The Newport – our favourite summer restaurant [UPDATED]

The Newport 

The Newport is one of our local spots.  It’s not in our suburb and is 11 kms away but it is one of the places we feel most relaxed with our children. Although it is quite a way up the Northern Beaches, it is worth the drive!!

When I look back to when it opened two years ago and I didn’t know whether it was okay to take kids, I laugh to myself. I have now been back to the Newport with our kids so many times! We take visitors, we celebrate birthdays and we definitely go on Sunday to see the amazing reptile man! It’s become part of our Sydney life!

More recently, there has been a new addition to the premises in the form of Berts, but we will get on to that a bit later!

 

With or without kids, the Newport is a brilliant place to visit. I dream of being able to go and have a meal and a few drinks in the sun one day.

 

However, I am a mom to two rambunctious youngsters so that’s how I know the Newport primarily.

 

From the menus to the play space and the extra activities on weekends, there is no question about it – the Newport is excellent for kids!

 

 

Where is the Newport

The Newport overlooks Pittwater. The official address is 2 Kalinya Street, Newport, NSW 2106.

 

If you’re driving, you should find free parking onsite. If you’re not keen on driving there is a courtesy shuttle bus. I have included more information about this at the bottom of the post.

 

The Newport Features

When you walk into the Newport you get the feeling of being at a resort. There is sparking water to your left,  a stunning indoor area to the right, bright decor, gorgeous greenery and a whole host of staff walking around the complex smiling.

 

It’s got a very cool vibe about it.

 

The layout is a bit similar to The Grounds in Alexandria  in that the Newport is one big venue with a whole lot of smaller settings with their own food or drinks outlets:

 

  • For Seafood you go to the Seafood Market which serves Oysters, Prawns or a Crab Omelette
  •  From the Shack you can get salads, burgers, sandwiches and seafood (seafood different to the Seafood Market).
  • The Kiosk serves “a selection of daily smoked and rotisserie meats”.
  • For Pizza you go to Vinnie’s Pizza.

When we visit with the kids they either eat from Vinnies and have pizzas or they have fish and chips from the kiosk.

 

Excuse the quality of the below image of the Newport layout, its from 2016 but it is still accurate.

The Newport Sydney

 

There are a number of drinks on offer and you can check out the Menu section of the Newport Website for that.

 

 

 

The Newport Suitability for Kids

My kids have enjoyed the Newport from when my youngest was just 2 years old.

The kids were able to get stuck into:

  • Giant Jenga,
  • bowling in the restored little wooden alley
  • trying to work out how to play the giant scrabble (there is a wall that you can stick the letters onto).

My husband and I managed to have a game of table tennis when the kids weren’t looking while granny snuck off to get the pizzas and ice-cream.

 

Where is the Newport Games Room

If you’re trying to work out where this in on the map, it’s called “The Gymnasium”.

 

The inside area is lovely and open, there is plenty of seating and air conditioning, it’s perfect for little kids and families. This area is even good on rainy days or evenings as you are sheltered but still have fresh air coming in.

 

There is also an area which serves Coffee and a few pastries and sweet treats to try. I’m not really sure which venue this is or where it’s referred to in the map or on the Newport site.

 

Special events for Kids

Beyond the gym where the kids can play, there are also specific events that are often on. Every second Sunday is Reptile man which my kids adore! He is so good, equally so with children as he is with reptiles.

Note to parents though: do NOT make eye contact, you may get asked to volunteer for something involving a lizard and your face. 

 

The Newport Facilities

The Newport, according to its website is wheelchair friendly. You may however find a few places where you need some assistance. The same would go for prams. On the first occasion we visited there were quite a few moms with little babies in prams.

 

The Newport is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday (11am – 12am).

 

On the weekends you can get breakfast from the Kiosk Cafe from 10am. Do take note only the Kiosk Cafe is open from 10 – 11am, the rest of the “venues” open around 11am.

 

The Newport without kids

If you’re looking to have a great day or evening out at The Newport sans kids – you’ll want to know the following:

  • there is a courtesy shuttle bus that runs from Manly Wharf, Dee Why, Warriewood and Avalon (you can check out more information on the timetable link from the Newport website.
  • the bar and bottle shops is open from 10am daily.
  • If you need cash – there is an ATM on site.

 

Berts Brasserie and Bar

There is now also Berts on site that you can visit if you’re at the Newport without the kids. Bert’s is inspired by the grand hotel dining rooms of the 1930s but also has a relaxed informal element to it. It is still the Beaches after all.

 

With an Oyster Bar to Live Eastern Lobster and an impressive wine list there is some serious decadence on offer. There is plenty of variation from roast duck to ravioli with buffalo ricotta and nettles, roast globe artichokes. It is the perfect place for an anniversary dinner!! I can dream of an evening here without kids!

 

Berts is open from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and then from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.

 

 

For more pictures check out The Newport Picture Gallery I’ve created.