A message from the owner, Matthew Newcombe...

We are sad to have to announce that Article 24 will now close permanently. It has been a very tough few years for us and we got to a point where keeping the restaurant open was not a viable option for us.

We would like to thank our wonderful customers for their support , it was an absolute pleasure to serve you all .

We would also like to thank our amazing staff for their hard work, loyalty, and support.

We have had some fantastic times through all this and when it's all said and done I am sure that's what we will remember.

One of Newcastle’s most family-friendly suburbs has just had a new tenant arrive that is sure to get in the good books for all the mums and dads yearning for a local date-night spot. Meet Article 24. A Mediterranean-inspired kitchen that boasts incredible flavour combinations and a cocktail list sure to put a spring in your step.

Opening in December 2020, Article 24 is the baby of local foodie, Matthew Newcombe.

“My early working life was all hospitality; pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and also catering. It was a strong learning experience for me. It taught me about food and hospitality and helped me create a work ethic, but it also taught me about people and created a real love for making people happy. It’s a real buzz when you have contributed to someone really enjoying themselves,” Matthew explained.

Whilst the venue itself has been well and truly in the works for the past two years, Matthew’s dream of owning his own space has been hanging around since he was just 19.

“Just after I got my first job as a kitchen hand when I was 19, I realised that I wanted a restaurant of my own. Skip forward 30 years, and we found ourselves in a position where we could have a shot at it. We explored quite a few options in the New Lambton area ended up agreeing that this was the best one.”

Getting their hands on the old vacant post office spot just over two years ago, the project that brought Article 24 to life was soon realised to be quite big!

“When we finished stripping the building, we were left with a concrete cube. We had to do everything, all the plumbing including the grease trap, all new electrical and lighting and of course the bar and kitchen.

“There were definitely times where I questioned the wisdom of our decision, but my family was always there to keep me going. They never gave up on me and helped me enormously.”

With New Lambton growing with a range of community-minded businesses, Article 24 has been long-awaited for those locals hoping for an evening venue where they can enjoy a night out without having to venture into town.

“We love New Lambton and the people that live here. We are locals and we really enjoy the growing hospitality scene here. We have great pubs, restaurants, and cafés, so it was a no-brainer when it came to deciding where we would set up.”

Now, let’s get to the good stuff; the food!

Offering Mediterranean-inspired food, Matthew along with Head Chef Brett, have explored the flavours of Spanish and Moroccan cuisines to bring their own unique twist to New Lambton.

“Sharing food is one of the coolest things you can do with your family and friends, and that’s how we love to eat! Fill the table full of food and have a bit of everything.”

And on our visit to Article 24, we absolutely filled our table! Starting with the Mezze Three Dip Medley followed by Hand Rolled Moroccan Cigars made with ground spiced chicken with coriander, Salt & Pepper Squid marinated in garlic, Garlic & Chilli Prawns served with flatbread, House-made Pumpkin & Fetta Stuffed Crispy Ravioli, and the Warm Roast Vegetable lentil and fetta salad.

“I have been cooking the Moroccan Cigars for my daughters for years and they absolutely love them and so do I. Every time I take out a plate of cigars, I think of them. So, they are definitely my favourite item on the menu.”

The menu boasts both small and large share plates and with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options; Article 24 is sure to have every diner enjoying their Mediterranean dishes.

“We want to keep improving our food and our service. I also want to grow the wine list which is mainly Australian at the moment which is great, but I want to add some international wines that also complement our food.”

Now, I’ve had many a cocktail in my years and I’m making the call that Article 24’s take on the French Martini is well and truly above the stock standard; making it the best one I’ve had to date.

“Our barman Caleb loves making cocktails and he is good at it too. Currently, the most popular cocktails are our French Martini, Mojito, and Margarita rocks.”

The name itself, Article 24 comes from a bit of information that was stumbled upon by Matthew a few years back.

“I was doing research for an employment program years ago and came across Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Which basically gives us the right to rest and leisure and I thought, how cool is that? If I ever get my own place, I am going to call it that.”

Receiving nothing but rave reviews since their December 2020 opening, we’re excited to see what Article 24 has planned for the future and to see the people of Newcastle embrace this new suburban foodie venue.

Open for two dinner sittings from Wednesday to Saturday, Article 24 has quickly become a crowd favourite so make sure to book well and truly in advance to secure your spot at the newest New Lambton hot spot.