There’s nothing quite like dining out in the city. Whether for a first date, an anniversary, a family lunch, or any old Tuesday night—the Sydney/Eora CBD offers up a long list of delicious restaurants
From fine dining on the shore of Sydney Harbour to cosy gems hidden in back streets, famous chefs, local secrets, and everything in between—the city covers a lot of ground and there's so much to discover. Here are Urban List's picks for the best restaurants in the Sydney CBD right now.
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Shell House Dining Room & Terrace
37 Margaret Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
The historic Shell House boasts two epic bars, a dining room and a rooftop terrace, all leaning into the stunning building's Interwar commercial palazzo-style architecture with indoor and outdoor settings over 1,600 sqm of space. Shell House Dining Room & Terrace is sandwiched between two bars—Menzies Bar and Sky Bar—and it’s flawless.
The dining room is fitted out with curved booths, cane chairs, rich timbers, an amber light-flecked ceiling, and beautifully tiled flooring, and flows out onto the sandstone terrace, which offers views across the CBD to boot. As for the food, expect refined, Mediterranean-leaning dishes that hero top-quality local produce, and a wide spread of small snacks that are worth working your way through. Book here.
AALIA
25 Martin Place, Sydney CBD
Image credit: AALIA | Supplied
You'll find AALIA within the stunning multimillion-dollar Martin Place precinct, by the ESCA Group, who are also behind Nour in Surry Hills and nearby bar Joji. The name AALIA loosely translates to elevated or exalted—meaning you can expect a heightened version of the polished, creative Arabic and Levantine-style food the group has become known for.
The menu follows a unique coastal theme—a lighter vibe, not typically associated with Middle Eastern fare. Highlights include the ballooned, house-made khorasan pita, Murray cod masgouf, lamb neck shawarma, and a Persian caviar service. Book here.
The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar
66 King Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Charles | Steven Woodburn
The Charles is an elegant affair complete with lashings of black marble, a wrap-around mezzanine, a sculptural staircase, and twinkling chandeliers. This multi-space CBD restaurant features a Euro-style cafe, wine bar, and ultra-grand two-level brasserie all in one, built into the Art Deco ACA Building.
The brasserie has its own duck and poultry dry-age room and two flashy copper-plated duck presses, which form part of the theatre of its signature dish: canard à la presse (10-day whole dry-aged roasted and pressed Maremma duck) complete with tableside saucing and carving. Elsewhere on the menu is a Black Opal Wagyu rump cap MBS9+, there's a caviar service (of course), and snacks like a soft pretzel with freshly picked mud crab and fennel cream.
On drinks is director of wine and sommelier Paolo Saccone (ex-mimi's, Flying Fish), who's dreamt up a list of 600+ wines from France and Australia, with a few other notable European regions in the mix too.
Canvas
Level 4, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Canvas | Supplied
Canvas is a breathtaking restaurant on level four of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia) in The Rocks, blending the art and culinary worlds in an ever-changing experience. It's hard to say what might be on the menu at this CBD restaurant—because Canvas hosts a new chef in residence each season.
The dining experience at Canvas has been meticulously coordinated down to the fragrance, floral displays, relaxed staff uniforms and soundscape all paired with the restaurant's views across Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House, uninterrupted outlook on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and a textured, neutral interior. Canvas serves a two-course ($85pp) and three-course ($100pp) menu) between 11.30am and 4.30pm Wednesday–Sunday.
The Cut Bar & Grill
16 Argyle Street, The Rocks
Image credit: The Cut Bar & Grill | Supplied
Sydney steak restaurant The Cut Bar & Grill reopened in its heritage-listed cellar 2024 after being closed for four years. The slow-roasted prime rib, sliced and served tableside is the signature, with modern takes on steakhouse classics like Eastern Rock lobster in herb butter, John Dory with romesco sauce, and a Borrowdale pork chop with vadouvan butter, all prepared on the wood-fired grill.
The Cut’s drinks menu shares timeless classics like a signature Gibson, made with house-made Gibson mignonette and oyster shell gin, and served with a Sydney Rock oyster. While the original exposed brick and wood beams of the site remain, an interior refresh brings new appeal to the much-loved Sydney CBD restaurant. Book here.
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Clam Bar
44 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Clam Bar | Jason Loucas
Clam Bar has plenty of love for Aussie seafood and beef with some American grandiosity and flair. It's on the former site of The Bridge Room from the trio behind pumping venues Pellegrino 2000 and the Italian gem Neptune's Grotto downstairs.
In its charming dining room fitted out with booth and table seating, Murano glass sconces, Art Deco chandeliers, and custom artworks, Clam Bar turns out premium cuts of meat and whole fish from a Josper oven, a must-order spaghetti vongole, and a significant raw bar offering with various oyster treatments, prawn cocktails, and steak tartare. On the drinks menu, American classics take centre stage, with martinis and Manhattans in the mix, and a sizeable wine list packed with well-known producers. Book here.
MuMu
330C George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: MuMu | Instagram
The atmosphere at MuMu matches the menu perfectly: a vibrant lineup of flavour-packed South East Asian streetfood bangers from the legendary Sydney chef Dan Hong, who was inspired by a trip across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
To start, order sweet pork betel leaves served with dried shrimp, macadamia, salted lime, finger lime, ginger, scud chilli, and lemongrass. For something larger, try the signature grilled and glazed Angus short ribs, which are sous vide-cooked for 12 hours before being char-grilled and served with sambals, lettuce leaves, herbs, pickles and various sauces. We also love the nasi goreng made with spanner crab, cuttlefish, garlic crackers, and a classic fried egg. Book here.
Besuto
3 Underwood Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Besuto | Oba Yusuke
A 15-course omakase experience with just 8 seats available per session, Besuto serves up a glam Ginza-style treat from the moment you step past its mini Japanese garden and rice paper screen doors.
Naturally, the menu changes regularly but always offers the best produce available, so you can expect highlights like miso-marinated Glacier 51 toothfish, toro with N25 caviar, and delicate steamed egg custard served with uni, plus sushi and sashimi courses. Book here.
Brasserie 1930
2/4 Farrer Place, Sydney
Image credit: Brasserie 1930 | Instagram
Hidden within the luxurious Capella Sydney hotel, Brasserie 1930 is a polished addition to the Bentley Group's stable of Sydney restaurants. Like the hotel, the restaurant hits all the right notes of "quiet luxury". Think soaring grand ceilings, meticulously restored heritage features, and oysters, caviar, and raw Paradise prawns available for starters.
The broader menu centres around a charcoal grill and traditional cooking methods like curing, smoking, fermenting, preserving, and pickling. The signature whole roasted duck, served to share as breast and duck neck sausages, with sides of roasted plum, fennel, spinach, and glazed eschalot, is one of the best dishes in Sydney right now.
The Gidley
Basement/161 King Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Gidley | Instagram
The Gidley is a subterranean steak house from the Bistecca team with herringbone floors, moody stone benches, olive green velvet banquettes and candlelight. There's also a private dining room with its own bar that seats up to 20. Here, Australia’s exceptional Riverine Black Angus rib-eye is the main event, and you can order it one of three ways: char-grilled over charcoal or ironbark, with the textural spinalis cut, or as prime rib roast.
Sauces include truffle, mushroom and burnt butter, green goddess and confit garlic mustard, and sides include broccolini and braised leek and three cheese truffle mac and cheese. The Gidley also does a renowned American-style burger made from chuck and brisket that's been named among the top 10 in the world. To drink, expect an impressive selection of Australian and international styles and high-quality back vintages that hero sustainability and biodiversity. Book here.
Aria
1 Macquarie Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Aria | Instagram
Aria's award-winning menu and breathtaking Circular Quay location have long been an attraction for discerning diners from Sydney and afar. Despite the views, it's the food and wine at this renowned fine diner that will really hold your attention.
Owners Matt Moran and Bruce Solomon appointed Thomas Gorringe (Bentley Restaurant and Bar, The Gantry) as head chef in 2021, and he's carrying on the restaurant's legacy of stunning dishes made with fine produce from solely Australian suppliers, all paired with one of the country's most-awarded wine lists. Book here.
Ragazzi
1 Angel Place, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Ragazzi | Nikki To
If you had to describe Ragazzi in three words: Italian, pasta and wine. So popular is chef Scott McComas-Williams’ hand-crafted pasta that it spawned Fabbrica, a takeaway shop and pasta emporium also in the CBD.
Whether you’re in for an after-work vino or a weekend lunch, expect an often-updated menu showcasing the wonders of Italian flavours and pasta, in a fast-paced, vibey setting with a cracking playlist to boot—but the must-order anchovy and butter on sourdough always remains. All this, alongside a 250-bottle wine list pays homage to classic and contemporary Italian winemaking. Book here.
6Head
7/27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks
Image credit: 6Head | Instagram
The name 6Head comes from the story of a six escaped Black Cape cattle that arrived with the First Fleet and were found 80 years later as a 100-strong herd, and the menu at this waterfront CBD restaurant focuses on six select cuts of beef: rump, rib-eye, T-bone, eye fillet, scotch fillet and sirloin.
There's also an abundance of seafood from tuna carpaccio to caviar, whole Sydney Rock lobsters, and king prawns in XO. It also doesn’t hurt to have an absolutely bang-on view of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House to go with your meal. Book here.
Restaurant Leo
12 Angel Place, Sydney CBD
Restaurant Leo is a venture from the melding of minds from the twin powerhouses behind Newtown’s former Oscillate Wildly and LuMi, and it's one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney.
It’s a slick wood-furnished endeavour that caters to the end of week-long lunch or knock-off-work Negroni, but pulls it all off with exceptional style and flair. Try the strozzapreti with pork ragu and broccolini, or the spaghetti chitarra with pipis and bottarga. Book here.
Good Luck Restaurant Lounge
11 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Good Luck Restaurant Lounge | Website
Good Luck Restaurant Lounge is a Sydney CBD restaurant by Merivale, inspired by the dining scene of the ‘70s in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Described as “great food with a side of party,” the 200-seat venue spans a main dining room, two bars, and semi-private and private dining rooms.
The aesthetic is an “all-you-can-eat visual feast channelling Bruce Lee, Hong Kong diners, late nights in Tokyo and neon-infused karaoke bars,” while the menu that transcends a singular cuisine. It's based more around key cooking formats: a huge wood-fired hearth, four-metre-long charcoal grill, and three blisteringly hot woks with fire-roasted prawns in tomato sambal; smoked pork spring rolls; and a flame-kissed half-kilo 2GR Wagyu rump cap. Book here.
Bennelong
Bennelong Point, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Bennelong | Instagram
If you’re looking for a dining experience curated by one of the country’s best chefs inside one of Australia’s most iconic buildings, look no further than Bennelong. There’s nothing quite like dining inside the Sydney Opera House walls, especially if you're working your way through Peter Gilmore’s modern Australian menu that evolves with each season—aside from the iconic Opera House-emulating pavlova dessert.og
Book a seat at any of the three dining levels under the cathedral interior, overlooking Sydney Harbour—there’s no bad seat in the house. Keep your eye out for musical sessions with the changing Bennelong Presents series for some world-class musical accompaniments. This dining experience is a Sydney must-do. Book here.
Bentley Restaurant + Bar
27 O'Connell Street, Sydney CBD
Bentley has existed in a few forms, but the awarded restaurant by chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt has proved its staying power in the Sydney CBD for almost two decades.
The 80-seat Sydney CBD restaurant dishes up modern fine dining cuisine in various menus from a la carte to a more relaxed bar menu if you’re looking for a couple of (fancy) snacks and a glass of rare wine. As is often the case, it’s definitely worth getting around the tasting menu, which can also be offered as vegetarian. Book here.
Felix
2 Ash Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Felix | Website
Set in the heart of the Ivy Precinct, Felix is the closest thing you can get to being in France without getting your passport out. Surrounded by shelves of wine and under the glow of French-imported chandeliers, you can select your meal from the iced-up fresh seafood bar that serves as the restaurant's main attraction.
This is French luxury, and the menu ticks off extravagant dishes like whole rock lobster, côte de boeuf, and two kinds of caviar. Next door is Little Felix, a Parisian-style speakeasy specialising in roaring 20s-inspired cocktails and indulgences. Book here.
Quay
Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
Image credit: Quay | Instagram
Sydney fine-dining institution Quay is widely held as one of the best restaurants in Australia, let alone the Sydney CBD. Sit yourself down directly opposite aforementioned instution Bennelong and the Sydney Opera House and find a spot amongst the Australian landscape-inspired interior.
Whether you opt for the six- or the eight-course menu, with or without a sommelier-curated wine pairing, you can expect one hell of an experience. Book here.
Mr. Wong
3 Bridge Lane, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Mr Wong | Instagram
With chef Dan Hong at the helm of this Cantonese-style Sydney CBD restaurant, Mr. Wong became an instant avourite and one of the shining stars in the Merivale universe of excellent restaurants. The 240-seat joint serves over 80 dishes across two levels, so you’re spoiled for choice with Hong’s diverse menu.
Pop through for a lunchtime dim sum menu that won’t break the bank, or for the crowd favourite whole Chinese roasted duck. Otherwise, look for local produce like crispy fried Balmain bugs and rock lobster or Chinese classics like Kung Pao chicken. Book here.
Bistro Papillon
98 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
When Bistro Papillon owners Ludo and Xavier met in the UK, they frequented a French bistro in Bath called Papillon. Coming to Australia, they opened their own restaurant under the same name in tribute to the place they loved and classic French cooking in general. “We've always kept things simple,” Ludo tells us. “Old recipes, our grandma’s recipes, but also French classics. That's our concept.”
With ingredients sourced from France and the markets and butchers of Sydney, the pair pride themselves on simple French classics like duck confit, beef bourguignon, and escargot (“some people just rave about it!”). It’s a hearty, warming place perfect for a winter feast. Book here.
Keen for more of the city's best? Check out
- Sydney's Best Waterfront Venues
- Sydney's Most Beautiful Restaurants
- The Best French Restaurants In Sydney
Main image credit: The Cut Bar & Grill | Supplied
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