Leichhardt

Leichhardt is a residential suburb best known as the hub of Sydney's Italian community. Norton Street and Marion Street buzz with cafes, trattorias and bakeries, and thousands of people visit the annual Italian Festa food festival, every October. Some of the venues that gave Norton Street its reputation back in the day are still around, so visit them for a taste of nostalgia. Mezzapicca Cakes has been serving amaretti biscuits, decadent tortes and crisp cannoli since 1952. Bar Italia opened the same year, serving strong espresso, simple Italian fare and home-made gelato but you go here as much for the people-watching as you do the food. The Italian Forum is an open-air shopping mall with designer fashions and Tuscan architecture. Small bookshops, indie cinemas and cosy wine bars add to the European vibe. It's easy to get to Leichhardt with public transport. Buses from the inner city travel down Parramatta Road and along Norton Street, getting there in about 20 minutes. Alternatively, catch the light rail from Central station to Leichhardt North light rail stop.

Suburb Features