Sydney's Best Restaurants with a View  

From sun-drenched Bondi dining to native Australian fare in The Rocks, these are Sydney’s best restaurants with a view – which are worth eating at, too.  

There’s something magical that happens when good food is paired with magical views. Otherwise simple meals can be transformed into celebrations, or incredible flavours can meet their match in spectacular sunsets. Discover destinations where a delicious array of local produce, from fresh seafood in Rose Bay to upscale farmhouse dishes in Bondi, are matched with endless ocean and landscape views, with our top picks of the best restaurants with a view in Sydney, where the panoramas are as mouth-watering as the food.  

Quay, The Rocks

Expect sublime perspectives of Sydney’s most famous monuments at Quay Restaurant, set within the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Aside from sweeping views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Quay is considered by many to be the city's finest when it comes to luxurious dining. Executive Chef Peter Gilmore serves up an ever-evolving and imaginative menu, that has won numerous culinary accolades. His seasonal eight-course degustation menu focuses on Australian produce and rethinks native flavours – from bone-marrow noodles to pasture-raised duck. Stay a 10-minute walk away at Shangri-La Sydney for the ultimate harbourside experience.  

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi  

For ocean roar and waves that soar, head to Bondi's Icebergs Dining Room and Bar for iconic views of one of Australia's most famous surf beaches. Known for its laid-back, bistro-style vibes, this dining darling serves up inventive Italian fare in a sun-drenched room that seems to hover above the oceanside. Owner Mauric Terzini channels his heritage to bring flavours from regional Tuscany to a quintessentially Australian setting. Every seat in the house gives you stunning vistas of the sandy stretch below – making it a great place to raise a glass to any occasion.  

Aria, Sydney  

The chef-hatted Aria Restaurant Sydney is a carefully choreographed dance: owners Matt Moran and Bruce Solomon bring their creative vision, Executive Chef Thomas Gorringe brings his inventive spirit, and the location brings sweeping Sydney Opera House and harbour views. The restaurant rests on the very tip of Sydney’s glistening harbour, offering you a peaceful place to watch the world go by. Your culinary journey may include Abrolhos Island scallops, Peking duck consommé and Gundagai GLQ 5+ lamb, with dishes changing with the seasons. After two decades of service, Aria’s menu continues to buzz with energy from excited diners who return year after year.  

Bennelong, Circular Quay  

Rub shoulders with couples celebrating anniversaries and other momentous occasions as they sip on a glass of bubbly at Bennalong Restaurant at Sydney Opera House. Many consider Bennelong’s rotating roster of Australian produce and wine the cherry on top of a cultural performance beneath the white sails of Sydney's most famous monument. Symphonies of flavour are achieved with exquisite combinations of produce, with dishes such as house-made koji-enriched noodles and pink snapper roasted to absolute perfection. After dinner, walk hand in hand with your beloved along the harbour while gazing into the blue abyss – the InterContinental Sydney is only 10 minutes away.   

Oncore by Clare Smyth, Sydney  

Take a ride up to level 26 at Crown Sydney for immaculate views of the world’s favourite harbour – you’ve arrived at Oncore by Clare Smyth. Settle in at a table in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows to savour serene skyline views above the hustle and bustle – improved with award-winning sparkling wine from House of Arras and acclaimed gastronomical magic. The menu is inventively broken up into ‘The Beginning’, featuring lobster rolls and ‘Sydney Rockefeller oysters, followed by; your choice of ‘Classics’ or ‘Seasons’ menu, and wrapping up with ‘The End’. Take your tastebuds on an unforgettable journey, made even more delicious with the vista of Sydney Harbour at golden hour.  

Sean's Panorama, Bondi  

When you take a seat in a homey corner of this quintessentially Sydney spot, you’ll feel like you’re being cared for by your best friend. At Sean’s Panorama, conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from QT Bondi, Chef Sean Moran’s menu is an ode to fresh produce. Each day, specials from his Blue Mountains farm appear on a blackboard menu, and include the likes of roast chook, Murray cod and kingfish carpaccio. But don’t just take our word for it – ask any Sydneysider who loves to eat, and they’ll have a dreamy story about dining in this farmhouse kitchen by the sea.  

Oborozuki, Circular Quay  

It’s not just the Sydney Harbour Bridge views that are enchanting at Oborozuki, the 120-seat kaiseki and teppanyaki diner set in the Opera Residence Tower. This fine-dining venture inventively fuses kaiseki, teppanyaki and omakase, and turns it up to elegant new heights. An enchanting experience features meticulously prepared local and seasonal ingredients, plus something that can only be described as magic. Imagine a single oyster resting atop a theatrical ice sculpture, which, as it melts, creates a mystical smoke display at your table. But rest assured – innovative presentation is of course paired with delectable, high-end ingredients, from truffle chawanmushi to otoro tuna sashimi.  

Jonah's, Whale Beach  

Located just 50 minutes from Sydney CBD, you’ll find Jonah’s on a wistful hilltop in Whale Beach on the Northern Beaches. Here, well-heeled crowds escape the city in favour of leisurely lunches or long weekend getaways and are treated to delectable views of the Pacific Ocean. Elevated Italian plates crafted with top-quality produce rival the jaw-dropping vistas of the coast. Think grilled king prawns and squid ink linguine to start, and a whole eastern rock lobster as the main event. A leisurely lunch wouldn’t be so leisurely without a tipple, of course – peruse an epic wine list of more than 1,600 international and Australian drops.  

Catalina, Rose Bay  

Uninterrupted marina views meet ocean-fresh dining at Catalina Rose Bay. Let delicate seafood and contemporary Australian fare dance on your palette as you join Sydney’s glitterati to watch seaplanes skim the glimmering water. Start by slurping Sydney’s freshest oysters, then opt for the silky, rich and creamy king prawn bisque, followed by saltwater barramundi and spanner crab. Save room for one of their legendary desserts – you’d be particularly remiss to leave without a taste of the apple, plumb and rhubarb pain perdu.  

The Butler, Potts Point  

Sitting on the leafy outdoor terrace of The Butler, Potts Point on a sunny evening, overlooking Sydney’s best city vistas, it’s easy to forget where you are. While groups make the trip to relish the sunset hues over the city and indulge in a jug of sangria, others come for the delicious food in the open-air patio dining room. Dining here feels as though you’re in a forest–oasis – you’d never believe you’re in the middle of bustling Potts Point. The menu is an indulgent run-through of Ibero-American cuisine – market fresh fish crudo, flaky empanadas and tacos with Western Australian octopus or sumptuously sizzled grilled steak.   

Feature image: Aria.

Find more inspiration with Beyond Sydney: 10 of the Best Foodie Experiences in Regional NSW.