Woolloomooloo Wharf
Photograph: Chris Ting

Woolloomooloo area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in Woolloomooloo
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The suburb that gives everyone pause (when they're trying to spell it) is one of Sydney's most dramatically gentrified – at least around the Finger Wharf (probably the coolest apartment block in the whole of Australia) on which you'll find look-at-me hotspots like Ovolo Hotel, OttoChina Doll and Aki's.

Bordered by the DomainKings Cross and Potts Point, the harbourside suburb is home to a real grabbag of Sydney landmarks, including the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Garden Island Naval Base and the Matthew Talbot Hostel, the largest hostel for homeless men in the Southern Hemisphere.

Woolloomooloo highlights

The best restaurants in Woolloomooloo

Sambousek Parramatta
Restaurants

Sambousek Parramatta

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Sambousek is an excellent Lebanese street food spot on Parramatta's main eating strip
Mode Kitchen and Bar
Restaurants

Mode Kitchen and Bar

  • price 2 of 4
This CBD eatery dishes up luxe lunches for busy city-goers by day and seasonal grilled meats by night
Neptune’s Grotto
Restaurants

Neptune’s Grotto

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
An underground cave in Sydney’s CBD is now home to a rollicking, candlelit Italian-themed party – and one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants
Eleven Barrack
Restaurants

Eleven Barrack

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This classy steak and seafood grill comes with loads of surprise factor
The Duke of Clarence
Bars

The Duke of Clarence

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Things are getting very British in Sydney’s den of bar excellence
Pellegrino 2000
Restaurants

Pellegrino 2000

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
This cracking Surry Hills Italian from the Bistrot 916 team has amped-up trattoria classics that will stay with you long after you've said arrivederci
Bessie's
Restaurants

Bessie's

  • 5 out of 5 stars
The Bar Copains team are behind this flame-powered Mediterranean diner – where excellent snacks, sips and vibes come together like one big warehouse party
Olympic Meats
Restaurants

Olympic Meats

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Everything’s made in-house at Marrickville’s delicious new BYO Greek eatery – and nothing costs over $21. But you may need to wait

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

The Ternary
Bars

The Ternary

Experience bold flavours, stunning views, and private dining at this waterside Darling Harbour restaurant and bar
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Guildford Hotel
Bars

Guildford Hotel

  • 4 out of 5 stars
The Guildford Hotel has been the neighbourhood's only pub for almost 100 years – now it's had a community-focused glow-up
The Duke of Clarence
Bars

The Duke of Clarence

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Things are getting very British in Sydney’s den of bar excellence
The Old Fitzroy Hotel
Bars

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Woolloomooloo’s historic pub has cracking food, its very own theatre and more character than you can poke a stick at rolled into one grand old time

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

One Playground Merrylands
Sport and fitness

One Playground Merrylands

  • 5 out of 5 stars
One Playground's first Western Sydney gym might just be their best facility yet
Pleasure Club
Music

Pleasure Club

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
With nostalgic cocktails and rollicking live performances every night, you can escape reality at Newtown’s purple-hued basement bar (well, until 4am at least)

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Bubble Planet
Things to do

Bubble Planet

A super immersive, super Instagrammable experience has just landed in Sydney after sell-out runs in London and beyond
Sydney Olympic Park
Darlo Night Markets
Shopping

Darlo Night Markets

Sydney's trendy Inner City suburb is hosting a free monthly night market with vintage fashion and tasty street food
Darlinghurst
World Press Photo
Art

World Press Photo

The international photography sensation is back at the State Library for its biggest year yet
Sydney
MJ the Musical
Theatre

MJ the Musical

  • 3 out of 5 stars
Broadway's Michael Jackson tribute has landed on the Sydney stage, but can the spectacle distract from the discomfort?
Darling Harbour
Heartland Festival
Things to do

Heartland Festival

This two-week-long celebration of Sydney's heartland features a handpicked program of more than 50 artists
Parramatta
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Creative Toolbox Symposium
Things to do

Creative Toolbox Symposium

Connect with creatives at this three-day event with more than 25 expert-led sessions to supercharge your arts career
Marrickville
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The Spare Room
Theatre

The Spare Room

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Eamon Flack brings Helen Garner’s much-loved novel to the stage in an emotive and evocative performance that will envelop you in its quiet intensity
Surry Hills
Greenwood Snow Festival
Things to do

Greenwood Snow Festival

North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel is shipping in 50 tonnes of real snow for this big wintery festival
North Sydney