Restaurants

Sydney’s Best Waterfront Restaurants For Long Lunches And Sunset Dinners

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The dining room at Sails on Lavender Bay, one of the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney

Sydney/Eora is blessed with some of the world’s best harbour and ocean views, so breathtaking waterfront restaurants are basically a given.

From Italian spots with their own pontoons so you can pull up by water taxi to retro boozers overlooking the ocean, Sydney's waterfront restaurants deliver for all occasions—and instantly add the wow factor to any meal. These are Urban List's picks for the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney.

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Sails On Lavender Bay

2 Henry Lawson Avenue, McMahons Point

Green lounge chairs at sails on lavender bay, one of the best waterfront restaurants in SydneyImage credit: Sails on Lavender Bay | Jacqui Turk

If you’re looking to take in some of the most iconic views of the harbour and bridge, Sails on Lavender Bay is the place to do it. The large glass windows of this waterfront restaurant look out to Luna Park, through the Harbour Bridge, and beyond to the white domes of the Opera House. 

The venue has very recently had a makeover too—with Larissa Leigh Interiors giving the iconic venue a joyful French Riviera-inspired look. To eat, Head Chef Saro Derderyan does modern Australian with a focus on top local produce and seafood (naturally). Try the silver trevally crudo or the Moreton Bay bug spaghettini complete with XO shellfish emulsion and make sure you book a time to watch the sunset over the harbour. 

Bobby's

6R The Esplanade, Cronulla

Waterfront restaurant sydney bobby's cronulla
Image credit: Bobby's | Supplied

Right off the sand of Cronulla Beach, Bobby’s is a Mediterranean-influenced spot doing breakfast and lunch Monday–Wednesday, and all-day dining Thursday–Sunday, with a restaurant space offering a more structured dining environment, and casual beach club that welcomes sandy toes for a morning coffee or post-swim sip.

Bobby’s seafood-driven menu is perfectly suited to its beachside location, with a brioche prawn roll, ocean trout crudo, a barramundi burger, a one-kilo rib-eye with green peppercorn sauce, and whole snapper with burnt butter, citrus and caperberries.

Wine picks from local producers and Mediterranean makers focus on fresh and saline white varieties and reds that suit chilling for Aussie summer days, while cocktails include a limoncello spritz, tequila highballs, and a tropical twist on the Negroni with pineapple Campari, coconut vodka, vermouth and makrut lime.

Ripples Chowder Bay

Deck C, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman

waterfront restaurant sydney ripples chowder bay
Image credit: Ripples Chowder Bay | Supplied

Ripples Chowder Bay has just had a refresh for summer, and remains a favourite Sydney waterfront venue with 180-degree water views meaning every seat in the house is a jaw-dropping one to enjoy the modern Australian-meets-Mediterranean menu and stunning cocktails.

Suited to sunset snacks or full meals, the menu celebrating local producers spans nibbles like taramasalata-filled pastry cigars and a Middle Eastern-inspired take on beef tartare, or larger plates of mafaldine with spinach, grana padano, fricassee greens, chilli oil and stracciatella, and a 12-hour slow-cooked NSW lamb shoulder.

Ripples is known for its expansive wine collection and impressive wine fridge, but cocktails like a toasted coconut daiquiri, Seaside Spritz with Italicus, St Germain, cantaloupe melon liqueur and lemon, and yuzu gimlet make for perfect waterside sips—and you can still BYO a special bottle every day of the week.

Pier Bar

11 Hickson Road, Dawes Point

waterfront restaurants sydney pier bar
Image credit: Pier Bar | Supplied

Sitting pretty on Sydney Harbour with a jaw-dropping view of the Bridge, Luna Park, and the historic finger wharves of Dawes Point, PIER BAR is a waterfront restaurant where you can marvel at the sheer beauty of this city.

To eat, snacks include freshly shucked oysters, mini tacos, cheese and charcuterie, and crispy lemon myrtle-dusted prawns. Larger plates look like pasta prima vera, a Wagyu ragu, and a Wagyu cheeseburger.

Drinks at PIER BAR are sunny, fruity, and fun (like the signature avocado mezcal margarita, made with avocado-washed mezcal, avocado syrup, agave, lime, and orange blossom), and the harbourside location means you can pull up to the pontoon on a private vessel or water taxi.

St Siandra

75 Lower Parriwi Road, Mosman

waterfront restaurants sydney st siandra the spit
Image credit: St Siandra | Instagram

St Siandra brings a little of the Amalfi to the sparkly waters of Middle Harbour, complete with its own private beach set-up and a private beach and moorings so you can arrive by boat.

This waterfront restaurant dishes out local seafood with Mediterranean flair; think seven-spice Moreton Bay bugs, Pacific Oysters with ajo blanco, and Jack's Creek bone-in Wagyu striploin with butter-poached lobster tails.

We’re Hosting An Italiano Collab At Rocker North Bondi

In partnership with


We chatted with their team on what to expect from our Italiano collab with Sandhurst happening now until 9 April

Hands digging into charcuterie

Tell Us About Rocker
Our vision is simple—to gently rock between casual dining and bar, day and night, summer and winter, wine and cocktails, sandals and heels. 

What Can People Expect From The Menu Collab?
We love nothing more than getting creative with top-notch ingredients—and our Spritz Sundowner menu with Sandhurst reflects this.

The spread showcases premium quality caperberries, Sandhurst kalamata olives, and a house tapenade, which have all been specially designed to complement charcuterie. Meanwhile, the spritz, which features a hint of sweetness thanks to Sandhurst’s Italian maraschino cherries, epitomises Bondi summer and is the perfect pairing to the antipasto board.

How Do You Find A Slice Of La Dolce Vita Around Sydney?
You’ll find us soaking up the sun and surf in North Bondi, followed by taking a short stroll up to Rocker sandy feet and all, where we’ll be dining on our fresh antipasti spread.

Learn more here

The Surf Deck

1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy


Image credit: The Collaroy | Instagram

Picture this: piña coladas by the beach with a second-to-none view of the sand and the sparkly waves. If this is what comes to mind for you when you think waterfront restaurant, Merivale's beach venue The Surf Deck needs to be on your radar. It's essentially an extension of The Collaroy—a slick Tiki-inspired spot complete with retro cocktails smack bang on the sand at Collaroy Beach.

The menu is a lineup of perfect beachside eating: Sydney Rock oysters with pineapple and pepper mignonette, yellowfin tuna tostadas, beer-battered fish and chips, pork belly tacos, and a selection of pizzas.

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Bathers Pavilion

4 The Esplanade, Mosman 

waterfront restaurants sydney bathers pavilion mosman
Image credit: Bathers Pavilion | Instagram

A multi-level space overlooking the idyllic Edwards Beach just north of Balmoral, Bathers Pavilion is an all-occasion waterfront venue. In the elegant restaurant, it's European techniques and dishes with delicate Asian influences, like green asparagus tempura with hazelnut, chèvre and pine oil or pot-roasted Eastern rock lobster with aged koshihikari rice, sprouts and fermented chilli.

Elsewhere, there's the casual bistro space, long-term Thai pop-up Betel Leaf taking over the upstairs space and terrace, and promenade-side kiosk for post-beach snacks.

Sean’s

270 Campbell Parade, North Bondi

waterfront restaurant sydney sean's bondi
Image credit: Sean's | Website

The waterfront views from Sean's are one thing, but the food here is also outstanding. Head chef and owner Sean Moran brings his produce from his 20-acre farm in the Blue Mountains to share amongst good company in the heart of the Eastern Beaches.

The menu is a three-course offering that changes every single day, and usually features plenty of seafood—which is exactly what you want when staring out into the endless blue.

Catalina

Lyne Park, New South Head Road, Rose Bay


Image credit: Catalina | Instagram

With sweeping views over sparkly Rose Bay, Catalina is one of Sydney's longstanding "special occasion" venues—even Beyonce and Jay-Z paid a visit to this waterfront restaurant.

The minimalist interior and wrap-around balcony are complemented with pages of champagne and wine to pick from and a menu of soy-cured king salmon and crispy skin saltwater barramundi. 

Keen to visit Catalina in the future? Purchase a gift voucher here

Pilu 

Moore Road, Freshwater

waterfront restaurant sydney pilu at freshwater
Image credit: Pilu | Instagram

Built into a stunning, sprawling weatherboard cottage on Freshwater Beach, Pilu is an absolute must for anyone wanting to experience the very best of Sydney's waterfront dining with a side of fresh, seaside air.

The menu is inspired by owner Giovanni Pilu's Italian home, Sardinia, but champions local produce. The hero of the menu has to be the crisp-skinned suckling pig for two with rosemary potatoes, but we're also very into the refined desserts.

The Boathouse CYCA

1 New Beach Road, Darling Point

waterfront restaurants the boathouse CYCA Rushcutters Bay
Image credit: The Boathouse CYCA | Supplied

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is now home to yet another waterfront restaurant by The Boathouse Group, known for its coastal chic interiors and fresh Mediterranean fare.

The Boathouse CYCA kicks things off with simple satisfying breakfasts, followed by a Mediterranean-influenced lunch and dinner menu, and signature cocktails perfect for enjoying as the sun sets over the boats bobbing on Rushcutters Bay.

Shout out to The Boathouse Group's other gorgeous waterfront restaurants in Balmoral, Shelly Beach, Patonga and Rose Bay, too.

Promenade

Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach


Image credit: Promenade | Supplied

Promenade is a sprawling waterfront spot built into the historic Bondi Pavilion. Complete with an ocean-facing verandah, a private dining grotto, and a sunny terrace bar called The Front Yard, the menu has been dreamt up to compliment the location. 

The Front Yard Bar menu is packed with tasty snacks like prawns with Marie Rose sauce, topped flatbreads and fresh salads, while the dining room menu packs more substantial seafood dishes, pastas made at sister venue Grana, and wood-fired proteins.

To drink, go for the Sunnyboy Spritz for a smack of summertime nostalgia laced with strawberry, ginger, Aperol and white wine. 

Bert’s

2 Kalinya Street, Newport


Image credit: Bert's | Instagram

Tucked in the Northern Beaches is Bert’s Bar and Brasserie, a hidden branch of the Merivale empire that overlooks Pittwater. It’s part of the Newport Hotel, raised up on level one to give views of the sparkling surroundings with a rich, vintage-style dining room.

Diners at this high-end establishment can browse the iced-up fresh seafood bars and peer into the live lobster tanks before sitting down to a Mediterranean-inspired feast. It’s a steak tartare and squid ink pasta marinara kind of place, with an iconic cheese trolley to round off a gorgeous meal.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach

waterfront restaurants sydney icebergs bondi
Image credit: Icebergs | Supplied

Probably the most famous oceanfront restaurant in Sydney, Icebergs truly capitalises on the glory of Bondi Beach, perched on the cliff looking over the Pacific towards North Bondi.

Expect a luxe, modern Italian menu spanning antipasti, pasta, fish and meat mains and desserts, with a popular $220pp set menu ticking off favourite suspects. The tiny terrace bar is the best spot for ocean views with a signature cocktail, and serves more relaxed snacks.

St George Sailing Club

2 Riverside Drive, Sans Souci

Waterfront restaurants sydney st george sailing club sans souci
Image credit: St George Sailing Club | Instagram

The St George Sailing Club has held its prime view of the sparkly Georges River for well over a century, and is one of the best spots for waterfront dining in Sydney, complete with a crisp coastal aesthetic with warm timber accents and outdoor space for days. 

All your seaside favourites and then some are there for the taking; think freshly shucked oysters, chilled prawns with wasabi mayo, and beer-battered fish and chips, alongside a little Mediterranean influence with woodfired pizzas, prawn linguine, and barramundi with fregola and herb salad.

Otto

Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo

waterfront restaurants sydney otto woolloomooloo
Image credit: Otto | Instagram

One of Sydney's favourite Italian restaurants, Otto is perched on the Cowper Bay Wharf in Woolloomooloo, looking out to the water and Navy boats.

This waterfront restaurant that's been kicking for over 20 years is all about simple and seasonal Italian dining, with an epic selection of snacks and starters, pretty pasta dishes, and premium Australian proteins. We suggest rounding up a group of eight or more so you can jump on the $115 four-course menu, with a bottomless drinks add-on available for $50pp.

Ormeggio At The Spit

D’Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman

waterfront restaurant sydney ormeggio at the spit mosman
Image credit: Ormeggio at the Spit | Instagram

Italian food just tastes better with water views, and everything is a 10/10 at Alessandro Pavoni's Ormeggio at the Spit.

In the interest of sustainability, the menu at this waterfront restaurant is meat-free, instead plating up grilled octopus with piadina, hand-picked mud crab tartlets, and takes on puttanesca and carbonara pasta using premium Australian fish. The $135pp Chef's Picks menu is a great place to start if you want to sample the best.

The Pantry

Ocean Promenade, N Steyne, Manly


Image credit: The Pantry | Instagram

The Pantry holds a sacred spot in the heart of Manly, having been the beach suburb’s dedicated beach house back in the '20s. In those days, the waterfront restaurant served as a tea house and change rooms before it was transformed into a kiosk.

Now, the entire space opens to the beach and churns out breakfast staples in the morning and wholesome, coastal fare for lunch and dinner.

Doyles On The Beach

11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay

waterfront restaurants sydney doyles watsons bay
Image credit: Doyles on the Beach | Instagram

The Doyle family have owned and operated this waterfront restaurant for the past 135-plus years and pride themselves on their fabled fresh seafood: “Most product is sourced daily and processed in our own facility at the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont,” Ben Doyle tells us.

Facing west, Doyles is ideal for waterfront sunset dining which can be taken in either at the casual garden bar or the white linen-tableclothed restaurant. 

Harbourfront

7-27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks


Image credit: Harbourfront | Instagram

It's all in the name with this stunning waterfront restaurant. Harbourfront at Campbells Cove is your go-to for unmistakable Sydney views and enormous seafood platters—the cold and raw platter is piled with Cloudy Bay clams, whole Moreton Bay bug, chilled king prawns, smoked salmon, pickled local octopus , half Western Australian lobster, scallop ceviche, mussels, and ocean trout and spanner crab rillettes.

There's also grilled seafood and steaks, loads of Sydney Rock oysters with various preparations, and signature cocktails and plenty of wine to toast to the sun setting on the Opera House sails.

Empire Lounge

Lyne Park, Rose Bay

waterfront restaurants sydney empire lounge rose bay
Image credit: Empire Lounge | Instagram

Empire Lounge is on the site of the first spot you would step into when flying into our city from the on-water landing strip, and remains a gorgeous waterfront spot from which to watch the seaplanes come and go over brunch, lunch or dinner.

The a la carte menu covers raw seafood, tasty starters, mains and salads, and a couple of banquet options are available from $80pp for special-occasion dining as well. 

Now check out

Main image credit: The Collaroy | Instagram

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