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

An absolutely perfect experience with a breathtaking view over Circular Quay! The meal was an absolute delight – high-quality dishes prepared with fresh, flavourful ingredients. Every plate was a little masterpiece, both visually and in taste. A huge thank you to Francesco for his warm welcome and infectious good mood. From the moment we arrived, he took the time to explain each dish with passion and precision, making the whole experience even more memorable. His professionalism and enthusiasm are a true asset to the restaurant. We will definitely be back!
Sahra Ta - 2 weeks ago

I stopped by Café Sydney for a quick lunch ( I have a reservation ) on a sunny, scorching day. While the most picturesque tables were empty due to the heat, I was still able to move to a shaded spot near the private room that offered a lovely view of the harbour. The food was fresh and flavorful. The seafood platter was naturally sweet and perfectly chilled, the scallops were delicately seasoned, and the grilled fish was tender and satisfying. Even the simple salad was vibrant and refreshing. With the strong sunlight pouring in, every dish looked stunning in photos — a visual treat to go with the delicious meal. Café Sydney continues to impress with both its culinary quality and its iconic setting above Circular Quay. 🌊
ARTYOS - 4 months ago

Service was absolutely excellent. Staff very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Food was very tasty and of the highest quality. The atmosphere was awesome. Couldn’t ask for a better view. The warmth from the winter sun on the terrace was beautiful. A wonderful lunch experience.
John Jocys - 2 months ago

Unfortunately, there was nothing particularly special about this restaurant. Its main appeal is the proximity to the Opera House and the bridge, but from the terrace, we could barely see half of the Opera House. The place was large and completely full on Friday night.m when we went there. The food menu was quite limited — we tried the duck breast, oysters, tenderloin, and a few sides, but the taste did not justify the price. On a positive note, the cocktails were good, and the staff were friendly. One of the servers kindly offered to take our photo and even put in extra effort with the lighting.
mugsey - 2 months ago

Great experience at this place. The building where is located is classic and gorgeous and the view is amazing, specially outside where our table was assigned. James was taking care of us and he was great. The menu is focused on seafood, but you can also find other options like meat on the menu selection of the day. Food presentation and quality are also great. Also a big thanks to our great sommelier Mr. Van Man, who was cheerful and amazing providing a lovely wine experience for us. If you are planning to go, I strongly suggest you to book a table in advance, specially on weekends, because it will get very busy at evening.
Max FN - 2 months ago

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We were visiting from Melbourne and booked Aria for lunch. It was a stunning sunny winter day, which made the already spectacular view even more breathtaking. The staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout, offering excellent wine recommendations that paired beautifully with our meal. The food was outstanding — every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavour. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and look forward to returning.
Alysha McDonald - a week ago

One of my favourite fine-dining restaurants in Sydney. Love coming back here and always exceeding my expectations. Food is consistently on point. The presentation is never too much or overwhelming but minimal & exquisite. Dessert here is always a highlight for me. The service has been very nice too, warm and friendly every single time. Great location and don’t even need to mention the view. Love Aria!
E W - 3 weeks ago

Celebrated my partner’s birthday here and had an unforgettable experience. Every staff member provided outstanding service — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food and presentation were amazing, and each dish was absolutely divine. Thank you for making my partner’s special day even more memorable.
Hanh Nguyen - a week ago

I was lucky to get a booking just a day in advance, and still managed to score a great spot with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It was my dad’s birthday, and from the moment we walked in, many of the staff greeted him with “Happy Birthday.” We instantly felt so welcomed. Aria is one of the few Sydney restaurants over the years that has consistently delivered outstanding dishes. Today’s tasting menu was refined and creative without being showy, with the delicate aroma of yuzu running through the experience, revealing the chef’s subtle attention to detail. What touched me most tonight was the way the entire team worked together like a perfectly flowing stream, with impeccable pacing. It struck the perfect balance between “I feel cared for” and a comfort relaxing atmosphere —truly, the art of hospitality.
Cicely Liu - 3 weeks ago

Posh restaurant with great views of the bridge and Sydney Opera House. Service was impeccable. Ambience was cozy. Food was excellent and well combined. DO NOT MISS TRUFFLE ON YOUR MASHED POTATO! Favorite main course of the night was the venison. Great for dinner dates or intimate conversations.
R Ho - 2 months ago

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hands down one of my favourite spots in Sydney! La Renaissance Patisserie never disappoints — their pastries are pure art. Flaky, buttery, delicate perfection. I’ve tried many patisseries, but this place seriously stands out — every bite feels like a celebration. Their coffee is just as amazing too — smooth, rich, and the perfect pairing with their sweet creations. But what really made my recent visit so special was the incredible service — and that’s thanks to Lee, the new manager (I believe!). I’ve visited a few times before, but something really felt different this time. Lee has a gift for making customers feel not just welcomed, but genuinely valued. His energy, his attentiveness, the way he interacted — it was warm, engaging, and effortless. You can tell he truly cares about every person who walks through the door. It’s rare to find someone who lifts the whole vibe of a place, but Lee absolutely does. I left not just full of amazing pastry, but honestly grateful for such a thoughtful and joyful experience. The overall atmosphere is lovely too — elegant yet cozy, with a relaxed Parisian vibe that makes you want to stay all afternoon. Thank you Lee and the whole team for such a memorable experience. You’ve taken an already beautiful cafe to the next level. I’ll definitely be back — again and again!💛
grootie - 3 months ago

The shop has outdoor seatings at the front and back. I’ve ordered cakes from this patisserie a few times now, and they never disappoint. Their cakes are not only beautifully presented but also taste amazing—light, rich, and full of flavor. It’s no surprise they’re well known and loved by many. Each visit has been a great experience with friendly service and a lovely display of pastries and sweets. It's definitely one of my go-to places for special occasions or just a sweet treat. Street parking is expensive.
A Y - 5 months ago

La Renaissance Patisserie is one of my absolute favorite spots in Sydney when it comes to cakes. Every slice I’ve tried has been a work of art—beautifully presented and full of refined flavor. The textures are always perfect, from the light and fluffy sponges to the rich, creamy mousses. One of my all-time favorites is the Monet cake. It’s delicate, fruity, and not overly sweet, with a perfect balance of flavors like white chocolate, lychee, and raspberry. You can really taste the quality and craftsmanship in every bite. The cafe itself is lovely too, especially the outdoor courtyard—it feels like a little escape to Paris. Highly recommended for cake lovers and anyone looking for a special treat!
Toffee - 3 months ago

Awesome buttery croissant, and delicious pastries..fresh, flaky, and full of flavour. The garden seating is a hidden gem, made even better by the warm and welcoming service from Lee (barista), and Lincy? and Yuri? in the garden. Only odd moment was being told off at the front counter that canelés are Italian when I asked if available—which they're not—but it didn’t take away from an otherwise fantastic experience!
Ell V - 2 weeks ago

Love amazing French pastries? This is for you. Looking for a cute street cafe to soak up The Rocks? Ditto. Or a nice internal courtyard for a quiet repose? Yep, this is for you. Oh… did I mention the award-winning French bakery delights to die for? You won’t be able to resist.
Michela Zanata - 4 months ago

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New location is nice & acoustics are much better. Food was great and we love that there are vegan options available so everyone in our family can dine here regardless of our different dietary requirements. Service was overall good although 2 drinks were forgotten but not a big deal. Prawns for starter were particularly delicious. Coconut sago was huge & delicious - great that it’s vegan friendly. Flavours of the dishes are strong which I personally like. We will be back!
Jane Henderson - 4 months ago

We recently celebrated our 18th anniversary at The Malaya, and it was a truly memorable evening. The food was absolutely delicious—vibrant, flavourful, and served in generous portions. Every dish felt like it was prepared with great care and attention, and we left feeling completely satisfied. The service was warm and attentive without being intrusive, adding to the overall sense of celebration. It’s clear the staff are proud of what they do, and rightly so. One small downside was the lighting in the section of the restaurant near the kitchen. The tables in that area were noticeably dim, which detracted slightly from the otherwise refined atmosphere. A simple fix could be adding small, elegant table lights—similar to the rechargeable ones we later saw in The Rocks. They would enhance the dining experience without changing the restaurant’s aesthetic. Overall, The Malaya delivered a wonderful anniversary celebration. We wouldn’t hesitate to return.
Andrew Coupe - 3 months ago

The new location is nice providing a much better and more premium experience bringing the same amazing food made with high quality ingredients. Service was great with great recommendations. Food is absolutely delicious made with vibrant ingredients served in pretty generous portions. Overall highly recommend
Jay Thakker - a month ago

Allegedly this is the first restaurant that introduced curry laksa noodles in sydney before Hojiak? I can confidently say while it’s not “cheap eats” to pay $30 for a chicken laksa, it was very very good! The dish is milk based (not the coconut base which you’ll find in most places) which stays true to the Malaysian laksa dish. The otak otak was also very good (best I’ve had in sydney so far) but the CKT didn’t leave much to desire (no ‘wok hei’ aroma) and a bit watery. Staff were friendly and ambiance was serene. Would definitely return to try other dishes.
Who’s Khoo - 3 months ago

Positives - I went on a Wednesday with friends. I didn’t have a booking but we got a table on the condition we finished at 7.30 so approximately 1:5hrs. We were grateful for that. The wait staff are friendly and also knowledgeable about dietary requirements like gluten free and vegan. My friend also has a shellfish allergy. Needs improvement - The food was generally ok. I should have requested for chilli in my fried rice. I will say I wasn’t full at all after having my meal. My friend requested chilli on the side for her prawn dish. My other friend had nasi goreng which had a good amount of chillies. The lightening inside the restaurant is very dim I had to use the torch on my phone to look at the menu. My friend had a glass of wine, the amount of wine didn’t really match the price for a glass.The food and drinks are on the pricey side, I guess that is what Malaya is going for fine dining. Then finally after our meals and my friend getting her take away order we were told by the wait staff that they needed the table 🤣we were robbed of 15 minutes. Overall pleasant experience friendly staff.
Doreen Prasad - a month ago

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It's alright. You cannot order drinks from the QR code, only food. It really makes no sense to me, because you could lose the table you are sitting at if you get up to get drinks with your friends. A staff member I asked about ordering drinks from the QR code literally said "I don't know I just started working here 2 days ago". I was taken back by the comment, how do you not know..? Otherwise the service was fine. I think better places are in the area though. Overall average.
Vinny F - 2 months ago

It's alright. I ordered the beef burger, which was priced at what you would expect for circular quay. The burger tasted alright. However, it could be a bit warmer and would be nicer if the bun was slightly more toasted. Chips were alright, but again, they were a bit cold and could have been cooked a bit cold. Won't be back in a hurry, I'd recommend you go somewhere else if in the area as there are definitely much better options.
Daniel Wallis - 2 months ago

Great location. The food and wine were really good. Prices were reasonable, so I can't complain. I'd go back. 👍🏻
Nina Beilby - 3 months ago

Cheese platter was good and drinks are correct. Service was really bad. We sat outside and asked several times to turn the heaters on and they were all out of gas. No table service and QR code doesn’t allow to order drinks, only food. We asked for water and they said we had to go inside and get it ourselves when there was no one else but us outside. We had to ask several times to please clear empty plates. Waitress looked angry and wasn’t friendly.
Rebecca Casassas - 2 months ago

We had lunch here, great location near Circular Quay. Staff were happy to join 3 outside tables together for our larger group. Food choices were good and the fish and chips was stellar!
Todd Junck - 6 months ago

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Discovered this spot through a local couple friend, and it instantly became a favourite! With stunning views of both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the location is simply unbeatable. We indulged in juicy steaks, excellent burgers, and beautifully cooked barramundi . Big shoutout to the chef! Its end of July here, winter is at its coldest night and heaters were thoughtfully placed around our large table, keeping things cosy and comfortable for our group. A perfect spot for outdoor dining and catching up with friends. Highly recommended for a relaxed yet impressive Circular Quay experience!
ThuyBich NGO - a month ago

Booking was fine. Table allocation was a little silly but eventually ok.i don't quite get when at a venue of that quality why the expectation is for all food and drink to be purchased through a QR scam as opposed to some old fashioned service but the quality of the food and drinks was good.
alysle - 2 weeks ago

(3.5 stars) Despite a bit of gaslighting from festival director, Gill Minervini, there are less Vivid Sydney light installations this year than in previous years. In 2022 for example, there were 57, while in 2025 we’re told there are “over 45”. Save yourself a long, cold Vivid Light Walk by making a targeted excursion to see the fully lit up side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We got dropped off at Sydney Opera House to avoid the road closures, but to be honest, the queer, punk works of David McDiarmid on the sails would be best viewed from the other side of the quay. Luckily for you, Cruise Bar & Restaurant has just reopened after a Luchetti Krelle refresh, so you can have a front-row seat in the now two-level space to enjoy those projections. The top floor is now Melba’s Rooftop, which will only open for private functions and ticketed special events. The menu, under head chef Han Chen (ex-Amare), plucks its inspiration from the neighbouring sea and the Australian landscape. So expect to find lots of native botanicals across both food and drinks, like finger lime and lemon aspen vinaigrette with freshly shucked Royal Miyagi oysters ($6/each) and davidson plum and shiso leaf in the waterside spritz ($24). I had a little dabble from the cocktail list and a selection of canapés that boded well for functions at Melba’s Rooftop on opening night while the glitterati took selfies.
Jackie McMillan - 2 months ago

Very pleasant experience. Went for dinner at 8pm, the place is rather quiet. The staff was very patient and friendly. Explained to us the potion of food. The seafood was very fresh.
Steven - 2 months ago

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