Darling Square

A vibrant district that's only a few minutes' walk from the world's most beautiful harbour, with world-class dining, laneways bars, and educational and cultural institutions.

A buzzing precinct in the sweet spot between the Sydney city centre and Darling Harbour.

If you’re eating, drinking or looking for things to do in Sydney, Darling Square is the place to be. Darling Square is one of Sydney's newest and most connected city neighbourhoods at the centre of a vibrant and exciting precinct bursting with laneway bars and world class restaurants.

Darling Square isn’t just a place to meet and eat either. It’s also home to some of Sydney’s most impressive architecture with the iconic Exchange building.

Steam Mill Lane
Melbourne’s laneways have got nothing on Steam Mill Lane. This mini-dining precinct is packed with restaurants and bars, from quick bites and innovative food to healthy lunches.

For nuclear-hot fried chicken and natural wines, go to Belles Hot Chicken. For a quick snack on-the-go you need to try the famous Marrickville Pork Roll and for those of you that have a hankering for late-night eats, japanese izakaya Nakano Darling are open until 2am on Friday, Saturday and Monday each week.

Exchange Building
The Exchange Building is an airy six-story building at the heart of Darling Square in Haymarket, designed as a place for meeting, collaborating and celebrating. Designed by the famed Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Associates, the building is wrapped in 20 km of pale accoya timber strips. Inside you’ll find a modern marketplace, the Makers Dozen, the brand new Darling Square Library and innovation hub Ideas Lab.

Maker’s Dozen
Maker’s Dozen is a culinary marketplace based on the sort of bustling eating areas you’ll find in European markets. There are 12 restaurants, bars and retailers, each with their own unique flavours, from craft beer on tap at Bucket Boys and wholesome egg toasties at Toastiesmith to insta-worthy bubble tea and florist at Bubble Nini.

Little Hay Street
Little Hay street is a hub for eating, drinking and good times, fusing the vibrant energy of Darling Square with the colourful culture of Chinatown. Within a hundred metre radius, you’ll find some of the best eating in Sydney, including creamy desserts at Gelato Messina, saccharine eats and sips from Bengong Black and next-level donuts at Shortstop - some of the best restaurants in Sydney.