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, Otto, China Doll and Aki's.

Bordered by the Domain, Kings 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

Paul's Famous Hamburgers
Restaurants

Paul's Famous Hamburgers

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Standing solid since 1957 just off Tom Ugly’s Bridge in the heartland of Sylvania is this old-school burger joint – and it’s a mandatory road trip stop
Eat at ROBs
Restaurants

Eat at ROBs

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This no-frills burger joint in Rozelle serves up seriously good Oklahoma-style smash burgers for just $10.50 (or make it a double for $12.50)
The Grill at The International
Restaurants

The Grill at The International

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 4 of 4
Come to The Grill at the International for high-end, open-air dining – and Sydney’s fanciest pie
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
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
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
Felons Seafood
Restaurants

Felons Seafood

  • 4 out of 5 stars
With two former Rockpool chefs overseeing the food, views over Manly Cove and ‘Australia’s coldest beer’, Felons Seafood is a catch worth reeling in
Saint Peter
Restaurants

Saint Peter

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 4 of 4
Josh Niland's revolutionary seafood restaurant has found a beautiful new home in Paddington’s Grand National Hotel, but the game-changing dishes remain

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Bar Copains
Bars

Bar Copains

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Best mates, Dr Dre hits, a killer fish sanga and funky drops walk into a bar – and the result is pretty cool
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
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

EQ Markets
Shopping

EQ Markets

Head to the Entertainment Quarter every Wednesday and Saturday for top-tier fresh produce and a whole lot more
Manly to Spit coastal walk
Sport and fitness

Manly to Spit coastal walk

This ten-kilometre trek is best approached from Spit if you want to reward yourself with snacks at the finish line
BridgeClimb
Things to do

BridgeClimb

  • price 3 of 4
Take a walk over the most iconic bridge in the world and get a bird's eye view of Sydney that's worth every penny

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Garage Sale Trail
Shopping

Garage Sale Trail

Cash in on your unwanted records and stock up on vintage finds at Australia’s largest pre-loved treasure hunt
Made in the Inner West
Things to do

Made in the Inner West

Beer, Ben Lee, beats and baked goods – get to the Inner West this November for this fun, ten-day festival
Sydney Cellar Door
Things to do

Sydney Cellar Door

A three-day waterfront vino festival is heading back to The Rocks for NSW Wine Month
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Head On Photo Festival
Art

Head On Photo Festival

Australia's largest photography festival is back with 93 free exhibitions scattered across Sydney
Six the Musical
Theatre

Six the Musical

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The queens return for another bout of herstory at Theatre Royal Sydney – with a fierce new line-up of ex-wives
Superposition
Things to do

Superposition

A new multi-disciplinary arts and music festival is landing in the Blue Mountains this November with a stacked line-up.
Moonlight Cinema
Film

Moonlight Cinema

  • price 1 of 4
Centennial Park's magical open-air cinema is back this summer with a blockbuster program to celebrate its 30th birthday