EXPLORING ANNANDALE

Annandale – The Little Village In The Big City

 

A small but perfectly formed suburb, Annandale is an urbane hub renowned for its wide tree-lined avenues, grand old mansions and friendly village vibe. Just 5km to the CBD, Annandale is a surprisingly peaceful and leafy suburb with a relaxed ambiance and close-knit community. Music, food and cafés are its heart and soul. Its rock ‘n’ roll past has sown the seeds for a creative community with a strong artistic feel. Charming outdoor eateries, fashion-forward design stores and loads of leafy parks mean there are loads of things to do and secrets to discover.

 

 

Park Life

 

Annandale is dotted with pocket parks and playgrounds and has everything from wildlife sanctuaries to sports reserves. Whites Creek Valley Park on Piper Street is the largest with natural wetlands, a skate park and basketball court. Federal Park forms part of the famed Bicentennial Park flanking Rozelle Bay and is a great spot for cycling and jogging while Hinsby Park, between Piper Street North and South, is a historic village green that’s popular with young families.

 

 

Café Culture

 

A relative newcomer to the Annandale scene, Cornersmith has established itself as a local hotspot that draws crowds for its seasonal menu, local produce and down-to-earth vibe. The airy open feel of the interiors reflect its parkside setting with outdoor tables overlooking Hinsby Park and a deli and DIY picnic boxes to take across to the playground while the kids run free.

If you’re after a spot of fine dining, Vinery Foods is a casually elegant restaurant that blends modern Australian cuisine with European influences. In the heart of the village at 125 Johnston Street, it’s a short stroll to our favourite bottle shop, Annandale Cellars, a charming store that has earned a reputation as one of the best specialist wine retailers in Sydney and is fiercely and proudly independent.

 

 

Boutique Shopper’s Paradise

 

Jim & Jane is a local institution for the design savvy and a perfect reflection of Annandale’s creative spirit at 45 Booth Street, in the heart of the village. Think Kester Black nail polish, Hael & Jax shoes and American Vintage tees. A secret boutique meets design emporium where there is always something new to discover and fall in love with. Just up the street at 51 Booth Street is Terrific Scientific, an independent toy store with a huge range of products that encourage scientific exploration, inspire creative play and promote educational discovery.

A few doors down at 105 Booth Street, The Corner Booth is a lifestyle store that has grown from a boutique baby store a go-to store for everything from gorgeous baby products and bedding to beautiful handcrafted homewares and eclectic gifts.

The Vintage Record is a treasure trove for vinyl, from rock to classical and soul. There’s even a record cleaning machine so now that vinyl is making a comeback, you might want to head down and dust off your old faves. It’s a great place to browse at 31a Parramatta Road before ducking in to the legendary Annandale Hotel next door for a bite at Burgers by Josh at 17-19 Parramatta Road.

The Toucan Shop, located at 211 Johnston Street,  is another of our favourite local shops, specialising in handmade Latin American hammocks, embroidered dresses, Frida Kahlo and Otomi textiles from Mexico, Panama hats and more. The local owners with a passion for Latin American products will make you feel like you have just stepped into a holiday inside their little shop.

 

 

To have a chat about the property market or all things Annandale, please feel free to reach out to our team.

 

Posted in Community, Inner West on 18th September, 2017