From the glittering harbour to the surf at Bondi, Sydney has built one of the most exciting dining scenes in the Southern Hemisphere. For travellers arriving at Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport (WSI), a great meal is the fastest way to feel the city's multicultural spirit, native Australian produce and love of fresh seafood.
Arriving at Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (WSI)?
Most restaurants on this list are in the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay and the eastern suburbs, so allow generous transfer time when travelling from the airport and back. Check current transport options before planning a tight layover meal.
Top 10 Restaurants in Sydney, Australia
Here is every restaurant at a glance. Tap a name to jump to its section.
| # | Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennelong | Sydney Opera House | Modern Australian | Milestone celebrations |
| 2 | Restaurant Hubert | Sydney CBD | French brasserie | Late dinners & live jazz |
| 3 | Quay | The Rocks, Circular Quay | Fine dining, tasting menu | Once-in-a-lifetime occasions |
| 4 | Sixpenny | Stanmore, Inner West | Seasonal tasting menu | Curious, adventurous eaters |
| 5 | Rockpool Bar & Grill | Sydney CBD | Steakhouse | Steak & wine lovers |
| 6 | Mr. Wong | Sydney CBD laneway | Cantonese | Groups who love to share |
| 7 | Icebergs Dining Room & Bar | Bondi Beach | Coastal Italian | Long, sunny lunches |
| 8 | Saint Peter | Paddington | Sustainable seafood | Seafood enthusiasts |
| 9 | a'Mare | Barangaroo waterfront | Italian | Sharing & waterfront evenings |
| 10 | Aria Restaurant | Circular Quay | Contemporary Australian | Anniversaries & business dinners |
Bennelong
Dining inside the sails of the Opera House
There is no restaurant setting in Australia quite like Bennelong. Located inside one of the Opera House's iconic sails, it pairs harbour views with Modern Australian cooking.
The menu celebrates native Australian ingredients, seasonal vegetables and sustainable seafood, finished with a showpiece pavlova.
Don't Miss
The signature pavlova to finish.
Insider Tip
Ask for a table with a view of Circular Quay, or look at the set-lunch option for a more accessible visit.
Restaurant Hubert
A candlelit Parisian night, underground
Descend the staircase and Restaurant Hubert transports you to a moody, amber-lit Paris of another era. Mahogany panelling, vintage posters and live jazz set the scene.
The menu is classic French comfort food, from escargots and steak au poivre to towering soufflés.
Don't Miss
Steak au poivre and a soufflé for dessert.
Insider Tip
Arrive a little early to enjoy a cocktail in the bar before your table is ready.
Quay
Harbour Bridge views and artful tasting menus
Overlooking the water at Circular Quay, Quay is one of Australia's best-known fine-dining restaurants, with views of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Its multi-course tasting menus are intricate and nature-inspired, built around rare and hyper-local ingredients.
Don't Miss
The multi-course tasting menu.
Insider Tip
Tables, especially by the window, are in high demand. Reserve as early as you can once your dates are confirmed.
Sixpenny
Seasonal cooking in a quiet corner of the Inner West
Set in a historic corner building on a quiet residential street, Sixpenny is a destination for diners who love technique.
The focus is on fermentation, seasonality and produce from small-scale growers, served as an intimate tasting menu that changes with availability.
Don't Miss
Whatever the seasonal tasting menu is celebrating.
Insider Tip
Bookings fill quickly, so check the restaurant's release schedule and set a reminder.
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Sydney's steakhouse icon
Set in a grand Art Deco heritage building in the CBD, Rockpool Bar & Grill pairs a cathedral-like dining room with a wood-fired grill.
Expect dry-aged and Wagyu beef alongside an extensive wine list that makes it a favourite for celebratory dinners.
Don't Miss
Wood-fired steak with classic sides to share.
Insider Tip
Ask the sommelier to match a glass to your cut from the extensive wine list.
Mr. Wong
Big-city Cantonese energy in a hidden laneway
Across two bustling levels, Mr. Wong brings big-city energy to Cantonese dining. The menu spans dim sum, seafood and roast duck, all designed for sharing.
The dark, colonial-Shanghai-inspired interior adds plenty of atmosphere.
Don't Miss
House-made dumplings and the roast duck.
Insider Tip
Order several dishes for the table and share them family-style.
Icebergs Dining Room & Bar
Italian above the waves of Bondi
Perched on the cliffs above Bondi Beach, Icebergs is built for long lunches. The crisp white interior echoes the surf below.
The kitchen serves contemporary, seafood-forward Italian dishes made with premium Australian produce.
Don't Miss
Seafood-forward Italian dishes with an ocean view.
Insider Tip
If the main dining room is full, the more casual bar area is a good way to enjoy the view with a drink.
Saint Peter
A fin-to-tail approach to fish
Created by chef Josh Niland, Saint Peter is known for its sustainable, whole-fish approach.
Instead of treating seafood as an afterthought to red meat, the kitchen uses the whole fish in inventive, technique-led dishes.
Don't Miss
Dishes that use parts of the fish you rarely see on a menu.
Insider Tip
Curious about the technique? Ask staff to explain how each dish is prepared.
a'Mare
Warm Italian hospitality on the harbour
On the Barangaroo waterfront, a'Mare focuses on warm, theatrical Italian hospitality.
Fresh hand-rolled pastas, Mediterranean seafood and tableside preparations make it a lively place to share a meal.
Don't Miss
Fresh pasta and the tableside specialities.
Insider Tip
Take a stroll along the waterfront promenade before or after dinner.
Aria Restaurant
A classic Circular Quay view
Facing the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge across Circular Quay, Aria serves refined contemporary Australian cooking in a polished dining room.
It is a long-standing choice for romantic dinners and business entertaining.
Don't Miss
A table timed for the harbour's transition from daylight to skyline.
Insider Tip
Arrive before dusk to watch the harbour change from daylight to a glittering skyline.
Three Easy Food Days in Sydney
Not sure how to combine restaurants? Try one of these simple pairings.
Harbour Classic
- LunchBennelong at the Opera House
- WalkCircular Quay waterfront
- Dinnera'Mare at Barangaroo
Beach & Seafood
- LunchIcebergs at Bondi
- StrollBondi coastal views
- DinnerSaint Peter in Paddington
CBD After Dark
- DinnerMr. Wong in the CBD
- NextWalk to the next venue
- LateCocktails at Restaurant Hubert
What Should You Eat in Sydney?
Fresh Seafood
Oysters, prawns and local fish are at their best near the harbour.
Native Ingredients
Look for Australian native produce on Modern Australian menus.
Pavlova
A meringue dessert closely associated with Australian dining.
Practical Tips for Dining in Sydney
Reserve Early
Top restaurants can book out weeks in advance. Reserve once your dates are fixed.
Travel Around the Harbour
Ferries, trains and light rail connect the CBD, Circular Quay and coastal suburbs.
Mind the Season
Seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. Outdoor and beachside tables are most pleasant in summer.
Allow Time for Your Flight
If you are dining before a departure, leave plenty of buffer for the trip back to the airport.
Final Thoughts: Eating Your Way Through Sydney
Sydney's dining scene reflects the city itself: international, relaxed and closely tied to the water. From harbour-front fine dining to a hidden French brasserie and a seafood lunch above the surf, it offers memorable meals for every kind of traveller.
