We reminisce on our favourite Newcastle eateries of the past

Not long ago, I brought an interesting predicament to the office.

Did any of us remember the American-style, 1950s-inspired diner on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown?

I reminisced about going there for family dinners as a kid in the early 2000s, but couldn’t for the life of me remember its name (a helpful reader told us it was called Burgers and Bobby Sox, so that mystery has thankfully been solved).

It got us thinking about all the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie businesses that have come and gone over the years – the ones we’ve celebrated birthdays and anniversaries and graduations at, that have formed our core memories, that we look back on with nostalgia. 

Take a trip down memory lane with us as we remember some of our favourite Newcastle and Lake Macquarie venues of the past that made us into the foodies we are today.

Alicia, Editor

Blue Water Pizza

Located on the shores of Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay, Blue Water Pizza was home to many family dinner memories. The two-storey building, now home to Canon, was the hub for so many Lake Mac locals for years. My favourite foodie memory would have to be devouring their wedges with sweet chilli and sour cream (sure, nothing too elevated but my palate as a young’n wasn’t exactly what it is today). 

Burgers & Bobby Sox

Can anyone else remember this absolute gem of a diner that was on the Pacific Highway in Charlestown? My childhood memories are of red leather booths and black and white checkered tiles – it felt like a scene straight out of Grease.

Casa De Loco

What we all now know and love as The Falcon was once Casa De Loco, a Tex-Mex joint known for its sangria mixes and margarita concoctions. As a fresh-faced 18-year-old, I can say I don’t remember much about the food offering, but the sangria was TO DIE FOR. 

Hey Zeus!

This place was well ahead of its time – a waiterless takeaway joint based on King Street that offered fuss-free healthy takeaway, and the food was bloody scrumptious. Think lots of salads and wraps with tasty sauce toppings. 

Kernels Popcorn

Popcorn but make it OTT. That’s exactly what Kernels Popcorn was and my golly it was a childhood favourite. Set up on the lower level of Charlestown Square, the big blue popcorn kiosk offered the biggest range of flavours – the weird and wacky, to the sweet and sour. My favourites included the creamy caramel and salt & vinegar. 

Pizza Hut Belmont 

As a kid in the 90s, there truly was nothing better than when Mum announced you’d be having a family night out at all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut. Our local was in Belmont, and I can still remember the smell of the never-ending pizza options and the loaded desserts you’d fill up on til you were sick. Oh the 90s were simpler times. 

Alissa, Director

Kitami on Darby Street

The only reason I studied Japanese in high school was because of the annual ‘excursion’ to Kitami on Darby Street. As an early teen in the mid 90s, going to lunch at a restaurant that had teppanyaki bars and sunken seating was a massive step up from the high school canteen offering. 

Sizzler’s

I remember it being a big deal to go out on a Saturday night to the Broadmeadow Sizzlers, the all-you-can-eat buffet, soft-serve machine and that cheesy bread!

Reserve Wine Bar

When Reserve first opened it felt so sophisticated, and it was such an exciting addition to the Newcastle small bar scene. We hadn't seen anything quite like it before, the fitout, the extensive wine list, and the food was also a little next level.

Milano’s on the Lake

There’s not enough restaurant venues on the lake in my opinion, which is why I miss Milano’s on the Lake. It was back in 2016 that the restaurant partially collapsed into Lake Macquarie, ultimately marking the end of the lakeside restaurant. Seafood was always a must when dining, and was the ideal long lunch venue, especially throughout the warmer months.

Restaurant on King Street

Currently under construction, it was previously the Local Bar, and I can’t remember the name of the restaurant circa 1999, but I do remember the alfresco-style dining space which created a perfect platform for King Street people watching. I dined here a few times in the late 90’s, it also happened to be the location for my first date with my now-husband. I ordered the steak, and he ordered a vegetable lasagne… which made me laugh given my obsession with Seinfeld at the time.

Union Brasserie

It was around the early 2000s that we dined at Union Brasserie in The Junction. The exposed concrete flooring and industrial-style interiors were well ahead of the trend, and the menu was equally as memorable. The scallops were one of the menu highlights.

Jas, Sub-Editor and Accounts Manager

Bacchus

After taking part in a high school musical at the Mission Theatre on King Street, I was amazed when this beautiful building was transformed into the sophisticated Bacchus restaurant. Think elaborate wrought iron dividers, a wall full of wine bottles, and a sommelier. 

Big Al’s

As teenagers, my friends and I spent a lot of time – after watching a movie at Greater Union or Showcase Cinema – at Big Al’s diner. Burgers with special sauce and fries were devoured in vinyl booths, alongside a wall where you could line up and take mug shots of your friends.

The Black Cat

Before it was Asa-don, (which I also miss) this space on King Street used to be The Black Cat. We’d sit in the back courtyard, with small dishes of Spanish tapas, like morcilla blanca, and a bottle of wine, whiling the evening away.

Nosh

During my uni years, I’d meet my friends at this friendly Beaumont Street eatery (now Jjindakk) for coffee and huge bowls of pasta. 

Tongue and Groove

When we first moved to Newcastle after two years of living near Byron Bay, my family would visit Tongue and Groove in The Junction. It was laidback, with yellow cement-rendered walls and bold artwork, and had a bohemian vibe. I can’t remember the food but if it was the late 90s, it was probably sundried tomatoes and focaccia, right? I’d love to hear other people’s recollections of this place.

HUNTERhunter readers

We asked you what your favourite now-defunct Newcastle eateries were, and boy did you deliver! Here are 20 of HUNTERhunter readers most-missed Newcastle restaurants, bars, and cafes:

- Arrivederci
- Asa Don
- Barcito
- The Bistro
- Bistro Tartine
- Barrio 2304
- Bar Petite
- Canteen Delphine
- Coal River & Co
- Covered in Crumbs
- De Lucas
- East End Enoteca
- Edmonds & Co
- The Flying Tiger
- Fortunate Son
- Habesha Ethiopian
- Hawaiian Steakhouse in Darby House
- The Hop Factory
- Le Dynasty
- Red Baron
- Restaurant Deux
- Restaurant Mason
- Winnie’s Jamaican
- Wil & Sons

What Newcastle venues do you miss? Let us know!