Sydney CBD Restaurants
Aria
Aria is another exceptional restaurant in Circular Key that is run by a celebrity chef - Matt Moran. As well as sensational views of the harbour bridge and Opera House - conveyed by floor-to-ceiling glass windows - the venue delivers some of the most inspired fine dining meals in the city through a four-course menu that will treat your taste buds.
1 Macquarie St Sydney CBD 2000
Bar Patrón
Bar Patrón prides itself on being Australia's finest Mexican restaurant and tequila bar. Located in the heart of Circular Quay, this heaving venue is an airy, bright, modern space that provides guests with an elevated night out. Their beef Wagyu hot plate and scallop ceviche will salivate you like one of Pavlov's dogs, while their Margaritas are spicy!
2 Phillip St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Mexican
Bennelong
Located within Sydney's world-famous Opera House, you will find the iconic Bennelong. Run by Peter Gilmore, it offers arguably the best views of any dining establishment in the city. Guests can enjoy inventive shared plates at this chic and elegant fine dining venue against the backdrop of the harbour bridge and Royal Botanic Gardens.
Sydney Opera House Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Bistro George
Within the CBD, not far from Harbour Bridge, Bistro George has steadily established itself as a restaurant of high repute on the Sydney dining scene. Proffering a European/OZ-inspired menu, their dishes champion the fantastic produce of local suppliers, which they match with a curated wine list designed to complement your meal.
Level 1/176 George St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Bistro Nido
Accommodating just 40 seats, Bistro Nido is a cosy venue in the heart of Sydney's CBD that offers a gastronomic fusion of European and Japanese cuisine. Based on the philosophy of 'Cuisine du Marche', the menu presents dishes like Duck Leg Confit (twice cooked) and Southern Bluefin Aged Crudo Tuna that wows with presentation and taste.
501 George St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: French
Brasserie 1930
Set within one of Sydney's newest cutting-edge hotels, this two-hatted Brasserie 1930 restaurant has taken the city's food scene by storm. Boasting an air of splendour and sophistication, this ground-floor venue presents an accomplished menu of traditional brasserie classics which have been given a modern twist by Head Chef, Brent Savage.
2/4 Farrer Pl Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Cafe Sydney
Sitting proudly on top of Customs House, a meal at Cafe Sydney provides exceptional views of the harbour and surrounding area. As one of the city's most iconic eateries, the venue provides diners with a sensational dining experience, featuring dishes like Morton Bay Bugs and Humpty Doo Barramundi. They also offer a robust wine list.
Level 5 Customs House, 31 Alfred St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
City Extra
Whether it is 3.30 am or 3.30 pm, if you find yourself hungry at Circular Quay at any time of the day or night, City Extra has you covered. A stalwart in the area for almost 40 years, the venue prides itself on serving what it thinks the public wants - not what it wants to present to them. Menus take a newsprint form and cover plenty of cafe staples.
2 Alfred St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Clam Bar
If you've ever craved dining at the kind of seafood and steakhouse grills that New York is famous for, you'll want to head to the Clam Bar in the CBD. This fantastic restaurant marries fabulous food with fast service and a vibrant atmosphere to create a terrific dining experience. Its Seafood Tower enjoys top billing & its steaks are incredible!
44 Bridge St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: American
Eastbank
Eastbank is a brilliant destination for your next date night or to catch up with friends. Tucked away within the Ayre Real Estate building, it boasts incredible views of the harbour, especially during sunset, that are best seen from its airy, outdoor seating area. The food and wine list here is Italian in nature, comprising several classical dishes.
61-69 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Fabbrica
There are plenty of excellent Italian restaurants in Sydney, but none are like Fabbrica. This innovative venue is part eatery and part retail space, offering a delicious menu of pasta dishes to eat on-site and many different varieties to buy, by the gram, at its store. You can also pick up a selection of meats, sauces cheeses and freshly-made sandwiches.
161 King St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Italian
Funda
Nestled in the heart of the CBD, you will find a place where cultural pride and heritage meet culinary excellence - welcome to Funda! This cool, funky Korean restaurant has caused quite a buzz on the Sydney food scene with its fantastic a la carte menu and cocktails, super-quick service and general, fun vibe. Their lunch banquet is superb!
3/50 Pitt St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Korean
Hakata Gensuke
If you are craving ramen, one of the first places you should head to in Sydney is Hakata Gensuke. With a menu that contains everything from its Signature Tonkotsu and the wonderfully named God Fire to its delectable Chicken Karaage and Hitokuchi Gyoza, your taste buds would be in for a real treat. Service is pretty quick, but make a reservation.
Regent Place Shopping Centre, 501 George St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Japanese
Ippudo
Construction of the Opera Residences has recently been completed, and on its second level, you will find the superb Ippudo restaurant. Known for its delicious Hakata ramen, which originated from Fukuoka on the stunning Southern Japanese island of Kyushu, the venue is notable for its fast service, tasty food and really cool feature light installation.
Shop 3, Level 1/71/79 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Japanese
Kiln
On the 18th floor of the Ace Hotel, you'll find Kiln, a wonderful rooftop bar and restaurant that offers superb views of the surrounding Surry Hills area. Run by Mitch Orr, an award-winning and highly accomplished head chef, the restaurant presents a delightful menu of his signature dishes. Enjoy them with cocktails or your pick from its fab wine list.
53 Foy Ln Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Little Felix
You might be on Ash Street in Wynyard, just a few streets from the Opera House - but Little Felix transports you to twentieth-century Paris. Champagne from a magnum, a daily selection of French cheese and vintage wines enrich an already suave affair. Oh and if that isn't enough, the sommeliers are all dressed to the nines as well.
2a Ash St Sydney CBD 2000
Long Chim
Offering a delicious taste of contemporary Bangkok cuisine in the heart of the Sydney CBD, Long Chim is a hip venue where you can enjoy your next meal. Set within a chic industrial space, they offer a balanced menu of authentic and classic stir fries, curries and other meat dishes, which are served in generous portions on plates that sizzle!
Colonial Mutual Life Building, Angel Pl Sydney CBD 2000
Mejico
If you are in the mood for tacos and tequilas, then Mejico has you well and truly covered. For over 10 years, they have been the go-to destination for city workers wanting a good feed at lunch or after work. Priding themselves on offering the largest and best selection of mezcal and tequila drinks in Australia, a meal here is a good time guaranteed!
105 Pitt St Sydney CBD 2000
Palazzo Salato
Offering delicious pasta, superb cocktails, fabulous service, and a relaxed ambience, the Palazzo Salato is sure to impress. This Roman-inspired, 120-seater trattoria resides within a stunning heritage-listed building within the CBD YCK Precinct, which formerly housed Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe. It is always busy at dinner, so bookings are essential.
201/203 Clarence St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Italian
Parlour
Over at Parlour, they are embarking on their own French revolution. A mission to satisfy the appetites of Sydney's foodies with a fantastic menu of classic dishes. This chic restaurant dishes up everything from caviar to croissants. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So you can enjoy its ambience, terrific service and great food all day.
49 Market St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: French
Pearl
If you are a fan of top-quality seafood and local produce, then you should make a point of visiting Pearl. Heavily influenced by the gastronomic scene in Hong Kong, this stylish and refined restaurant takes Cantonese food in Sydney to another level. Their menu presents flavour-packed dishes cooked through both innovative and traditional methods.
50 Bridge St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Chinese
Q Dining
Comprising floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a décor inspired by the magnificence of its waterfront location, Q Dining is one of the best restaurants in Circular Quay. It resides in the Pullman Quay Grand Hotel, within the mezzanine level space formerly occupied by the Quadrant restaurant and offers modern Aussie dishes and share plates.
61 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ragazzi
Ragazzi prides itself on being the home of top-notch wine and pasta. Presenting a small menu curated by Scott McComas-Williams, the venue's head chef, diners can enjoy a terrific selection of mains that feature hand-made pasta from primo produce. Be sure you leave some room for dessert, as they offer a superb selection of gelato flavours.
1 Angel Pl Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Italian
Rockpool Bar & Grill
For an over the top meal that you won't forget, there is Rockpool Bar and Grill. Tucked in Sydney's decadent Mutual Building, the space is as grand as the meals. Art deco in it's design, you will be dwarfed by loft ceilings and towering pillars of marble, and there so many wine glasses at the ready that they are practically an art installation. This place is unashamedly fancy. But don't let that be a reason not to come, this is precisely why you should visit.
66 Hunter St Sydney CBD 2000
Searock Grill
Situated just a stone's throw from the Sydney Opera House, Searock Grill is a terrific venue for a pre-show meal or a romantic date night. This buzzy harbourside restaurant boasts an excellent outdoor seating area that enables you to drink in superb views of the water and the city's major landmarks whilst enjoying seafood or a steak meal.
15/5 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Seafood
The East
The East prides itself on being the premier Chinese fine-dining restaurant in Sydney. Situated adjacent to the Opera House, the venue offers a mix of outdoor and indoor seating that provides superb views of the Harbour Bridge. Their diverse food menu comprises a range of inspired dishes that vary in flavour from hot and spicy to sweet & sour.
8/1 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Chinese
The Sanderson
If you are the kind of person who thinks dining is about the experience, not just the food, then you'll want to visit The Sanderson. Offering one of Sydney's most unforgettable gastronomic experiences, the venue offers a contemporary take on food that champions Aussie produce in their à la carte menu within a refined and elegant setting.
285 George St Sydney CBD 2000
Cuisine: Modern Australian
The Spice Room
There are many excellent Indian restaurants in Sydney, but few can compare with The Spice Room in terms of price, ambience, setting and food quality. This sensational venue is renowned for providing diners a top-notch dining experience, with dishes like King Prawn Gulmohar and Dhaba Style Chicken Curry being popular local favourites.
2 Phillip St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: Indian
Whalebridge
Nestled right on the water's edge at Circular Quay, Whalebridge is a delightful French restaurant which offers spectacular city and harbour views from its stylishly decorated space. Its menu features a selection of classic French bistro-style dishes that embrace the best of Gallic flavours. Pair the Confit Aylesbury Duck with a nice drop of red.
1 Macquarie St Circular Quay 2000
Cuisine: French