The Happy Wombat

Having dug themselves a firm foundation in Newcastle’s dining scene, The Happy Wombat is comfortably one of the best restaurants and bars that you could book in the city. The menu is moreish – remember to make room in you marsupial pouch before you arrive – and ranges far and wide over breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between. The ‘in he hand’ selection offered over the lunchtime hours pairs well with a schooner of beer – The Happy Wombat is a Newcastle West destination for Australian craft beers – and you’ll get a good deal on this combination, too. Hunt down The Happy Wombat along, yep, Hunter Street – but book ahead!

Newcastle West workers and residents know that The Happy Wombat is a good place to hunker down for a classic Australian breakfast selection. Smashed avo makes its mandatory appearance with Danish feta cheese and house-made dukkah, you can go vegetarian with the ‘leaf & seed’ spelt loaf with poached eggs, wilted kale, grilled asparagus, halloumi, and tomato relish; while the classic big brekkie is ably represented by The Fat Wombat, buddied up with gluten-free sourdough. Crucially, the coffee is up there with the best in Newcastle, and The Hungover Wombat juice cure will put a spring in the most crippled step!

Lunch turns over the reins to sharing plates like the arancini of the day, pork belly bites with Szechuan pepper and a sticky Asian dipping sauce. Straight to the point Newcastle diners might want to grab a Glenelg Hunter Valley grass-fed hamburger with house-made Zuni pickles and Kirby’s famous tomato relish and pair this with one of the many independent, Australian craft beers and you’re sitting pretty. Or go for a lunchtime wrap with Mediterranean roast vegetables or smoked salmon. There are plenty of fantastic Australian and international wines on offer too - if you’re an oenophile, keep your eyes peeled for the special wine-paired degustation events that crop up among other goings-on at The Happy Wombat’s popular Hunter Street premises in Newcastle West.