Light Years - Newcastle

Popular Byron Bay and Gold Coast joint Light Years has another restaurant in Newcastle with a retro Palm Springs-inspired fit-out; think dusty pink tones, curved booths, blonde timber, marble benchtops, mosaic tiling, and palm trees. As with its other beloved locations, the menu at the Newcastle restaurants is pan-Asian but mostly Chinese-inspired, with a raw offering, dumplings and bao buns, saucy main dishes and flavour-packed curries, and vibrant cocktails to lock in a good time. For more escapes from Sydney check out

Light Years Asian Bar & Diner began in Byron Bay in 2017 but it didn’t take long for the delicious take on modern Asian share style food and unique cocktails to spread to Noosa, Burleigh Heads and lucky for us, Newcastle’s Darby Street. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Robbie Oijvali the food has a reputation for being bold, colourful, and full of punchy flavour. The new menu features the freshest oysters from yours truly, and you can’t go past their Kingfish ceviche, tuna tartar or the mud crab, prawn and scallop dumplings.

Byron Bay’s popular (and quickly growing) restaurant identity Light Years has made its way down the coast to Newcastle. The bright and breezy pan-Asian restaurant is located on Darley Street and serves up dumplings, bao and prawn rolls alongside larger share dishes such as chilli-caramel pork belly, Singapore-style chilli prawns and curries. It’s a consistent crowd-pleaser, making it a great spot for groups.

Miami Vice meets Newcastle at this tropical-hued venue, the fourth from the Light Years team. Discover a fresh cuisine-crossing, pan-Asian menu with punchy cocktails and indulge in the fresh, flavour-packed dishes Light Years has become known for. The large space is bright and airy, inviting guests to a relaxing feast of the senses surrounded by stunning decor and great vibes—perfect for those social snaps.

In the city, try Bocados for Spanish tapas; Ginger Meg's for bold tastes of Southeast Asia (plus on Sundays there’s yum cha); Newcastle institution Scottie’s for up-market, sustainable seafood and fish and chips in a wine bar-like setting by the beach; and Light Years for modern Asian and punchy cocktails. Humbug will answer any high-end cravings with wine, pasta and snacks; as will Market St Basement.

Miami Vice meets Newcastle at this tropical-hued venue, the fourth from the Light Years team. Discover a fresh cuisine-crossing, pan-Asian menu with punchy cocktails, and indulge in the fresh flavour packed dishes Light Years has become known for. The large space is bright and airy, inviting all in for a relaxing feast of the senses, surrounded by stunning decor and great vibes.

Light Years in Newcastle is a vibrant eatery renowned for its fusion of Asian and modern Australian cuisine. Nestled in the heart of the city, it offers an eclectic menu featuring innovative dishes bursting with flavor and freshness. From traditional favorites with a twist to inventive creations, each dish is crafted with care using locally sourced ingredients.

Location: 5-7 Darby St, Newcastle, NSW 2300 Ph: 0499 611 836. Light Years are slowly spreading their likeable take on modern Asian food amongst the coastal towns of east Australia. Already with successful restaurants in Burleigh, Byron & Noosa, they opened an outpost in Newcastle in late December 2021 and it’s fair to say that the place took off straight away.

Newcastle's laid-back vibe gets a stylish uplift at Light Years. This breezy, inviting Newcastle restaurant is where you'll want to dress to impress for lunch or dinner. Renowned for its vibrant tropical decor, palm trees and cascading foliage, the Light Years offers an exquisite modern Asian dining experience.

Located on Darby Street, Light Years presents itself as an exotic restaurant serving modern Asian cuisine. The establishment adopts a stunning visual and culinary concept, configured as a palm tree-filled oasis that promises a unique experience, perfect for lovers of Korean food and exotic cuisine in general.

Popular in Byron Bay and Noosa, Light Years opened most recently in Newcastle, bringing diverse culinary traditions of Southeast Asia to the Steel City. With an atmosphere that’s lively and upbeat, colourful cocktails, and delicious, sharable dishes – Lightyears is a great place to celebrate.

Delectable Asian cuisine, punchy cocktails, and a tropical-themed party awaits you at Light Years. With a modern twist and undeniable charm, there’s a reason this Newcastle restaurant has quickly become a local icon. What can we say – the vibes are high, and the food is delicious.

Light Years Burleigh Heads has dinner menus for parties of eight or more, and it has great options for group eating as well. The premium banquet is required for parties with more than 20 people. Most dietary needs can be met by the restaurant with early notice.

Best for: Lola Palomas (chilli-infused tequila with watermelon, lime and grapefruit) with corn ribs in miso butter. Newcastle is a T-shirt-casual kind of place. But you will want to don your most fetching ’fit for lunch or dinner at this light and airy eatery.

I would recommend Scotties, Ship Inn, Oh My Papa or Light Years for dinner and then Three Monkeys is a must for brekky. If you’re not in the mood for a sit-down sitch, fish and chips on the beach during sunset is unbeatable.” — Cass

like miso eggplant and kingfish ceviche are thoughtfully prepared, complemented by a chic atmosphere and a great bar area offering unique cocktails. This spot is a top choice for those seeking