12 Best Newtown Restaurants You Need To Try

The best restaurants in Newtown include Bloodwood, Continental Deli Bar Bistro, Thai Pothong, Gigi’s Pizzeria and loads more, all serving up a wildly good mix of flavour, style and atmosphere in Sydney’s inner west. Whether you’re after polenta chips and cocktails at Bloodwood, a classic steak tartare at Continental, vegan woodfired pizza at Gigi’s, or a spicy red duck curry at Thai Pothong, there’s something here for every craving and budget.

Newtown is packed with everything from fancy bistros to cheap eats and late-night bites. You’ll find standout pasta at La Favola, bao buns at Belly Bao, cheese boards at The Stinking Bishops, and creative pub-style dishes at Odd Culture. It’s a neighbourhood where dinner can be casual, a little bit fancy, or a full-on food crawl … it’s totally your call.

Best Newtown Restaurants at a Glance

• Best overall: Bloodwood
• Best for vegan food: Gigi Pizzeria
• Best for date night: Maiz Mexican Street Food
• Best for cheap eats: Atom Thai
• Best for a casual dinner: Thai Potong
• Best place to kick-start your night: Odd Culture Newtown

Where Are The Best Places to Eat in Newtown?

1. Bloodwood

• Known for: polenta chips, scallop special, cocktails
• Address: 416 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 9557 7699

One of the best known, if not most creative, Newtown restaurants, Bloodwood offers up some exceptional modern Aussie cuisine. Their ever-changing menu is packed with creative flair and flavour that will keep you on your toes and coming back for more. One of the best restaurants in the inner west for a first date, it’s got the perfect ambience with its moody lighting, industrial brick walls and suave décor.

Bloodwood

2. Continental Deli Bar Bistro

• Known for: steak tartare, charcuterie,
• Address: 210 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 8624 3131

The perfect lunch location turns into a beautiful setting for an evening out dining at Continental Deli Bar Bistro. The bistro menu is mainly styled around Mediterranean flavours with seasonal produce and featuring ingredients from the deli. As far as the best Newtown restaurants go, Continental has all the elements of fine dining in a decidedly more relaxed space. Try the steak tartare with gaufrette potatoes or the BBQ king prawns with charcuterie xo sauce.

Continental Deli Bar Bistro

3. The Stinking Bishops

• Known for: cauliflower mac and cheese, beef cheek
• Address: 5/63-71 Enmore Road, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 9550 6116

The Stinking Bishops is one of those Newtown Restaurants that stands out as an all-time favourite for anyone who loves cheese (which is everybody). They’ve got over 40 cheeses to try from, cured meats, light meals, cheese inspired dishes and an extensive wine list to go along with it.

The Stinking Bishops

4. Thai Pothong

• Known for: betel leaf prawns, red duck curry
• Address: 294 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 9550 6277

A local favourite for over 20 years, Thai Pothong has been a cult classic among Newtown’s restaurant scene. Seating a massive 400 people, it’s still worth booking in advance on a Friday or Saturday because of its popularity. Its traditional Thai recipes along with their impeccable service are what makes it one of the best restaurants in Newtown.

Thai Pothong

5. Atom Thai

• Known for: crispy pork belly, whole fried barramundi
• Address: 130 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 9550 5965

Another appetising Thai restaurant on the list, Atom Thai offers a different king street Newtown restaurant that’s another winner. The food here is exploding with colours, texture and tantalising flavours for a price that won’t break the bank. Plus they have a nice selection of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Try the crispy pork belly or red duck with lychees and cherry tomatoes.

Atom Thai

6. Rosso Antico Pizza Bar

• Known for: gnocchi, Tartufo truffle pizza
• Address: 2/52-60 Enmore Road, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 8065 4224

The perfect Newtown restaurant when you’re on the hunt for a bit of grub from the old country is Rosso Antico Pizza Bar. The choice in woodfire pizzas is a thing to behold but they don’t just serve pizza, there are delicious pasta dishes like gnocchi Sorrentino, spaghetti cozze with mussels ad antipasti like fried calamari with lemon and aioli, arancini and more. If you are a fan of carbs, Rosso Antico Pizza Bar is the best Newtown restaurant for you.

Rosso Antico Pizza Bar

7. La Favola

• Known for: squid ink pasta, carpaccio, gnocci ragu
• Address: 170 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 02 8021 0002

When trying to find somewhere to eat in Newtown, La Favola is a well-established and much-loved part of the King Street food scene. Their signature dishes are some of the best Italian you can get, but you can also create your own concoction of pasta and sauce from rigatoni, gnocchi and Fettucine with sauces like carbonara, Dal Mare (octopus, prawns and chilli) and Ragu Napoletano.

La Favola

8. Belly Bao

• Known for: soft shell crab, Gaytime bao, pork belly bao
• Address: 184 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 0402 826 907

For Bao heaven, look no further than Belly Bao on King Street. This Newtown restaurant has all the bao buns you could ever want with tasty fillings like the melt in your mouth slow-braised pork belly bao or the soft shell crab bao with watercress and truffle aioli. The bao’s aren’t just savoury though, for dessert try the Gaytime bao with golden fried house-made bao, classic golden Gaytime ice cream, banana and salted caramel.

Belly Bao

9. Alba Salentinian Restaurant

• Known for: octopus, gnocci, eggplant parmigiana
• Address: 304-308 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: +61 0452 564 625

Alba Salentinian Restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Newtown if you’re after authentic southern Italian cuisine. It’s relatively new on the scene, opening up last August but has already garnered a lot of attention for its home cook style dishes from Italy’s Puglia region. The octopus “purpu a pignata” is a real stand out with overnight marinated octopus cooked in pignata, red wine and tomatoes.

Alba Salentinian Restaurant

10. Gigi Pizzeria

• Known for: patate pizza, marinara tradizionale
• Address: 379 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: (02) 9557 2224

Craving authentic Neapolitan pizza but want to keep it plant-based? Look no further than Gigi’s Pizzeria in Newtown. Founded by Marco and Daniela Matino, this spot isn’t just about genuine Italian flair—it’s also 100% vegan! As a certified member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), Gigi’s delivers wood-fired pizzas made with hand-stretched dough and classic vegan toppings, all in line with strict Napoli traditions. It’s a taste of Italy that’s both authentic and kind to the planet.

11. Maiz Mexican Street Food

• Known for: tostadas, mole
• Address: 33 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: (02) 9557 2224

Looking for Mexican food that goes beyond the usual tacos and burritos? Maiz Mexican Street Food in Newtown is your spot. Known for its all-day brunch and a menu that celebrates the unsung heroes of Mexican street food—think sopes, tlacoyos, chilaquiles, and more. Fancy wild-caught sardines on blue corn flatbread, or how about a beef brisket roll jazzed up with scrambled eggs and pico de gallo? It’s a fiesta of flavours that’s perfect for the adventurous foodie.

12. Odd Culture Newtown

• Known for: Chicken liver pâté, beer bread
• Address: 266 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
• Phone: 0466 077 804

For a cosy spot with a culinary twist, swing by Odd Culture in Newtown. Brought to you by the folks behind The Old Fitz and The Duke of Enmore, this relaxed yet stylish venue perfectly blends pub vibes with fine dining. The kitchen serves up a mix of French and Japanese flavours that are nothing short of a taste explosion. From chicken liver pate with fish sauce caramel to koji roasted chicken, it’s comfort food with a gourmet edge. Perfect for foodies and casual diners alike.

Best Newtown Restaurants Honourable Mentions

Already made your way through the main list? These three spots also deserve a shout. Each one’s got a loyal following, a strong sense of personality, and a menu that sticks with you long after the bill’s paid.

Cafe Paci – 131 King St, Newtown

The menu at Cafe Paci changes regularly, but think meals like think ox tongue tacos, warm molasses bread, and desserts like carrot sorbet on liquorice cake (sounds odd, tastes incredible). Chef Pasi Petänen blends influences from Finland, Italy and Australia into something seriously special. It’s stylish but never snobby, and the wine list holds its own.

• Go for: a memorable dinner with someone who’s into food.
• When: Dinner Mon–Sat, lunch Sat.
• Hot tip: Book ahead – it fills up fast.

Westwood Pizza – 245 Australia St, Newtown

A small space with big flavours (it might just be the best pizza in Sydney?) Westwood keeps things simple but nails every detail with woodfired crusts, local flour, and creative toppings like smoked eel, spanner crab or the cult-fave garlic and honey pizza. It’s a tiny restaurant, so expect a wait or grab it to-go and eat it in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.

• Go for: Next-level pizza
• When: Wed–Sun from 5pm (closed Mon–Tues).
• Hot tip: BYO wine only.

Ante – 146 King St, Newtown

A moody little sake bar that feels like a Tokyo jazz den. Think a killer sake list, Japanese-style cocktails, and snacks like potato mochi and katsu sandwiches. The vinyl soundtrack and dim lighting seal the deal. Definitely rates as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney!

• Go for: pre-dinner drinks, date nights, or a low-key hang.
• When: Thurs–Fri from 5pm, Sat–Sun from 12pm.
• Hot tip: No bookings, so head in early to secure a spot without the wait.

How We Chose This List

With an editorial team full of foodies, Man of Many has had the unique opportunity to directly sample and experience the best restaurants in Newtown. Our list is primarily based on experience, in-depth research and customer reviews of these venues. It’s our job to guide readers between competing products and services. For this article, we’ve provided our independent opinion in formulating these selections. Our editors have taken into account food, price, quality and atmosphere. You can read our review policy on how we maintain our independence in our editorial lists.

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