You probably already know and love Newtown for its great cafés, vintage treasures and cheap Thai. Jam-packed with all manner of stores centered around busy King Street, the area is also perfect for a lazy day of shopping. From the quirky to designer, here are our picks north of Newtown station. If you’re stopping by on the weekend, check out the markets on the corner of Bedford and Australia Street before starting your trawl down King Street.

Living Room
Filled with recycled threads, sweet accessories and vintage toys this tiny store just off King Street is a gem. Look out for quirky sunglasses, costume jewellery and printed tees with most pieces well under $50. Be sure to pop next door where the ever-packed Black Star Pastry dishes up some of the best baked sweet treats around.
279 Australia St

Cream on King
The younger sister to the popular Surrey Hills store Cream on Crown, Cream on King is packed with a large selection of modified and original retro gear for guys and girls. Come for the pretty dresses and retro tees, stay for the vintage leather boots and jackets.
317 King St
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Maple
If vintage isn’t up your alley, then Maple’s mix of street wear and denim labels might be including Bassike, Something Else and Lee for the girls and Deus Ex Machina, RVCA and Stüssy for the boys.
244 King St
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Pretty Dog
Hiding in a leafy side street in a beautifully refurbished terrace with antique fixtures and wooden floors, Pretty Dog is Newtown’s slice of designer heaven. Take your time browsing pieces by local favourites Dion Lee, Arnsdorf, Lover, Romance Was Born and Therese Rawsthorne plus select international labels including Future Classics and Antipodium. The store also boasts covetable footwear by Acne and Tristan Blair.
5 Brown St
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Berkelouw Books
At street level this bookstore stocks a nice range of art books, novels and cards but most locals head straight upstairs to the airy café where you’re welcome to curl up on mismatched couches or get lost in the aisles of second-hand books. On the day of our visit, we spied titles on Pierre Cardin, Jenny Kee, poster design and Japanese graphics from $15.
6-8 O’Connell St
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Mag Nation
Like browsing magazines but hate that angry newsagent man peering over your shoulder? Magazine lovers already know all about Mag Nation with their huge selection of local, international and niche publications. You’ll find Acne Paper, Encens, Tank, Dansk, Paper Planes, Purple Fashion… but best of all, a comfy upstairs reading lounge so you can browse to your heart’s content.
155 King Street
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Yoshi Jones
Teeming with unique shift dresses, A-line skirts, kimonos and obis cut in Japanese fabrics, Yoshi Jones is for those who like all things brightly coloured and super-kawaii. There are also patchwork bags, fun accessories and stationery.
134 King St
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Gould’s Book Arcade
There are slim pickings beyond Missenden Road so why not stop for a spot of Thai (we like Thai Riffic or cheapy Thai La-Ong) before meandering down to Gould’s Book Arcade. Stacked floor to ceiling with all manner of second-hand journals, posters, records and books, Gould’s is something of a Newtown institution. Sift through the dust to find vintage fashion magazines for as little as $2.
32 King St
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Do you have any favourite shops we’ve missed?