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

King Dynasty
Restaurants

King Dynasty

  • price 1 of 4
This beloved yum cha palace has landed in the Entertainment Quarter – complete with stacked banquet menus and private karaoke rooms
Kood Tea Café and Korean Kitchen
Restaurants

Kood Tea Café and Korean Kitchen

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Chef and owner Mary Lee draws on her family recipes at this teapot-sized eatery that serves up Korean soul food at its best
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)
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
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
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
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Arms Length
Bars

Arms Length

This Potts Point wine bar has a new chef, $19 pasta and wine nights and Banana Espresso Martinis (yes, please)
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 Dry Dock
Bars

The Dry Dock

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Staying dry? Forget it. Balmain’s oldest pub is also one of Sydney’s best – and your dog’s welcome too
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

P3 Recovery
Health and beauty

P3 Recovery

From ice baths and saunas to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, P3 Recovery at the Entertainment Quarter is your go-to wellbeing centre to reset and recharge
The Day Spa at the Langham Hotel
Health and beauty

The Day Spa at the Langham Hotel

This magical, star-studded subterranean spa in Sydney's CBD is offering Australia’s first in-hotel IV therapy experience
IMAX Theatre
Film

IMAX Theatre

  • price 1 of 4
IMAX Sydney has the third largest screen in the world
Sydney Opera House
Theatre

Sydney Opera House

Sydney's iconic performing arts venue is one of the most photographed (and controversial) buildings in the world

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
Things to do

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Get lost beneath the fluffy cherry blossoms then fuel up on ramen at this magical Japanese-inspired outdoor festival at Sydney's Auburn Botanic Gardens
The Addams Family
Theatre

The Addams Family

Get to Hayes Theatre, Potts Point for this Gothic musical comedy where love, family and chaos collide
Festival of Dangerous Ideas
Things to do

Festival of Dangerous Ideas

Sydney's spiciest thought-starting fest is exploding all across Sydney – and it's here to blow your mind
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Harbourside Cinema by Pier One
Hotels

Harbourside Cinema by Pier One

Watch your favourite film at Pier One's private open-air cinema, complete with Sydney harbour views, gourmet snacks and cosy vibes
Winterfest
Things to do

Winterfest

This month-long celebration is taking over Hay St with ice skating, falling snow and an epic Off Campus-themed party
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Doubt: A Parable
Theatre

Doubt: A Parable

  • price 1 of 4
The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama and Oscar-nominated film returns to the stage at the Sydney Theatre Company, starring Sam Reid and Pamela Rabe
Afterglow
Theatre

Afterglow

  • 3 out of 5 stars
Take a chance on this new Australian work and you may just find yourself among the four-part harmonies
The Garden
Things to do

The Garden

A whimsical warehouse garden is blooming in Marrickville this winter
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)
Theatre

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Austen’s classic gets a fresh, funny retelling with recognisable songs and a brilliant five-strong ensemble that will make you fall in love all over again