Woolloomooloo Wharf
Photograph: Chris Ting

Woolloomooloo area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in Woolloomooloo
Advertising

The suburb that gives everyone pause (when they're trying to spell it) is one of Sydney's most dramatically gentrified – at least around the Finger Wharf (probably the coolest apartment block in the whole of Australia) on which you'll find look-at-me hotspots like Ovolo Hotel, OttoChina Doll and Aki's.

Bordered by the DomainKings Cross and Potts Point, the harbourside suburb is home to a real grabbag of Sydney landmarks, including the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Garden Island Naval Base and the Matthew Talbot Hostel, the largest hostel for homeless men in the Southern Hemisphere.

Woolloomooloo highlights

The best restaurants in Woolloomooloo

Lottie
Restaurants

Lottie

Sun-drenched rooftop restaurant Lottie brings smashable cocktails, bold Mexican flavours and a 100 per cent gluten-free menu to Redfern
Delhi 'O' Delhi
Restaurants

Delhi 'O' Delhi

Delhi ‘O’ Delhi brings the flavour, spice and soul of India to Newtown – and you gotta order the excellent butter chicken
Osteria Mucca
Restaurants

Osteria Mucca

  • 5 out of 5 stars
The Continental Deli crew has transformed a former Newtown butcher into a charming trattoria with regional Italian dishes and a bellissimo dining room
Neptune’s Grotto
Restaurants

Neptune’s Grotto

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
An underground cave in Sydney’s CBD is now home to a rollicking, candlelit Italian-themed party – and one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants
Cho Cho San
Restaurants

Cho Cho San

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Bring your next date to this high-res Potts Point izakaya for a classy snack, sake flight or full-blown feast
Eleven Barrack
Restaurants

Eleven Barrack

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This classy steak and seafood grill comes with loads of surprise factor
Olympus
Restaurants

Olympus

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
Does your last trip to Greece feel like ancient history? Slip on your sandals and head to Sydney’s Olympus Dining
Pellegrino 2000
Restaurants

Pellegrino 2000

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
This cracking Surry Hills Italian from the Bistrot 916 team has amped-up trattoria classics that will stay with you long after you've said arrivederci

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

40Res
Bars

40Res

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Darling little wine bar 40Res gets a glowing report, casting the suburb of Surry Hills in the best possible light
The Bat & Ball Hotel
Bars

The Bat & Ball Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This classic old Sydney pub has had a refurb – but the team have managed to retain the bar's vintage charm
The Old Fitzroy Hotel
Bars

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Woolloomooloo’s historic pub has cracking food, its very own theatre and more character than you can poke a stick at rolled into one grand old time
Centro 86
Bars

Centro 86

  • 5 out of 5 stars
It doesn’t matter how crowded or empty it is – tequila bar Centro 86 is always a vibe

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Loop Beauty
Health and beauty

Loop Beauty

Loop Beauty Bondi is a stunningly designed one-stop shop for beauty treatments – the perfect spot for a hen party or group pamper session
Pleasure Club
Music

Pleasure Club

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
With nostalgic cocktails and rollicking live performances every night, you can escape reality at Newtown’s purple-hued basement bar (well, until 4am at least)
Lego Store Sydney
Shopping

Lego Store Sydney

The world's largest LEGO store is open in Sydney's CBD – complete with interactive activities, supersized LEGO structures and collectable sets

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
Things to do

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Wander through fluffy cherry blossoms, eat Japanese street food and take part in fun Japanese-inspired activities
Tulip Time
Travel

Tulip Time

Celebrate spring at this magical floral festival in a historic town in regional NSW
Sydney Contemporary
Art

Sydney Contemporary

The boundary-pushing art fair is back with its biggest program to date – complete with talks, performances, and contemporary art from more than 500 artists
The Book of Mormon
Theatre

The Book of Mormon

  • 4 out of 5 stars
This tongue-in-cheek musical is jam-packed with "did they really just say that?” humour
New Annual
Things to do

New Annual

Plan a weekender in Newcastle ASAP because this 10-day festival is painting the coastal town red with live music, art and creative ideas
Paid content