The inner-west suburb of Ashfield is located about nine kilometres south-west of Sydney's CBD.

Flanked by the chaos of Paramatta Road on one side and Ashbury on the other, complete gentrification has not yet coiled itself around the area, so there's plenty to do to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that exists here.

Here's how to spend some quality time in the area:

10am: Take the train

The words "Never Too Late" in a bright royal blue beam down as you disembark the train station at Ashfield. Contemporary artist Elliot "Numskull" Routledge created the mural as part of an initiative by the Inner West Council to deter illegal graffiti and brighten up the suburb, and it's a sign of good things to come.

10.30am: Brunch at Excelsior Jones

The counter at Excelsior Jones will be the first thing to draw you in. It groans with sweet things such as chocolate ganache tarts with honeycomb and glazed doughnuts.

5 Senses coffee and the simple, airy space are the perfect accompaniments to eggs and towering fried chicken burgers.

193a Queen St, Ashfield, (02) 9799 3240

11.30am: Spot the paint

Aside from Numskull's looming words, recently completed murals by Brad Eastman (Beastman) and Guido van Helten have splashed the area with colour and interest.

Beastman's graphic, primary-coloured work enlivens a corner of Queen Street and Liverpool Road, while van Helten's intricate illustration of a local resident keeps watch a little further on.

The Ashfield Harmony Wall on Drakes Lane was created by artists Adrian Clement and Hayley Rose Hill in collaboration with Ashfield Boys' High School, and is made up of 90 striking coloured panels, each chosen by a different student.

12.30pm: A peek over the fence at Ashfield Castle

The huge and heritage Ashfield Castle, built in 1887 and previously known as Ambleside, isn't quite the towering pile you expect from such a grandiose name, but it is rather impressive to walk past for a quick peek.

160 Queen Street, Ashfield

1.30pm: Lunch at New Shanghai

Ummmm... which one first? #NewShanghai #MelbourneFood #SydneyFood #BrisbaneFood #ChineseCuisine #Dumplings #shanghainesefood

A post shared by New Shanghai (@newshanghai) on May 21, 2017 at 1:00am PDT

The Ashfield brand of the New Shanghai chain is the original, and the best.

There are 10 locations around Sydney and Melbourne, all serving delicious varieties of steamed and pan-fried dumplings, noodles, seafood live from the tank and noodle soups.

273 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, (02) 9797 7284

2.30pm: Something for later from New Shanghai Workshop

Now you've eaten all you can over lunch, stock up for dinner at Shanghai Workshop, New Shanghai's takeaway spot next door. Pick up bags of frozen pork and chive dumplings, wonton skins, fresh noodles and ready-to-eat pastries.

269 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield

4pm: Craft Beers at Ashfield Mall Cellars

Down the back of a very unassuming car park sits this craft beer haven.

Mostly Australian craft brews stock the shelves, along with a few interesting international expressions. When in doubt, reach for the freakiest label.

Shop 204/260A Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, (02) 9798 2216

6pm: Swing dancing and Pierogi at The Polish Club

Ashfield's Polish club is not only the place to watch seniors swing dance, but it's also where you'll find some of the most authentic Polish food in Sydney.

The club's restaurant, Sto Lat, offers two kinds of pierogi - potato and cheese or meat dumplings - served with caramelised onions, plus potato cakes with sour cream, tripe or beetroot soup and hefty roast pork knuckle.

Order a round of honey vodka to get things moving.

73-75 Norton St, Ashfield