Newtown is the place to go to get a glimpse of Sydney’s artsy, more quirky side, away from the beaches and the harbour. Filled with vintage shops, fantastic pubs and artwork dotted across the streets, Newtown is rightly considered one of the city’s coolest suburbs. While its hip, indie spirit is its most defining quality, it’s a lot more than just that – it’s even appeared in a Coldplay music video. In this guide, we’ve picked out the best things to do to Newtown, from things to eat, places to shop from and local watering holes to grab a drink at.
Aside from these standouts, a walk around Newtown will reveal a number of quaint cafes, busy bakeries and vibrant pubs, each with more spunk than the last. Here’s what to do in Newtown, Sydney’s kitschiest neighbourhood!
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How to get to Newtown
There are plenty of public transport options to get to Newtown, and that’s advisable over driving given the traffic on King Street. Newtown station is located just a few minute’s walk from the main centre of the neighbourhood, with most highlights on this list within walking distance. Additionally, there are several bus options from the city centre which will drop you at the heart of King Street or Enmore Road. Bus services include 422, 423, 426, 428, 370, 355 and 352 routes.
Our pick of the best things to do in Newtown
Kick off your day in the neighbourhood with five activities that we think are amongst the best things to do in Newtown!
1. Explore all the street art
The first and foremost thing you’re bound to notice about Newtown is the art splashed on the walls, ceilings and buildings in the neighbourhood. It’s the OG home to Sydney’s street art culture and continues to thrive to this day. Some to definitely check out include the famed ‘I Have A Dream‘ mural by artists Juilee Pryor and Andrew Aiken, a tribute to Martin Luther King and his inspirational words, and the portrait of AFL icon Adam Goodes, of Adnyamathanha and Narungga heritage. Go on a street walk across Lennox Street, Mary Street and Bedford Street for heaps of graffiti-filled walls and local art.
2. Let your hair down at the Enmore Theatre
The Enmore Theatre is an entertainment venue in the city but its legacy goes well beyond just that. Over the years it has been home to some of Australia’s best live music, theatre and comedy. The 1600-seater has seen wild parties, local bands, tribute acts and heaps more take centre stage at the iconic art deco hotspot. Click here to see everything that’s on currently and take your pick from the incredibly vast array of events lined up. It’s also open late, which is rare and very welcome in the city.
3. Watch a movie at Dendy Cinema
Dendy Cinema was founded back in 1940 and operates 40 screens across the country today. Its rich and diverse film offerings have made it a popular stop for cinephiles. From arthouse and mainstream films to theatre and opera screenings, there’s always heaps to choose from. Its intimate and cosy ambience adds to the overall entertainment quotient.
4. Shop your way through the markets
Newtown is home to a few community-centred markets which are worth checking out. At the Newtown Garden Market you’ll find a wide variety of plants to take home while the Fiji Spice Market is where you can get your fill of herbs and spices.
5. Soak up the sun at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
The Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is a large public space ideal for picnics and walks. It’s a favourite hangout spot for Newtown locals and a great place for some people-watching. While there, explore the historic Camperdown Cemetery, where you’ll find ancient gravestones from years gone by and a moment of quiet in the heart of Newtown. It’s very close to the bustling and busy King Street but surprisingly quiet and peaceful.
Where to eat in Newtown
Based on our many hours of eating and drinking around way around the neighbourhood, we’ve picked out some of the best places to visit in Newtown for when you’re feeling peckish. A lot of Newtown’s rich and diverse character is reflected in its dynamic food offerings, and you’ll be hard-pressed to not find cuisine to your liking here.
6. Odd Culture
Odd Culture is home to European-inspired cooking that plays around with the concept of fermentation, and since it offers walk-ins only, you should chance your arm and pop in for a meal.
7. Grab a scintillating slice of pizza
Pizza lovers will find some of the city’s finest pizza offerings right here in Newtown, so much so that we couldn’t choose just one to mention. Grab wood-fired pizzas and calzoni in an authentic Napoletana Style from Gigi Pizzeria or choose from seven delicious pizzas at Westwood Pizza. If you’re lucky to get a seat, Bella Bruta is the place to go aside from Alberto’s Pizzeria and the popular Rosso Antico Pizza Bar which will serve you a pizza in just 90 seconds.
8. Cafe Paci
Modern Australian fare is on the menu here, inside a chic bare-brick dining space. It’s not the cheapest joint around, but the food rightfully wins plaudits for the quality and presentation.
9. Continental Deli Bar and Bistro
Stock your pantry with fancy cheeses and even fancier caviar, and if hunger strikes whilst you’re there, outfit yourself with a freshly-made sandwich.
10. Rising Sun Workshop
Sydney’s first communal motorcycle workshop turns into a restaurant after working hours, serving up seriously good ramen that you’ll find it hard to resist slurping.
11. Black Star Pastry
Let’s face it, you can’t come to Newtown without attempting to nab the Insta-famous watermelon cake and a side of coffee.
12. Tokyo Lamington
What could be more Australian than a lamington and a flat white? Tokyo Lamington’s rotating case of lamingtons invites repeat visits, and I’m a sucker for their merch.
Where to get a drink in Newtown
Coffee, cocktails, or something else? Here are the best places in Newtown to quench your thirst.
13. Earl’s Juke Joint
Want to experience a classic New Orleans vibe right here at home? Earl’s Juke Joint is the place to go to. The Newtown institution has been bringing good drinks and good times to the city since 2013 and is showing no signs of slowing down. At the low-lit, saloon-style bar, you can expect great cocktails, cosy atmosphere, live music and an impressive drinks list that packs a serious punch.
14. Mary’s
While in Newtown it would be criminal to not visit Mary’s, one of our favourite late-night haunts in the city. The hugely popular Sydney favourite is where you’ll get the holy trifecta: burgers, booze and music.
15. ANTE
Achingly cool sake bar ANTE serves a whopping 60 styles of sake, and boasts a wall groaning with vinyl records that will soundtrack your night. A seasonally-changing food menu of sharing plates will keep the hunger at bay.
16. Newtown Hotel
The famed Newtown Hotel is much loved for its vibrant energy, happy hour deals and beer garden. It also has its own dedicated space for live music, and things get very rowdy here on weekends if you’re into that kinda thing.
17. Union Hotel
The nightlife in Newtown is some of the best in a city otherwise starved of good entertainment post-nightfall. What the city centre lacks, Newtown makes up for in a big way. At the Union Hotel, you’ll find excellent craft beer, gins and whiskies on the ground level. Walk upstairs and you can enjoy live music and cocktails.
Other pubs in Newtown to hit up include The Carlisle Castle Hotel, Courthouse Hotel and Cooper Hotel.
18. Soulmate Coffee
Much like restaurants and pubs, the cafes in Newtown are excellent and varied – and sipping on a coffee genuinely might be one of our favourite activities in Newtown. Get your flatty’s and chai lattes at Soulmate Coffee, where the light-filled dining space is a pleasure on sunny days.
19. Shenkin Espresso Bar
Shenkin Espresso Bar isn’t a place to sit in and sip, book in hand, but for a grab-and-go coffee, you won’t find much better. If the gooey brownies are available, nab one and don’t look back.
20. Campos
It’s a brand that every Sydneysider is already familiar with but fun fact — it all started here in Newtown. Grab a single origin brew from the Missenden Street store to fuel your adventure onwards.
Where to go shopping in Newtown
A time-honoured tradition in Newtown is to go diving into retro offerings at the record shops, vintage stores, and independent shops around the neighbourhood. Here are the best places in Newtown to go shopping and hopefully grab a bargain!
21. Repressed Records
At its core, Newtown is the place for hipsters, indie musicians and music lovers, artists and hippies. So naturally as you saunter down its streets you’ll find shops and boutiques that reflect that vibe. Repressed Records is one such spot where you can get your hands on limited edition vinyl, CDs, cassettes and more.
22. Pete’s Musicians Market
Music nerds will also love Pete’s Musicians Market, which has been operating for over 30 years. If you’re passionate about music, you’ll find kindred spirits here.
23. Egg Records
The bohemian spirit of Newtown is alive and well at Egg Records, which specialises in music on vinyl and CD along with indie films.
SEE ALSO: 10 Brilliant Local Markets You Must Visit In Sydney
24. Better Read Than Dead
When it comes to Sydney bookshops, Better Read Than Dead is a beloved literary landmark. So much so that people across the city banded together to save the independent bookshop from shutting down post-Covid.
If you love reading, chances are you’ll leave this store with an empty wallet. There’s everything here from the classics to the contemporary, from biographies to fiction, from YA to dystopian and so much more.
25. Elizabeth’s Bookshop
Just a few doors up the road, you’ll find another excellent spot for bookworms: Elizabeth’s Bookshop. Keep your eyes peeled for their ‘blind date with a book’ stand, which adds a fun element of mystery to your shopping.
26. SWOP
Get some glamourous vintage clothing at Swop, the place to go if you’re a pre-loved clothing collector. They make it super easy to buy, sell and trade pre-loved garb. Just walk in with your clothes, they’ll keep what they like and give you cash or credit to buy new clothes. Even better, you’ll find most clothes under $35.
27. Cream on King
A vintage clothing store big on upcycling and the retro, Cream on King will outfit you with quirky or trendy threads.
28. U-Turn
Hard to miss given its OTT glittery windows, U-Turn will help you fill your bags with carefully-chosen pieces for your wardrobe.
29. AS Colour
One of only two Sydney outposts of the New Zealand-born store, AS Colour is great for basics and building a capsule wardrobe, for both men and women.
30 A Loft Story
It’s not a shop, per se, but A Loft Story is the best place in Newtown to get your hair styled, and the plant-filled studio happens to be dog-friendly too!
Whilst Newtown leaves you well-placed to strike out for other inner west suburbs including Redfern and Marrickville, we think this guide will provide you with enough things to do in Newtown to book in repeat visits. Where are you going first?