Sydney’s coastline is a string of stunning coves, bays and beaches making an incredible backdrop for a waterfront meal. With a cornucopia of fresh produce within easy reach of Sydney and a wealth of culinary talent on show, the city’s waterfront dining scene is home to some of the state’s best restaurants.  

Cafe Sydney  

Set on the rooftop of the historic Customs House building in Circular Quay, Cafe Sydney treats diners to a 180-degree panorama of Sydney Harbour. Don’t let the name fool you – this is no cafe, but an acclaimed fine diner. You can expect a natural-light-filled dining room, attentive service and a menu that heroes Australian ingredients (particularly local seafood) and plays with all the cultural influences within the Sydney dining scene.  

Bennelong  

At Bennelong, you’ll dine inside one Sydney icon while gazing upon another. Tucked under the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House, the dining room has views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, framed within the unique wooden beams that support the sails’ huge windows. Celebrated executive chef Peter Gilmore and head chef Rob Cockerill create intricately presented dishes inspired by conversations with Australia’s most passionate producers. Take a seat at a white-clothed table in the restaurant for a three-course a la carte menu or for a slightly more casual experience, enjoy two courses at the counter. If you have tickets for a performance at the famous venue next below, stop by the bar for a pre-show cocktail and snacks.

Oncore by Clare Smyth  

High above the city on the 26th floor of the Crown Towers, Oncore by Clare Smyth is the first and only international restaurant from the eponymous three-Michelin-starred chef. Once named the best female chef in the world, Smyth pays homage to her childhood in Northern Ireland, while incorporating local flavours. Make sure you order her signature ‘potato and roe’, a seaweed beurre blanc with herring and trout roe. Finish the evening with a nightcap on the open terrace at CIRQ, Crown’s rooftop cocktail bar, to see the city lit up at night. 

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar 

An icon for locals and visitors alike, Icebergs has been serving the ultimate waterside dining experience since 2002. Sitting on the cliffs of iconic Bondi Beach, the modern Italian cuisine pairs perfectly with a breezy seaside atmosphere and Australian aesthetic with blue-hued interiors that reflect the unobstructed ocean view. The seasonally changing menu in the dining room is woven with locally sourced produce, fresh seafood and Australian native flavours. Or head to the bar for a more relaxed atmosphere and Iceberg’s signature cocktails that match, in colour and vibe, the sunny scenes at the beach below.  

Ammos Brighton  

Much-loved chef Peter Conistis has opened the doors of his latest Greek jewel, Ammos Brighton, to reveal stunning vistas of the beach in Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney’s south. But it’s not simply the oceanic backdrop of this stylish restaurant that captivates diners. Conistis’ menu makes perfect fare for beachside grazing as it would be in Greece. Expect everything from slow-roasted lamb shoulder with tzatziki, to saganaki with poached figs and fire-roasted rock lobster. Dine on all this plus Hellenic-inspired cocktails and Greek wines in a bright and light diner ideal for laidback lunch or early dinner with views of a coastal sunset. 

Promenade Bondi Beach 

Sitting right in the centre of Sydney’s most famous beach promenade, this sleek but welcoming all-day establishment invites beachgoers off the sand with the laidback kiosk and bar. For more elegant gatherings, book a table in the dining room, where sustainable and local ingredients play a starring role in handmade pastas dishes and seafood plates with Mediterranean flavours. Part of the recently revived historic Bondi Pavilion, Promenade is the place to spend the day watching the waves roll in and Bondi’s colourful parade of people pass by.

Oborozuki  

Part teppanyaki restaurant, part fine diner, Oborozuki mixes elegance and theatre, Japanese flavours and French technique. Diners at the restaurant are treated to views of Circular Quay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge alongside a menu focused on seasonal ingredients, Australian produce, French wine and Japanese sake. Located at Bennelong Point off Macquarie Street, settle in with an a la carte menu in the dining room or opt into one of three private teppanyaki rooms, where five-to-nine guests can enjoy a thrilling culinary experience with a master teppanyaki chef. 

Pilu at Freshwater  

With clear views over Freshwater Beach, the two-hatted fine-dining restaurant Pilu at Freshwater is the essence of Sydney's Northern Beaches. Acclaimed chef Giovanni Pilu plates up a menu inspired by NSW produce and his Sardinian heritage – like spaghetti with bottarga and calamari or coral trout with blood orange and Campari. Pick a sunny day to make the most of the beautiful Hamptons-esque dining room and the glorious views.

Pearl Dining  

Head to this vibrant Quay Quarter venue to experience modern Cantonese cuisine paired with impressive views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From one harbourside city to another, Pearl Dining is inspired by Hong Kong’s culinary mastery, serving traditional and exceptionally crafted dim sum, wok fries and Chinese roast meats but in a quintessentially Sydney locale. On sunny days, it’s well worth booking a table on the balcony.

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel 

This sprawling pub, restaurant and hotel is the centre of Watsons Bay summer weekend plans. With its iconic blue-and-white-striped umbrellas and al fresco dining area stepping down to crystal-clear water, towering palm trees and a storybook wharf, you might think you’re at a beachside club in Greece or Italy. The menu has a Mediterranean lean with antipasti and pasta served alongside seafood platters, buckets of fresh prawns and four kinds of spritzes.  

Summer Salt  

Looking over Elouera Beach in Sydney’s south, Cronulla’s iconic waterside diner Summer Salt has relaunched with a bold new look and contemporary Italian-leaning menu. Inside, a spectrum of dazzling blue tones mimic the attention-drawing ocean beyond, while on the plate, diners are treated to beautiful produce that showcases the region with bold, Italian flavours and plenty of locally caught seafood. Pair it with a signature Aphrodite cocktail that refreshes with vodka, watermelon and coconut.