Play in Darling Square
Bordered by Pyrmont, Ultimo and Chinatown, Darling Square is right in the heart of Sydney’s vibrant CBD, just a few minutes’ walk from what is often thought of as the world’s most beautiful harbour. Staying here, visitors not only have Darling Square on their doorstep, but Darling Harbour and the rest of Sydney beyond. Accessible on foot, or by train, bike, car or light rail.
Paying tribute to the area’s rich history, Darling Square is the place to meet, connect and experience. Whether you want to sample some of the world’s most delectable cuisines, chat over coffee, indulge in some retail therapy, or simply wander Darling Square’s captivating laneways and inviting spaces, you can find plenty to keep you busy – or not so busy, if you prefer – right here.
What To Do and Where To Go
Looking for things to do in Darling Harbour? Something to entertain you in Darling Square? This lively precinct has an abundance to offer. Take time out to stroll through the Chinese Garden of Friendship, crank up the excitement at the 9D Action Cinemas, or let the kids tire themselves out at Darling Harbour’s expansive children’s playground. Fancy taking in a show or expo? ICC Sydney offers a fantastic calendar of events, while the Capitol Theatre attracts some of the best shows in town.
From workshops and walking tours, to mini festivals and live music, Darling Square really does have something for everyone. You can explore Chinatown’s night markets and pick up something unique, grab a bubble tea and check out the precinct’s art installations, or test your general knowledge against the locals by trying out a trivia night. Want to find out what’s going on and when? Check out the Darling Square website for info on all upcoming events.
Where to Eat
Anyone who has visited Sydney knows this is the place to go for truly tantalising food. Happily, some of the best places to eat in Sydney just so happen to be on the doorstep of Darling Harbour. Visitors from across Australia and around the world come to sample the delights on offer at Darling Harbour restaurants, where they can find exquisite eats and a warm, convivial atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, or you want to make a night of it, Darling Square’s restaurants and cafés are something to behold. Whether it’s Nashville-style hot chicken at Belles Hot Chicken, delicious Greek snacks at Gyradiko, traditional hearty Italian at Il Bacio, mouth-watering bánh mì at Marrickville Pork Roll, or a matcha-infused menu at MATCHA-YA, this is the place to be for great eats in Sydney.
Darling Square; The Essentials
Want to know where to go in Darling Square? Here are some of Darling Square’s hotspots.
Labelled ‘Sydney’s largest little laneway’, Steam Mill Lane offers a mix of emerging fashion and lifestyle retailers, alongside an ever-so alluring selection of eateries, including Belles Hot Chicken, 8bit, The Sandwich Shop and Ricefields. Whether it’s a barbershop trim at Men's Culture, or an evening of karaoke and drinks at neon-lit Kabukicho-styled Japanese whiskey and craft beer bar, Bang Bang, Steam Mill Lane shows Melbourne’s laneways a thing or two.
A hub for creativity and invention, The Exchange will be Sydney’s newest architectural icon. Set to open in 2019, this six-storey building has been designed by world-renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, and will feature a state-of-the-art City of Sydney library, a childcare facility, a ground floor market food hall, mezzanine restaurant, and rooftop restaurant and bar offering sweeping views of Sydney’s skyline.
As one of the world’s most captivating, Sydney’s Chinatown is an institution for anyone searching for a taste of Chinese culture and some of the best Asian cuisine you will find outside Asia. With an enthralling past, Chinatown offers a heady mix of restaurants and bars, shops and markets, home to Market City, the Chinatown Night Markets and the only place to be during Chinese New Year.
Where to Stay
Darling Harbour hotels provide the ideal place to relax and recharge amid the buzz and excitement found within this dynamic precinct. Perfectly placed and ever-so accessible, Novotel Sydney Darling Square is your home away from home, offering modern amenities, contemporary spaces and the warmest of welcomes.
Having recently completed a $20 million refurbishment across all 230 guest rooms and public spaces, the hotel’s restoration has taken inspiration from its surroundings. Providing an experience that is both comfortable and contemporary, it echoes the tranquility of the nearby Chinese Gardens in its overall colour scheme, lighting and ambience, offering an urban oasis that is connected to its local community.
Among the excellent range of facilities on offer, Novotel Sydney Darling Square is home to the newly-launched Pier St. Kitchen. One of the most desirable spots to dine in Sydney’s CBD, Pier St. Kitchen utilises locally-sourced Australian ingredients, sustainable proteins and seasonal elements to serve classic dishes with a modern Australian twist.
Ready to see a new side to Sydney? There really is no better place to be than Darling Square.
