Nine Must-Visit Spots in Newtown for Every Occasion

Better Read Than Dead is loved by Sydneysiders near and far from its convenient King Street location. BRTD is one of those bookstores that, despite actually having plenty of floor space, feels super cosy thanks to the thousands of books sitting snugly on the shelves. You’ll feel like you’re home as soon as you walk in, so prepare to spend hours browsing the shelves. The staff are all kind and knowledgeable (the ‘staff picks’ cards are always decidedly helpful) and the range of books stocked is always well-curated, diverse, and celebrates and spotlights local Aussie authors.

Image: James Horan, Destination NSW

Mapo Gelato has to contend with a fair few other gelato joints on King Street, but once you taste its goods, it’s immediately obvious Mapo is one of a kind. Mapo’s gelato is made with raw, organic, seasonal ingredients, and it doesn’t use any fake flavours, colours or scents. There’s an ever-changing lineup of flavours based on seasonal ingredients — recent flavours include sea salt caramel (made with Pepe Saya butter), pink grapefruit sorbetto, and bay leaf and honey. You’ll find it hard not to get another scoop after finishing your first.

Image: Kitti Gould

We asked Stephanie Beck from Better Read Than Dead for her pick of the area, and this was it. “Ramen, cocktails, pet nat, brunch — all above a motorcycle workshop. Rising Sun is an utterly unique dining experience with super friendly staff, delicious food and a quirky warehouse atmosphere,” she says.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Newtown loves a hybrid venue. And Rising Sun Workshop is one of the more unique offerings. The bottom level is a motorcycle workshop, where locals can come to work on, rebuild and store their beloved motorcycles. The restaurant upstairs keeps the workshop costs low, so it stays accessible to the community, but RSW’s food is a treasure itself.

Offering up a range of delectable Japanese-inspired sides and lunch options, the true star of the Rising Sun menu is the ramen. It has light, dark and miso ramens, all of which are magnificent, so it’s worth going back a few times to try them all. But the ramen that sets them apart is the breakfast ramen — a buttered toast bone broth with bacon, egg and tomato.

The front of this glorious late-night joint looks exactly like a butcher’s front window — because it was. Pasan Wijesena bought the old butchery in 2013 and turned it into a heavenly small bar. With a charming New Orleans quality to it, Earl’s Juke Joint is at its best when you settle into one of the comfy booths at the back with a cocktail or glass of natural wine, and enjoy the rollicking tunes and buzzing vibes.

And, as a bonus, Earl’s also sells two-serve cocktails in takeaway bottles through their retail partners, so you can share a perfectly crafted old fashioned, martini, sazerac or negroni at home.

Thai Pothong is always busy at dinner time, and it’s no wonder why. The enormous Thai restaurant has been a staple of the local community for more than 20 years. Eating at Thai Pothong is a Newtown rite of passage.

Specialties like fried rice with crab meat, chilli basil crispy pork, and whole steamed snapper with ginger are obvious (and incredible) go-to options, but Thai Pothong also has a range of impressive banquet options, starting from just $30 per person. So no matter what your budget is, Thai Pothong is the plain choice for those nights that you and a few mates need a midweek catch up.

Image: Cassandra Hannagan

If you’ve just moved to the area and you’re in the market for some greenery to brighten up your new apartment, then your next stop has to be Newtown Garden Market. What this nursery lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and quirkiness, which, really, is the essence of Newtown.

The staff is made up of the most helpful of green thumbs who will happily give you all the advice you need to keep your lush new monstera alive for more than a month. You could contentedly lose a decent chunk of your day browsing this Newtown jungle for succulents, herb gardens, ferns and more.

Image: Trent van der Jagt

P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants isn’t your typical bottle shop. It is, to put it simply, just better. In preparation for your next party, a visit to P&V is essential. You’ll be able to stock up on everything you need, from booze to “fix’ins” for your guests to snack on throughout the evening.

P&V specialises in natural wines, artisanal spirits, craft beers, sake and more. And, for food, stock up on sweet and spicy popcorn, vegan pecan pâté, a vast range of hot sauces and pickles. If you’re planning on throwing a flawless party, everything you need (and more) is right here.

Image: Trent van der Jagt

Quirky giftware store Octopus Design is the younger sibling of Paddington’s Opus. While the Newtown venue is smaller, it makes up for it in heart (and cheekiness). Octopus Design is an absolute goldmine for those last-minute gift shopping moments — from books and games to eclectic homewares and gadgets, you’ll be able to find something for absolutely everyone.

The store is always changing and the ever-revolving stock means that Octopus is a different shop every time you visit. Plus it’s pet-friendly, so you can stop in when you’re walking your pooch around the streets of Newtown.

Image: Arvin Prem Kumar

AH Shop Salon, housed in the heritage-listed old Newtown Post Office building, is part salon, part store, and part co-working space for local creatives. It’s easy to see why the community loves it. First of all, the stunning space is airy, open and filled with natural light and greenery. Secondly, the salon, which was founded more than 15 years ago, is now filled with dedicated hairstylists and beauty experts who care about their customers first and foremost. Treatments range from hair cut, colour and keratine treatments to facials, custom intravenous infusions and lash treatments.

The space also stocks dozens of top-tier beauty and lifestyle brands, including Helmut Lang, Murad, Christophe Robin and Maison Balzac. You’ll find everything you need to look and feel good in one place.

Image: Arvin Prem Kumar