Sydney’s trendy inner west suburb, Newtown, is a bustling amalgamation of flavour, colour and texture when it comes to its many cafes, bistros and diners. It’s a pretty nice conundrum to be in if you’re looking for a place to eat and happen to plant your feet on one of its restaurant-lined streets. Not only are you spoilt for choice with some of the best Newtown restaurants right on King Street, but you can also sample the many flavours of the world within walking distance. So get your taste buds ready and your comfy pants on.
Table of Contents
- Best Restaurants in Newtown a Glance:
- 1. Bloodwood
- 2. Continental Deli Bar Bistro
- 3. The Stinking Bishops
- 4. Thai Pothong
- 5. Hartsyard
- 6. Atom Thai
- 7. Rosso Antico Pizza Bar
- 8. La Favola
- 9. Belly Bao
- 10. Alba Salentinian Restaurant
- 11. Gigi’s Pizzeria
- 12. Maiz Mexican Street Food
- 13. Odd Culture Newtown
- How We Chose This List
- Alternatives to the Best Newtown Restaurants
- General FAQ
Best Restaurants in Newtown a Glance:
Let’s quickly break down our list, shall we?
- Best overall: Bloodwood
- Best for vegan options Newtown: Gigi’s Pizzeria
- Best cheap eats in Newtown: Atom Thai
- Best Newtown restaurant for a date: Continental Deli Bar Bistro
- Best Newtown restaurant BYO: Thai Potong
- Best for gluten-free options: Maiz Mexican Street Food
Now we’ve had a look at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list of Newtown’s best restaurants below.
1. Bloodwood
- Known for: polenta chips, scallop special, cocktails
- Address: 416 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 9557 7699
- Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-12am Sat 12pm-12am Sun 12pm-10pm
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.
2. Continental Deli Bar Bistro
- Known for: steak tartare, charcuterie,
- Address: 210 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 8624 3131
- Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-12am
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.
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
- Trading Hours: Wed-Fri 5pm-10am Sat 12pm-10pm Sun 12pm-3pm
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.
4. Thai Pothong
- Known for: betel leaf prawns, red duck curry
- Address: 294 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 9550 6277
- Trading Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-3pm 6-10.30pm Fri-Sat – 12-3pm 6-11pm Sun 12-3pm 5.30-10pm
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.
5. Hartsyard
- Known for: pork jowl, fried cheese, beef tartare
- Address: 33 Enmore Road, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 8068 1473
- Trading Hours: Wed-Thurs-Sun 6-10pm Fri-Sat 6pm-12pm
One of the best Newtown restaurants to check out next time you’re in town is Hartsyard. Its degustation menu is one of the best in town and offers sophisticated flavours with beautifully presented plates at a price that won’t make your eyes water. Zingy flavours, inventive pairings and friendly service are sure to make this one of your regulars.
6. Atom Thai
- Known for: crispy pork belly, whole fried barramundi
- Address: 130 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 9550 5965
- Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm 5.30pm-10.30pm Sat-Sun 11.30am-11pm
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.
7. Rosso Antico Pizza Bar
- Known for: gnocchi, Tartufo truffle pizza
- Address: 2/52-60 Enmore Road, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 8065 4224
- Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 6-10pm
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.
8. La Favola
- Known for: squid ink pasta, carpaccio, gnocci ragu
- Address: 170 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 02 8021 0002
- Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 5-10pm, Sat-Sun 11.30-3pm 5-10pm
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.
9. Belly Bao
- Known for: soft shell crab, Gaytime bao, pork belly bao
- Address: 184 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 0402 826 907
- Trading Hours: Tues-Thurs 5-9pm Fri 11.30-3pm 5-10pm Sat 11.30-10pm Sun 11.30-9pm
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.
10. Alba Salentinian Restaurant
- Known for: octopus, gnocci, eggplant parmigiana
- Address: 304-308 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: +61 0452 564 625
- Trading Hours: Mon-Thurs 5-10pm Fri-Sat 12-11pm Sun 12-10pm
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.
11. Gigi’s Pizzeria
- Known for: patate pizza, marinara tradizionale
- Address: 379 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: (02) 9557 2224
- Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 5-9.30pm, Sat-Sun 12-9.30pm
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.
12. Maiz Mexican Street Food
- Known for: tostadas, mole
- Address: 415 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: (02) 9557 2224
- Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 5-9.30pm, Sat-Sun 12-9.30pm
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.
13. Odd Culture Newtown
- Known for: Chicken liver pâté, beer bread
- Address: 266 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
- Phone: 0466 077 804
- Trading Hours: Tues-Wed 4pm-11pm, Thurs-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-10pm
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 flavors 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.
How We Chose This List
Using a mix of first-hand experience and online reviews, we’ve rated these Newtown restaurants based on food and drink offerings, price, ambience, and value. Our comprehensive list aims to guide you to the best restaurants Newtown has to offer.
Alternatives to the Best Newtown Restaurants
Looking for something a little different in the Sydney food and drinks scenes? We’ve got you covered with our below lists:
- Best Breweries in Sydney
- 30+ Best Pubs in Sydney for Food, Beer & Events!
- Sydney’s Best Vegan Restaurants
- Sydney’s Coolest Restaurants
- Best BYO Restaurants in Sydney
General FAQ
Newtown is a vibrant, multicultural hub. While you'll find the staple pub restaurants, the inner-city suburb has a wealth of South-East Asian and vegetarian options, in particular, Thai and Southern Indian.
While the pub meals you can score in Newtown are standard prices, many of the smaller diners and vegetarian restaurants are among the cheapest east in the Inner West. You can expect to pay between $15-20 for a main.
Check out some of the restaurants for a bite to eat, visit the Newtown Garden Market, play a game of mini-golf at Holey Moley Golf Club or visit Young Henry's Brewery for a pint.
