Newcastle Food, Wine & Craft Beer

Craft beer breweries, waterside fine dining and trendy coffee haunts are just some of the foodie experiences being dished up in Newcastle on the NSW North Coast. Enjoy a healthy brunch at a rustic beachside café, embark on a food and bar tour or pick up fresh produce from local farmers markets.

Restaurants & cafes

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants in Newcastle. For fine dining, book a table at Restaurant Mason or Subo, which both feature in the Good Food Guide. Try Bocados for Spanish tapas, Coal River & Co for housemade pasta and The Autumn Rooms for high tea. You’ll find an eclectic mix of over 25 eateries in trendy inner-city Darby Street serving up the State’s best produce.

The Honeysuckle harbourside precinct is home to an assortment of relaxed cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars offering stunning views over the Hunter River. Try Nagisa for top Japanese teppanyaki. To the west, spend some time roaming Hamilton’s lively pub and café scene, centred around the bustling Beaumont Street.

The Junction, near Dixon Park Beach and Bar Beach, is another popular area for dining and drinking. Just south of The Junction is the Merewether Surfhouse’s terrace bar and restaurant with its sweeping views of Merewether’s surfing beach. Or you can just soak up the rustic surf-styled atmosphere from the cafés on the beach promenade.

Bars, breweries & wineries

Newcastle buzzes with small bars and craft breweries. Visit Earp Distilling Co. for a gin tasting, enjoy local beers at The Grain Store and join a tour of FogHorn Brewhouse. For cocktails, try the dark and moody Koutetsu, speakeasy-style Coal & Cedar or sophisticated Basement on Market St. Alternatively, let local guides from Newcastle Afoot Walking Tours and One for the Road Tours take you to their favourites.

For wine lovers, Newcastle is a gateway to Australia’s oldest wine region: the Hunter Valley. You can join a day tour, departing from Newcastle with Tex Tours and Shepherd Bus Tours. You can also taste locally-made drops at Inner City Winemakers, a cellar door and winery close to the harbour.

Fresh food markets

The Newcastle region grows exceptionally fresh produce and artisan makers create a huge range of gourmet delights. Meet the farmers and pick up some tasty fruit and vegetables at the Newcastle City Farmers Market each Sunday. For organic produce, head to the Hunter Street Organic Markets every Thursday and Friday.