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

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
Papalote
Restaurants

Papalote

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Terracotta warmth, holiday-like cocktails and charcoal heat come together at Newy’s exciting new Mexican restaurant from the team behind Humbug and Flotilla
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
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 Palomar
Restaurants

The Palomar

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
The Palomar is a genuinely unique new addition to Sydney's dining scene
Mister Grotto
Restaurants

Mister Grotto

  • 5 out of 5 stars
A rocking seafood dinner party is going down on Newtown’s Australia Street – and you’re invited
Olympic Meats
Restaurants

Olympic Meats

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Everything’s made in-house at Marrickville’s delicious new BYO Greek eatery – with most plates under $21. But you may need to wait

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

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
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
Dead Ringer
Bars

Dead Ringer

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Surry Hills' suave new bar is finally here, and as a reward for your patience they've brought five star drinks and eats with them
Joji
Bars

Joji

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sydney’s newest rooftop bar is a shimmering, Japanese-inspired showstopper in the CBD’s beating heart – and don’t forget your Gucci

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
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)

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
My Brilliant Career
Theatre

My Brilliant Career

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Uplifting, joyful and unapologetically Australian, My Brilliant Career reminds us why ambition, love and self-discovery are timeless
Sydney Royal Easter Show
Things to do

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Get ready for action-packed days of family fun, thrilling rides, adorable animals, fresh produce and, of course, showbags galore
Texas BBQ: Pitmasters
Things to do

Texas BBQ: Pitmasters

Lennox Hastie from Firedoor is teaming up with Austin’s celebrated pitmaster and Egyptian cowboy Kareem El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ for four smoking-hot events in May
Banksy Limitless
Art

Banksy Limitless

Opening at The Rocks in April, this exhibition showcases more than 250 provocative works by the world-famous elusive street artist
Art After Dark
Music

Art After Dark

Sydney Biennale's Art After Dark program is bringing live music to the huge industrial venue most Friday nights until June 12
The Phantom of the Opera
Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera

  • 3 out of 5 stars
The Phantom dazzles on Sydney Harbour, but in a production this grand, we’re left yearning for a few more daring leaps to be taken