Sydney’s food scene is a vibrant collection of classic cafes, fine-dining restaurants and seafood joints peppered everywhere from Surry Hills to Circular Quay. These work if you take the city at face value, but the real magic happens when dining steps outside the expected. From lofty heights above the skyline and ever-changing backdrops to hidden dens tucked below street level, these inventive eateries offer an experience like no other — without any compromise on taste!
Dining By the Ocean
Sydney’s coastline is one of its greatest assets, and if there’s one thing Sydney does better than almost anywhere else, it’s enjoying food by the water. Ocean views aren’t exotic here — they’re everyday magic. Beaches frame meals, waves lap at nearby shores, and the sea breeze adds natural seasoning to the air.
Fine Dining With Ocean Views
If you’re looking for exquisite food while facing the ocean, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar should be your first choice. Perched above the southern end of Bondi Beach, this Italian-inspired restaurant is known for its elegant interpretation of the cuisine using fresh and seasonal produce, all while giving you uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. The roar of the waves is part of the ambience, creating a sensory experience that elevates each course.
🌊 Also worth a look: The Pantry and Hugos along Manly Beach offer relaxed yet very scenic meals with a more laid-back vibe — perfect if you want the views without the white tablecloths.
Classic Beachside Kiosks
Not every beachfront meal needs silverware and fine china. Local beach kiosks and casual seafood spots bring laid-back charm to ocean dining. Think fish and chippies, burgers and utterly indulgent seafood boils — best enjoyed when you’ve just had a swim and are craving something deliciously hot and messy.
🐟 The vibe in a nutshell: Special occasion sunset meal? Icebergs. Post-swim hunger? Find the nearest kiosk and get messy. Sydney’s oceanfront scene covers both ends of the spectrum beautifully.
Dining In The Sky
If Sydney’s ocean is one way to feast with a view, the city skyline offers a completely different kind of backdrop. Sydney’s rooftop bars and revolving venues provide panoramas of the city lights and beyond — literally elevating your dining experience.
Sky-High Revolving Restaurants
Sydney Tower is a prime location with multiple dining options. Infinity and SkyFeast Buffet offer a 360° revolving view of the city while serving up some of the best food in town. And then there’s the iconic O Bar and Dining in Australia Square — a revolving restaurant above the city that gives every visitor a spectacular view of the harbour and skyline as it slowly turns.
🌀 Pro tip: At a revolving restaurant, every seat gets the best seat in the house — eventually. Arrive at dusk for the full sky-to-lights transition during your meal.
Rooftop Bars
Sydney Tower’s Bar 83 combines striking vistas with expertly crafted cocktails and a full 360° view of the city below. In the bustling Barangaroo precinct, rooftop bars are peppered everywhere — some of the best include United – Rooftop Sydney, The Rook and Jimmy’s Rooftop. All mix cityscape views with handcrafted drinks and fusion-inspired small plates.
✨ Picture this: Sipping a martini above the city while Sydney moves underneath you. Sky-high dining delivers a feast for the eyes as well as the palate — and makes an ordinary Tuesday feel like an occasion.
Dining on the Water
There’s something inherently magical about dining while gently drifting across the jewel of the city — Sydney Harbour. Sydney is a harbour city at heart, and a variety of dining cruises transform your lunch or dinner into an event, not just a meal.
Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruises
For a daytime experience that’s casual with great food and sunshine, a Sydney lunch cruise is your best bet. You’ll be treated to glittering water and views of iconic Sydney landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, all twinkling as the sunlight hits them.
🚢 Two-for-one win: A lunch cruise is basically sightseeing and a meal rolled into one. You get to tick off Sydney’s most iconic landmarks while eating good food with a drink in hand. Hard to beat.
Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruises
Dinner cruises on Sydney Harbour transition into evening glam. Under the glow of the city lights, a dinner cruise offers a more elegant approach to unconventional dining. Most cruises serve multi-course dinners, often paired with wine, drinks and even live entertainment — giving each meal an almost cinematic experience as you cruise by illuminated landmarks.
Lunch vs. Dinner — which is right for you?
Choose lunch if you want: sunshine, sightseeing, a casual vibe, and a more budget-friendly experience.
Choose dinner if you want: city lights, romance, multi-course dining, and live entertainment under the stars.
If you love the idea of combining great food with a memorable setting, you might also enjoy our guide to ways a cruise vacation can reset your health.
Dining Underground
Sydney’s unconventional dining culture wouldn’t be complete without its thriving underground scene. Beneath the city’s polished surfaces lie tucked-away bars and speakeasies that reward curious explorers with fun atmospheres, experimental drinks and surprising menus.
Speakeasy Restaurants
🚪 Door Knock — A cocktail haven beneath Pitt Street. Inventive drinks, a moody interior, and a genuine Prohibition-era speakeasy feel.
🥃 The Baxter Inn — Accessed by heading down a flight of stairs off Clarence Street. Hundreds of whiskies, an intimate atmosphere, and a beloved local following.
Hidden Bars Sydney
🎷 Burrow Bar & Double Deuce Lounge — Both lean into crafty cocktails, creative bar snacks and jazz music. The kind of places where the journey to find them is half the fun.
Heads up: Many of these spots require reservations and a little direction to find. Plan ahead — it’s worth it.
🕵️ The underground rule: The harder a bar is to find, the better the cocktail tends to be. Sydney’s hidden bars operate on this principle religiously — and they deliver.
Final Bite
From ocean-lapped tables and sky-high drinks to gentle harbour cruises and dimly lit hidden bars, Sydney’s unconventional dining options invite you to eat with your senses fully engaged. They’re experiences that blend setting, scenery and service in ways that truly elevate mealtimes into fond memories.
Planning a trip? Don’t forget our packing tips and luxury travel strategies before you go.
About the Author
Amanda Clark
A Sydney-based travel writer who loves chasing experiences that defy expectations — especially when great food and entertainment are part of the mix. From unforgettable hits to unexpected flops, she shares real stories to keep the adventure honest and fun for everyone.
