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

Napoli Centro Pizzeria
Restaurants

Napoli Centro Pizzeria

  • 4 out of 5 stars
This tiny pizzeria in Bardwell Park does Neapolitan pizza, Nonna’s meatballs and old-school Italian charm in very tight quarters
Wander
Restaurants

Wander

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This neighbourhood Italian bistro is worth wandering across Sydney for
Chiosco by Ormeggio
Restaurants

Chiosco by Ormeggio

  • price 2 of 4
An easy-breezy diner right on the water, Chiosco by Ormeggio has been serving classic Italian hits for a decade now – and it’s still well worth its (sea) salt
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
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
Wharf St Kitchen
Restaurants

Wharf St Kitchen

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Some golf clubs are a bit stuffy. Not Marrickville Golf Club – it's a place for families and, most importantly, anyone looking for a good feed
Olympus
Restaurants

Olympus

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
Does your last trip to Greece feel like ancient history? Slip on your sandals and head to Sydney’s Olympus Dining

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

The Golden Barley Hotel
Bars

The Golden Barley Hotel

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
The 'Barley’s charm is the diversity of its clientele
Paradise
Bars

Paradise

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Combining Potts Point cool with big European energy, you'll be in paradise at this new wine bar from the Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William St team
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
Deux Frères
Bars

Deux Frères

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sydney pintxos bar Deux Frères magically plonks you right in San Sebastian

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
The Golden Barley Hotel
Bars

The Golden Barley Hotel

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
The 'Barley’s charm is the diversity of its clientele
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

Takashi Murakami
Art

Takashi Murakami

Australia’s first major exhibition of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, founder of the 'Superflat' movement, is coming to the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Unfriend
Theatre

The Unfriend

Pop your detective caps on before hitting up this limited-time production from the Sydney Theatre Company
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Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi
Art

Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi

The world’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition is taking over the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk right now
Affordable Art Fair
Art

Affordable Art Fair

Start your art collection with works from more than 75 Australian galleries, priced from $100 to $10,000
Sydney Open
Things to do

Sydney Open

Peek inside our city’s architectural marvels for one day only
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Ghost Festival
Things to do

Ghost Festival

Get your fright on this Halloween at Australia’s biggest spook fest – a huge four-day takeover of The Rocks in Sydney
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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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Chinatown Night Market
Shopping

Chinatown Night Market

Every Friday night, Chinatown transforms into a vibrant night market selling Asian street food, desserts and more
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