Guidebook for Islington
Food Scene
For the best sourdough in town! This bakery/cafe is a must try. It's an 8-minute walk from the apartment, and is about as hipster as the city gets. The bakery is in a warehouse in Maryville, which used to be a semi-industrial suburb but has gone through a massive gentrification over the last few years.
Grab yourself a sourdough 'city loaf' or baguette for a cheese platter on the apartment balcony!
29 residents recomanen
Baked Uprising
21 Downie StFor the best sourdough in town! This bakery/cafe is a must try. It's an 8-minute walk from the apartment, and is about as hipster as the city gets. The bakery is in a warehouse in Maryville, which used to be a semi-industrial suburb but has gone through a massive gentrification over the last few years.
Grab yourself a sourdough 'city loaf' or baguette for a cheese platter on the apartment balcony!
It's fabulous fresh Thai food! And they deliver.
11 residents recomanen
Sticky Rice Thai Restaurant Wickham
116 Hannell StIt's fabulous fresh Thai food! And they deliver.
Best pub food and it's in walking distance! It's owned by the 2012 winners of "The Block", Lara and Brad.
12 residents recomanen
Maryville Tavern
71 Lewis StBest pub food and it's in walking distance! It's owned by the 2012 winners of "The Block", Lara and Brad.
Great coffee, close by. Or, even closer, check out Milford Espresso which is on the ground floor of the apartment building.
6 residents recomanen
Dark Horse Espresso
26 Greenway StGreat coffee, close by. Or, even closer, check out Milford Espresso which is on the ground floor of the apartment building.
Dumpling Story
52 Cleary StBest dumplings in Newy!
The apartment has a cafe in the building! Milford Espresso is to your right as you leave the apartment. Walk towards Annie Street and you can't miss it. It's great coffee, and doesn't get any more convenient!
Milford Street
Milford StreetThe apartment has a cafe in the building! Milford Espresso is to your right as you leave the apartment. Walk towards Annie Street and you can't miss it. It's great coffee, and doesn't get any more convenient!
Outstanding food, right by the beach! Perfect for breakfast and lunch in the city. (The duck gnocchi is the best!)
15 residents recomanen
East End Hub
3 King StreetOutstanding food, right by the beach! Perfect for breakfast and lunch in the city. (The duck gnocchi is the best!)
This is Newcastle's finest restaurant. If you don't have a booking months in advance, you may not get the opportunity to eat at this contemporary bistro. It's an intimate space, serving a five-course modern Australian set menu. Your hosts, Suze and Beau, are delightful humans that love good food!
24 residents recomanen
Subo
551D Hunter StThis is Newcastle's finest restaurant. If you don't have a booking months in advance, you may not get the opportunity to eat at this contemporary bistro. It's an intimate space, serving a five-course modern Australian set menu. Your hosts, Suze and Beau, are delightful humans that love good food!
This is one of my favourites. It serves modern Australian food in a stunning fine dining setting. The wine list is outstanding and the food is beautiful.
12 residents recomanen
Restaurant Mason
35 Hunter StThis is one of my favourites. It serves modern Australian food in a stunning fine dining setting. The wine list is outstanding and the food is beautiful.
Don't forget to slurp! This is Newcastle's first speciality ramen and gyoza joint. And it's amazing!
Susuru Ramen & Gyoza
140 King StDon't forget to slurp! This is Newcastle's first speciality ramen and gyoza joint. And it's amazing!
This place is great for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Junction is a great to place shop and eat - and this place is my pick. The food is fabulous, the setting is lovely, and the staff are friendly.
29 residents recomanen
Talulah
52 Glebe RdThis place is great for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Junction is a great to place shop and eat - and this place is my pick. The food is fabulous, the setting is lovely, and the staff are friendly.
Want to try something different? This place serves great coffee, but specialises in Macedonian food.
The Tailor's Workshop
10 Beaumont StWant to try something different? This place serves great coffee, but specialises in Macedonian food.
This grungy cafe changed the coffee scene in Newcastle around 15 years ago. It was the first to serve an excellent coffee and it set the bar very high. They roast their own beans, and has quite the cult following. The locals adore this place! (And it's walking distance from the apartment.)
19 residents recomanen
Suspension Espresso
3 Beaumont StThis grungy cafe changed the coffee scene in Newcastle around 15 years ago. It was the first to serve an excellent coffee and it set the bar very high. They roast their own beans, and has quite the cult following. The locals adore this place! (And it's walking distance from the apartment.)
This place is one of my favourites. It serves contemporary Spanish tapas, as well as Spanish wine and beer, in a fabulous warm space. Most of the staff are Spanish and do their best to make sure you have a fabulous meal and night out.
23 residents recomanen
Bocados
25 King StThis place is one of my favourites. It serves contemporary Spanish tapas, as well as Spanish wine and beer, in a fabulous warm space. Most of the staff are Spanish and do their best to make sure you have a fabulous meal and night out.
Have you ever tried Ethiopian cuisine? Then you must try Habesha, which is an ancient word stemming from a population group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. The experience starts with a hand-washing ceremony, that's customary in Ethiopia. The stews are incredibly tasty, and are served with injera - soft and spongy flat bread/pancake that soaks up the flavours of the meat and spices. It's incredibly popular so phone ahead to book one of the three sittings. (And be prepared to eat with your hands!)
7 residents recomanen
Habesha Restaurant
50 Glebe RoadHave you ever tried Ethiopian cuisine? Then you must try Habesha, which is an ancient word stemming from a population group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. The experience starts with a hand-washing ceremony, that's customary in Ethiopia. The stews are incredibly tasty, and are served with injera - soft and spongy flat bread/pancake that soaks up the flavours of the meat and spices. It's incredibly popular so phone ahead to book one of the three sittings. (And be prepared to eat with your hands!)
A little bit of Argentina in Newy! It's a South American bar and restaurant, which showcases traditional meals through the use of Latino ingredients. They host an authentic Argentinian Asado (BBQ) and live music on a Sunday. The wine list includes Australian, Argentinian and Chilean vinos. Buen provecho!
Barcito
37 Beaumont StA little bit of Argentina in Newy! It's a South American bar and restaurant, which showcases traditional meals through the use of Latino ingredients. They host an authentic Argentinian Asado (BBQ) and live music on a Sunday. The wine list includes Australian, Argentinian and Chilean vinos. Buen provecho!
Newcastle's best pizza! It follows the traditional artisan techniques used in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The oven has come all the way from Naples, the dough is made from Neapolitan flour, and the tomatoes for the pizza sauce have come from San Marzano near Mount Vesuvius. These guys take making pizza very seriously! And you can taste the difference.
21 residents recomanen
Napoli Centrale Pizza Bar
173 King StNewcastle's best pizza! It follows the traditional artisan techniques used in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The oven has come all the way from Naples, the dough is made from Neapolitan flour, and the tomatoes for the pizza sauce have come from San Marzano near Mount Vesuvius. These guys take making pizza very seriously! And you can taste the difference.
The best pub food in Newcastle! This old corner pub has been renovated and reinvigorated, and is now home to the best steak in town.
26 residents recomanen
Burwood Inn's Restaurant
77 Berner StThe best pub food in Newcastle! This old corner pub has been renovated and reinvigorated, and is now home to the best steak in town.
This is a beautiful cafe that looks over Throsby Creek. Locals and their dogs love this spot. Take a walk along the water and down towards the marina and yacht club.
6 residents recomanen
The Source Cafe
76 The LnThis is a beautiful cafe that looks over Throsby Creek. Locals and their dogs love this spot. Take a walk along the water and down towards the marina and yacht club.
Another fabulous venue with a view of Newcastle Beach. Meaning 'rural' in Italian, Rustica was inspired by the social style of Mediterranean dining and the spice of North African cuisine.
45 residents recomanen
Rustica Newcastle Beach
1 King StAnother fabulous venue with a view of Newcastle Beach. Meaning 'rural' in Italian, Rustica was inspired by the social style of Mediterranean dining and the spice of North African cuisine.
Now found at 11 Steel St, Newcastle West, it's authentic Mexican street food in a warehouse style space. The best Mexican Newcastle has to offer!
19 residents recomanen
{antojitos}
11 Steel StNow found at 11 Steel St, Newcastle West, it's authentic Mexican street food in a warehouse style space. The best Mexican Newcastle has to offer!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great beer garden, fabulous live music, and it's in walking distance. It's a family-friendly pub!
8 residents recomanen
The Wickham Park Hotel
61 Maitland RdGreat beer garden, fabulous live music, and it's in walking distance. It's a family-friendly pub!
Another great local pub in walking distance. The food isn't bad either.
6 residents recomanen
The Albion Hotel
72 Hannell StAnother great local pub in walking distance. The food isn't bad either.
My favourite place to drink on Beaumont Street. And it's a short stumble home.
14 residents recomanen
The Blind Monk
76 Beaumont StMy favourite place to drink on Beaumont Street. And it's a short stumble home.
Highly recommended! This place boasts beautiful views of the marina. Watch the fishermen bring in their catch or the local yachties set off while you have a drink. (This is one of my favourite spots in walking distance from the apartment.)
9 residents recomanen
Yachting Directions
Highly recommended! This place boasts beautiful views of the marina. Watch the fishermen bring in their catch or the local yachties set off while you have a drink. (This is one of my favourite spots in walking distance from the apartment.)
Have a drink overlooking the east coast of Australia! This place boasts the best views while having a drink or a bar snack. As you walk in the front door, there's a bar on the left and a restaurant on the right. The food at the restaurant is stunning and so is the view! If you want to impress someone from out of town, this is the place to go!
107 residents recomanen
Merewether Surfhouse
5 Henderson ParadeHave a drink overlooking the east coast of Australia! This place boasts the best views while having a drink or a bar snack. As you walk in the front door, there's a bar on the left and a restaurant on the right. The food at the restaurant is stunning and so is the view! If you want to impress someone from out of town, this is the place to go!
Reserve is a beautiful wine bar in a heritage-listed former bank building. The wine list will blow your mind, and the food is incredible. Perfect for a romantic night out in the city.
11 residents recomanen
Reserve
102 Hunter StReserve is a beautiful wine bar in a heritage-listed former bank building. The wine list will blow your mind, and the food is incredible. Perfect for a romantic night out in the city.
This is one of Newcastle's best places to drink. It's a "speakeasy" with warm decor, outstanding cocktails, and excellent cheese/charcuterie plates to share. Definitely give this place a visit!
37 residents recomanen
Coal & Cedar
382 Hunter StThis is one of Newcastle's best places to drink. It's a "speakeasy" with warm decor, outstanding cocktails, and excellent cheese/charcuterie plates to share. Definitely give this place a visit!
This secret bar is becoming less and less of a secret. Hidden behind a fake shopfront (at 555 Hunter Street), it's dark and cosy, and perfect for a quiet drink. The cocktail list is outstanding, the staff are lovely, and you won't want to leave...
10 residents recomanen
The Koutetsu
555 Hunter StThis secret bar is becoming less and less of a secret. Hidden behind a fake shopfront (at 555 Hunter Street), it's dark and cosy, and perfect for a quiet drink. The cocktail list is outstanding, the staff are lovely, and you won't want to leave...
Located at 5 King Street, Bar Petite was one of Newcastle's first "small bars". Its French provincial decor sets it apart, and makes it the perfect place for a quiet drink. It hosts live music most weekends, and is a great place to have a drink after a day in the east end or on the beach.
31 residents recomanen
Bar Petite
5 King StLocated at 5 King Street, Bar Petite was one of Newcastle's first "small bars". Its French provincial decor sets it apart, and makes it the perfect place for a quiet drink. It hosts live music most weekends, and is a great place to have a drink after a day in the east end or on the beach.
Found in the east end of the city, right off Hunter Street Mall, this charming bar offers great cocktails and tapas, and the staff are lovely!
18 residents recomanen
Basement on Market St
2 Market StFound in the east end of the city, right off Hunter Street Mall, this charming bar offers great cocktails and tapas, and the staff are lovely!
This bar cleverly weave's Newcastle history into its interior. It boasts quirky art, lovely cocktails and good food. Stop in here once you've finished shopping on Darby Street.
27 residents recomanen
5 Sawyers
115 Darby StThis bar cleverly weave's Newcastle history into its interior. It boasts quirky art, lovely cocktails and good food. Stop in here once you've finished shopping on Darby Street.
Watch the ships come and go on Newcastle's working harbour. This bar is built over the water, and features sky to floor windows so you can enjoy fabulous views of the harbour while sip champagne.
7 residents recomanen
Battlesticks
200 Wharf RdWatch the ships come and go on Newcastle's working harbour. This bar is built over the water, and features sky to floor windows so you can enjoy fabulous views of the harbour while sip champagne.
Keen for a nightclub? This three-level building has been turned into an industrial chic space, which hosts DJs and themed dance nights. It's the place to be late on a Friday or Saturday night.
7 residents recomanen
King Street Nightclub
15 Steel StKeen for a nightclub? This three-level building has been turned into an industrial chic space, which hosts DJs and themed dance nights. It's the place to be late on a Friday or Saturday night.
Everything is closed but you're keen to kick on? Need another drink? This nightclub is in a historic 1860s building, and boasts a range of bars, as well as DJs and live music.
6 residents recomanen
The Squire's Maiden
11 Honeysuckle DrEverything is closed but you're keen to kick on? Need another drink? This nightclub is in a historic 1860s building, and boasts a range of bars, as well as DJs and live music.
A beautiful place to have lunch on the water by day, and a great place to dance by night. It doesn't get more waterfront than this. Watch the working harbour as you have a drink, or dance to live music in the fantastic outdoor space over the water.
30 residents recomanen
Queens Wharf Hotel
150 Wharf RdA beautiful place to have lunch on the water by day, and a great place to dance by night. It doesn't get more waterfront than this. Watch the working harbour as you have a drink, or dance to live music in the fantastic outdoor space over the water.
In walking distance from the apartment, this pub is a great place to have a late night drink and a dance.
11 residents recomanen
The Kent Hotel
59 Beaumont StIn walking distance from the apartment, this pub is a great place to have a late night drink and a dance.
Beer lover? This is a must visit. This microbrewery is in a huge industrical-chic setting, and serves New York style pizza and American fare. The beer list is extensive!
35 residents recomanen
FogHorn Brewhouse
218 King StBeer lover? This is a must visit. This microbrewery is in a huge industrical-chic setting, and serves New York style pizza and American fare. The beer list is extensive!
Beer lover? This funky restored warehouse venue showcases Australian craft beer and serves American pub style food. It was built in 1885 as the grain and keg storage facility for Tooheys Brewery. There are 21 craft beers on tap - 100 per cent Australian brewed and independently owned.
45 residents recomanen
Grain Store Newcastle
64-66 Scott StBeer lover? This funky restored warehouse venue showcases Australian craft beer and serves American pub style food. It was built in 1885 as the grain and keg storage facility for Tooheys Brewery. There are 21 craft beers on tap - 100 per cent Australian brewed and independently owned.
Another great place for beer lovers. There's a wide range of craft beers and it's located on Newcastle's "eat street" - Darby Street!
12 residents recomanen
Wil & Sons
102 Darby StAnother great place for beer lovers. There's a wide range of craft beers and it's located on Newcastle's "eat street" - Darby Street!
This is a unique pub in walking distance from the apartment. It's recently been done up, and is well worth a visit. It specialises in meatballs and American style waffles! It has the best beer garden in town, and there's a play room for the kids.
10 residents recomanen
Greenroof Hotel
71 Tudor StThis is a unique pub in walking distance from the apartment. It's recently been done up, and is well worth a visit. It specialises in meatballs and American style waffles! It has the best beer garden in town, and there's a play room for the kids.
Another fabulously restored pub in the city! The industrial-chic decor is worth a look, so is the glass-covered courtyard. The pub serves Southern American style barbecue dishes. I love taking friends from out of town here. It has a very impressive courtyard!
26 residents recomanen
The Lucky Hotel
237 Hunter StAnother fabulously restored pub in the city! The industrial-chic decor is worth a look, so is the glass-covered courtyard. The pub serves Southern American style barbecue dishes. I love taking friends from out of town here. It has a very impressive courtyard!
Seasonal Mediterranean meals and fine wine in an elegant 1877 building with a decadent terrace. But, by night, it's a club with DJs and lots of dancing.
18 residents recomanen
Customs House Hotel
1 Bond StSeasonal Mediterranean meals and fine wine in an elegant 1877 building with a decadent terrace. But, by night, it's a club with DJs and lots of dancing.
This a great cafe and restaurant, with a strong focus on Australian craft beer. It offers lovely share plates, as well as a hearty breakfast.
9 residents recomanen
The Happy Wombat
575 Hunter StThis a great cafe and restaurant, with a strong focus on Australian craft beer. It offers lovely share plates, as well as a hearty breakfast.
Everything Else
This place takes 'pub food' to another level. It has a beautiful front bar, and a stunning restaurant out the back. And it's not far from home!
7 residents recomanen
Carrington Place
132 Young StThis place takes 'pub food' to another level. It has a beautiful front bar, and a stunning restaurant out the back. And it's not far from home!
These markets are fabulous! From food to artwork, plants to clothing, you'll find something you want to take home.
23 residents recomanen
The Olive Tree Market
Darby StreetThese markets are fabulous! From food to artwork, plants to clothing, you'll find something you want to take home.
Essentials
7-Eleven Wickham
184-188 Hannell StThis is the closest service station.
ALDI
11 Swan StColes Marketown
King StreetWoolworths Newcastle West
23 Steel StNina's IGA Hamilton
73 Beaumont StWestpac
51 Hunter StNAB Branch
31 Beaumont StANZ Branch Hamilton
109 Beaumont StCommonwealth Bank
113 Beaumont StGetting Around
This is the end of the heavy rail line from Sydney, and is the start of light rail into the city's east end, beaches and CBD. It's a 15-minute walk to Milford Street.
17 residents recomanen
Newcastle Interchange, Stewart Ave
This is the end of the heavy rail line from Sydney, and is the start of light rail into the city's east end, beaches and CBD. It's a 15-minute walk to Milford Street.
This is the best train station to use if you're walking to/from the apartment. It's a 10-minute walk to Milford Street.
Hamilton Station
This is the best train station to use if you're walking to/from the apartment. It's a 10-minute walk to Milford Street.
Budget Car and Truck Rental Newcastle
50 Clyde StreetDownload the BYKKO app and hire an electric bike! It's the best way to get around town at the moment, due to a lack of parking and light rail construction work.
BYKKO Electric Bike Sharing
24 Portside CresDownload the BYKKO app and hire an electric bike! It's the best way to get around town at the moment, due to a lack of parking and light rail construction work.
Keen to get around on two wheels? It's a 20-minute walk to this bike hire shop in Bellevue Street. From there, you could venture into the harbour, the city's east, and the beaches. Bicycle is the easiest way to get around at the moment, due to a lack of parking and light rail construction.
Newcastle Bike Hire
Keen to get around on two wheels? It's a 20-minute walk to this bike hire shop in Bellevue Street. From there, you could venture into the harbour, the city's east, and the beaches. Bicycle is the easiest way to get around at the moment, due to a lack of parking and light rail construction.
Arts & Culture
Founded in 1988, the museum is now located in a restored rail shed - the former headquarters of the Great Northern Railway.
Permanent exhibitions include: 'A Newcastle Story' - early Aboriginal life and the city's history; 'Fire and Earth' - coal mining and steel production; 'Supernova and Mininova' - a hands-on science centre the kids will love.
102 residents recomanen
Museu de Newcastle
6 Workshop WayFounded in 1988, the museum is now located in a restored rail shed - the former headquarters of the Great Northern Railway.
Permanent exhibitions include: 'A Newcastle Story' - early Aboriginal life and the city's history; 'Fire and Earth' - coal mining and steel production; 'Supernova and Mininova' - a hands-on science centre the kids will love.
Check the gallery's website to see what exhibition is on during your stay!
99 residents recomanen
Newcastle Art Gallery
1 Laman StCheck the gallery's website to see what exhibition is on during your stay!
This fort was used as coastal defence, but is now a museum. It was built in 1882 to defend against a possible Russian attack, but its guns didn't fire until 1942 when the city was shelled by Japanese submarines. It has beautiful views of the city and the coastline, and is well worth a visit.
103 residents recomanen
Fort Scratchley
3 Nobbys RdThis fort was used as coastal defence, but is now a museum. It was built in 1882 to defend against a possible Russian attack, but its guns didn't fire until 1942 when the city was shelled by Japanese submarines. It has beautiful views of the city and the coastline, and is well worth a visit.
This is the University of Newcastle's student art gallery. It was established in 1989 as an innovative space for students to exhibit their work.
Watt Space
20 Auckland StThis is the University of Newcastle's student art gallery. It was established in 1989 as an innovative space for students to exhibit their work.
This private gallery was established in 1975 and has become one of the country's leading commercial art galleries. It has five gallery rooms, and is in walking distance from Darby Street.
11 residents recomanen
Cooks Hill Galleries
65 Bull StThis private gallery was established in 1975 and has become one of the country's leading commercial art galleries. It has five gallery rooms, and is in walking distance from Darby Street.
This is an artist-run gallery. It's connected to a pottery studio, so it has a strong focus on ceramics.
Back to Back Galleries
57 Bull StThis is an artist-run gallery. It's connected to a pottery studio, so it has a strong focus on ceramics.
This museum is located in one of the city's most significant heritage buildings, and opened in 2007. It's a contemporary art space in what was Newcastle's police station and lock up from 1861 until it closed in 1982. The building includes a purpose-built gallery space, heritage-listed cells, and an installation space in what was the exercise yard. Check out the website to find out what's on when you visit!
14 residents recomanen
The Lock-Up
90 Hunter StThis museum is located in one of the city's most significant heritage buildings, and opened in 2007. It's a contemporary art space in what was Newcastle's police station and lock up from 1861 until it closed in 1982. The building includes a purpose-built gallery space, heritage-listed cells, and an installation space in what was the exercise yard. Check out the website to find out what's on when you visit!
Sightseeing
This stunning coastal walk is dedicated to the soldiers of World War One, and was built in time for the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. It's an engineering marvel, and boasts incredible views of the city, working harbour and coastline. I highly recommend you spend some time here!
69 residents recomanen
Newcastle Memorial Walk
24 Memorial DrThis stunning coastal walk is dedicated to the soldiers of World War One, and was built in time for the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. It's an engineering marvel, and boasts incredible views of the city, working harbour and coastline. I highly recommend you spend some time here!
Warm enough for a swim? This is a heritage-listed ocean bath - thought to be the oldest surviving European construction in the area. It was cut into the coastal rocks by convicts in 1819, and is well worth a visit (and a dip!)
69 residents recomanen
Bogey Hole
Shortland EsplanadeWarm enough for a swim? This is a heritage-listed ocean bath - thought to be the oldest surviving European construction in the area. It was cut into the coastal rocks by convicts in 1819, and is well worth a visit (and a dip!)
These ocean baths have recently had a multi-million dollar face-lift. Merewether boasts the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere. If it's warm enough, you must have a swim here!
61 residents recomanen
Merewether Ocean Bath
3a Ocean StThese ocean baths have recently had a multi-million dollar face-lift. Merewether boasts the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere. If it's warm enough, you must have a swim here!