Foodie lovers guide to Newcastle
The unveiling of the New South Wales road map to freedom has given us all the green light to plan our next getaway. And, if you could think of nothing worse than a staycation in “your own backyard” - but you also don’t want to travel too far, we’ve got just the spot for you.
Located two hours north of Sydney, you’ll find Newcastle, or as the locals like to call it “God’s Country”. No longer known as Sydney’s less-cool sister, Newcastle has established itself as the place to be. With its surf beaches, ocean pools, coastal walks, breathtaking waterfront dining, eclectic shops where you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces, and dreamy hotels it’s come a long way from the steel city it once was.
Despite its growth in popularity, Newcastle still has a certain jeu ne se quoi - it certainly doesn’t feel like a city. There’s no rat race or dog-eat-dog mentality here, locals who pass you on the street will say hi, and you can expect a feeling of warmth, goodness, and community - true to its Novocastrian roots.
There’s so much to do, see, taste, and drink in Newcastle we recommend a long weekend stay - but we wouldn’t be surprised if you end up sticking around for much longer.
If you’re yet to have the Newcastle experience it’s time to see what all the fuss is about.
Something Salty to Eat…
Image credit: @flotilla
Off the foodie-beaten track, in the backstreets of Wickham, you’ll find Flotilla led by Head Chef Shayne Mansfield. The menu is based on the seasons and there’s an emphasis on fresh, local produce. The restaurant collaborates with local producers such as Newcastle Green’s, Branxton Meats, and Shane’s Seafood to give you the full Newcastle experience. Ninety-eight per cent of the wine list is also Australian, with a big emphasis on natural varieties - there’s also a small selection of French wine for European fans.
Image credit: @lockspaddock
Lock’s Paddock is the second venture for the A-Team who brought you, Chester White Diner, in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. The eclectic venue serves a mix of Italian and Spanish food without being a tapas bar. Expect a menu centered around charcuterie, pork, hand-rolled gnocchi, in-house smoked cheese, pickles, and their signature dish Cacio e Pepe - handmade pasta served in a big cheese wheel. The venue is decorated in antiques from travels afar and there’s a hat collection to envy. To drink you will find Italian, French and Spanish wines and classic cocktails to keep the good vibes going all night long. The folk and country-western music that plays ties it all together perfectly and makes you wish you could dine at Lock’s Paddock every night of the week.
Image credit: @scotties
Picture this, you’ve spent the best part of the afternoon at Newcastle beach and your sun-kissed skin and sandy toes are eagerly looking for dinner - cue Scotties. Scotties is a small seafood trattoria, run by a team of dedicated full-time foodies. Scotties are all about serving up sustainably caught fish, sourced predominantly from local fishermen (where possible), alongside skin-contact wines. Their menu changes weekly depending on what's in season, plentiful and running at the time. Keep an eye out for the lobster club sandwich - you can thank us later.
Image credit: @roundhouserestaurant
Positioned on the rooftop of Newcastle's first five-star hotel, it’s hard to find a better view of the Hunter region and coastline than Roundhouse Restaurant - and that’s not even the best part. The restaurant takes Newcastle dining to the next level and offers a selection of wet and dry-aged beef sourced directly from their 85,000-acre station in North Queensland. Beyond their beef, you’ll find local, responsibly grown food as their Chefs work in partnership with artisans, farmers and fishermen. The wine list champions the region’s distinctive wines - after all the Hunter Valley has more cellar doors than any other wine region in Australia.
Something Salty to Drink…
Image credit: @barpetite
Located just near Newcastle beach, Bar Petite will have you feeling miles away. The quaint restaurant has an old-world vibe, elegant bistro meals, tapas, and classic cocktails - it’s a little slice of Europe in this beachside town. It’s hard to say whether the food, cocktails, or vibe is better but if you speak to the locals they’ll tell you they serve the best margarita in town. There’s live music on Fridays and Saturdays - you may never leave and we don’t blame you.
Image credit: @theedwardsbar
The Edwards is a Newcastle institution. Located in the grungy West End of Newcastle this restaurant and bar was a former laundromat that’s been reimagined. The urban oasis serves craft beer and juicy natural wines and has even hopped on the non-alcohol beer trend. Once you’ve smashed some flavour bomb share plates grab a coffee, beer, cocktail or all three and enjoy Rudderless Records (the record store inside the venue) and browse a curated collection of records, books and tees.
Image credit: @merewethersurfhouse
Arguably the best view in Newcastle, Merewether Surfhouse is kind of like Newcastle’s version of Bondi Icebergs but with a much smaller ego. If you’ve ever visited a friend or family in Newcastle this is the place they are going to take you to show off how god-damn nice the coastline is and they’re completely right. The Surfhouse has three levels with the top-level being the go-to for afternoon and sunset drinks. So if sitting on a sun-drenched deck with an Aperol Spritz in hand, and woodfire pizza on the way sounds like heaven to you put it top of your list.
Image credit: @earpdistillingco
Earp Distilling Co. is a family-owned award-winning distillery tucked away in the harbourside haven of Carrington lovingly referred to as “Carrodise”. Driven by experimentation and passion, the distillery has produced an insanely popular batch of spirits including gin, vodka, barrel-aged spirits, absinthe, and limoncello. You can pull up a seat at the bar, and take flight tasting a range of spirits. There are cheese, charcuterie, and vegan grazing boards available to ensure your stomach is adequately lined. And, if you want to dig a little deeper, you can book a distillery for a day course where you’ll learn how to make gin and even get to take home your own bespoke bottle of gin.
