Since we launched our SPILL series in June 2023, we’ve chatted to some of the most interesting local businesses owners and creatives including Nic Brady of Newy Fried Chicken, Tony Harrison of Harrison’s, and Anna Farthing of Doughheads to name a few. 

We’ve taken you behind the scenes of how they live here in Newcastle and today, we’re sharing all the best spots to experience our iconic Newcastle lifestyle based on their answers. 

From places to dazzle your out of town friends, our top local boutiques, to their favourite cafes, bars, and restaurants. This could just be the ultimate hack to tasting the very best that Newcastle has to offer.

PLACES TO VISIT 

Abicus
This Darby Street boutique has been bringing fashion, footwear, and apparel to Newcastle for over 20 years. Owners Tiffany Minell and Tim McPhee are still as passionate as ever about delivering a thoughtfully curated lineup of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, together with a specialised catalogue of vinyl. 
Where: 103 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Akuna Cafe
This cult classic of a cafe in Newcastle’s beachside suburb of Merewether has been an icon in the local cafe scene since its launch back in 2018. One of the first venues in town to really nail the acai bowl brief, Akuna has continued to offer an almost identical menu to the one it launched with six years ago. 
Where: 40 Patrick St, Merewether

Antojitos
Need an authentic Mexican street food fix? Look no further than Antojitos on Newcastle West’s Steel Street. Step into this industrial diner that’s bursting with authentic and traditional Mexican street food flavours.
Where: 11 Steel St, Newcastle West

Autumn Rooms
It’s become one of Newcastle’s favourite destinations to dine in and collect your morning cup of coffee from. The relaxed atmosphere and ever-evolving food and drinks menu is why everyone from couples to family get togethers, friends catching up and those informal business meetings continue to flock to Darby Street. 
Where: 127 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Bartholomew’s
Entering Bartholomew’s feels like you’ve stepped back into the 1920s – chandeliers dangle from the high ceilings, bottles of spirits line the back wall, and tiered theatre-style balconies frame the space in a nod to the venue’s history. It’s a remarkable venue in Newcastle, and serves up delicious fare and quality cocktails to go with its grand interior.
Where: 145 King St, Newcastle

Baked Uprising
Baked Uprising has that industrial warehouse feel to it that you would expect to find walking around Sydney’s Surry Hills. Step in and experience their delicious range of freshly baked cakes, pastries, tarts, brioche, and breads. 
Where: 21-025 Downie St, Maryville

Biggs
Small in size but big on energy, Biggs is focused on serving quality coffee with beans from Glitch Coffee Roasters. When it comes to the food, expect a tasty grab-and-go style cafe menu that features all your favourite on-the-run eats. 
Where: 1A Beautmon St, Hamilton

Bowie
Brought to you by the same friendly team behind The Junction’s Talulah, diners can expect that same welcoming hospitality, but with a fresh new personality.
Where: 79/81 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Cakeboi
Cakeboi is former MasterChef contestant Reece Hignell’s first step into the retail world and it’s a pretty darn special experience for cake lovers. 
Where: 48 Lindsay St, Hamilton

Coal & Cedar
This New York style speakeasy is fitted out with low lighting, exposed brick, eccentric photos, taxidermy on the walls, and great service. But, can you figure out how to get in?
Where: 380 Hunter St, Newcastle

Cooks Hill Surf Club 
Throughout summer, the Cooks Hill Surf Club runs a fully licensed bar each Sunday offering some of the best views in Newcastle. 
Where: Memorial Dr, Bar Beach

Equium Social
Visitors to Equium Social can expect a wholesome, ethically sourced, and seasonally influenced menu that has deliciousness written all over it. 
Where: 1-5 Maitland Rd, Mayfield East

Floozy HQ
KMAC and Hal of Floozy Coffee Roasters are behind the Floozy HQ spot on King Street.
Where: 398 King St, Newcastle West

Flotilla 
Since its inception in 2019, Newcastle has been gathering at the tables of this Wickham-based dining institution. Five years on, Flotilla continues to offer a warm and passionate dining experience. 
Where: 9 Albert St, Wickham 

Good Folk Brewing
Located adjacent to one of their sister venues, The Blind Monk, Good Folk Brewing is complete with a brewhouse in the front and a working brewing facility located out the back. 
Where: 80 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Harrison’s
This cosy neighbourhood restaurant brings everything the Hunter Valley has to offer to Newcastle. 
Where: 108 Tudor St, Hamilton

High Swan Dive
Located on Maitland Road in Islington, High Swan Dive showcases a large assortment of greenery and tools to help any level of plant lover. 
Where: 113 Maitland Rd, Islington

Humble Thai
When planning your next date night, be sure to hit up THe Humble Thai and enjoy a variety of dishes in a share-plate style way so you can indulge in more than just one. Located at the top of KIng Street and surrounded by plenty of bars, you might say Humble Thai is the perfect place for a night out.
Where: 27 King St, Newcastle

HUMBUG
Situated along the heart of Newcastle CBD’s leafy Hunter Street Mall is HUMBUG – a wine bar and restaurant bringing a fresh and playful approach to the local hospitality scene. 
Where: 87-89 Hunter St, Newcastle

Jam’s Karaoke & Bar
Immerse yourself in an authentic karaoke experience with private, fully serviced rooms and modern karaoke machines at Jam’s Karaoke & Bar.
Where: 8 Union St, Newcastle West

Light Years Asian Diner
Awesome modern Asian food, delicious cocktails, and a jump out of your seat party vibe is at the core of all things Light Years Asian Diner. 
Where: 7 Darby St, Newcastle

Lock’s Paddock
Book in for an intimate dining experience in the heart of Newcastle at Lock’s Paddock. 
Where: 16 Watt St, Newcastle

Lord’s
Drop by this cosy spot on Beaumont Street and enjoy a great pour from Browny and the Lords Coffee team. 
Where: 148B Beaumont St, Hamilton

mad poet
Check out this low-key, intimate, and inviting listening bar where music is the topic of conversation and interesting wines are pouring. 
Where: 537 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Method Brewing
Brought to you by three ever-so-bubbly and beer-crazed mates, Method Brewing is another very welcome addition to our continually growing craft beer scene. 
Where: 18 Maitland Rd, Islington

Momo 
Located in a beautiful old bank on the corner of Hunter and Brown Streets, Momo is a light-filled and airy cafe space in Newcastle’s CBD. 
Where: 227 Hunter St, Newcastle

MoneyPenny 
Home to smooth cocktails, boutique beers, and tasty bites, MoneyPenny in Honeysuckle is a great spot to perch yourself and enjoy the best of those Newcastle Harbour views. 
Where: 1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Moor
Sit down to enjoy eclectic fare with fresh and aromatic flavours paired with top-notch coffee at Moor in Newcastle East. 
Where: 33 Hunter St, Newcastle East

Napoli Centrale
Taking a wander down King Street takes on a whole new flavour these days. An eclectic array of boutiques are casually dispersed among an assortment of food experiences, with the most piquant of them all being the Italian restaurant, Napoli Centrale. 
Where: 173 King St, Newcastle

Papa’s Bagels
This haunt on Hunter Street is the holy grail in Newcastle for baked bagels! These delicious circular baked goods reach the perfect balance between a chewy centre, glossy crust, and flavoursome toppings. 
Where: 569 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Popolo
The Popolo team are in-store at the crack of dawn every day making all of their signature creamy gelato flavours. The 12 flavours include Pistachio, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Strawberry, Snickers, Macadamia, Chocolate, Stracciatella, Amarena Cherry, Tiramisu, Oreo, Croccante, as well as two vegan flavours.
Where: 172 King St, Newcastle

Rascal
Burgers, chicken, anarchy. Rascal is all about mischief and chaos with an original take on the 1950s American Diner. 
Where: 266 King St, Newcastle

Rooftop at QT
The mix of chilled tunes, harbour happenings, and sunsets are a spectacular mix and perfectly encapsulateS what a visit to the Rooftop at QT is all about. 
Where: 185 Hunter St, Newcastle

Royal Crown Hotel
In case you needed a reason to hang out in Dudley, there’s a venue that has been drawing a crowd in this laidback locale since 1892 – the Royal Crown Hotel, or as everyone knows it, Dudley Pub. 
Where: 94 Ocean St, Dudley 

Rudderless Records
Drop by this independent store on Parry Street specialising in a diverse curation of hip hop, punk, and alternative vinyl records. 
Where: 3/148 Parry St, Newcastle West

Savant Apothecary
Old school by name but not in practice, Savant Apothecary has been serving Newcastle local skincare since its inception in 2017. Using all-natural ingredients, Savant Apothecary offers a unique range of skincare that owner Kylie hopes will empower women to feel and look good every day. 
Where: 19a/200 Union St, The Junction 

Scotties 
Scottie’s has long been a favourite for its fresh and sustainable seafood menu, quirky events, and laidback atmosphere. Over the years, Scottie’s has continued to not only fill our stomachs with top-notch food, but ingrain themselves as a core business in the East End community.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East

Side Pocket Espresso
Located outside the better known cafe soaked suburbs of Newcastle, you’ll come across Side Pocket Espresso – tucked away in a tiny corner of Mayfield. A little unexpected but a lot to like. 
Where: 292/286 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Signal Box
One of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings has been transformed into a beautiful restaurant – introducing Signal Box. 
Where: 155 Wharf Rd, Newcastle

Slingtown Espresso
Over the years, there are a few things that have become a staple in the personality of the suburb of Islington. The vintage and pre-loved stores, the forever-growing creative community, and the longstanding Beaumont Street coffee haunt – Slingtown. 
Where: 3 Beaumont St, Islington

Sourced Vintage
Sourced Vintage is set up on Hunter Street, closer to the west end rather than its OG space in the mall. The retail space is filled to the brim with some of the city’s best vintage, always boasting a huge range of t-shirts, jeans, and outerwear. 
Where: 461 Hunter St, Newcastle

Sprocket Roasters
What sets this Lambton-based coffee roastery apart is not just the exceptional quality of itscoffee but itsunwavering commitment to environmental sustainability – a core philosophy ingrained in every aspect of its business. 
Where: 24 Wyong Rd, Lambton

The Blind Monk
Beaumont Street was a very different place ten years ago, but one particular joint has hardly changed, and it continues to be a crowd favourite for an after-work beverage, a big celebration, or a cosy date night spot – The Blind Monk. 
Where: 76 Beaumont St, Hamilton

The Conscious Exchange
Made for the eco-conscious people of Newcastle and beyond, The Conscious Exchange has set up shop in the bustling suburb of Islington.
Where: 86 Maitland Rd, Islington

The Falcon
Situated in the heart of Newcastle East sits The Falcon Bar & Restaurant – a vibrant hub of community and culture and the winner of Newcastle’s 2024 inaugural Bar Awards, Bar of the Year award.
Where: 10 Pacific St, Newcastle East

The Grain Store
Drop into this Newcastle East watering hole and experience its 21 taps pouring 100% independently owned and 100% Australian brewed craft beers. 
Where: 64-66 Scott St, Newcastle East

The Grand Hotel
Over recent years, we’ve followed the gradual rebirth of one of Newcastle’s go-to pubs. The Grand Hotel’s transformation has seen the rejuvenation of the venue’s downstairs space, The Underground, to the complete refurb of the former pokies area turned dining space, Henry’s Parlour.
Where: 32 Church St, Newcastle

The Ori
Drop into The Ori in Cooks Hill for a few schooners, some of the best local pizza, a few laughs, and some live tunes. 
Where: 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill

The Prince of Merewether
Colloquially known as The Prince, this Merewether watering hole is one of Newcastle’s finest pubs and has been an iconic venue since its opening back in 1876. 
Where:1 Morgan St, Merewether

The Van at Bar Beach
Since 2018, the Bar Beach community alongside those who frequent that stretch of our Bathers Way walk have been well caffeinated and well fed with The Van at Bar Beach. 
Where: 29 Kilgour Ave, Bar Beach

The Young St Hotel
Injecting some new life into Carrington is none other than the corner pub, The Young Street Hotel, brought to you by Luke Tilse of The Happy Wombat. 
Where: 132 Young St, Carrington

Vecina
The pale pink facade is what catches your eye as you enter Wickham’s Albert Street, and it’s the warm interior glow of Vecina that draws you in. 
Where: 9 Albert St, Wickham

Vera Wine
Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, a complete newbie to the world of wine, intrigued in the natural wine offering, or are always on the lookout to try something new and different, Josh and Florence and the Vera Wine offering has you covered. 
Where: 2/67 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Zadig
Opening in April 2021, Zadig Studio brought a whole new concept to the people of Newcastle with its four private sauna rooms housed within a beautifully curated space right in the heart of town. 
Where: 2/161 King St, Newcastle

THINGS TO DO 

Anzac Memorial Walk
The Anzac Memorial Walk is Newcastle’s most spectacular coastal walk, runs parallel to Memorial Drive and complements the existing Bathers Way walk sections from Nobbys to King Edward Park, Bar Beach to Merewether, and beyond. 

Bogey Hole 
Newcastle’s Bogey Hole is an absolute must see in Newcastle. Situated at the foot of Shepherds Hill, it’s one of Newcastle’s best purpose-built ocean pools.

Hickson St Lookout
Known as a hang gliding take-off spot and a favourite for picnickers, Hickson St lookout is also the starting point for a walk down to Burwood Beach. Whilst the descent is rather easy, be prepared for the steep short walk back up!

King Edward Park 
An iconic Newcastle park, King Edward Park is a local favourite for a picnic on a sunny day. Featuring beautiful gardens, towering Norfolk pines, and manicured lawns, there’s plenty of spots in King Edward Park to throw down a rug and get snacking. 

Ocean Baths
Choose from Newcastle or Merewether Ocean baths for a truly iconic Newcastle swimming experience. 

Vintage Shopping
Newcastle is filled with hidden treasures, whether it be a hidden bar, book nooks, or quaint cafes. So, it makes sense that the city is also home to a seriously great range of vintage and antique stores.