This pub was heaps cool. In fact it was so cool that I came back a second time, but that probably…read morehas more to do with me having accidentally left my book at the previous place I was at. Still, this has one of those really grungy feels about it, which surprised me in a town like Newcastle. Then again, I probably shouldn't be all that surprised with Newcastle changing and all that. Also, they had some pretty awesome beers on tap as well, which is always going to grab my attention.

Oh heyyyyy cray cray hipster bar in downtown Newy…read more I was in town for a bucks weekend and staying just around the corner. This place has just reopened and they're all about beer and dude food. The front bar has tons of character and there's literally one meellion beer specials up on the wall, as well as $30 punch bowls (normally $50) on Saturday nights. Plus $6 Tecates, ask them to make you a lagerita, you'll love it, trust me, or your money back (you won't get your money back, I just made that up, but you should totally try one they're great). In the back there's an eatery / bistro area with a menu heavy in burgers and hot dogs and parmies and schnitties and everything fried and American and good in this world. Anything fried chicken is seriously great. I had the southern fried chicken burger with fat fluffy chips and I've never been so happy. There's a pool table, too, and when everyone gets loose the bar turns into an impromptu dance floor. It's a ton of good clean beery fun.

If you're craving an over-the-top, American-style burger, this is the spot for you. I ordered the…read moredouble royale with cheese *fond memories of Pulp Fiction streaming back* and after struggling through indigestion and fears of not finishing ; I'd say the standard would be sufficient. Double patties that were super thick, but juicy, and smothered in double melted cheese. Heart clogger for sure! Another person ordered the lord of the rings but their patty was blackened on one side and very dry as a result. Despite the new look of The Exchange Hotel and getting Goodtime Burgers on board, (at least I think it's still The Exchange. A bit confusing), its not hard to see it's still a pub. Must have been a big night before as the floors were filthy. Not visibly so but there was no mistaking our shoes clinging with every step. This is my main reason for 3 stars. The entire team of staff/owner/s need a kick up the arse if they think this is an acceptable experience for customers. I was embarrassed not only for them but for myself having asked people to eat there with me.

Expectation is only ever going to land you in trouble. We'd been meaning to try The Hop Factory…read moreduring our last two visits to Newcastle and on the hottest day in November for the past five years, we figured it was as good a time as any. But oh expectation. Having crushed on Hop's typography and branding for so long the actual experience left me firmly sitting on the fence. If craft beer floats your boat you'll probably find a few drops to indulge with here. The selection was quite great for a beginner. The menu is US-influenced diner food with a dash of Aussie casual aires and graces. Our lunch time special cheese burgers on a brioche bun were a tidy $12 ($3 extra for the one gluten free burger). This is a burger easily held and consumed in one hand. No spillage. Let's call it the compact cheeseburger. It was all a little pedestrian for my liking and could have been something special with the addition of pickles. Maybe I've got to stop holding all burgers against the cheeseburger at Gerard's Bar in Brisbane. In any case, should you be wanting a place to eat suitable for all budgets, for all the family from your meat-and-three-veg loving Uncle Reg to somewhere for a lads night out then take a gander at Hops Factory on Darby St.

Amazing Thai beef salad and rump steak, but prob not the key reason to visit. With 16 taps that…read morerotate, it's a beer lover's awesomeness. Good priced drinks and enough selection for anyone (even if you're not a beer lover) this is a cool venue to just chill in. No pretension, great service... would love to come again!!

We've all heard the 'it's how you use it' response but at Eightbulls, size does matter! Come with…read moreyour appetite. Leave tenderly nursing your burger belly. Sure, I could have gone traditional with a plain or works but why be boring when they have towering, jaw dislocating, EPIC burgers! Please let them make their own aioli. Best I have ever tasted. Especially combined with the melting American cheddar on the Calamari King. A whopping fresh bun with beer battered chips and a hefty serving of salt and pepper calamari. My partners Monster McSchnit was true to it's name and put even his enormous mouth-opening skill to the test. Don't bother wiping hands as you go. Just get messy and clean up when you're done. As a first time customer and taster of a calamari burger I'll have to return to try a timid traditional to see how they really stack up against the competition. But as far as taste to size to price goes, these guys are on to something!

Absolutely loved this place during my time in Australia, there is not a single item on their menu…read morethat doesn't catch your attention and the atmosphere is soothing. A guest in my party has a peanut allergy and they were easily able to cater to the request and made sure that everything was nowhere near peanuts. All in all this place has it all, amazing food, staff and good local musicians. I would 100% recommend this place to anybody in the area and will be bragging to my friends that I had the best wings in Australia!

Requesting my partner pick a place for lunch meant I couldn't complain when he chose what I had in…read moremy head as an overrated, crowded, alcohol-centric venue. Turns out I had it all wrong and full points to him! Stepping into a large space where you take a menu and choose your table. We arrived shortly after opening (11:30am on a Sunday) and sat by the window. The openness was refreshing and perfectly illustrated one of their beers (Dads with prams) as the majority of patrons had young kids in toe and accompanying prams that had easy access to tables. My partner wasn't fussed on that beer but he lacks the relevant criteria. The food is American inspired with plenty of burgers getting dished out but the beer situation is just as, if not more important. It is a brewery after all! Plenty of varieties and the option of tasting paddles. If you prefer something non alcoholic it's Pepsi not Coke. Food was served fast and hot. Garlic pizza bread to start which was massive but thankfully thin. Foghorn burger for my partner and Philly cheesesteak for me. I loved the chilli but wished there was more steak to offset the large amount of onion and capsicum. The seasoned chips were delicious. I'd definitely return for lunch in this enjoyably casual atmosphere.

Tried this cafe out with a friend. The store itself is gorgeous. The experience was strange…read more The hostess the morning we were there was very aggressively making sure no one took one pair of tables. I'm not sure if it was reserved or not, but every pair of diners who entered the cafe were loudly told those tables were only for parties of 4. Every interaction with the hostess was uncomfortable, as if I was getting into trouble from a headmistress. The menu has a lot of really interesting-sounding Macedonian food, but it's lost amongst an enormous list of usual suspects - like burgers. I chose avocado on toast and a hot chocolate; my dining partner chose french toast and a flat white. My hot chocolate was made cappuccino-style, with foam, and was one of the better hot chocolates I've had in Newcastle. I could see myself calling in for a hot chocolate takeaway if I lived nearby. Breakfast was disappointing, for both the price point. The smashed avocado on toast ($15) was two small pieces of ciabatta with unseasoned avocado and feta on it. It was underwhelming and overpriced for the portion size, especially comparing other cafes in Newcastle, though the avocado was fresh. The french toast ($14) was a single slice of wonder bread-style toast with maple syrup and berries in little jars. Again, it was almost funny because it was so underwhelming. Overall, the meal kind of felt thrown together, or pre-made. Overall, I wouldn't return. The food is basically home-made, in that I can easily make at the same standard at home. Breakfast needs to totally be reconsidered. The cafe is beautiful but needs atmosphere - music, happy staff. It has amazing history, and I think if they trimmed the menu down to focus on the Macedonian dishes, this cafe could be incredible.

Such a cute little spot! Adorable decor, wonderful service, little patio, this food was SO fresh…read moreand delicious. We split the Tailor's plate and it was incredible. A+

Consistently good food, well priced and friendly service. I…read morehave been coming here for several years, mainly for Sunday breakfasts but their lunch menu is just as appealing and has a good specials selection. Today I tried the Rueben sandwich. The colour and taste of the sauerkraut really topped it off but it was a bit messy to eat. If you have a sweet tooth, there are a variety of cakes to choose from (served with ice cream or cream). It can get very busy so booking ahead is a good idea but there is usually enough space for walk-ins. It is table service with pay at counter. Despite how busy they get they are a rarity in that they split bills, which I love. Yes, they might miss something on your order or forget to get that extra drink but I'm happy to overlook that. I will keep coming back.

One of the best cafes on Beaumont street, the food is excellent, the coffee is good and the service…read moreis great! They have a excellent selection of cakes! The bannoffe pie is to die for!!!

The brisket Mac and cheese is amazing!! Great beer selection and really great place to sink a few…read moredrinks

I had the Chicken schnitzel w/ chips & garden salad (or creamy mash & steamed veg). ($16.90) (gravy…read more& like sauces extra $2.50-3.50; toppers extra $4.50-6.50 -- I opted for no sauce or toppers; there's BBQ & tomato sauce on the cutlery table.) The breading was just a little bit dry for my tastes, but the chicken was tender & tasty, & the BBQ sauce was plenty to tide me over, but if I find myself back here I'll splurge for the gravy. The chips (fries) were ace. The salad was dressed with a light vinaigrette, a nice accompaniment to the fried food. My partner ordered a pizza: The Hendrix: salsa sauce base, seasoned beef, capsicum, & a mozzarella/cheddar blend & a dash of sour cream. ($14.90) Salsa base obviously makes for a bit of a strange pizza, but it was really good. Quite a large serving of sour cream, which is awesome if you like it; my partner, who doesn't, just pushed it off without any complaints. Their menu advertises mojitos, so I ordered one, but the bartender came & found me at my table a couple minutes later, apologizing profusely that they'd run out of mint. I asked for a schooner of beer instead, which she delivered with the change to make up the difference. Disappointing, but no big deal. Overall, good food for decent prices, especially when you throw in the free live music that accompanies your meal.

I'm reluctant to write a review because this places varies so much. The management often changes…read more(there's currently a good crew which is why I've given 4 stars) and every night of the week is different. It's a pretty big place and every area is also different! Generally the food is good, well priced pub grub. The drink specials are usually good value and there's a good variety on offer. But this place attracts some freaking weirdos. It's close to the train station and is often the sloppy last stop for people before they go home. Dress casual (all looks are welcome here though) come with some friends and sit on the couches and people watch over some drinks. Perhaps on the night you read this it will be totally different to what I've described. But go without expectations and it will be a fun one.