North Sydney’s Crows Nest is an enclave of designer stores, award-winning coffee houses and electric bars. In our Winning Guide To Crows Nest we’ve selected the best places to shop, eat and sip a coffee or cocktail, while visiting our Crows Nest store.
Shop
It’s usually the smell at Aesop stores that draws in shoppers but at the Aesop store in Crows Nest we think you’ll appreciate the décor too. Created in partnership with local designer Henry Wilson, the fit out features oiled native Tallowwood flooring, bold brass counters and a vintage armchair upholstered in green velvet. The resulting high-end look is a great showcase for their quality skin products.
Stunning interiors at Aesop Crows Nest image source
Nearby homeware store Top 3 By Design has an interesting ethos – only the best three designs of any one product are on display (hence the name!) All the furniture, home accessories and gifts in store have been personally selected by Terri Winter, a leading name in the design community who regularly appears on design award panels and at design events around the world. Top 3 By Design has four stores in Australia but the Crows Nest flagship store is widely considered one of the best design stores in North Sydney.
Only the best three designs on display at Top 3 By Design, image source
In close contention for that title, however, is Form + Design, another striking designer homeware store, which stocks kitchenware, art, stationery and luggage sourced from across Australia and the globe. Before any product makes it to the shop floor it is tested by the Form + Design team for quality, durability and sustainability – so you know you can’t go wrong with a purchase here.
For book and movie lovers Title provides the opportunity to browse a handpicked selection of cult DVDs, books and music at this proudly independent store. Stocking a large range of tomes on subjects including architecture, design and photography, you’re sure to find something beautiful for the coffee table here.
Eat
For an afternoon snack with a difference consider sampling a traditional sweet treat from Hungary at Kürtősh. The name Kürtősh comes from Kürtőskalács – a traditional Hungarian pastry more commonly known as chimney cake. The cylindrical pastry has a caramelised crispy flaky outer with soft inner walls, and comes rolled in chocolate, nuts or spices. Kürtősh also sell ‘slab cakes’ by the weight and brandy balls and biscotti, which make great gifts or festive treats.
Traditional Hungarian chimney cake at Kurtosh, image source
For dinner there are a couple of popular options in Crows Nest. Mumu Grill is well known for their 100% grass fed beef steak, and Ryo’s Noodles often has people queuing for their Japanese ramen.
Coffee lovers won’t want to miss the chance to try the award-winning roast at Bean Drinking espresso bar (located in the parkland area between Alexander Street and Willoughby Road). Bean Drinking serve coffee by Roastworks Coffee Co (their own in-house roasting team) and showcase a number of different brewing methods including Pour Over, Batch Brew and Cold Drip, as well as espresso style coffee. The food menu features a tempting array of breakfast items including Brioche French Toast and a Pulled Pork Breakfast Board, which we’re delighted to say are served until 4pm on the weekend.
Of an evening you can step into a different decade at The Foxtrot cocktail bar. The bar’s décor is an eclectic mix of tropical wallpaper, exposed brick and leather couches. The drinks menu features creative gin and rum concoctions, which may be served in jars or set on fire!
