Melbourne may be known for its enchanting bar scene but Sydney’s fine-dining offering is at an all-time high.
Spliced with old favourites—now revered worldwide—and ambitious newcomers that revel in pushing the envelope and challenging the city palette, Sydney’s fine-dining players mean serious, and delicious, business.
Here is marie claire‘s guide to the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney.
Ester
Location: Chippendale
A table at Ester is one of the most coveted bookings in town. The Chippendale restaurant has garnered a reputation as one of Sydney’s best fine-diners, known for its wood-fired eats (think hot potato bread with cool trout roe and kefir cream, and calamari and lardo skewers), natural-leaning wine list and relaxed, unfussy vibe.
Restaurant Hubert
Location: Sydney CBD
In the heart of Sydney CBD, this clandestine underground restaurant and bar is heaving come Friday nights. The menu is typically French but there’s plenty of international influence (roasted snails come with XO sauce) that extends to Bar Hubert’s interiors which are plastered with artsy posters and Time-Life photographs.
Bennelong
Location: Sydney CBD
One of the city’s most iconic dining venues, Bennelong boasts extensive harbour views and a menu that’s equally as impressive. The perfect place to take out-of-towners.
The Gantry
Location: Dawes Point
No view is more spectacular than that of Sydney harbour, and The Gantry, idyllically located right on the waterfront at Walsh Bay, is nothing short of a dream location. With a menu offering that can be tailored to your exact desires, be it a share plate situation or a bespoke menu curated by head chef Rhys Connell, you can expect a different experience each time you visit. Perfect for a date night or special occasion, with the open kitchen allowing you to watch the culinary talent at work, while enjoying the food they’ve so perfectly prepared. A must-visit.
Nomad
Location: Surry Hills
A place for in-the-know foodies, Surry Hills’ Nomad offers a refined take on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. With a focus on local produce and incredible Australian wine (including many lesser-known wines), Nomad’s menu is fuelled by fantastic flavours and smart pairings. If you’re after something light, don’t skip the Nomad Charcuterie board.
Firedoor
Location: Surry Hills
The perfect wintertime dining choice, Firedoor’s menu is cooked over coals. Chef Lennox Hastie has become renowned for his specialty cooking method and bespoke ingredient list. While the menu changes daily, you can’t go wrong with anything smoked over coals. Yum.
10 William Street
Location: Paddington
A favourite of many Sydney gourmands, 10 William Street takes bar snacks seriously. The charming hole-in-the-wall Italian bar-cum-restaurant offers precisely executed pasta dishes (the ragu is a must-try) and a killer drink list. Don’t miss the warmed pretzel with whipped bottarga.
Quay
Location: Sydney CBD
A quintessential Sydney dining experience, Quay reopened in late 2018 after a three-month long renovation, revealing a brand new menu and fresh fitout—the update allows guests even greater vistas of the Harbour Bridge. With a much raved-about menu by Chef Peter Gilmore (whose clever play on texture makes every dish a talking point), you can rest assured your meal will be as inspired as your views.
Bentley
Location: Sydney CBD
Dubbed by Gourmet Traveller as the ‘best place in Australia to drink wine’, Bentley promises to surpass all your expectations. An eclectic wine list makes its bar stools some of the most sought after within the CBD come 5pm, while an extensive tasting menu (plus a dedicated vegetarian alternative) deem it one of Sydney’s most exciting restaurants.
Bert’s
Location: Newport
If you’re headed for a weekend up on Sydney’s northern beaches, make sure you include Bert’s on your itinerary. One of Merivale’s many feats, the brasserie and bar is headed by chef Jordan Toft and offers a European-inspired menu framed with fresh seafood and a succulent wine list—not to mention; seriously Instagram-able interiors.
Cho Cho San
Location: Potts Point
One of Potts Points’ most lauded dinner spots, Cho Cho San serves up Japanese-inspired dishes with flair. Perfect for group bookings; find a spot around the restaurant’s concrete-slab table and order a mix of plates off the izakaya snack menu (our favourite: juicy grilled pork steam-bun sandwiches) and a glass of red from a globetrotting wine list. A perfect place for date night too.
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Location: Sydney CBD
Located in a glamorous art deco building dating back to 1936, Rockpool Bar & Grill sits within one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. The fare matches the setting: classic and sophisticated. However, this isn’t the type of fine dining institution where one might leave hungry. Mains are hearty (and include a delicious selection woodfired meats and seafood) and the menu is large and varied for all palates. Then there is the highly-decorated wine list that is undoubtedly one of the most prized in Sydney.
