Guidebook for Crows Nest
Food Scene
So many choices, so little time!
Hands down, our favourite local restaurant. Great coffee, fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide ranging Mediterranean-flavoured menu. Unpretentious, great value and friendly staff. Open 7 days and till late Tues-Sat, it's a Crows Nest landmark and just at the top of our street.
The Xenos family have been running it for 50 years now, and boy do they do it well. We love their great value breakfast bagels! The whole grilled snapper with chips and salad is Tim's favourite dish, followed by home-made galaktoboureko for dessert... What's Greek for Heaven?
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Xenos
7 Burlington StreetHands down, our favourite local restaurant. Great coffee, fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide ranging Mediterranean-flavoured menu. Unpretentious, great value and friendly staff. Open 7 days and till late Tues-Sat, it's a Crows Nest landmark and just at the top of our street.
The Xenos family have been running it for 50 years now, and boy do they do it well. We love their great value breakfast bagels! The whole grilled snapper with chips and salad is Tim's favourite dish, followed by home-made galaktoboureko for dessert... What's Greek for Heaven?
Courteous and friendly staff, with a great great location in the Stockland plaza. Good coffee and food.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wild Sage
450 Miller StCourteous and friendly staff, with a great great location in the Stockland plaza. Good coffee and food.
One of several great cafe/restaurants in this area.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eighty Ate
88 West StOne of several great cafe/restaurants in this area.
One of the best cafe/restaurants in this area. Nice sunny outdoor areas, great coffee and breakfasts. Try the corn fritters!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sotto On West
67 West StOne of the best cafe/restaurants in this area. Nice sunny outdoor areas, great coffee and breakfasts. Try the corn fritters!
Always busy, this place excels at simple, fresh seafood. Try the oysters prepared three ways! My fave dish is the whole crisp fried baby barramundi. Book ahead.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Garfish
21 Broughton StAlways busy, this place excels at simple, fresh seafood. Try the oysters prepared three ways! My fave dish is the whole crisp fried baby barramundi. Book ahead.
I love Pho. Beautifully simple, clean, tasty and great value for money. What's not to love?
I Love Pho
47 Willoughby RdI love Pho. Beautifully simple, clean, tasty and great value for money. What's not to love?
I've been coming back again and again for over 20 years. Great Japanese food, beer and sake, and a great atmosphere to boot. Shu, the owner, is a great host and very passionate about rugby and sumo.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sapporo Restaurant
94 Willoughby RdI've been coming back again and again for over 20 years. Great Japanese food, beer and sake, and a great atmosphere to boot. Shu, the owner, is a great host and very passionate about rugby and sumo.
Stepping into Toriciya teleports you to an authentic downtown Tokyo Yakitori bar. Great range of sake and shochu. Always crowded: book ahead.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Toriciya Japanese Restaurant
16 Cammeray RdStepping into Toriciya teleports you to an authentic downtown Tokyo Yakitori bar. Great range of sake and shochu. Always crowded: book ahead.
Authentic French bistro menu with an outdoor area, this is fairly new but already extremely popular with the locals. Enthusiastic & very French staff. Highly recommended.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Bouchon
104 Willoughby RdAuthentic French bistro menu with an outdoor area, this is fairly new but already extremely popular with the locals. Enthusiastic & very French staff. Highly recommended.
Slightly off the main drag, this licensed hole-in -the-wall cafe is good for a light lunch or a long slow coffee. Friendly staff, great music and vibe.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
IGA Crows Nest (Ritchies)
103-111 Willoughby RdSlightly off the main drag, this licensed hole-in -the-wall cafe is good for a light lunch or a long slow coffee. Friendly staff, great music and vibe.
A favourite with the locals and those in the know. Excellent coffee, friendly staff and a great range of sandwiches.
Cafe 107
107 Alexander StA favourite with the locals and those in the know. Excellent coffee, friendly staff and a great range of sandwiches.
Just two minutes' walk around the corner on Falcon St, people come from far and wide to queue up around the block for Ryo's classic Japanese ramen. Simple, spicy and dished up in a cosy atmosphere.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ryo's Noodles
125 Falcon StJust two minutes' walk around the corner on Falcon St, people come from far and wide to queue up around the block for Ryo's classic Japanese ramen. Simple, spicy and dished up in a cosy atmosphere.
A simply marveilleux French-Vietnamese bakery, just up the road. You won't find better croissants or baguettes anywhere on the North Shore. Go early in the morning to get them hot out of the oven, and grab a great coffee while you're there. Bubbly, friendly staff and a rapid turnover means the baked goods are always fresh.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Baguette
16 Willoughby RdA simply marveilleux French-Vietnamese bakery, just up the road. You won't find better croissants or baguettes anywhere on the North Shore. Go early in the morning to get them hot out of the oven, and grab a great coffee while you're there. Bubbly, friendly staff and a rapid turnover means the baked goods are always fresh.
Located slightly out of the main restaurant belt, this unpretentious Japanese restaurant offers great food at reasonable prices. It's very popular with the locals, for good reason. The sushi chef is fantastic. Book ahead.
At Restaurant
9 Falcon StLocated slightly out of the main restaurant belt, this unpretentious Japanese restaurant offers great food at reasonable prices. It's very popular with the locals, for good reason. The sushi chef is fantastic. Book ahead.
Street Market has a great range of fantastic Asian tapas. Allan and his staff are all wonderful, warm and engaging, and the prices are very reasonable. It's a great place for a casual meal during the week, but it's on the weekend that this place comes into its own.
Allan is a self-confessed funkaholic, and he's transformed the spacious upstairs floor into a fully catered live music venue with a wide variety of impressive local and overseas talent. We've had some great nights here, and hope for many more. There should be more venues like this around!
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Street Market Asian Tapas Restaurant
12 Fitzroy StStreet Market has a great range of fantastic Asian tapas. Allan and his staff are all wonderful, warm and engaging, and the prices are very reasonable. It's a great place for a casual meal during the week, but it's on the weekend that this place comes into its own.
Allan is a self-confessed funkaholic, and he's transformed the spacious upstairs floor into a fully catered live music venue with a wide variety of impressive local and overseas talent. We've had some great nights here, and hope for many more. There should be more venues like this around!
Gifted baristas with a real passion for exotic coffee and brewing techniques. They are the 'cellar door' for Roastworks Coffee Co, showcasing their handcrafted small-batch specialty coffees across multiple brewing methods and serving delicious comfort food with a twist to complement the experience.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bean Drinking
13 Ernest PlGifted baristas with a real passion for exotic coffee and brewing techniques. They are the 'cellar door' for Roastworks Coffee Co, showcasing their handcrafted small-batch specialty coffees across multiple brewing methods and serving delicious comfort food with a twist to complement the experience.
Fantastic tapas, great coffee and a charming host. Ric has furnished the place with his own paintings and imbued it with a unique sense of style. One of our top five haunts in Crows Nest!
Salty Bodega Tapas
56 Willoughby RdFantastic tapas, great coffee and a charming host. Ric has furnished the place with his own paintings and imbued it with a unique sense of style. One of our top five haunts in Crows Nest!
Good value, good Lebanese food, great atmosphere. And very close: it's just 3 minutes walk from our place!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tarboosh Lebanese Kitchen Crows Nest
2 Alexander StGood value, good Lebanese food, great atmosphere. And very close: it's just 3 minutes walk from our place!
Grill'd used to be our favourite burger joint, but since this gem opened in April 2019 it's really taken the crown and run with it.
Down N’ Out Crows Nest
79 Willoughby RdGrill'd used to be our favourite burger joint, but since this gem opened in April 2019 it's really taken the crown and run with it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Beats the local pub hands down for atmosphere and local flavour. Excellent finger food.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Stoned Crow
39 Willoughby RdBeats the local pub hands down for atmosphere and local flavour. Excellent finger food.
These guys are so serious about boutique beers they brew their own downstairs, and they have a great range! Great selection of tapas and share plates to keep you going. Five stars.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flat Rock Brew Cafe
290 Willoughby RdThese guys are so serious about boutique beers they brew their own downstairs, and they have a great range! Great selection of tapas and share plates to keep you going. Five stars.
A great little bar, located just opposite Woolworths at the top of Burlington Street. The bar staff are dedicated to making unforgettable cocktails... I've just forgotten what I was saying ;-)
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Crow Bar
6 Burlington StA great little bar, located just opposite Woolworths at the top of Burlington Street. The bar staff are dedicated to making unforgettable cocktails... I've just forgotten what I was saying ;-)
Great atmosphere, with an incredible view of the harbour. The once sleepy old bowlo has been substantially renovated into a modern bar and eatery, and pulses with energy. Great menu, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Get there in time to watch the sunset over the harbour!
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Greens North Sydney
50 Ridge StGreat atmosphere, with an incredible view of the harbour. The once sleepy old bowlo has been substantially renovated into a modern bar and eatery, and pulses with energy. Great menu, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Get there in time to watch the sunset over the harbour!
Cosy and quirky, with a great range of cocktails. Worth a look in for the AstroTurfed upper bar.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Foxtrot Inn
28 Falcon StCosy and quirky, with a great range of cocktails. Worth a look in for the AstroTurfed upper bar.
Live music on a Sunday afternoon, and a great range of beers on tap.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Public Cammeray
429 Miller StLive music on a Sunday afternoon, and a great range of beers on tap.
Fabulous little hole-in-the-wall bar up the road, filled with fascinating Japanese memorabilia... not to mention top shelf whisky, sake and beer! Pull up a stool and make some new best friends while grilling a tin of sardines over a tealight-fuelled hibachi, or grab some pot noodles off the shelf. They also have a great range of bento boxes at very reasonable prices. A great way to kick-start the evening without breaking the bank.
Tachinomi YP
20 Burlington StFabulous little hole-in-the-wall bar up the road, filled with fascinating Japanese memorabilia... not to mention top shelf whisky, sake and beer! Pull up a stool and make some new best friends while grilling a tin of sardines over a tealight-fuelled hibachi, or grab some pot noodles off the shelf. They also have a great range of bento boxes at very reasonable prices. A great way to kick-start the evening without breaking the bank.
Sightseeing
One of North Sydney's special places is just down West Street. The site of the first European cemetery on the North Shore, it is also the largest park in the densely populated Crows Nest area.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
St Thomas Rest Park
West StreetOne of North Sydney's special places is just down West Street. The site of the first European cemetery on the North Shore, it is also the largest park in the densely populated Crows Nest area.
One of North Sydney's largest, best-loved parks. Dog-friendly. It has a distinctive Victorian landscape character and is rich in history and heritage, with great harbour views.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque St Leonards
Miller StreetOne of North Sydney's largest, best-loved parks. Dog-friendly. It has a distinctive Victorian landscape character and is rich in history and heritage, with great harbour views.
Spectacular views, and a great sustainability centre. Check out the funky railway tunnel once used for the coal trains. Continue along the bush track from the end of the tunnel to Balls Head Reserve.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro de Carga de Carbón para la Sostenibilidad
2 Balls Head DrSpectacular views, and a great sustainability centre. Check out the funky railway tunnel once used for the coal trains. Continue along the bush track from the end of the tunnel to Balls Head Reserve.
Our closest beach, Balmoral is great for swimmers and sightseers. It's a harbour beach so not the place to go to if you're looking for a surf, but it's ideal for windsurfing, SUPing, snorkeling and putting in some serious laps from point to point. The view out through the heads is simply stunning.
338 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Balmoral
Our closest beach, Balmoral is great for swimmers and sightseers. It's a harbour beach so not the place to go to if you're looking for a surf, but it's ideal for windsurfing, SUPing, snorkeling and putting in some serious laps from point to point. The view out through the heads is simply stunning.
Everything Else
Kingsley Woodvale Medical Centre
116 Military RoadMedical centre.
Royal North Shore Hospital
Reserve RoadOur closest hospital.
Parks & Nature
A 45 minute walk from here, the views across the harbour are unbeatable! Well worth wandering around.
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Balls Head Reserve
Balls Head DriveA 45 minute walk from here, the views across the harbour are unbeatable! Well worth wandering around.
Shopping
Intarsia Home Ware
112 Willoughby RdLovely gift shop.
As the name would imply, this intriguing shop stocks their nominated top 3 products in each design category. Fantastic stuff here: it's impossible to walk out of here without finding some unique piece of jewellery, homeware or special gadget. We love it!
Top3 By Design Crows Nest
168 Willoughby RdAs the name would imply, this intriguing shop stocks their nominated top 3 products in each design category. Fantastic stuff here: it's impossible to walk out of here without finding some unique piece of jewellery, homeware or special gadget. We love it!
This store has everything for the serious muso, absolute beginner or weekend warrior. The Berkman brothers have spared no expense here and it shows. Musical instruments, rehearsal rooms, great staff.
Big Music Australia
85 Alexander StThis store has everything for the serious muso, absolute beginner or weekend warrior. The Berkman brothers have spared no expense here and it shows. Musical instruments, rehearsal rooms, great staff.
Constant Reader Bookshop
27 Willoughby RdA great range of books and greeting cards. Our go-to gift shop.
Old, fine and collectible books surround you in this fascinating bookstore. Prepare to lose yourself while finding some rare classics.
The Antique Bookshop
328 Pacific HwyOld, fine and collectible books surround you in this fascinating bookstore. Prepare to lose yourself while finding some rare classics.
Essentials
For all your daily needs, Woolworths is a hop skip and jump away. Great for picking up something yummy to heat up in the microwave if you're in a hurry!
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Woolworths Crows Nest
10 Falcon StFor all your daily needs, Woolworths is a hop skip and jump away. Great for picking up something yummy to heat up in the microwave if you're in a hurry!