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Sydney Weekly Wrap Edition 7

Next to Pyrmont Bridge and on the edge of Darling Harbour, here is a great spot to chat with a friend.

In this week’s wrap-up, we share about 3 restaurants in Newtown, Macquarie Shopping Centre and Rosebery. If you’re feeling like watching a movie, Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter houses a Samsung-partnered Hoyts theatre. For nightlife, we visit the newly opened “Seri Bar” in Haymarket’s Capitol Square.

Got a question about any of our recommendations? Message us on Instagram or send us an e-mail.

Vegan festival (summer edition) at Shinmachi

“Shinmachi” has been operating for more than 5 years in a tucked away location overlooking Newtown’s bustling King St. The Japanese restaurant has a penchant for creating innovative, vegan-friendly food. Until the end of March, Shinmachi is serving dishes from a limited edition, plant-based menu.

What do we recommend? For noodles, the Vegan Truffle Ramen ($27) has a delightfully aromatic soup and the Cold Vegan Tan Tan Tsuke-men ($23) is a new take on the traditional Japanese dipping noodle. The Vegan Corn Rib ($12.9) is addicting as an entree and pairs well with the vegan-friendly Umeboshi Frozen Margarita cocktail ($18.5). Vegan menu available here.

Hong Kong Cafe in Macquarie Shopping Centre

With its eye-catching decor and booth seating, “Hong Kong Cafe” is a stylish and cozy option for an inexpensive lunch. The Cantonese restaurant serves kid-friendly snacks like Pineapple Bun with Luncheon Meat & Egg and Curry Fish Balls. For something more filling, we like the Stewed Beef Brisket Noodle Soup and the Roasted Pork & Bean Curd in Hot Pot. A Red Bean Blended Ice drink (topped with vanilla ice-cream) on a hot day is a life-saver.

“Hong Kong Cafe” has branches in Burwood, Chatswood and Rhodes as well.

Seafood at elegant Sushi Train Rosebery

Sashimi and nigiri (rice with a piece of fish on top) as tasty as they are at “Sushi Train Rosebery” makes us doubly appreciate Sydney’s proximity to the ocean. Locally-sourced fish is prepared everyday and served to diners in a calm, elegant interior. If you’re feeling like pairing a wine with your sushi, there are reds and whites available. The price is slightly higher than the average sushi train restaurant in Sydney, but the quality and professional service makes the value worth it.

This Japanese restaurant is a familiar presence for locals in Rosebery. Furthermore, it’s one that many appreciate judging from the number of glowing Google reviews.

Live music and Thai-style decor at Seri Bar

In front of Capitol Square is a Thai establishment that plays live music 7 days a week and plunges you into an atmosphere reminiscent of Bangkok’s entertainment scene. You’ll find the bar on the basement level with an interior that feels cavernous. Our tip: while sitting at a table listening to the band, you can get unlimited refills of popcorn from the bar.

“Seri Bar” was pretty packed when we visited on a weekend, so we’d recommend making a booking via their Facebook Page if you’re planning to visit.

Hoyts Entertainment Quarter

It was impressive to watch “Napoleon” (directed by Ridley Scott) in the only Samsung Onyx screen in New South Wales. Our seats were comfortable (they reclined!), the sound was immersive, and the LED screen was huge. The Samsung Onyx auditorium is located in the HOYTS Cinema in “Entertainment Quarter” – you might need to walk around 7-minutes to reach it depending on which entry you come in from.

Budget-savvy tip: did you know that the HOYTS Rewards Membership is free? It comes with $11 movie-of-the-week deals and let’s you save 10% off normal-price tickets. We aren’t being sponsored to say this, we just think it’s good value.