A good restaurant should be capable of offering a complete sensory experience. There’s nothing that makes a good meal better than atmosphere; we’re talking friendly staff, stylish interior, and a beautiful view.
Sunny Sydney is blessed with some of the most beautiful harbourside architecture in the world; as far south as Cronulla, and as far north as Palm Beach, Sydney has no shortage of incredible waterfront cafes, waterfront bars, and pubs with a view, so lets take a look at the 10 dining experiences that boast the most breathtaking views in the city.
10. LuMi Bar and Dining
Price range: A$120 – A$180
Where: Pyrmont
This restaurant is managed by the award-winning chef Federico Zanellato, from the world-famous kitchens at Noma and Attica. Federico’s brainchild has culminated in a mouthwatering culinary adventure with a gorgeous backdrop of the Sydney Harbour.
Award-Winning Fusion Cuisine
LuMi serves Italian and Japanese fusion cuisine and its menu is seasonal by design, so no two visits are alike. If you’re not sure what to get, a 10-course degustation lets you have a little bit of everything at A$150.
LuMi is open to serve you during these times:
Wednesday to Thursday, from 6:30pm to 10pm
Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 2:30pm
Friday, from 6pm to 10pm
Saturday to Sunday, from 6:30pm to 10pm.
https://www.lumidining.com/contact
9. Sydney Cove Oyster Bar
Price Range: A$15 – A$75
Where: Circular Quay East
The Sydney Cove Oyster Bar is a culinary paradise for seafood lovers and offers some of the best waterfront dining in Sydney. Not only is it strategically positioned right next to the water’s edge at Sydney Cove, giving you the full seaside experience, but the Oyster Bar’s also has one of the biggest selections of oysters in Sydney, with at least six different regional oysters ready to order.
Pro tip: This place offers some of the best Fish and Chips in Sydney, so if you’re looking for a quick salty fix, make sure to drop by!
The Authentic Getaway Experience
All Oyster Bar tables are situated outdoors, and the gentle crash of the harbour waters against its walls add to the overall beach-like serenity of the atmosphere. This bar boasts a gorgeous seaview across Sydney Harbour, with a stunning Harbour bridge view—it’s the perfect spot for a quick getaway meal.
Feast at the Oyster Bar during these times:
Sunday to Tuesday, from 11am to 10pm
Wednesday to Saturday, from 11am to 11pm
https://sydneycoveoysterbar.com
8. Aria Restaurant Sydney
Price Range: A$55 – A$205
Where: East Circular Quay
Craving some contemporary Australian cuisine? The Aria Restaurant utilises fresh Australian Seafood to craft deliciously complex dishes. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dinner with a gorgeous view, look no further.
Sydney Fine Dining
Make sure to reserve a window table in advance to make the most out of this experience—the Aria Restaurant is perched at the tip of Macquarie Street, and overlooks almost all of Sydney Harbour. That includes the Opera House, the Wharf, and Sydnay Harbour Bridge, all from one vantage point!
Experience Aria Restaurant during these times:
Sunday, from 12pm to 10pm
Monday to Saturday, from 12pm to 10:30pm.
https://www.ariasydney.com.au/
7. Sorenzo Contemporary Japanese Dining
Price Range: A$70 – A$110
Where: Darling Harbour
Japanese cuisine is known to have some of the most delicious and unique foods in the world. Japanese cuisine has artfully mastered how to serve dishes that achieve a carefully crafted balance of tastes and textures, and Sorenzo follows suit. With a blend of modern and authentic Japanese cuisine, this is the place to go for if you want to enjoy a uniquely Japanese experience while gazing a beautiful Australian water view.
Itadakimasu!
The sleek wooden decor and quiet interior help make the restaurant a welcome rest stop from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Make sure to take some photos— their food presentation is definitely one for the ‘gram!
Grab a bite to eat at Sorenzo during these times:
Sunday, from 5:30pm to 9pm
Monday to Thursday, from 12pm to 2:30pm and 6pm to 9pm
Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 3pm
Friday to Saturday, from 5:30pm to 10pm.
6. Rhythmboat Cruises Sydney Harbour
Where: King Street Wharf
Price Range: Around A$99
If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary—this is definitely one to check out. Rhythmboat Cruises gives you the opportunity to enjoy an incredible meal on the water, as you cruise around the world’s largest natural harbour.
360-Degree Views For Dinner
It can be a bit overwhelming; eating such delicious food, and taking in the panoramic views. This is a perfect trip to take with that special someone, the scene is utterly romantic, and you can be sure that there’ll be no dull moments as you drift around the harbour taking in some of the best views Sydney has to offer.
Rhythmboat cruises are available for booking from Mondays to Fridays, starting at 9am to 4:30pm.
https://www.rhythmboat.com.au/
5. The Dining Room
Where: The Rocks, North Sydney
Price Range: A$200 per person for a six-course meal
Of course, the Park Hyatt’s signature restaurant would make the list. The internationally acclaimed luxury hotel’s Dining Room serves modern European cuisine, sourced by seasonal and sustainable Australian ingredients and artisan produce.
World-Class Service And Harbour Views
The Dining Room presents a panoramic view of the Sydney Harbour as well as the broad city skyline. If you’ve checked in at the hotel, there are two other places that you have to check out— you can book a cabana by the rooftop pool or grab some drinks at the bar.
You can visit the Dining Room during the following times:
Sunday to Saturday, 6pm to 10pm
Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 10:30am and 12:00pm to 2:30 pm
Saturday to Sunday, 6:30am to 11am and 12:30pm to 3pm.
4. The Malaya
Price Range: A$31 – A$125
Where: King Street Wharf
In 2013, the Malaya celebrated its 50th anniversary—a milestone only a few other Sydney restaurants get to experience. This restaurant, founded in 1964 by a merchant seaman from China, steadily continues its tradition of serving mouthwatering Southeast Asian cuisine well into 2019.
Fifty-Six Years Of World-Class Asian Cuisine
Located right at the waterfront, the Malaya offers picturesque views of the Darling Harbour. Fine dining with friendly service and a gorgeous view—it’s definitely a bit pricey, but it’s worth every penny.
Book a dinner at the Malaya during the following times:
Sunday to Tuesday, from 6pm to 9pm
Monday to Thursday, from 12pm to 2:30pm
Wednesday to Thursday, from 6pm to 9:30pm
Friday, from 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm
Saturday, from 12pm to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 10pm
3. Graze MCA
Price Range: Around A$65 per person
Where: The Rocks, North Sydney
Located at the ground floor of the Museum of the Contemporary Arts, Graze is a popular choice for both locals and tourists. The restaurant offers a mixture of Mediterranean and Australian cuisine, and happens to be very kid-friendly.
Food, Art, and Perspective
Graze captures a stunning view of the Opera House and Circular Quay, and has a small park out front where you can let your kids burn off their extra energy. This is the perfect place to bring your family and friends together for a casual brunch, or Sunday lunch.
Visit Graze during these times:
Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 3pm
Saturday to Sunday, 8am to 3pm
2. Cafe Sydney
Price Range: Around A$160 for two people
Where: Sydney Customs House, North Sydney
Don’t be fooled by the boring name—Cafe Sydney is anything but, this is the place to go to for a bite of local cuisine, boasting some of the best food in the city. They’re famous for their sweets, so make sure to leave some room for dessert.
Laid-Back Fine Dining
Situated on the roof of Customs House, if you’re looking for cafes with a view, Cafe Sydney is arguably one of the best choices in the whole city.
The Cafe Sydney is open to serve you at these times:
Sunday, 12pm to 4:30pm
Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 10pm
1. The Ternary
Price Range: Around A$55 per person
Where: Novotel Sydney, Darling Harbour
Dinner at the Ternary is an incredibly diverse experience: the Grill Kitchen, the Asian Kitchen, and the Wine Bar, all brought together in an open space. Dining at the Ternary is both a culinary masterclass, as you get to see how the chefs do their work right up close.
The Modern Culinary Experience
The Ternary offers gorgeous city skyline and jaw-dropping views of Darling Harbour views with its extensive floor-to-ceiling glass windows. It can get quite crowded at times, so make sure to book a table in advance!
Visit the Ternary from Sunday to Saturday, 6pm to 10pm.
https://www.theternary.com.au/
Thanks to the massively multicultural community, Sydney is a thriving modern food hub. It seems like regardless of where you go, there’s a perfect place to eat waiting for you nearby, all it takes is to open up your phone and type in ‘restaurants near me’.
With that said, there’s something absolutely awe-inspiring about dining right next to the harbour-side, it’s an experience that feels uniquely Sydney, and is an experience that we recommend to locals and tourists alike.