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

Polish Club
Restaurants

Polish Club

If you’re an Ashfield local, chances are you’ve spent a fair few nights at the Polish Club. What started as a humble house party for...
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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
Spice Temple
Restaurants

Spice Temple

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
After more than 15 years of nailing regional Chinese dishes, the CBD’s subterranean diner Spice Temple is still hot as hell
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
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
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
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

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

Silver’s Motel
Bars

Silver’s Motel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Enmore Road’s most handsome space is also an ’80s-inspired motel bar with top-shelf drinks and old-school swagger
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
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
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

Billabong Retreat
Health and beauty

Billabong Retreat

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Swap deadlines for downward dogs at this wholesome yoga retreat just 45 minutes from Sydney
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
Pirrama Park Playground
Kids

Pirrama Park Playground

Once little eyeballs spot this park’s giant sandpit, they won't want to leave. Pirrama means ‘rocking stone’ in Gadigal, and the 1.8...

What's on in Woolloomooloo

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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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
Sunset Variations
Music

Sunset Variations

This music series is bringing some of Australia's most exciting musicians to one of the city's most magical sunset spots
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Laneway Cinema
Film

Laneway Cinema

Free outdoor movie screenings are going down in the Rocks every Wednesday night this summer
The Maldon Salt Margarita Tour
Bars

The Maldon Salt Margarita Tour

Hit up these three summery Sydney venues for the ultimate Marg trail – sublime salt rims courtesy of Maldon, of course
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United Cup
Sport and fitness

United Cup

Australia's summer of tennis hits off in Sydney soon with the United Cup tournament