How To Spend 24 Hours in Newtown

Newtown is well known as one of Sydney’s most vibrant late-night hotspots. The heyday of Kings Cross may be over, but its grungy aesthetic lives on in Newtown’s graffitied walls, tattooed residents and slew of laid-back venues. But don’t judge a suburb by its lo-fi vibe: Newtown is home to a diverse range of quality eats. Plus, you’ll find great shopping, accommodation and watering holes aplenty, both on and off King Street.

Right now, Broadsheet Access is giving away a weekend stay in partnership with some of the suburb’s most-loved venues. You can still enter to win, by joining Access today. Save this list for your 24 hours in Newtown.

Eat and drink

If you’re looking for a brew, Soulmate Coffee has you covered. Coffee is by Single O, with filter options poured from sleek taps – the only ones of their kind in Newtown. Follow this up with a sturdy lunch from Cairo Takeaway, where the Egyptian falafel is crunchy, crumbly, green as a Granny Smith, and comes wrapped in a pita pocket with tahini and pickles. It's some of the city's best falafel, and the joint flaunts the feel and flavours of Cairo’s street stalls. When you’re ready for dessert, not too far away there’s gelato at Mapo. Every flavour only uses a handful of ingredients, like the quintessential Italian fior di latte, which is gently sweet and creamy, made using organic milk.

If you’re between mealtimes, though, not to worry. Beloved Sydney venue Continental Deli, Bar and Bistro on Australia Street is perfect for nibbles. Think cold cuts, cheese, canned cocktails (one Mar-tinny, shaken not stirred), fine wines and stiff drinks. Everything on the blackboard menu can be ordered by the can or sliced to order, and arrives accompanied by rustic bread, crackers and olives. And if you find you’re hungrier than you thought, you can settle into the upstairs bistro for dinner, or try out one of the Continental’s neighbours, Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca – all run by the same team as the Continental, Paisano and Daughters.

Behind a butter-yellow facade, Flora focuses on seasonal ingredients and offers a dedicated vegetarian set menu. Head chef Måns Engberg’s (ex-Saint Peter, Kiln, Paris’s Au Passage) plates are thoughtful and delicate, with dishes like leeks vinaigrette with smoked trout and a soft egg. One door down is Hot-Listed seafood bar Mister Grotto, where every nook is filled with nautical knick-knacks. The 30-seater turns out dishes that maximise the use of the whole fish, letting the produce speak for itself. As you eat, you can watch the team shuck oysters behind the bar and fire up the charcoal grill. Finally, Osteria Mucca rounds out the line-up. Set in a converted butcher’s shop, Osteria Mucca revisits Italian classics like coppa di testa (a spiced terrine made from various parts of a pig’s head) alongside pasta, a grill menu and a drinks list of hard-to-find Italian wines.

Shop

Elizabeth’s is one of King Street’s most charming and enduring booksellers. Case in point: the “blind date with a book” special, where you get a cheap, mystery book wrapped in brown paper. For heritage denim, head to Maple, a store that stocks American and Japanese five-pocket, classic-cut selvedge jeans. For any Camperdown Park picnic supplies, P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants is close to hand – with natural wines, local beers and paper bags of Wapengo oysters. And of course, there’s also a bunch of hipster plant nurseries, of which Newtown Garden Market is the standout. It crams flowers, fruit trees, bonsai, seeds and indoor plants into a compact, jungly space.

Sleep

When it comes to accommodation, Australia Street Suites ticks every box. First, it’s conveniently situated above Paisano and Daughters’ four restaurants, so you can eat, sleep and repeat with a minimal step count. If even a step out the door is too much, there’s the enviable room service menu. You can get champagne, oysters, cheese and even the famed Continental cocktail tin delivered straight to your room. The apartment-style suites are also elegantly designed, with Jardan furniture, warm timber finishes and Australian artwork on display.

For your chance to win a weekend at Australia Street Suites with three mates, join Broadsheet Access today. Plus, we’re throwing in a $200 voucher for you to dine at Flora, Mister Grotto, Osteria Mucca or Continental Deli. But be quick – the competition closes soon.