Looking for the best fine dining in Sydney restaurants? Whether you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Sydney to celebrate a special occasion or wondering where to eat for a corporate dinner, look no further.
Our resident Sydney writer, Rebecca Shinn has tried and tested all of the famous Sydney restaurants, so here’s her lowdown on some of the 10 best in fine dining in Sydney and whether they are really worth the hype.
1. Restaurant Hubert
Restaurant Hubert is one of those truly special fine-dining restaurants.
Think French, theatrical and fun! Restaurant Hubert is not only a special occasion fine dining experience, it has a Theatre Royale stage, live jazz, art house cinema room and cocktail bar so you can celebrate in style. The live jazz accompaniment in the dining room is a special touch and transports you out of Sydney for the night, you feel like you are in an awesome Parisian basement restaurant.
Situated in the heart of Sydney CBD, you can try French classics like Escargot (snails), steak tartare or duck parfait. The steak is perfectly cooked and the French wine list is specially selected by top French sommeliers. I recommend starting your night in the cocktail bar, the whisky apple cocktail is delicious!
2. Quay In Sydney
Quay restaurant in Cirular Quay is without a doubt one of the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney.
Two words which will resonate pretty strongly with those who’ve been fortunate to sit at a table at Quay; Snow & egg stir an amazing birthday memory for me that puts a massive smile on my face! A signature dish at the end of an incredible tasting menu and what’s known as one of the best desserts in the world. Chef Peter Gilmore is truly passionate about every dish on the menu, focusing on innovative flavours and textures.
The simple yet sophisticated design of Quay makes it feel like you’re in a bubble within the harbor. You’d expect a certain level of pretension with a three hats eatery, but I felt welcome from the moment I strolled in.
The service is impeccable as the waiter explains every meal in front of you. This one is definitely for the foodies or for a date to impress. Located in the upper level of the overseas passenger terminal with the best views of the Opera House, it would be hard for your date not to be satisfied with this beautiful spot.
3. Tetsuyas
Tetsuyas is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney if you really want a taste sensation.
Located on Kent Street in the heart of the city, you can try incredible Japanese inspired dishes enhanced by a French technique and flare. Head chef Tetsuya Wakuda has a test kitchen on site to continually create innovative dishes so no one visit here is every the same.
Their 8 course tasting menu and wine pairing finished off with petit fours is incredibly delicious at every bite and worth the money. You could even sit at the chefs table with open kitchen views for an event better fine dining experience.
Try Tetsuya’s for a romantic night or special occasion and you won’t be disappointed.
4. Aria Restaurant In Sydney
Arguably Aria Restaurant is one of the restaurants for sunset in Sydney and one of the best fine dining in Sydney for its prime location in front of the iconic opera house. Run by celebrity chef, Matt Moran, you’ll have one of the best views of Sydney Harbour at this exclusive restaurant.
Try and get a window table if you can wrangle it on the reservation. The service for diners is attentive but not as attentive as other places – it may have been due to the fact that we were at an early sitting.
The modern Australian dining menu is good and flavour nicely balanced and the location is fun, but in my opinion, not as interesting as the other venues.
5. Catalina
Catalina is the only restaurant in the eastern ‘burbs with an accolade of a chefs hat. The chow is nice and easy for a simple dinner, wines helpfully recommended. I’d recommend a lunch reservation for harbour and ocean views as it is pitch black in the evening making visibility outside non existent.
It’s a tasty fare with delicious seafood but nothing out of the ordinary for a nice place with one fancy chef hat. The only reason I would return is to see the views at lunchtime, not necessarily because the flavours were memorable.
Saying that, it is an awesome place to wow a fine diner date. Where else in the world can you dine with incredible Sydney harbour views?
6. Sokyo
Sokyo in Sydney is the type of fine dining restaurant where art meets impeccable flavour.
Located in The Star, the Japanese style menu highlights include deliciously fresh sashimi and seafood, scallop pasta and a miso glazed toothfish. The wine list has won many awards and the Sake list was awarded best in Australia.
Head here for a celebration or date night and your taste buds will thank you.
7. Flying Fish
Another fine dining restaurant you won’t be disappointed by is the Flying Fish at The Star.
The aim of this intimate dining room is minimal waste and maximum flavour, it takes a truly skilled Chef to achieve this. Try modern Australian dining of the most premium seafood paired with an Australian wine list or French champagne.
Flying Fish would satisfy the fanciest fine diner and is great for a corporate event or just a regular Tuesday date night if you want to push the boat out.
8. Chiswick
Chiswick Woollahra dining room is not somewhere you want to miss. It’s picturesque building in Woollahra and plant to plate menu makes it incredibly special.
They grow all their plants in their own garden and use the best Australian local produce for their seasonally changing menu. Their food is so delicious, they even create hampers, at home dining packs and have a recipe book.
The old, historic but beautiful dining room is elegantly decorated and you are surrounded by their gardens at every window.
You could dine here for any occasion and be delighted, make a date night really special!
9. Bennelong Restaurant
Bennelong is without a doubt one of most well known fine dining in Sydney restaurants as it sits in the front sail of the Sydney Opera House. But, was this famous restaurant in Bennelong Point actually worth it? The service was insanely amazing, they knew it was my birthday, even gave me a cake with a candle on it at the end and the food was incredible.
It’s without a doubt my favourite restaurant in Sydney. Be expected to pay up for it though, the night set us back around $450 between the two of us.
10. Cafe Sydney
It’s much cheaper than the rest but Cafe Sydney does come up as one of the best restaurants in Sydney not only for the service and food but because of the incredible views of the harbour thanks to sitting up the top of Customs House in Circular Quay. This is a great spot to impress without breaking the bank. Mains start from $37 and they also include a vegan menu too.
For more budget friendly restaurant options, check out our full Sydney Restaurant and Cafe guide. You don’t need to always save for a fine dining experience to have flavoursome food as Sydney is full of incredible restaurants, cafes and brunch places with innovative chefs, flavoursome dishes and fresh Australian produce for any budget.
11. Bentley Restaurant and Bar
Special occasion restaurants should wow you and this is exactly what Bentley restaurant will do.
Located in an industrial-style building in the CBD, you could have an awesome intimate dinner and be truly satisfied. Head chef Brent Savage brings innovation and creativity to every fish and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt bring a unique and eclectic wine list pairing.
It is somewhere you need to experience yourself to see the true passion and art that goes into all dishes on the menus.
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