The Best Restaurants in Newcastle for Your Must-Visit List

Sitting pretty on the Mid North Coast, Newcastle sums up what the Hunter region is all about—coastal living, country surroundings, and delicious culinary exploits.

When it comes to dining, locals are spoiled for choice in the ‘steel city’ with a constant influx of trendy new eateries along Beaumont, Darby, King, and Hunter Streets. These trendy Newcastle restaurants offer an array of options, whether you’re seeking a quick bite at a neighbourhood restaurant, a hearty pub meal, a cheeky bevvy at a wine bar or a dinner with the waves as your backdrop.

Below, we’ve whittled down the best restaurants in Newcastle that are guaranteed to impress as you eat and drink the night away.

The Best Restaurants in Newcastle

Blanca Honeysuckle

Let’s be honest: Blanca Honeysuckle had us at the name of their adorable moniker, inspired by the name of the street. And stepping into this charming hotspot is equally as delightful. Their goal? To transport you to the vibrant Mediterranean with their Euro-inspired menu, which celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

Diners can enjoy dishes like whipped cod roe with nori dust and slow-cooked beef cheek with truffle mash. Accompanying the food is an extensive drink list featuring curated wines, signature cocktails like the Yuzu margarita, and a selection of local craft beers, perfect for pairing with Blanca’s innovative cuisine.

2/11 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Peregrin

Inside the Beach Hotel in Merewether, you’ll find the buzzing hot spot Peregrin. The menu is a love letter to modern Australian fare and features a variety of contemporary dishes, such as grilled prawns with mango salsa and charred lamb rump with chimichurri, all served within an elevated seaside setting.

For drinks, the restaurant has a well-curated selection of wines, signature cocktails like the Peregrin Sour, and craft beers, ensuring a perfect pairing for every meal. With ocean views, Peregrin delivers a relaxed yet refined dining atmosphere. Plus, you can wander into the main pub after your meal if you’re in the mood for a nightcap.

Level 1/99 Frederick Street, Merewether 

Closed

Closed is a cute little spot in Newcastle with an exciting menu that’s great for sharing. The menu includes a snack section, canapés, and larger offerings that change with the season, including black marlin with brown butter and dill, lamb belly with kale chimichurri and parsnip cream and cauliflower, pickled plum and mint yoghurt.

The drink menu includes inventive cocktails, wines, and beers perfectly matching their fresh, flavourful food. With a cool, intimate atmosphere, Closed is the ultimate spot for drinks that turn into dinner.

17 Beaumont Street Islington, Newcastle

Thermidor

On Newcastle’s Honeysuckle waterfront, you’ll find Thermidor Oyster Bar & Brasserie, the brainchild of local hospitality veterans Josh and Jess Gregory. With picturesque harbour views and an inviting atmosphere, it’s quickly become a favourite among the locals since opening in September 2023.

The menu, inspired by Australian coastal tastes and Josh’s love for open-fire cooking, is straightforward and fuss-free, allowing the top-notch ingredients to shine. Patrons can also enjoy the bar area, complete with two fish tanks and an oyster station for live shucking.

Shop 1/7 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle 

Susuru

Craving some Japanese comfort food? Look no further than Susuru, Newcastle’s very own ramen and gyoza hotspot, and one of the area’s best Japanese restaurants. Make your way to this bright and airy metro-style gem with Japanese aesthetics that bring Tokyo vibes to the heart of the city. The venue pays homage to two of Japan’s culinary treasures: ramen and gyoza.

Susuru, which translates to slurp in Japanese, is all about savouring that rich ramen broth. As for the gyoza, they’re freshly made by experts who churn out hundreds of these delectable dumplings daily.

If you can’t decide what to try, then start with Susuru’s fried chicken ramen and wagyu cheese gyoza. They never miss!

140 King Street, Newcastle 

Harrison’s Food and Wine

Tony Harrison brings an exciting and adventurous menu to this small and intimate venue. The Euro-inspired menu with daily specials and cosy dining room take you far away from Hamilton and into a space you’d expect to find in the South of France or a beachside town in Italy.  The drinks, including wines from the Hunter Valley region, go fabulously with the food. 

108 Tudor Street, Hamilton

Humbug

Wine, pasta and snacks? It’s a yes from us. While everything on the menu at Humbug jumps out at you, regulars rave about the Feed Me set menu, where you can get a little taste of everything while you sit back and enjoy. Even better is the fact it includes dessert.

Menu standouts include homemade pasta (obviously), the 48-hour sourdough focaccia, mushroom dumplings, and lamb leg skewers. You’ll want to wear your stretchy pants for this one.

87-89 Hunter Street, Newcastle 

Scottie’s 

Newcastle is a town that knows its seafood, so the standard is set incredibly high. When we say that Scottie’s has the best seafood in Newcastle, you better believe we mean it! Perhaps one of the most delicious hidden gems, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Newcastle to get your seafood fix. 

With a happy hour and a menu that changes weekly, this is the ultimate place to soak up the seaside air and enjoy some delicious food. The menu is incredibly diverse, but if you can only order one thing, we recommend the fish and chips. You can’t beat them!

36 Scott Street, Newcastle East

Âpé Yakitori Bar

Tokyo is famous for its yakitori laneways, and this Newie hotspot is well-known for the skewered treat. For those who haven’t tried it yet, yakitori is a method of skewering meat on a ‘kushi’ (usually made of bamboo), and grilling it over a charcoal fire until it’s bursting with flavour, or ‘umami’. What separates yakitori from kebab-style meats, you ask? Traditionally, yakitori bars cook up every part of the chicken, including the heart and liver. 

Don’t forget to round it out with one of their divine creations from the cocktail list! Our pick? the Sakura Cherry Blossom with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Dassai Sake, yuzu, honey and orange blossom water. 

The Boardwalk, Shop 3N/1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Elementa 

Situated on the banks of Throsby Foreshore, Elementa is one of the newest additions to Newcastle’s foodie scene. This stunning waterfront location is all about relaxed yet refined dining, with an ever changing seasonal menu and a carefully curated cocktail and wine list to match.

Perfect for a girls’ catch-up over good food and great drinks, Elementa is fast becoming one of the best restaurants in Newcastle. 

76 The Lane, Maryville

Light Years

Miami Vice meets Newcastle at this tropical-hued venue, the fourth from the Light Years team. Discover a fresh cuisine-crossing, pan-Asian menu with punchy cocktails and indulge in the fresh, flavour-packed dishes Light Years has become known for.

The large space is bright and airy, inviting guests to a relaxing feast of the senses surrounded by stunning decor and great vibes—perfect for those social snaps.

5-7 Darby Street, Newcastle

Roundhouse

The floor-to-ceiling glass walls of Newcastle fine dining restaurant Roundhouse offer wraparound views from Port Stephens to the Hunter Valley. Atop the five-star Crystalbrook Kingsley, you’ll enjoy refined contemporary cuisine with a focus on native ingredients and seasonal dishes made with local, responsibly grown products.

Expect pork belly, free-range duck breast, and unique Australian desserts like a eucalyptus crème diplomat.

Level 9/282 King Street, Newcastle

The Flotilla

This hatted restaurant, led by chef Shayne Mansfield and restaurant operator Eduardo Molina, makes for a special night out in Newcastle. The menu at Flotilla is diverse and creative, focusing on using fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create dishes you won’t stop thinking about for days to come. If you can, grab a seat at the bar and watch all the action unfold in the kitchen. 

The cocktails are excellent, and the matching wines are equally delightful. Another win? Their early spring vegetarian set menu for $115 is *chef’s kiss*. 

9 Albert Street, Wickham 

Jana Restaurant & Bar

In one of the city’s hottest hotels, the QT Newcastle, you’ll find Jana Restaurant & Bar, a modern Australian restaurant brimming with character. With chic interiors and exceptional service, expect top-tier seafood and steak courtesy of their dry-aged meat cabinet and fresh flavours that pay tribute to the region. Round it all out with the best, locally sourced wine from the Hunter Valley, and you’ve got a top-shelf dining experience. 

185 Hunter Street, Newcastle

Antojitos

Antojitos means little cravings, which is ironic, because there’s nothing small about our love for the Mexican feast that awaits at one of the best restaurants in Newcastle! The LA-style taqueria has grown from humble beginnings as a market stall to a full warehouse-sized venue.

The fuss-free space serves over 45,000 burritos yearly on paper plates and red plastic trays. Stock up on carnitas, nachos, guac and corn chips and enjoy the relaxed vibes. Trust us, you’ll love it!

11 Steel Street, Newcastle West

Signal Box

In an iconic Newcastle building in the historic Railway Precinct, you’ll find the fun and vibrant Signal Box. Rich in heritage, the building has been part of the Newcastle Railway precinct since 1936. One of the best restaurants in Newcastle for an upmarket lunch or dinner experience.

The menu is rich in modern Australian cuisine and includes crowd-pleasing desserts, like a burnt Basque cheesecake that’s absolutely to die for.

155 Wharf Road, Newcastle

Nagisa

Sitting pretty on the harbour’s edge, Nagisa is where fresh produce, traditional Japanese culture, and modern techniques collide to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Serving up sashimi, sushi, and noodles, Nagisa’s impeccably designed restaurant, with draped linen and pendant lighting, spills out onto an alfresco setting that comes alive on balmy Newcastle nights.

For dining thrill-seekers, take a seat at the Teppanyaki bar, and be mesmerised by the talented chefs and the intoxicating aromas of sizzling meats and fresh seafood.

N2/1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Rustica

Newcastle Beach sets the scene for Mediterranean-themed eatery, Rustica. Occupying a bright and airy space opposite the beach, the interiors designed by Dion Ackland and handcrafted pieces by local artisans will have you looking around in awe.

The menu is all about tapas, share-style and banquet menus, all teeming with Mediterranean-style flavours. Think Moroccan-spiced squid and hearty mains like lamb shoulder and za’atar roasted cauliflower. Seasonal ingredients shine in pasta dishes and indulgent desserts like churros and chocolate fondant are definitely worth leaving room for.

1 King Street, Newcastle

MEET

For a taste of Brazil, MEET brings the real churrasco experience to Newcastle streets. MEET sources the finest local pork, beef, chicken and lamb to roast over their custom BBQ, with added natural woods and coals to give the dishes that authentic smoky flavour.

Along with endless meats served tableside, the huge menu of sides featuring cheese bread, cassava chips, and banana fritters will have you hooked. Be sure to look out on the streets for the MEET Food Truck to get your hit of street food flavour on the go.

9 Darby Street, Newcastle

Made your way through the best bars and restaurants in Newcastle and want to keep working on your itinerary? Check out our comprehensive deep dive on everything to do in Newcastle during your stay. Then, why not take a look at our guide to the best shopping in Newcastle?

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