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

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 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
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
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
Firedoor
Restaurants

Firedoor

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
We’re like moths to the flame at this fire-powered restaurant serving one of Sydney’s most famous steaks
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
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
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

The Lord Roberts Hotel
Bars

The Lord Roberts Hotel

This pub on Stanley Street keeps it nice and simple: Happy Hour Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 6pm; plenty of sports on the screens; and classic pub games...
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
Letra House
Bars

Letra House

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sydney’s new underground wine bar serves up more than 50 vinos by the glass, banging Spanish-inspired plates and one hell of a time

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

The Lord Roberts Hotel
Bars

The Lord Roberts Hotel

This pub on Stanley Street keeps it nice and simple: Happy Hour Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 6pm; plenty of sports on the screens; and classic pub games...
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
Sydney Observatory
Museums

Sydney Observatory

Intrigued by the night sky? Take a guided tour at Sydney Observatory

What's on in Woolloomooloo

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
House/Music
Things to do

House/Music

A new music series featuring experimental artists is taking over heritage sites across Sydney
Paid content
Seascapes at Sydney Fish Market
Things to do

Seascapes at Sydney Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market has launched a stacked cultural calendar featuring art workshops, live performances and more – and all events are free to attend
The Lion King
Theatre

The Lion King

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Royalty takes theatrical form – long live the (Lion) King!
Truck Driver
Theatre

Truck Driver

Ride shotgun to hear stories of a long-haul truck driver played by Jonny Hawkins that explore modern Australian masculinity
Firestick
Things to do

Firestick

A free, six-part in-conversation series celebrating First Nations visionaries is taking over The Mint this June
Paid content
Anastasia
Theatre

Anastasia

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Richly staged and thoughtfully performed, Anastasia offers far more than a simple trip down memory lane
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