There’s a good chance most of you have stepped foot inside this rather iconic venue in the heart of our city. Having graced our hospitality industry since its inception in 2018, there’s no question that Bartholomew’s has made quite a lasting impression on its guests as a whisky bar.

BUT – have you sampled the menu?

It’s become a hotspot for an after-work tipple, a favourite celebration venue, or an upcoming date night – but its food offering is often overlooked. Why? Well, to be honest – we’re not entirely sure!

We dropped by to sample some goods and catch up with the man behind the venue’s seasonal menu – Executive Chef, Jeremy Fahy – to deep dive into the somewhat culinary secret hidden behind Newcastle CBD’s stylish and sophisticated bar.

Starting with the group behind Bartholomew’s back in 2019, Jeremy has developed and elevated the venue’s foodie offering.

“The style of food at Bartholomew’s is an extra step up for us, but still very approachable though. Being in this venue, it does set the standard that people might be visiting for a special occasion, so the menu reflects that – without breaking the bank,” Jeremy said

The lunch menu at Bartholomew’s runs from Wednesday to Sunday, kicking off at 12.30pm and has become quite the hidden gem for CBD office workers.

For quick and easy lunch specials, diners can enjoy $18 lunch specials including Potato Gnocchi, Open Steak Sandwich, Chunky Beef Pot Pie, and a Lunch Burger. For an extra $3, you can wash it down with a glass of house wine, schooner of beer, or soft drink.

“We’re all about our menus being about quality rather than quantity. Plus, we make anything that we can in-house, and we have a pretty large focus on gluten-free.”

The full menu features bar snacks, entrées, sides, mains, and of course, a selection of desserts.

To start, we would recommend the Pan Fried King Prawns complete with nduja, lemon butter, and a blistered tomato and labna salad; plus the Waffle & Duck – a unique take on the concept of ‘chicken and waffles’ but served with crispy fried duck, wild rice waffle, maple Manhattan jus, and crispy purple kale.

For mains, you can’t go past the Potato Gnocchi with creamy butternut and almond, baby spinach, toasted almonds, citrus herb crumb, and labna; or the Fillet & Mash complete with prosciutto wrapped scotch fillet, smoked mash, confit sweet potato puree, broccolini – both crowd favourites that have had some variation on the menu since the venue’s inception.

For dessert, you absolutely cannot go past Bartholomew’s signature Bread & Butter pudding served with juniper poached rhubarb and pecans, bitter orange crème fraiche, rhubarb, and orange suzette.

Make the most of this inner-city venue with their mid-week 2-course dinner special. You can enjoy a 2-course meal including a glass of wine, beer, or soft drink on Wednesday and Thursday nights for just $42. Choose from their selection of entrees, mains, and desserts, and make the most of your week at Bartholomew’s.

“I’ve had the opportunity to really make a difference with the menu at Bartholomew’s and it’s always lots of fun. We get to be quite creative, and our functions always keep us on our toes.”

Next time you’re looking for a new lunch spot, planning a night out for a few beverages, or looking for somewhere for a nice dinner out, remember to not only add Bartholomew’s to your list for a drink spot but peruse their menu and discover the gourmet foodie options.