The most delicious food & drink experiences in Newcastle

Restaurants  

In the city, try Bocados for Spanish tapas; Ginger Meg's for bold tastes of Southeast Asia (plus on Sundays there’s yum cha); Newcastle institution Scottie’s for up-market, sustainable seafood and fish and chips in a wine bar-like setting by the beach; and Light Years for modern Asian and punchy cocktails. Humbug will answer any high-end cravings with wine, pasta and snacks; as will Market St Basement.  

Humbug, Newcastle - Credit: David Griffen Photography

Roundhouse, sat atop Crystalbrook Kingsley (one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings), plates up high-end modern Australian fare with outstanding 360-degree views. Signal Box, located in an equally iconic building – the historic former rail signal box – also serves modern Australian but in a modern bistro-style setting.  

Signal Box, Newcastle - Credit: Megann Evans

Antojitos, a little further west of the city, offers a Californian taqueria experience in a laid-back old-school warehouse. Flotilla in Wickham remains one of the city’s (and state’s) hottest restaurants, showcasing an artistic and thoughtful menu (it changes every few weeks) championing local growers. In New Lambton Alfie’s will answer your Italian and wine bar cravings. 

Flotilla, Newcastle - Credit: Flotilla

The Honeysuckle habourside precinct is also home to an assortment of relaxed cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars offering stunning views over the Hunter River. Try Nagisa for Japanese, Casa Nova for Italian, Blanca for Mediterranean dishes, and The Kingfish for seafood platters piled high with local produce. Across the water in Carrington, book into Frenchie for moody modern French. 

Frenchie, Carrington - Credit: Sophie Tyler

The views over Newcastle Beach are very impressive from Rustica. Here simple Mediterranean has been the philosophy for more than a decade, and you’re seated under a canopy of lanterns, surrounded by ornate wrought iron detailing. On the other side of the hill, Merewether Surfhouse’s terrace bar and restaurant offers sweeping views of Merewether Beach. Peregrin, just behind the Surfhouse in the flash Beach Hotel (an excellent Newcastle pub), offers water views and dishes cooked over charcoal.  

Peregrin, Merewether

Cafes and casual eating  

West of the city, spend some time roaming Hamilton’s lively pub and cafe scene, centred around the bustling Beaumont Street. Pull up a chair Eight Buns for handmade dumplings and dim sum, or Newcastle institution, Raj’s Corner for an array of Indian curries and snacks. Follow your nose to Cake Boi for a rustic Australian high tea and classic cakes including a beloved mixed berry sponge.      

Cake Boi, Newcastle, Hamilton

You’ll find an eclectic mix of eateries on trendy Darby Street, and you can wander from here to the inner-city suburb Cooks Hill . At Autumn Rooms find toast piled high, fluffy hotcakes and specialty coffee. Down the road in The Junction, Birdie is Newcastle’s bougie answer to a chicken shop. In Merewether, Larrie’s does excellent beachside fish and chips, with a view, under the Beach Hotel.  

Other noteworthy cafes include Good Brothers Espresso Shop where caffeine culture is taken very seriously; Local Customs, for its famous bacon and egg roll wrapped in a woodfired panini; Fairmont Diner for an Australian diner-style brunch; Uprising for some of the best sourdough and viennoiserie in the city; Spur for creative drinks with a laid-back neighbourhood vibe; and Arno Deli for Italian-style sandwiches, charcuterie and wine. 

Arno Deli, Newcastle - Credit: David Griffen Photography

Breweries, distilleries and pubs 

Visit Earp Distilling Co. for a tour of the distillery followed by a gin tasting or cocktail in the bar – you can also become a distiller for the day at the on-site Spirit School. The Grain Store is a specialised spot showcasing the best of Australia’s independent beers in a large beer hall-like space. The food menu takes inspiration from a classic American diner and is home to some of the best buffalo wings in Newcastle. Down the road, The Ship Inn is a dog-friendly old-school pub with a Mexican-inspired menu and craft beers.  

Grain Store, Newcastle - Credit: Grain Store

More craft beer can be found at Foghorn Brewery where you can take a tour before choosing from one of the 16 beers on tap. At Modus Mereweather, an eco-friendly brewery, there are 36 taps offering a rotation of core beers, their non-alcoholic range and limited-edition sour, lager and dark beers, including a tepache (fermented pineapple and brown sugar).  

Modus Brewing, Newcastle

Bars and cocktails 

For cocktails, try the dark and moody Koutetsu, which also offers cocktail classes. Coal & Cedar is speakeasy-inspired (you need a code to enter the underground space) and has a huge selection of whiskies on offer. And then there’s Vecina in Wickham which specialises in natural wine, refined cocktails and snacks in an industrial space. Closed Bar in Hamilton offers innovative cocktails focused on fermented, pickled and smoked ingredients, such as the Jazz Hands, made with gin, yuzushu, fermented passionfruit, honey, lemon and orange blossom. 

Coal & Cedar, Newcastle

For a sky-high perspective, head to the rooftop at QT Newcastle, where you can sip gin and Japanese whisky while enjoying stellar views over the city – the hotel also has an excellent dining room, Jana Restaurant & Bar. Alternatively, step back in time at Uptowns, a bar celebrating everything ’90s and ’00s with games of Mario Kart, themed cocktails and cheesy tater tots.  

Rooftop at QT Newcastle - Credit: QT Newcastle

Food and wine tours  

Let a local expert point you in the right direction on a walking tour of some of the city’s greatest eateries with Newcastle Afoot. For wine lovers, Newcastle is a gateway to Australia’s oldest wine region: the Hunter Valley – join a day tour, departing from Newcastle with Tex Tours or Dave's Tours. You can also taste locally made drops at Inner City Winemakers, a cellar door and winery close to the harbour.  

Dave's Tours - Hunter Region, Newcastle - Credit: Dave's Travel Group

Fresh food markets 

The Newcastle region is home to exceptionally fresh produce and a spectrum of artisan makers. Meet the farmers and pick up some tasty fruit and vegetables at the Newcastle City Farmers Market each Sunday – you can also pick up baked goods, local wines, cheeses and fresh seafood.  

If you’re in town on the first Saturday of the month, stop at the epic Olive Tree Market. This is not your usual community gathering of stalls, everything has been carefully curated to highlight the city’s (and country’s) standout makers, whether emerging and established artists, designers, ceramicists or artisan producers. 

Newcastle City Farmers Market, Newcastle