Erskineville

Erskineville often gets overshadowed by its louder, cooler siblings—Newtown, Enmore and Marrickville—but don’t be fooled: this inner-west pocket knows how to put on a good time.

Think cute-as-heck cafés, pubs that welcome prams and pints in equal measure, shops where you’ll find something for you and the small human attached to your hip, and green spaces to burn off the banana bread. It’s the kind of suburb that quietly delivers the goods—no fanfare, just good vibes and even better coffee.

• Play

  Pretty Little Ballerinas
  Erskineville Town Hall and Joseph Sargeant Centre

  Tiny tutus, twirls, and a whole lot of joy—Pretty Little Ballerinas offers ballet and dance classes for little movers aged 2–6. Classes are all about building confidence, coordination, and creativity in a fun, nurturing space (no dance mums here, just happy feet). Sessions run across two studios in Erskineville, so hop online to find the one that suits you best.

  Kirsova Playground 1&2
  67 McDonald Street & 136-140 George Street

  Kirsova Playground 1 and 2 are two inner-city gems tucked into leafy pockets of Erskineville—ideal for little adventurers. Think shaded play equipment, grassy spaces for crawling or cartwheeling, and plenty of park bench real estate for snacks, chats, or that much-needed takeaway coffee. These playgrounds are named after Hélène Kirsova, a trailblazing ballerina and children’s advocate, so it’s only fitting that kids here twirl, tumble and play with joy.

• Eat

  Naked Brew
  110 Swanson Street

  A neighbourhood fave where the coffee’s strong, the menu’s stacked with feel-good brunch, and the pups (and prams) are always welcome. Naked Brew nails the chill, local vibe with dishes that taste as good as they look — think French toast and matcha lattes, we recommend the Turkish club. A top pick for your next mum catch-up or a lazy morning stroll that turns into brunch.

  The Erko
  102 Erskineville Road

  The Erko is your classic neighbourhood pub- with a leafy beer garden perfect for prams, a kids’ menu that goes beyond nuggets, and a laid-back vibe that means no one blinks an eye at a little mess, it’s the kind of place you can rock up with the whole fam (fur babies included).

  Oh, and kids eat free on Sundays!

• Shop

  To the Moon
  104 Swanson Street

  Our favourite kids clothing store has just opened their second store! To The Moon Kids has the kind of pieces you wish came in your size—playful, practical, and seriously cute. Shop high quality pre-loved clothes instore or online.

  The Floral Decorator
  112 Erskineville Road

  The kind of flowers that spark compliments, group chat screenshots, and a sudden urge to throw a party just to show them off. The Floral Decorator brings the drama (in the best way) with blooms that are bold, beautiful, and totally joy-inducing. Warning: may cause spontaneous table styling and photo shoots.

• You-time

  The Yard Gym
  Level 1/644 King Street

  The Yard Gym is a boutique strength and conditioning facility. They offer group training sessions, focusing on strength, power, endurance, conditioning and cardio. The Yard Gym has complimentary crèche service available during the 9:30am sessions.

  Erskineville Thai Massage & Spa
  59A Erskineville Road

  Need a little reset?

  Erko Thai Massage is your local spot for when you’re running on empty and in desperate need of some serious TLC. Expect traditional Thai techniques, blissful oils, and an hour that feels like a mini holiday.