24 October 2024
18 mins Read
Family-friendly spot: Antojitos
Great for special occasions: Jana Restaurant & Bar
Newcastle restaurants are world-class. The evolution of the city from an industrial steel city to sophisticated getaway has been decisively swift thanks to an influx of creative types looking for a sea change.
The restaurant scene has upped its game in response. For starters, the Honeysuckle Wharf area has had a makeover. Secondly, you can crack open a can of craft beer and listen to live music almost every night of the week. Or eat outdoors on a terrace overlooking the ocean. The Newcastle bar scene is just as enticing with many of the restaurants offering the option of casual bar bites.
Add to this Newcastle Food Month, an annual event dedicated to eating and drinking your way around Newcastle. It’s one of the best things to do in Newcastle. There’s never been a better time to discover the city’s culinary credentials. Follow along with our guide to the best restaurants in Newcastle.
Best for: Impressing your quirky new squeeze at this regional restaurant with rooms.
Start with drinks on the Rooftop at QT then head to Jana to enjoy Amalfi-inspired cuisine prepared with care by executive chef Ryan Crothers (ex-Merivale and Passeggiata).
Trevally crudo at Jana.
The designer hotel’s restaurant is housed in the heritage David Jones building, which has been reimagined as QT Newcastle in the hip and happening East End precinct.
Elegant light fixtures and natural materials set the mood.
Elegant light fixtures, pops of neon, fresh flowers and natural materials set the mood for lunch and dinner at Jana where Ryan’s vision is led by a deep respect for nature and its bounty. Give flame-kissed steaks or house-made pasta a twirl with a swirl of Hunter Valley wine while watching the theatre of chefs cooking in an open kitchen.
Each pasta dish is a celebration of fresh ingredients and Italian culinary tradition.
Best for: The Feed me option where you leave all the decisions up to the staff.
Chef Michael Portley has garnered a lot of attention at Humbug for his Italian-leaning fare with Asian accents. Portley (ex-The Edwards, Bodega, Sydney; Africola, Adelaide) and his partner Stephanie Wells define the spirit of the Newcastle hospitality scene: Humbug is casual, yet sophisticated.
The dining space features a casual-chic vibe. (Image: Daina Marie Photography)
The hatted neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar offer a terrific trifecta of wine, pasta, snacks. Snag a table near the concertina windows to enjoy a bowl of handmade pasta Coffs Harbour king prawns and chilli prawn butter. Humbug is a game-changer.
Enjoy elevated Asian spins on Italian classics. (Image: David Griffen Photography)
Best for: People-watching while enjoying pork and prawn gyoza.
There’s not a Novocastrian that doesn’t know about Nagisa. The harbourside restaurant has been around for more than two decades and is regarded as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Newcastle. The family-owned eatery in the Honeysuckle district is led by Tetsuhiko Namba and his son Taiyo, the restaurant manager.
Nagisa is draped with fabrics that resemble sails, paying homage to the harbourfront location. It’s also known for its gyoza, and popular for authentic Japanese fare such as sashimi, wagyu beef tataki and chicken karaage. Head to sister bar Âpé next door for Nikkei cuisine by the harbour.
Best for: Order the chef’s choice and a bottle of wine to enjoy overlooking the river.
Maryville locals couldn’t believe their luck when Elementa opened on the banks of Throsby Foreshore, within walking distance of the city. The romantic neighbourhood bistro of our dreams overlooks the water and a stand of tuckeroo trees. The fact you can arrive by scooter or skateboard is so on-brand for Newie.
Elementa’s dimly lit interior looks sophisticated.
The dining room is all dark and moody with charcoal walls, warm wood tones and ambient lighting. Chef Jess Brooks (ex-Flotilla) works with the region’s best producers to deliver dishes such as sea scallop crudo with Cape gooseberry, white soy and finger lime. The Berkshire pork cutlet katsu is also a solid option.
The thoughtfully designed menu encourages sharing.
Best for: Sunday lunch with people you wish were your family.
Harrison’s seems to have cornered the market on charm. The compact bistro and wine bar is all vintage crockery, mismatched tables and chairs, hand-scrawled chalkboard specials and European-inspired fare giving off ‘dinner at Nan’s’ vibes.
The bistro is named after owner Tony Harrison, which goes some way toward explaining the vibe of the place. Come here to be fed well by this hospitable chap on small share plates of kingfish ceviche and pâté with pickles. Or plump for larger share plates such as porcini mushroom risotto or confit duck a l’orange. It’s regarded as one of the best Newcastle restaurants for a multitude of reasons.
Best for: Buttermilk fried chicken wings.
Staying at Crystalbrook Kingsley on business? Use your company card to splurge at Ms Mary, named in honour of Ms Mary Eckford, a former convict who became one of Newcastle’s pioneering settlers. Please don’t steal the aprons and napkins like Ms Mary did prior to being deported from the UK in 1801. Just use your expense account to indulge in smashed avocado with Newcastle greens.
This light-filled morning meeting spot flips the switch to become a lunch date location and lounge. Buying drinks for the boss? Order Bloody Marys all round, obviously. The terrace at Ms Mary is also one of the best places to enjoy breakfast in Newcastle.
An indulgent spread at Ms Mary’s. (Image: David Griffen Photography)
Best for: Celebrating the very best Australian produce.
The Flotilla is the third Newcastle dining venue from ex-Silverchair musician Chris Joannou and business partner Zack Scholtz. Inviting frontman Eduardo Molina onboard as a co-owner was a master stroke; the hospitality veteran is integral to the success of the business.
This contemporary restaurant is renowned for serving produce-forward dishes.
The kitchen is run by chefs Jake Deluca and Darren Price, two of the most talented young chefs in the Hunter region. Together, the pair hero Australian produce and change the menu with the seasons. Almost 100 per cent of the wine list is Australian, with a big emphasis on natural varieties and a small selection of French wine.
The space is warm and inviting, reflecting the laid-back yet elevated dining experience.
The dining room is warm and inviting—all caramel and latte tones. Settle in for dishes such as scallop crudo with cucumber and spring onions and anchovy brioche with tomato.
Best for: Shareable snacks and dinner with friends.
The folks behind hatted fine diner Flotilla have added more wow factor to Wickham. Vecina means ‘neighbour’ in Spanish and the adjacent venue has been designed as a space that flows organically to and from Flotilla. It’s perfect for easy-drinking wines and cocktails paired with snacky pintxos.
Vecina offers shareable Spanish dishes.
If you squint, the warm, cosily lit neighbourhood bar may make you feel like you’re in the back streets of San Sebastian. Designed by Derive Architecture & Design, Vecina has a compact footprint and a natural leather palette that complements the hues in Flotilla.
The cosily lit interior sets the mood for dinner.
Bar snacks and larger share plates are available at the bar, which is considered one of the best in Newcastle. Order the Appellation oysters, beef tartare with egg jam, horseradish and gnocco fritto and the corn and caramelised onion croquette.
Indulge in smart bar snacks and an extensive wine offering.
Best for: Roasted free-range duck breast with endive, walnut granola and fermented red plum jus.
The Roundhouse on Level 9 of Crystalbrook Kingsley is one of the coolest Newcastle restaurants. Named after the iconic building of the same name, the former City Administration Centre has wrap-around windows and views that stretch from Nobbys to the Hunter Valley. Executive chef Matthew Smith has applied his expertise to the menu, based on seasonal dishes centred around sustainability.
The Roundhouse offers a unique dining experience with breathtaking views of Newcastle
Start with grilled king prawns, pickled daikon and karkalla salad. Or blue swimmer crab lasagna, prawn and crab bisque, lemon pangrattato. In addition to the elegant aesthetic – think Art Deco-inspired banquettes and parquetry floors – the service is polished.
Enjoy elevated, Modern Australian fare.
The wine list, too, showcases the breadth of the Hunter region’s wine varietals. Head to Rombergs next door for a nightcap. It’s one of Newcastle’s top spots for a tipple.
Head next door for sophisticated cocktails.
Best for: Tortilla soup with chicken, veggies, tomatillos, and spices, thickened with house-made corn tortillas.
Look no further than Antojitos for a Mexican feast for dinner or lunch in Newcastle. What initially started as a small market stall now operates within a cavernous warehouse-sized restaurant that turns out up to 45,000 burritos and 35,000 tacos a year.
This is a Californian-style taqueria so expect kick-ass Mexican street food – from carnitas (slow-pulled pork) to pollo (chicken) and Baja-style fish burritos. The menu also includes nachos, guacamole and corn chips, and burritos. You can also order food to pick-up and enjoy back at your Newcastle accommodation.
The menu boasts a range of Mexican bites.
Best for: A family feast of Beirut Mixed Grill with skewers of meat, chips, garlic sauce and tabbouli.
Downtown Beirut is a celebration of Lebanese culture and cuisine. It’s also become one of the best Newcastle restaurants for its contemporary take on Middle Eastern fare. Feast on falafel, kibbeh in a yoghurt sauce, loubieh beans, spinach pockets and lamb cutlets, all served with a side of signature smoked rice humming with pepper and spice.
The main dishes include the grilled meats so synonymous with Middle Eastern fare, which arrive on platters to share. There are also slow-cooked stews and colourful crunchy pickles. Build your plate on a pillow of pita slathered in hummus.
Experience the vibrant flavours of Lebanon at Downtown Beirut.
Best for: Eating in tune with the Mediterranean way.
Save your Euros and put off that trip to Santorini with a visit to Blanca in the heart of the Honeysuckle precinct. Seasonal ingredients are the building blocks of the menu at this family-owned business, which looks to the coastlines of Turkey, Sicily and Greece for inspiration.
Settle into a curvy banquette in the bright sun-kissed space for yellowfin tuna and grilled king prawns, grilled octopus and Murray cod. The white-on-white eatery is positioned on a corner spot of the harbour and adorned with earthy objects and terracotta sconces. The beach-chic interiors set the tone for an exquisite dining and drinking experience complemented by an excellent list of wines and cocktails.
Best for: The Sunday Speakeasy vibes when live music rattles through the space. Order the chunky beef pot pie.
Bartholomew’s is a temple for good times and one of the best restaurants in Newcastle. The 1920s-inspired bar and restaurant is housed in Newcastle’s iconic 1903 Methodist mission building.
The Art Deco space has just the right mix of attitude along with elegant chandeliers, vaulted ceilings and an extensive drinks list. Expect crowds of tattooed creatives clustered around tables enjoying down-and-dirty comfort food and ordering drinks from the wall of whiskies. Order bar bites such as chicken wings with honey, mustard and bourbon sauce or a heftier main of Italian sausage ravioli. There is also a large selection of craft beer on tap and a well-crafted list of wines.
Pair your drinks with a cheese plate.
Best for: A dark and moody space to retreat for an intimate tête a tête. Oh, and there are great gyozas.
The tides are shifting in Newcastle as this humble watering hole attests. The Koutetsu is very understated from the outside. But that’s all part of the charm of this secret bar. It’s the kind of place you might walk past, notice happy people pouring out of it, and think, ‘Oh that looks cool. I should check that out.’ That time is now.
Enjoy complimentary popcorn with your cocktails and prepare to stay tucked away in this speakeasy for hours. Yes, yes, we know The Koutetsu is more of a bar than a restaurant; that’s why we’ve included it in our guide on where to drink in Newcastle. But those looking for bar snacks will also find the gyoza here the go-to light bite. Prepare to be impressed with the large range of Australian gin and Japanese whiskey, too.
It mightn’t look like much on the outside, but that’s the beauty of this secret bar.
Best for: Lola Palomas (chilli-infused tequila with watermelon, lime and grapefruit) with corn ribs in miso butter.
Newcastle is a T-shirt-casual kind of place. But you will want to don your most fetching ’fit for lunch or dinner at this light and airy eatery. There’s been even more of a buzz on in the city since the arrival of Light Years, which has sister restaurants in Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
Dine on modern Asian fare at Light Years. (Image: Megann Evans)
Known for its trademark tropical interiors, with palm trees and trailing greenery, the Darby St venue offers a modern Asian dining experience. Expect cult classics from Swedish-born executive chef Robbie Oijvall such as firecracker chicken, Singapore chilli prawns, and wagyu beef rendang.
Mouth-watering wagyu beef rendang. (Image: Megann Evans)
Best for: Sunday yum cha with friends.
Follow the sweet, woodsy perfume of garlic and coriander to find Ginger Meg’s, a Hawker-style Asian eatery and bar tucked away down a discrete alleyway in King St. Despite being a cavernous space, the venue has a cosy conviviality thanks to a mix of rich textiles, dark interiors, soft lighting and furnishings. Build your own banquet with Sichuan salt and pepper squid, Asian greens and fried wontons followed by a few Ginger Buddhas.
The stunning Sunday lunch seven-course set menu is a wonderful way to experience the offerings at Ginger Meg’s. Think prawn hargow with roasted Sichuan soy, chicken and water chestnut siu mei dumplings, mini BBQ pork buns and more all for a budget-friendly $40. There’s also a vegan option, making Ginger Megs one of the best plant-based dining experiences in Newcastle.
Best for: The pumpkin and blue cheese pizza and seafood linguine.
Parry St Garage was one of the restaurants that kicked off somewhat of a dining renaissance in the city of Newcastle. Expect to find the cool kids of Newcastle congregating at this neighbourhood eatery looking like a cast of extras assembled for Portlandia. Like Newcastle, this place is not fancy. It’s blue-collar cool. Parry St Garage is housed in an old car mechanic’s workshop and it’s a fun, straightforward, charming, friendly hub. Go here for woodfired pizza and stay for the cocktails, music and good times.
Tuck into a heartwarming bowl of pasta.
Bocados has long been considered one of the most well-loved Newcastle restaurants. It’s not about cutting-edge gastronomy here. Instead, Bocados is about highlighting how excellent home-spun Spanish flavours can be. For instance, there’s nothing complicated about pintxos plates like pan con tomate and croqueta del dia. But you’ll be off to a cracking start if you order these traditional Spanish dishes.
Dine on home-style Spanish dishes. (Image: Leva Faulkner)
Continue to build your mini feast with tapas y raciones to share such as patatas bravas, garbanzo y kale and paella. Bocados does BYO on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (with corkage). The flavours and aromas will transport you to a sun-splashed summer holiday in Spain. Salud!
Head to Bocados for a Spanish feast. (Image: Leva Faulkner)
Best for: Steak frites
Great food and wine are at the heart of the dining experience at Frenchie, the bistro-style eatery that is the sister venue to Alfie’s. Follow the aroma of shallots and garlic sautéing in butter to the moodily-lit French-style eatery, which looks to traditional Gallic cuisine for its gastronomic inspo.
The menu channels traditional Gallic cuisine.
Forget food plucked onto the plate using tweezers. The menu at the French-inspired restaurant in the heart of Carrington leans toward hearty mains that embody the culinary riches of a trad Parisian bistro. Expect perfectly seasoned produce and impeccably cooked filet mignon with pommes Dauphinoise. Or jarret d’agneau (lamb shanks bourguignon) with Paris mash and local veggies.
The interior transports guests to a Parisian bistro.
Best for: Blue swimmer crab dumplings with kaffir lime leaf and saffron broth.
Keep an eye on Scottie’s Instagram which occasionally chalks up specials via its social media feed. The menu here evolves with the seasons. But if the sea urchin bucatini carbonara is on the menu, don’t miss it. The roasted king prawns with green nahm jim is also stellar.
Scottie’s Instagram also lights up with the odd collab. From Alfresco Radio Party DJs with The Grifter Brewing Co. to leisurely arvo wine tastings with Vinden, one of the best wineries in the Hunter Valley.
Best for: Scoffing oysters
You’ll find everyone from locals to road-trippers on their way to or from Sydney slurping up oysters at Thermidor and then ordering some more. There’s a lot of salty, briny satisfaction to be had here if you prefer your seafood with a view.
Seafood fans should make a beeline for Thermidor.
Although owners Josh and Jess Gregory both share a background in fine dining (Muse, Subo, Bistro Molines and EXP.), the modest restaurant and oyster bar down by the Honeysuckle precinct is popular due to its laid-back air.
Thermidor is well-loved for its laid-back yet refined dining experience.
The light and airy space features two purpose-built fish tanks and an oyster bar where diners can watch their oysters being freshly shucked. There’s also a raw bar with three different types of sashimi. Josh hand-picks the seafood himself which means the menu changes daily. Don’t be fooled by its apparent simplicity, the food is as sophisticated as it is elegant.
Best for: Elevated seaside dining.
Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade in Newcastle before nabbing a table on the balcony where you can watch all the action unfolding on Merewether Beach. This is not the kind of restaurant where tables are clad in starched white tablecloths and food arrives under a silver cloche. Does that sort of place even exist in Australia?
Nab a table on the balcony where you can watch all the action unfolding on Merewether Beach.
The word peregrin has evolved to symbolise a traveller. And you’ll find a lot of #vanlifers here who have swerved toward the seaside eatery seeking sustenance. Chef Greg Singian champions the bounty of its own backyard in dishes such as the testaroli with broccolini tips, peas, mint, ricotta and lemon. Or the roasted half-shell scallop served with a chorizo crumb. The industrial-chic space leans into Newcastle’s Steel City heritage.
Peregrin offers an exceptional range of contemporary seafood dishes.
For more foodie haunts, read our guide to Newcastle’s best cafes.
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