Sydney is blessed with a fantastic selection of fine dining restaurants. Many of them are located within the CBD area. If you are looking for some inspiration as to where to enjoy an upscale meal in the city, check out these recommendations for the best restaurants in the Sydney CBD.
Glass Brasserie
Fine dining doesn’t come much better than at the Glass Brasserie.
Located in the Hilton Hotel Sydney, the chef-hatted restaurant seamlessly merges elegant décor with world class service and an exceptional menu of bespoke culinary delights, to provide a dining experience that few can match.
Operating out of a recently renovated $1.5m kitchen, head chef Luke Mangan has created a classy and contemporary Australian menu that combines the best in seasonal produce and international flavours.
Dishes like Vietnamese braised short rib, Morton Bay Bugs and Blue Eye Trevalia will transport your tastebuds to new levels of delight. Whilst their extensive wine list is equally as impressive.
Address: Level 2, 488 George Street, Sydney 2000
Aria
A meal at Aria, while the evening colours of sunset stunningly reflect over the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, is one of Sydney’s most quintessential experiences.
Opened in 1999, Celebrity chef Matt Moran champions his Modern Australian haute cuisine in a spectacular glass-walled dining room that offers spectacular views of these iconic landmarks.
Offering an exceptional range of gastronomic delights their dinner menu includes the likes of roast eugowra quail, glazed maremma duck and slow cooked pork jowl.
Their mango, elderflower, white chocolate & coconut dessert is to die for, whilst their wine list, which features internationally renowned labels from around the world, is one of the most awarded in Australia.
Address: 1 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Café Sydney
Enjoying a fantastic location on the rooftop of Customs House, Cafe Sydney presents sensational harbour views in which to enjoy a truly delicious meal.
Boasting an outdoor terrace, gorgeous cocktail lounge and modern, refined interior the atmosphere is intimate and relaxed. While the food and service is first rate too.
Exquisite versions of pork belly, swordfish and Humpty Doo barramundi all feature on the menu, beautifully plated with superb attention to detail.
For light bites, their cocktail bar offers oysters that are freshly shucked, which you can enjoy whilst sipping on a range of delightful beverages like a Lemon Scroppino, Mexican Standoff, or the intriguing sounding Kryptonite.
Address: 5 Sydney Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Sydney NSW 2000
Restaurant Hubert
If it is sophistication you are looking for in your fine dining restaurant then Restaurant Hubert should be right up your street.
Taking the form of three bars, a spacious central dining room, a couple of more intimate private dining rooms and an art-house cinema called the Theatre Royale, which hosts private events, everything about the restaurants is designed to ensure a good time is had by all.
Offering a classical French menu that is served in a beautiful space, with exquisite vintage décor, dishes like duck parfait with maple-syrup jelly, escargots with XO sauce and steak tartare are cooked to perfection.
While its drinks list features some of the best cognacs, champagnes and wine France has ever produced.
Address: 15 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Rockpool Bar & Grill
High on any list of must-do Sydney food experiences is the Rockpool Bar & Grill.
Formerly part owned by Neil Perry, this stunning restaurant is located within the magnificent City Mutual Building, a 1936 American style art deco skyscraper designed by Emil Sodersteen.
Featuring an elegant, green-marbled, art deco interior, the restaurant can easily lay claim to being one of Australia’s most stunning dining rooms.
Its food offering, with a menu of over 30 starters and main dishes is sensational too. Primarily a steakhouse, the restaurant serves up everything from pheasant and partridge to wagyu beef and wood-fired rotisserie chicken. They also offer a wide range of delicious seafood too.
The wine list is a who’s who of world famous labels, including the much revered 1945 Romanee-Conti which sells for an unbelievable $89,510 a bottle!
Address: 66 Hunter Street, Sydney, 2000
