Terrible service. Patronizing and rude. Watxhed a woman get yelled at by the owner because she…read moreasked for a new coffee as they messed up the order. Told her she had to pay for a new one. Then the other waitress told her to keep her mourh shut and not voice her opinions. Disgusting behavior. Why would you give your money to these people Don't go.

Escape to a European garden wonderland in Parterre, on the corner of Queen and Ocean streets…read more Inspiring antiques and collectables gathered from across the globe culminate in an enchanting rustic escape in downtown Woollahra. An air of romance pervades two levels and a courtyard wall to wall with exquisite surprises beneath the delicate floral scent of burning candles. Meander and marvel at pieces that could belong in some French provincial manse. An exquisite showcase of majestic pots, stone and marble statues, period fountains and water features, graceful chandeliers, glassware and ceramics, fragrant candlesticks, clocks, mirrors, vases... the works. Pick up an inexpensive gift, secure a serious architectural piece or simply take a magical break from the everyday mundane.

A nice range of very intellectual books, if you buy a book from Gleebooks, you know you won't be…read morelet down. It does have an air of austerity and prize winning grace. There was a good selection of philosphy, spirituality and film books, but the range is of an academic demeanour. It is for those that know and want to extend on their technical reading without fading out into light fiction. There was not much in the way of fiction, there were some Penguin Classics, but everything else was modern and non-fiction - biographies on interesting people like Steve Jobs and Joanna Lumley and there was a discount table out the front to try your luck with.

If you're a bookworm or just need a good pressie idea, drop in to Glee Books on Marrickville Road…read more The shop is crammed with all kinds of papery delights, plus an assorted collection of knick-knacks and a bunch of DVDs and audio books by the register. Spanning all topics from politics to sport to biographies to travel, there's something for everyone here. The staff are also willing to help you search for whatever you're after. There's a great kids' book section up the back and a wide range of cookbooks down the front. All the usual celeb chef titles are here, like the Bill Grangers, Matt Morans, etc, but also some unique international cuisine recipe collections that will have your belly rumbling before you even leave the store. You'll find a small range of gift cards and wrapping paper on the left as you walk in, so you can pretty much walk out with an entire gift ready to go! Easy!

'Pages and Pages' is a bookshop for people who like to talk books. Every time I've been there,…read morethere is a heavy discussion taking place between staff and customer about the customers chosen tome. Now, I love books. In fact, I'm a committed reader of many genres, but especially literary fiction, this unfortunately falsely identifies me as someone capable of intelligent discussion. The truth is, I find critiquing a novel with an eloquent book vending professional intimidating. I feel like I have to prepare a Marieke Hardy type opinion of whatever I am browsing when I feel more Laurel and Hardy. If you want a recommendation though this is your place.The staff handwrite recommendations for many of the offerings on the shelves and of course, they're on hand to give their opinions! They have frequent Author talks and books signings and there appears to be a real writers and readers hub accessible through the store. Those who prefer to do their browsing in secret might find this store a little intense!

If you need any evidence that we should NOT resort purely to shopping for books online, this is it…read more A split store, with a front section dedicated to adults and a separate rear area for children, Pages & Pages is dedicated to the written word to the extent that the owner is even CALLED Jon Page. You'll hear him from time to time on ABC Radio talking about new titles, or illustrating how and why we avoid the demise of the independent bookstore. Pages & Pages is incredibly up-to-date, with new titles available quickly and read and reviewed by staff. It hosts regular authors evenings and lunches, usually in conjunction with local businesses, and co-ordinates a Book Club that meets in the delightful Bathers Pavilion in Balmoral. Local schools and charities are endlessly supported by Pages & Pages generosity, and if there is anything you can't find they'll get it in for you if it is in print. Now dare I even start on the children's section - we should hold Amelia up in lights for singlehandedly motivating our children to read. On her lengthy daily bus commute she reads title after title, covering books for littlies all the way through to teens. She buys well, and can talk knowledgably on pretty much all the titles in stock - if she knows a child, she will confidently point them in the direction of something new they are likely to enjoy, and if she doesn't, a few quick questions will give her the clues she needs to pick out what's right. An invaluable member of the local community - long may it outlast the online menace.

Stepping into EB games is sort of like entering into a teenagers room, probably because the teen…read morebuys stuff from there and his room is filled with those EB games.. Since last year, EB games started accepting trade-ins of other items like iPod in addition to consoles and video games. I went in to find the best price for trading in my old iPod. The counter staff are very quick and efficient. They confirmed the price and offered to exchange, upgrade or trade in the product. Not inclined to buy any games from there, I chose to skip the offer. As I was leaving, I noticed they sell HDMI cables and a whole bunch of accessories for media and phones and consoles. I wasn't aware I could buy electronic accessories at EB games.. Good to know and made a mental note to include EB in my price comparison list.

EB Games in Stanhope is really good, I enjoy entering that place everytime I go there, The Manager…read moreof Stanhope EB Games is really nice and unlike most employees at game stores I been to, these guys actually know what they are talking about, they are gamers, not teenagers that dont know anything about games with the odd exception, No! These guys know their games and they are really friendly and nice everytime I go there, they have a great variety of games for gamers all ages even people who are casual gamers that enjoy lite puzzle games, EB have them covered, EB Games is a great Game store, especially the ones in Stanhope, Rouse Hill, Castle Towers and Blacktown!

Great gigantic stationary and book store. We don't have stores like this anymore in the US…read more Love this store. I could browse for hours inside a store such as Dymocks. There are many ways to find and search for any books that one is looking for. I personally just go section by section. If there's a book I cannot find, I go to their computers to search for it. Thanks to amzn (though I do love amzn. Been an amzn shareholder since I was a baby...thanks to mommy for buying those beautiful shares....haha and still am), we no longer have big beautiful books/gift stores like we use to in the ancient days. So if you want, you may have to travel to DOWN UNDER to get some old school R&R. I did, LOL!! You've gotta visit this place when you visit the land down under!! Highly recommend it!!

The smaller of the two I've been to it's still not that small given the multiple levels. Where you…read morehave me lost is that most of the ground floor is gifts souvenirs and trendy stuff/stationary. Normally I don't mind but I was surprised given the fact that everything upstairs seemed so condensed because of this like an aisle and that's it. Because of this I didn't get the type of time I wanted to have in what I was told was the biggest in Australia. Your mileage may vary on this obviously but for me that's a dealbreaker. On lighter notes staff were scarce and while nice didnt have what I was looking for. Books were in the best condition of the two and I was impressed by that as again I don't have that where I'm from. Despite that Sydney will eventually be my home I'll definitely be looking to shop in Melbourne more for the genres of my tastes.

It's a large fashion store with plenty to choose from, some of the stuff I find a tad tacky but if…read moreyou have a good look around your bound to find some nice bits and pieces that are all pretty nicely priced. Funky Femme is now hosting stock to the Kardashian Collection, not my cup of tea but I know some girls go ape shit for that sort of thing so if you're into the Kardashian Clan you can now purchase their designs, well they probably paid some designer to make it all for them and have never actually seen any of their brands clothes but you know, whatever. I like popping into the store on my way home and having a browse, every now and then I'll come out with a dress or a singlet. It's pretty standard fashion but there are always some cute things in there.

City Beach is one of those stores that I feel is out of my league. It's like when you see a really,…read morereally beautiful guy/girl.. and you just think "Aw man, there's no way they'll ever want me"... So it is with City Beach. "Why would a store like City Beach ever have anything I can afford to buy.... *slits wrists*" Such is the life of a student. Clothing stores give us inferiority complexes. But back to the point, I quite literally love almost everything they have in City Beach. Great tops, great jeans, and great wrist-accessories (I hesitate to call them bracelets.. they're more like leather bands) and anklets. But their selection doesn't stop there; they have a great variety of swimwear, they have an entire quarter of the vast store for men's apparel, they have some really fantastic sunglasses, they sell shoes (mostly skate shoes), boots, thongs, bags... You'll probably find everything you need to create a complete wardrobe at this store. The only setback; it can get a little pricey. Although I'd say it's worth it.

Drive up through the penisular where it slim out to a headland, past all the 'For Sale' signs and…read moreyou come across a little precinct of shops that have created their own little shopping mecca. This collection of fashion and homeware stores includes Salt Homewares. Salt has a extensive range of Anique and Collectables, Baby Products, Fashion, Accessories, Outdoor Furniture and Beauty products. This includes Antica Sartoria beachwear, vintage tiles, hammocks, baby fraser wrap kits and soy based candles. The shop is open 7 days however I would recommend calling ahead if the skies look gray to avoid disappointment should you arrive at Salt and they have closed early. Combine your visit with a meal at one of the eateries and enjoy your afternoon in this haven of beauty.