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

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
Porkfat
Restaurants

Porkfat

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Fiery, flavoursome and authentic, this new Thai restaurant in Haymarket is hot in every sense of the word
Eat at ROBs
Restaurants

Eat at ROBs

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This no-frills burger joint in Rozelle serves up seriously good Oklahoma-style smash burgers for just $10.50 (or make it a double for $12.50)
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
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
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
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

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 Julius
Bars

Bar Julius

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Bar Julius will be ready whenever you are – it's a vibe from breakfast through to midnight
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
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

Manly to Spit coastal walk
Sport and fitness

Manly to Spit coastal walk

This ten-kilometre trek is best approached from Spit if you want to reward yourself with snacks at the finish line
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

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Anita Gelato x CommBank Yello Pop Up
Things to do

Anita Gelato x CommBank Yello Pop Up

CommBank Yello is slinging the sweetest deal in town this Valentine's Day with free Anita Gelato scoops all weekend
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Ron Mueck: Encounter
Art

Ron Mueck: Encounter

Win two tickets to see the Art Gallery of NSW's blockbuster exhibition from a major Aussie artist bringing hyperreal human sculptures to Sydney
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KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
Things to do

KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix

The world's fastest sailing competition is returning to Sydney for its seventh year, this time with a new twilight racing format (and more harbourside parties)
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Barbra
Theatre

Barbra

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This ode to Barbra Streisand is an aptly decadent production, making it a must-see
Gatsby at the Green Light
Theatre

Gatsby at the Green Light

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The roaring twenties meets the 2020s at this immersive cabaret extravaganza that's back by popular demand