It’s not news that we here at HUNTERhunter love all things food. Whether it’s a crash hot new venue opening in town, a revamped old spot, menu highlights, trending or out-of-the-ordinary dishes and drinks – we want to sample it.

To keep you fellow foodies well informed of what is happening across Newcastle in the food and drink scene, we’ve done the hard yards of researching and sampling to share what exactly should be on your hit list.

Venue openings

The Curve Thai Restaurant
Newcastle West just got a new Thai restaurant, with the opening of The Curve Thai Restaurant in Il Volcano's old digs. The space has been given a spruce up, so head in to try its extensive menu of Thai curries, stir fries, salads, seafood dishes, and entrees.
Where: 4/850 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Hideout on the Harbour
Hideout on the Harbour is the newest opening in Honeysuckle, taking over the former Honeysuckle Social space and turning it into a hub for casual dining and fun cocktails. There's plenty of specials throughout the week too, on both food and drinks, so put it on your list for your next affordable night-out spot.
Where: 11 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Venues soon to come

Antojitos
The iconic Mexican joint is set to arrive in Mayfield with Antojitos 2.0!

Chubby Boss
From the team who brought you Oh My Papa, The Humble Thai, and The Grateful Thai, Chubby Boss, a Japanese-inspired restaurant, and bar, is set to open this year.

Duffs Ice Cream
The Central Coast original ice cream business, Duffs, has officially packed up its bags and moved to Newcastle with the Wickham-based storefront set to open in June.

Harbour Crew
Harbour Crew is coming to Newcastle Harbour (opposite the pirate ship playground in Honeysuckle) and bringing with it coffee, açai bowls, toasties, house-made cakes, and specialty shakes.

Morning Market Warners Bay
Originally in Whitebridge, then opening store number two in Newcastle West, the Morning Market Coffee gang are set to open their third venue in Warners Bay – watch this space for the opening date!

NSW's Smallest Bar 
In the coming weeks, Newcastle is set to open NSW's smallest bar right in the heart of Hamilton on Beaumont Street. Where exactly? Stay tuned!

Roxanne
Newcastle’s CBD is set to get a brand new bar with Roxanne coming to life in the former bank building on the corner of Bolton and Hunter Streets. A little birdie tells us it should be open by the end of April.

Side Pocket Espresso
What has been called the worst-kept secret in Mayfield, the long-loved cafe, Side Pocket Espresso, is officially in the process of setting up its fresh space (just across the road) with a date of the move TBA.

Slingtown Carrington
Islington’s community cafe is set to expand to its second space in Carrington. They’ve already opened their artists’ studios with coffee and more joining the lineup soon.

Swordfish Warners Bay
The OG space in Budgewoi has built a strong reputation for some of the best fish and chips on the Central Coast, and the team is bringing the Swordfish flavours to Lake Macquarie! Stay tuned for the opening date and more details.

Velvet at Mayfield
Mayfield is set to have its very own bar! Information is limited at this stage, but we can share that the cocktail bar will feature a dance floor.

Dish & drink highlights 

Cocktail tower at The Blind Monk
You read correctly – Beaumont Street bar The Blind Monk has introduced a cocktail tower that very much looks like a tree, and now we're dreaming of a cocktail-growing tree. Expect twelve cocktails (choose from margaritas, espresso martinis, Charlie Chaplins, and French martinis) for $230, delivered to your table. It works out at less than $20 a cocktail – perfect for big groups.
Where: The Blind Monk, 76 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Finger Bun doughnut at DoughHeads
Each month, DoughHeads changes up a bunch of the loaded doughnuts on its menu so we can get a taste for the talents of the kitchen team. This May, the team have come up with a Finger Bun doughnut, a delicious take on a nostalgic favourite. Think DoughHead's iconic doughnuts smothered with fluffy raspberry buttercream and doused in coconut. The perfect after-school treat.
Where: Shop 17/204 Union St, The Junction

Ramen at Cafe Inu
Carrington favourite Cafe Inu is much-loved for its dog-friendly space and cafe menu full of Japanese-inspired dishes. Get excited, because the cafe is bringing back its popular ramen just in time for those cosy cooler days. Time to kick back with a bowl of ramen, a hot matcha, and snuggle up.
Where: 43 Denison St, Carrington

Sunday roast at Harrison's Food and Wine
The temperature has dropped and the rain has set in, so you know what that means: Sunday roasts are back at Harrison's Food and Wine. Get one every Sunday until the weather warms up again for $50, featuring all the trimmings (Yorkshire pudding included of course) and a glass of local wine or beer.
Where: Harrison's Food and Wine, 108 Tudor St, Hamilton

Special mentions 

A Tavola!
A Tavola! has just quietly launched, bringing bespoke Italian dinner parties to Newcastle. Whether it's for a hen's party, a baby shower, a birthday celebration, or just a social catch-up at your place, A Tavola! can do it with customisable menus, a gorgeous tablescape, and of course, pasta.

Bar Awards
We've just launched Newcastle's first-ever Bar Awards, coming this August. Bar Awards are all about spotlighting the movers and shakers in Newcastle’s night-time scene – from the innovative bartenders and skilled mixologists to the visionary brewers and passionate hospitality owners. Industry nominations have just opened, plus there'll be a People's Choice Award, coming soon – check out Bar Awards for more.

Bowlarama Newcastle closing
Bowlarama Newcastle is sadly closing its doors on Sunday, May 12. Get in quick for a delicious açai bowl before this Broadmeadow haunt shuts its doors.

Charlies Rooftop new dining experience
Charlies Rooftop has just launched its Come Dine with Me experience, a set menu showcasing the restaurant's off-menu dishes each paired with a drink. It's available Wednesday-Friday at 6pm for a maximum of four people per table – make sure you book! The menu will change up monthly, so you can come back to try something different each time.

Charlies has also kicked off Carlitos Cantina – from 5pm on Thursdays, snag $12 margaritas, $15 nachos, and $10 for two tacos.

Hamilton Hawker Food Markets
Hamilton Hawker Food Markets are coming back bigger and better on Saturday, May 25 from 5pm-9pm. Expect hawker-style Asian food stalls, live music, children's rides, and street performers.
Where: James Street Plaza, Hamilton

MEET Mexican Weekender
MEET is bringing back its Mexican Weekender from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26. There'll be three nights of Mexican-style churrasco, cocktail specials, a tequila trolley, plus a bottomless taco brunch on Sunday.
Where: 9 Darby St, Newcastle

Royal Crown Hotel new menu
Dudley's Royal Crown Hotel is adding a hefty serving of Japanese food to its menu, bringing new flavours to the pub that is well-known for venturing outside of typical pub fare. Think gyoza, sashimi, okonomiyaki, katsu curry, udon, and more.
Where: 94 Ocean St, Dudley

Urban Wine Walk
The streets and laneways of Newcastle will come alive on Saturday, May 11, as a lineup of incredible venues each transform into an urban cellar door and host a winemaker for you to visit on a self-guided wine trail for Urban Wine Walk.

Vera Wine tastings
Vera Wine have got a great lineup of tastings each Saturday in May. On May 11, the team are whipping up all-Aussie negronis with local gin, vermouth, and bitters; on May 18 you can taste organic and biodynamic wines by Tuscan winery Ottomani; and on May 25, try a cool, contemporary take on goon thanks to Happy Sacks.
Where: 67 Beaumont St, Hamilton

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Have you got a suggestion or think we’ve missed somewhere? Email us!