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Best Waterfront Dining in Sydney
Published 25 December 2023

 For a full list of fabulous waterfront restaurants Sydney visit

BEST WATERFRONT RESTAURANTS

  1. 1. Ormeggio at The Spit

    D'Albora Marinas, The Spit, Spit Road, Mosman
    Ormeggio at the Spit, perched on D'Albora Marinas at The Spit in Mosman, is open to the water on three sides. Go early to watch the sunset and dine on modern Italian food. The restaurant has been hatted since the first year of opening and maintained one ever since.
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  2. 2. Bathers' Pavilion

    4 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, Mosman

    Overlooking Middle Harbour at Balmoral Beach on Sydney's Lower North Shore, Bathers' Pavilion is the place to take visitors in Sydney. Even locals will be quietly chuffed by the elegant dining room, which exudes beachside elegance with a 1920s art deco soul. Expect a refined Mediterranean-inspired menu, with seafood the star of the menu. Savour the meal and the service, then linger for the view, the rare wines and the digestives. The adjoining Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a more casual atmosphere. Betel Leaf, upstairs on the Terrace serves modern Thai food with dine in and takeaway choices.

     

    Bather's Bistro is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Bather's Restaurant is open Wednesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch only.

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  3. 3. China Doll

    Shop 4, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo Wharf, Woolloomooloo
    China Doll, located at the historic Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, is known for its fresh, inventive pan-Asian cuisine and abundant al fresco dining for glittering views of the water. Try one of their decadent seasonal cocktails and if you're having trouble deciding what to order, the luxury banquet will make the night truly special.
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  4. 4. Ventuno

    21 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
    The latest venture from the Sydney Restaurant Group. On the water's edge at Walsh Bay enjoy superb Italian cuisine, from pastas, pizzas to mains, all at a reasonable price.
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  5. 5. Watergrill Abbotsford

    613 Great North Road, Sydney Rowing Club, Abbotsford

    Grand river views and fresh seafood are the highlights of this popular restaurant at the Sydney Rowing Club on the waterfront at Abbotsford. With panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, Watergrill dining room takes in a wide, boat-studded sweep of the Parramatta River. Enjoy a scrumptious lunch in the restaurant or a relaxing drink in the waterfront bar areas.

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  6. 6. Manta Restaurant

    6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo Wharf, Woolloomooloo

    Situated in a prime position on Woolloomooloo Wharf, Manta boasts beautiful views across the Marina to the Botanic Gardens and the city skyline. Manta Restaurant has long been an iconic seafood dining experience offering patrons a sophisticated ambience and a dose of Sydney Harbour glamour.

     

    Open for lunch Wednesday-Sunday and dinner Wednesday-Saturday

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  7. 7. Catalina Restaurant

    Lyne Park, Rose Bay
    With floor to ceiling windows, it will be hard to focus on anything but the stunning view of the harbour at Rose Bay in Sydney's east. With the kitchen open from midday to late, drop in when it suits to enjoy the seafood-inspired modern Australian menu.
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  8. 8. OTTO Ristorante

    6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo Wharf, Woolloomooloo
    If you want to dine beside the who's who of Sydney, Otto's, an elegant, modern restaurant on Woolloomooloo wharf serving simple, excellent Italian fare is where you want to be. With impeccable service and a joyous atmosphere, it's right for any occasion.
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  9. 9. Public Dining Room

    2a The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, Mosman

    Public Dining Room's unique waterfront position on Balmoral Beach allows you to take full advantage of its stunning location, on one of Sydney's most exclusive beaches. Balmoral Beach is located on Middle Harbour in the harbourside suburb of Mosman, with views across to North Head and Manly, providing an ever changing backdrop for all occasions. Head chef Adam Tyl has created a contemporary menu, featuring fresh local ingredients while incorporating Mediterranean culinary influences. The menu reflects the changing seasons sourcing selected local boutique produce from small farmers throughout Australia.

     

     

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  10. 10. Pilu at Freshwater

    Moore Rd, Freshwater
    The delicious food at Pilu at Freshwater is only enhanced by its location in a rambling, spacious weatherboard beach house on the shores of Freshwater Beach. The restaurant delivers an impressive Sardinian menu with exceptional service and relaxed sophistication.
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  11. 11. Cottage Point Inn

    2 Anderson Place, Cottage Point
    Cottage Point Inn offers a prime waterfront dining location on the Hawkesbury River, where diners can land right in front of the restaurant by seaplane direct from Rose Bay. Enjoy superb modern Australian cuisine on the deck while the water laps gently by, or among the cosy, converted boatshed interiors.
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  12. 12. Ripples Chowder Bay

    Chowder Bay Road, Building 7, Deck C, Mosman

    Renowned Sydney architect, Sidney Koh, has successfully transformed what was once the Submarine Miners' Depot into one of Sydney's leading restaurants. The open harbour and sandy shores set a captivating backdrop for an Australian-inspired menu in this 100-seater restaurant, ideal for an al fresco dining experience; lunch or dinner. Its opening marked a momentous occasion, as it was the first time in over 100 years that the general public could enter this historic space, once reserved for secret military operations to defend Sydney Harbour. 

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  13. 13. Chiosco by Ormeggio

    d'Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman

    BYO and barefoot-friendly", Ormeggio's casual yet quality sister site Chiosco by Ormeggio is a real Italian trattoria by the sea with stunning views.  Only 12 km from the city centre, or 20 minutes in a water taxi, Chiosco is a small jump from the CBD but offers incredible privacy and easy access.  A western facing waterside dining room to fully enjoy the sunset, a fully licensed bar plus BYO options, and of course classic and delicious traditional Italian fare, this is a crowd pleasing venue for groups small and large.

     

    Photography: Courtesy of Chiosco by Ormeggio

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  14. 14. Sala Dining

    Jones bay Wharf, 26-32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont

    Sala occupies a commanding position at the end of Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney's inner western city suburb of Pyrmont, around 10 minutes from the CBD. This waterfront venue boasts a Modern Italian menu with a coastal theme, paying homage to dishes like crispy risoni fingers with caviar & parmesan, squid ink tortellini with crab sauce, butterflied King George Whiting and Glacier 51 Toothfish. Wines are from Australia and overseas, but maybe start your experience with a creative cocktail or the very classic Italian cocktail - a Negroni.

     

    Open for lunch Wednesday-Sunday and dinner Wednesday-Saturday

     

    Photography: Courtesy of Sala Dining

     

     

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  15. 15. Sails on Lavender Bay

    2 Henry Lawson Avenue, McMahons Point
    It's perfect for a special occasion
    Look out for maybe a ferry trip or water taxi almost from the front door!

    Located right on the water's edge of McMahon Point, Sails on Lavender Bay offers breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Bridge, creating a perfect backdrop to impress clients and guests. With an inspiring Modern Australian menu focused on fresh seafood, a tempting wine list and carefully crafted cocktail menu, Sails on Lavender Bay comes highly recommended.

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  16. 16. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

    1 New Beach Road, Darling Point

    The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is Australia's premier yacht club and home to what is considered yachting's ‘Mt Everest' -the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Choose to dine in The Restaurant or on the more casual deck which opens out on to the marina. (Only for members or if you live outside of 5 K's - a perfect choice for interstate and overseas visitors). NB: If dining in the restaurant only and you live within the five kms radius, you need to be signed into the clubhouse by a member

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