4 Tips for Visiting Chippendale, Sydney

Tucked in cosily between Broadway and Cleveland Street, Chippendale is one of Sydney’s favourite Uni sets. With the Central Park development and a plethora of art-watching, eating and drinking establishments, a visit to Chippendale will be anything but boring. From an amazing White Rabbit Collection to frequent pop-ups around town, you’ll constantly find new things to do and have an amazing time in Chippendale. If you’re there for the first time, here’s what you shouldn’t miss.

Check out the amazing architecture

In the early days of Sydney’s existence, Chippendale had been a shanty town surrounding an enormous brewery. When the brewery closed in 2005, the heritage buildings of the brewery were transformed by a visionary Dr Stanley Quek. Australia then got the most thrilling urban burrow called Central Park. The new modern village is a delicate mixture of offices, apartments, restaurants, shops, and a public park. If you find yourself in Chippendale, be sure to take a stroll down Central Park to admire its ecological skyscraper covered by the world's tallest vertical garden. Wander around outdoor sculptures, including Turpin and Crawford's minimalist Halo. Across the road at the University of Technology Sydney, you’ll come across the first Australian building nicknamed "the squashed brown paper bag building."

Indulge in tasty foods

If you’re a foodie, then you shouldn’t miss out on a delicious feast of Asian street food at this contemporary outdoor foodie destination. Spice Alley is the local Asian food district where you’ll see permanent stalls lined up across the facade of Kensington Street's heritage terrace houses. A small lantern-lit courtyard will enchant you with its bustling character. For those who’d like to taste something other than Asian food, they can find delicious meals at local cafes and restaurants. Speaking of Chippendale restaurants, A1Canteen offers cutting-edge dinners with some amazing coffee mixes and sweet delights. This neatly-designed hub of cookery opens at 10 AM and will offer you everything from curried scrambled eggs, Branston pickle, cheddar, sour cucumber and leg ham on an English muffin to Diamond Bay clams for dinner.

Don’t skip fine beverages either

Whether you’re a cosmopolitan girl or a beer-liking fella, Chippendale has a rich selection of pubs for all persuasions. Enjoy a great assortment of craft beers, exceptional wines and a seasonal menu of updated pub classics. You can find new pubs and bars with enticing concepts that allow you to bring your own drinks at the bar while they supply the cheese. You’ll be delighted with a selection of Australian and international soft, hard, white mould, and washed rind cow cheese in Chippendale.

Soak up the art

When in Chippendale, you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the remarkable White Rabbit Gallery. What once was an old knitting factory now houses the world's largest and most significant collection of contemporary Chinese art outside of China. Start your art exploration on a free guided tour to understand the unconventional political pop art, mesmerizing sculptures and other eccentric pieces on display. When you need rest from the exhibitions, catch a breath at one of the cafes which serve fabulous dumplings and a wide range of Chinese and Taiwanese teas. From oolong to white teas, chrysanthemum teas and cooling lychee or green iced tea, you can enjoy fine refreshments while getting ready for more art extravaganza. If you’d like to see some cutting-edge installations, stop by Galerie Pom Pom. The most popular Sydney and Melbourne-based artists have their pieces displayed there, so don't miss a chance to enjoy a true Australian artwork.

Final thoughts

Chippendale is one of Australia's hypes that is definitely more than worthy of a visit. If you ever find yourself in this cute part of the Land Down Under, make sure you try out all the tasty foods and drinks, enjoy the architecture and marvel at all the cutting-edge art it offers.