Must Visit East End Restaurants
Newcastle’s East End is a haven for foodies with a huge variety of top notch restaurants competing for your attention. Wander the streets and you’ll discover tapas bars, seafood eateries and fancy fine dining right on your doorstep. Here are our top picks.
173 King St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 8 minute walk
For the closest thing to authentic pizza outside of Naples, make sure you visit Napoli Centrale Pizza Bar. This amazing pizza place takes traditional artisan techniques and combines them with top quality ingredients like san marzano tomatoes and neapolitan flour, which results in some of the most delicious pizza we’ve ever tasted.
1 Bond St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 3 minute walk
For an elegant taste of Newcastle’s East End visit Customs House. This beautiful restaurant is housed within a 19th century building overlooking the harbour with a menu inspired by fresh, authentic flavours of the Mediterranean. The wine list is excellent, too.
200 Wharf Road, Newcastle
Distance from us: 6 minute walk
Scratchleys on the Wharf is one of Newcastle’s top seafood restaurants, and with good reason. This harbourside retreat serves up some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in town, accompanied by decadent cocktails and carefully matched wines.
25 King Street, Newcastle
Distance from us: 3 minute walk
Contemporary spanish cuisine is on the menu at Bocados, an intimate and welcoming restaurant situated on King Street. This restaurant gets consistently great reviews, and if you choose to dine there you’ll soon see why. There is a huge menu of spanish classics to choose from, as well as prix fixe banquet meals. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can even bring your own wine, for a $10 corkage fee.
19 Scott St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 5 minute walk
If you find yourself craving the warm, comforting flavours of Thailand you won’t be disappointed by Sticky Rice. This informal restaurant is a hit with families and large groups, who come for the friendly, relaxed vibe and delicious food. If you’re not sure what to order, we highly recommend the thai green curry and basil beef stir fry - delicious!
64 - 66 Scott St, Newcastle East
Distance from us: 4 minute walk
The Grain Store is one of our top recommended destinations for craft beer lovers. The restaurant serves up a tempting array of American dishes with a huge selection of burgers, steaks, pizzas and salads. The chicken wings are fantastic, and if you manage to leave room for dessert, you’ll be in for a treat.
110 King St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 6 minute walk
Nothing says romance quite like an indulgent meal at a top Italian restaurant, which is why Una Volta is one of our top tips for couples visiting Newcastle. This authentic restaurant brings a real Italian trattoria experience to the heart of Newcastle’s East End. The restaurant’s set menu changes weekly, and never fails to offer diners top quality ingredients, imaginative cooking and an authentic taste of Italy. It’s worth noting that opening hours vary here, and diners need to book in advance.
N2/1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle
Distance from us: 16 minute walk
We love Japanese cuisine, and it doesn’t get much better than the dishes created by Chef Tetsuhiko Namba at his Newcastle restaurant. The menu takes diners on a journey to the heart of Tokyo, where Chef Tetsuhiko Namba learned his trade. Nagisa’s sushi and sashimi is amongst the best we’ve ever tasted, and the yuzu butter scallops are outstanding too. If you’re planning to push the boat out, try the tasting banquet menu of Nagisa favourites, which will set you back $85 per person.
3/35 Hunter St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 3 minute walk
Restaurant Mason is the place to go for special occasions. Awarded ‘One Chef’s Hat’ from SMH in 2011, it has maintained this high standard ever since. Main courses include roast berkshire pork with crisp belly, spicy pineapple, Dylan's carrots and roasted peppers, as well as charcoal grilled wagyu with baked Morpeth cabbage, turnips and olive.
18 Bond St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 4 minute walk
Paymasters serves up modern Australian cuisine with a difference. The restaurant is situated on Bond Street within a stunning Georgian building. It’s been rated one of the top gluten free restaurants in Newcastle, and it serves plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes too. We love the weekend breakfasts, from eggs benedict and buttermilk pancakes to Spanish omelettes.
2/1 King St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 5 minute walk
Within a stone’s throw of Newcastle beach, Rustica is a fantastic restaurant for casual lunches and more refined dinners. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is varied with a selection of dishes ranging from light bites and tapas to heartier main courses. There’s also a great wine list, with plenty of carefully picked wines to complement your food.
218 King Street, Newcastle
Distance from us: 10 minute walk
Foghorn Brewhouse is one of Newcastle’s top microbreweries. The food menu has been designed by Head Chef Daniel Correia, whose passion is paddock to plate dining. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible, and specials chang regularly to reflect the best seasonal ingredients available.
102 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Distance from us: 17 minute walk
Wil & Sons first opened its doors in April 2018, and it’s been a staple on the East End food scene ever since. You can’t miss the eye-catching bright blue facade of this restaurant, and the interior is a sight to behold too. Wil & Sons is well known for its craft beer selection but has gained a strong reputation for its food with indulgent breakfasts, lunches and dinners all on offer.
150 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
Distance from us: 8 minute walk
This stylish harbourside spot puts the emphasis on modern Australian cooking with locally sourced, sustainable produce. We highly recommend the crispy skinned confit duck, and the handmade pappardelle pasta.
36 Scott St, Newcastle East
Distance from us: 10 minute walk
Scotties is all about serving up locally sourced, sustainably caught fish in a laid back outdoor setting, mere moments from the beach. It has the best fish and chips on the coast – hands down.
169-185 Hunter St, Newcastle
Distance from us: 10 minute walk
Share-style Asian dishes that stimulate the senses and keep you coming back for more. Served in an intimate, trendy setting with deliciously fresh zesty cocktails. This is one not to miss.