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Sweet Belem
Photograph: Anna Kucera

Petersham area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in Petersham

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Have you ever tried Portuguese sweet bread? If the answer is no, you’ll need to make your way to Petersham immediately: Sydney’s ‘Little Portugal’ your first port of call for a sweet, flaky loaf of goodness from one of the many patisseries that dot its main thoroughfare, New Canterbury Road. You’ll also want to nip in to Silvas Portuguese Traditional Charcoal Chicken for a takeaway chook and chips (or try their seafood plates, which are just as good).

Petersham isn’t quite as flashy as its nearby neighbours in the Inner West, but that’s a good thing: subtly and surely, it’s become one of Sydney’s must-visit destinations for eating and drinking. Daisy’s Milk Bar is a recent newcomer that’s drawn crowds who line up for a trip down memory lane (Push Pops! Mac ‘n cheese! Meatball sambos!), while Brighton the Corner does exactly that with its fresh, friendly offerings. Grab a table outside and soak up the atmosphere. And you’ll need to make your way to the historic Oxford Tavern, a one-time topless joint that just received a very hip makeover as a destination pub. Try their Jelly Wrestle, a syrupy, ice-creamy, sprinkly waffle concoction so out of this world you eat it with your hands while wearing a pair of rubber gloves.

They’re having fun out in Petersham. Get out there and join them before the secret gets out.

Petersham highlights

Daisy's Milk Bar

Daisy's Milk Bar

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Hello, the cutest little café and milk bar ever. Yes, Daisy’s, we’re talking to you, with your musk-pink door, daffodil-yellow-and-baby-blue dining room and...

The Oxford Tavern

The Oxford Tavern

  • 3 out of 5 stars

There may be a lot less jelly and nudity all round at the Oxford Tavern, but the spirit of the former topless bar lingers in the poles built into the bar and...

Public House Petersham

Public House Petersham

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

This old Petersham boozer has undergone yet another round of upgrades, but we’re pretty sure these ones are going to stick. The former Newington Inn is now the...

Brighton the Corner

Brighton the Corner

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Petersham has always been a destination suburb for some hangover-busting Portuguese chicken and custard tarts. But look a bit further and you’ll discover that...

The best restaurants in Petersham

Lunas

Lunas

A taste of Portugal in Petersham, Lunas delivers on atmosphere, flavours and charm

Frango's Petersham Charcoal Chicken

Frango's Petersham Charcoal Chicken

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Giant hot pits of coal, huge braziers, iron cages filled with meat and queues out the door for the frango de churrasco (aka barbecued chook) are what...

Fich at Petersham

Fich at Petersham

  • 4 out of 5 stars

This fancified fish and chipper is a lesson in how to nail the neighbourhood restaurant

The best bars in Petersham

Public House Petersham

Public House Petersham

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Petersham’s favourite pub keeps community front of mind, but it’s the little things that expand the reach far and wide

White Cockatoo Hotel

White Cockatoo Hotel

The White Cockatoo covers all bases, with great food, indoor and outdoor seating, a pool room, and even a pinball room!

More things to do in Petersham

Frango's Petersham Charcoal Chicken

Frango's Petersham Charcoal Chicken

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Giant hot pits of coal, huge braziers, iron cages filled with meat and queues out the door for the frango de churrasco (aka barbecued chook) are what...

Charlie's Deli

Charlie's Deli

This family-owned Portuguese deli has ruled the streets of Petersham for decades