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

Jules
Restaurants

Jules

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Lane Cove’s Jules serves up flavour-packed dishes that blend modern Australian and Asian influences in a relaxed, feel-good setting
The Fold
Restaurants

The Fold

From social enterprise Two Good Co comes The Fold, a café with a purpose in North Sydney's buzzy new VicX precinct
Joe's Tavern
Restaurants

Joe's Tavern

  • 4 out of 5 stars
This New York-inspired spot from the Continental Deli team is like a hot water bottle in winter – warm, cosy and comforting
Corner 75
Restaurants

Corner 75

  • 5 out of 5 stars
The Baba’s Place and Sixpenny teams have joined forces to inject fresh energy into Randwick's Hungarian icon – and it’s exciting and comforting all at once
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
Olympic Meats
Restaurants

Olympic Meats

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Everything’s made in-house at Marrickville’s delicious new BYO Greek eatery – with most plates under $21. But you may need to wait
Arno Deli
Restaurants

Arno Deli

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Florence may have David, but Newcastle has Arno, an Italian-style deli serving cracking panini, cannoli and award-winning wine

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

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
Frankie Cadillac
Bars

Frankie Cadillac

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Sydney’s self-professed “Home of the Negroni”, Frankie Cadillac’s is loud and brash – but behind the attitude, the drinks go down dangerously smooth
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
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Powerhouse Castle Hill
Museums

Powerhouse Castle Hill

This state-of-the-art building is home to free talks, tours and programs that showcase some of the Powerhouse Collection’s 500,000 objects
Paid content
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)
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

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Sydney Open Symposium: Home Truths
Things to do

Sydney Open Symposium: Home Truths

This two-day deep dive into housing in NSW features talks, panels and rare private house tours across the city
Paid content
Vivid at Hollywood Quarter
Things to do

Vivid at Hollywood Quarter

Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills is throwing a one-night-only street party for Vivid with street eats, music, workshops and late-night fun
Pyrmont Festival
Things to do

Pyrmont Festival

Returning to Pirrama Park in May, the Pyrmont Festival offers wines from NSW, yum food and fun for the whole family – including your dog
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
Paid content
The Lion King
Theatre

The Lion King

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Royalty takes theatrical form – long live the (Lion) King!
Dream Feast
Things to do

Dream Feast

Watch The Mint come to life in a way you haven’t seen it before with a multi-course feast, pumping DJ tunes and immersive projections for Vivid Sydney
Paid content
Caness Turns One
Things to do

Caness Turns One

Paddo’s date-night-coded tapas bar is turning one, and it’s having a big birthday bash (with heart) to celebrate
Jazz Sessions in The Rocks
Music

Jazz Sessions in The Rocks

Catch free jazz performances under the stars every Thursday this autumn and winter
Art After Dark
Music

Art After Dark

Sydney Biennale's Art After Dark program is bringing live music to the huge industrial venue most Friday nights until June 12
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
Art

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes

Check out all the artistic takes on famous faces at Australia's favourite art prize – along with its stunning sibling exhibitions