernside Coffee Shoppe: Generous portions, good coffee. 401B Cleveland St, Redfern
  • Brewdog, South Eveleigh: Burgers, famous wings, pizza and parmies. Up to 50% of our menu is plant-based with gluten free options. Enjoy special release beers, pus 2-4-1 pizza Mondays and All-You-Can-Eat Wings Wednesdays
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Brewdog Bar and Eats South Eveleigh rEDFERN
  • First Drop Cafe located at 69 Baptist Street, Redfern – a cosy, busy place for single-origin coffee, diverse brunch dishes with a Mediterranean twist
  • St Jude – a cool, snug spot offering a clever cafe menu, including all-day breakfast, coffee & wine
  • Milli Vini Bistro & Wine Bar, Crown St
  • Misfits at The Redfern: With funk 60’s and 70’s neon signs inspired decor. It has a extensive drink list – craft beers to fancy cocktails and wines. Nestle yourself into a booth by the bar, cosy up by the fire in the secret cocktail lounge behind the bookcase or hang out in the glasshouse courtyard amongst the lush greenery. The cuisine? Shared menus with a drink. 106 George St, Redfern.
  • The Arts Syndicate: A unique wine bar and vibrant Art Gallery experience. They source all wines, beers, and spirits from talented NSW makers, vineyards, and suppliers. Boasts over 450 wineries and a thriving community of more than 70 distilleries. Shop 3 344 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW

Foodies Around Redfern: Gourmet and Fine Dining

  • Eat Fuh: These guys have turned pho lovers into FUH-natics. Eat Fuh is a family-run business specialising in Vietnam’s national dish – the mighty Fuh (Pho). Shop 2, 1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh NSW
  • Fish Bowl: Founded in 2016 with a simple goal – change fast food, change the culture. They make made-to-order salads with a Japanese twist, beautifully. Shop 7, 1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh NSW. Open 11am to 8pm Monday to Friday.
  • Cafe Oratnek – Kenny Takayama, former Head Chef at Bills, Darlinghurst, has turned his dream into reality with Oratnek. Kenny emphasizes simplicity, quality, and authenticity in his menu, with everything made in-house except for coffee and Sonoma-supplied bread. His food blends Australian flavours with subtle Asian influences, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Open Mon: 7:00am – 1:30am (Kitchen closed; coffee, drinks, and pastries only), Tues to Fri: 7:00am – 3:30am, Holidays and Weekends: 8am – 3:30pm
  • Henry Lees, Redfern – This is a groovy concept café kitchen and collaborative space in the newly developed Arts and Culture precinct. Expect plenty of flavour and freshness. 16 Eveleigh Street Redfern
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Henry Lees Redfern NSW
  • Mr Wong (12 min away): Modern Cantonese-style food in a larger than life way, serving over 80 dishes from dim sum to classic mud crab and more. It’s a lavish French-colonial setting you’ll love. Bookings are essential. 3 Bridge Ln, Sydney NSW
  • Deli 14 – Nick and Olivia’s coffee shop is influenced by New York delicatessens with a European twist, with a selection of gourmet toasties, sandwiches and salads and sell artisan products, cheeses and cured meats. Their priority is to propose the crème de la crème of products from different cuisines while supporting small Australian businesses. Located at 191 Regent St, Redfern
  • Kepos Street Kitchen
  • Bills Crown St, Surry Hills
  • Blacksmith – For breaky, health food, bakery, functions. 116 Chalmers St, Surry Hills, NSW

Bakeries and Sweet Patisseries

  • Bourke St Bakery
  • La Renaissance French Bakery Cafe
  • Henry Lees, Redfern – This is a groovy concept café kitchen + collaborative space located in the newly developed arts + culture precinct. Expect plenty of flavour and freshness. 16 Eveleigh Street Redfern
  • Little Evie Cafe – What a little treat this place is! It has a passion for coffee and creating delicious food and baked desserts. Plus it’s pooch friendly. 688 Bourke St, Redfern
  • Gelato Messina: Besides delicious gelato, order your gelato cake for celebrations online or in store. Surry Hills, 389 Crown St
  • Little Fern on Regent: Organic bakery best known for their sumptuous Burnt Basque cheesecake. Plenty of sweet treats and sweet smiles here! Shop F/66 Regent St, Redfern
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Little Fern Bakery on Regent Redfern NSW

Redfern Markets and Providores

  • The Source, Crown St
  • Zensation Tea House– Shop 160/806 Bourke St, Waterloo
  • Sydney Sustainable Markets: A premier market dedicated to fresh, organic, and sustainably sourced products.
  • Surry Hills Markets (held on the first Saturday of every month): local fashion, art, handmade goods, and street food. There’s often live music too.
  • Carriageworks Farmers Market: Held every Saturday, this market is fantastic if you’re looking for local produce and artisanal goods. While you’re there, you might catch a live music event or art installation.
  • Fox Studios Markets: A unique food market with a range of local and international delicacies and gourmet items.
  • Redfern Fruit Market: 193 Regent St, Redfern
  • Colins Butchery – Master of the Meat: Colin selects all meats in whole carcass form, ensuring maximum freshness and quality. Specialising in superior-grade meats, the butchery ages each cut to perfection, bringing out the best in flavoUr. Over 120 fresh, handmade products are crafted daily, including artisan sausages, traditional wood-smoked ham and bacon, handmade stuffingS, marinated cuts, crumbing, boning, and custom slicing. Preparing meals or getting expert advice on the perfect cut is easy here. We highly recommend their Christmas hams and rolled Pork for roasting. 27/2/4 Defries Ave, Zetland.
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Master of The Meat Colins Butchery Zetland NSW

Retail Escapes Around Redfern, NSW

  • Simply Native Japan: 1/148 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills 2010
  • Working closely with Japanese artisans with generations of traditional knowledge and innovative techniques, Simply Native Japan aims to introduce Japanese craftsmanship into the modern Australian lifestyle. They have over 400 pieces of craftwork from all over Japan that were hand picked by the owner, Yukino. They also offer bespoke interior materials for your home. 1/148 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, NSW
  • Waterloo Design Centre; 201/197 Young Street, Surry Hills NSW
  • The DEA Store West: Beautiful, handmade gifts – crockery, fabrics, garden, jewellery and more. Ever changing artists exhibitions as well. 146 Regent St, Redfern NSW
  • UMBER Aboriginal Art Dealer: Lower Ground, 23 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW
  • The Record Store: 34/277 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW
  • Cooee Art Leven Gallery and Gift Shop: prints, books, handmade gifts, and unique artefacts. Every piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, plus Cooee Art Leven is proud to be a member of the Indigenous Art Code. 17 Thurlow St., Redfern, Sydney. Open from 10am to 5pm.
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Art Display at Cooee Art Leven Redfern NSW
  • Broadway Shopping Centre, Ultimo: 1 Bay St, Glebe NSW
  • East Village Shopping Centre: 4 Defries Ave, Zetland NSW
  • Uturn Recycled Fashion Surry Hills: 33/277 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW
  • Supa Centre, Moore Park: 2a Todman Ave, Kensington NSW
  • Paddington Markets: 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW
  • Surry Hills Vintage Market: 275 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW

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Fishcakes, Seal rocks, mid coast, NSW, Australia

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