The Newcastle of today is a far cry from where it was a decade ago, showcasing a blend of coastal influences, diverse flavours, and for many, a commitment to local produce. With an emphasis on sustainability, innovative concepts, and the revival of industrial spaces into trendy dining establishments, Newcastle’s hospitality scene has proven to be the little city that could. No longer should we be comparing the Steel City to the likes of Sydney and Melbourne. With the proliferation of stylish bars, diners and distilleries, Newcastle has truly come into its own and it’s well time for a trip up the M1.

Pork Ewe Deli showcases a range of gourmet meats and artisanal cheeses, sourced from all around the world, as well as down the road. With a focus on quality and flavour, Pork Ewe Deli offers a selection of charcuterie, DIY hampers, and plenty of local plonk. 144 Maitland Road, Mayfield; porkewe.com.au.

Tiny in stature and big on character, Arno Deli is all about bringing a taste of Italy to Newcastle. During the day, the deli serves loaded panini, excellent coffee and a range of Italian sweets. Come night time, the pint-sized space is transformed into a wine bar that wouldn’t be out of place in an alley in Rome, serving snacks made for boozing with. 181 King Street, Newcastle; arnodeli.com.au.

‘The Eddy’ sits in a former laundromat and is an expansive culture-clash that pays homage to Newcastle’s industrial past. Part restaurant, part beer garden, part music venue and vinyl shop, the Edwards is whatever you want it to be, with a menu to reflect. Argentinian, Japanese, Cantonese, Greek and Korean influences all meet in harmony on the plates here to great effect. Local beers and natural wine dominate the drinks list with a few simple cocktails thrown in for good measure. 148 Parry Street, Newcastle West; theedwards.com.au.

You’ve probably heard of The Flotilla. If not, you should. The space is effortlessly cool, with generous tan banquette seating dominating one side of the venue, the kitchen bar front and centre, staccatoed by a wrought iron spiral staircase. Smoked bone marrow, pine mushrooms, local wagyu beef and gnocchi fritto spiked with anchovies flex the culinary muscles of the young team of cooks in the kitchen. Watch this space too; rumour has it that an overflow wine bar is under construction right next door. 9 Albert Street, Wickham; theflotilla.com.au.

Mike Portley and Stephanie Wells have collectively worked at some of Australia’s most popular restaurants, from Africola in Adelaide, Black Star Pastry, Porteno, Bodega in Sydney, and in Newcastle, Subo and The Edwards. This kind of pedigree really shows on the plate at Humbug. Throw in Wells’ former life as an event stylist and now, sommelier, and the partnership is all but guaranteed to show a good time. Often labelled as a pasta bar, the dishes here might call Italy home but the passport is well stamped. Scallop and prawn dumpling in a pool of XO butter to start, campanelle with pork and fennel ragu to finish. Put yourself in the hands of Wells for a glass of the ever rotating wine list, then rinse and repeat. 87-89 Hunter Street, Newcastle; humbugnewcastle.com.au.

Bringing a taste of California-Mexican to Newcastle, Antojitos is as much about tacos as it is about fun. Born and raised in Watsonville, California, co-owner Eric Flores spent most of his life in a coastal farming and surf town, rich in Mexican culture. Lowriders and family barbecues left an indelible mark on Flores and after establishing a market stall in Newcastle in 2014, he’s been sharing that part of himself with equally eager taco fanatics. Corn tortillas and tacos are made in-house and topped with the usual suspects; carnitas, pollo, suadero, Baja fish, fajita and the vegan-friendly soyrizo are best washed down with house-made horchata or lemonade. 11 Steel Street, Newcastle West; antojitos.com.au.

Just a block away from Newy Beach you’ll find Lock’s Paddock, a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Charcuterie is the name of the game at the Italian-ish Spanish restaurant and the menu changes regularly to reflect the seasonal produce available. Proximity to the sea begs a hearty number of seafood dishes, from prawn gambas (garlic prawns), mussels in white wine and chilli, and scallops on the half shell with ginger spiked prawns. A watermelon Margarita to freshen you up and start again. 16 Watt Street, Newcastle; lockspaddock.com.au.

This Asian-inspired restaurant in the West End is one of a slew in the seaside Lightyears empire. With locations in Byron Bay, Burleigh Heads, Noosa and now Newcastle, the coastal vibes are strong with pastel pinks, muted lime washed walls and plenty of palms and greenery on show. A fusion of pan-Asian flavours and culinary traditions, think duck pancakes, hearty curries, ceviches and pillowy bao buns. 5-7 Darby Street, Newcastle; lightyearsasiandiner.com.au.

With its sleek and contemporary ambiance, Subo is a very swish and refined experience in Newcastle. It’s a pretty old dog as far as restaurants go, but with it’s seasonal menu changing four times a year there’s plenty of new tricks to go around. Beetroot mille feuille layered with parsnip cream, Bangalow pork with spiced prunes and cauliflower, and Sydney rock oysters with shiso ginger red wine vinaigrette should give you an idea of the veritable globe-trot that has kept locals and travellers coming back for more than a decade. 551D Hunter Street, Newcastle West; subo.com.au.

Nagisa is a renowned Japanese restaurant known for its incredible sushi and authentic Japanese dishes. With a focus on fresh seafood and traditional flavours, Nagisa is not only about beautiful and balanced, yet punchy, flavours, but also about fun. Service is as much a part of a trip to Nagisa as anything else, and who doesn’t love a good yarn with a glass of crisp Hunter white while watching the sun set? Shop 2/1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle; nagisa.com.au.

Conveniently located right next door, Âpé is the sister restaurant to Nagisa, and is all about yakitori and seriously good whisky. Dinner and a show is a must, with the yakitori grill on display while chefs deftly flip, char and smoke premium aged wagyu, locally grown oyster mushrooms and a Chilean-inspired lamb rump with vibrant chimichurri. An impressive interior is soundproofed with a wall of mushroom fibres and the space is lit by room-length stretched vinyl light fixtures. The Boardwalk, Shop 3N/1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle; apeyakitoribar.com.au.

Located in the heart of Honeysuckle, Harrisons Food and Wine is a nana-chic pint-sized eatery with unbelievably good food. Rich and sweet pâté with sourdough croutons, perfectly seasoned retro beetroot and labneh tarts, and baked scallops with a world of garlic butter are just the start of the fiercely locavore menu (with the exception of LP’s Quality Meats smoked sausage because, of course). Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week and with a rotating gallery wall of art, Harrisons is a proper restaurant for the people. 108 Tudor Street, Hamilton; harrisonsfoodandwine.com.

Elementa is one of the newest kids on the Newy block, having converted from a popular locals café into a brunch and dinner restaurant early in 2023. Hands down this has got to be one of the prettiest places to grab a bite in Newcastle, directly on the canal and with towering Morton Bay fig trees framing the view, the impressive menu could be overshadowed by the moody beach shack aesthetic. The must-order dish is Berkshire pork belly; perfectly rendered fat, crunchy crackling and bittersweet caramelised radicchio is a total showstopper. 76 The Lane, Maryville; theelementa.com.au.