12 things to do in Marrickville
Every year, Time Out Magazine asks thousands of local experts to categorise their top picks for fun, food, culture and everything in between. Sydney’s inner west precinct of Marrickville has just been voted one of 40 of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, coming in at number 10. It’s the tremendous diversity of Marrickville and the unique mix of a flourishing craft beer movement, global food scene, live music and bustling markets that really make this suburb a standout.
01 Batch Brewing Co.
Brewing an ever-changing menu of small-batch handcrafted beer, Batch regularly experiment with different flavours and concepts that push the boundaries of beer making. Recent creations include a lemon meringue pie sour ale, a coffee milk stout in collaboration with Sydney coffee roaster Campos and a coconut IPA. Their taphouse has plenty of space to sit and relax with a pint or a jug, and a rotating range of food trucks are usually parked out the front.
batchbrewingco.com.au; 44 Sydenham Road
02 Poor Toms Gin Hall
Housed in a converted warehouse in Marrickville, Poor Toms was launched by two gin-loving mates, Griffin and Jesse in 2015. As well as a distillery, the venue has a sunlit, plant-filled gin hall where visitors can sit at the bar for handcrafted cocktails and gin flights. Sip their original Sydney Dry Gin in a tonic, or try their much-loved Strawberry Gin, a rosy-hued tipple steeped with hibiscus, strawberries and young ginger.
poortoms.com; 6 Chalder Ave
03 Where’s Nick
This atmospheric small wine bar showcases natural wine and is owned by two brothers who mostly source from sustainable and organic makers. Their brother Nick didn’t wish to be involved in the project, hence the name, Where’s Nick. The drinks list is extensive and seriously good, with everything from skin-contact wines to sour ales and Champagne. While their kitchen is small it turns out tasty eats such as warmed olives and flavoursome pizzas to complement the drinks.
wheresnick.com.au; 236 Marrickville Road
04 Marrickville Pork Roll
The daily queues for this pocket-sized Vietnamese banh mi shop speak for themselves. The crusty rolls filled with fresh veggies, crunchy pickles and your choice of chicken, meatball, pork belly or the signature sliced pork and pate filling are a popular cheap and cheerful lunch option for Sydneysiders near and far.
236A Illawarra Road
05 Marrickville Markets
It’s an Inner West tradition to spend your Saturday morning browsing through the markets (usually set up in the grounds of a school). The Organic Food Markets in Marrickville Hall are a bustling mecca of organic fruit and vegetables, bread, meats and cheeses – it’s a favourite weekend hangout and top spot to do your weekly shop direct from the farmer.
142 Addison Rd
06 Two Chaps
A champion of local produce and the Marrickville community, Two Chaps is a vegetarian café with a sustainable philosophy, boasting handmade breads and pastries, locally roasted coffee by Microlot and a famed sticky chai. Three nights a week you can dine on an ever-evolving seasonal of menu of local cheeses and delicate freshly made pasta.
twochaps.com.au 122 Chapel Street, Marrickville
07 Pho PHD
Known for its vibrant Vietnamese heritage, Marrickville has plenty of places to find a satisfying bowl of pho, the traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup. For one of the most locally loved, family-run Pho PHD start simmering their heady, spiced broth for their popular beef pho at 3am every morning. Another must order is their bánh xèo, a crispy pancake filled with chicken or prawns.
phophd.com.au; 260 Marrickville Rd
08 Double Roasters Café
Located on the edge of the recently opened, state-of-the-art Marrickville Library, this new outpost of local coffee roastery Double Roasters has become their flagship café, serving a bright and healthy brunch menu alongside cups brewed with their signature beans. Go for breakfast, then wander the 85,000 book collection and exhibition spaces in the sustainably designed library.
doubleroasters.com; 199 Victoria Road
09 Henson Park
Henson Park is a multi-purpose sporting ground with a storied history. The ground was officially opened in 1933 and soon afterwards it hosted the cycling events and the closing ceremony of the 1938 British Empire Games, the forerunner to today’s Commonwealth Games. Today, Henson Park is the home ground of Newtown Rugby League Football Club (the Jets) and the ideal location for a family day out (including the dog). Spend the day cheering on your favourite team before popping into The Henson for dinner, a family-friendly pub on Illawarra Road.
Centennial Street | thehenson.com.au; 91 Illawarra Road
10 The Gasoline Pony
Immerse yourself in the local live music scene at this small bar with a Latino vibe, share-worthy food and a vibrant atmosphere. Dine on a cool fusion menu of dumplings, pizza, nachos or a cheese plate with gin chutney while you listen to a range of artists play a range of jazz, soul, folk, country and psychedelic tunes.
gasolinepony.com; 115 Marrickville Rd
11 Camelot Lounge
A hidden gem known for its fun atmosphere and quality live music shows, Camelot Lounge is an intimate music venue showcasing local and global artists across diverse genres with everything from jazz to Latin and classical to reggae. The moody crimson space is decorated with retro bric-a-brac, band posters, vibrant artworks and lots of camel figurines for a memorable night.
camelotlounge.com; 103 Marrickville Rd
12 VN Street Foods
For steaming bowls of tasty pho and moreish rice paper rolls, Marrickville locals head to VN Street Foods. This down-to-earth eatery turns out aromatic and fresh Vietnamese street food filled with greens from the owners’ local kitchen garden. Expect huge portions, authentic Vietnamese flavours and fast service.
Vnstreetfoods.com.au; 294 Marrickville Road
