What to do in Sydney when it rains - food and drink

Sample everything at Eveleigh Markets

Bad weather can turn most farmers' markets into a dreary, muddy day out, but not at Eveleigh markets, where everything's under cover and the Saturday morning markets go ahead rain, hail or shine. Housed in an old railway workshop at the heritage-listed Eveleigh Railyards, the weekly markets feature 80 food stalls selling fresh meats and seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Rained in? Be sure to check out the adjacent CarriageWorks, Sydney's home of contemporary arts and culture for a taste of the unusual.

Where? Eveleigh Farmers' Market, 243 Wilson St, Darlington 2008. (02 9209 4220).

Where else? Paddy's Organic Markets, Adjacent to Flemington Station, Homebush West 2140; Entertainment Quarter Village Markets, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park 2021.

Cook up a storm at Sydney Seafood School

If it's too cold for sun baking, why not try some home baking? You could learn the art of seafood barbecue so that when the sun does come back out to play, you are the Tong Master.

Rained in? Check out Sydney Fish Market, buy some fresh prawns from De Costi, have some fish and chips at Doyles and stock up on fancy olive oil and infused vinegars at Blackwattle Deli.

Where? Sydney Fish Market, Bank St, Pyrmont 2009. (02 9004 1111).

Where else? Check out Sydney's best cooking schools.

Taste wines at the Ultimo Wine Centre

There is something fortifying about fine wine on a dreary day. Educate your palate at the Ultimo Wine Centre each Saturday with themes like Burgundy, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Malbec.

Rained In? Go to Harris Farm in the nearby Broadway Shopping Centre. Grab a wheel of brie and other necessary provisions for a good old-fashioned carpet picnic. (And no, that's not dirty.)

Where? Ultimo Wine Centre, Shop 21/99 Jones St, Ultimo 2007. (02 9211 2380) Sat 12.30–3.30pm.

Where else? Vine, Providore of Fine Wine, Shop 1/780 Bourke St, Redfern 2016. (02 9310 5454) Fri–Sat 5–8pm; Bottle O Taylor Square, 407 Bourke St, Darlinghurst 2010. (02 9331 7700) Fri–Sat 6–9pm.

Take High Tea at Swissôtel

It's raining, it's pouring - hell, it could almost be England, so why not get as English as Earl Grey? Warm your cockles with a steaming cuppa (pinkie pointing in the air, of course), then sip on a flute of Moët as you nibble on sandwiches, cakes and scones by head chef Justin Zammit.

Rained in? Make like Augustus Gloop and go for seconds at Swissôtel's massive Lindt chocolate fountain. Just try not to fall in.

Where? Crossroads Bar, Swissôtel Sydney, 68 Market St, Sydney 2000. (02 9238 7082). Sat & Sun 2-4pm, $39pp. Bookings essential.

Where else? The Victoria Room, Level 1, 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst 2010 (02 0357 4488). Sat & Sun, $38pp.

Do ‘The Turn'

So you're having lunch somewhere excellent, the weather outside is frightful and you can't bear the thought of going out into it. We say, don't. ‘The Turn' is when lunch turns into dinner: another bottle is opened, the staff recommend some nibbles that you'd be a fool to refuse, and you start looking at the menu again with keen interest. 

Where? Our favourite for this is Glebe Point Diner. 407 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037. (02 9660 2646).

More saviours for a rainy day