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

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
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
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
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
Malay Chinese Noodle Bar
Restaurants

Malay Chinese Noodle Bar

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Come (early) for big, bold and on-point flavours at a red-hot price
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
Margaret
Restaurants

Margaret

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Neil Perry’s supposed swan song brings poise, polish and produce fit for the gods to the heart of Double Bay

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

No. 92 GPR
Bars

No. 92 GPR

This light-filled Glebe terrace is a natural wine haven – with punchy snacks and a banging bottomless brunch to match
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 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
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Sydney Zoo
Attractions

Sydney Zoo

Sydney's first new zoo in more than century offers a winning mix of ancient knowledge, cutting-edge design and seriously impressive wildlife
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
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

Incognito Art Show
Things to do

Incognito Art Show

  • price 1 of 4
Buy an original artwork by up-and-coming artists and Archibald Prize winners for just $100 at this art show at Carriageworks
Ice Skating at Darling Harbour
Things to do

Ice Skating at Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour's huge pop-up ice rink is open every day until 9pm, so you can skate under the city lights then head out for dinner
Mackenzie
Theatre

Mackenzie

  • 5 out of 5 stars
A flamboyantly fresh adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most renowned works, 'Mackenzie' is filled with laughter, farce and flair
Monster Jump
Things to do

Monster Jump

A huge inflatable obstacle course has bounced back into Sydney this school holidays – with a brand new location
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Burramatta NAIDOC
Things to do

Burramatta NAIDOC

This free outdoor festival celebrates NAIDOC Week with market stalls, cultural workshops and incredible First Nations artists
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