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, 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

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
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
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
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
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
Piqu
Restaurants

Piqu

  • 5 out of 5 stars
With punchy flavours, textures and colours, this Newtown eatery will take you on a backpacking trip throughout Southeast Asia – without leaving King St
South End
Restaurants

South End

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Forget the wild northern end of Newtown – it’s about time you wandered down the south end

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
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 Lansdowne Hotel
Bars

The Lansdowne Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
The reborn Lansdowne Hotel has brought Sydney’s live-music scene back from the brink

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
The Lansdowne Hotel
Bars

The Lansdowne Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
The reborn Lansdowne Hotel has brought Sydney’s live-music scene back from the brink

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
Southeast Aboriginal Arts Market
Things to do

Southeast Aboriginal Arts Market

Shop for paintings, weaving and textiles directly from First Nations artists at this market at Carriageworks this spring
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
Paid content
Macbeth
Theatre

Macbeth

This limited-time performance is returning to the Sydney Opera House stage
Paid content
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