ARIA Sydney

Owned by chef Matt Moran and renowned restaurateur Peter Sullivan, ARIA is a prestigious chef's hatted restaurant on the edge of Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay. ARIA offers an unparalleled dining experience with striking views, an award-winning menu and extensive wine list, served in an elegant dining room.

• Web:

  www.ariasydney.com.au

• Address:

  1 Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9240 2255

• Subway:

  Ferry. train or bus to Circular Quay

Bennelong at the Opera House

Under the iconic ‘white sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong showcases Australian produce and wine in a majestic setting. One of the world’s top chefs, Peter Gilmore, is at the helm of Bennelong. Awarded two hats in the 2016 Good Food Guide, Bennelong offers several dining options.

• Web:

  www.bennelong.com.au

• Address:

  Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point

• Phone:

  +61 2 9240 8000

• Subway:

  Train or ferry to Circular Quay

Café Sydney

On the roof of the 19th century Customs House, this restaurant captures the very essence of Sydney dining with spectacular harbour views, an outdoor terrace for fine days and delightful nights, a cocktail lounge, and a relaxed modern interior. The menu features contemporary classics using fresh seasonal produce, with seafood a speciality.

• Web:

  cafesydney.com

• E-mail:

  reservations@cafesydney.com

• Address:

  5th Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9251 8683

• Subway:

  Ferry, train or bus to Circular Quay

Chiswick Woollahra

Located in the beautiful neighbourhood of Woollahra in Sydney's east, Chiswick is a superb casual dining venue co-owned by Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan. With charming floor-to-ceiling French windows, and an open kitchen where chefs prepare dishes to share made from fresh produce straight from the kitchen garden outside — this restaurant is a delight.

• Web:

  www.chiswickwoollahra.com.au

• E-mail:

  info@chiswickrestaurant.com.au

• Address:

  65 Ocean Street, Woollahra

• Phone:

  +61 2 8388 8688

• Opening hours:

  Lunch: daily noon–2:45pm. Dinner: Mon–Sat 5:30pm–8:45pm, Sun 5:30pm–6:30pm

• Subway:

  Train from Town Hall to Edgecliff station

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar Bondi

Named after Sydney’s iconic swimming club — Bondi Icebergs — that swims in the ocean pool at Bondi Beach, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is consistently awarded chef's hats. Since opening in 2002, the restaurant's spectacular views, superb cuisine and atmosphere of relaxed elegance have delighted visitors from all over the world. Under the direction of head chef Paul Wilson, the menu focuses on seafood dishes with an Italian flavour.

• Web:

  idrb.com

• Address:

  Level 3/1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach

• Phone:

  +61 2 9365 9000

• Subway:

  Bus 333 from Circular Quay

Infinity at Sydney Tower

360 Bar and Dining is the revolving restaurant high above the city in Sydney Tower, with gorgeous 360-degree views of Sydney and beyond. The sophisticated restaurant has a menu consisting of Modern Australian cuisine, and is the perfect spot for a romantic date.

• Web:

  www.infinitysydneytower.com.au

• Address:

  Westfield Sydney, Level 4, 100 Market Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 8223 3883

Baxter Inn

Head underground to the candle-lit basement of the Baxter Inn. 360 premium whiskies line the cabinets of this speakeasy-themed drinking den. With thick carpet, jazz and blues, beer on tap, a wine and port cellar, and a whisky for every day of the year - Baxter Inn is more than inviting. To top off the great service, you also get bartenders dinging an old boxing bell and tooting a trumpet at shot time.

• Web:

  swillhouse.com/venues/the-baxter-inn

• Address:

  Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney

• Opening hours:

  Daily 4pm–3am

• Subway:

  Train to Town Hall station

Hemmesphere

On the fourth floor of the Establishment Precinct is a world of opulence, inspired by the sophistication of the Ottoman Empire. Hemmesphere, derived from the surname of founder Justin Hemmes, features exotic furnishings, low lounges and ambient lighting, which create an intimate atmosphere for any evening out. Fancy cocktails are available in abundance, vintage drams and select wines add to the mix, as does a compact menu of Japanese bento boxes, platters, and supper snacks.

• Web:

  merivale.com/venues/hemmesphere

• Address:

  4/252 George Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  + 61 2 9114 7313

• Subway:

  Train to Wynyard station

Hugos Manly

On the Manly Wharf, Hugos Manly is one of Sydney's waterfront restaurants with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. A delicious mix of pizza and pasta, the menu was created by celebrity chef Pete Evans. You'll also be impressed by the skills of the award-winning bar team. Take a ferry from Circular Quay across the sparkling harbour and soak up the lovely atmosphere of Hugos Manly.

• Web:

  www.hugos.com.au

• E-mail:

  reservations@hugos.com.au

• Address:

  Manly Wharf, 1 E Esplanade, Manly

• Phone:

  +61 2 8116 8555

• Subway:

  Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf

ivy

Ivy is an entertainment palace in the city centre. From cocktail bars and dancing to bistros and a rooftop pool bar, ivy is a Sydney party destination. Enter via Angel Place laneway and head to French bar and bistro Felix for a dry Martini, or to Ash Street Cellar for tapas. Palings, on level one, delivers Mod Oz cuisine. Up the elevator you’ll discover a sparkling rooftop pool at the Ivy Pool Club. Friday hip-hop nights and Pacha Saturdays offer dance party heaven.

• Web:

  merivale.com/venues/ivy

• Address:

  330 George Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9240 3000

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7:30am–late, Sat & Sun noon–late

Marble Bar

Built in 1893 and preserved in all its opulent glory, the Marble Bar is a delightful Victorian-era bar underneath the Hilton Hotel in the city centre. A hundred tonnes of the best marble in the world were used to build the bar, creating a splendid ambience. The Marble Bar is a great place to enjoy fine Australian wines and beers and classic cocktails and Australian beer. Enjoy live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

• Web:

  www.marblebarsydney.com.au

• Address:

  Level B1, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9266 2000

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight, Thu–Sat 5pm–1am, Sun closed

• Subway:

  Train to Town Hall station

O Bar & Dining

A stylish escape 47 floors up in the sky, O Bar and Dining's vast circular layout provides 360-degree views of beautiful Sydney and beyond. Located at Australia Square, a landmark building near The Rocks, the ambient light, plush couches and deep leather chairs ensure a night at O Bar is an enchanting experience. There's tapas for sharing, and the delightful cocktail list is based on fragrance and seasonality. On the revolving lower level, guests can recline while dining on a Modern Australian menu and enjoying spectacular views.

• Web:

  www.obardining.com.au

• E-mail:

  reservations@obardining.com.au

• Address:

  Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9247 9777

• Opening hours:

  Dinner: daily from 5pm. Lunch: Thu–Sat from noon

• Subway:

  Train to Wynyard station