Sydney's Finest Restaurants

Looking for a restaurant for date night that’s sure to impress your better half or celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary that is cause for only the finest of food? Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re simply wanting to treat yourself and feeling a little fancy, - certainly nothing wrong with that - there is plenty of fine-dining restaurants in Sydney to take your pick from.

First-class service, white tablecloths, polished silver and glassware, stunning views, and, of course, incredible food; these are the essential ingredients which make for a truly unforgettable dining experience and what can be expected at these Sydney fine-dining establishments listed below.

Click below for all the other must-try foodie spots in Sydney beyond fine diners:

MANTA RESTAURANT | WOOLlOOMOOLOO

Waterfront dining at its finest, Manta Restaurant, located amongst a number of other fine dining establishments that run the length of the iconic Woolloomooloo Wharf is perfect for seafood lovers (like me). I stopped at this restaurant, just for a drink, earlier within the year when wandering around the area of Woolloomooloo and Potts Points. I remember glancing at the menu and seeing 'Blue Swimmer crab lasagne' and instantly knew that I would be back, absolutely loving Brisbane's Il Centro sand crab lasagne dish. So, when it came time to order it, there really was no need to even see the menu! The verdict; well I must say both dishes, the lasagne at Il Centro and the one offered at Manta were very similar, in look and taste. However, Il Centro's lasagne is definitely richer and comes with a lot more sauce and, in my opinion, wins the battle, which is probably good because it's certainly a lot closer to home!

View Manta Restaurant’s menu.

6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011

Open 7 Days Midday - 3.00pm & 6.00pm - 10.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

BLUE SWIMMER CRAB LASAGNE with Moreton Bay bug and crab bisque.

SEAFOOD RISOTTO Fish, pippies, mussels, prawn, scallop, crustacean stock, lemon zest, marjoram.

SHIRLEY TEMPLE Dash of grenadine, fresh lemon juice, ginger ale.

FOREST BERRY Crushed blackberries, raspberries, cranberry juice, raspberry purée.

TOTTI’S | BONDI BEACH

Although arguably not a fine-dining restaurant at all - more relaxed and casual - I just could not leave Totti’s off this list as it’s one of my favourites. Dining amongst the olive trees in Totti’s gorgeous, open-air courtyard, it’s difficult to believe your just a short walk from Bondi Beach and not somewhere in dreamy Tuscany. At Totti’s, it’s all about sharing simple, delicious food, a few laughs, and a drink or two with family and friends - the Italian way of life. With this in mind, the restaurant’s menu is very much made for sharing, dominated by a selection of local and house-made antipasto and flavour-packed pasta dishes, therefore making it ideal when visiting with a group. But group or not, just make sure to arrive hungry.

View Totti’s menu.

283 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026

Open 7 Days 11.30am - 10.00pm (Sunday closes at 9.00pm)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

PRAWN CASARECCE

LAMB RAGU with pappardelle.

NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM SANDWICH

APEROL SPRITZ

Aqua DINING | MILSONS POINT

If you're in Sydney and looking to treat yourself (and your tastebuds), then Aqua Dining, located at Milsons Point, near Luna Park and above the North Sydney Olympic Pool, is the place to head. The waterfront restaurant, said to offer a quintessential Sydney dining experience, provides exactly that, with a side of easily one of the best views in all of Sydney (arguably, in the world). Although all tables enjoy the spectacular view, I would highly recommend booking in advance, if possible, to ensure you secure one of the highly prized tables situated on the restaurant's balcony, as this is undoubtedly the best place to be to savour that breathtaking view. Notably, when you visit this restaurant, you must order at least two courses. I ordered three courses, each very delicious and always leaving you wanting more - admittedly, the size of the dishes may have played a part in that - warning, they aren't huge!

View Aqua Dining’s menu.

Northcliff St & Paul St, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Open 7 Days Midday - 4.30pm & 6.00pm - 11.30pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

MORETON BAY BUG with chickpea, mint.

HAPUKA with parsnip, grapefruit beurre blanc.

BEEF CHEEK with roast pumpkin, sage, port.

SALTED CARAMEL VACHERIN with chocolate sorbet.

WHITE CHOCOLATE & GINGER PANNA COTTA with lime and coconut, miso sablé.

BERRY BLITZ Blueberry, raspberry, cranberry juice, fresh lime.

PINEAPPLE & PASSIONFRUIT MOJITO Bacardi, muddled roasted pineapple, passionfruit, lime and mint.

THE BOATHOUSE | ROSE BAY

The Boathouse Rose Bay restaurant offers modern Australian menus with a focus on fresh seafood.

View The Boathouse’s menu.

594 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029

Open 7 Days 11.30am - 3.00pm & 5.30pm - 9.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

HOUSE BREAD with whipped butter and black salt.

LOBSTER RAVIOLI

DESSERT TASTING PLATTER Lime cheesecake, hazelnut and chocolate mousse, and raspberry and white chocolate eclair.

FRANCA BRASSERIE | POTTS POINT

Beautifully presented and delicious food in an equally stunning setting is what one can expect when dining at Franca Brasserie in Sydney’s Potts Point. From marble everywhere you look and intimate half-moon leather booths to velvet chairs and grand columns, it’s not difficult to see the 2.5 million dollars which was spent on the space. Franca’s dining offering though is similarly impressive. Highlighting bold flavours and locally-sourced ingredients, prepared using classic techniques, Franca’s menu is a love note to Europe, with dishes inspired by the cities and regions of France and neighbouring Mediterranean coasts.

81 Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011

Open 6 Days Tuesday - Sunday Midday - Midnight (only open from 5:30pm Tuesday & Wednesday)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

FOIE GRAS PROFITEROLES with vadouvan spice.

BREAD CRUSTED BLUE EYE with smoked potato puree, leeks, grenobloise.

WAGYU BAVETTE with pancetta, eschalots, broad beans, jus.

GRILLED BROCCOLINI with parmesan.

CARROTS with macadamia and honey.

PASSIONFRUIT SOUFFLE with almond craquelin, pop corn ice cream.

PEAR MILLE-FEUILLE with Malfroy’s honey cream, brown butter ice-cream.

COCONUT CARAMEL LAMINGTON with meringue, raspberry cream and sorbet.

DIAMOND GIMLET Belvedere Lake Bartezek, Kaffir Lime & Lychee Sherbet, Cocchi Americano.

MISS MACLEAY Tanqueray Gin, Peach Shrub, Lillet Blanc, Celery, Citrus, Whites.

DUCK & RICE | CBD

Set on a rooftop in Westfield Sydney, seven levels above, and worlds away from Pitt Street Mall lies Duck & Rice. The 400-seat restaurant is a nod to ancient Chinese dynasties and the revolutionary ideas of Western art and design in the 1920s and 30s, culminating in a space that is moody, elegant, art-deco adorned and which beautifully emulates the history of Shanghai and Hong Kong and development of modern China. This idea of ‘old and new’ is too reflected within the restaurant’s menu, which has been carefully crafted to showcase how traditional Chinese food and culture have collided, resulting in a menu which embraces a true melting pot of cuisines - Cantonese meets new-world Asia. So, from dim sum and silky noodles to sizzling stir-fries and fresh seafood, expect colour, texture, and above all, flavour across the a la carte and bar food menus.

188 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 5 Days Tuesday - Saturday Midday - 10.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

CRISPY PORK BAO BUN Crispy pork belly, hoisin, Asian pickles, coriander.

CRISPY DUCK SPRING ROLL

SESAME PRAWN TOAST

LYCHEE & ELDERFLOWER SODA

bathers’ pavilion | MOSMAN

Situated in a striking historic 1920s building, directly opposite Balmoral Beach, The Bathers Pavilion is a beautiful spot to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch. This Mosman gem is undoubtedly one of the most stunning and exclusive restaurants in all of Sydney and provides a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. Dining here means you must indulge in a total of three courses, so it's definitely a place you would come as a treat or to enjoy a celebration of some kind! Notably, across from the fine-dining restaurant you'll find a cafe, offering a much more casual, relaxed alternative, while still being able to enjoy the same idyllic view as you would if dining within the restaurant.

4 The Esplanade, Mosman NSW 2088

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 9.30pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

MORETON BAY BUG TAIL with sweet corn polenta finger limes, squid ink, seaweed butter.

MISO GLAZED BLUE EYE TREVALLA with king prawns celeriac, baby cos and lemon verbena sauce.

MILK CHOCOLATE GATEAU with yuzu parfait praline biscuit, basil.

BATHERS' FRUIT MOCKTAIL Mango, pineapple, mint and raspberry.

Catalina | Rose Bay

Reserve a table at Catalina in Rose Bay to feel like a Sydney socialite and to rub shoulders with Sydney's elite and uber-wealthy whilst watching the seaplanes come into land and take off…oh and to enjoy a delicious multi-course meal. Literally built out over the water, Catalina is waterfront dining at its finest, and it doesn’t matter where you sit either as every table in the restaurant has a view. Though, on a fine day sitting outside, on the restaurant’s open-air terrace is the best place to be.

View Catalina’s fixed price a la carte menu and bar menu.

Lyne Park, Rose Bay NSW 2029

Open 7 Days Midday - 10.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

PASSIONFRUIT CHEESECAKE with fresh passionfruit and white chocolate ice-cream.

CHOCOLATE MARQUISE with hazelnut dacquoise, chocolate cremeux and chocolate sorbet.

Cafe Sydney | Circular Quay

The sweeping harbour views from Cafe Sydney, located on the rooftop of Sydney's Customs House alone warrants a visit to this fine establishment. But stay and enjoy a meal, or a late-night cocktail - their Salted Carmel Martini maybe? - with a delectable dessert - their Valrhona chocolate tart, with rosewater ice cream and Turkish delight? - only harmless suggestions... that you'll surely thank me later.

View Cafe Sydney’s menu.

Sydney Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days Midday - 10.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

VALRHONA CHOCOLATE TART with rose water ice-cream and Turkish delight jelly.

SALTED CARAMEL MARTINI 42 Below vodka, butterscotch schnapps, Kahula, house made salted caramel, cream, Murray River pink salt.

NORTH BONDI FISH | BONDI BEACH

Part of the Solotel Group and owned by celebrity chef Matt Moran, North Bondi Fish (NBF) overlooks Sydney's legendary Bondi Beach. Described as casual but chic, NBF is not your typical white-table-clothed fine-dining establishment, much more relaxed and casual, fitting with its location mere metres from the beach. The seafood restaurant specialises in fresh, high-quality Australian and New Zealand seafood and is the perfect spot for lunch, dinner, and everything in between - people-watching on the balcony, Aperol Spritz in hand whilst watching the sun go down over North Bondi isn’t a bad idea. Plus, NBF likes to make special mention of the fact the restaurant’s chef only uses the best produce and work with local suppliers to create the restaurant’s menu.

View North Bondi Fish’s food menu.

120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026

Open 7 Days Midday - Midnight