Indulge in the culinary wonders of Sydney, where a plethora of restaurants await to tantalise your taste buds and elevate your dining experience.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely lunch with friends or a romantic evening for two, immerse yourself in our curated selection of the city’s most exquisite and stylish eateries and bars.
Below, our picks of the harbour city’s most delicious, chic places to dine and drink.
HACIENDA
While Sydney-siders are spoilt for choice when it comes to sparkling harbour views or glittering city skylines, there’s nothing quite like the one experienced through the floor-to-ceiling windows at Hacienda Bar & Lounge.
Relax in the breezy bar or take a seat at any number of dining areas scattered throughout the Latin American-inspired interior as you wind down from a busy work week, or cheers to another year around the sun. Whatever the occasion, there’s a Hacienda moment to help make it happen, especially when it comes to celebrating in style with everyone’s favourite past time – the long lunch.
Available every Saturday and Sunday, the offering features a generous selection of share plates and signature dishes curated by Chefs Jiwon Do and Rosy Scatigna, each celebrating local produce with a Latin twist. Accompanied by expertly crafted cocktails and free-flowing drinks, the perfect weekend indulgence is just a booking away.
Click here to book your table, now.
ROCKPOOL BAR & GRILL
Rockpool Bar & Grill, one of Sydney’s most iconic dining institutions in the heart of the CBD is celebrating its 15th birthday this year, and there is a lot to be excited about.
The impressive 220-seat restaurant with its stunning high ceilings first opened its doors in 2009 and is known for its first-class service, sourcing the country’s best produce and serving up the finest steaks – ranked no. 8 in the world by the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list.
The restaurant has recently introduced an array of luxurious dining experiences including two new tableside experiences that bring the theatre to you, Chateaubriand and Lobster Thermidor, and next-level degustation dinners curated by Executive Chef, Santiago Aristizabal, every Friday and Saturday night.
The venue is also opening especially for Mother’s Day this Sunday, the perfect spot to treat mum for the special occasion, click here to make your booking. rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au
URSULA’S PADDINGTON
The vibe at Ursula’s is elegant yet chill. Think a soft colour palette, chic seating and some of the best people-watching in Sydney. At the heart of Ursula’s menu you’ll fi nd the freshest seafood and seasonal ingredients from local producers.
It also boasts a killer wine list, stocked with perfect pairings. So, regardless of whether you are on a romantic date or just craving some seriously good food in a charming setting, Ursula’s is hard to beat. ursulas.com.au
RESTAURANT HUBERT
Stepping into Hubert’s is like entering a portal. The dimly lit interior, adorned with vintage decor and flickering candlelight, transports guests to a bygone era of Parisian charm.
Serving signature French fare, each classic dish – from their richly flavoured chicken fricassee to their velvety smooth signature soufflés – is delicious and perfectly plated. swillhouse.co
MIMI’S
There is no better spot in Sydney than Mimi’s right now if you want to frock up and go for a long lunch with the girls. Nestled right by sparkling Coogee Beach, this gorgeous Merivale restaurant is the epitome of chic coastal dining. Seafood is the highlight here and the handpicked crab is a must.
If that isn’t your thing, there’s incredible lamb cutlets and wagyu rib eye, as well as the most delicious grilled eggplant and cabbage dishes. A long lunch typically isn’t complete without a few drinks, and Mimi’s boasts an impressive selection of carefully curated wines and cocktails. merivale.com
NOBU SYDNEY
Picture this: sleek, modern vibes, cozy lighting and killer views of Sydney Harbour. But when the food is this great, who’s looking out the window? Order the iconic black cod miso that melts in your mouth and the decadent yellowtail sashimi with a kick of jalapeño. Or, if you want to level-up your experience, go straight for the menu’s “Eight highlights”. noburestaurants.com/Sydney
PELLEGRINO 2000
Pellegrino 2000 received the ultimate tick of approval as the trendiest hotspot in town when it was visited by none other than superstars Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter while they were in Sydney for The Eras Tour.
If you can get a reservation after that, congrats! Our pick from the restaurant’s carefully curated Italian menu is the rigatoni alla carbonara. pellegrino2000.com
SKY BAR
If drinks are the main event, head straight to the top floor of heritage palazzo building Shell House. The entry looks like a luxury boutique hotel lobby and that vibe continues at Sky Bar.
There’s plenty of rooftop drinking spots in Sydney, but Sky Bar comes out on top thanks to the attentive staff, inventive cocktails and perfect bites, not to mention the panoramic views of the city’s skyline through floor-to-ceiling glass. shellhouse.com.au
LANA
Located within Hinchcliff House, down by Circular Quay, Lana restaurant is one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.
The pink marble bar (pictured above) is what Pinterest-board dreams are made of, making it the perfect location for a birthday or elegant bachelorette party. As autumn arrived, Lana shook things up with a revamped menu overseen by Executive Chef Alex Wong and new Head Chef Peter Tran. They’re keeping the modern Italian meets punchy Asian vibe, but now you can mix and match dishes as you please with their relaxed à la carte style. lana.sydney
Retraction: In the current issue of marie claire Lifestyle it was incorrectly printed that Rockpool will be closing. We apologise for any confusion caused by this error.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
