It’s not news that we here at HUNTERhunter love all things food. Whether it’s a crash hot new venue opening in town, a revamped old spot, menu highlights, trending or out-of-the-ordinary dishes and drinks – we want to sample it.

To keep you fellow foodies well informed of what is happening across Newcastle in the food and drink scene, we’ve done the hard yards of researching and sampling to share what exactly should be on your hit list.

Venue openings

Bread and Water
Formerly located in East Maitland, Bread and Water has moved to the former Baires spot on Pacific Street, serving up a 100% gluten free menu,
Where: 14 Pacific St, Newcastle East

Closed
Opening over the final weekend of June 2024, Closed is already making waves with its bold and innovative approach. With a tagline of Raw, Rotten, and Loud, Closed promises a drinking and dining experience unlike anything else in Newcastle. Expect a space that's a fusion of funky and elegant, with cocktails that incorporate pickling, fermenting, and smoking, and food that centres local produce and a zero-waste approach.
Where: 17 Beaumont St, Islington

Fairmont Diner
Fairmont Diner is the newest venue from the guys behind The Falcon, The Ship Inn, and Humphrey's Takeaway. With a similar American-inspired feel, Fairmont Diner opened in the first week of July in Carrington, serving up all-day breakfast, quality coffee, and a fun atmosphere.
Where: 34 Cowper St South, Carrington

Finn & Bickley's
Finn & Bickley's is the huge new cafe for Crema Coffee Garage, right next door to its roastery. The space has a Scandinavian meets industrial feel, while the food is classic cafe fare and the coffee is of course, Crema. There's even a a piazza-style showroom, where you can check out Crema's range of coffee machines and brewing equipment for making the perfect cup of coffee at home.
Where: 64 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow

FRENCHIE
The team behind Alfie's in New Lambton is launching FRENCHIE, a pop-up French restaurant in the former Criterion Hotel. It's only here for a good time, not a long time, so get in quick to taste French classics like steak frites, croquettes, and pâté.
Where: 81 Bourke St, Carrington

Venues coming soon

Antojitos
The iconic Mexican joint is set to arrive in Mayfield with Antojitos 2.0!

Chubby Boss
From the team who brought you Oh My Papa, The Humble Thai, and The Grateful Thai, Chubby Boss, a Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar, is set to open this year.

Meat & Grain Steakhouse
We've got our eyes on Wollongong-based Meat & Grain Steakhouse opening up its second location in Honeysuckle later this year. A South African-inspired steakhouse is coming our way!

Roxanne
Newcastle’s CBD is getting a brand new bar, with Roxanne coming to life in the former bank building on the corner of Bolton and Hunter Street. Expect fine wines, signature cocktails, quality coffee, and delicious food.
Where: 73 Hunter St, Newcastle

Side Pocket Espresso
What has been called the worst-kept secret in Mayfield, the long-loved cafe, Side Pocket Espresso, is officially in the process of setting up its fresh space (just across the road) with a date of the move TBA.

Slingtown Carrington
Islington’s community cafe is set to expand to its second space in Carrington. They’ve already opened their artists’ studios with coffee and more joining the lineup soon.

Spur
The team behind the much-loved Arlo's Coffee in Merewether and Cooks Hill are opening up a cafe in Hamilton – huge news for fans of their quality coffee, toasties, bagels, and baked treats. Stay tuned for a launch date.

The Tipsy Italian
Good news for fans of Italian food – opening up soon in the former Pino's space in Islington is The Tipsy Italian, a bar and wood fired pizza spot. 

Velvet at Mayfield
Mayfield is set to have its very own bar! Information is limited at this stage, but we can share that the cocktail bar will feature a dance floor.

Vera Wine Bar
You might remember us teasing that Newcastle was about to become home to NSW's smallest bar in Hamilton. We can now reveal that much-loved independent wine shop Vera Wine is set to open a 12-seater wine bar at the front of its store, and we can't think of a more fitting location! The team are awaiting approval of the liquor license before opening, so stay tuned. 

Dish & drink highlights 

Colourful lattes at Mockingbird
Hamilton cafe Mockingbird has always been a favourite for quirky (and delicious) twists on traditional cafe food, and its new menu keeps this ethos going, especially in the drinks department. In addition to your latte made with coffee, you can now try a whole host of colourful lattes at Mockingbird, including Biscoff, blue spirulina, beetroot, charcoal, matcha, turmeric, and Nutella. Why not order the whole rainbow?
Where: 131 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Coffee Old Fashioned at Local Customs
Last week we spied a curious drink on the menu at Adamstown cafe Local Customs – a Coffee Old Fashioned. A riff on the classic cocktail, this drink fuses coffee with yuzu spritz, orange, thyme, and nutmeg. Perfect for spiking your morning coffee with a little something on those days when you need an extra boost.
Where: 513 Glebe Rd, Adamstown

Method Brewing 2nd special release birthday beers
Method Brewing is turning two, and to celebrate, the team are brewing three special release birthday beers. There's a hazy IPA, a Coffee Oatmeal Stout (brewed in collaboration with Floozy Coffee), and an American Brown IPA. Get in quick to try them before they're gone!
Where: 18 Maitland Rd, Islington

Small eats menu at mad poet
Hunter Street wine and listening bar mad poet has just launched its small eats menu, dishing up winter warmers like beef & pork meatballs with tomato sauce, fresh bread, and salted butter, and a sticky date pudding with peanut butter whiskey & toffee sauce.
Where: 537 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Toastie of the Month by Biggs Coffee
Biggs Coffee not only does an excellent coffee, but the team also whips up some of the best toasties in town. The Toastie of the Month is always a hot commodity, and it will be no different this month – the July special features honey-glazed chorizo and haloumi. A match made in toastie heaven, we reckon.
Where: 1A Beaumont St, Hamilton | Newcastle Interchange, Wickham

Special mentions 

Baires closed
Sadly, Argentinian restaurant and cafe Baires has closed up shop in Pacific Street – we'll miss their medialunas and empanadas!

DoughHeads wins big at the National Donut Competition
Newcastle's very own doughnut dynamos DoughHeads have taken out 1st place for a Traditional Jam Doughnut and 2nd place for a Glazed Doughnut at the National Donut Competition in Melbourne. Perhaps it's time to treat yourself and taste these award-winning doughnuts for yourself?

Eldaba closed
New Lambton restaurant Eldaba has sadly announced its closure due to unforeseen personal circumstances. It's a massive loss for the local area – we're wishing the owners all the best.

Granddad's Knock Off Club
Hunter Street bar Granddad's Bar has introduced its Knock Off Club, a free membership that works like this: head in from 5pm-8pm on Tuesdays to Fridays and eat for free once you purchase the club cocktail. We know the team at Granddad's can concoct a cracking cocktail, so this is quite the enticing offer.
Where: Granddad's Bar, 515 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Lass O'Gowrie has changed hands
In case you missed it, The Lass O'Gowrie has changed hands, and is now run by the gang behind The Oriental Hotel and the Seven Seas Hotel. You can still expect a heavy focus on live music and the same community vibes, plus the kitchen has opened back up, slinging birria tacos. Yes please!
Where: 14 Railway St, Wickham

Margs + Margs Bottomless Brunch at the Nags Head Hotel
Dreaming of summer? Head to the Nags Head Hotel for this two-hour bottomless brunch on July 27 featuring unlimited margaritas accompanied by margherita pizza, arancini, and house-made bruschetta.
Where: Nags Head Hotel, 272 Brunker Rd, Adamstown

Nautilus by Thermidor takeaway seafood and pasta
You can now get a taste of Honeysuckle restaurant Thermidor at home thanks to its new takeaway service, Nautilus by Thermidor. You can either pick up at Thermidor or order from Uber Eats (coming soon), with dishes like slipper lobster mac and cheese, octopus bolognaise, and confit duck and wild mushroom risotto all available.
Where: Shop 1/7 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

People's Choice Award – Bar Awards
Voting in the People's Choice Award has opened! While the Bar Awards judges have the task of deciding the cream of the crop across 11 award categories, we're handing over the power to you – the folks who sip, savour, and socialise in Newcastle's buzzing bar scene – for the People's Choice Award. Vote for your favourite Newcastle Bar, Hotel (Pub), and Brewpub, and you'll be in with a chance to win a night out in Newcastle, designed entirely by you.

Perry the Feeder selling
After years of success and growth, well-established business Perry the Feeder is now for sale. Specialising in Newcastle's best loaded toasties, Perry the Feeder has built a strong reputation within the community and the industry over the years. This is an incredible opportunity for a passionate entrepreneur or an existing company looking to expand its market presence – contact Julia Perry at [email protected] for more information.

Urban Deli and Bar take home meals
Darby Street's Urban Deli and Bar is now offering take home meals, perfect for when you cosy up at home but still enjoy delicious pasta. There's a variety of house-made fresh pasta shapes to choose from, plus sauces like mushroom ragù, tomato sugo, and seafood marinara.
Where: 143 Darby St, Cooks Hill

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