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Nestled just two hours north of Sydney, Newcastle, Australia, is a city brimming with history, culture, and culinary delights. From its industrial roots and lively pub culture, the Steel City has evolved into one of Australia's most exciting food destinations, boasting a diverse food scene, stunning beaches, scenic walks, craft breweries, and boutique gin distilleries. Whether you're seeking panoramic views, innovative cuisine, or a taste of history, Newcastle has something to tantalise every taste bud and captivate every visitor. So, get ready to embark on a gastronomic journey through this underrated gem of a city!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food scene | Euro-inspired, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Mexican, seafood, grilled meats, skewers, mezze, Australian, coffee, sweets, snacks, wine |
| Restaurants | Arno Deli, Alfie's Italian, Humbug, Flotilla, Harrison's Food & Wine, Thermidor Oyster Bar and Brasserie, Blanca, Âpé Yakitori Bar, Meet, Elementa, The Beach Hotel, Peregrin, Larrie's, Rustica Newcastle Beach, Scottie's, Bistro Penny, Customs House Hotel, Paymasters, Antojitos |
| Cafes | Goldbergs Coffee House, Good Brother Espresso Shop, Corner House Café, Cakeboi |
| Bars | Rooftop bar at Crystalbrook Kingsley, Earp Distilling Co. |
| Hotels | QT Newcastle, Crystalbrook Kingsley |
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What You'll Learn
Cafes and coffee shops
Newcastle, Australia, is a city rich in history and culture, and its food scene reflects this. The city has grown from its industrial roots to become one of Australia's most exciting new food destinations. Darby Street is a must-visit for coffee lovers, and there are plenty of charming cafes to explore.
Goldbergs Coffee House
Start your coffee crawl at Goldbergs Coffee House on Darby Street. With its wooden chandelier and grungy design accents, Goldbergs has been serving fine coffee to locals for over 25 years.
Good Brother Espresso Shop
For excellent coffee and great morning eats, head to Good Brother Espresso Shop. Their beans are supplied by Slingtown, ensuring a top-notch cup of coffee.
Arno Deli
Arno Deli is a Euro-inspired spot offering a taste of Italy. By day, they serve loaded paninis, Italian sweets, and excellent coffee. At night, it transforms into a cosy wine bar with an alleyway vibe, offering snacks perfect for pairing with drinks. Their wine list has been recognised with the highest rating of three "glasses" at the Wine List of the Year Awards.
Corner House Café
With bright and soft interiors, Corner House Café is a hipster's dream. They serve Single O coffee and feature filters from indie roasters like Newy-based Tapestry.
Cakeboi
Cakeboi takes their coffee as seriously as their sweets. This retail foray from MasterChef runner-up Reece Hignell serves bean blends from local, ethical speciality roaster Floozy.
Bistro Penny
Housed in a former bank in Newcastle East, Bistro Penny is all about approachable French-inspired dishes cooked over fire. Owner-chef Joel Humphreys, who previously worked in Sydney restaurants, fell in love with Newcastle and wanted to open a restaurant in the city.
With its stunning beaches, scenic walks, and thriving food scene, Newcastle offers a variety of cafes and coffee shops to explore and enjoy.
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Restaurants
Newcastle, Australia, is a city rich in history and culture, and its food scene reflects this. In recent years, the city has grown from its industrial roots to become one of Australia's most exciting new food destinations. Located just two hours north of Sydney, Newcastle boasts stunning beaches, scenic coastal walks, a thriving craft beer scene, boutique gin distilleries, and new restaurants.
Arno Deli is a popular choice for breakfast, serving up cracking sandwiches, ace coffee, and textbook cannoli. At night, it transforms into a cosy wine bar offering Italian sweets and snacks perfect for pairing with drinks.
For a taste of fine dining, try Jana, a modern Australian bar and grill located in the QT Newcastle. Executive chef Massimo Speroni has worked in some of Italy's finest restaurants, and the menu features a range of local, dry-aged steaks and an emphasis on simple dishes that hero ingredients from the Hunter region.
If you're craving seafood, Scottie's is the place to go. Located in Newcastle's East End, just a short distance from the beach, Scottie's offers sustainable seafood and has been a local favourite for 16 years.
For a unique dining experience, head to Blanca, a new restaurant that looks like it's been plucked from a European dream. Here, you can enjoy a mezze spread in a dreamy atmosphere.
Other notable mentions include Alfie's Italian, serving flavour-packed plates and house-made pasta; The Flotilla, known for its fun atmosphere and delicious, clever, and seasonal dishes; and Bistro Penny, a French-inspired restaurant helmed by owner-chef Joel Humphreys, serving approachable dishes cooked over fire.
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Bars
Newcastle, Australia, is a city rich in history and culture, and its food and drink scene is no exception. The city has grown from its industrial roots and lively pub past to become one of Australia's most exciting new food destinations. It boasts stunning beaches, scenic coastal walks, a thriving craft beer scene, boutique gin distilleries, and new restaurants.
Newcastle's rooftop bar, located atop the five-star Crystalbrook Kingsley, likely has the best views in town. The cinematic city views are a huge draw, as are the cocktails. The long marble bar with sculptural pendant lighting is a great place to watch the sun set over the city.
For an afternoon of G&Ts, head to Earp Distilling Co. The distillery is housed in an old Methodist mission building and founded by brothers Michael and Richard Earp. The botanic-themed mosaic tile façade pays homage to the family tile business, one of the oldest in Australia. Sample their award-winning gins, or try their rum, brandy, vodka, and limoncello.
For coffee, Darby Street is a must. Start at Goldbergs Coffee House, a local breakfast institution with a grungy design and a dedication to a fine cup of coffee that hasn't changed in 25 years. Good Brother Espresso Shop is another great option for coffee and morning eats.
Arno Deli is a popular spot for coffee and Italian sweets during the day, and it transforms into a cozy wine bar with an alleyway vibe at night, offering snacks perfect for pairing with drinks.
For a historic experience, visit Customs House Hotel, housed in an elegant 1877 building with a decadent terrace. Enjoy seasonal Mediterranean meals and fine wine, and take in the ornate ceilings and clock tower.
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Pubs
Newcastle, Australia, is a great place to visit for its stunning beaches, scenic coastal walks, and thriving craft beer scene. The city has a rich history and culture, and its food scene reflects this. In recent years, Newcastle has become one of Australia's most exciting new food destinations, with a variety of pubs and restaurants to choose from.
The Beach Hotel
The Beach Hotel is a great option for those looking for a classic pub experience. It offers three different dining options to choose from. You can enjoy coastal fine dining at Peregrin, classic pub grub in the main dining area, or old-school eats at Larrie's, which is a perfect spot for a post-swim bite.
Customs House Hotel
For a more elegant and historic pub experience, the Customs House Hotel is housed in a beautiful 1877 building with a decadent terrace. It offers seasonal Mediterranean meals and fine wine. The Italianate Renaissance Revival-style landmark features sweeping cedar staircases, ornate ceilings, and a prominent clock tower. It played a significant role in Newcastle's maritime history, adding a unique charm to your dining experience.
Bistro Penny
Bistro Penny, owned by chef Joel Humphreys, is located in a former bank in Newcastle East. It offers approachable French-inspired dishes cooked over a fire. The grill has interchangeable levels, allowing for a diverse menu, from scallops to whole pig dishes.
The Flotilla
The Flotilla is a must-visit pub in Newcastle, known for its fun atmosphere and delicious, clever, and seasonal dishes. The refined yet casual setting makes it a popular choice for both locals and visitors alike.
Scottie's
Located in Newcastle's East End, Scottie's is a popular Australian eatery just a short distance from the beach. It offers sustainable seafood and has been a local favourite for 16 years. It's perfect for a post-swim feast, and you can enjoy dine-in or takeaway options.
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Distilleries
Newcastle, Australia, is increasingly becoming one of the country's best distillery regions. The city was once a bootlegger hotspot, and today, it is witnessing a revival in craft brewing and small-batch distilling.
One of the top distilleries in Newcastle is the Earp Distilling Co., a family-run business that has been serving Australians for over a century. Located in Carrington, lovingly called Carrodise, the distillery is housed in a repurposed tile warehouse space. They offer a range of experiences, including spirit and blind tastings, gin blending classes, distillery tours, and gin-making classes. You can also enjoy cocktails and sip on bespoke spirits at their bar.
The Newcastle Distilling Co. is another award-winning distillery with a wide selection of spirits and liqueurs. They produce small-batch, craft spirits with locations in Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie. With over 36 unique aromatic spirits, they offer an extensive range, including their famous 'Bathtub Gin' and Newcastle's first barrel-aged rum.
For gin enthusiasts, the Newy Distillery is a hidden gem. Their award-winning Signature Gin is a must-try, especially if you're visiting on a Friday for their Tastings and Platter Night. They also offer unique blends, such as the Strawberry Limoncello in their Signature Vodka and Gin, and exotic cocktails like the Pineapple Choc Martini and the Raspberry Chocolate Martini.
If you're looking for a distillery with beautiful surroundings, Distillery Botanica on the Central Coast of New South Wales is an excellent choice. Founded by renowned herbalist and distiller Philip Moore, the distillery is set within three acres of stunning gardens. Visitors can enjoy their popular cocktails while admiring the views and partaking in wholesale offerings.
Finally, a short distance from Newcastle, in the heart of Hunter Valley, lies the Pokolbin Distillery. This distillery offers a range of locally made gins, vodkas, and liqueurs inspired by the distillers' Polish heritage and Australia's native botanicals. Hope Estate, just around the corner, is a family-owned winery, brewery, and distillery with some of the most impressive grounds in the region. They offer spirit paddles, allowing you to sample their locally made gin, naked gin, and vodka and ouzo variations.
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Frequently asked questions
Darby Street is the place to go for coffee. Goldbergs Coffee House is a local institution, with a grungy design and great coffee. Good Brother Espresso Shop is another popular choice, with excellent coffee and great food.
Newcastle has a thriving food scene, with new restaurants popping up all the time. Some popular choices include Bistro Penny, which serves approachable French-inspired dishes, and Scottie's, a seafood restaurant located near the beach. Other notable mentions are Euro-inspired Arno Deli, Alfie's Italian, and the Mediterranean restaurant Rustica Newcastle Beach.
Newcastle's rooftop bar at the five-star Crystalbrook Kingsley hotel offers stunning views of the city, as well as cinematic cocktails. The Earp Distilling Co. is a great spot for an afternoon of gin and tonics, and they also make rum, brandy, vodka, and limoncello.
For a modern Australian bar and grill experience, Jana at the QT Newcastle hotel is a great choice, with executive chef Massimo Speroni crafting simple dishes with local ingredients. Antojitos in Newcastle West offers a taste of California-Mexican street food in a laid-back setting, with a spacious warehouse adorned with a VW van.
The Beach Hotel offers three dining options: coastal fine-diner Peregrin, classic pub grub in the main dining area, and Larrie's for old-school eats. Scottie's is another popular choice located near the beach, serving sustainable seafood.
