Woolloomooloo Wharf
Photograph: Chris Ting

Woolloomooloo area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in Woolloomooloo
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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

Sambousek Parramatta
Restaurants

Sambousek Parramatta

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sambousek is an excellent Lebanese street food spot on Parramatta's main eating strip
Mode Kitchen and Bar
Restaurants

Mode Kitchen and Bar

  • price 2 of 4
This CBD eatery dishes up luxe lunches for busy city-goers by day and seasonal grilled meats by night
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
Bessie's
Restaurants

Bessie's

  • 5 out of 5 stars
The Bar Copains team are behind this flame-powered Mediterranean diner – where excellent snacks, sips and vibes come together like one big warehouse party
A.P Bread & Wine
Restaurants

A.P Bread & Wine

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Purveyors of excellent baked goods, A.P Bread’s newest Darlinghurst venture is open for brekkie, lunch and dinner – plus, there’s booze
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
Armorica Grande Brasserie
Restaurants

Armorica Grande Brasserie

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 4 of 4
Armorica is ‘la belle époque’ of French fine dining, upon the site of Surry Hills’ old MG garage
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Guildford Hotel
Bars

Guildford Hotel

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The Guildford Hotel has been the neighbourhood's only pub for almost 100 years – now it's had a community-focused glow-up
The Duke of Clarence
Bars

The Duke of Clarence

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Things are getting very British in Sydney’s den of bar excellence
Joji
Bars

Joji

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sydney’s newest rooftop bar is a shimmering, Japanese-inspired showstopper in the CBD’s beating heart – and don’t forget your Gucci
Deux Frères
Bars

Deux Frères

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sydney pintxos bar Deux Frères magically plonks you right in San Sebastian

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

One Playground Merrylands
Sport and fitness

One Playground Merrylands

  • 5 out of 5 stars
One Playground's first Western Sydney gym might just be their best facility yet
Sydney Observatory
Museums

Sydney Observatory

Intrigued by the night sky? Take a guided tour at Sydney Observatory
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)

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Bubble Planet
Things to do

Bubble Planet

A super immersive, super Instagrammable experience has just landed in Sydney after sell-out runs in London and beyond
Sydney Olympic Park
World Press Photo
Art

World Press Photo

The international photography sensation is back at the State Library for its biggest year yet
Sydney
Fear Island
Things to do

Fear Island

Cockatoo Island is transforming into an immersive fright town – complete with pop-up bar and outdoor cinema – for one super scary weekend
Sydney
Smirnoff Freeze and Fire Igloos
Things to do

Smirnoff Freeze and Fire Igloos

Fire up your taste buds at this frosty (and free*) Smirnoff pop-up for Vivid at the Carriageworks
Eveleigh
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Sydney Film Festival
Film

Sydney Film Festival

Grab the popcorn – Sydney’s huge annual celebration of film is rolling out the red carpet for some blockbuster action
Sydney
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Vivid at the Hollywood Quarter
Things to do

Vivid at the Hollywood Quarter

The Hollywood Quarter - the hyper-trendy corner of Surry Hills – is hosting a dream-themed light trail and some fun, foodie street parties for Vivid 2025
Surry Hills
MJ the Musical
Theatre

MJ the Musical

  • 3 out of 5 stars
Broadway's Michael Jackson tribute has landed on the Sydney stage, but can the spectacle distract from the discomfort?
Darling Harbour
Relics: A New World Rises
Art

Relics: A New World Rises

The Australian Museum’s new “block-buster” exhibition will delight LEGO lovers of all ages with retro-futuristic worlds
Creative Toolbox Symposium
Things to do

Creative Toolbox Symposium

Connect with creatives at this three-day event with more than 25 expert-led sessions to supercharge your arts career
Marrickville
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