If George Street is all you know of The Rocks, get ready to explore in earnest. Running parallel to that main artery, the smaller Playfair Street is this spring hosting the Playfair Takeover, a series of curated pop-ups with a strong focus on casual but creative food and drink experiences.

That means you can feast on authentic Mexican street food and native Australian ingredients in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge, or sip on booze-free cocktails before taking home some bright new additions for the pantry.

Don’t miss the takeover’s grand opening on Wednesday September 14, when there will be 200 giveaways across the different pop-ups. For now, here’s a handy preview.

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Small Good A classic deli with a native Australian focus, Small Good is the brainchild of Masterchef alum Jess Hodge. This pop-up will offer a short menu of ready-to-eat sandwiches, including a Reuben riff made with wallaby pastrami, a mortadella sandwich, and a lox-style bagel topped with smoked barramundi. Equally appealing are the take-home items, from smoked sausages (with lemon myrtle and pepperberry), fresh oysters, emu meatballs, a pear and pepperberry stracciatella ‘taco’, and kangaroo tail terrine. You can also procure some Indigenous Australian tea, chai or hot chocolate for your own pantry from Mabu Mabu and Indigiearth. Open for lunch Tuesday to Saturday, dinner Friday to Saturday and all day on Sunday, the Small Good pop-up will run for three months.

Shop 20, 10-26 Playfair Street, The Rocks

Taqueria Zepeda Visiting from San Diego, Iron Chef winner Claudette Zepeda celebrates Mexican street food with her eponymous taqueria. Zepeda’s menu extends to traditional fire-cooked pork and beef served on fresh-pressed corn tortillas made with authentic ingredients imported by her own boutique company. Soundtracked by lively Mexican tunes, the taqueria will also serve regional favourites such as charred poblano (mild chilli) strips in cheese fondue, and cheese-stuffed fried dosa. But the real anchor remains the tacos, with fillings ranging from beef tongue confit and skin-on pork belly, to grilled sirloin steak and marinated pork with creamy avocado. Also here for three months only, Taqueria Zepeda is open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday and for dinner and drinks Friday to Saturday.

Shops 21-22, 10-26 Playfair Street, The Rocks

Fishbowl x Seedlip On the ground for four days only, this collab between Bondi salad spot Fishbowl and non-alcoholic spirit specialists Seedlip will match the former’s sustainable salmon bowls with cocktails curated by celebrated bartender and drinks consultant Matt Whiley. Expect a Halo Gimlet made with Seedlip Spice, koji banana skin and parsley verjus, or an Emerald City that’s mixed with Seedlip Garden alongside green pea and bayleaf cordial, apple whey and dill. The bowls, meanwhile, will showcase New Zealand salmon sashimi with brown rice, kale and avocado, with a likeminded tofu bowl also at the ready (gluten-free options will be available). The bowl-and-cocktail combos will be available for just $25 from midday to 3pm between Wednesday September 14 and Monday September 17.

Shop 23, 10-26 Playfair Street, The Rocks

Neighbourhood Delicatessen A playful outreach of The Rocks’ perennially popular Fine Food Store, Neighbourhood Delicatessen will continue that spot’s sterling reputation for great coffee and sandwiches while including a curated slate of wines, cheese, charcuterie, fresh bread and even cocktails (including non-alcoholic options). Of course, there will also be plenty of jarred ingredients to take home with you, too. Neighbourhood Delicatessen opens Monday September 21, with trading hours still to be confirmed.

Shops 1-2, 10-26 Playfair Street, The Rocks

Libano Mexicano Set to be the newest kid on the block, Libano Mexicano will open its doors on Saturday October 1, debuting a Lebanese Mexican menu. Think Lebanese tacos served on a flat pita bread, stuffed with kibbeh. Also on offer will be lamb shish kebab skewers with habanero salsa, sujuk quesadillas with Lebanese break and a spicy margarita with tajin salt.

Other pop-ups are on the way soon too, so keep your eyes on Playfair Street.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with The Rocks.