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

Rick Stein at Coogee Beach
Restaurants

Rick Stein at Coogee Beach

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The adored British chef’s third Aussie venue has moved into a prize spot on Coogee’s beachfront – finally bringing his cult fish and chips to Sydney
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
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
Clam Bar
Restaurants

Clam Bar

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
This New York-style steak house by the powerhouses behind Bistrot 916 and Pellegrino 2000 is a clam dunk
Vin-Cenzo’s
Restaurants

Vin-Cenzo’s

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Darlinghurst's newest Italian go-to from the Bar Copains and Bessie’s team is a certified red, green and white knockout
Palazzo Salato
Restaurants

Palazzo Salato

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Reminiscent of Roman trattorie, Palazzo Salato has a killer line-up from the team who brought us Ragazzi and La Salut
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
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Sakura House
Bars

Sakura House

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Sydney CBD’s newest izakaya channels Tokyo’s after-hours watering holes with low lights, indulgent snacks and a sake-drenched drinks list
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
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
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

Venustus
Health and beauty

Venustus

Far more than a beauty salon, this Paddington spa draws on ritual healing practices from around the world to massage your body and soul
Old Fitzroy Theatre
Theatre

Old Fitzroy Theatre

Sydney is home to the nation’s last-standing pub theatre, a beloved local gem for edgy shows
The Imperial Hotel
Bars

The Imperial Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
The famous queer pub from 'Priscilla' has been given an inclusive makeover that honours her fabulous past

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Lakemba Nights
Things to do

Lakemba Nights

One of Western Sydney's most popular, vibrant and culturally diverse events is back for a month-long celebration
New Wave Concert Series
Music

New Wave Concert Series

The new Sydney Fish Market is hosting a series of free golden hour gigs
Purpose
Theatre

Purpose

  • 5 out of 5 stars
In an exciting coup, the most awarded new American play of 2025 is on now at STC's Wharf 1 Theatre
The Yard Party
Things to do

The Yard Party

The Marrickville Timberyards are hosting a one-day-only community event with food trucks, live entertainment, and kids' activities
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All About Women
Things to do

All About Women

Jacinda Ardern, Zadie Smith, Yumi Stynes and more discuss radical empathy, heterofatalism, medical misogyny and feminist issues at Sydney Opera House on IWD
Art
Theatre

Art

  • 3 out of 5 stars
It's no wonder Roslyn Packer Theatre is a "full house" right now. 'Art' gives the audience what they want – three stars doing a satirical comedy together