this bar was up several flights of stairs over 2 levels. Its small and intimate with toilets and the kitchen on the 1st floor, the bar and music on the second. The menu is beers, ciders abnd hotdogs, nachos and the like with a blackboard for wine. I thought it was a little overpriced, (the wine) and the staff were efficient but not terribly helpful or friendly. the food was pretty blah, my buddy had an uninspiring nachos. a couple of DJs turned up and seemed not to know how to work the equipment without some pretty unappealing thuds and squeals. seating on high stools and benches was uncomfortable, despite looking good.

Approximate cost: $10-20

The restaurant is in the room next to the bar, but seems to function as an entity in its own right. The menu here was pretty extensive- tapas and smaller dishes, light meals, main meals and sides. The prices were as expected, given the fit out of the hotel, maybe slightly on the upper end though. The food was good. Big serves and fresh. The service was really good. The staff were nice, efficient and available. Go the beer battered chips- good good good.

Approximate cost: $15-25

The bistro is out the back of the main bar. The area is nice- open and bright with natural light from a kind of canopy/tent-like portion of the roof. The deals here are really good. We had the daily lunch deal- rump and reef- steak + seafood topping + chips + salad for $15. It was good and hearty and the staek cooked as ordered. The other thing that seemed popular was the $7.70 steak and salad (avail all the time). Pretty good value in my book.

Approximate cost: $15

Euro has great cakes- they look amazing and are certainly a tasty treat. They sell 'celebration' type cakes, although there are some butter cakes that are more affordable. The salad bar is good too and they make good sandwiches and wraps. It gets pretty packed here and often at lunch there are no tables available. The quality of the food does not always equate with the brusque, occasionally surly, service. Also, if you are diabled, try to toilet before you arrive- the loo is through the kitchen.

i reckon this is the best bakery/cafe in canberra...although my experience of canberra cafes is limited- if it was in sydney though, i'd feel the same way. The coffee is good and the sourdough is real sourdough- dense, chewy and oh-so-tasty. The food is fresh and really delicious with some interesting options that you dont see everywhere- truffled scrambled eggs for one. I had the vegan breakfast and as someone who eats EVERYTHING, i was not disappointed (but i did try the eggs- good, really good) i'd definitely visit again, and we even bought bread home.

another cafe option overlooking the lake (and esplanade) which is nice. Unfortunately its cold in the morning as there is no sun (the cafe faces the wrong way) although i imagine the afternoon is really nice. We had coffee and breakfast. it was good, standard cafe fare at the unsual prices. There was live misic which was a fab touch at 9 am in the morning on the weekend. Id visit again if convenient but cant see myself making a special trip

it may have been the pod of dolphins frolicking about 50 ms away but i enjoyed this place. The service is efficient (not particularly warm) and the food is good, if pricey- $22 for breakfast (not including drinks etc etc) but you are paying for the view, the sun and the wildlife. The mains / small meals are probably better value; the salt and pepper squid was walking out the door....and no wonder, it was great!. good for a long lunch or leisurely stop.

Approximate cost: $20

there is a lot of competition in newtown for pizza and pasta (and ribs) and this place is pretty good, although for me, doesnt stand out. the pasta was better than the pizza, with the spag marinara really good. We also had ribs, which pleased the carnivores. The place was good- affordable, tasty and the service was good. Its close to home so will go again.

Kingsland is a chinese restaurant that has been there for years. My parents visit occasionally for yum cha. Its ok, depending upon what you are used to. Compared to sydney yum cha its not that great but is you are having a yum cha craving in newcastle, its better than most. I find it a bit hit and miss. sometimes the dumpling etc are good, sometimes over cooked, gooey and truly awful. There are some macanese mains which are intereseting but you need to know what is what as there is little explaination- the yin yang rice for example would be pretty dire for the chinese cuisine purist. worth a lookl

This is one of the few cafe options in wollombi. It is situated on a slope which means it has the benefit of the afternoon sun and the wrap aroung verandah and seating make the most of this. It is certainly a lovely place to sit. The main issue was that the service was bad. We sat at a filthy table for about 20 minutes before it was cleared- after we asked !. the staff seemed quire put out by us being there, and were not al all interested in taking orders, clearing tables, etc etc. It was an unwelcoming atmosphere despite the lovely setting. I will not return.