Newcastle Food Month 2024
It’s no secret that ‘regional’ is hot right now. In fact, a whopping 26.4 million regional NSW loving folks chose to spend the night here in the 12 months up to June 2023 – 48.9 per cent up on the previous year. Some even chose to stay for good, with 39 per cent of people swapping city life for a regional retreat.
Aside from the obvious draw cards – affordability, less traffic and a relaxed lifestyle – it’s the hospitality industry that’s really turning up the heat on the regional offering! A cafe, pub, restaurant or bar are often the first places you’ll check out on a visit to a new town, and potentially the only place you might interact with local residents during your stay. I can vouch for this from a previous 10 years in the hospitality industry myself. In my POV, your experience in a venue can make or break your perception of a new place. When you’re welcomed with open arms, seated at a table and treated to a delightful meal by a charismatic person – the odds are you’ll feel right at home.
New Castle regularly draws people to its stunning beaches and coastal walks, buzzing cafe culture and lively nightlife. But have you heard of Newcastle Food Month?
An annual event held every April, Newcastle Food Month is an entire month dedicated to celebrating the hospitality industry within the Hunter region. Venues in Newcastle team up with local food and wine producers to create memorable menus and magical moments. Throughout April, you can walk into any participating venue and ask for their Plate Date, which offers a drink and meal for $30. There are over 75 feature events plus the signature Le Dîner en Blanc famous for its all white dress code and secret location. In its fourth year, Newcastle Food Month is fast becoming one of the best regional food and drink festivals in New South Wales. A delicious weekender and a taste of what living regionally has to serve up.
I recently enjoyed a breezy three and half hour drive along the New England highway from Tamworth to Newcastle for a preview of what’s on offer this Newcastle Food Month 2024. There are cheese and wine masterclasses, seafood long lunches, pop-up cellar doors, food and wine pairing degustations – showing off some serious gastronomic skills; Chardy parties, Pinot parties, and a Rosé Wine Garden. I can without a doubt recommend jumping across to their website to check out the calendar of events. And it’s likely you’ll then go right ahead and book yourself a Foodie Sleepover during the month of April. You can thank me later!
In the meantime, below are a selection of the best places to eat and drink in Newcastle right now…
Image credit: @claudiamonique_hospitality
1. Alfie’s
A brand new restaurant and bar serving modern Italian food and wine – this is casual dining at its best served up in New Lambton. Bring your family and friends and fill your table with good food and good times. Be sure to order a few extra pizza breads for ripping and dipping into the most delicious whipped cod roe; charred black grapes with buffalo bocconcini and rosemary; and the chicken liver parfait with foie gras. YUM! You’ll never want this meal to end. Word on the street is Alfie’s is opening soon at Leaves & Fishes in the Hunter Valley, so you’ll be able to get your fix there too. The team has also partnered with Newcastle’s new event venue Ravella as their official caterer – a perfect match serving up food to be shared with the ones we love.
The Deets
Alfie’s
2/52 Regent Street New Lambton NSW 2305
02 4089 0888
Website • Instagram
Wednesday to Thursday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday – Saturday 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Map it!
2. Thermidor
The latest venue in the line-up along Honeysuckle foreshore, Thermidor awaits to welcome you with a touch of nostalgia and coastal cuisine. For husband and wife dream duo Josh and Jess Gregory, coming home to Newcastle and opening their own restaurant was a goal they’ve worked hard to achieve. The venue is inspired by brasseries throughout the world and aims for a vibe somewhere between a busy Parisian bistro and a relaxed San Fran oyster bar. Like all good chefs, Josh says he seeks to “find the greatest ingredients and cook it simply” – letting the produce speak for itself. You can’t go past the Aussie Oysters served four ways and the black pepper prawn toast with sesame mayo to start. You’ll get a kick out of the saffron and chorizo paella with market seafood and corn-fed chicken, then you obviously must order the grilled lobster thermidor with pasta amatriciana. Enjoy!
The Deets
Thermidor
Shop 1, 7 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 2300
02 4957 5021
Website • Instagram
Thursday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday to Saturday 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Map It!
Image credit: @claudiamonique_hospitality
3. Harrison’s
Take a seat inside this classic European bistro where owner Tony Harrison welcomes you with hospitable arms. At Harrison’s, you’ll get to know your waiter’s name and be charmed with good ol’ fashion service. A hand curated wine list featuring Hunter Valley and European wines are paired with share plates inspired by Tony’s European travels. You can opt in to order from the À la carte menu, where you’ll find hand shucked oysters for just $4.50! Tony tells me some crowd favourites include the Mornay Scallops; and the Charcuterie of Serrano ham, house made pate with chicken, pork and pistachio terrine served with toast. The Fremantle Octopus Tentacle over charcoal with romesco and labna is so popular it might never come off the menu! Struggling to choose? Go for the Chef’s banquet and enjoy sampling what’s served up.
The Deets
Harrison’s
108 Tudor Street Hamilton NSW 2303
0406 517 213
Website • Instagram
Dinner – Wednesday to Saturday 6:00pm – 10:30pm
Lunch – Friday to Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30pm and Sunday 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Map It!
4. Blanca
You might need to blink a couple of times when you arrive to remind yourself where you are. No, you haven’t flown to the Mediterranean, but you are about to get a taste of it, in the heart of Newcastle at Blanca. Sit back and enjoy sipping on a Limone and Cucumber Spritz made on limoncello, which is all the rage this year. Or if Aperol is more your thing try a Sicilian Spritz where they pair it with blood orange gin and grapefruit. When it comes to the menu, live a little and order a lot – mezze style. First off, order the coal fired flatbread with sesame seeds, hazelnuts and dukkah. You’ll need something to dip that into so partake in the Turkish Cacik made with yoghurt, cucumbers, sicilian olives and lemon oil; and the Muhammara dip featuring feta, parsley, walnuts and molasses. Add on the Baked Saganaki Cheese, and then the Burek which is a three cheese and silverbeet pie with chives and spiced brown butter. I’ll be honest, you won’t stop there so head over to their menu to check it out for yourself!
The Deets
Blanca
2/11 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 2300
02 4942 6942
Website • Instagram
Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11:30pm – 10:30pm
Friday to Saturday 11:30am – 12:30am
Map it!
5. The Flotilla
Let’s just start by saying that in 2022 The Flotilla was awarded a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Hat – the first EVER hatted restaurant in Newcastle! They backed that up in 2023, and well, if that doesn’t set the scene for you – let’s talk about the team. You’ll be hosted by a fantastic line-up including Eduardo Molina who brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time served in top Californian restaurants and his general love of vino. The kitchen is headed up by chef Jake Deluca, who for a next-level creative young-gun, has certainly ‘earned his place’ after time spent at Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley and at the UK’s Michelin starred La Trompette. The food is offered as a set menu which, from time to time, may change with seasonality of local produce. This is one you won’t want to miss, so be sure to make a booking in advance.
PS: check out their new Bar Vecina next door – perfect for a pre-drink or even an alternative to The Flotilla if you want the same vibe but would prefer to select items at your leisure from the snack menu.
The Deets
The Flotilla
9 Albert Street Wickham NSW 2293
02 4965 3885
Website • Instagram
Dinner – Thursday to Saturday 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Lunch – Saturday and Sunday 11:30am – 3:00pm
Map it!
6. Vecina
The exterior pastel colours of Bar Vecina are the first nod to the charm and playfulness you can expect at this new neighbourhood bar brought to you by The Flotilla team. Walking up to the glass door it will kindly open for you – automatic of course. The atmosphere is filled with great tunes and a skilled, fast-paced team led by wine enthusiast and co-owner Eduardo Molina. These guys never miss a beat and are set to make your time here a memorable one. Let them guide you through the wine and cocktail list and then settle in to explore the perfectly paired snack menu curated by hatted restaurant Flotilla’s super talented head chef Jake Deluca. He keeps up with creativity and seasonality so refrain from looking up the menu beforehand and just enjoy the ride while you dine.
The Deets
Vecina
9 Albert Street Wickham NSW 2293
(02) 4965 3885
Website • Instagram
Wednesday to Saturday 4:00pm – late
Map it!
7. Roundhouse
As the lift doors open on the ninth floor, you’ll be welcomed by the handsome view of Romberg’s rooftop bar and immediately sense Crystalbrook Kingsley’s five-star rating. Mere moments later, a short stroll to the right and Roundhouse will steal your attention with its floor to ceiling panoramic view of the city. From the front of house team, the sommelier to chef, it’s all hands on deck here providing impeccable, yet still relaxed, service. Be enchanted by the decor and get ready to try some seriously fab food created by executive chef Matthew Smith. To start, try the Blue Swimmer Crab Lasagna with a crab bisque and lemon pangritata. For main, the MBS 4+ Beef Striploin is calling your name, served with confit mushroom, oxtail ragu, cafe de paris hollandaise – yum! To top it off, if you’re a guest of the hotel you’re in luck, it’s only a short ride in the lift back to your room.
The Deets
Roundhouse
Level 9/282 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300
02 4928 8600
Website • Instagram
Breakfast – daily 7:00am – 10:00am
Lunch – Friday to Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Dinner Tuesday to Thursday 5:30pm – 10:00pm and Friday to Saturday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Map it!
8. Humbug
You’ll feel right at home at Humbug. Michael Portley and Stephanie Wells are, humbly, the ultimate hosts. Mike’s menu paired with Steph’s sustainable wine list and front of house charisma is a guaranteed delight. What’s new? Well they recently scored themselves their first Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Hat, the second venue in Newcastle to be crowned. And when it comes to their menu, that’s new too! Their sous chef Jungwoo Lee is stepping up his Korean influence throughout the menu. From the snacks menu, The School Prawn Fritti with saamjang served in a lettuce cup is a crowd favourite and you can’t go past the Rib Sando. Pasta lovers will get their kick out of the Pappardelle with lamb ragu, murasaki peppers, black olives and pecorino.
The Deets
87-89 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
02 4044 4803
Website • Instagram
Dinner – Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30pm
Lunch – Friday to Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Map it!
Image credit: @claudiamonique_hospitality
9. Elementa
Set on the Throsby Foreshore in a relaxed yet elegant neighbourhood venue, owners Rina and Joel pair the right amount of hearty hospitality with one delicious menu and chef Jess Brooks knows how to nail those bold flavours! Try the Red Lentil and Carrot Dip with toasted chilli oil, crispy chickpeas and charred bread and go all in on the Grilled Borrowdale Pork Collar with soubise, charred gai choy and kombu and green garlic butter. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.
The Deets
Elementa
76 The Lane Maryville NSW 2293
02 4031 6242
Website • Instagram
Breakfast – Saturday to Sunday from 8:00am
Lunch – Friday to Sunday from 11:45am
Dinner – Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30pm
