I get it. You catch the light rail to uni, and amid the 9 am rush, you are getting off the tram as soon as you can. While UNSW Anzac Parade is only one stop away, there has never been the need for you to stay on board to explore the bustling suburb of Kingsford (unless you wanted to pursue the conveniently located Maccas). Well, lucky for you, today I am going to tell you exactly why I believe Kingsford is the most slept-on suburb in southeastern Sydney. It is a total foodie haven, with a sprinkling of op shops, grocers, and a student pub that will give you a better night than the Roundhouse ever could. You will be a habitual Kingsford-stop-exiter from here on out.

Forgotten to pack lunch or just want to have a break from GYG for once? Fear not, you have many savouries to enjoy here.

A student institution is Yang Guo Fu Ma La Tang. This is the perfect place to gather with your friends as you load your own bowl with ingredients and choose either a dry or soupy noodle base. Superb for dietaries, as this entire meal is customisable. They’ve also got unlimited rice refills and the option to get fried skewers with a tongue-numbing, spicy seasoning. Aside from choosing which soup base I want, the most stressful thing about this place is whether you will get publicly humiliated with a giant bowl or a regular one (somehow you might end up overfilling to please your eyes and overstuff your stomach - don’t ask me how I know).

Another option is Manpuku, which has operated (and grown) out of Kingsford since 2013. Manpuku serves up a small but mighty menu, with the signature using a free-range pork ramen broth that simmers for hours, and all noodles hand-made in-house. Fun fact: while Manpuku has grown into a restaurant chain across Sydney, the OG tonkatsu soup base is made in Kingsford and distributed from there! It’s the perfect place to enjoy a huge bowl of noodles that brings warmth on chilly winter days. The indoor seating is limited, so you may have to wait for a seat on a busy evening.

Ayam Goreng 99 is the perfect no-frills restaurant for your authentic Indonesian lunchtime fix. Everything on the menu is delicious and well worth the price, but it is essential to try their range of charcoal-grilled chicken, served with the punchiest sambal. Insider tip: There is usually a line, so get in early or don’t complain about waiting!

I couldn’t get through this entire article without acknowledging the elephant in the room: the local pub known as the Regent Hotel (affectionately shortened to The Rege). This has been an institution for UNSW students from day one, and there’s no question as to why. They host an epic Monday night trivia, a bustling pool table, a revamped menu with some great pub feed deals, and most importantly, free Regeoke on a Thursday night. It’s the perfect place to kick back with uni mates after a big day at uni or for some post-exam celebrations. And, unlike the Roundhouse, the Rege doesn’t close until 4 am most nights!

Obviously, we need some non-alcoholic options in this list, and what Kingsford does very well is bubble tea. There are so many boba spots in Kingsford, it’s hard to choose exactly which ones to recommend. If you’re heading with a mate, Ten Fourteen is located down the Southern end of Anzac Parade, and has an extensive list of teas that can be doubled in a BOGO deal. The coconut mango sago is always my go -to during the summer months; it’s the perfect combo of creamy and refreshing. Another top contender is Hey Fresh, which is located inside Yang Guo Fu Ma La Tang. Hey Fresh has a more limited menu than Ten Fourteen, but you genuinely cannot go wrong with the teas, as they are seasonal and so fresh. Just remember to bring cash to access the BOGO deal!

Here’s a bakery you probably didn’t know existed. Tucked away just off Anzac Parade, Backerei R, is a semi-recent addition to the food and drink scene. It is a high-end German bakery featuring house-made treats such as pretzels, sourdough, bagels, and perfectly laminated sweet and savoury pastries. Picture items like black sesame cheesecakes, yuzu chocolate-hazelnut croissants, pistachio-raspberry bows, and maple, asparagus, and feta Danishes. The menu is seasonal, so there is always something to look forward to when you head out for your study break. I love coming here with friends because there is lots of outdoor seating to bask in during a sunny morning. A little birdie told me they do a good matcha too… #rare.

It’s about time you roll out your tech neck and stretch those academic weapon joints. The perfect place to do so is at Soul Studio, an intimate, grounding space offering yoga, breathwork, and south bathing classes. It’s the perfect space to unwind after a big week of uni, letting go of all the stress, uncertainty, and obligations you hold for just an hour or so. Locals rave about the classes, which are welcoming to all levels of yoga ability, with a range of flows on offer to suit your mood. Whether you are a beginner or a yogi, you will feel supported and at ease here.

You can score your first class for just $17, so you can try out the studio and treat yourself to some much-needed movement and inner calm. That's essentially the same price as a kebab combo from Yallah Eat. I know what I’m picking…

There is nothing I love more than a little snoop around the vintage stores to reset my dopamine levels between classes. Kingsford is home to a Noffs Op Shop, where all of your purchases will specifically go towards funding youth services. My favourite thing about Noffs is that much of their fashion and homewares are still super affordable, often priced between $5 and $15. Of course, the joy is always in finding a treasure amongst all of the bargains.

Another store I love to stroll through is Design Ark, a showroom full of antique, vintage, and repurposed furniture. There is a fusion of vintage and contemporary styles, and it’s ideal for visualising my dream setup and giving me a burst of creative inspiration.

I hope I’ve convinced you to try out UNSW’s neighbouring suburb for a lunch break, coffee, yoga class, or whatever it may be. As someone who will soon graduate and will no longer be able to visit Kingsford to the same extent, I implore you to explore it on my behalf. It has so many hidden gems, and it deserves all the love!

Saoirse is a final-year Law/Arts student, with a Minor in Creative Writing. After moving from Northern NSW to Sydney for uni, Saoirse has been obsessed with trying out all the food, drinks, and lifestyles this big city has to offer. On any given day, you will absolutely find her tucked away in a cafe, rating their signature drinks and pastries with a serious criteria.