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
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
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
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
Al Yasmin
Restaurants

Al Yasmin

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Al Yasmin is our favourite Lebanese restaurant in Southwest Sydney
Flaminia
Restaurants

Flaminia

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Quay takeaway: forget fridge magnets, a long lunch at this harbourside spot is the best souvenir

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
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
The Dry Dock
Bars

The Dry Dock

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Staying dry? Forget it. Balmain’s oldest pub is also one of Sydney’s best – and your dog’s welcome too
Famelia
Bars

Famelia

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Just like a nice glass of wine, you’ll want to drink up this gorgeous bar and bottle shop again and again

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
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
Vinnies Bridal Expo
Shopping

Vinnies Bridal Expo

Save thousands of dollars on your wedding by snapping up a cut-price dress (and super cheap bridesmaid dresses and accessories) at this mega bridal sale
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
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
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