For peaceful suburban living with easy proximity to the bustling heart of Sydney’s CBD, you can’t beat our beautiful City of Ryde. If you are new to the area and still finding your feet, this handy guide will help you to explore some of the very best places Ryde and its surrounding suburbs have to offer. Being long-term locals and having raised our family here, we know the area like the back of our hand. We’ve seen all the schools, parks, and one or two of the late-night doctors, too!
A Local’s Guide to Living in Ryde
Best Coffee and Cafes in Ryde
Locked Inn, Princes St, Ryde: Often described by locals as a hidden gem, Locked Inn café has a reputation for serving Ryde’s best coffee. Run by a self-confessed coffee nerd and the local clown, Locked Inn offers all your brekkie favourites with a Korean twist.
Cav & Co, Pittwater Road, Gladesville: This award-winning café is a firm favourite with locals for its modern take on popular breakfast and lunch dishes and the much-lauded, locally roasted boutique coffee. It gets busy though, so book a table in advance, get there early, or prepare to wait a little while to be seated if you visit during peak hours on the weekend.
Ryde Restaurants and Takeaway
OShu: If Japanese cuisine and next-level sushi are your thing, we recommend heading to OShu in West Ryde. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, and the service is excellent. It’ll be your new go-to when the sashimi cravings hit!
Boronia Kitchen: With its emphasis on delicious and innovative homestyle food made with the best seasonal produce, Boronia Kitchen in Hunters Hill will keep you coming back for more. Dinner bookings are essential.
Secret Slice Pizza and Pasta: West Ryde locals overwhelmingly give this takeaway pizza a five-star rating.
Farmers Markets near Ryde
Ryde Wharf Market: Located at Anderson Park, Meadowbrook on the Parramatta River, the market is held between 9am – 2pm on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month and features over 70 stalls showcasing everything from fresh produce, delicious food, arts, crafts and more.
Eastwood Night Markets: Located on Rowe Street, Eastwood Plaza, the night market runs every Saturday from 4pm – 10pm. Enjoy fun activities for kids and community education sessions, browse handmade goods, and try mouth-watering international delicacies.
Image by Mw12310 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shopping and Entertainment near Ryde
Macquarie Centre: Located near Macquarie University, the centre houses over 250 retail stores, a cinema complex, a bowling centre, and an ice rink.
Top Ryde City: Formerly known as Top Ryde Shopping Centre, you’ll find everything you need to ‘dine, play, learn and shop’ here, including authentic restaurants, cafes, bowling, entertainment, and a large variety of retail shops.
Local Parks in Ryde and surrounding suburbs
Banjo Paterson Park, Punt Road, Gladesville: Looking for a place to picnic with a view? This park is perfectly positioned on the water’s edge, offering views of the river, natural areas, Looking Glass Bay and the historic Rockend Cottage.
Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde: Immerse yourself in 51 hectares of protected nature reserve. Located on Pittwater Road, this beautiful bushland serves as an urban oasis where residents can come for a dose of ‘green therapy’ and spot local wildlife and birds.
Running and Cycling Tracks
If you’re on the hunt for good running and cycling tracks, Lane Cove National Park’s scenic tracks that wind along the river and through bushland are a favourite with locals.
Image by Batsv, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
Gyms and Fitness in Ryde
Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre: Offers locals a variety of activities, including swimming, group classes, and personal training.
Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre: Members have access to the latest gym equipment, group training, two heated pools, and more. Keen to get back into team sports? Join a mixed social team – netty, footy or basketball.
Art of Flow, West Ryde: Yoga classes include Slow, Flow, and Mysore (Ashtanga) plus Pilates.
The Blissed Out Movement, Gladesville: Try Reformer Pilates, Mat Pilates, Yoga or Barre classes.
Ryde Plumbers
And of course, the best plumbers in Ryde? That’s us! For all your plumbing needs, get in touch with the team at Gladesville Plumbing Services.
