Our home for more than a decade, Newtown is Sydney’s anything-goes suburb. Just a few kilometres from the CBD, the King Street strip is lined with unique shops, mouth-watering restaurants featuring just about every cuisine and plenty of colourful street art. And while we know it’ll be pretty darn hard to get to everywhere on this list in just one day, we’re sure you can mix and match to craft the perfect day in Newtown.

What to see and do in Newtown

Most people come to the area to stroll King Street, popping into shops, restaurants and cafes along the way. But, strolling down Newtown’s side streets is a lovely way to become acquainted with the area. And it’s just what made us fall in love with the suburb and want to make it our home.

• Camperdown Memorial Rest Park: On a sunny day, the field here is the perfect spot to have a relaxing picnig with a few drinks and some nibbles. People (and dog) watching is the name of the game here.
• Street Art: We’re kind of obsessed with street art, and the terrace houses in Newtown make excellent murals for it. Take a self-guided stroll through the streets with this super-handy graffiti map, or join a tour of some of the best spots.
• Terrace Houses: Our favourite street is Georgina Street, just off north King Street between Missenden Road and Carillon. The large, picture-perfect terraces are colourful, well maintained and sit on a road lined with massive trees.

Where to shop in Newtown

Walking up and down King Street on a hot and sunny day, ducking into shops for reliefs of air conditioning, is one of our favourite. things to do on a weekend where we’re not snorkelling at a beach or talking a coastal walk.

If you’re looking to avoid chain stores and fast fashion, Newtown has a great selection of boutiques, op shop and knick knack shops that can keep any avid shopper busy for hours.

Op shops and vintage stores in Newtown

Op shopping and Newtown are pretty synonymous these days, and we’ve got plenty of them. Charity shops or just recycled fashion stores line King Street and there’s probably close to a dozen along the stretch.

• Uturn: A King Street staple that actually has two storefronts, Uturn is where you can find some higher-end pieces that are pre-loved, so available for much lower than retail. (uturn.com.au)
• Vinnies: Can we even recommend op-shopping without saying Vinnies? Easily the largest option in Newtown, Vinnies offers shoes, clothes and small things for the home including dishes and art. (vinnies.org.au)
• Anglicare: Looking more like a mid-range shop than a charity store, this newcomer is certainly worth checking out. When we were recently checking out some shops in need of a blazer, we were quite impressed with the selection in here. (Unfortunately, a blazer wasn’t part of it though.)(anglicare.org.au)
• Red Cross: A go-to when we lived around the corner from here, we find the Red Cross shop just south of the station has some of the most stylish window dressings of any of these shops. And what’s inside is just as good. (redcross.org.au)

Art and knick knacks shops in Newtown

• Eastern Flair: A wonderful maze of Japanese ceramics, adorable plant pots, essential oils and colourful cushions, this is a great place to find little nick nacks for your home and a go-to for us when it comes to secret santa gifts. (easternflair-newtown.com)
• Artisans Nest: Just a few doors down from Eastern Flair sits one of our favourite new shops on King Street. From Australian teas to locally made beauty products, prints of iconic Inner West buildings to hand-crafted jewellery there’s plenty to browse through in the airy shop. (artisansnest.com.au)
• Hands: Tucked into the small block of storefronts on Australia Street between a hair salon and Tokyo Lamington, Hands is packed with items that are just cool. And if we could afford to buy every funky martini glass in the shop we would. (hands.com.au)

Clothing boutiques

Along with local branches of shops like Dangerfield, Tree of Life and Gorman, a few unique boutiques we recommend checking out include:

• Origami Doll: If you’re a fan of Gorman or Princess Highway, then you’ll probably be a fan of Origami Doll. Inside the tiny shop, you’ll find plenty of whimsical designs at some pretty decent prices. (origamidoll.com.au)
• Elise Design: A little bit vintage, but all very new, Elise Design’s wares are inspired by the 1940s-1960s. Everything here is ethically crafted and sustainable. (elisedesign.com.au)

Where to eat in Newtown

Along King Street and Enmore Road, you’ll find food from just about every corner of the world that fits into just about every budget.

One of our favourite things about Newtown is the endless food options. Whether we’re after something cheap and cheerful or are looking for a treat on a special occasion, Newtown’s got it.

Breakfast in Newtown

It’s rare that we’re up early enough to have breakfast, but when we do, there’s a few go-to places on our list.

• Shenkin: While it does have a few locations, the Enmore road outpost is our favourite. This Middle Eastern breakfast spot serves up fresh pita with its meals and makes a mean shakshuka. (cafeshenkin.com.au)
• AP Town: Found in a teeny-tiny brick building on Bucknell St, the Newtown location of AP serves up fresh-baked goods and coffees. Our go-to is the flat bread. Get it. you won’t regret it. (apbakery.com.au)
• Khamsa: Although now located at the border of St Peters right next to the station, this all-vegan Palestinian eatery serves up some pretty inventive dishes. The mushroom shawerma is one not to miss. (khamsa.com.au)

Lunch in Newtown

• Myras: Perfect for a quick bite, relative newcomer Myras is serving up mouth-watering pita sandwiches available in just three varieties: halloumi, falafel and keftedis (Greek meatballs) slathered in an incredibly homemade chilli sauce. (@myrasnewtown)
• Sushi Wow: Our go-to sushi train in the Inner West, Sushi Wow has all the classics and some pretty inventive rolls on its conveyor belt. Just try to avoid coming during the peak lunch rush as you may need to wait in a bit of a line.
• Comedor: This new Mexican restaurant sits on the edge of Campertown park and, thankfully, doesn’t just serve up tacos and burritos. If you’re looking for a lunch treat, we can highly recommend the $39 three-course special. (We understand the restaurant is temporarily closed, but hopefully it will re-open soon!) (comedor.sydney)

Dinner in Newtown

• Ante: Being a sake bar, we were expecting a Japanese-inspired menu, but instead there’s a blend of all sorts of cuisines being served here. While we’d heard good things, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food from Ante. Every single dish we ordered was delicious and the sake flight was an extra special treat. (ante.bar)
• Bella Brutta: Serving up some of the best pizzas in the areas (although Rosso Antico and Pizza Bros sure do give them a run for their money), Bella Brutta’s clam pie is one you cannot miss. (bellabrutta.com.au)
• Sultan’s Table: A go-to for groups looking for a spot that lets you bring your own drinks while chowing down on delicious food, Sultan’s serves up some of the best Turkish food around. Just try not to fill up on the fresh bread and dips! (thesultanstable.com.au)

Where to drink in Newtown

Coffee shops in Newtown

• Campos Coffee: Our corner coffee shop for many years, Campos’ flagshop cafe in New South Wales can be found on Missenden Road. Grab a fresh, hot coffee here or buy some take-away beans to brew at home. (camposcoffee.com.au)
• Brewtown: Tucked onto a residential street just off King, Brewtown has the perfect chic-warehouse vibe and some delicious brunch food to match. (brewtownsydney.com.au)

Pubs in Newtown

• Newtown Hotel: One of our favourite spots for people watching, the Newtown Hotel’s wraparound balcony overlooks the heart of King Street. It also serves up some great pizzas if you’re also after a feed. (newtownhotel.com.au)
• Courthouse Hotel: A classic neighbourhood pub, the Courty sits on a corner plot on Australia Street with a pretty epic courtyard. It’s the perfect spot to spend a summer evening drinking a cold beer. (thecourty.com.au)
• Botany View: With a stage featuring local bands most nights downstairs, the Botany View’s best feature is actually upstairs. Here, you’ll find a hidden rooftop and a delightfully timed 7-9pm happy hour. (botanyviewhotel.com.au)

Small bars in Newtown

• Corridor: Our favourite bar in Newtown (not just because it’s one of the closest…), sitting in for a drink at Corridor feels like you’re in someone’s home. The narrow upstairs feels more like a terrace house living room than a pub, and we’d change nothing about that. (corridornewtown.com.au)
• Huelo: A relative newcomer to the scene that we just happened to wander into one night, Huelo is almost three bars in one: a front bar serving up deli snacks and drinks, a dark and narrow cocktail bar and patop in the back and an exposed-brick upper level that’s perfectly cosy and filled with warm light. (huelo.com.au)
• Baby Dragon Bar: Possibly one of the weirdest, coolest, tackiest, fantasy-fueled bars we’ve been to in a while, Baby Dragon is something everyone should check out at least once — whether for its decor or extensive menu of delicious cocktails. (babydragon.bar)

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