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

Xi'an Eatery
Restaurants

Xi'an Eatery

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This Chinese restaurant in Sydney's coolest suburb is known for having some of the city's best biang biang noodles
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
Vin-Cenzo’s
Restaurants

Vin-Cenzo’s

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Darlinghurst's newest Italian go-to from the Bar Copains and Bessie’s team is a certified red, green and white knockout
Grandfathers
Restaurants

Grandfathers

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Taking up shop in the former Long Chim site is this red-and-black succulent Chinese diner by some of Sydney’s finest – bring your pop
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
Cibaria Manly
Restaurants

Cibaria Manly

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Joyous, warm and exactly what this beautiful ’burb needed – Manly’s newest Italian babe is a delizioso hit
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Silver’s Motel
Bars

Silver’s Motel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Enmore Road’s most handsome space is also an ’80s-inspired motel bar with top-shelf drinks and old-school swagger
Paradise
Bars

Paradise

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Combining Potts Point cool with big European energy, you'll be in paradise at this new wine bar from the Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William St team
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Macquarie Ice Rink
Sport and fitness

Macquarie Ice Rink

  • price 1 of 4
The newly renovated Macquarie Ice Rink sports a faster ice surface, upgraded lighting and sound, improved seating and better accessibility
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)
38° The Bathhouse
Health and beauty

38° The Bathhouse

You'll find this dreamy social bathhouse – recently rebranded as 38° The Bathhouse – down a long underground corridor just steps from the sand

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Ron Mueck: Encounter
Art

Ron Mueck: Encounter

Win two tickets to see the Art Gallery of NSW's blockbuster exhibition from a major Aussie artist bringing hyperreal human sculptures to Sydney
Paid content
Le Jolly Market
Things to do

Le Jolly Market

Do your festive shopping at this European-style Christmas night market in Circular Quay
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
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Theatre

Pretty Woman: The Musical

  • 3 out of 5 stars
'Pretty Woman' is walkin’ down the street in Sydney in this sound but sexy rendition of the 90’s classic
Gatsby at the Green Light
Theatre

Gatsby at the Green Light

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The roaring twenties meets the 2020s at this immersive cabaret extravaganza that's back by popular demand
The Maldon Salt Margarita Tour
Bars

The Maldon Salt Margarita Tour

Hit up these three summery Sydney venues for the ultimate Marg trail – sublime salt rims courtesy of Maldon, of course
Paid content