A guide to Newtown: Sydney's coolest neighbourhood

To see where the cool kids hang out in Sydney, look no further than the creative neighbourhoods of Inner West—especially Newtown. Once the heart of Sydney’s counterculture and the meeting place of misfits, Newtown has transformed into a trendy enclave brimming with local design houses, eclectic vintage shops, and buzzing late-night pubs, bars, and performance venues. It won’t take long to experience the grungy and boho vibes that draw perennial crowds of young students, creative types, and alternative folks to its streets.

Start along its main artery King Street, then follow the colourful, graffiti-clad laneways to the surrounding suburbs of Stanmore, Enmore, and Camperdown. Need recs on where to go? We’ve compiled a list of the top spots to eat and drink, things to do, and places to stay in Newtown.

Like most of Sydney’s eat streets, this suburb offers its fair share of cool coffee shops, Asian eateries, and mod-Australian restaurants. But plant-based eateries, along with imaginative cafe and bar concepts are where it truly shines.

Golden Lotus Vegan - This plant-based Vietnamese spot kicks off Newtown’s vegan mile on King Street. Chef David Nguyen stays true to traditional Saigonese flavours, as their signature Southern-style pho made with a 10-hour broth will show—but you’ll also see other Southeast Asian dishes on their menu like laksa and satay.

Gigi’s Pizzeria - If you’ve been missing a good, ol’ fashioned pizza since turning vegan, Gigi’s is your answer. Despite going plant-based in 2015, they remain a member of the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, serving authentic Napoli wood-fired pizzas made with hand-stretched dough and Italian ingredients.

Calle Rey - Mixing Mexican, Peruvian, and Japanese flavours, this fusion restaurant is all about putting the fun back into vegan food. You’ll find innovative dishes like eggplant tonkatsu tacos and sushi rolls with aji amarillo (Peruvian yellow chilli peppers)—best paired with a plant-based drink from their in-house Pisco bar.

Black Star Pastry - You’d never guess from its Radiohead-inspired name that this cafe is the creator of Sydney’s internet-viral Strawberry Watermelon Cake. The delicate and whimsical dessert has since made its way around the world, but what better place to try it than at its original location in Newtown? (Though now at a bigger, better, and busier spot on King Street.)

Mapo Newtown - Architect-turned-gelatiere Matteo Pochintesta brings a purist approach to Sydney’s gelato game, having trained under master gelato makers in Milan. You can expect Italian classics like ​​fior di latte, including vegan-friendly and seasonal fruit flavours, made fresh with only the best local ingredients.

Rising Sun Workshop - Nothing screams Newtown more than a ramen bar in a motorcycle workshop. Sit on the mezzanine with a bowl of breakfast ramen—complete with bacon, eggs, and buttered toast broth—while watching the motorheads crank away on their bikes.

The Stinking Bishops - While it’s named after one of the smelliest cheeses, this local favourite is anything but an acquired taste. There’s something for everyone here. We’re talking about over 60 varieties of local and imported cheeses, wine pairings, charcuterie boards, and even cooked dishes like pasta and porchetta.

Young Henrys - This local craft brewery is one of Newtown’s best exports. Sample core-range beers like the Newtowner in their art-filled tasting bar, and check back for seasonal collabs with the world’s coolest brands. Here’s a tip: Visit on Saturday when their brewery is open for tours.

Mountain Goat Newtown - Originally from Melbourne, this brewpub has found its second home in a former furniture store, right in the heart of Newtown. There are 12 beers on tap and a menu of pub classics like schnitzels and burgers to choose from. Plus, the arcade games and spacious interiors are great for families with kids. Fur kids included.

Earl’s Juke Joint - Hidden behind the facade of an old meat shop is this New Orleans-inspired cocktail bar. Step into the juke joints of the prohibition era, and enjoy a bourbon-forward cocktail to bluesy tunes and syncopated backbeats.

Mary’s - With its graffiti-strewn walls and netherworldly interiors, you either love or hate this dive bar—there’s no in-between. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, they serve up a devilishly good burger. This Sydney institution uses only premium Australian grass-fed beef paired with natural wines and local beers on tap.

In a suburb that lives by the slogan “Keep Newtown Weird”, rest assured you’ll never run out of quirky things to do. Shop for secondhand vinyls and books, get a new piercing, or just hang with the locals over an afternoon bevvy at the Camperdown Memorial Park.

Newtown’s main street is splashed with impressive artworks, like the hard-to-miss I Have A Dream mural, famously featured in Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars music video. Find them all on a street art tour, or simply stumble upon hidden artworks as you explore the suburb’s back streets and alleyways.

Route 66 - Inspired by their travels in America, couple Tina Lowe and Ross Waddington decided to start a vintage clothing store to share their love for Western culture. Now in their new home in Enmore, you’ll be able to shop for cowboy boots, fringed jackets, Western hats and shirts, and other rockabilly vintage gems.

The Wilde Merchant - This vintage store is one of the more posher spots in Newtown, focusing on quality workwear and military-style clothing from Japan and the United States. They’ve got new drops every week so you can look forward to something new every visit.

UTURN Newtown Vintage - If you’re on a budget, this op shop franchise is one that Sydneysiders can rely on for quality and affordable secondhand clothing. After browsing their vintage store on 305 King Street, don’t forget to check out their contemporary outlet a couple doors down, featuring a more curated selection of branded goods.

Gould’s Book Arcade - This iconic family-owned book emporium has been peddling books to left-wing Newtowners and uni kids since 1967. Though it has since moved to a smaller location on the corner of King Street, you’ll still find shelves upon shelves of fascinating and obscure books, jam-packed to the ceiling.

Better Read Than Dead - This indie bookstore is all about supporting the local literary community, holding regular events in their two-storey space. You can spend hours browsing their curated selection of books, or just ask the staff for their top recs.

Egg Records - As the Inner West continues to cement itself as a crate-digger’s paradise, you can’t forget one of its mainstays. This iconic brand houses one of the largest collections of vinyls in its Newtown flagship, with a good selection of both new reissues and represses, and secondhand titles.

Repressed Records - Punk is not dead at this indie record store, which specialises in underground rock music and local artists. But if rock’s not your thing, you might find some niche Japanese pop or anime soundtracks amid the meticulously-organised shelves.

Enmore Theatre - This spot’s more than just a spiffy retro facade. Welcome to Sydney’s longest-running theatre, a cultural cornerstone that has played host to thousands of international musical acts and comedians since 1912. Check out their events calendar to see who’s on while you’re in town.

The Duke of Enmore - Located just a few steps away from Enmore Theatre, The Duke has been the unofficial pre and post-drink spot for gigs amongst locals. They have a roster of local acts playing nightly till late, plus regular live band karaoke if you want to rock out yourself.

The Vanguard - This intimate multi-purpose live music venue is a revolving door for a mixed bag of alternative acts, from tribute bands and jazz maestros to drag balls and burlesque shows. You’ll have to follow them to see what you’re gonna get. The best part? There’s an in-house restaurant and bar so your food for the night is sorted.

This lively estate offers plenty of boutique and budget options for you to immerse yourself in the area’s youthful energy and neighbourly atmosphere. The Urban Newtown and its industrial-chic aesthetic is a great boutique option for discerning creatives. If you’re looking to make cool new friends, Cambridge Lodge Guest House is a great budget pick.