The Happy Wombat — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

The Happy Wombat has firmly established itself as a vibrant and sought-after destination in Newcastle, drawing a stylish crowd with its unique blend of cafe and restaurant offerings.

Atmosphere & Ambiance: Stepping into The Happy Wombat, you'll find a thoughtfully designed "boutique" space that strikes a balance between trendy and welcoming. It's a place where you can feel equally comfortable catching up with friends or having a casual business lunch. The atmosphere is consistently friendly and relaxed, making it a pleasant escape.

Culinary Highlights: The menu is a delightful fusion of international flavors, with their share plates being a particular standout. The quality of their Italian dishes is outstanding, suggesting they've mastered that cuisine. Beyond the share plates, their hearty breakfasts are a favorite. Complementing the food is an impressive selection of craft beers, catering to the discerning palate, and a curated list of locally sourced wines from the renowned Hunter Valley region.

Pet-Friendly Perks: For those who love to dine with their furry companions, The Happy Wombat's dog-friendly outdoor seating is a significant plus.

Considerations: While the majority of first experiences are positive, as with any dining establishment, individual preferences and experiences can vary. However, The Happy Wombat's consistent quality and stylish ambiance make it an excellent choice for both business and smart-casual dining.

Overall Impression: The Happy Wombat delivers a versatile and enjoyable dining experience. It's a place where you can expect well-executed food, a great drinks selection, and a comfortable atmosphere, all contributing to its well-deserved popularity...

This is the best place I've eaten in Newcastle. I come over to visit relatives and love to go out to various "foodie" establishments. Had this one in sights and it happened over lunch today. Really spacious and welcoming interior with tables tall and regular plus a double couch. A bar with something for everyone. Including plenty of craft beers, so big tick from me there! The menu been posted b4 so have a look on Google Maps. Suffice to say there are plenty of options. (Took us ages to choose, plenty of delicious choices.) We had cheesie garlic bread one chicken burger, with sweet potato wedges & one pulled pork Tex burger with thick cut chips. All washed down with craft beer. Now, ordinarily, that doesn't sound too exotic, however, I haven't rated it so highly for no reason. Don't know what they're doing in the kitchen but we're the most amazing tasting burgers I've tasted!! Plus, they were super filling so your not feeling hungry at the end. Next time I'm trying one their amazing looking salads that others were having whilst we were there. There is a Mini Wombats(kids)menu as well so it would be a good place for the kids for something different. Our visit was a Tuesday and it was relatively quiet so it was easy to talk. Even so the layout is such that you wouldn't be crammed regardless. There is room to move. Staff are really friendly and seem happy to be working there. Now, as a side note, the facilities at the rear for the inevitable visit might surprise you. I have never seen as large a restroom in any establishment this size, ever. That's a comfy thought for most. Highly...

I have been wanting to go here for quite some time and finally made the trek today for my Sister (Mina)'s Birthday. I know of the Tilse family. Luke's mother taught me at Scone Grammar School from 1995 to 2000. I do not know Luke personally but know of him and have been amazed by how he (and the rest of the family, I assume) has represented the family Orchid and created Tilse's Apple Truck Cider which has featured prominently in various pub and clubs in the Hunter. When I heard about Happy Wombat, I have been meaning to get there but the opportunity had not come up. I was delighted that my sister had chosen to have this venue for her Birthday. We all had various Steak/Sandwich/Pomme Frites/etc combos (there was 6 of us in total, as well as my son Lawson who sampled the steak and vegies and the wonderful Jus) - with Garlic Bread for Entries, as well as Sticky Date and Brownies for Desert. We also sampled various beers (the Mango Sour, Canada XPA) and Wine, also had some coffees. I gotta say this place is extremely classy without the classy price-tag. Love the décor with various books and classic ceramic stoneware on display (and lots of wombat related memorabilia). I applaud the Tilses for what they have done and I really need to make my way to the recent additional of The Young Street Hotel at Carrington and whatever future endeavours they are involved with. Well done guys, this really is a Hunter Success Story....