Bursting at the seams with places to eat and things to do, Newcastle is where the beach is on your doorstep, and the bustle of the city is in your backyard. Take a short drive, and you’ll also find yourself in the acclaimed Hunter Valley wine region.

Breakfast

You can’t beat café-packed Darby Street for some of the best meals in the city. The Three Monkeys Cafe is renowned for its Snickers smoothie and generous breakfast menu, while Core Espresso is perfect for those in need of wholesome food and coffee. To escape the busy Darby Street, try The Edwards, set within a beautiful space in Newcastle West, complete with a wood-fired oven that’s perfect for a winter breakfast with sweet, savoury and vegetarian options available. You can also take your laundry here, thanks to the in-house launderette. In Newcastle East, Scotties serves up some of the best coffee in town that’s best followed up with a short stroll down to the beach for a dip.

Lunch

A newcomer to the food scene and in the heart of Newcastle’s west is Antojitos, a Mexican eatery perfect for the casual BYO Sunday-sesh. The fish tacos are a must and perfect for kicking off drinks! All corn chips and tortillas are made in-house, and the menu leans towards fresh and light offerings. For a beachfront setting, there’s Estabar, which is perfect for taking in the coastal views and brunch style options. Parry St Garage is ideal for a long lunch and wines by the bottle. You can also book ahead;  meaning it’s perfect for those in big groups or wanting to make sure they can get a table.

Dinner

The new menu at Reserve Wine Bar with its Mediterranean-style share plates make it a popular favourite with a loyal following. Fortunate Son is another favourite among locals while fine-diner Subo offers a 5-course seasonal set menu for $90. If you’re after something more casual, Bronx Pizza on Darby Street has some great American beers on tap and crisp-base pizzas to boot!

Pre-dinner or post-dinner drinks

Battlesticks bar is the ideal setting for champagne and has one of the best vantage points to watch the sun set over the harbour. For some of the best cocktails in Newcastle, head to Coal & Cedar, that also offers cocktail and whisky masterclasses. The Basement on Market St is great for relaxed street-side drinks and a light meal, while afternoon drinks on the rooftop of 529 The Terrace never disappoints.

The Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is worth a full day out. If you’re after a dining experience like no other, choose between a 5- or 8-course degustation at EXP. Restaurant by chef Frank Fawkner. You can also grab some Oakvale Wines and Fawk Foods black garlic paste to go, which makes a great hamper for any food lover. Dark Horse Vineyard cellar door makes for a memorable wine tasting with an equestrian-inspired décor. For something a little different, why not taste some of the artisan chocolates available from local chocolatiers Cocoa Nib at Keith Tulloch Wines. For breathtaking gardens and heritage convent buildings to match (as seen recently on the reality television show Farmer Wants A Wife), a walk around Circa 1876 is a must. If you plan on spending the night in the area, be sure to start the next day with a Champagne breakfast at Peterson House.

Things that don’t involve eating

Granted, you can’t spend all your time trying all of the fantastic food and wine this area has to offer, no matter how much you might want to. So why not take a walk to Nobby’s Head lighthouse while enjoying second-to-none views of the city and ocean, or do the Newcastle Memorial Walk, a 450m track that takes you from Bar Beach to Strzelecki Lookout, along coastal cliff tops. Follow your walk with a swim in the Newcastle Ocean Baths and a spot of shopping through the streets of Cooks Hill and Darby Street for quirky gifts, clothes and antiques. The Newcastle City Farmers Market is a must and is held at various times throughout the year. For local boutique artisans, you can’t beat a visit to The Emporium.

Accommodation

Spent all your money on food and wine? We know the feeling. So for cheaper accommodation, you can’t beat the Newcastle Beach Hotel. You’re lucky if you can get ocean views, but a practical (albeit dated) room does the job nicely.

The Crowne Plaza Newcastle, which overlooks Newcastle Harbour, is always a favourite, situated perfectly to offer you the best of Newcastle right outside your door.