If you’re in Sydney and want to truly experience how diverse and vibrant this city is, there’s one destination you absolutely need to add to your list: Burwood Chinatown. Not because it’s in every standard travel guide, but precisely because it’s where locals eat, live and enjoy themselves. Burwood has been a favourite of ours whenever we’re in Sydney for years, and by now it’s been officially recognised by the rest of the world too.
Burwood is located in Sydney’s Inner West and at first glance might not seem like the most obvious outing if you only have a few days in the city. But that’s exactly what makes it so special. You step off the train and find yourself in a neighbourhood that’s truly alive.
From Sydney’s best-kept secret to worldwide fame
In 2025, Time Out named Burwood the 16th coolest neighbourhood in the world and the number one coolest neighbourhood in Australia. A recognition that may have surprised many people, but for anyone who knows Burwood, it was completely logical, including us. Time Out evaluates neighbourhoods on criteria such as culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and ‘nowness’, that hard-to-describe feeling of a place that’s truly alive. Burwood scored highly on all of those fronts, leaving cities like Naples and Singapore behind.
Burwood is the fifth most diverse community in all of Australia, and you notice that immediately in the food. But the heart of it all beats at Burwood Chinatown: a colourful, buzzing food court that has become a household name in the Australian culinary scene. We love coming to Burwood and genuinely appreciate the atmosphere and the delicious food in the Chinatown.
About Burwood Chinatown
Burwood Chinatown isn’t a traditional Chinatown like you might know from other cities. It’s an atmospheric, hawker-style market where you can eat both indoors and outdoors, surrounded by neon lights, aromas from the wok, and the chatter of dozens of nationalities. Alongside the food court itself, there’s a street food market and special night markets running Thursday through Sunday, from 5pm to 11pm. Exactly the kind of place where you can wander for hours without getting bored.
The range of cuisines is enormous. Chinese cuisines dominate, but you’ll also find fantastic Japanese and Southeast Asian dishes, alongside Uyghur, Greek and Italian specialties. From steaming dumplings to grilled meat on skewers, from fresh ramen to bubble tea, there’s something for every budget and every taste.
Burwood Hotel
Right next to the hustle and bustle of the Chinatown, you’ll find the Burwood Hotel, and this is one you definitely shouldn’t miss. The vibe is immediately welcoming, that classic Australian pub warmth, but with an Asian twist. The food is surprisingly good, the atmosphere is always convivial, and if you’re lucky there’ll be live music too. We’ve been here dozens of times and will absolutely be back.
What makes the Burwood Hotel even more appealing is the new outdoor terrace. A great spot to soak up the neighbourhood’s atmosphere with a drink in hand, while the night markets slowly come to life around you. Grab your dinner at Burwood Chinatown and settle in on the terrace of the Burwood Hotel to enjoy the fairy lights and the locals.
Tip: the Burwood Hotel has a fun system where you can add yourself to a queue via a screen, and if you have a favourite song you’d love to hear, you can add it to the list, and who knows, it might just come through the speakers. A nice little touch that makes the atmosphere even more enjoyable!
Worth a visit during the day
We understand that Burwood Chinatown is at its best in the evening, but Burwood has its charm during the day as well. Start your morning with a coffee at Pillar, a small café serving great coffee from local micro-roasters. Take it with you to Burwood Park, a green park within walking distance where locals walk their dogs, kids play sport, and the older generation practises tai chi on the grass.
For lunch, we recommend The Picnic Burwood, a brunch spot with wonderful dishes and often special milkshakes. With a lovely view over Burwood Park, the location is fantastic too.
Lunar New Year
Want to see Burwood Chinatown at its absolute finest? Come in February during Lunar New Year. The entire neighbourhood transforms in celebration of Chinese New Year and the atmosphere is fantastic. Dragons in the streets, live shows, festive lights in every colour, and an endless spread of food. It’s busy, it’s noisy, but it’s also an incredible experience to have at least once.
Getting There
Just take the train from Central Station towards Burwood. The journey takes about fifteen minutes and the station is less than a five-minute walk from the Chinatown. No parking hassle, no taxi needed. You’ll be walking into Burwood Chinatown within 5 minutes and can start enjoying it straight away.
Practical Information
| Location | Burwood Road, Burwood NSW 2134 |
|---|---|
| Website | Burwoodchinatown.com.au |
| Opening hours | Open daily, 08.00am – 10.30pm |
| Night markets | Thursday–Sunday, 5pm – 11pm |
| Getting there | Train from Central Station (~15 min), 5 min walk from Burwood station |
| Budget | Dishes from ~$15 per person |
| Busiest | Friday and Saturday evenings |
| Best time to visit | February (Lunar New Year) |
| Tip | Combine dinner at Burwood Hotel with an evening at the night markets |
Our favourite hotspot in Sydney
Burwood Chinatown is now on the radar of the entire world, and we completely understand why. Whenever we’re in Sydney, this is somewhere we love to come back to. And every time it’s a treat: lively crowds, a world of flavours, and an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. So if you’re in Sydney and love good food in a vibrant setting, Burwood Chinatown simply belongs on your list. We’ll definitely be back in Burwood the next time we head to Sydney.
