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

Rosie’s Fish & Chips
Restaurants

Rosie’s Fish & Chips

  • 5 out of 5 stars
We’re calling it – this coastal British-style shop serves the best fish and chips in New South Wales. Weekend road trip, here we come
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Restaurants

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The legendary Neapolitan pizzeria has landed in Sydney, serving $18 Margheritas and a sprinkle of 'Eat Pray Love' – minus the jetlag
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
Flaminia
Restaurants

Flaminia

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

Harry's

The former Harpoon Harry's is still a good–times favourite – and it's just had a massive reno
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
Rasa House
Restaurants

Rasa House

This funky “borderless Asian” restaurant and wine bar on the water in Rose Bay is anything but bland
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 best bars in Woolloomooloo

Harry's
Bars

Harry's

The former Harpoon Harry's is still a good–times favourite – and it's just had a massive reno
The Flynn
Bars

The Flynn

After a $2 million-plus glow-up, this CBD megapub is back with a genuinely excellent menu from renowned chef Justin North
Dead Set
Bars

Dead Set

Darlinghurst's new underground rock venue is a gift to Sydney's after-dark scene
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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

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

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
Pool by Pier Bar
Things to do

Pool by Pier Bar

Sydney's pop-up floating pontoon is back – this time with an Amalfi-coded makeover (and yes, you can order cocktails to your sun lounger)
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
Biennale of Sydney
Art

Biennale of Sydney

Australia’s largest contemporary arts festival returns for its 25th edition – and it’s completely free
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
Great Southern Nights
Music

Great Southern Nights

This state-wide live music series is back – with headliners including Genesis Owusu, Ninajirachi, The Jungle Giants and Lime Cordiale
Sydney Writers’ Festival
Things to do

Sydney Writers’ Festival

The Sydney Writers’ Festival is back for 2026 with a bold new line-up of authors, speakers and world-leading thinkers
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
Things to do

Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat

A gigantic interactive playground (for kids and adults) has appeared underground in the Nelson Packer Tank beneath the Art Gallery of NSW