These are some of my favourite Sydney restaurants, for a fabulous experience.
Sydney is a city that eats out with confidence. It always has. But in recent years, something has shifted. The city’s best restaurants and wine bars are no longer chasing trends or theatrical excess. Instead, they are refining their identity—focusing on precision, produce, atmosphere and service that feels intuitive rather than scripted.
I am so lucky I eat out as much as I do both in Sydney and around the world. Many of my favourite Sydney restaurants understand that luxury dining is not just about what’s on the plate.
It’s about how a room makes you feel the moment you walk in. It’s about wine lists that invite exploration rather than intimidation. It’s about knowing when to step forward and when to let a table simply enjoy the moment. And increasingly, it’s about venues that reward repeat visits rather than that one-off spectacle.
From harbourside institutions to inner-city wine bars and polished hotel dining rooms, Sydney’s dining landscape now reflects a mature, globally aware city—one that comfortably sits alongside London, Paris and New York, while still maintaining a distinctly Australian sense of place.
And yes there are more in the East than elsewhere as that is where I live and where I tend to gravitate to.
These are the 14 upscale restaurants and wine bars in Sydney I love going to, that are also defining where the city is dining right now.
Bambini Trust – Sydney CBD
Bambini Trust exemplifies refined city dining and offers a first class experience for a first date champagne at the bar or a full blown wedding takeover at the other extreme. The interior is elegant and timeless, blending marble, timber and soft lighting, and attracting a loyal following of professionals and regulars.I love the owners Michael and Angela who are simple gorgeous inside and out.
The menu is modern European, and every dish is outstanding, with standout pastas, premium proteins and consistently polished execution. I always enjoy their oysters. The wine list is extensive and well balanced, spanning Australia and Europe, with particularly strong by-the-glass options. When I worked at the magazine group upstairs, we cheekily called this the canteen – we had no idea how lucky we were to have it on our doorstep and on our charge cards.Bambini Trust exudes effortless sophistication.
Catalina – Rose Bay
This is my favourite place in Sydney for a long lunch overlooking the ocean. I also love it on a special occasion, For years I dined here every Christmas Eve which was always flawless. Few Sydney restaurants capture harbourside glamour like Catalina. Located on the water at Rose Bay, the light-filled dining room offers marina views and a sense of relaxed luxury. A resident pelican visits from time to time.
The menu focuses on premium seafood and refined classics—think impeccably prepared fish, prawns and lobster—executed with consistency and restraint. At the moment it is a fixed menu with flexibility but this seems to change from time to time.The wine list is traditional and comprehensive, featuring top Australian producers, Champagne and mature international bottles. Catalina remains a benchmark for polished Sydney dining.
Margaret – Double Bay
This is classic Australian elegance and a firm family favourite. Neil Perry’s Margaret is understated, confident and produce-driven. The Double Bay dining room feels calm and contemporary, designed for lingering meals rather than showmanship.
The menu highlights premium Australian seafood and meats, cooked with precision and minimal fuss. The wine program is thoughtful and balanced (and expensive), featuring leading Australian wineries alongside international classics, with strong by-the-glass selections. Margaret is modern luxury without noise.
Felix – Sydney CBD
Classic French dining thrives at Felix. I enjoy the bar for a drink after work, and I enjoy dinner there with a group and have had some truly memorable meals there with my family as well as with friends. A General Manager I highly respect from South East Asia says it is his favourite restaurant in Sydney. Located in Ash Street, the restaurant channels Parisian elegance through mosaic floors, bentwood chairs and a lively, buzzing dining room.
The menu delivers reliable French favourites—steak tartare, French roasted duck, roast chicken, escargots—executed with confidence. The wine list is expansive and French-led, with strong Champagne and Burgundy representation alongside aperitifs and digestifs that encourage long evenings. (Click here for more upscale venues and insights)
10 William St – Paddington
Another venue metres from my house this is a narrow, dimly lit bar with cult status, that I have been going to for over a decade. 10 William St is one of Sydney’s most respected wine bars. The atmosphere is energetic yet unpretentious, drawing a crowd that values substance over spectacle.
Food is simple, Italian-inspired and deeply comforting—pasta, anchovies, slow-cooked meats and snacks designed for sharing. The wine list is outstanding, with a deep focus on Italian regions alongside exceptional Australian producers. By-the-glass offerings rotate frequently, encouraging exploration and return visits. Locals know about the upstairs balcony where you can host an impromptu private soiree of up 6-8 people for drinks.
Tilda – Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Housed within the beautifully reimagined Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Tilda represents a new generation of luxury hotel dining in Sydney. The interior is elegant and contemporary, blending heritage details with modern design. I love the steaks here and I always enjoy upscale dining within a classy five star hotel.
The menu is refined modern Australian, showcasing premium local produce and thoughtful technique. Wine is a central focus, with a sophisticated list spanning Australia and Europe, complemented by excellent wines by the glass. Tilda signals a confident return of hotel dining as a destination in its own right.
Saint Peter – Paddington
Josh Niland’s Saint Peter remains one of Sydney’s most important restaurants as it is just so damn creative. The minimalist dining room in a completely renovated pub up the road from my place keeps the focus firmly on the food. The menu is seafood-driven and ever-evolving, showcasing dry-aged fish, whole roasted cuts and meticulous technique.
Dishes are always changing and may include dry-aged tuna, fish charcuterie or delicately prepared fillets paired with restrained, thoughtful accompaniments. The wine list favours Australian and European producers that prioritise freshness and balance, with excellent wines by the glass that work seamlessly with seafood. Saint Peter is intellectual dining without arrogance.
Bennelong – Sydney Opera House
This is where I take overseas guests first if money is no object. Dining beneath the sails of the Sydney Opera House is one of the city’s great experiences, and Bennelong delivers with confidence. The dramatic architecture is softened by warm service and a refined approach to modern Australian cuisine.
Menus celebrate premium local produce—oysters, seafood, meats and seasonal vegetables—executed with polish rather than excess. The wine list champions Australian producers alongside respected international labels, with well-curated by-the-glass options that suit both long lunches and pre-theatre dinners.
The Dry Dock – Balmain
I love a great pub and this is one of Sydney’s best, with an upscale restaurant that just keeps getting better. A Balmain institution with renewed relevance, The Dry Dock combines heritage pub charm with food that exceeds expectations. The bar is bustling from 5pm, and Balmain locals are so lovely and warm.
Set within a beautifully preserved sandstone building, the interiors balance historic character—arched brickwork, timber details and high ceilings—with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that suits both casual lunches and long, wine-led dinners.
The menu focuses on elevated pub classics and seasonal plates done properly. I enjoy date nights at the restaurant’s bar overlooking the bustling kitchen where I enjoy well-sourced steaks, thoughtfully prepared seafood, generous salads and comforting dishes of the day that prioritise flavour over fuss. There is a clear emphasis on quality produce and consistency, making it a reliable destination rather than a novelty stop.
Wine is taken seriously here, with a strong list that spans Australian favourites and select international bottles, alongside a rotating by-the-glass offering that encourages exploration. Add a solid craft beer selection and knowledgeable service, and The Dry Dock delivers exactly what modern Sydney diners want: authenticity, warmth and food worth returning for. It’s a reminder that some of the city’s most satisfying meals happen in places with real history and soul.
Hubert – Sydney CBD
A perpetual favourite, especially on Thursday and Friday nights when it is heaving with the well heeled business crowd, Hubert offers a transportive dining experience beneath the streets of the CBD. The Parisian-inspired interior—leather banquettes, tiled floors, low lighting and live jazz—sets the tone for long, indulgent evenings.
The menu delivers classic French brasserie dishes such as steak frites, chicken parfait and escargots, while the wine list leans heavily French, with strong Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne representation. Generous wines by the glass make Hubert ideal for both casual dinners and late-night celebrations.
Bathers’ Pavilion – Balmoral
Every time I dine here I wonder why I am not living in Balmoral. It is just so beautiful. Overlooking Balmoral Beach, Bathers’ Pavilion offers one of Sydney’s most serene dining settings. The room feels calm and coastal, ideal for long lunches and celebratory dinners alike.
The menu is contemporary Australian, with a strong emphasis on seafood and seasonal produce. The wine list is broad and accessible, supporting relaxed yet high-quality dining. Bathers’ Pavilion combines location, consistency and warmth in a way few venues can.
Bondi Icebergs Dining Room – Bondi Beach
The last time I ate here Bondi had more than 50 dolphins swimming in the ocean for over an hour, such is the natural beauty of this location. Few restaurants in the world are as instantly recognisable as Bondi Icebergs. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted ocean views, creating one of Sydney’s most dramatic dining backdrops.
The menu is modern Australian with Mediterranean influences, and feels pretty Italian, while the wine list focuses on Australian producers suited to coastal dining. Wines by the glass are approachable and well matched, making Icebergs as much about atmosphere as it is about food.
Chiswick – Woollahra
Located within a beautiful garden setting, Chiswick offers a more relaxed yet highly polished expression of Sydney dining. It is super romantic – I lived a few doors down for several years and really got to know the menu, the crowd and the venue. Even a quick drink and a snack here for lunch or dinner is an elevated experience. Located in Woollahra, the restaurant feels spacious and calm, with interiors that open out to greenery and natural light—an increasingly rare luxury in the city.
The menu is produce-driven and seasonal, with a strong emphasis on vegetables, wood-fired cooking and high-quality Australian meats. Dishes are clean, balanced and designed to showcase ingredients rather than overwhelm them.
The wine list is thoughtful and approachable, featuring leading Australian producers alongside carefully selected international bottles, with strong by-the-glass options that encourage leisurely lunches and long dinners. Chiswick remains a favourite for understated elegance, generous hospitality and a sense of ease.
China Doll – Woolloomooloo
China Doll delivers glamour with consistency, making it one of Sydney’s most reliable destinations for views, stylish group dining and memorable meals. The raw fish of every kind is amazing.
Located at Woolloomooloo Wharf the restaurant feels like it has been there forever in a good way, and blends bold, contemporary interiors—dark timber, statement lighting and plush banquettes—with a lively, upscale energy that feels distinctly Sydney.
The menu is modern Asian, designed for sharing and crowd-pleasing without sacrificing quality. Signature dishes include yellowfin tuna sashimi with ponzu, Peking duck pancakes, lobster fried rice and crisp-skinned barramundi with punchy sauces. Flavours are confident, balanced and approachable, making China Doll a favourite for both locals and international guests.
The wine list is broad and deliberately versatile, spanning Australian and international labels that work well with Asian flavours, alongside Champagne and polished cocktails.
Wines by the glass are well selected, encouraging mid-week dining as much as long, indulgent evenings. China Doll succeeds because it understands its role perfectly: high-energy, high-quality dining with a sense of occasion, delivered with polish and pace.
