Best Sydney restaurants located within a 5 minute walk of Circular Quay | Ratings, Reviews & Maps

Dining at Cafe Sydney was an absolute delight! From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and efficient. The highlight of our meal was definitely the salmon, which was hands-down the best I’ve ever had; it was perfectly cooked and flavored to perfection. The drinks menu was equally impressive, offering a superb selection that complemented our meal beautifully. And the view? Simply stunning, providing a breathtaking backdrop that greatly enhanced our group’s dining experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for top-notch food and service with a view that’s second to none!
Anthony Turner - a week ago

My recent visit to Cafe Sydney was nothing short of spectacular. Nestled near Circular Quay, the restaurant offers breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, perfectly complementing its outstanding service and culinary delights. The menu impressed with a variety of options catering to diverse tastes. I opted for the Barramundi, beautifully presented and incredibly fresh. My husband savored the Berkshire Pork Belly, juicy and succulent, showcasing the chef's expertise. Additionally, the Octopus I ordered was divine, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Not to be overlooked, the dessert was a highlight of our dining experience. The Hazelnut dessert paired with ice cream was an absolute delight, offering a sublime ending to our meal. Our friend enjoyed the Lamb Cutlet, which was equally praised for its flavors and preparation. We were also pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful kids' meal options. It's rare to find that caters so effectively to children without compromising on quality. Even the Fish and Chips from the kids' menu proved to be an excellent choice, showcasing their commitment to excellence across all dishes. While my photos may not capture the full splendor of our meals, I cannot recommend Cafe Sydney enough. Whether you're a local or a visitor, make sure to add this gem to your Sydney itinerary for an unforgettable dining experience that combines the best of Australian cuisine with iconic views. Rating: 5/5
M C - 3 weeks ago

Phenomenal as always. Food was incredible. The service impeccable. Can’t beat the views. It’s a favourite we’ll keep going back to. Thank you again.
Madd Melts - in the last week

Our service attendant Ben is a true professional with charismatic personality and the food is well presented. I loved every choice especially the sauces aa I can say if I am allow to wipe the sauce clean on my plate I would.
Catharine Dunn - 2 weeks ago

Had an excellent lunch at Cafe Sydney and what has compelled me to write a review was the excellent service. Every single person we encountered was attentive, gracious, and kind. They went above and beyond for my mom's 70th birthday lunch and we are so appreciative. It was incredibly busy and they made it all seem effortless. On top of that the food is absolutely delicious and the view is incredible. Thank you especially to the gentleman who ensured we had extra room around our table to accommodate our baby (we didn't even ask) and for making my mother feel so special.
R Carter - 2 weeks ago

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Immaculate. If I could use one word to describe my experience at Aria - this would be it. Everything from the attention to detail in the service provided to the soothing ambiance of the dining room lent itself to a superb experience (I also want to give special thanks to both Giovanni and Isaac for hosting our table and facilitating a wonderful evening at the restaurant). Now, the food. This was quite simply - culinary art. The symphony of visuals, flavours, and textures I experienced dining on this night was out of this world. For our third course I personally loved the venison loin (though not to take anything away from the duck as this too was an exemplary dish.) p.s. If you’re contemplating on whether to get the mashed potato - get it. We had it recommended to us and the buttery richness to it tastes as though you’re having a croissant (you’ll know what I mean). So would I recommend Aria? Absolutely. It’s cemented itself in my book as one of the definitive culinary experiences here in Sydney (if you didn’t already use the Good Food & Wine ratings as a guide - now you know). From the view in the dining hall, to the food, and to the warm and welcoming staff - you haven’t had Sydney fine dining until you’ve dined at Aria.
Aristotle Villanueva - a month ago

Went on a surprise birthday dinner to Aria and the surprises continued through the amazing experience. With dietary requirements Aria were able to assist me with making slight alterations to each of my courses and ended it with a little surprise dessert. What an unforgettable experience one that I will forever cherish. The food and cocktails were fantastic while we sat looking at the Opera house.
Rochelle Birch - a month ago

A wonderful menu (pre-theatre 3 course) but the highlight was actually the care and attention they showed our kids, with a great quality kids menu that allowed them to be part of the dining experience with us. Suggested wine pairing with the meal was very helpful and the staff were very responsive and took care of everything for us, including dietary requirements (gluten free). A great dining experience from start to finish.
Sean Gray - a month ago

Unfortunately had a poor experience at such a highly regarded restaurant. Service was extremely hit or miss, they kept getting our dishes wrong when bringing them out, indicating poor attention to detail. And it was extremely difficult flagging down staff or order more drinks, even though there were alot of them. Food personally didn’t enjoy. Crab tasted fishy, and even the m9 steak didn’t really taste as good as it should have on paper. View was good as advertised.
Alex Chen - 4 weeks ago

Never been before, always wanted to. It was absolutely amazing! Obviously it’s not cheap but you pay for what you get. The duck with cherries and beef blade were our favourite. We had the tasting menu with paired classic wines and it was just a magical experience. The staff we delightful and so informative and friendly. If you have ever wanted to go, do it. I waiting 10years to visit Aria and I’m so glad I was able to get there. Enjoy
Lauren Smith - 4 months ago

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📝 Best pastries I've tried during my trip in Australia. I wish I could have tried more things as everything looked yummy. ☕ We had an almond croissant and a pain aux raisins that simply was excellent. Even cappuccino was among the best found in Australia. 📍 It's located in The Rocks, a very nice neighborhood close to the harbour. Sitting outside on a day with good weather is a bliss.
Giacomo Pianta - a month ago

Felt like french pastries. This place did not disappoint. The pastries were buttery, flaky, and crispy. The filling was also divine, the custard in the "cruffin" was sooo tasty. The apples in the apple pastry was perfectly spiced. 5 stars for pastries! Coffee was unfortunately mediocre and lukewarm. This is where they lost a star. Customer service and atmosphere was nice, I enjoyed sitting outside, and eating my pastry and sipping on coffee.
englishholic1 - a week ago

Always our go-to patisserie when @ The Rocks. When you dine in and then take some home for later - must tell you something about the place. Our most fave is the chocolate croissant - freshly made and always seem the first ones to go. Very good value for money. First in best dressed as they say! Grab ‘em early. Can’t wait for our next visit!
Meg V - 3 months ago

Perfect little spot for a cup of coffee and freshly baked pastries. They have a few tables outside that are nice to enjoy the fresh air.
Melissa Previte - a week ago

We dined at 4:00 on a Saturday. Earlier in the day there was always a line and no places to sit, so we waited until this time. There still were very few places to sit, including the lovely space at the back of the shop. The staff were friendly and attentive. The range of sweet and savoury food was good and our food was exceptional. The area at the back was very comfortable - a nice atmosphere. The coffee was excellent.
Greg Noble - 8 months ago

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The first time we visited over a year ago was brilliant. Hence we were confident to invite 12 of our friends for a birthday celebration. We were disappointed with the lack of service from the staff. Drinks took a long time to be made. The views are amazing. The band was abysmal. The food was nice for an afternoon snack. The ship that was due for departure was 2.5 hours late making it an eyesore and very hot as it blocked any breeze. There are so many nicer venues in Sydney to visit.
Anna - 2 months ago

Best Nye experience I've ever had! Purchased the VIP tickets which included a drinks package for couple hours, was good selection of wine champagne and beer! We was located on the upper level had a spectacular view of the harbour. Music was fun and the dance floor was buzzing. The staff were under the pump but did a awesome job at keeping the drinks flowing.. thanks team :)
Christina Murphy - 4 months ago

Cocktail with a perfect view of the Opera House🍹. This spot hightly reccommend. They have special price for cocktail everyday. Nice food good cocktail and the price was reasonable for this vibe✨
Kanokvan Chu - 3 months ago

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Nice pub with aircon indoor and shaded outdoor seating. Good drinks selection. Meat and cheese board was good, but seaweed crackers were bad.
Stan M - in the last week

We just arrived in Sydney today and this is one of the first restaurants experience here. The food is amazing and the service is execellent! Thank you Andrew for your hospitality ❤️
Joa Poh - 2 months ago

Nice little pub. It's very noisy, but great location opposite Circular Quay. Loaded wedges were basic. Too much mozzarella. Could do better with maybe a cheese sauce rather than just straight mozzarella.
Kevin E - a week ago

First time here. Ordered the pizzas and was a little underwhelmed by them. The meatlovers was nice but felt it was a bit lacking of topping. The margarita pizza just seemed bland compared to others we've had. They only serve soft drink by the glass, not by a jug so we didn't get any and just had water. Come back? Hmmm, not sure. Maybe not as other places in the area that surely do better than what we had here.
Helen Di Domenico - 8 months ago

A great place to people-watch as you eat. The service staff is courteous and friendly. Drinks are fine... The pizza is acceptable (their Pepperoni's are Delicious)... Crust pretty pedestrian and toppings a bit stingy, but cooked to brown the cheese - perfect!
Daniel Pratt - 4 weeks ago

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Great and convienant place to meet up with people for drinks or a quick bit to eat. Close to Circular Quay, the opera house, the rocks and the train. Food is ok and reasonably priced. Great to sit outside in the sun, and enjoy a nice cold beer. Friendly and well trained staff.
Allister Muir - 6 years ago

Great atmosphere!! A perfect place for drink and food especially on a friday night.Location is perfect and the service is good. Price for the food is reasonable too.
Surma Subedi - 6 years ago

Great atmosphere and great location. Tasty food and even tastier drinks. Staff are efficient and friendly.
Booboo Kittiefukk - 6 years ago

Amazing place where you enjoy 360°view of Sydney, excellent taste, a really fine dining.
thanh mai Lai - 4 years ago

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Wow! What an awesome bar! We found this gem in Sydney. Went there every day! Cold beer, wonderful staff and excellent food. Don't miss out!
Star Cooper - a month ago

We’ve been here twice now in august 2023 and today January 2024 while staying in Sydney. Service is outstanding, food is incredible ( best steak I’ve ever eaten), garlic bread is so good and we’d personally like to thank Charlie she was 10/10. Second day working in dining room her manager told us. This is our favourite place to now eat. Massive thank you 🤩
NATALIE Curry - 3 months ago

Great place to go for a drink and eat. Usual pub food. Perfect location and very nice outdoor area. Staff is very friendly and kind.
Ruben Sanchez - 4 months ago

They have a wide selection of beers! You can even have a taste first before committing to a pint 🤪 Pretty cool to visit since they are the oldest pub here! They also have tables outside the pub if you want to eat and a live performance as well 💯🪩🎉🍻🍻
Beatrice Magno - 2 months ago

Excellent fish and chips are served here. There are indoor and alfresco dining options. The fish and chips were excellent, and the beer cold.
Cliff S. - a month ago

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