Here’s our pick of Newcastle’s best restaurants
Newcastle’s restaurant scene has levelled up in a big way. The city is now home to an impressive mix of cuisines, stunning locations, stylish interiors, and a growing roster of talented chefs. Put simply – it’s never been a more exciting time to dine out in Newcastle.
So whether you’re after something laid-back and casual or planning a special night out with your other half, we’ve pulled together your go-to guide to the best restaurants in Newcastle.
Alfie's Italian
Tucked into suburban New Lambton, Alfie's is a go-to for moreish antipasti, handmade pasta, and an extensive wine list. The pizza bread is divine for scooping up an array of antipasti like whipped ricotta topped with chilli oil, or for mopping up the last of your pasta sauce.
Where: 2/52 Regent St, New Lambton
Âpé Chilean Nikkei Restaurant
Brought to you by the experienced team behind Nagisa and Susuru, owner Taiyo Namba wanted to create a restaurant that showcased only the best Hunter produce, cooked over fire – and that's exactly what you get when you dine at Âpé.
Where: 16 The Boardwalk, 1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle
Bistro Penny
Combining French bistro charm with the dynamic flavours of woodfired cooking is Bistro Penny. The vision for Bistro Penny is clear; a classic French bistro rooted in simplicity and quality, but with a distinctly Australian edge. The menu centres around the live fire, with nearly every dish touched by flames.
Where: 8-10 Bolton St, Newcastle
Blanca
Blanca invites you in for a European summer dining experience at the harbourside Honeysuckle precinct. Think a white-washed space with plenty of timber accents, share plates like burek and grilled octopus, and summery cocktails. It’s about sharing multiple courses, drinking, celebrating, and lingering with your loved ones.
Where: 2/11 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle
Bocados
Sitting at the corner of King and Watt Street is one of Newcastle’s most loved restaurants, Bocados. The restaurant has delivered authentic Spanish flavours for more than a decade in its homely, intimate space.
Where: 25 King St, Newcastle
Chophouse Grill
Known for its premium steaks grilled over an open wood flame, Chophouse Grill combines the rustic charm of classic steakhouse tradition with a refined and modern dining experience.
Where: 88 Hobart Rd, New Lambton
CorEat
CorEat is a bit of an underrated gem in Newcastle, and we bet there are a few locals who'd like it to stay that way. But CorEat deserves every bit of praise for its unique blend of Korean and modern Australian cuisine.
Where: 35 Hunter St, Newcastle
Flotilla
Slightly hidden away in Wickham, Flotilla is a foodie's dream. The hatted restaurant updates its menu twice per season and focuses on using Australian produce whenever possible, resulting in a creative and refined sequence of dishes coming out of the kitchen. Aim to get a seat at the bar so you can watch the magic unfold in the open kitchen.
Where: 9 Albert St, Wickham
Frenchie
Be transported to France when you dine at FRENCHIE, brought to you by the team behind Alfie's Italian. The lighting is moody, the wine list is très French, and the food – well, the food is all about excellent, contemporary takes on French fare.
Where: 81 Bourke St, Carrington
Harrison's Food and Wine
Named after its owner, Tony Harrison, Harrison's Food and Wine is an unsuspecting gem on Hamilton's Tudor Street. The space and ambience is relaxed and the food is sophisticated.
Where: 108 Tudor St, Hamilton
Humbug
The hatted Newcastle CBD restaurant is brought to you by local couple Michael Portley and Stephanie Wells. Humbug is your neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar, serving up an evolving selection of pasta, snacks, and an all-sustainable wine list.
Where: 87-89 Hunter St, Newcastle
Jana Restaurant & Bar
Situated downstairs at QT Newcastle, premium produce and sustainable fare is the centrepiece of Jana's modern Australian with an Italian-influenced menu.
Where: 185 Hunter St, Newcastle
Light Years Asian Diner
Created from a desire to bring a fun, modern Asian dining experience to the east coast of Australia, Light Years Asian Diner boasts a menu full of bold, colourful, and punchy flavours.
Where: 5-7 Darby St, Newcastle
Lock's Paddock
The menu at Lock's Paddock is all about food that's meant to be shared. There's a definite Spanish and Italian influence when it comes to flavours, but don't expect typical tapas at this cosy restaurant on Watt Street. Think quality charcuterie, fresh seafood, and cacio e pepe served in a cheese wheel.
Where: 16 Watt St, Newcastle
Maru Hi-Fi
Maru Hi-Fi brings an elevated Japanese fusion menu to Newcastle, serving refined dishes from breakfast through late night. Think oysters, wagyu, soba, karaage, dumplings, and creative desserts, paired with crafted cocktails and specialty coffee.
Where: 10 Union St, Newcastle West
MEET
Located in the heart of the CBD, when it comes to the menu at MEET, Brazilian and South American flavours are the primary influence – choose between either the seasonal list of share plates or order the signature Churrasco experience.
Where: 9 Darby St, Newcastle
MIINE
This New York-inspired Italian fusion restaurant and late-night bar is the brainchild of owners, Thomas Lawson and Pete Haselhurst. Their journey to bring MIINE to life is one built on industry experience, camaraderie, and an undeniable passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences.
Where: 13 Darby St, Newcastle
Nagisa
Since opening in 2004, Nagisa has earned a reputation for consistently delivering the freshest and most innovative Japanese cuisine in Newcastle. Located in the Honeysuckle precinct overlooking Newcastle Harbour, Nagisa effortlessly fuses the elegance and tradition of Japanese cuisine with modern flavours.
Where: 1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle
Oh My Papa
OH MY PAPA is an exploration of all the flavours that make Asian cuisines fantastic, paired with cheeky cocktails and super friendly service.
Where: 11 Perkins St, Newcastle
Papalote
A fiery new Mexican restaurant and agave bar, Papalote brings bold flavours, charcoal cooking, and an agave-led drinks list to Newcastle West. With a revamped warm interior and a powerhouse team behind it, this vibrant newcomer is set to impress.
Where: 148 Parry St, Newcastle West
Peregrin
Perched atop The Beach Hotel sits Peregrin, a sophisticated restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine with global influences. While it's a great spot to dine any time of the day, the views over Newcastle's coastline as dusk descends are fantastic.
Where: Level 1/99 Frederick St, Merewether
Roundhouse
Situated on the rooftop of the Crystalbrook Kingsley, floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide views out to Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. The menu focuses on modern Australian flavours with emphasis placed on working with native ingredients. It's a must-visit for foodies and those who want to experience luxury dining in Newcastle.
Where: Level 9/282 King St, Newcastle
Rustica
One of Newcastle's most-loved Mediterranean restaurants, Rustica not only boasts a quality menu but also happens to offer some of the best views and interiors in Newcastle. Sitting directly opposite Newcastle Beach, Rustica is an ideal spot for a long lunch or romantic dinner for two.
Where: 2/1 King St, Newcastle
Scottie's
An icon of the Newcastle dining scene, Scottie’s is a cute and cosy seafood trattoria in the city’s East End. Scottie’s is an all-occasion kind of venue – eat inside for a romantic dinner, or step outside with your takeaway and lounge about on the grass under the festoon lights.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East
Signal Box
Located in one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings, Signal Box is an upmarket bistro-style dining experience by the harbour. With a focus on seafood, Signal Box offers up innovative, modern Australian cuisine.
Where: 155 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
St. Lucia
St Lucia is a Latin American dining venue in Honeysuckle brought to you by Garry and Melissa Risteski, the team behind Blanca, The Kingfish and The Swordfish Co. Centred on fire, smoke, music and late-night energy, the waterfront venue is designed for everything from casual drinks and bar snacks to celebratory dining, with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where: Unit 1/11 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle
Una Volta
Serving a set four-course Italian menu that changes up frequently, Una Volta is one of the most innovative Italian restaurants in Newcastle. Expect dishes that use traditional Italian flavours and ingredients that speak for themselves.
Where: 23 Watt St, Newcastle
Urban Restaurant and Wine Bar
Offering a European-inspired experience, Urban Restaurant and Wine Bar on Darby Street is a warm and inviting space where guests feel like family. The menu features tapas, fresh, housemade pasta, and French-influenced mains, as well as an extensive wine list.
Why we love dining in Newcastle
With an ever-growing lineup of talented chefs, diverse cuisines, and standout dining rooms, Newcastle continues to raise the bar for food lovers. This guide brings together the city’s best restaurants – those delivering exceptional flavour, atmosphere, and hospitality – so you can discover (or rediscover) the places shaping Newcastle’s vibrant dining culture.
The businesses featured within this article have not paid to be featured, the content has been curated by the HUNTERhunter editorial team. We only promote businesses we love and think our readers will love too!
