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
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
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
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
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 – and nothing costs over $21. But you may need to wait
Chez Crix
Restaurants

Chez Crix

  • 5 out of 5 stars
The Cricketer’s in Surry Hills has long been a pub for the youths and the young at heart. Uni students, skaters, hospo workers – as well as...
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
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
The Mulwray
Bars

The Mulwray

This moody hidden gem off Sydney's Oxford Street serves on-point Martinis and the Palomar's acclaimed Med-inspired menu
The Bristol
Bars

The Bristol

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The historic CBD pub is back after a four-year hiatus, housing five venues under one roof (and one on top) – and it's a cracker
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

Sydney Opera House
Theatre

Sydney Opera House

Sydney's iconic performing arts venue is one of the most photographed (and controversial) buildings in the world
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

Bairro Português
Things to do

Bairro Português

Get a taste of Portugal without ever leaving the Inner West
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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
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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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
Biennale of Sydney
Art

Biennale of Sydney

Australia’s largest contemporary arts festival returns for its 25th edition – and it’s completely free
Ocean Lovers Festival
Things to do

Ocean Lovers Festival

A huge (mostly free) event in celebration of the ocean is coming to Sydney for a whole month of outdoor education and sea-centric fun
NSW at Night
Art

NSW at Night

This new photography exhibition from the Powerhouse team captures the many faces of NSW after dark