There’s no better city than Sydney for eating by the water.
Within the harbour alone, Sydney can offer more than 300km of coastline. Then there’s Manly and beyond to the north and Bondi and dozens of other wonderful beaches to the south. And don’t forget the climate. Expect daytime temperatures over summer in the mid-20s. Why not dine at one of our many restaurants by the water? Here are a few favourite waterside tables.
Flying Fish
Lower Deck, Jones Bay Wharf, 26-32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont.
Tel: 9518 6677. www.flyingfish.com.au
The water view: Look along the wharf, across busy Pyrmont Bay to historic suburban Millers Point and to Barangaroo, the future headland park and leisure precinct on the western edge of the CBD. Pull up a big lounge chair out on the deck and soak up the sunset.
The food: Peter Kuruvita is widely regarded as a seafood expert with a strong passion for sustainability. His food is elegant, prettily plated and strongly seasonal, with the menu ever changing according to what’s in season and the best catch of the day.
The Wharf Restaurant
Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.
Tel: 9250 1761. www.thewharfrestaurant.com.au
The water view: Walk the historic, echoing pier, also home to the Sydney Theatre Company, to arrive at The Wharf Restaurant. And though the inside space is lovely, it’s the view that takes your breath away. The place to be is out on one of two decks. Out east you face Goat Island, to the west, you’re tucked under the Harbour Bridge.
The food: Simple yet elegant, well-priced, contemporary food. Most mains, such as panfried barramundi on witlof or grilled sirloin of wagyu beef with spring vegetables, are around $36.
Opera Bar
Lower Concourse, Sydney Opera House, Sydney.
Tel: 9247 1666. www.operabar.com.au
The water view: Its own website claims it has the most enviable location in Sydney and the world’s best beer garden. You’ll be inclined to agree. This is a little wedge-shaped oasis between the water and the busy concourse above. Look out over Circular Quay to the Harbour Bridge. You can’t miss it.
The food: It may call itself a beer garden but the food is fancy enough to call it an open-air restaurant. There’s live music every evening and from 2pm on weekends. You can wander in for a drink, pre-theatre meal, tapas-style snack or proper lunch or dinner. Opera Kitchen and Becasse Bakery are next door if you’re hankering for great coffee and cakes or more food options.
Andrew Boy Charlton Poolside Café
1C Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney. Tel: 8354 1044. www.poolsidecafe.com.au
The water view: Woolloomooloo Bay and Finger Wharf are interesting enough to look out over. But on a sparkling Sydney morning you won’t believe how inviting the blue water of the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool looks. Never fear – you don’t have to churn up and down the pool to qualify for a table here.
The food: This is a breakfast and lunch spot, seven days a week and you’ll find a produce-driven selection of super-healthy and special-treat options. Prices are reasonable, from $4 for toast to $26 for barramundi.
Shot Café
Headland Park, 1100 Middle Head Road, Georges Heights, Mosman.
Tel: 9969 4400. www.shotcafe.com.au
The water view: Look beyond the headland parkland to the harbour and city or over to the eastern suburbs. Gorgeous.
The food: You will have worked up an appetite if you’re part way round the Balmoral-Chowder Bay walking track. An egg-and-bacon roll, sandwiches, salads, a glass of wine or a piece of cake and coffee should help you complete the track.
Whitewater
35 South Steyne, Manly. Tel: 9977 0322. www.whitewaterrestaurant.com.au
The water view: The surf is so inviting you’ll have to stop yourself leaping off your chair and into the waves. This is beachy Manly at its best. It’s family friendly, well priced, casual but glam enough for a memorable meal by the water.
The food: Locals find it hard to go past the Chinese duck pancakes but there’s plenty of seafood if you think the location calls for it. There are hearty meals, breakfasts and everything in between.
Hugos Manly
Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly. Tel: 8116 8555. www.hugos.com.au
The water view: You only have to look at the address to see you’re right out over the water on Manly Wharf when you’re eating out here in the fresh air at Hugos. The Manly ferry pulls up right here, too, for that added bit of quintessential Sydney.
The food: This is how Manly does relaxed glamour: a seafood tasting plate, perhaps, a crisp white wine, a properly crispy pizza and a zingy little salad. There’s a full menu of more complicated things, but you get the picture.
Blackwattle Café
55 Leichhardt Street, Blackwattle Park, Glebe. Tel: 9692 9785. www.blackwattlecafe.com
The water view: Here’s something new and different – open only a year, it’s in the restored historic Bellevue Cottage, with views of Blackwattle Bay, the Anzac Bridge and the city, but from the less familiar side.
The food: Sit down Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast or lunch of, say, locally roasted Little Marionette coffee, house-made pastries, Devonshire tea, a glass of wine, sandwiches or a pork pie.
Catalina
Lyne Park, Rose Bay. Tel: 9371 0555. www.catalinarosebay.com.au
The water view: You can sit inside the gorgeous white, 1950s building and still see Rose Bay, the boats and the seaplanes. Or you can take a table on the terrace and feel like you’re part of the action.
The food: Even with that view and location, the food still attracts the big accolades for Catalina. Expect refined, contemporary food, excellent service and a comprehensive wine list.
North Bondi Italian Food
118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi. Tel: 9300 4400. www.idrb.com
The water view: Wonder where Sydney’s beautiful people (and their children) hang out and let their hair down? Not in the city but here, by the beach. Sit out front on a perfect December day and you’ll know why.
The food: The surroundings make the interesting, rustic Italian food taste even better. Family friendly, but beware the no-bookings policy. It’s a busy place.
