Sydney’s 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the CBD
From fine-dining institutions to bold new openings, these are the best restaurants in Sydney’s CBD right now.
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Sydney’s dining scene is more exciting than ever, with a mix of world-class chefs, inventive menus, and breathtaking locations. Whether you’re after a multi-course tasting experience or a sleek spot for a power lunch, these 10 restaurants define the best of Sydney’s CBD.
1. Quay – Modern Australian
📍 Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
A Sydney institution, Quay continues to set the benchmark for fine dining with its innovative tasting menus, stunning harbour views, and Peter Gilmore’s signature creations, such as the White Coral dessert.
2. Oncore by Clare Smyth – Contemporary European
📍 Crown Sydney, Barangaroo
The first Australian outpost of three-Michelin-starred Clare Smyth, Oncore delivers refined yet approachable dishes with an emphasis on sustainability, all set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
3. Bennelong – Modern Australian
📍 Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay
Housed in the iconic Opera House, Bennelong offers a sophisticated take on Australian cuisine. Its menu highlights the best local produce in an architecturally stunning setting.
4. Hubert – French Bistro
📍 15 Bligh Street, Sydney
A subterranean slice of Paris in the heart of the CBD, Hubert charms with candlelit tables, a lively jazz soundtrack, and decadent French classics like duck à l’orange and steak frites.
5. Aria – Modern Australian
📍 1 Macquarie Street, Circular Quay
With Matt Moran at the helm, Aria is a longtime favourite for pre-theatre dining and special occasions, serving elegant, seasonal dishes with spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge.
6. A’Mare – Italian Fine Dining
📍 Crown Sydney, Barangaroo
For old-school Italian glamour, A’Mare is the place to be. Expect tableside mozzarella service, hand-rolled pasta, and a lavish setting reminiscent of an Italian grand hotel.
7. Firedoor – Woodfire Cooking
📍 23-33 Mary Street, Surry Hills (CBD fringe)
Chef and owner Lennox Hastie’s Firedoor is a must-visit for meat lovers. Here, everything—yes, everything—is cooked over fire, from aged rib-eye steaks to ember-roasted vegetables.
8. Rockpool Bar & Grill – Classic Steakhouse
📍 66 Hunter Street, Sydney
A high-end power dining staple, Rockpool serves some of the country’s best dry-aged steaks, impeccable seafood, and a deep wine list curated for connoisseurs.
9. Kiln – Contemporary Australian
📍 Ace Hotel, 47 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney
One of Sydney’s most talked-about newer openings, Kiln blends inventive Aussie flavours with a relaxed rooftop atmosphere. It offers standout dishes like fermented potato bread and charcoal-roasted seafood.
10. Shell House Dining Room & Terrace – European-Inspired Brasserie
📍 37 Margaret Street, Sydney
With its grand heritage interiors and sun-drenched rooftop terrace, Shell House offers a polished yet lively dining experience. The menu is focused on fresh, coastal flavours.
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Ophora Tallawong has launched its final release of quality apartments priced under $700,000.
A McLaren Vale Shiraz has beaten more than 100 global rivals to be crowned the world’s best at one of the wine industry’s most respected competitions.
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A $25 bottle of Shiraz from South Australia has achieved something few wines ever do: it has claimed the top spot in a prestigious international competition and outperformed rivals many times its price.
The 2023 Classic Shiraz from Beresford Estate in McLaren Vale was awarded the International Syrah Trophy at the 2026 International Wine Challenge, one of the wine industry’s most respected judging events.
The wine also received 97 points, a Gold Medal and four major trophies, making it the highest-scoring Australian trophy winner in this year’s competition.
The result placed the wine first among 111 Shiraz entries from around the world and ahead of several highly regarded Australian trophy-winning wines.
For wine lovers, the award is notable not only for the competition’s standing but also for the price. At a recommended retail price of just $25, the Beresford Classic Shiraz sits firmly in the everyday-drinking category rather than the rarefied world of collector wines.
Head winemaker Natalie Cleghorn said the result reflected the quality of fruit produced in McLaren Vale.
“This result is a genuine reflection of what McLaren Vale is capable of. When you let the fruit and the site do the talking, the quality speaks for itself.”
According to the tasting notes, the wine opens with blueberry and plum aromas alongside floral notes and spice, while the palate delivers red cherry, plum, dried fruit, eucalyptus, and savoury spice, supported by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins.
The accolade adds to the growing reputation of Beresford Estate, which was founded in 1985 and has accumulated more than 2,000 medals and 200 trophies globally. The estate is located on a 70-acre vineyard in McLaren Vale and produces a range of wines including Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
While luxury wine collectors often chase bottles costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Beresford’s latest success is a reminder that world-class wine does not always come with a world-class price tag.
Three-Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo will host an intimate Mediterranean sailing aboard Crystal Serenity, redefining fine dining at sea.
A cluster of century-old warehouses beneath the Harbour Bridge has been transformed into a modern workplace hub, now home to more than 100 businesses.
