The royal family of Sydney's Inner West food and drink scene reveal the crown jewels of their beloved town.
Here’s where local legends Oscar McMahon of Young Henrys, Lou Dowling from P&V Merchants and Kenny Graham of the Mary’s empire suggest you go in Newtown if you know what’s good for you.
Oscar McMahon, Young Henrys
“Newtown is a vibrant, bustling little melting pot of eclectic cultures that a weird and wonderful variety of people (your humble author included) have chosen as their home. Since my first day at Newtown High as a bright eyed 12 year old, Newtown has been blowing my mind and changing my life. This community has more than just geographical circumstance in common, moreso a like mindedness or set of shared values; people are open minded and hungry, people are excited by culture and late nights, people care about and will stand up for their community whilst also welcoming any interested newcomers to it with open arms. For those who haven’t taken a stroll down King st before, here are a few of my favourites for your first foray into Newtown’s food and drink scene”.
Bloodwood
“Located on the southern end of King St this little terrace style restaurant has been a cornerstone of the Newtown hospitality scene for over 10 years. The menu is an ever changing array of dishes designed to be shared. The cuisine? I think it’s best described simply as ‘Bloodwood-food’ as owners Claire and Mitch have, over the years, created a signature style using influence, ideas and ingredients from all over the world. This small restaurant also boasts an incredible wine and beer list that belies it’s size.”
Rising Sun Workshop
“Rising Sun is many things to many people; it’s a membership style motorcycle workshop, it’s a cafe, it’s an incredible event space in a beautifully converted warehouse and it’s a hatted restaurant. But that doesn’t mean it’s expensive… The RS crew will sling you the best $20 bowl of Ramen you’ve ever had for breakfast or lunch (while stock lasts folks) and an awesome Japanese inspired tapas menu at night matched with top quality Sakes, natural wine and craft beer.”
Emma’s Snack Bar
“Down in the back streets is a little locals favourite called Emma’s. This is fun, casual Lebanese dining at it’s best. Be ready to sit on stools, be close to the table next to you and to need to loosen your belt at the end of the evening. For first timers I would suggest the banquet as there is just so many great dishes to try. If that sounds like too much food then choose your own adventure but do not leave without trying the Moorish Chicken (lovingly renamed ‘Crack Chicken’ by locals). Emma’s is licensed but also allows byo wine (P&V or Cittavino are just around the corner for some excellent wine choices!)”
The Continental Deli
“When I was younger I would watch Rick Stein dropping into French bistros or Spanish tapas bars and wonder why we didn’t have anything like that in Sydney. Thankfully someone else was thinking that too and voila, we have the Continental Deli! You want a canned Martini, a slice of stinky French cheese with some Ortiz anchovies at 3pm on a saturday afternoon? Well you will probably see me there too friend. Chef Jesse W slings out a range of incredible bistro classics for lunch and dinner whilst mikey and the bar crew dole out banter and high end drinks in a buzzy little deli come bar”.
Mary’s
Ok, bare with me here… this place is dark and foreboding like something from a Robert Rodrigeuz film, there is graffiti and profanity scrawled (lovingly) on every single surface, it’s busy (be ready to line up, even if you know Jake & Kenny) and it’s loud. Like… loud. And asking for the music to be turned down whilst you enjoy your dinner may introduce you to the concept that, in some places, the customer isn’t always right. So why should you enter this den of iniquity? Because the burgers are THAT GOOD. And because it’s fun. Mary’s is a place where a bunch of people who don’t take themselves too seriously go to eat, drink and be merry. It’s wild, it’s quality and it’s incredible. This one may not be for everyone, but it sure is for me.
Lou Dowling, P&V Merchants
The Grifter Brewing Co
Great atmosphere, take ya puppy dog and try all the beers!
Little Turtle
Really good vegan Thai food, BYO
Rolling Penny
Great coffee, delicious breakfast food, good Gluten free bread. Super friendly staff
The Carlisle Castle
Great old pub bar to sit up at and either have a schooie of Reschs or try one of the rotating tap of craft beers. Good place to play pool (free on Tuesdays!)
Fiji Market
For the person who loves cooking at home! You can buy every kind of spice in either small or large quantities, want 300g or 3kg of Gram Masala?! Also pick up some kind of weird can of soft drink while you are at it. (Not sure if this one can count but it is the best place and any ‘foodie’ would love it.)
Kenny Graham, Mary’s, The Lansdowne Hotel, Mary’s Pizzeria
Bloodwood
One of the first restaurants to raise the bar of dining along King St and a living legend to this day. Claire and Mitch have consistently made delicious food and engaged with the Newtown community that supports them. A blueprint for anyone looking to open a restaurant.
Great Aunty 3
We were perhaps a little late to the party on this one! Since moving into our office above P&V, we have made this a definitive “go to” for lunch. The 12 hour roast pork rice bowl is on fucking speed dial!
Young Henrys
Our brothers in arm. This lot of beer making rat bags started a little before we opened Mary’s and we blew the trumpet for each other real hard from those early days. I remember we told Oscar in about week 2 that as soon as we had ran out of one of the beers we had on that we would put Newtowner on, at which point he proceeded to order 12 pints of that beer we were going to drop, we all got wasted and the rest is beautiful Newtown history! A special mention to YHs relentless support for the Newtown community.
Rising Sun Workshop
These beautiful people set up shop at the end of Mary Street for the first incarnation and we were an ear to bend and source of beer and whiskey as they navigated their way into their current space. The ramen is mad, the coffee is extra mad and they can lend you a spot to fix your much loved motorbike too! Another restaurant that is a true bastion of their community.
Rose Sunrise Roll
Every neighbourhood needs a banging banh mi and this is our pick for Newtown! Delicious and to the point, what more do you need?!
Comments
Join the conversation
Log in Register