It’s a dish that originated in Peru but can now be found with many different twists and on many restaurant menus: ceviche. Last year when we asked HUNTERhunter readers the best dishes they’d eaten lately, ceviche came up time and time again, with iterations from venues like Light Years Asian Diner and Earp Distilling Co. capturing readers’ taste buds. 

With so much love for the dish in our city, we decided to round up all the restaurants and pubs offering ceviche in Newcastle.

8 at Trinity

While the menu at 8 at Trinity is huge and comprehensive, the ceviche is a highlight. Accompanied by avocado mousse, yuzu, green apple, finger lime, and avruga caviar, it’s almost too pretty to eat.
Where: 81 Trinity Point Dr, Morisset Park

Bocados

Bocados’ ceviche is one of the closest to traditional Peruvian ceviche you can get in Newcastle. It’s topped with aji amarillo, a type of chilli, roasted sweet potato, and canchitas, or corn nuts, and complements the traditional Spanish dishes on the menu really well.
Where: 25 King St, Newcastle

Earp Distilling Co.

The ceviche at Earp Distilling Co is a favourite of HUNTERhunter readers. Made with kingfish and flavoured with nahm jim, mango, coconut, and finger lime, it’s a super fresh, slightly sweet, Asian-inspired take on the dish.
Where: 41 Darling St, Carrington 

Harrison’s

The space and ambience at Harrison’s may be relaxed and homely, but the food is sophisticated. The kingfish ceviche with finger lime and caviar is a treat – pair it with a few other small plates, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal.
Where: 108 Tudor St, Hamilton

La Chosita

La Chosita’s offering is unique in Newcastle – Peruvian street food. The menu is always changing up, but you can always expect fresh, authentic ceviche, with a side of Spanish lessons.
Where: 78 Maitland Rd, Islington

Light Years Asian Diner

The ceviche at Light Years Asian Diner is a crowd favourite – it’s essentially become the restaurant’s signature dish in Newcastle. The balance of acidity, sweetness, and heat, plus the texture of the kingfish, is addictive.
Where: 5-7 Darby St, Newcastle

Lock’s Paddock

Lock’s Paddock has a unique take on ceviche on its menu, featuring wild kingfish, charred eggplant, chilli, white wine, and lime vinaigrette. The charred eggplant and white wine are unexpected, but they work!
Where: 16 Watt St, Newcastle

The Beach Hotel

While most of the restaurants on this list use kingfish in their ceviche, The Beach Hotel uses snapper, paired with cassava crisps, jalapeño, lime, and coconut. Plus, at $16, it’s one of the most affordable ceviche offerings in town.
Where: 99 Frederick St, Merewether

The Kingfish

Sitting outside and admiring the view at The Kingfish is a pretty ideal way to long lunch. Using its namesake fish, The Kingfish makes a ceviche with avocado, red radishes, and chilli yoghurt – it’s creamy yet flavourful
Where: Unit 19/15-17 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

The Lucky Hotel

Sticking to simple, classic flavours, The Lucky Hotel’s kingfish ceviche is a fresh, spicy treat for the tastebuds featuring coconut, jalapeño, and lime. Kick back with the dish in the pub’s courtyard and you have yourself a lovely evening.
Where: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Prince of Merewether

The Prince of Merewether has some of the best quality pub food in Newcastle, and its ceviche is no exception. Its Kokoda ceviche with market fish features coconut milk, chilli, ginger, tomato, coriander, and fried wontons.
Where: 1 Morgan St, Merewether

The Young Street Hotel

The Young Street Hotel’s market fish ceviche is a fresh, zesty dish, incorporating citrus segments, onion, coriander, and pickled chilli. It’s certainly not typical pub grub, but it’s damn delicious.
Where: 132 Young St, Carrington

Note: ceviche is not the same as crudo or sashimi, since the fish is technically ‘cooked’ by citrus juice.