Totoro’s Teahouse is a new little cafe in the heart of Newcastle, and the amazing news is that it’s all vegan.
They had their official opening launch last night, and were serving yummy hommus with Turkish bread ($5), dhal ($5) and amazing cupcakes ($4). And various teas and chais of course (no coffee).
Pip and I split two cupcakes – banana with peanut butter frosting, and Oreo. I like the Oreo the best and I think Pip liked the peanut butter one. And then Pip got up and sang a few numbers. She is gorgeous and her music is amazing.
Totoro’s Teahouse was set up by a few lovely young girls with the assistance of the Renew Newcastle program.
Another new shop in Newcastle that was formed as a part of the program is the zine shop A Bird In The Hand. You know you’ve reached the store when you see this sign:
It’s a wonderful little shop, packed to the rafters with zines, and also a good selection of non-zine vegan cooking books. The store also runs an online distro if you can’t make it to Newcastle.
Renew Newcastle has a close relationship with This Is Not Art (both were the brainchild of Novocastrian Marcus Westbury), and you can read more about what events are being run this co-run between TINA and RN this weekend here.
Totoro’s Teahouse, Shop 1, 111 Hunter St, Newcastle
Bird in the Hand, 100A King Street, Newcastle
8 Comments
Wow, they both look like really great projects. Newcastle ha been doing some fantastic things for its art community of late, I can’t wait to go back to Oz and check it out. Thanks for this post.
Oh my god – how good to those cupcakes look?
The zine store looks amazing, too.
Yeah it’s all aces in Newie!
Hey Lisa, great post. Loved the low-key vibe at Totoro’s. I hope everything works out for them.
Does anyone know who did the artwork of the girl dressed up as an Asian lucky cat? It was on the wall at Totoro’s but I forgot to ask the staff about it.
Thuy Linh, I’ll ask Maddy.
I am so sick with jealousy right now. Grew up in Sydney and I’ve never been to Newcastle.. will try to go it TINA next year
aw thanks lisa, i’m so glad you were there
i love these two shops. art hive art space and vox cyclops are also two favourite renew projects of mine
Thanks Lisa, this is a really great post! The artwork of the maneki neko girl is one of mine – I sold it to Maddy just after TINA. ^w^
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