Eat in Chippendale, Sydney

Ester ★ 4.7

Mat Lindsay's two-hat wood-fired room on Meagher Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Open since 2013; the fermented potato bread is a decade-long mainstay.

Longshore ★ 4.5

Jarrod Walsh and Dot Lee's coastal-inspired seafood diner in the old Automata space; sea-and-land plates with a tight Australian wine list at Kensington Lane.

Spice Alley ★ 4.3

Open-air hawker laneway on Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Singaporean, Malaysian and Hong Kong food stalls, walk-in friendly weeknights.

Signature: Laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, Banh mi

Order: Hainanese chicken rice from Hong Kong Diner, laksa next door.

Tip: Order at each stall, share a table outside; lantern-strung at night.

Brickfields ★ 4.5

European bread bakery and cafe on Cleveland Street, Chippendale, Sydney since 2012. Regular booking for Sydney's brunch and specialty-coffee scene.

Signature drink: Single-origin espresso

Toby's Estate Chippendale ★ 4.4

Toby's Estate roastery and cafe at Central Park, Chippendale, Sydney. Single-origin filter coffee, espresso flight, walk-in friendly weeknights from open.

Signature drink: Espresso

Brickfields ★ 4.5

European bakery and cafe on Cleveland Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Sourdough loaves at the counter, strong pastry program, weekend queues from open.

Worth the queue: Bacon, manchego and pickle ciabatta toastie

Toby's Estate ★ 4.4

Toby Smith's roaster on 1 Central Avenue, Chippendale, Sydney. Single-origin espresso, filter brew counter, the founding Sydney specialty-coffee roaster.

Sources from: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Sumatra

How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription

Spice Alley ★ 4.3

Open-air hawker laneway on Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Six Asian eateries side by side, communal tables outside; open daily 11am-9pm.

Try: Asian hawker plates (laksa, chicken rice, banh mi)

Carriageworks Farmers Market ★ 4.7

Saturday farmers market in the Eveleigh rail yards, Sydney. About 40 stalls from NSW farmers, where the city's top chefs source their produce.

Eveleigh Farmers Market (Vendors) ★ 4.5

The Eveleigh side of Carriageworks Farmers Market on Wilson Street, Sydney. Cheese stalls (Pecora Dairy, Marrook Farm), pasture eggs, game and offal.

Spice Alley ★ 4.3

Hawker laneway on Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Six Asian eateries under A$18 a plate; pick from chicken rice, laksa, banh mi or dumplings.

Try: Hawker-style noodles or rice

Ester Bar ★ 4.5

Why locals love it: The walk-in stand-up bar inside Ester on Meagher Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Same wood-fired snacks as the dining room, no booking required.

Tip: Sit at the bar after 9pm; the natural wine list is the same as the dining room.

Brickfields ★ 4.5

European bakery and cafe on Cleveland Street, Chippendale, Sydney. Sourdough loaves at the counter, weekend queues from open and savoury baked goods.

Order: Bacon, manchego and pickle ciabatta toastie.