Try somewhere exciting and unknown by uncovering the hidden gems in the laneways of the city centre. Discover an intimate wine and cocktail bar or a luxurious restaurant nestled away in the alley - if you seek, you shall find.
Little Culprit, 151 Wyndham Street
Situated on the corner of Queen and Wyndham Streets, directly across the road from big brother, Culprit, Little Culprit is an intimate cocktail bar & wine lounge you'll want to try out. We love going there after work to catch up with friends over wine or cocktails. Plus, their charcuterie board and duck liver parfait waffle are just sublime!
Mezze Bar, 9 Durham St East
Situated just off Durham Street East, Mezze has an appetising range of tapas and dishes that will leave you feeling as though you’ve taken a stroll along the streets of the Middle East. With unbeatable service, the eatery promotes a relaxed way of dining that invites you to stay that extra hour enjoying the company of friends and family.
Tabac, 6 Mills Lane
Tabac is one of the city centre’s nightlife institutions, boasting premium drinks and great bar food. Complete with ambient lighting in a rustic heritage building featuring beautiful brick walls, Tabac is a quintessential city centre hidden gem. Tabac is also well renowned for its Tabac Comedy Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, up to nine comedians perform their best stuff at Tabac.
La Fuente, Snickel Lane, 23 Customs Street
An intimate and cosy hideaway in Snickel Lane, La Fuente is the first bar in the country to devote itself to mezcal, with around 30 handcrafted variations of the spirit sourced from Mexico. The wines and mezcal on offer can be complemented by a delicious cheese & charcuterie platter.
Mr Taco, 64A Federal Street
Mr. Taco is the most authentic Taco shop/Taqueria in the city centre. Located just steps away from the Sky Tower, the team at Mr. Taco pride themselves on serving really tasty traditional tacos. We tried them and we cannot agree more - Mr. Taco's tacos are a must-try!
Swansons, 12 Swanson Street
Known for their wide selection of homemade soups, fresh salads and hearty sandwiches, Swansons is your one stop, lunchtime destination. One of the best parts of the deli is being able to build your own sandwich from the wide array of options available.
Chamate, 17 Swanson Street
Creating authentic yet modern Chinese dishes with 20 years of experience, Chamate’s interactive design allows you to see exactly how your food is being made. Featuring large glass panels through the restaurant, you’ll see the hand-pulled noodles being made right before your eyes. Luxurious but affordable, Chamate offers mouth-watering dishes from familiar favourites such as dim sums, to more traditional plates like Sichuan boiled fish.
Madriz, Fort Lane
Madriz is an authentic Spanish tapas bar inspired by the streets of Madrid, located on Fort Lane. Head up the stairs, sit, relax and enjoy a selection of tapas and pintxos - small shared plates showcasing the variety of Spanish flavours. Seafood lovers, make sure to try their seafood paella (as pictured above) for authentic Spanish flavours.