The Mark Hotel

Set in the heart of Lambton, Newcastle, The Mark Hotel is a family-owned local with a fresh, modern polish. Recently renovated, its main bar hums with Big sports screens, Keno facilities, a pool table and a breezy beer garden. Drinks lean from craft to classic, with Hunter Valley wines, signature cocktails and a broad line-up of beers and spirits primed for easygoing afternoons and lively nights.

In the contemporary bistro, modern Australian cooking takes centre stage with comfort and generosity. Small plates invite sharing: think garlic prawns bubbling in butter with crusty bread or truffle arancini that crackle into creamy risotto within. Seafood lands with a crisp flourish in tempura-battered fish and chips, while Mediterranean salmon arrives with a lemon herb crust and bright, garden-side company.

Heftier cravings find their match in a chargrilled rump steak or a Wagyu beef burger layered for lift and bite. Bowls twirl from Mum's Meatball Rigatoni to fettuccine carbonara, while fresh notes come by way of roasted pumpkin and a classic Caesar. Sides are built to linger over, and desserts sign off indulgently with tiramisu or a warm chocolate fondant. Little diners are well looked after too.