Newtown Restaurants: Best Dining Spots & Eats Guide

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Missony is a family-owned restaurant putting a fresh spin on Middle Eastern classics, and promising bold flavours, generous share plates, and a buzzing ambiance as soon as you step in. The menu is packed with time-honoured dishes —from lamb kofta to kousa ablama — reimagined with whole, fresh ingredients. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a long lunch, Missony’s vibrant setting is perfect for any occasion. 

A beloved pizzeria known for creative toppings and a laid-back, inner-west charm, Bella Brutta is the brainchild of a hospitality powerhouse team — Luke Powell and Tania Houghton (of LP’s Quality Meats) alongside the Porteno and Continental Deli crew. Located on King Street (or ‘Eat Street’ as Sydneysiders affectionately call it), the menu celebrates bold Italian flavours, with slices that aren’t quite Neapolitan, nor traditionally Roman, but land somewhere in between, with chewy, blistered, and perfectly charred pizza. 

Blending Mexican, Peruvian and Japanese influences, Calle Rey’s menu is bursting with character, offering up dishes for all dietary needs — from vegetarian to vegan to gluten-free. There are nachos, tacos, and burgers to choose from, or if you can’t make up your mind, the set menu goes for just $42. Feeling thirsty? The drinks menu from the Diablo Pisco bar (right inside Calle Rey) serves up something for everyone, from Pisco sours to craft beers, ciders and of course, the signature margarita. 

A list of the best Newtown restaurants wouldn’t be complete without a few vegan mentions, and our first one goes to Gigi. Nestled in the heart of King Street, Gigi follows time-honoured techniques to create a truly authentic Neapolitan pizza. The marinara is a stand-out but between the Patate, Melanzane and 4 Formaggi, there’s a slice for every taste (as well as decadent desserts to finish off). 

A neighbourhood institution, Continental Deli Bar Bistro blends the best of European deli culture with a playful, dine-in twist with a warm bistro atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxed catch-ups with mates. Sip on one of their iconic canned cocktails — like the Mar-tinny, Americano or Can-hattan — or pick at a variety of tinned seafood, cured meats and rare cheeses. And for the wine lovers out there, the list is packed with bold, boundary-pushing drops that perfectly pair with every dish. 

Mix Japanese cuisine and Australian ingredients, and what you get is Rising Sun Workshop, Sydney's first (and only) communal DIY workshop and restaurant. A Newtown icon, this spot serves up delicious ramen, kushiyaki, sushi plates, and much more. Expect inventive broths (including veggie options and even breakfast ramen), gyozas, skewers, and buns, all made with ingredients sourced locally, and never from factory farming. The best part? This industrial-chic space is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry companions along. 

Odd Culture blurs the line between bar and restaurant, with a focus on wild fermentation, natural wines, and boundary-pushing, Euro-inspired flavours. The menu is built around seasonal produce and bold combinations, whether it’s chicken liver pate with verjus jelly and lemon thyme, pickled radish with buffalo curd and steak tartare with smoked oysters. Whether you're in for a laid-back drink or a full dining experience, the ambiance is effortlessly cool, and the drinks list is packed with funky ferments and rare drops. 

Golden Lotus has been a Newtown favourite since 2015, serving up classic Vietnamese dishes with a plant-based twist in a relaxed, casual setting. This cosy eatery focuses on fresh ingredients and wholesome flavours that evoke the feel of traditional Saigon family cooking, delivering nourishing, flavour-packed meals. Friendly service and feel-good food guaranteed. 

Hidden in plain sight on Enmore Road, Kaiza Izakaya is turning heads with its fresh, fiery take on Japanese and Vietnamese fusion dining. Expect flavour bombs like crispy miso eggplant, grilled Hokkaido scallops, and mix sashimi that melts before it hits your tongue. The menu’s clever, the cocktails are bright, and the plating? Simply art. It’s Newtown dining with flair.

Maiz is a love letter to traditional Mexican street food — handmade tortillas, deeply spiced fillings, and the kind of slow-cooked, soulful dishes that will have you coming back for more. From taquitos and pork al pastor to tamales that melt in your mouth, everything’s packed with flavour and made from scratch. Perfect for vegans to the gluten free crowd, Maiz is seriously good food and even better vibes.