Thermidor — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

We visited Thermidor to celebrate our third wedding anniversary, and overall, it was a beautiful experience. We made a reservation for 7:30 PM, and they were super flexible when we told them we were running about 10-20 minutes late, which was really appreciated.

When we arrived, we were seated right away and got water immediately, but the menus took a little while to come. Our waitress, though, made up for it with her lovely demeanor and service. She took the time to explain how the menu works (it’s all shared plates) and gave really helpful recommendations on portions and selections, which made ordering super easy.

For starters, we got 3 natural oysters and 3 Oysters Francine, and later the crispy lamb ribs. The oysters were incredible, especially the Francine ones—hands down some of the best oysters I’ve ever had. The crispy lamb ribs were beautifully done, full of flavor and texture.

For mains, we ordered the hanger steak and Malaysian crab curry (800g, tamarind flavor), with a side of green salad. The steak was good but a bit inconsistent—some parts were tender, but others were really chewy to the point where my partner couldn’t even finish. The staff were kind enough to let us take the leftovers home. The green salad was fresh and paired well with the meal.

For dessert, we tried the fig leaf panna cotta. We wanted to experiment with something different, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to our taste. This was more of a personal preference than an issue with the dessert itself.

Drinks-wise, I had the Coastal Spritz (a mix of Absolut Vodka, St. Germain, elderflower, cucumber, and coastal tonic), which was amazing, and my partner had a glass of white wine, which he also enjoyed.

Our main critique was the wait time. Despite it not being a busy night, the service was quite slow. We sat down just before 8 PM and didn’t leave until around 9:50 PM, which felt like a long time, especially since we were waiting a lot between courses. However, the food was of exceptional quality, and I’d rather wait a bit longer for well-prepared dishes than be served something rushed and subpar.

The atmosphere and views were stunning, and the service—apart from the wait times—was attentive and welcoming. The bill came to $240, which is definitely on the higher side for us. However, given that it was a special occasion, we were happy to splurge. Keep in mind, though, that the menu is designed to be shared, so factor that into your budget.

In the end, we enjoyed the evening. While there were a couple of small letdowns, the food quality and hospitality stood out, making Thermidor a place we’d consider visiting again for a...

(3.5 stars) Newcastle’s reputation as an industrial town is gradually being replaced as one of NSW’s most liveable coastal cities. This is in no small part due to the reclamation of waterfront land, morphing it from industrial wasteland to a promenade lined with restaurants, hotels, arts venues, and medium density living. It’s all connected by the Newcastle light rail, which takes you from the city beaches to the rail interchange. Thermidor Brasserie is just one waterfront restaurant that lies along its route. Sitting at the base of a residential block, corrugated iron ties the space to the area’s past. It’s owned and operated by Josh and Jess Gregory, who gained experience across the Hunter region in venues including EXP., Muse and Flotilla, before bringing it to bear on this two-year old spot.

With the wind off the water coming at a good clip, and the bifold doors open to let in the sea air, staff seat guests strategically. They’re firm on no variations to oysters being ordered in threes, sixes or twelves, leaving parties of two to fight over who gets to eat which third when they order a trio of oysters mignonette ($7/each) and a trio of roasted oysters ($7/each). It’s the roasted varietal that is the star here, throwing umami with kombu butter and caviar, though both toppers lose the pristine beauty of Pambula rock oysters a tad. Crisp fish skin crackers are a fun way to deliver pale pink taramasalata ($22) to your mouth. Order the wood fired bread ($14) too: the version here smeared in kelp and cultured butter, sure is a beauty. There’s a decent number of wines by the glass, with the local 2024 Riggs & Wiggs ‘Mangerton Vineyard’ Chardonnay ($18/glass) being a surprisingly elegant favourite.

While I praise the ingenuity behind combining burrata ($33) with pistachio puree, prosciutto and gnocchi fritto, the paste was sweet so the dish jangled. The same could be said for the kingfish ceviche ($33) where the combination of raw green curry spices, cucumber and pandan lacked acidity, and lost the flavour of the finely diced fish. It did better when eaten in combination with the sharpness of the rocket salad ($13). Prices felt too high here, but I live in a place where fierce competition...

Incredible Brunch!

A Must-Try in Newcastle!

I had one of the best brunches I've ever experienced at Thermidor in Newcastle! I couldn’t decide between the Slipper Lobster Benedict and the Crème Brûlée Pancake so I went halves with a friend, and I’m so glad I did. Both dishes were so delicious. The Lobster Benedict was rich, buttery, and perfectly balanced, while the Crème Brûlée Pancake was next level indulgent. Crispy on top with that classic brûlée crunch and soft, fluffy pancake underneath.

My friends went for the Avo smash and also the Spanner crab omelette. Everyone devoured their meals.

We paired our brunch with freshly brewed Darks Coffee and also a few cheeky mimosas (because why not?), and it was the perfect way to spend a beautiful sunny Sunday morning together with friends.

The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, the service was warm and attentive, and everything was made with care and top quality ingredients.

If you're in Newcastle and thinking about brunch, go to Thermidor. You won’t regret it and definitely bring a friend so you can try more of the menu 😉 We will...