Sydney is lucky to be home to many iconic bars and restaurants, with fine-dining presenting as the crown jewel in the city’s restaurant scene. While the Fink Group’s famous Bennelong and Quay are familiar to all — and are of course included in this list — there are 8 others exceptional and exciting venues which offer unforgettable experiences and unique approaches to fine dining. Below are well-deserved and highly-awarded Sydney’s best of the best. 

The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Sydney This Year

Firedoor 

Imagine sitting right next to the open kitchen looking at chefs preparing your food with just flames of fire, with no help from gas or electricity. If you like to know what to expect in advance, there is even a documentary about it on Netflix’s Chefs Table. That fact in itself also speaks volumes, as they always present iconic venues. 

If you are looking for a fascinating and truly unique experience, this is the perfect place, as their 5-course menu is changing daily. 

Price: $140

Nel 

Creative, entertaining, inventive and artistic are only a few words to describe the set menus at this restaurant. If you value imagination and want to experience out-of-the-box fine dining, this place should be at the top of your list.

They come up with a new original menu every 10 weeks, with the latest version being Disney inspired. After that, the holiday theme is perfect for a festive season experience. Named, “Story of Christmas”, it celebrates flavours and traditions from around the world. With food still being on the high level up to fine dining standards, Nel is fun, unforgettable and full of surprises.

Price: $135

Yellow 

Sometimes it can be hard to indulge in fine dining if you are vegetarian, let alone vegan, but not at this restaurant. Fully plant-based dishes combined with the wine list of the year (awarded by Good Food guide 2020) make Yellow pretty exciting for anyone.

Choose a five or seven-course tasting menu ( which are also quite affordable compared to other fine dining restaurants) and discover that vegetables can be no less incredibly and beautifully paired than meat or seafood.  

Price: $85/$105

Bennelong 

When you are living in Sydney and hear the words “fine-dining”, this is likely the restaurant which comes to mind. With its iconic Sydney Opera House location and a big collection of Australian and international awards to boot, it the creme de la creme of Australia’s dining scene. Since reopening post-lockdown, the restaurant has created the Bennelong Ensembles series. To compliment your dining experience, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will play classical music to really complete the ambience. 

Price: $125-$295

Quay 

This famous three hatted restaurant is known by everyone and for a good reason. Not to mention, it’s also a sister to Bennelong, so you know it’s gotta be great too.

With a choice between a six or eight-course menu, the food at Quay will take you on a journey of experiencing rare and organic native ingredients. Especially when expertly curated and crafted by Peter Gilmore, one of Australia’s best chefs. The beautiful combinations of flavours, colours and textures are worth a visit to this celebrated and loved venue. 

Price: $240/$290

Aria 

Located on the harbourside with stunning views of the Opera House, Aria prides itself of it’s world-class, highly awarded wine list. Impressively, Aria has also proudly held its two-hat status for eight years. This is a sign of the consistently high quality of service and dishes, which are carefully selected seasonally and elegantly. For a classic fine dining experience with an iconic Sydney background, book a table at this restaurant ASAP.

Price: $220

Icebergs Dining Room 

Icebergs will offer you stunning views of the ocean and Bondi Beach while you satisfy your tastebuds with its modern Italian cuisine. An extensive set menu has nine courses and will introduce to a different way of enjoying Italian food. Who would not want to experience that while watching the sun setting over the waves?  

Price: $250

Momofuku Seiobo  

Awarded as the second best restaurant in Australia this year, Momofuku doesn’t need much backing up. Chef Of The Year Paul Carmichael consistently wows and is reason enough to book a table at the first opportunity. The flavours will send you to the Caribbean, Cuban and Jamaican islands. No matter how nuanced your taste or how many restaurants you’ve been to over the years, you’re sure to find something entirely different — and unfamiliar in a good way — at Momofuku Seiobo. 

Price: $215

Tetsuyas 

This restaurant has a long history of mixing Japanese influence and philosophy with French techniques since first opening in 1989. Though located in the centre of Sydney, the mood of the restaurant is reserved, with no background music and calming views of a Japanese garden. This level of serenity rounds out the vibe and will make you fully focused on enjoying the food. If you are looking for a meal where you can be truly present and simply enjoy, this is for you. 

Price: $250

Sixpenny 

Sixpenny is another one of the envied three-hatted restaurants. The menu changes daily and focuses heavily on local produce. The head chef’s impressive experiences include working at Noma, and Alinea — two of the world’s best restaurants. There is no doubt about the level and quality of what Sixpenny has to offer. Located inside a cottage in Stanmore, with biodynamic wine pairings, it’s worthwhile to get out of the city for this experience.

Price: $175 

Don’t want to leave the home? Discover the best at-home restaurant options Sydney has to offer.