Surry Hills is an inner-city neighbourhood of Sydney, south of the CBD and east of Central Station, that has transformed over several decades from a working-class district of terrace houses into one of Sydney's most active eating and drinking precincts. The change happened gradually — artists and designers moved in first, then cafes and restaurants followed, and the neighbourhood never quite lost its edge even as the prices rose.
Crown Street and its cross streets are the main axis, with a dense concentration of cafes, wine bars, and restaurants. The food scene is genuinely good and varied, ranging from Vietnamese and Japanese spots to modern Australian cooking. The neighbourhood is particularly strong for breakfast and brunch, and for casual dining in the evening.
The streets of Victorian terrace houses give it a more human scale than the glass towers a few blocks north. It is walkable and easily reached from the city centre, making it a natural first stop for anyone wanting to eat well in Sydney.