The 50 best foods to try in Newcastle

Excellent experience. Service was professional yet relaxed. Atmosphere was warm and inviting. Food was exquisite - so many interesting flavour combinations and presentation. Will definitely be back and have already been recommending to friends and family.

Such a delight! Beautiful, understated, and relaxed restaurant. Forgot I was in Wickham and not the Hunter Valley. The service was perfect. We had the express lunch menu which was so delicious and perfectly portioned. The flavours complimented each other so so well. Cocktails were also divine! Thank you for a lovely experience.

The dining experience was enjoyable overall. The food was well-prepared and flavorful, though the portion sizes were a bit smaller than expected. The tables are placed quite close together, which can make private conversations difficult.

Beautiful space, relaxed pace and excellent knowledgeable service. Food presentation was beautiful. A very expensive night ( mind you we did Chefs menu with paired wines) and while it was a great evening, the price tag for amount of food was a little disappointing. Would go back for a very special occasion in future. Had dined once before in past and found food this time around not as wow on flavours.

We visited The Flotilla for our 10th wedding anniversary and it was truly an extraordinary experience. The care and attention from the staff was excellent, they took care of us warmly and with good humour all night. We were seated at the bar overlooking the kitchen so had a front row to the food prep which added to the overall experience. The food itself was excellent, perfectly balanced, flavoured and seasoned. We will definitely be back, what a wonderful night!

Absolutely love dining at Flotilla, the food is presented beautifully & seriously delicious, the scallop ravioli amazing! The service is impeccable & polished, then add the fabulous wine collaboration with DeIuliis Wines! Thoroughly recommend, love my local

I have been here 3 times now and my partner and I have promised to come back every 6 weeks when the menu changes because every time we come, the food is just outstanding. Had to bring my dad here for Father’s Day and he couldn’t believe how amazing the food was. It was so nice to be able to share this experience with him. There’s always something you’ve never tried and the weird food pairings surprisingly never disappoint. Hands down, best fine dining experience in Newcastle.

It was our first night in Newcastle after a long drive, The service was amazing. The weight staff was very accommodating to our noisy kids. We had one of each pasta available on the menu that night and it was not disappointing!! Love how they cater for my lactose intolerant kid! They offered him vegan Mac and cheese which is perfect!!

I visited in early March for my partners birthday. Finally got around doing a review on this place. The service, the moment we walked in was very attentive, the host was happy to provide recommendations and explain some of the dishes. All the dishes were delicious, most notable the pasta. They have a great wine list which will pair great with the meals. Highly recommend this place and will be sure to visit again when I’m in Newcastle again.

We’re from Melbourne and came to Sydney for a short trip. We found this place through Google reviews, and even though it wasn’t open when we first came at lunch, we actually waited until dinner just to try it — it was totally worth the wait! We ordered a la carte instead of the set menu, and every single dish was perfectly seasoned and just so delicious. Honestly, this might be my number one restaurant ever. We love you guys — thank you for the amazing food and warm vibes! 💛

Wine by the glass: Rosé san Lorenzo "de vera" rosato, montepulciano sangiovassi 2022 -marche Italy -glass -vegan Humbug has an amazing wine list which stars an exclusively all sustainable wine list curated precisely by the manager Stephanie This was recommended as an option that would pair across my intended dishes And I agreed to the likelihood. Entré: I was recommended a half serve of each other the two vegan starters which I really appreciated so as to try both. 1x Zucchini flower, stuffed smoked almond, red pepper romesco, mint and leaves Smokey, slightly spicy yet softened by the almond stuffing Half serve 2x mushroom dumplings with a XO sauce. These were smokey and meaty, yet delicate and delicious complemented perfectly by the subtle Xo sauce that worked well with the mushrooms and sip of rose. Both half entre/ appetizers were vegan. My wine complemented the creamy nature of the almond stuffing, but the acidity of the wine clashed with the red pepper romesco slightly. The mid palate texture softened and soothed this though so beyond the initial taste I enjoyed the pairing. Main: The vegan Pistachio pesto Malfadine, Rappa, green olives, lemon. Fun and perfectly aldente. These strands always make me feel like I am eating something like octopus tentacles as the shape of the malfadine is so fun, and no octopus' were harmed 😅 The aldente texture of the pasta, enhanced by flecks of hard pistachios atop the pistachio pesto worked seamlessly. The green olives and raisins added an interesting flavor to make the bites more complex. Though this pasta was not an effective pair with the sangiovasi / montepulciano rose, But I expected this having only ordered 1 glass. Coconut panna cottage, mandarin granito. This was the perfect digestive. The mandarin granito tasted closer to grapefruit, sour acidic and a lovely refreshing finish to the meal. Paired wonderfully by my main server Ebony with a Scarborough hunter valley late harvest semillon. What a fantastic dessert. -vegan The manager Stephanie was a charismatic and passionate young lady who spoke with such passion about her ideas and structure of her menu and wine list. Wow, Humbug, I understand the rave, you so seamlessly wove my experience into a memorable culinary tale with precision and care. This is a wonderful restaurant for a sole dinner. Aswell as couples, and groups small and large. Thankyou🙏 I was checked on attentively and the servers seemed to care of my experience.

Easily one of the best restaurants in Newcastle. The staff were so helpful and welcoming, the food was incredible and the lighting is great. We would come back just for the pumpkin pasta!!

Our favourite go to for special event dining, birthdays, out of town visitors and just because. As always Steph and Mike were the best hosts/chef/front-of-house combo, and were incredibly welcoming and delightfully friendly. For a full multi course lunch with wine we paid about $95/person and everything was superb! Wine list, especially the Inzolia by Majama was also excellent. We will be back xx

It’s impossible to overstate just how good Humbug is. The food: face-meltingly delicious. We had the Feed Me menu (one vegan and one standard). Every single dish has been created with such attention to detail, understanding of flavour (olives and raisins together? Who knew!) and respect for seasonal produce (Newcastle Greens delivers the best)- just glorious. The wine list is thoughtfully-curated, sustainably sourced and knowledgeably presented. I’m so glad to have chosen the wine pairing- food this good needs no embellishment, but I felt fortunate to have been introduced to a series of delightful wines which I wouldn’t otherwise have chosen. The service: Humbug team, you are the gold standard. It was a pleasure to be looked after by you: you are simultaneously welcoming and professional; warm without ever being invasive- you read your clientele and you meet them at their level. I really hope you realise how great you are. The dining experience is offset by the loveliest of settings: there are plants, the lighting is just right and every seat in the house is a good one. To summarise: a joy. We’ll be back- next week, if we can help it.

We really enjoyed the food here it's a bit more expensive but the quality of the sashimi and food was delicious. Everything tasted great and received professional service. If you want refined japanese food this is the place! The drinks menu has quite the selection and such a nice spot too.

Absolutely incredible dining experience at Nagisa! The service was warm, attentive, and genuine from start to finish. Every dish we tried was a standout!!! The sashimi was incredibly fresh, the temaki and wagyu were perfectly prepared, and the desserts were next level. Highly recommend the apple pie fried dumpling, banoffee fried dumpling, and the refreshing yuzu sorbet. Every bite was a 10/10. Can’t wait to come back!!!

We came up from Sydney to eat here would happily do it again - the food was incredible! Sashimi was some of the best I’ve ever had, incredibly fresh and big portions of both sashimi and chicken karaage. The highlight was definitely the banoffee gyoza - would come back just for this! Our server was also so lovely (didn’t catch her name but she had a nose piercing), very friendly and accommodating when we needed to change our reservation time last minute. Can’t wait to come back!

This felt like such an authentic taste of Japanese cuisine. We had the tasting banquet for two, and didn't we try some dishes! We couldn't get over the simplicity and yet complexity of each bite. And the staff were absolutely lovely and happy to help in any way.

My wife's japanese and I've lived there for years, so rarely find something this good. Loved it, expensive but the location and detail make up for it.

Restaurant & staff were great. The waitress was lovely & helpful. The food let it down unfortunately. We have eaten at a number of Japanese restaurants and this wouldn't even make the top 10. It was a let down from the hyped reviews. Cucumber salad must have been prepared at lunch time as it was soggy not crunchy & fresh, charage chicken was sadly overcooked. It was enjoyable experience but the food let it down. We have had better Japanese in Newcastle & Maitland for less. We had high hopes given the premium pricing & reviews.

Our whole experience tonight at Nagisa was nothing less than perfect. The staff were super friendly and explained each meal as it arrived. We ordered a variety of dishes, each was timed perfectly to get to our table, beautifully presented, and the taste was next level. The Sashimi tasting plate was our favourite and we couldn’t leave without ordering a second round. We then ordered one of each dessert ( even though we couldn’t fit another bite in ) just to see if our food experience could get any better. We were blown away!! My husband and I frequent a lot of local venues, and I don’t usually rave about a restaurant but I just cannot fault our experience tonight. We will definitely be returning to Nagisa and can’t wait to bring our friends and family to experience everything we did tonight.

Authentic, intensely flavorful, and fantastic value! Antojitos impressed us, I strongly recommend making reservations. The service was incredibly quick, the staff attentive, and their margaritas were perfect. We had such a wonderful time and are already planning our next visit for more delicious food!

Antojitos in Newcastle is a fantastic spot for fresh and authentic Mexican street food, offering delicious burritos, nachos, tacos, and more in a fun, laid-back setting. The flavours are bold and genuine, with house-made tortillas, fresh salsas, and plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans. The warehouse-style vibe and fast, friendly service make it perfect for a casual meal with friends or family.

As a new local I was recommended to try this place and I can definitely see the appeal. The food was authentic, fresh, reasonably priced and incredibly tasty. Even though it was a busy Friday night service was quick and the staff were efficient and polite. Absolutely will be back!

Always get the Baja fish tacos here, I would order 3 for myself! Their Aguas Frescas drinks are nice as well *Personally not a fan of pulled pork, so not giving review on this.

Very authentic Mexican food, staff were super friendly, service was insanely fast, well priced and an awesome vibe, would recommend!!

I was really excited to check out Antojitos on Steel St. Thumbs up for bringing a different style to the scattered grounds of Newcastle! After driving past many times and seeing the place pretty busy I figured it was worth a look. Tuesday date night with my partner, half of the tables occupied, three seperate people waiting at the counter, no staff at the service area. Low level music coming from behind the kitchen somewhere. Uber eats guy leaves, other guy hangs about, do we seat ourselves? What's the go here? Lady comes to the counter, no greeting, we initiate, "could we have a table?" "yeah you can sit anywhere, order from the qr code or you can order here at the counter". Burrito carnitas, burrito suadero ordered and trio of tacos, pollo asado, baja fish and suadero. Oh and a Sierra Nevada pale from the can and a Margarita for the lady. Tacos were pretty good, corn tortillas are the ticket, beef stood out as a winner. More herbs and lime definately required. Burritos were also good but again needed more zing and crunch. Cocktails good, beer was not cold. Atmosphere (maybe because tuesday?) was nearly non existent. Still a good feed

Amazing food. Ive been many times now and am always super happy and satisfied with the food. Its fresh, tasty and very similar to what you will actually find in Mexico. They are way ahead of most mexican restaurants in the country in this sense. Always friendly staff and quick service there too.

Thermidor is hands down one of the best dining experiences we have had in Newcastle. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant, and inviting – perfect for a special night out. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely passionate about the food and wine. Every dish we tried was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and absolutely bursting with flavour. The oysters were fresh and delicious - our favourite being the Francine! What really sets Thermidor apart is the attention to detail and the clear commitment to quality. We keep coming back, and will continue to do so! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The food was deliciously displayed, everything had our taste buds dancing, however the "minus" one star was the unfortunate chewy beef sirloin. We ordered the chefs banquet so I don't know off the top of my head what each dish was, out of all the dishes that was the one that let the menu down. Service was great and staff were lovely and so accommodating. Staff also advised that the main dishes are large enough to share (what we saw they sure were). The cocktails were yummy too. I had the Lychee Capriosca. Price point is on the expensive end but with the view and location its somewhat understandable. They have a kids menu and whilst its pricey it's affordable for a date night for 2, not sure that'll be the case for a family of 6. We will definitely be dining here again though!

Celebrated a birthday lunch at Thermidor - oyster bar on the harbour foreshore at Newcastle. Overlooking the harbour, Thermidor offers a range of dishes all hand crafted and of the highest quality. It was obvious that the kitchen crew take the highest pride in the preparation and presentation of their dishes. This quality was matched by the amazing friendly and professional wait service by Matisse. She looked after my elderly mum showing care and interest. Fantastic day out and highly recommend a visit to Thermidor!

We had an incredible experience at Thermidor Newcastle! The food was outstanding from start to finish - the tuna tartare was a real standout, fresh and full of flavour. We ordered their new tomahawk steak and it was cooked to absolute perfection - melt-in-the-mouth delicious! We also couldn’t resist the passionfruit margarita, which looked as good as it tasted, and the oysters were so fresh - especially during their happy hour (Thurs & Fri, 5-6pm) where they’re only $3 each and cocktail jugs are just $23. Such great value! The courtyard is a huge bonus - dog friendly and super relaxed. Can’t wait to come back, especially with our pup in tow next time. Highly recommend if you’re after quality food, a laid-back atmosphere, and great drinks in Newcastle.

Incredible Brunch! A Must-Try in Newcastle! I had one of the best brunches I've ever experienced at Thermidor in Newcastle! I couldn’t decide between the Slipper Lobster Benedict and the Crème Brûlée Pancake so I went halves with a friend, and I’m so glad I did. Both dishes were so delicious. The Lobster Benedict was rich, buttery, and perfectly balanced, while the Crème Brûlée Pancake was next level indulgent. Crispy on top with that classic brûlée crunch and soft, fluffy pancake underneath. My friends went for the Avo smash and also the Spanner crab omelette. Everyone devoured their meals. We paired our brunch with freshly brewed Darks Coffee and also a few cheeky mimosas (because why not?), and it was the perfect way to spend a beautiful sunny Sunday morning together with friends. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, the service was warm and attentive, and everything was made with care and top quality ingredients. If you're in Newcastle and thinking about brunch, go to Thermidor. You won’t regret it and definitely bring a friend so you can try more of the menu 😉 We will definitely be back!

Outstanding. We sampled the kingfish ceviche, scallops, the crab doughnut, whole snapper, the cauliflower and beans and I could not fault one dish. Each were a 10/10. I have been craving food of this calibre since moving from Melbourne to Newcastle. We will be back!

Outstanding food - best meal we had during our stay in Newcastle. Highly recommend the Kinawooka mussels, wild mushroom vol-au-vent, and coorong pippies. We ordered bread just to be able to soak up the leftover sauces. Hoping to come back one day!

Booked a table for one. I arrived was greeted by the staff, I took a seat and went with the set menu for 75 dollars. This I highly recommend if you’re hungry it’s a lot of food. The quality of each plate was amazing. The steak was so tender and juicy and lets in your mouth like butter. My waiter was on the ball very friendly and attentive! The bread was fresh and soft I loved the spread it came with. The pork skewer was crunchy on out side soft in the middle cooked to perfection. Loved the half scallop creamy a little peppery really nice. The veggies were very fresh and crunchy but not undercooked. The potato’s were soft in the middle hard crunchy on the outside side. Steak was perfectly cooked the gravy was so rich and full of flavour with pesto paste on-top. This is a great spot for date night or to celebrate a special occasion. Very good value for money! The chefs did and amazing job just perfect!

This was an amazing tapas experience! My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed each item on the set menu for Sunday! Can’t believe I only just discovered this gem today after driving past for the three years. Will be coming back often! Great value for money too!

A wonderful Hamilton institution for a super casual and low key bistro dining experience which is perfect for a group of friends. Food is close to upper end bistro quality in a casual neighbourhood environment. The wine list is extensive with a mix of local, Italian, and French fare. Tony Harrison is always on hand as front of house to make patrons feel right at home with his friendly and good humoured banter. A must try for all Hunter foodies. Well done to Tony and his entire team - the impeccable food and service never disappoints.

We dined as a group of ten and selected the chef’s banquet. Unfortunately, it took close to three hours for the full menu to be served, which left several of us feeling the pacing was far too slow. While the food quality was generally good, the wagyu was served cold, which was disappointing. A few of our friends also felt there wasn’t enough food for the length of the experience. For our share, my partner and I paid $290, which covered three glasses of red wine and one non-alcoholic drink. Overall, while there were some enjoyable aspects, the lengthy service time and portioning left us hoping for a more balanced and satisfying dining experience.

Tony and the team did a stellar job looking after our 16 person booking last week, they were very courteous of the needs of our very diverse group and their split bill policy was much appreciated. We enjoyed the Chefs selection menu. It's great for Newcastle to have resturants that offer a refined experience but can still manage the flexibility we needed for our older guests. Thanks for a lovely evening 💚

I had the pleasure of photographing an intimate event last night at Harrison’s — and I was truly blown away. The team were some of the most welcoming, kind and genuine hospitality staff I’ve encountered in a long time. They were attentive, didn’t miss a single detail, and made sure everyone felt looked after. The whole setting at Harrison’s is such a vibe — the décor, lighting, food and atmosphere are so thoughtfully curated and stylish, and they photograph beautifully. A big thank-you to the team at Harrison’s for making a photographer feel so comfortable and cared for! Kate Olivia

My partner and I just came in for dinner and holy moly, what a dinner! We started with the sourdough, oysters, fish sandwich and the steak tartare. Unreal. For mains we had the steak frites and gnocchi with wagyu beef - and my goodness everything was 20/10. All of this paired with a delightful Province pinot noir. Of course we had to finish with dessert which was probably the best carrot cake I've ever eaten and the tiramasu was just off tap. Could not have been fuller or more satisfied. The lovely staff were fantastic too ! Such a lovely vibe here ! Highly recommend a visit ! 👌

Super great place for a girls dinner or friends dinner. The restaurant is a bit small so you have to book in advance, since it fills up every night (kind of loud as well). We ordered pizza bread with ricotta and burrata cheese, olives, two pastas and the lamb, salad and potatoes. The pastas were amazing, I loved it more than everything else.

I loved my visit to Alfie's. When I arrived, it was quite quiet, but the tables quickly filled. Despite this, my meals were served promptly. The pasta was great, but the octopus was the highlight. It was so tender and tasty.

Everything about Alphies was top quality. We tried a variety of the menu, but the most simple staple on the menu, the pizza bread, we would come back and buy that time and time again. It was so light and fluffy, whilst being crisp and charred, and the olive oil and salt balance was perfect!! Interesting twist on the tartare, serving with parmesan, worked well. Thank you, we will come again.

When man has lost all faith in humanity, when the bank balance reads like a tragic haiku, and the landlord is sharpening his pitchfork for next week’s rent—there remains but one saviour. Not a priest, not a banker, but a chef armed with olive oil, garlic, and the soul of a thousand nonnas whispering in his ear. First came the burrata—dear God, the burrata. One slice and I was holding Sicily in the palm of my hand, a pocket of gooey, creamy paradise so divine I briefly forgot English and began screaming “MAMMA MIA” like Mario losing a kart race. Then appeared the pork and veal meatballs. With one mouthful I was no longer in a restaurant—I was inside an episode of Peppa Pig, surrounded by technicolour pork perfection and a suspiciously flavourful Daddy Pig who had clearly sacrificed himself for my joy. Then arrived the calamari fritti. I bit into one ring and was instantly transported into the Mariana Trench, tumbling past squid ancestors, Poseidon himself handing me tartare sauce as my scuba tank filled with basil chilli aioli. And lastly, like a lightning bolt from the heavens, the lamb shoulder landed. This was no ordinary lamb—this was the crown jewel of the flock. It fell from the bone with such grace I nearly filed divorce papers on the spot just to marry it. I gnawed at the marrow like a starving hyena and briefly considered writing my will, leaving all assets to that lamb. This meal was not just dinner—it was baptism by tomato, a communion of garlic bread, a resurrection powered by great staff. Hands down, the chefs here are culinary warlocks and must be stopped before they start charging admission like a theme park. If this food doesn’t make you believe in miracles, then nothing will.

My group enjoyed the afternoon Apertivo, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! The food was so fresh and delicious particularly the pizza bread with ricotta. We had cocktails which were well made and the staff were attentive and friendly. The table was beautifully laid and the seats very comfortable. We will definitely be back again in the future.

We visited Alfie’s as a group of five, ordering the lamb ragu, pizza bread, and scallops. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the hype. While the customer service was genuinely lovely—the staff treated us beautifully, explained the menu thoroughly, and checked in frequently—the overall experience left much to be desired. Firstly, the menu is quite limited, and surprisingly, they don’t offer pizzas despite being an Italian restaurant. The dishes are designed for sharing, which threw us off, as we hadn’t anticipated that. We checked the menu beforehand, and while it seemed promising, the reality fell short. The food itself was just okay—not amazing, especially for the price point. A major downside was how extremely salty each dish was, which overshadowed any potential flavor. The atmosphere was average. Given the restaurant’s small size, it naturally gets loud with the crowd, and the addition of loud music made it overwhelming. It was difficult to have a conversation without raising our voices. On a positive note, the drinks were lovely. Considering the high demand—booking took us a couple of weeks—and the buzz around the place, we expected much more. Unfortunately, it wasn’t worth the wait. For the price and the overall quality of the food and atmosphere, it didn’t meet expectations. The real highlight was the customer service. The ladies serving us were wonderful and attentive, but sadly, that alone doesn’t justify the cost. For us, it’s a place we wouldn’t rush back to.

Lovely dining experience at Alfie's! Delicious antipasti followed by rigatoni and rump cap, later wonderful Italian desserts. Made all the better by the sommelier who knows her stuff!! Great selection of wine, fun & busy atmosphere. We'll be back :)

The atmosphere was what attracted us to this restaurant in the first place and did not disappoint on the service either. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. While I'm sure the food is really great, perhaps we chose the wrong items for us on the menu. We had the crumbed lamb and the chilli and garlic mussell pasta. Both we found to be average for the price. However, the foccacia bread was very fresh and lovely and the wine list was amazing. We will visit again in the future and try something else on the menu.

Dinner at Jana was an excellent experience. Every dish was perfectly balanced, with flavour and texture working well together. The menu feels deliberate, and it shows in how well everything comes together. Service was warm without being overbearing. Easily one of the best meals I’ve had in Newcastle, and well worth a return visit.

Didn't know what to expect as I booked late and the menu looked great. Everything was great including the service. The huge Rib Eye and sides were amazing, more than enough for 2. Shame I couldn't fit any desert in afterwards. Everyone that came to the table and served me anything during the evening were great, especially Mia who went above and beyond to ensure I enjoyed everything. Next time I have to try the pastas as they looked fantastic! I will definitely be back next time I'm in Newcastle and I highly recommend Jana when looking for a great restaurant with excellent service and wonderful atmosphere. Grazie!

We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and service provided. We thoroughly enjoyed the dishes that were part of the banquet. It was obvious that a lot of thought, care and effort had been put into the menu and we were delighted with the unique flavours that we experienced. The atmosphere and service was spot on and we had a great night. Highly recommended for a pleasant fine dining experience in Newcastle. Thank you to the chef, owners and staff!

​We had the most amazing night at Jana. While the food and atmosphere were fantastic, the real highlight was our waiter. The young gentleman who looked after our table was absolutely outstanding. He was perfectly attentive throughout the evening and was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire menu, helping us make some great choices. Service like that truly makes a dinner special. Highly recommend!

We ate here whilst staying in the hotel, it was a pleasant experience. I had a perfectly cooked steak and my wife said that the duck was the best she had eaten in years. Service was okay but could be better, it’s a bit noisy and you are constantly being looked at by people walking past and looking in the window. Otherwise a great experience.

The staff are incredible, friendly attentive and wonderful. The decor is divine but the meal sizes and quality are not 5 star. I have no problem paying for high quality food experiences but this was disappointing. The beetroot salad tastes like Golden Circle tin beetroot, the steak and lamb is dwarf size and the wine is overpriced. The taste was also sub-par. The steak was well cooked though. Large selection of wine but was overpriced. I was so annoyed with the experience of the small portions I opted for an ice cream from 7/11, rather than give them another cent. If yiure going to pay 300 for a meal, you want to walk out satisfied and not hungry.

Here's my review for Rustica restaurant. To Start: *Garlic prawn pots Provencale *Zucchini flower fritti filled with ricotta For Main: *Mafaldine pasta tossed with prawns and calamari *Daily special of a scotch fillet, salad and chips. (Unfortunately the Ranges Valley 280gm “Black Onyx” sirloin was not available) The Good: *The steak was tender and full of flavour *Meals arrived quickly, likely helped by the early dinner time and relaxed atmosphere *Wait staff were friendly and professional *Nicely styled restaurant with a dark timber theme and a nice renaissance mural painted on the wall The Bad: *The Zucchini flower looked good but unfortunately did not have much flavour and was a bit too oily *Garlic prawn pots Provencale was more oil flavour than tomatoes and garlic Overall: Not the best Italian food I’ve had, but far from the worst. A decent experience with the standout being the steak and service.

Great location. Good menu for food and wine selection although they don’t seem to update their online menu often enough so it wasn’t what we expected). Had the banquet adding the prawns. Seafood (scallop & prawns) both tasty but slightly overcooked. Every dish was nice enough but not enough to be a standout and want to return. Lamb is tender as, just not overly flavourful, potatoes looked crispy but were not and overly sugared candied walnuts overpowering with sweetness. Twice, the same waitress delivered dishes to our table where we had empty wine glasses and didn’t ask if we’d like another drink. First time, I had to get up and ask a waitress, the second I caught her as she tried to walk way. Wines were all very nice as we tried a Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sangiovese & a Cabernet Sauvignon. Overall I’d say it’s a 3.8/5.

Staff were fantastic . Venue was interesting . And although the food tasted ok , the Gnocchi was ... different , from what traditional gnocchi looks and tastes like . The pork belly tasted ok but sliced relatively thin not like any pork belly dish we'd ever been served . My partner was very very disappointed with her gnocchi. The toast with the entree prawn pot was small , burnt and scraped , and disapointing

We had a beautiful lunch at Rustica! Their olives and feta bread are absolutely delicious starters! You must try the lamb shoulder too - it fell right off the bone. Beautiful venue overlooking the ocean.

The menu has a good choice of cocktails ... presented in beautiful glasses and delicious Jasmine was friendly and helpful We decided to skip starter and share rhe lamb shoulder - good choice it was a huge plate of food really tasty meat and veg + roast potatos . The nebbiolo wine from Hairy Arm paired really well A lovely meal

Amazing experience here! They are so accomodating and tend to your requests thoughtfully. The service really made the whole experience great! Food was lovely too 🙂 we are from Sydney but would definitely return to Newcastle for this

Food 5 🌟 Service 3.5 🌟 Ambience 5 🌟 We started with a coconut margaritas they where so amazing couldn’t fault a single thing. Strong 2shots. The taste was so blanched loved the coconut around the rim! We shared zucchini flowers there where cooked to perfection still crispy stems with the flower being soft! We had Arancini balls it was nice quite heavy came with some basil sauce was really lovely. I had the seafood pasta was cooked to perfection! Good amount of seafood and spice lives the crispy kale! Was the highlight for me! My friend had the roasted chicken she really enjoyed it. We finished with a Jaffa cocktail. Was mind blowing good! The staff where quiet busy as there sitting service was all arriving at the same time so get attention was a little slow. However the staff were friendly and polite. Cant wait to go back and try other things from the menu! All this was like 110 each! So cheap for amazing quality the food is!

We had an amazing experience at Bocados! Our waitress was lovely and gave us some great suggestions. Would highly recommend the paella and lamb shank. Will definitely be back to try more of the menu!!

I loved it! I enjoyed a delicious dinner with amazing food, a delightful dessert, and a wonderful wine. The service from the supervisor Andrea Urrego and the waitstaff was impeccable very polite, attentive, and friendly. Without a doubt, I would come back many more times. I left feeling very satisfied and happy to have shared this experience with my family. Sharing one of my favorite dishes to make you crave it!

The dishes were rich in flavor, and the desserts were delicious. The restaurant staff were very friendly. The only downside was that the lighting was too dim, which was a bit tiring on the eyes. Overall, it was a very pleasant dining experience!

Found this little gem escaping a downpour of rain. Great, friendly service with a gorgeous smile. Food was so delicious we ate before photos. Lamb shank on tasty potato puree, tasty meatballs in mouthwatering tomato sauce and fresh, salty whitebait. We did snap dessert because it was so impressive and delicious also. Affogato and chocolate tart on caramel sauce. Definitely try these.

Very chill vibes. Staff are super friendly. Great value for money. Absolutely delicious . We got more than anticipated and left very full and satisfied. Exceeded our expectations.

We always enjoy our evening at Bacardo’s. We had the banquet. There is so much food, you will leave very full of delicious food.

Had our first dinner experience tonight. Was not quite what we expected. Ordered 2 meals - lamb shank and negros paella. The lamb came first - weird as usually seafood is served before heavy meat dishes due to complexity of flavour. It was tasty but would have loved to have seen a few greens with it. Small and meat heavy. Paella next - designed as share plates so serving 3 prawns and 3 mussels per couple really doesn’t make sense. It really costs nothing to pop in a few more prawns and mussels to make this a great meal. The flavours were great but seafood non existent. Probably won’t return as left feeling short changed. Staff very pleasant but value for money not so much. Seriously to add an extra prawn or 2 would cost them nothing…..

The absolute best seafood in newcastle, if not all of sydney. Freshest, tastiest food i've ever had coming from a massive seafood fanatic. Highly recommend most lovely staff and beautiful atmosphere!!! Second time coming in a month and i can't get enough of it.

We always make sure we visit Scottie's when we are in Newcastle and we are always blown away by the food. Today's highlight was the kingfish crudo and King prawn roti with xo. Thanks team for another amazing experience!

Had the Lobster Club Sandwich & a Peroni beer on Anzac Day at 5pm. Ordered through the hole in the wall & sat at an outside table. It was reasonably busy & a fun vibe. The food definitely wasn't quick but I got handed the beer instantly, and it was a nice place to sit & drink a cold beer & wait. It wasn't cheap... but here's the thing... it was GREAT. It was delicious & a very generous size & a great experience & the staff were great! Will be back soon to try something else.

While take away is available, treat yourself with dining in. Dishes are great for sharing and are fresh and delicious. Fantastic wine list. Staff charming and helpful. Handy to the tram and the beach.

My husband and I went to Scottie’s for dinner on Saturday evening, the restaurant and atmosphere was beautiful- the owners have clearly made a solid effort to distinguish the casual takeaway vibes outside the restaurant to the chilled and relaxed fine dining experience inside. The kingfish special was an absolute highlight, as was the Brussel sprouts, the monkfish and sticky date dessert. The staff were very attentive and helpful with menu suggestions. The pace of the meal was also really good, as a couple who do not like to rush quality food we loved that entrees and mains were nicely spaced apart. All in all we highly recommend Scottie’s! We can’t wait to return :)

I was going to cancel the booking I made online because after walking past the night before I thought the restaurant might be too noisy. I ended up not canceling because it was not clear whether I would be charged the $90 cancellation fee or not. We went intending just to try it out with an entree but we stayed and had a great time. The scallops and the bouillabaisse were wonderful. The bouillabaisse was the best I’ve had in many years (but I did add lemon ) The pasta dish my partner had was very good. The other dishes were good, but not wonderfull. Be aware that the automated suggestions for tipping are at least 15%. This took me a bit by surprise.

Nothing beats Scottie's in Newcastle <3 I had the most gorgeous night there and the team totally looked after us. The seafood is fresh and packed full of flavour. The yuzu margarita is to die for and the lovely Bella looked after us the whole evening. I highly recommend the scallop potato, prawn pancake, any skewer and all their specials. Thank you Scotties, you guys are the BEST.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must-visit in Newcastle! The Signal Box is a standout in Newcastle’s dining scene. The menu offers a great variety and has something for everyone, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and the prices are reasonable for the quality, which makes it even better. But what really made the experience exceptional was the service. The staff were warm, welcoming, and you can see they genuinely enjoy what they do, and it shows. It’s refreshing to be in a place where the team is clearly passionate and takes pride in creating a great experience for guests. A huge thank you to The Signal Box team for making our visit such a memorable one. We’ll definitely be back!

Tried this café in July 2024 during my visit to Newcastle. Booking is recommended, otherwise you might be seated outdoors—which isn’t ideal during winter. The food was great! I enjoyed the Thai fried beef salad—the beef was juicy and flavourful. It was my first time here, and I’d definitely recommend it.

What's not to like about this place! The atmosphere is calm, clean and inviting, and its easy to chat with friends without too much noise. The food was also on-point! Absolutely delicious. Staff we're attentive, friendly and ready to have a laugh with you, and food came out hot and quick. There's also a great range of cocktails and drinks!

I booked Signal Box for my partner’s birthday dinner with friends, and even though it was pouring outside, the atmosphere inside was warm, cozy, and welcoming. What truly made the night exceptional was our waitress, Dani. She was an absolute gem, attentive, friendly, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best experience possible. I would honestly return just for her incredible service (though the food was also a standout!). Everyone at the table loved their meals from start to finish. I had the lobster rolls to start, short ribs for my main, and crème brûlée for dessert, each dish was beautifully presented and delicious. We all left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend Signal Box, especially if you're lucky enough to have Dani looking after you!

Loved the food! Everything tasted amazing. Just a heads up - it’s fly season and the restaurant is open air, so there are some flies around that can be a bit annoying.

Amazing food, excellent service with a great atmosphere. We were not disappointed, so many menu options, the meals were outstanding, service was friendly and on point, I highly recommend. Empty plates all round.

Can't speak highly enough about your restaurant. From the moment we arrived the staff were extraordinary. From helping with our choices to making sure our glasses were always full. The Cauliflower entree left us wanting more and the Foccacia was so light. Main meals were exceptional, especially the Wagu steak. Sticky Date for dessert was wonderfully light with superb vanilla bean ice cream. Overall, fantastic experience and looking forward to our next visit. Well done to all staff.

Extraordinary experience from start to finish! The decor was so calming. Open, fresh, and green. Very welcoming staff. Quick and friendly service all around. The food was phenomenal! Everything was absolutely delicious. A handful of components in each dish but done so right.

This place was outstanding. The food was mouthwatering and super flavourful, taking Asian favourites like Bao Buns and Beef Rendang and totally elevating it. Everything we ordered was delicious. Not to mention the service is super fast and very considerate. Our server Emma was not only so attentive but also super friendly, and kept making us laugh. She and the other waiters made our experience really memorable on top of the amazing food. They really consider everything to make the flavours pop out in each dish. The pineapple sticky pork bao buns were the best, the pork was so melt in your mouth fatty but perfectly crispy and salty and sweet, paired with the fluffy bao buns and tangy pickles and fresh lettuce. We haven’t stopped craving them since. Great place for a catch up with friends over a cocktail or to celebrate a birthday, especially if you’re looking to impress.

We visited Light Years after it was highly recommended to us by lots of people. We didn’t have a booking, so they only had space at the bar. The bar was really high, so it was a bit awkward to sit at, but we still really enjoyed our experience! We had the prawn dumplings, eggplant katsu bao buns and the vegetarian fried rice. Everything was absolutely delicious. If you can get a booking, you need to try Light Years!

A great date night spot in New castle. It was a great experience but I feel like there could be some improvements. We ordered: - Watermelon and Pineapple mocktails: they were SOOOO refreshing. No notes! - The coconut kingfish ceviche was a great starter with balancing textures - The mud crab/ prawn dumplings were honestly disappointing. $22 for over-steamed dumplings that tasted like a worser version of traditional Hargrow. Served with a sweat vinegar instead of a more sour one was also a miss. The dill served no elevation to flavours and is very separately. Review the dumpling flavour profile, the time needed to steam them and their price. - Pork belly bao was not just the highlight of the dinner, but my day. This is a MUST order. - The eggplant was interesting, personally adding the lime changes the whole thing. Just because it’s an oily dish doesn’t mean it needs acidity. It also seems to be a Chinese dish but tastes Vietnamese? Not a critique just was shocked. The price for a stir fried eggplant dish is also a bit steep. The presentation and ingredients shouldn’t amount to that tag - The chicken seems to be Taiwanese influenced but served with a Vietnamese sauce. I don’t mind that but I did mind the sauce presentation, the chicken itself is bland and needs the sauce, but the sauce is scattered everywhere and can easily coat the chicken. For aesthetics it looks nice but I would’ve liked more sauce. The pricing for only 7 pieces of small chicken was also a little steep. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I would recommend, but it did fall short in some aspects. I also thought it was funny that an Asian food resturant has a Mediterranean decor aesthetic🙂‍↕️

I absolutely love this place- food is fenomenal, staff is really friendly. You must try Kingfish ceviche!!!! And The Geisha cocktail 😍

Beautiful decor. Ordered a pineapple margarita, standard deliciousness. Salmon Ceviche was fresh in flavour. Someone had written a glowing review on the prawn and crab dumpling. $25 for 4 dumplings that tastes like standard hargow without any crab taste and just a bit silkier than standard was a bit of a disappointment. Red vinegar to dip the dumplings was not the best sauce, perhaps a prawn chilli infused oil would be better. I enjoyed the pork belly bao buns. The firecracker chicken was delicious, but unfortunately my partner couldn't taste the me goreng flavour. The miso eggplant and pork ribs were very saucy and moorish. Good serving size for pork bao buns, eggplant, chicken and pork ribs.

The only word I can use is ‘perfect.’ I recommend everyone try this place—you won’t enjoy your food more anywhere else. Fresh, high-quality, and incredibly tasty. If you want a top-quality night out, this is the place to go.

The decor & lighting here were lovely for date night, however the only thing that would have made a big difference to the atmosphere is the staff's clothing. The man who served us, while efficient, was wearing sweat pants, sneakers & what looked like a pyjama tshirt. Most of the customers dressed up for date night and it would've been nice if the staff made an effort too. Also the "tempura caulini" was not as I expected from the description. Tempura almost always implies fried in a light batter, but this was only half crumbed on top. Not what we expected. Overall a nice experience, but needs a few tweaks to make a big difference.

Food was fabulous - Melt in your mouth and good portions. Great cocktails. Very friendly and attentive service. Room could be a little warmer. Otherwise superb.

Went to Elementa with my partner to celebrate our anniversary… as I have been once with some friends , I knew he would love it but this time was even better… Rinna, the owner, welcomed us with the best energy and her service was impeccable. She absolutely knows what she is doing there… The food, OMG, one of the best we had… Jess the head chef is passionate, professional and has provided a bomb of flavours… we will def be back! Thank you Rinna, for the amazing night… you guys def tick all the boxes Xx

What a great place to dine. We had lunch and was very impressed. We only ordered the vegan meals/options (which they had a good variety of) and loved every meal. Super fresh and well thought of meals, great flavours and beautiful presentation. All the non vegan dishes coming out also looked delicious. Good range of wine / beer / cocktails, nice atmosphere looking over the water, friendly and helpful service. We turned up on a Sunday for lunch without a booking and was given a nice table out front over looking the water. Slightly on the pricey side, but the food was worth it. Recommended and will dine here again.

We visited Elementa a year ago and went back today, this time recommending and bringing our friends along. It was disappointing. We got the set menu again. The food itself was really lovely, but the price has increased while the portion size and number of plates had decreased. This used to be a well-priced chefs menu to return to when seasons change, but now I don’t think I’ll be back. Comparing it other similar style and priced restaurants, we were all left feeling slightly disappointed at the whole offering and experience. We originally returned here because it felt like you got a nice amount of premium food at a respectable price, but now it feels like you get a limited amount of premium food that is overpriced. We were also the only customers in the restaurant (Thursday night), but this doesn’t bother me really, just something to note. Taste 4.5/5 Price 2/5 Service/ambience 3.5/5 Overall 2.5/5 If you were to come, I think ordering specific items would be better than the chef selection. My review of our previous experience at Elementa would be 4.5/5, so I hope they can return to what made them great not long ago.

Food started strongly with the arancini balls but went downhill from there. There were certain elements of each dish that were nice but overall the quality of the food did not match the price of the chef's feed me. Cocktails were nice.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Elementa for lunch, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We opted to share several plates, and every dish was of an exceptional standard—beautifully presented and packed with flavour. The service was equally impressive; the wait staff were knowledgeable, welcoming, and offered excellent recommendations from the menu. Their understanding of the dishes really elevated the experience. Overall, a standout dining experience with top-notch food and impeccable service. Highly recommended!

Wow! We can't believe the quality of BLANCA Honeysuckle. We stumbled across it by accident and it would be at home amongst the very best restaurants in Sydney. We ordered the saganaki, woodfired bread, crudo and prawns. Everything was spectacular. The prawns were super size and we'll be dreaming of the saganaki for years to come. Our only regret is not having an extra stomach to try the lamb shoulder or loukoumades. The service was also flawless, thanks to our lovely and attentive waitress Christina. They were also very accommodating of our pram.

Some highs and lows here. First and foremost the food we had was excellent, the muhnmarra was the best I’ve had, never had it with feta before and want it that way from now on. The octopus orzo was another stand out, charred but tender seafood infused the creamy pasta with amazing flavour. Dessert is where it falls down, compared with the exciting savoury options, the dessert menu had nothing that appealed. The real downfall was the service, it was patchy at best, we were seated and then ignored while 2 others tables were seated and ordered before anyone asked us if we wanted a drink, this set the tone for service that was pretty average.

Snagged an early dinner reservation at Blanca after hearing so many great things. Tasteful interior that transports you to the Mediterranean. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Fantastic sharing menu, great wine selection of local, domestic and international. Highlights were the Saganaki, flatbread and hummus and chicken shish. Make sure you book, this place is popular! Can’t wait to return

Cannot recommend this place more highly. Luca and his team were wonderful on our recent visit. Incredible wine selection with some local favourites and delicious international bottles. The best way to describe the food- you’ll read the menu description and have an imagine/idea in your head…well every dish will exceed it. Some delicious interesting flavours and the lamb just melts in your mouth. Will definitely be coming back. (I wish I took more photos sorry but here are some of the wines!)

I visited Blanca with two friends for a late lunch and for starters we shared the Coal Fired Flatbread to dip into the Vanella Burrata, then we tucked into the freshest, and most delicious Crudo Di Mare dish. For mains we shared the Steamed Potatoes and Braised Lamb Shoulder which comes with a side dish of Pilaf Rice and this entire dish quite literally made me do a happy dance, the lamb is to die for and that amount of food was perfect for 3 people to share! 10/10 recommend going to Blanca, you will not be disappointed with their dishes or any of their delicious cocktails - not to mention how aesthetically pleasing the venue is, you feel like you’re on holidays in Europe. Blanca is perfect for a girls lunch, date, or group booking. I can’t wait to go back when I visit Newcastle again.

I found this restaurant to be a cool place with lovely staff, but the quality of the food, prices, and cocktails really let us down. We ordered many dishes, but the only thing we truly enjoyed was the starter bread

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Blanca in Newcastle, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The Mediterranean cuisine was a delight, making for an amazing afternoon spent with friends. The atmosphere is relaxed yet chic, creating the perfect backdrop for our get-together. The cocktails were exceptional, each sip bursting with flavor and creativity. The service was equally fantastic; the staff were attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. Now, let’s talk about the food—everything was simply perfect! The lamb is a must-try, cooked to perfection and seasoned beautifully. The bread was also delicious, serving as a fantastic complement to our meal. And that hummus tip? Absolutely divine—it was one of the highlights of the dish! What made the experience even better was the location. Nestled in a great spot, Blanca gives you a vibe that feels reminiscent of an exotic island getaway. Overall, everything about our visit was just perfect, making it a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy wonderful food and a fantastic atmosphere. Highly recommend!

The place is nice, busy, clean However We were served with a drink menu that was empty inside.. We opted for A La Carte menu instead, and the portions were VERY small, left us a bit hungry.. My friend asked for a second glass of Chianti, but was served a cheaper Shiraz as the winter confused it with another customer's glass... Lastly, food quality was ok, but some of the staff wasn't prepared to give a good service, unfortunately Perhaps, avoid A La Carte and try the all you can eat..

Went tonight with my partner, Willian our server was amazing. Inviting and amazing staff. The food is amazing and you will never leave hungry. The sauce will change your life

2nd time being here, the Service was disappointing, when we arrived for our reservation we waited 5 minutes to be seated. The table we were given was a bench style in a busy walk way. We asked to move which they accommodated but the manager did seem annoyed doing so. Once we had our seats it was 25 minutes before we received our first piece of food. The food on offer was of high quality, it’s just unfortunate that the service lacked here this time

I was sceptical on going here after reading some of the recent reviews, so I was prepared to be disappointed. When I arrived I was shown to our table which was set up beautifully. I then had someone (I think named William) come and introduce himself and explain how the night works with the all you can eat. Offered us drinks while we wait for the rest of our group and was just all round fun, kind and genuine. When the rest of the group arrived we had a lovely waitress come and introduce herself and then the food started. I saw a comment on here complaining about the portion sizes, but they were always happy to cut extra for us. Our waitress even brought over some more cheese bread for us during the meat service because we all loved it so much! By the end of it we didn’t even get to try all of the different meats because we were so full from what had already come around. If I had to try to find a negative from the night, my 14 year old son ordered a Jack Daniel’s and sprite (sprite should have been a dead give away that he doesn’t drink! 😂) and the waitress took his order and walked away from the table to get it. We had to call her back and tell her no, he’s only a child. We had previously joked around with the supervisor (William?) about it when he tried to order a wine from him. I think we pissed the waitress off because her attitude towards us definitely wasn’t as pleasant afterwards. Not rude in any way what so ever, but not happy and cheery like she was previously. But we somewhat caused that, so I understand. Overall it was an amazing night and although the price point was a little higher than I’d usually pay for a family night out, it was worth ever cent and I will definitely be back again. Note for the owner…. A scoop of ice cream and some caramel sauce with those banana bites would make it an absolutely amazing dessert to end the night on!

Didn't want to pay $75 dollars each so we ordered a meat dish with the vegetables for myself one small piece of meat and a piece of pork belly and cabbage $40 two dishes my wife was happy with hers . Other 12 people had the $75 servings each had to keep asking for servings and then they brought out desert 2 crumb slices of banana each and a small slice of pine apple.I think this is the first time ever I've reviewed my food. McDonald's would of been a better meal. So my option of this place fairly ordinary never to return. So If you like to waste your money please come on in we will be happy to relieve you of it for not much food. I couldn't even rate the so called food.

The service started off fine, but after asking for more meat and lamb I was completely ignored. Tables around me were being served while I sat waiting — for over 30 minutes without a single plate brought over. I eventually had to leave, still hungry, which defeats the whole purpose of coming to an “all you can eat.” False advertising & very disappointing.

Where to start , on arrival we were greeted by a very miserable uninterested male , we were taken to our table and just left , having never been before, we weren’t sure how the churrasco worked , and not one waiter even attempted to explain, even after it was pointed out that we’d never been before . Whilst waiting, my partner went to use the rest room , on his return he went to sit down when the chair completely collapsed from under him and left him sprawled on the floor , when finally getting to his feet and grabbing another chair to sit on , a waiter walked past , picked up the broken chair whilst mumbling “ thanks for breaking the chair”! On his return from disposing of said chair , he proceeded to ask my partner if he was ok , to which I replied, “didn’t u just accuse him of breaking the chair”, to which he fumbled , stuttered , went white and replied no I didn’t , I said yes u did , and he said “sorry if it came across that way , and walked off, not one other member of staff bothered to check if he was ok . Another waiter then came along and gave us 1 small slice of meat , to which we just looked at each other and wondered what the hell we were supposed to do with it , no vegetables, no salad , no chips , nothing . We ate our tiny bit of meat and were left sat there another 10 minutes before a bowl of lettuce was brought out , along with a bowl of rice and a bowl of chips . Half the staff looked like they had no clue what they were doing . When other food was brought out , eg potatoes , we were always the last to be served which meant there was barely nothing left on the tray , which resulted in us literally getting a 2 cm cube size piece of potato along with the scraps , once , and was never brought back around again . And don’t get me started on dessert , if u could call it that , one bite sized piece of crumbed banana and a 2mm thick slice of pineapple 🤦🏼‍♀️ As we were there with my brother and sister in law , at $74 per head along with drinks , our bill came to over $400! Worst $400 ever spent ! And btw , no my partner isn’t ok as he’s previously had spinal surgery and this just exacerbated it . Not that anyone cared

Mother’s Day Lunch at the Roundhouse required pre-booking. The views were excellent and worth the extra for a window seat. Staff were warm and friendly. We started with an included glass of Australian sparkling wine which paired well with the complimentary snacks. Starters quickly followed and all members of our dining party enjoyed their choices. Unfortunately, that’s when the kitchen demonstrated it was overwhelmed and it took 75 minutes for entrees to appear. Similarly, getting a glass of wine took some time too. Food when it arrived was tasty and plated well. Wait staff were apologetic for the delay, and we had time for another glass of wine whilst waiting for 49 minutes for the mains. Despite the nice flavours and good presentation, it was already 2.5 hours since sitting down to be served 3 courses- not really meeting the expectations of a restaurant selling itself as a fine dining and special occasion option in Newcastle. Desserts finally arrived at the 3 hour mark. Overall, a “long lunch” with nice food and location, unfortunately not meeting the expectations - especially when multiple reminder emails were sent about the strict 1hr45min booking slot!

The food was top notch. The staff were friendly and looked after our every need. A 3 course for $98. You can add extras if you like also. I got the steak and it was perfect. The cheese platter was very nice and my friend who got the dessert also said his was very good. Highly recommend for a good quality meal.

We dined here May 2025. We were excited to try the 4 course meal. Wait time for the food was way too long. Arrived at 12.30pm for lunch booking and didnt get main meal served until til 2.15pm ! Then waited for dessert. Food was presented beautifully but taste was average! Wait staff were great - fault was with kitchen staff. I would not go back there to eat - even if it was for free ! Highly recommended finding somewhere else to eat! There are lots of other excellent choices in Newcastle.

Fantastic location with some of the best food Newcastle had to offer. Service was a little slow to start with once our food came out service picked up which was great to see. Every dish that came out was full of flavour and I could not fault anything. Expensive but worth it, a must try. They were extremely helpful as we arrive 45 mins early to our booking and still they found seating for all of us.

Top class service, view and quality food. I would recommend every fish lovers to try the snapper dish in the mains, so far it’s the best I have tried in last 5 years. Being a fan of seafood especially fish, this has been a unique experience and staffs has been super friendly and welcoming.

Booked in for my Birthday Dinner and food was actually fantastic but unfortunately the timing of the food and the wine pairing was completely off. Deserts were served and we had to clear the table in 5 min. The restaurant was full and it was Saturday night and I understand that this busy, but picking your plate before you finish and taking your drink when half of it is still there is unacceptable especially when the food was served so slow. No wonder there are a lot of negative reviews. On a positive note the bar staff were fantastic and accommodated us to cut the cake . So over all a bit upset but ended in a positive note.

Waiter Jack was exceptional and made our experience amazing. Thankyou for going above and beyond! Chef Heinrich’s 6 course creations was also amazing We would Highly recommend and we will definitely be back!

Another fantastic experience at Arno's! This sandwich shop is a true gem, serving up delicious sandwiches that are always made fresh to order with love. It's a great spot whether you're planning to dine in or grab your food to go. Since they get pretty busy, it's a good idea to call ahead to place your order. Also, you absolutely have to try their Tiramisu iced latte, it is divine!

THE BEST sandwiches I have had! I highly recommend getting the chicken schnitzel one and the roast beef one — so delicious. The Aperol Spritz are waaay too good as well, we definitely had our fair share of them. I wish we had an Arno Deli back home!! Lots of love from NZ 🫶🏼🫶🏼

When planning my nuptials, Pinterest told me that I needed a silver platter of cannolis- and I couldn’t have agreed more. So begun the hunt for local cannolis. I was stoked when I stumbled upon Arno Deli. This was my first order, but after lurking their socials, seeing the pictures and their vibe- I knew I would be in safe hands. When I placed the last minute order, they rang me straight away to discuss the prime cannoli conditions, making sure that I understood that they are best served within a particular timeframe and not too refrigerate as to avoid going soggy. At this stage, I was all in, and while I appreciated the time they took to go through it all with me, I was willing to risk it for the biscuit/pastry. I am so glad that I did. They were EPIC. So crispy and delicious- I didn’t eat any wedding cake the night of, as I was too focused on the cannoli platter. They looked great and our guests raved about them. Can’t wait to visit in store and relive the cannoli magic. Thank you legends!

Quality and flavour of the food is authentic. Peroni from Bari available in the fridge. Nduja is real.

Absolutely fantastic! We ordered a cheese and salami grazing box from Arno’s before heading to a concert at a local winery, and it was incredible — generous portions, delicious flavours, and beautifully put together. We loved it so much we went back the next morning for breakfast. My bacon and egg roll (followed by a sausage roll chaser!) was just perfect. It’s not the cheapest place in town, but when the food and service are this good, it’s worth every cent. Friendly staff, amazing quality — an easy five stars from me.

Best place in Newcastle, I've never had such a flavoursome experience ever. The hot honey pepperoni was amazing, so full of flavour and just perfect in every way. Highly recommend if you are looking for great food in newy.

Had breakfast here this morning. They have a great selection of Panini with a variety of fillings. Roast beef was to die for and the chicken snotty was the best tasting snotty that I've ever had. Our coffee was smooth and delicious. Highly recommend.

My partner and I had dinner at Bar Vecina on Thursday for their “Steak Night,” and it was absolutely fantastic. From the outstanding service to the perfectly paired wine, everything was exceptional. Do yourself a favour and try the stracciatella with peaches for entree and then the 90 day dry aged sirloin for main, it might just be one of the best steaks we’ve ever had.

Great snacks with an even greater selection of drinks. We shared five small plates and two drinks between the two of us. Each dish played its notes very well with little room for critique. Snack Recommendation: We’ve tried the Gildas at every restaurants in town and we can confirm that these are the best in Newcastle. Despite the rush, our servers were delightfully polite and patiently helped us navigate the enticing menu. We’re looking forward sampling the rest of the menu.

Exceptional wine by the glass coravin list. Vecina has wines from just about every notable world wine region for you to enjoy. The tapas style food menu also was excellent and complementary to this gastronomic experience. Adjoined to flotilla restaurant, but a more casual drop in wine bar in a more reserved part of town. They can cater to private functions up to 25 people. Happy hour from 4-5pm is sure to get you off on the right foot. My NV Henriot Champagne was delicious. As was a taste of the Northern Tasmanian "Bis" rose sparkling by Natalie fryer.

A fantastic experience from start to finish. A diverse by the glass wine list is supported by a comprehensive bottle offering to accompany their well designed food offering. Relaxed and accommodating service with a welcoming atmosphere. Many thanks to Eduardo and the team for crafting a memorable evening.

Very good cocktails and choice of wines. Extremely knowledgeable staff who were very nice and accommodating. Even gave us 3 free tasters to see what kind of wine we wanted to pick!

Expectations were high given the team behind this. Expectations were exceeded. Fabulously educated waitstaff, brilliant room mood, impeccable food and wine. Will be going back on steak night.

Caught up with some friends at Vecina for a few drinks and we were thoroughly impressed! Tasty bar snacks and an amazing range of wines, with so many options by the glass compared with other places - staff were great assistance with recommendations if you're overwhelmed by choice.

The lovely Canadian bar tender gets you the 3 stars here guys. Otherwise it would be an easy 1. No service when entering, no hello, no nothing. That’s ok I don’t like too many people anyways. Now let’s get to the food. I attached the photo of the solar panel energy system you have going, it’s either not working or broken because your pizza dough was raw, soggy. NOT PIZZA. Chicken wings WERE DRYER than my grandmas personality. Overall, drinks, 5 stars. Food = attempt at your own risk. Love you all. Bye

She gave me such kind service with a warm smile, and that made me feel really comfortable. It’s those small, genuine gestures that leave a lasting impression — and hers did. I love hazy beer & IPA, and the one I had here was amazing. Juicy, smooth, and perfectly balanced — the kind of beer that makes you smile with the first sip. If I have the chance, I’d definitely come back for both the taste and the atmosphere.

Great place for a meal or a drink. I have been here several times, really enjoy the trivia night otherwise I have not been able to fault the meals. They have been great. Staff are really friendly and it's easy to book a table.

Foghorn brewery, one of brewcastle trail of craft beer. Located at king st., bit hard on car park, you have to park at the back of the main street that quite hilly. The triple IPA was so nice with ABV 11.3%😁 and so aromatic.

Would have given it a 5 star but the twice fried crispy chicken wings were not crispy at all not one wing or leg was one bit crispy just rename the wings and take out the crispy other than that the beer and atmosphere was amazing will definitely be back awsome.

Delicious range of craft beers. Yummy pizza as well. Big venue so can accommodate large groups.

Popped in on a Friday just after opening. Warm welcome from the staff. Large venue with plenty of seating. Good Beer selection available in three sizes - midi, schooner and pint. Good prices compared to Melbourne. Good food selection and large portions. Music not too loud. Not very busy when we were there.

Food was tasty but slightly on the over sweet side, especially for the curry. It’s also missing proper heat. Atmosphere is good for a fusion place. Tuna ahi was very good and the salt n pepper squid was well done as well.

A very enjoyable spot for a cheeky drink on a night out in town. It took a while for our bowl of chips to come out, but otherwise the cocktails were VERY good, and chips, once they'd arrived, went down a treat. Atmosphere is dark and intimate, which was great.

I really love the vibe and the food of this restaurant. I've been here twice to date and have found the food and service to be excellent. They have both and upstairs and downstairs area, the ambience is great and the wall art vibrant. I really recommend the vegan penang curry with pumpkin and mushroom - it beat the meat dishes hands down. I will definitely return with friends I want to impress :-) Update 2024 - came back again with a friend from Sydney. Another awesome meal. Thank you for a great meal - the cocktails were so delicious! As was the meal! Generous serves and a fabulous atmosphere.

The food here was absolutely delicious and the team took care of our large group. Our only complaint was the slightly longer waittime on food, and the lack of communication about this from staff. But the meal was definitely worth the wait, and the cocktails kept us all in good cheer while we waited!

Lovely place off a side street, food was fab and staff were very nice and attentive. 2 small little issues - the area is very dark inside, could do with some small lights/ candles on tables to be able to see the menu and the food your eating. We had to use our lights on phones. No other option on the specials for the drink - Ashai - maybe give another drink option?

Went here for my birthday dinner, and did not disappoint. Though parking was difficult (not their fault really), the food, drinks and service were FANTASTIC! Our server for the evening was Ella, who was extremely attentive, personable, friendly, and, quite frankly, hilarious. LOVED her. Atmosphere was beautiful, very relaxing and almost soothing. Would recommend ten times over.

Food 4.5, atmosphere 5, service 3 Attended the Sunday yum cha set menu with 1.5h drinks for 60pp. Was a poor start having not being attended to for 30 minutes after seating and it was not that busy at 12pm on a Sunday. Had to flag down a waitstaff who then promptly tended to our food. We were more regularly attended to towards the end of our meal when our 1.5h timing was up. Food as a standalone was definitely value for money as I was about to tear at the brim from the amount of food and drink consumed. Tasty and fresh, compared to the usual yum cha places that need to drown a little in chilli saucem everything was well seasoned and balanced, kudos to the chef.

The restaurant was a bit hard to find from the street. It actually locates upstairs of the beach club. It was busy when we got there. We ordered the sourdough, salad, the express lunch, and the fish of the day. The service was good at the start, however when it got busier later on, so our drink from the express lunch menu was forgotten and we have to ask the waiter for it. Also the express lunch was not on the normal menu that we have to ask the waiter to find out for us. The location and the atmosphere of the restaurant were good with beautiful ocean view. The food was generous and delicious, especially the salad looked very colorful.

A classic fine dining experience with some of the best food I have had in Newcastle. The chefs mastering the art of combining unique and multi-faceted flavours amongst all dishes, with a special mention to the amazing seafood and steaks! Table service was timely and smooth, and the atmosphere was bustling and positive. Overall, an excellent experience in every aspect.

The food was delicious, the Balmain bugs were cooked perfectly but the pasta was a little overcooked, apart from that the food was excellent. The table staff were friendly but not as attentive as they could be. some room for improvement but overall this is a great restaurant and I’m sure it will get better as everyone settles in.

The staff were lovely and the atmosphere is brilliant with great ocean views and an elegant ambiance. The drinks were also nice - I had a mocktail and my partner had a beer. The presentation is great as all the dishes look amazing. We got the ‘taste of peregrin’ set menu, and the food was subpar. It was bland. The meats were cooked very well, but everything was lacking in flavour and richness. I wouldn’t say the food is worth the price, but the ambiance makes up for it for a social occasion.

We held my friend’s 40th birthday lunch at Peregrin yesterday and it was fantastic! The staff went over and above to provide us with the best table, service, and phenomenal food and drink! We really appreciated the extra care taken to make the day so special. We will definitely be back and highly recommend!

Amazing and our new favourite. We got the $80 Peregrin set menu and it was great to try so many different entrees, mains and desserts! Great value for money. Beautiful restaurant with an amazing view. Highly recommend!

Service was on point, Staffs were friendly and cheerful and they greeted you with a positive smile and attitude. Restaurant ambience were lovely and the beach view was speechless. Food wise in general was alright, I would say that their starters actually tasted much better than their mains. I ordered sirloin and did not enjoy it as it was very chewy and I ordered medium doness but only the sides were medium while center was medium rare. my friends ordered chicken which they commented that the centre of chicken were very dry. Just wish that the mains can be as good as their mains.

Lovely cocktail bar with an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate host. Really enjoyed our time here.

The Koutetsu team have an innovative, attentive and knowledgeable repertoire that makes every visit a fun night out and a delight for the senses. With a wide range of every spirit you need and the enthusiasm to back it up, you definitely need to come down and visit! Got introduced to pandan with the pandan airways and the red wine foam cocktail tasted like sherbet! Excellent!

Great staff and good selection of cocktails, and a nice atmosphere.

Great hidden gem nestled in the heart of Newcastle. The ambience exudes a charming and funky vibe that instantly captivates. The staff members are incredibly friendly. Our mocktails were simply delicious. My only suggestion would be to expand the selection of bar food options as there is only three at the moment. Nonetheless, it's definitely a place worth visiting!

Sorry, didn't eat - but we were back and excited to try the Aviations. Staff were fab as always and offered two Aviation versions . . . both silky and floral, the just juniper was sweeter (in an already sweet profile) - london dry was perfect! Looking forward to next time and will try for a light salty mineral (oyster shell) vsn . . .👏🏻

Terrific funky little cocktail bar. We've heard about it and been meaning to get in. We weren't disappointed. Great drinks with a good selection. The gyoza was amazing.

Amazing cocktails! Bar staff were incredible friendly and had brilliant suggestions for local bars to go to next.

Absolutely terrible food! I had a white hair in my burger, it was sent back the 2nd burger come out with a big black hair in it. The chips were so over cooked, I cut the burger in half and it was partly raw. My husband had a hair in his salad! Absolute worst food! I would have been better off at mc Donald's.

Beautiful Setting, But Food Falls Short for the Price We recently visited Merewether Surfhouse to celebrate my father’s birthday, and while the experience had some highlights, overall, it left us feeling underwhelmed particularly given the premium prices. There’s no denying that the location and view are absolutely stunning. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the ocean, the atmosphere is hard to beat. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure we were comfortable throughout the evening. Unfortunately, it was the food and portion sizes that really let the experience down. Starters We ordered several starters to share now even though we did share not everyone ate from everything but some of them so little that is being served that the price doesn’t justify it. * Prawn Cocktail ($26.50) – Only four prawns were served, which felt very limited for the price. it didn’t feel like good value for money. * Salt & Pepper Calamari ($24) – Nicely presented but the portion was small, and the calamari itself was quite chewy, making it less enjoyable. * Steamed South Australian Mussels – Although generous in number, many shells were empty, and the sour cream–based sauce didn’t complement the dish. A classic lemon butter or white wine sauce would have paired better, especially with the bread. * Woodfired Octopus & Chorizo Skewer ($28) – The flavours were average, but for the price, one skewer felt a little disappointing. Two or three skewers would make this dish feel more complete. Mains For the mains, we shared: * Lamb for Two ($80) – The lamb itself was beautifully cooked and tender, but the portion was quite small for two people, and the sides (mostly carrots and potatoes) felt a little basic considering the cost. * Saffron Linguine with Mixed Seafood – The pasta was nice, but the seafood portion was minimal 2 prawn tails, 4 mussels 2 of which were empty), and barely any swordfish. For a seafood-focused restaurant, this was disappointing. * Tempura Pumpkin Flowers – Unfortunately, this was the least successful dish of the night. The stuffing didn’t taste of pumpkin and had a strong curry-like flavour instead, while the pearl couscous was undercooked and grainy. The waitress had spoken to the chef he insisted that how it is prepared but honestly it’s not ,the pearl cous cous didn’t even absorb any of the sauce that was placed underneath it. It needed more cooking and then a decent toasting. Desserts Dessert was where the meal redeemed itself slightly. * The Sticky Date Pudding was outstanding — light, rich, and full of flavour. * The Vietnamese Coffee Crème Caramel also received great feedback from our table. Merewether Surfhouse is undeniably a beautiful venue with friendly staff and an amazing view, but when you’re paying premium prices, the food needs to match the setting. Portion sizes and value for money were our biggest concerns, as was the inconsistency in flavour and quality across dishes. If you’re after a spot for drinks or dessert with a view, this is a lovely place to go. But for a special occasion dinner, we left wishing the food experience lived up to the location.

I loved having a glass of wine at sunset on the terrace. What a beautiful Newcastle! I came here for business, and I really like the city. The walk from Bar beach to this surf house is stunning. The service at the bar could be better—the guy was a bit rude, but I’ll forgive him. I imagine it’s a matter of age, though at his age, I was a bit kinder. That said, I really enjoyed the experience overall!

One of My Favorite Breakfast Spots! Merewether surfhouse is an amazing place for breakfast! The view is absolutely perfect, the staff are lovely, and the confectionery is delicious. The coffee is also really good, making it a great spot to start the day. Highly recommend!

Great view out to the beach and ocean. Tables could have been cleaned a little quicker we had to sit on an unclean table and there wasnt that many waiting to be served the birds were flapping around all over the leftovers on the tables. We had a fish wrap, wrap was a little too thick for me would have liked a little more salad on it, fish was ok

What a nice spot! This restaurant sits right in front of the beach, offering unbeatable ocean views that make every visit feel like a mini getaway. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, a coffee, or just a drink, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The best part? The prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a prime location. Great food, friendly service, and stunning views—definitely a place worth coming back to!

We had lunch in the bar area, the food and drink was great and we love the location. I feel like the packets of salt and pepper are a bit of a let down. Mereweather surfhouse is up there in price and it feels a bit cheap being handed take away style salt and peppers, just brings the standard down for me which is just a bit disappointing considering the quality of the establishment.

We were looking forward to coming here based on the amazing reviews but was unfortunately disappointed with the food. Service was great though and staff very attentive. Of the set menu, the tomato consomme and flank were particularly underwhelming. The tomato consomme was cold and flavours very mild and watered down. The flank was a little overcooked and probably not a great cut for the dish. The standout was the pecorino brulee as texture was amazingly smooth. Would probably not go back but could have just not been to our taste.

My partner and I came here for our first date night after the most recent lockdown and the first fine dining experience in Newcastle since returning to our home town in late 2020. Firstly, the service was some of the best we've ever had. The staff were exceedingly friendly and knowledgeable, taking the time to answer our questions and exquisitely describe each dish as it arrived. Our location in the Glass House area at the rear of the restaurant was brilliant. In what I assume used to be the back yard, we found ourselves seated in a greenhouse surrounded by night; the glass reflecting the nearby candles and low interior light to create a delicate and warm atmosphere. The food was not only immaculately presented, but also divine in taste as well. There were several combinations I was dubious about when contemplating and pleasantly surprised upon consuming. Sweet mixed with savoury on many occasions to produce unexpectedly pleasant flavours that absolutely blew me away. I cannot speak more highly of Subo, its staff, and the Chef. We will definitely be returning several times in the coming years to treat ourselves to their ever-changing seasonal menus and I suggest you do the same as well.

Suzie, Beau and the incredible staff turn out amazing food. It is our favourite restaurant in Newcastle and they never disappoint us. My partner does not eat gamey meats or seafood and they are happy to substitute for her. Regular changes to the menu mean we return over and over again!

My partner and I came here for our anniversary and they really went above and beyond for us. They take the time to explain each meal right down to the origin of the ingredients. You can tell they love what they do. All of the drink recommendations were personal and were chosen based on what they thought we would love and it was perfect every time. The food was to die for.. We had the end of autumn menu, absolutely divine, we will 100% be back.

Amazing service and great wine list. Food overall was fantastic. A big focus on local ingredients which I loved. I personally found the fish flavour in Torton overpowered the other ingredients in the dish, but other than that everything was amazing. Will definitely be back.

Dined at Subo last night and the service from Tracie was phenomenal matching the perfect wines to every course. The food was absolutely amazing to say the least, do yourself a favour and book in to try this experience for yourself!

Welllll, let me tell you! Husband and I visited Subo for our 10 year anniversary, we chose the degustation with matching wines and it was incredible. It was one of the most amazing dinners we’ve ever had. The staff altered any seafood dishes for me at a last minute request as if it was no hassle.

Great location in Newcastle, walking distance from ferry. Staff very friendly. We ordered the wraps which came with chips. Loved the chips, hubby loved his brisket wrap, but my lamb wrap was very salty. A bit expensive for a wrap and chips. We did love the atmosphere and decor.

Wow what a lovely place! Came for dinner and it was a really great meal. Serving sizes are very generous so make sure you’re hungry when you go. The wagyu steak was cooked to perfection and my son absolutely demolished his cheeseburger. I recommend the beer tasting paddle $17 for 5 beers tasters and you get to choose which beer you’d like. Definitely will be back. Make sure you make a booking if you go during peak times!

Great food and drinks, nice vibes, and service was good. Many of the tables were reserved which was a bit of a bummer, considering it was only a Tuesday night, but we eventually managed to find a table.

We had such a great experience at this pub. It reminded us of English pubs and it has great selections of beers as well of cocktails. The staff here is really FRIENDLY & HELPFUL! There are lots of board games to play as well. The food menu is quite impressive for a pub. Love everything about this pub and one of the best thing is it's super close to the Newcastle Light Rail line as well. We booked an Uber and it was only 2 minute wait. I saw young kids were at the pub so it's definitely a great place for people of all ages. Thank Grain Store team! It was a fabulous night for us.

We had such a great time here. The food was seriously delicious and the service was awesome, super friendly and on point. Just a really chill, enjoyable experience all around. We’ll definitely be back!

Good vibes, Good food, Good people. Unique combination of food items with a very cozy environment. Will visit again if we come through Newcastle! P.s - Thanks for looking up the nearest gas station, wouldn't have gotten home without it! 🫡

The staff, food and atmosphere. The Saxbys didn’t have any flavour but at least the cola and pizza were tasty. Also I don’t why some people have to get drunk early in the morning to where they block out anyone from going to the bathroom?

Fantastic hidden little bar with a great ambience. The only bar with a vibe on a Thursday night! Drinks were also delicious and blues/folk live music kept spirits high. Maybe a few more options on the food menu and a tad faster service for that last star.

We took a short stroll to Coal & Cedar for a pre-dinner tipple. The speakeasy is hidden behind a barber shop. You ring a number for entry. Friendly bartenders will take you through their list. The smoked maple ($27) is a fun riff on an old fashioned made on Michter’s bourbon with maple and walnut bitters, garnished with a torched marshmallow.

Probably one of the most famous cocktail bars in Newcastle. Good selection of drinks, nice staff and great atmosphere.

One of my new favourite bar in Newcastle. Love everything. The hidden bar is so awesome. The bar is located behind a door next to a barber shop, without any sign, so if you find it you feel so amazing. The cozy environment made us feel special and warm. The bartender was very friendly and skilled. The cocktails were great and we could call something off menu as well. We tried Ramos Gin Fizz which was off menu and it tasted amazing. They offered us a free green olive dish as well to pair with the drinks. Plenty of street parking nearby. Will definitely come back.

Great vibe to the establishment, staff are bright, helpful and engaging. I don't know what they do to their olives, but they're amazing! Love visiting here, better suited to small groups.

You will not easily find this place, but it is a speakeasy after all! Once the hidden door opens however, you will be glad you did. A cool vibe in this place with excellent food and super knowledgeable mixologist who will create a drink on the fly that suits your personal taste perfectly. Visiting from the USA so it was also nice to see our flag on the wall!

A true Newcastle favourite. Coal and Cedar nails the speakeasy experience — exceptional cocktails, intimate ambience, and friendly staff who know their craft.

Finally, a good Italian restaurant! I ordered the calamari, ragu, and prosciutto pizza. The calamari was nice, but it would be nice if the serving size was a little larger. The ragu was amazing. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the sauce was seasoned well and delicious, and the meat was tender and flavourful. I loved it. Best ragu I've had. The prosciutto pizza was great, I loved the truffle honey touch. The bread was the star of the show with its light texture and savoury taste. My only critique is the layer of oil that was present on the pizza. Otherwise, great food would come back on my next Newcastle visit. The restaurant vibe was nice, staff were friendly, and the lady who greeted us cleared one of the nicest tables for us.

5/5. Food was amazing, service incredible. Staff were attentive and friendly the whole time, I had a great experience here. Highly recommend the pasta dishes to anyone seeking a warm, hearty authentic Italian meal.

We had a lovely dinner at Market St Basement. The food was fantastic, with a thoughtfully curated small menu that offered excellent variety and quality. The arancini was a standout crisp and full of flavour. The pizza dough was delicious, with rosse and bianchi base options. We enjoyed the Ragù di Manzo and Risotto con Zucca e Salvia, which were rich and delicious, however the ragu what slightly too salty. The Gamberi e Calamari had great flavour as well, though we were surprised by the level of spice, as we hadn’t noticed chilli listed on the menu. Not a major issue, but worth noting for those who prefer milder dishes. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening out.

Fantastic food and drinks. We had the focaccia which was amazing, then the prosciutto burrata pizza & vodka pasta which both were delicious. The Montepulciano, Chianti & Carmenere wines were all great choice. The only down fall to the night was that we couldn’t eat all our pizza and asked for a takeaway container from one staff then another staff member came and took our plates and then the first staff member came out with the containers.. we thought they were collecting the plates to put in containers. The first staff member did apologise for the bad communication on their part.

10/10 service was fantastic even tho they were quiet busy they accommodated us very friendly food was delicious thankyou to all staff

My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of dining at The Basement on New Year's Eve. We had been eager to try their menu for a while and were thrilled to get a booking to see out 2023 on a high. We were not disappointed. We arrived 15 minutes early but our host gladly found us a table. The wait staff were very friendly and helpful, explaining the menu and making suggestions when required. Even when not waiting on us, they would acknowledge us with a smile and generally made us feel welcome and catered for. For the entire 2 hours we were there and considering how busy it was, they never made us feel rushed to 'eat, drink and go' As for the food and the accompanying wine choices, they were top-notch. The food was beautifully plated and delicious. The portion sizes were perfect and we left completely satisfied. We will definitely be back. Bravo!

Our first time at the Basement and we loved it. Great atmosphere and the service was most attentive. Lots of interesting cocktails and a good selection of wines too. We secured a booth at the front of the restaurant which was just perfect. The pasta and pizza dishes were all great followed by donuts for dessert. If you love good Italian cuisine, then the Basement is a definite. Our second visit tonight on 21 Oct 2023 was with family from Sydney. The food was very tasty and overall pretty good. Which is not what we could say about the bad service. Our waitress tried to replace our cutlery for our main meal on the plates we’d used for our entree. We had to ask for clean plates. Then she plonked the bottle of red wine on the table without pouring it. Our mains came to our table and she passed the plates across the table to each guest despite having easy access around the table. Finally when she came to take our dessert order, she missed a guests and we had to call her back. The other concerning issue was watching the bar tender use his fingers to complete a drink with Turkish fairy floss. Hmmm I wonder who the next lucky person will be to have his fingers touch their cocktail. And to top it all off, he kept wiping down the counter top with a dirty rag!

Everything was great! Wished the skin of the pork belly was crispy, but still tasted great! Beef cheeks and calamari was definitely the highlight!

Krystyan our waiter was easy going and attentive. He had intimate knowledge of every dish and came up with amazing wine pairings. The food was incredible, Nick, the owner, has created a unique experience for guests who are able to see the entire kitchen as every dish is prepared before them by highly skilled chefs. Would highly recommend you try the Osso Buco which was so tender it fell off the bone. By far our best meal yet in Australia

Truly is a gorgeous place to eat. Sharing plates is recommended by the lovely staff. Such amazing food and drinks.

I followed the recommendations here, the Osso buco is absolutely one of the best things I've ever tasted in Australia Every part of the dish works so well together! The orange zest in the yam strings is a pleasant surprise. 11/10 would absolutely recommend.

Very hospitable team serving up delicious, hearty meals. Recommend sitting by the bar and having a chat with the head chef who’s a friendly and passionate human.

What an amazing restaurant.... I had 3 waiters over the course of an evening and all 3 had such great personalities that made the place feel nice and comfortable to be in. The food was... like nothing i would have expected. Tasty, well prepared, nicely served and not a single thing to pick out. The chef's clearly had love in their food. If anyone is staying in Newcastle and doesn't try this place... they are missing out on a wonderful experience.

Exceeds all expectations! Locks Paddock was a random choice my wife made for my birthday dinner. Having driven 8 hours from the Northern Rivers and landing in Newcastle, I was not expecting we’d discover our new favorite restaurant in all of NSW, perhaps Australia! Not kidding. From the minute we arrived we were treated like old friends, welcomed after the enduring drive. We were sat at the bar, facing the open kitchen, to witness the coordination of preparations with symphonic accuracy. And with smiles on their faces no less. It’s a busy Friday night, why are they so happy? Why are they engaging us further? What the heck is happening? Our waitress was on it from the start. Her recommendations and explanations were vivid and on point. It’s like she knew us and was there to guide us through an incredibly delicious menu. We were in good hands the entire night and I could go on but you really have to experience the Paddock for yourselves.

I had a fantastic dining experience at Earp Distilling Co., dining alone and enjoying every moment of it. The atmosphere of the venue is welcoming, elegant, and perfectly suited for a relaxing evening. For my meal, I started with the Lamb Skewers seasoned with garlic, chilli, and oregano served with fresh rocket. The lamb was cooked perfectly, juicy and tender with a delightful hint of spice from the chilli, complemented beautifully by the peppery rocket. Next, I enjoyed the Spatchcock with Vanilla Carrot Puree, Broccolini, and Master Stock—a house favourite and understandably so. The vanilla carrot puree was particularly outstanding—smooth, rich, and bursting with flavour. It paired excellently with the crispy-skinned, succulent spatchcock and fresh broccolini. Throughout the evening, the service was great, attentive, warm, and genuinely friendly. To accompany my dinner, I opted for sparkling mineral water, although the gin menu and cocktails looked amazing. Overall, Earp delivered a great experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

We had our engagement party in the function room at Earps and were very impressed with the events team managed by Kat. Kat and the team were incredibly helpful and laid-back, which made the day so much more enjoyable and stress free. The event space was perfect for the number of guests and the bar staff were efficient in servicing drinks and were friendly towards all our guests. No request was ever too much and the team was happy to accomodate our many questions and visits to the venue prior to the event. Thanks again team!

We had an amazing time at Earp Distillery during our visit to Newcastle! As visitors from out of town, we were after something a bit different – and this experience absolutely delivered. The gin-making session was a real highlight. Ness was fantastic – knowledgeable, passionate, and made the whole process fun, interactive, and genuinely memorable. Getting to take home our custom bottle (and the option to reorder our own unique recipe later) was such a great touch. The venue itself is beautiful – full of character, with stunning art and a warm, welcoming vibe that felt special without being too formal. It’s the kind of place you want to stay and enjoy. The entire team was incredibly friendly and made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived, which really added to the relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. The food was also lovely – so delicious, and a perfect complement to the overall experience. We’d highly recommend Earp Distillery to anyone visiting Newcastle – whether you’re into craft gin, great food, or just looking for something unique to do. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in town!

My partner and I booked the Blend & Dine experience and wow, would highly recommend. Ness was our spirits guide and she was super lovely, funny and knowledgeable. She made the experience so much fun and taught us a lot at the same time. The food was delicious which added another layer of enjoyment. All of the staff were super nice too so this made our night feel very warm and welcoming!

We recently had our wedding at Earp and couldn't be more stoked with how it went. Cat is an absolutely asset in every way and we can't emphasize that enough. Communication was seamless, and we truly didn't have to think about a thing come the day. The food was delicious and gobbled up by everyone, drinks were an absolute standout as always and all the staff were brilliant- our guests commented through the night and the coming weeks at how wonderful the staff were. We couldn't be more grateful for our experience, thanks so much guys!

Took visiting Kiwi friends on a wet Saturday afternoon. Easy parking. We had our blending class followed by a great meal. Lively atmosphere. Our tutor was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend. Also very good value for the money.

My work team attended their spirit blending class recently and had an amazing time. Ness was our host and she was great, there were many options of flavouring that we could use to create our own flavoured vodka and Ness taught us how to properly taste these and mix them. She also provided some of the history of Earp and information on how they create their flavourings. Everyone really enjoyed the experience and we all had a cute little custom made vodka to take home. I would highly recommend their spirit blending classes.

In the old Criterion hotel in secluded Carrington, the stylings of a French bistro overflow into the pavement. With an extensive wine list and a fairly traditional menu, Frenchie hits most of the notes. Confit duck Maryland was late to the table but nicely done, salade nicoise was very generous with freshly seared tuna. Cheeseburger was retro, simple but with a good patty, and the steak tartare was traditional and tasty. You will find good renditions of simple French food in a nice setting and a nice staff.

Cool vibe albeit a very much older crowd. Great atmosphere and service was ok, the disappointing part was the food. The French onion soup was extremely beefy but not unpleasant. The steak came out barely warm so it had definitely been rested, a bit chewier than I would have liked, chips were hot and tasty. Unfortunately there was this zucchini pasta that was just inedible but we finished off with a very nice leafy salad. Reasonable wine prices which was a surprise.

Lovely dinner at Frenchie. Food was good with equal service from Will and Nicki. The atmosphere in the side room was a bit stilted for a single diner but the overall vibe was speak easy meets bistro which is fun. Unfortunately the weather was too awful to appreciate the outdoor Champagne Bar so will definitely be back on a warmer eve for a bubble and some crab brioche.

The lighting is nice but there was no music on. The food was tasty with good ingredients. We ordered lots of little dishes and asked them to bring them out a few at a time but they just bought them all at once so they couldnt fit on our table and they got cold before we could eat them. It took ages to try and get the wait staff to notice so I ended up just having to get up and go to the bar for to ask for things. A medium dining experience.

Ahhh finally French cuisine that respects its roots but isn’t afraid to play, Frenchie well and truly delivers. From 10/10 service, an unrivaled French wine list, escargot that melted in our mouths, and cocktails that delighted our tastebuds- what an experience!

Pleasant enough. Our waiter was more interested in socialising with his fellow wait staff and we had to beg their attention, repeat requests and then left without dessert as he didn't bring the requested menu: again he spent the 10 mins chatting in full view with staff, so we paid and left. The aged steak was tough and full of gristle. My chicken was fine.

Celebrated mums day here, and it was a lovely atmosphere. All dishes were very tasty.

I selected this restaurant based on favorable reviews. Our order comprised chicken, cauliflower, Cabernet Sauvignon, and beer. Regrettably, the air conditioning was set to cooling, despite the staff's assurance that it was on heating. We chose not to order the $70 steak due to the chilly atmosphere. Upon receiving the bill, I discovered a $5 overcharge on the wine, listed at $65 instead of the menu price of $60. The staff explained that the prices had been updated, but upon my request, they refunded the $5 difference. The staff member's indifferent attitude, mentioning it was their last day, only reinforced my decision to skip the expensive steak.

We stayed at the nearby Holiday Inn, which had no satisfactory dining or bar options. The Edwards was within easy, walking distance and quite a surprise. Very nice oysters, grilled prawns, fried chicken and focaccia, as well as good wines and cocktails. Despite being very busy, the staff were friendly. Would happily return if we found ourselves in this part of Newcastle again.

I've been staying nearby for work for about a week and casually been working my way through the menu. So far, nothing has been disappointing. The food, drinks, and staff have been above average every time. The one meal that was a little slow to come out was placed with an apology and a discount of my wine from the bill. Keep up the great work.

Great brunch place. Open for the whole day on Saturdays too for brunch. Good food with special twists on the menu making it a better than your typical brunch place. Food is done with great care and you can tell these guys put in the effort. Also serves cocktails for a boozy brunch if you'd like from 10am onwards. Wide space, chillax environment and good music to accompany you.

What a fabulous afternoon for Newcastle Food Months ‘Hunter Wine Down’ 3 amazing winemakers showcasing their wines paired beautifully w’ food that looked great & seriously delicious. The Team were attentive, generous & polished. Throughly recommend a visit

Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. 5/5 Lots of green plants. Cafe a bit watery. Food a bit salty. I tried wagyu pastrami. 3.5/5Rubeen Toast. Germany style toast. A bit salty. Others are fine. 4/5Egg B&E roll. Not bad! But bit salty again. 3.5/5Egg toast. Well, quick standards. The price is quite high. 4.5/5Puddings. This is my most favourite. It’s refreshing! Recommend ; D

We enjoyed a pleasant breakfast at the Edwards this morning. The coffees were great, and the service from Jess was very friendly and helpful during our visit. There was plently of parking options, although could become an issue during the weekends. Highly recommend this cafe for it's unique vibe, delicious food, friendly service and industrial furniture.

I honestly don't know how or why this review has been pretty much like 6 years in the making - because I do remember the first time I walked into this place, no idea what to expect but was very surprised (in a very good way) and pleased with just my long black and a muffin. There’s a reason this place has been a constant on Darby for 7+ years — and it goes way beyond good coffee (though trust, the coffee is good). It’s the team - I have no idea who made the team back when I first visited but today you have Georgia, Maddy, Boris — and the whole front-of-house crew — they’re the soul of the place. Friendly without the fluff. Sharp, genuine service that just makes you feel looked after. And Boris? He’s basically a coffee guru. Always on, always experimenting, always making sure the brew’s on point — no matter how busy it gets. The food? Always thoughtful. Seasonal, balanced, beautifully plated but never over the top. You get the sense that everything’s been considered — from the playlist to the plate. Autumn Rooms isn’t just a café. It’s part of Newcastle now. A space that holds steady while the city shifts around it. One of the greats.

This is a popular cafe on Darby Street at Newcastle, NSW. Service is fast and friendly.The matcha and long black coffee were good. The maple hot cake was a whole big round cake and was too sweet. The pork belly in the Londoner's breakfast set was so delicious with the thin fat layer simply "melt" inside your mouth. The avocado toast was delicious too. There are both outdoor seatings and indoor tables. However, it can be better if the tables are not placed too near to each other as the cafe space become slightly too cramp.

We stopped by during a visit to Newcastle and were immediately impressed by the welcoming atmosphere upon entering. The ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the tone for an excellent dining experience. The food exceeded our expectations—beautifully presented and full of flavor. Service was attentive and efficient, rounding out a thoroughly enjoyable visit. Highly recommended.

This is a really cozy, fun little cafe. We had outstanding food which catered for our gluten and dairy dietary needs. All the staff were lovely, professional and patient. The interior had great acoustics, especially considering how busy it was this morning. A must visit in Newcastle!

Best breakfast best brunch in Newcastle! Wow! Best hash brown as well. Hash brown is freshly prepared & cooked with amazing flavor. Bacon cubes are delicious, compare to traditional “dry” bacon strips. The Team is friendly with lovely smiles. Thank you Team Autumn Rooms.

Food is consistently lovely. Most staff are professional and the right fit for the hospitality industry. It's always nice to be greeted with a friendly smile and banter when you're out with your family. Even more so when it's somewhere as lovely as this small business's venue, and you've gone out of you way to spend your hard earned money there. Happy to call out good service when I get it, and when I don't, so us fellow small business owners can continue have effective feedback. Keep up the great work Ben!

The food is not as good as it used to be. Not once were we asked how are meals were not when we were eating them nor when we were paying. Breakfast for 2 was $100.00. That is a price we’re happy to pay for exceptional food and service. The hotcake was a huge portion that was like eating a full cake for breakfast. The eggs Benedict lacked variety in texture everything was soft the steamed take on a muffin, eggs and bacon all the same texture and the bacon was dry and too rich. My partner and I only ate half our meals. Even then the waiter did not ask how are meals were. My partner having a stomach upset afterwards due to trying to eat a rich cake for breakfast. We often brought friends and family here for special occasions, we no longer will.

Nice Spot with Friendly Staff, but Some Letdowns I recently visited Estebar in Newcastle, and while it wasn’t a terrible experience, I definitely left wishing it had been better. The location is great, and the staff were friendly, which I really appreciated. However, on a hot day, I was disappointed that the water was warm and wasn’t refrigerated—it would have been a small but important detail. The menu leans toward an “earthy, hippy” vibe, so no bacon or avocado, which isn’t a dealbreaker but something to keep in mind. I ordered poached eggs on toast, while my friends had the summer tomato with whipped ricotta and salmon on sourdough with eggs (poached and scrambled). Drinks were on the pricey side—$7.80 for an iced coffee and $9 for a small immunity drink, which was pre-made and couldn’t be customized. Food took over 30 minutes to arrive, and when we asked about it, only part of our order came out first. My eggs were already cooling down, and one was closer to being boiled than poached. The summer tomato dish was also missing some of the expected elements—only one confit tomato instead of both fresh and confit. When the salmon dishes finally arrived, one of my friend’s poached eggs was fully cooked, which was frustrating. That said, the atmosphere was nice, and the staff were lovely. I wouldn’t say it was an awful experience, just a bit underwhelming. With some small improvements—faster service, better attention to detail with food, and maybe a rethink on pricing—it could be a great spot. Decent cafe with a good vibe, but some aspects left me for more.

Dropped into this café and ordered a cappuccino. It was barely warm, lukewarm at best. The flavour was middle of the road. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about either. The real issue was Grit. The coffee was littered with grind. The grind is clearly visible in the photo and unpleasant in every sip. That sand-like texture completely threw off the experience.

Went to Estabar after reading a lot of positive reviews, but unfortunately the experience was not at all there for me..one of the waitstaff we dealt with was super rude and arrogant,on top it,the wait time for breakfast(chili scrambled eggs)was ONE HOUR ! We tried to ask if it was possible to get some other menu items little early but were shut down by this arrogant wait staff saying sorry we have to follow the Q..Overall a disappointing experience and I wouldn’t want to come back here. I am willing to overlook the fact that it was a long waiting time but the expectations can be easily met with the staff that has right attitude and willingness to go beyond, which was sadly missing in Estabar.

Gorgeous little cafe overlooking the sea near Newcastle Ocean Baths. Delicious Manuka-smoked king salmon with scrambled eggs and excellent coffee. Fantastic find!

My gosh the staff really friendly. The food amazing. No complaints at all. 05 Oct 2025

We waited quite a while for our coffees and to order our meals. When the server who took our coffee order came back to the table, they asked if we’d already ordered food which was a bit confusing, as you’d expect each staff member to have their own section and know which tables have been served. When the coffee arrived it came out with the wrong milk, but we didn’t mention it since we’d already been waiting some time. For my meal I also asked for butter on the side (as the menu states this needs to be requested), yet the toast still came out buttered. For the prices charged, we expected better attention to detail and service. The food itself was pretty average, so overall it wasn’t a great first impression. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend.

We ❤️ estabar! Unreal brekky. Service is speedy and so so friendly. Can’t be beaten for location. Can’t wait to visit again!

Very good seafood restaurant. We had only one course each and the large plate serving was exactly what we needed. Good location. Clever menu. Creative plating. I would have scored higher but the salad option was non existent. Your sides options are chips, and butter lettuce with dressing.

This is a solid spot with beautiful views of the harbour and a relaxed atmosphere. The food was fresh and well-prepared — I ordered the battered fish and chips, grilled octopus, and flatbread, and all three dishes were delicious. Portions were decent, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. A great place to enjoy a laid-back meal while taking in the waterfront views. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

Absolutely amazing dining experience. The staff are very attentive, professional and friendly. The food was outstanding across the board. Garlic bread was the best I have ever had, such a unique flavour, wonderful textures, freshly made flat bread, wild garlic which has the texture that is reminiscent of anchovy but a fresh grassy flavour with a nice savoury note coming from the parmesan. Was definitely flavour packed and on the freshest and softest flatbread perfectly cooked with a nice hint of char. The prawn cocktail was deconstructed with the freshest of prawns, homemade seafood sauce, delicious capers scattered over the plate. Fresh lemon wedge and crisp iceberg lettuce. Fish and chips, Barramundi once again fresh and delicious with a delicate thin batter, home made tartare. Hand cut chips looked like classic old school chips from a local takeaway, but seriously the best example you could think of, perfectly seasoned and delicate. The Morton bay bugs were a first for me. Very fresh, perfectly cooked so tender. Very delicate creamy and pillowy light Mornay sauce with charred curry leaves on top. Deserts were also both incredible. Sticky date rich and decadent. The cake is moist with perfect density, intense rich sweet caramel harassed back in by pushing the caramel dark enough to balance with a light bitterness. Texturally perfect with a crunchy crumb on top and the right amount of cream. Chocolate biscuit is definitely for fans of the darker style of chocolate. It is like a dense chocolate tart, not sweet but has a nice salty note. Balanced with fresh black berries and delicious creamy vanilla bean gelato. This place is highly recommended and will definitely be back. Please pass on my appreciation to the chef and the wait staff for a memorable evening.

We ordered fish and chips and fried bread. Bread and fish and chips were so nice. But I hope they wash lettuce properly. There are so many sand on the lettuce. I don’t think they washed. After that we try to order coffee as well. One of the staff, who can make coffee, looks don’t wanna work. She didn’t give a straw for iced coffee. Food was very good. But service was very disappointing.

Here's my review for The Kingfish restaurant. To Start: *Wild Garlic Flatbread For Main: *The Kingfish Platter The Good: * Delicious Wild Garlic Flatbread. It was hot, fresh and crispy. The flavours blended well. * Staff accommodated my food allergy which was very much appreciated * The Kingfish Platter was the main dish of our meal. Here are my highlights: 1. The Battered Local Flathead was golden, crisp and flaky 2. The Grilled Loligo Squid was an interesting dish and the squid was well cooked being firm and not rubbery 3. The Spencer Gulf Kingfish was served raw in the Japanese sashimi style. The first time I've seen raw fish on an Australian seafood platter. The sauce was delicate and the cucumber gave this dish a bit of crunch and was very refreshing The Bad: * Unfortunately, the fresh watermelon was sparse, just three small wedges. Adding at least a couple more slices (or some orange halves) would help cleanse the palate and balance out the richness of the platter a bit better. *Slightly on the higher end of cost so it was suprising there was no lobster Overall: A solid seafood platter. With crisp battered flathead, the squid cooked just right, and the raw kingfish was a nice surprise. And the wild garlic flatbread was a nice starter. The service was friendly and helpful. So what was the only issue? We could have used some more fresh fruit to cut through the richness at the end. Not quite 5 stars, but definitely a good meal.

Oh my goodness, seafood was absolutely divine 😘 crispy, crumptious must try the Vegan batterd phish dish , local flathead fish n chips yummy 😋 compliments to the chefs, Honeysuckle Grove is the place to be for dinning out if u in Newcastle . The Kingfish was a great choice 👌 thanks to our host Terry and Bev 🥰

We chanced upon The Kingfish rather unexpectedly and had one of the best lunches ever! The staff were really knowledgeable about the menu and could make suggestions that were truly amazing! I was told that I had the bartender's first ever Martini and it was so good that I had to get a repeat! The QLD prawns were magical - you should try it, if you haven't already! We had the flathead fish and chips and the barramundi fish and chips - both dishes were extremely delicious! The salad had a beautiful dressing that complimented the fish really well. I am quite sensitive to the amount of salt in a dish and these were perfect. The fish was well cooked, juicy and fresh. Loved every bite! And in the end, they have this cute ice cream corner and I had to get two scoops - I got the Nutella and vanilla combo. What a lovely finish to a great lunch! The restaurant is on the costlier side and around $150 for 2 people can be an easy spend! This place also sits on the waterfront and often they keep the screens rolled up for the fresh air; so it would be good to have your jacket on during winter. Service is relatively fast and the staff is attentive and friendly - our plates and cutlery were quickly changed after finishing the entree. Overall, we really loved it and will surely go back ❤️

Another very impressive dining experience at Una Volta last night. The fare and service was absolutely excellent. We chose the set menu of 4 courses. Within the 4 courses, we were served 8 sublime dishes including a rocket, beetroot & walnut insalada. THE FOOD: Hard to pick a stand-out dish but the antipasta of Stracciatella, Persimmon & Pangrattato is unforgettable as is the Kingfish Crudo with Cucumber, Citrus & Chive. The main of Arrosto di Manzo Beef Fillet with Caramelised Onion, Cavolo & Pickle (a fantastic addition) was excellent. The Dolce of Millefogie, Mandarin & Honeycomb was superb. THE SERVICE: Is very good. Two staff attended the busy evening and they were on point in every way. The service warm & subtlety attentive. Each course was presented with knowledgeable flair & any question asked about the wine & food was expertly addressed. The staff know their craft & they are well supported by their chef. It was obvious that the staff enjoy working at Una Volta & they take pride in their service & in the food/wine that they offer. THE WINE: An excellent wine & beverage menu which is well priced.

Absolutely loved the food and the experience. Service was warm and comforting. Loved the idea of a set menu which had us trying things we may not of otherwise. And considering the high standard, the per head price was very reasonable! Can't wait to go back for the next seasons menu 😋 💖

Fantastic!!! Food, service and atmosphere was really wonderful! Apparently the set menu changes every season so we can't wait to go back and try winters offering! Loved the set menu, tried things we never would have picked and it just added to the unique and special experience 😀

The shorter lady with short hair (name? Sorry!) is a phenomenal waiter/host. So knowledgable about the food and especially the wine and excellent at picking the vibe and switching up her style to suit.

I like this restaurant. The owner is very friendly and the food is delicious. Especially the tuna dish and the beef ribs. I'll come again in August to try the new menu.

Lovely dinner, drinks, and service. Didn’t like the salt bush on the lamb shoulder. Other than that it tastes good. The panacotta was exceptional.

Had an amazing night with my girlfriend here. It strikes the perfect balance of fine dining quality food and small restaurant atmosphere. The food was outstanding and in generous portions and the experience was incredible. I would recommend this place to anyone!

A great way to start the day with a-perfect flat white from Good Brother, Experienced barista’s are a lucky find ! Highly recommend. Thank YOU.

Disappointing experience. Good Brother was recommended to us for both coffee and lunch, but unfortunately, our visit did not meet expectations. The coffee was served lukewarm, and the walnut and raisin toast I ordered consisted of only two and a half very thin slices—each less than a centimetre thick—with a small amount of butter. Given the price, it did not represent good value. Regrettably, we will not be returning and would not feel comfortable recommending it to others.

Looked like an old, heritage café that's been serving customers since generations, thats what attracted me but Coffee? Pretty average. Customer service? Trash, didn't welcome, no smile, no thankyou after I payed. Coming from a customer service background these seemingly trivial engagements are pretty important, Café wasn't too busy to ignore customer servive. Felt unwelcomed so probably never visiting again.

I love coffee… this is the best I have found in Newcastle CBD👌☕️ Staff are super kind and friendly, atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, happy customers 😊

Smallish hipster joint for good coffee and food. Stopped in on an unusually cold Newcastle morning, while the outdoor tables looked nice to sit on, inside was calling to keep warm. The menu had a good selection on offer, think granola, bagels, toasted sandwiches. Visited on a Sunday and they didn't have the special of the week available which I had seen on their instagram. Nonetheless the ham and cheese toastie was good. Giving 4 out of 5 stars, a couple of things they could do better: Menu availability - my first two options they had run out of (special of the week and the chicken toastie), and then the person who brought out the food didn't bring any cutlery - we had to get it ourselves.

Early Friday morning breakfast, after 6am flight from Melbourne. Interesting menu, coffee was okay, fruit bread good, cereal good, avocado on toast was different, lacking presentation, butter was too hard to spread, wouldn't say it was the best avocado & toast we have had.

"Good Brother Espresso is a delightful gem offering a perfect blend of coffee excellence by day and a delectable dinner experience by night. I was particularly impressed by their spritz, which rivaled those I've enjoyed in Italy. Their wine menu is also noteworthy, boasting a selection that complements their dishes beautifully. A must-visit for anyone seeking a comfortable and delicious dinner.

Darkened under moonlike stretched canvas lights, Âpé Chilean Nikkei Restaurant is an eating theatre. Guests are arranged down a restaurant-length banquette. Those on the comfy side get a view into the glass box kitchen where chefs minister to yakitori skewers. The wagyu rib fingers ($9.50/each) painted with tare (soy sauce, sake and mirin) are Binnie Beef from Mirannie. They’re good, but not as good as the wagyu picanha ($10/each) where the cap of the rump is skewered with eggplant and roasted over charcoal before being dusted with crisp kale. The restaurant, which is part of Newcastle’s waterfront eating strip, Honeysuckle Drive, also has outdoor seating. With the weather on the turn, we cozied up inside with a bottle of the Shichida junmai ginjo ($129/720ml). This sake is soft and ricey with a whisker of white peach sweetness and faint acetone intrigue. While it felt like a big spend on booze, the markup was reasonable, and I enjoyed every cup. Your first Sydney rock oyster ($36/6) might come as a surprise here. Served warm from the charcoal grill, they’re soaked in chicken skin oil spiked with salsa criolla and smoked chilli garlic confit. It plays to the meaty character of the oyster rather than brine. Receiving three rice crackers for two diners sharing the beef crudo ($26) is a hill my dining companion is willing to die on. Why not four? While the kitchen did send out an additional wafer, it could have been done without a Dutton-esque alternative truth that most eat the dish solo, especially as the crudo was listed under “Share”. Abrolhos octopus ($36), plucked from the same section, is made substantial with a thick puddle of daikon potato cream. Charred seasonal beans ($12) and a gluggy king mushroom garlic rice ($22) helped make our selections a filling and balanced meal.

Absolutely fantastic. We had the 'Feed Me' set menu and it was delicious, innovative and plentiful. Good wine list and imported Japanese beers on tap. Service was great and overall very happy with our experience.

A great first experience. All the dishes we selected were fabulous. The vibe is modern and in keeping with the menu. The staff were friendly and very helpful. We had a 6.30pm booking and by 7pm the restaurant was a packed house, so you need to book. The only thing that spoilt our dining experience was the table of very loud and drunk table of four consumers seated behind us. Very annoying and disappointing when others are so inconsiderate.

Apé Yakitori is now our go-to Japanese restaurant around Newcastle for special occasions. We’ve been here for Valentine’s, anniversary, and birthdays and it has never failed us with the quality and taste of the food that they put out. My partner and I particularly like being able to see their little kitchen and watch the talented chefs make these scrumptious food. The service provided by their waitstaff is always top-tier. It is definitely a bit more price-y than some other restaurants, but the prices are definitely reasonable and worth it with what you get. A definite favourite and I highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t been to Apé to come check it out.

The food here was insanely good, an amazing combination of flavours and dishes, love the classic yakitori chargrill flavour, staff were absolutely lovely, but like... How insane is the urinal sink combination, like what the heck, no unnecessary movements; turning around walking out to a sink, it's just right there already, that's taken my experience to another level, absolutely insane, I had to stand back and admire it for all its glory, keep up the good work.

Loved our first visit to Ape! We thoroughly enjoyed the Feed Me set menu. Each plate was delicious flavour, generous portion size, and a wide variety of dishes. My husband said he’s never tasted such delicious beans, so you can imagine how good the rest of the courses were. We were celebrating a special occasion. Our waiter gave exceptional service. The atmosphere was lively and relaxed but the service and food standard made for a fine dining experience. Just great. Can’t wait to come back.

The food is amazing! Favourites are: Chicken skewer anticucho Wagu 7+ Sweet potato. Chicken and rice prawn entre dishes. Would definitely go again.

Cakeboi is my local cafe and go to spot for coffee, breaky and of course any cake for any celebration! YUM!! Friendly staff, delicious sweets and savoury options (also great for dietary requirements), great coffee! Lovely space and child friendly!

I recently got my birthday cake from Cakeboi, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish! The cakes are absolutely delicious—fluffy, flavorful, and beautifully decorated. Whether you're looking for a special treat or something to enjoy with your coffee, Cakeboi nails it every time. The service was also top-notch—friendly, welcoming, and quick to help. Highly recommend for anyone craving a sweet indulgence!

I ordered a vintage chocolate cake for my sister’s 18th birthday and was super excited to try it as I have followed Cake Boi on Instagram for a little while now. The cake itself was quite nice however the icing was pretty disappointing. We took the cake out of the fridge an hour and a bit before serving (as advised), however the icing did not really soften and was pretty tasteless. Felt like we were biting into a stick of butter. I wouldn’t order a birthday cake from here again unfortunately.

Was looking for Medovik Russian honey cake everywhere in Newcastle with no luck until a lovely lady who bakes/sells on FB marketplace let me know of this place. Been here twice since and not a letdown so far. Wonderful friendly staff, clean cute simple "bubblegum" decor, great coffee and love the fact that it wasn't jam- packed when we went. Just the right amount of sweetness (or saltiness 😉), professionally but homely decorated & very generous portion slices. We often travelled to the Hunter Valley dessert bar when the crave for sugar rush beacons, but so happy to find this gem closer to home. With few different selections each visit to entice us, we are on a mission to keep coming back until we've tried each and everyone of them!

We came for the first time today and purchased several different cakes and slices for takeaway. All are delicious and looked beautiful instore, everyone was friendly and we didn't wait to long to be served. My only feedback would be given the price the takeaway packaging isn't that great and it quickly messed up the tops of the cakes and they didn't make it home looking so pretty anymore.

Enjoy variety of cakes this shop provides and very happy with everything we ordered, has to even repeated some menu to take home. Vanilla slide is excellent, would really recommend. Only tiny issue with my hot chocolate, it's not hot or even warm. A bit warm hot chocolate will complement my cake even more.

I ordered a cake for a birthday. The cake was not what I expected, it was so much more. Clearly a lot of experience and passion has gone into the development and execution. Astonishing value for money and I received very good customer care. Could not have hoped for more.

Took my wife (celiac) and adult sons here last night. We were blown away by the staff who were both knowledgeable and friendly. The food was 5 star and very celiac friendly. It was the best we’ve experienced in years. We had the lamb shoulder, eye fillet, scallops and gnocchi. Perfectly cooked, just wow is all I can say. But the highlight was the whiskey. Everything on the shelves is available to drink. Finally ticked off some bucket list whiskeys that I’ve wanted to try for decades. If you’re looking for that something special then don’t pass this one up. 500 stars from us.

Absolutely amazing for my birthday event! The views stunning, the staff unbelievabley accomodating and welcoming. Will be back for a hens party this year that we have booked. Absolutely recommend booking upstairs 🥰 platters where delicious! And meals were even better!

Bartholemews has been one of those places in Newcastle that I've wanted to visit for a long time now & has an outstanding reputation. I had always thought it was a venue purely for whiskey advocates & the bourelesque shows but I was proven wrong. This historic building has always intrigued me, which I'm told, used to be a theatre. You can easily recognise this once inside, looking around which is quite grand & Victorian. Their whiskey range amongst other favourites take pride of place among shelves, above shelves behind the bar...Infact, at first glance, it looks more like a library, with a rolling ladder to climb & reach the highest products, but instead of books, there's bottles!! When you step in to this place, you feel like you've been transported back in time to New Orleans deep south, especially when they have Jazz playing. It gives off Gatsby & Babylon vibes which is quite fitting considering it's former name before Bartholemews was Babylon. I was always intrigued & in two minds as to whether this would be a place for me, but now I've finally experienced this Newcastle extraordinary icon, I can't wait to go back for more. Full credit to the staff here, for their product knowledge, approachability, friendliness & customer service. Bartholemews is truly one of Newcastle's secret treasures. Lastly, if you've a soft spot for Bailey's, try "Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey" Their Martini Expressos are also exceptional. ...You're welcome!

Fantastic dining experience. The mood is low key chill and cuisine is devine. Great local and Asustralian wine selection and the staff are brilliant. * Wine pairing: Silkman Semillion

We accidentally found the Bartholomews during our seek to find a distinct place to chill. Wow!! Great service, the knowledge of whiskey and bourbon from the bartender was phenomenal. Such a great vibe 🙌🏽

Bartholomew’s went above and beyond to ensure our function was a success. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and helpful, which made the whole experience stress-free and fun for us. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with such a beautiful vibe that everyone kept commenting on throughout the night. From the stylish setting to the smooth service, everything came together perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue or team to host our special event!

We love it here! The service is always so friendly and helpful. We love exploring the drinks list whether it be scotch on the rocks or their creative cocktail list. Food is wonderful and complements the atmosphere perfectly. We love stopping by when we venture into Newy

Continuing to cement Newcastle’s place in Australia’s top dining landscape, Bistro Penny packages everything you’d want from a contemporary French restaurant into the former home of Newcastle’s first hatted restaurant, Restaurant II. The Edwardian building hints at a more expansive history via hand-painted signs on its frontage and exposed steel rafters. This story is now in the capable hands of Joel Humphreys (ex-Rockpool, Bistro Moncur), who is busy writing the next chapter of Australian cuisine as both descending from, and expanding beyond, its French underpinnings. As your nose will inform you, this is a story about cooking with fire, on grey ironbark that’s endemic to NSW. Nowhere is that more evident than in the hanger steak ($55) served a tender, medium rare with a blackened exterior, under a pepper sauce so good you’ll be dragging well-seasoned potato frites ($10) to scoop up more. With the menu whittled down to a single, all thriller no filler, page, it’s easy to trust the chef. Starting with bread and cultured butter, the set menu ($95/head) is also extraordinarily good value. Raw coral trout allows you to appreciate the chewy texture of the delicate fish against seaweed, verjus jelly and a whisker of horseradish. Textbook chicken liver parfait with brandied prunes gives you an excuse to lean into your wine. Chardonnay is well-represented on the interesting list, and even down at its more modest end, the 2023 Shaw & Smith M3 Vineyard ($115) is an excellent and powerful wine. It rises to meet grilled scallops enveloped in an indulgent, perfumed French fog—béarnaise—where vinegar and chicken fat intertwine. North Queensland king prawns slip from their shells into a beurre blanc tinged with tomato and an elusive echo of cardamom. After being defeated by the main event, we were steered by the keen and friendly floor team, into frozen strawberry granita with coconut chantilly and black liquorice intrigue. I wish I lived close by…

Newcastle’s finest and this is genuine praise worthy of the most incredible dedication to food and service. A more enjoyable experience would be hard to find. Can’t wait to take others there. Produce transformed into the most delicate and delicious plates with the touch of open kitchen and wood fire tempting the discerning dinner. Congratulations team you are exemplary. And to think a train ride away from Central Station.

The food and service were exceptional. The set menu provided the opportunity to try 4 entrees, with a main and choice of 2 desserts. The grilled scallops in chicken fat bernaise were a standout. Perfection. The spatchcock main was also excellent while the creme brulee with kumquat ice cream was my favourite dessert perhaps ever. Overall a fantastic and enjoyable meal worth every cent/penny.

I had an excellent meal at Bistro Penny. The food was all well designed and balanced. The chefs menu had a great flow. Wait staff was attentive. Leek dish was standout.

The moment I walked in I knew this would meet my expectations, rumours were good. Amy (maître de/owner) was incredibly welcoming. Food was superbly French, yet modernised with the open Parilla grill. Menu modern yet still a true French experience. 10/10 Definitely worth it.

Beautiful Food. Best Chicken Liver Parfait Ever!!! Couldn't eat everything so we are having Duck a l'Orange for Dinner! Lucky us!

Had dinner here last night and all I can say is - wow. You walk into the restaurant and the first thing that gets you is how beautiful the fit out is. It feels welcoming, warm and the buzz of full tables really put the cherry on the cake for the atmosphere. The other thing that won me over was the open kitchen with the big island bench that is the landing place for the dishes being carefully curated by the kitchen team. Makes you feel like you’re almost eating at home :) The food? Flippin’ spectacular. From starters right through to dessert, everything was gorgeous. The service was just as amazing. The girls were attentive and relaxed all at the same time. The knowledge they had across the drinks and food menus was so impressive. I can fully understand why this beautiful little venue has been able to achieve what they have in such a short time of operation. I will be recommending Bistro Penny forever & ever. Thanks guys x

After having visited previously, we came for dinner tonight - fish and chips. We were recommended the flathead. The fish was terrible - more batter and oil than fish. Small portion. The calamari rings were the same - wads of fried oily batter and hardly any calamari. We felt sick afterwards - not to mention the fact that we paid $39 for a very underwhelming meal. This is usually one of the best places for fish and chips in Newcastle - not sure what's going on? Recommend some review of processes and systems are needed to ensure improvement of the quality. Atmosphere is great. Service is friendly and quick.

I’ve eaten here before and had the same chicken burger. This time I had it delivered and the fried chicken was tiny and so burnt and dry that I couldn’t get through it. Food quality seems to have dropped dramatically. Regretfully spent my money on something inedible.

Wow this place has gone down hill fast. They used to do fresh fish and chips. Tonight the flathead was frozen imported fillets and $19 got us 50grams of farmed salmon. All fish was way overcooked. Not worth the money! It’s not fresh seafood.

Bosker decor and signage with surfboards and framed photos of surfers and beach scenes from the 70s and 80s. The fish burger was delicious. However the grilled Barramundi was a disappointingly small portion given the price - $15.

Best chips I’ve had in a long time!!!! Perfectly cooked and good amount of chicken salt. Prawn sandwich is good but for the price I expected more prawns! And avo wasn’t completely ripe 🤔

This place is so fun, great atmosphere, wonderful food. Definitely coming here again next time I'm in town

Ordered the whiting and chips on uber! I took one bite and it was like a solid piece of fish, trice cooked deep-fried covered in oil. Honestly this was my second time ordering from here and it is so disappointing. I got uber to give me a refund as its inedible. Being so close to the best freshest seafood im wondering why u can't get it right!

I’ve been coming to Pork Ewe Deli for a few years now, and it never disappoints. They’ve got a fantastic selection of deli products from around the world, all at reasonable prices. The staff are always friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to help—whether you’re after something specific or just browsing for inspiration. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re looking for quality ingredients or something a bit special for your next meal.

We visited this amazing deli as part of a mystery picnic and were delighted with the selection and quality available. Friendly knowledgeable staff at a very unassuming location.Wish we had a deli like this in our area. Definitely telling friends and family about it.

It’s hard to know where to look first when you push open the barn door to Pork Ewe Deli. Located in Mayfield, it’s a mother-daughter affair featuring a well-curated selection of cheese, charcuterie and artisan products. Keep your eyes peeled for historic wine bottles plucked from Len Evans masterclasses decorating the upper shelves - both of the proprietors have spent time at Brokenwood Wines and have plenty of food and wine knowledge to impart to any consumers lucky enough to wander in through the door.

This place was so fabulous. From ordering we live in Tasmania to pick up at the shop, especially at Easter and do not forget the great interaction by all staff. Wish you were in Tassie Pork Ewe...miss you already......

Such a great deli! The wild boar trufa is sensational 😁

Real old style deli Great range of preserved meats, cheese, biscuits & much more.

Online ordering was a breeze and the staff were exceptionally helpful catering to our dietary requirements. The pack Pork Ewe put together made this lockdown birthday lunch really special and celebratory. It is wonderful to be able to support such an incredible local business, you guys truly offer something unique in Newie and I'm glad you're within my LGA!