Water views meet lamp-laden, moody décor at local favourite Mediterranean restaurant, Rustica Newcastle Beach. If you want to literally feel the ocean spray over your pre-dinner cocktails, Merewether Surfhouse is wedged between the cliffs and the sand, and you won’t go hungry with a variety of pizzas and other Italian dishes on offer. The Signal Box repurposes old railway architecture into an open-air courtyard and airy pavilion with lots of casual seating where everything from sauces, stocks and pickles through to fresh juices, chai and sodas are made in house.

Meaning "rural" in Italian, this lushly decorated restaurant with stunning views over Newcastle Beach is one of the shining stars in the city's expanding dining scene. The restaurant serves cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean, from the shores of northern Africa to the foothills of Tuscany. There's sharing plates, substantial meals and the grand banquet, which is a six-course menu costing A$55.

Next to the Novotel, in a prime position overlooking Newcastle Beach, Rustica restaurant is an enjoyable slice of Mediterranean style and flavour in the city centre. Rustica's decor is so classically Hispanic, with wine barrels and lanterns hanging from the ceiling, that you'll be tempted to call for castanets rather than cutlery, and a guitarist adds a flamenco soundtrack in the evening. The food is trans-Mediterranean with a hint of Morrocan spice and includes tapas, mains like Fennel roasted pork belly with Italian sausage and irresistible shared plates like Braised "kleftico'' lamb shoulder with oregano potatoes. See rustica.com.au

One of Newcastle's most-loved Mediterranean restaurants, Rustica not only boasts a quality menu but also happens to offer up some of the best views and interiors in Newcastle. Sitting directly opposite Newcastle Beach, Rustica is an ideal spot for a long lunch or romantic dinner for two. Choose between the grazing tapas-style menu or go for the larger plates to enjoy all to yourself.Where: 2/1 King St, Newcastle

Since 2011, Rustica Newcastle Beach has been a welcoming haven, providing personalized service to ensure your dining enjoyment. With a cozy atmosphere that promotes relaxation, we specialize in authentic Mediterranean fare, with a modern touch, highlighting top-quality meat, seafood, and fresh ingredients prepared with simplicity to enhance their natural flavors. Went there for an anniversary.

Rustica is set on Newcastle beach where you can finish your day with a menu which embodies true Mediterranean style, leaving you feeling satisfied with its authenticity. Embracing the rich, local produce of the Newcastle region, including succulent oysters from Port Stephens, Upper Hunter lamb, and Hunter Valley verjuice, this is the perfect tapas style food to bring people together.

The views over Newcastle Beach are very impressive from Rustica. Here simple Mediterranean has been the philosophy for more than a decade, and you’re seated under a canopy of lanterns, surrounded by ornate wrought iron detailing. On the other side of the hill, Merewether Surfhouse’s terrace bar and restaurant offers sweeping views of Merewether Beach.

Newcastle Beach sets the scene for this Mediterranean-themed eatery, Rustica. Occupying a bright and airy space opposite the beach, the Dion Ackland-designed interiors and hand crafted pieces by local artisans will have you looking around in awe. The menu is all about tapas, share-style and banquet menus, all teeming with Mediterranean-style dishes.

Newcastle Beach sets the scene for Mediterranean-themed eatery, Rustica. Occupying a bright and airy space opposite the beach, the interiors designed by Dion Ackland and handcrafted pieces by local artisans will have you looking around in awe. The menu is all about tapas, share-style and banquet menus, all teeming with Mediterranean-style flavours.

To know the next restaurant with gluten-free meals in Newcastle, we have to travel to King Street. This is the popular Rustica restaurant, which offers an extensive menu with dishes designed for lovers of Australian Mediterranean food. This restaurant was established in Newcastle in 2011 and, since then, has worked to earn the preference of locals.

Overall, we had a mixed experience – some dishes were delicious, but several service and food issues kept the evening from being truly special. • Tasty mains: The lamb (with potatoes) was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. • Great gluten-free dessert: The gluten-free rhubarb dessert was a wonderful end to the meal – creative and flavorful.

Overall, we had a mixed experience – some dishes were delicious, but several service and food issues kept the evening from being truly special. • Tasty mains: The lamb (with potatoes) was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. • Great gluten-free dessert: The gluten-free rhubarb dessert was a wonderful end to the meal – creative and flavorful.

Rustica was established in 2011, since then it has become one of Newcastle’s most loved Mediterranean restaurants. Sitting directly opposite Newcastle Beach, you’ll be treated to amazing views and amazing food. The chefs at Rustica source local products where they can, including oysters, Upper Hunter lamb, and Hunter Valley verjuice.

For special occasions, you can’t go past Rustica at Newcastle Beach. The ocean views are just as delicious as the food, and I’ve found the waitstaff to be very attentive and accommodating to Coeliac needs. I attended a banquet-style work event at Rustica and was impressed by the subtle changes they made to my dishes to make them GF.

The menu at Rustica ranges from tapas to shared plates like the slow braised lamb shoulder with oregano potatoes backed up by a wine list featuring some of the Hunter Valley’s best drops. Hand crafted artisan pieces feature in the Dion Ackland-designed interiors however nothing can detract from those show stopping ocean vistas.

Wait until you’re good and hungry, then get yourself over to Rustica. This place has the coolest fit-out, with these amazing lanterns coming out of the ceiling like jagged shards of crystal. The menu here offers a range of Mediterranean options that will have your mind splitting in two, trying to decide what to get.

In fact, this is not the first time this popular restaurant has made it to our list. This time, it is for their delectable bbq dishes that both locals and visiting tourists enjoy. Here, you are looking at an ambitious Mediterranean menu that you won’t find anywhere else.

Rustica Newcastle Beach was established in 2011 and provides diners with a cosy and welcoming ambience. The restaurant focuses in modern Italian cuisine with a focus on new products prepared simply with meat and seafood. It is well-known for its friendly service.

Looking for something a little fancier for a date night or special occasion?. Rustica is a Mediterranean-style restaurant overlooking Newcastle Beach, focusing on superior quality meat and seafood. The decor is eclectic and the views are gorgeous.

Location: 2/1 King St, Newcastle, NSW 2300 Ph: (02) 4929 3333. We couldn’t really do a rundown of the best restaurants in Newcastle and not write about Rustica Newcastle Beach. As the name implies, the location alone makes it worthy of a mention.