http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31380 I’m taking you for a day out to the alternative and indie kids paradise, Newtown. Although only one station from Central, backpackers and tourists tend to miss this lively area.

Here is my guide to a place often forgotten for the Bondi sunshine and lifeguards. So put away you boardies and pick your favorite pair of skinny jeans.

Newtown is amazing for food. Every time I went to Oz, I ended up piling on the pounds because I lived so close to so many delicious places. I am actually slightly drooling when I think of it. Get me there now.
To start the day right, one of my favorite places for breakfast is Café Sophia on Erskenville Road. You have to try their banana raspberry melon smoothie with salmon and eggs benedict or their French toasts. Actually try everything. Just go every morning for four months like I did.

For lunch, I would generally go for one of the many Thai restaurants on King’s Street, Newtown's main road. Most of the places are vegan/vegetarian and although I'm neither, I did get a little bit addicted to the fake duck, pak choi and rice $6 lunch boxes.

To walk off all this food, shop around! Newtown has lot to offer when it comes to retail therapy, whether it’s one the many vintage stores or young designers’ outlets, you will find everything you need to look like the Sydney hipster crowd.

Then head to the art gallery “Oh really?” on Enmore Road. Oh really? is a collective/magazine/gallery presenting the latest street artists around. They regularly organize openings and you could find yourself having a beer with artist Ears while nodding to some breakbeat. Check out what’s going on at ww.ohreallymagazine.com

Then it’s time to wind down. Head down for a cold long neck at The Court House (“The Courtie”) on Australia Street. Cheap drinks, a lovely beer garden decorated with fairy lights, a lively atmosphere and very important, a pool table.

Then move on for some cocktails on the Zanzibar Roof. You will find a cosy terrace and the staff there are always lovely (and not too shabby looking either).
If the schooners have gone straight to your head, then it’s time to go and pull some shapes on the dance floor. I have to say this is not in Newtown. On a Friday I’ll head to Mum at World Bar in Kings Cross to watch live music and listen to the latest indie-electro. Check the coming up MUM nights on MusicFeeds. On any other night check out Sydney promoters and all around cool kids UPTOOUR HIPS for the best nights in town (seriously).

And there you go, I can assure you this will be hell of a good day.

Now there is a lot more to discover by yourself in Newtown and around. But it would take way too long to tell you all about it and I have still things left to see myself. It’s alright; I’ll be back very soon. I’ll see you at The Courtie.

PS: If you were still to be hungry on your way home, stop by Saray’s on Enmore Road for a pite (also called Laknore) ,a filled bread from Kosovo with lemon juice on it. Delicious.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25663 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25663 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24876
Musicians, streetwalkers, dancers, policemen and taxi drivers can be seen late at night devouring meat pies and hot dogs alongside judges, politicians and society's well-to-do.

Just a few wobbly steps downhill from the watering holes of Kings Cross, Harry’s is the place to get your post pub grub and to sample the personality of Sydney .

More than a pie cart, Harry’s is a unique piece of Sydney ’s history and the stuff of legend and myth.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24876 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23043 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23043 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21149
It's not open that late, however only until about 11pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21149 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19897 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19897 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17586
My husband - a meat eater - tells everyone he meets about the steak that he had there, whilst I - a non meat eater - can say that the meal I had there was the most generous and varied vegetarian meal I have ever tasted.

It consisted of every type of vegetable imaginable, fresh and beautifully cooked. Add to this, the fantastic view overlooking Manly Beach and the ocean and the buzzing atmosphere; yes, I would definitely cross the world to eat there again!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17586 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9951 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9951 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9940 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9940 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2917 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2917 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4665
The floor is polished concrete, the bowls are retro plastic and the ceiling is high. There's also a great view of the harbour. Oh, and the food is good too. A warning: they don't take bookings.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4665 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2852 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2852 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2825 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2825