Waterside restaurants are SO Sydney. Here are our top 15.
From Palm Beach to Woolloomooloo, one thing’s for certain – Sydneysiders are blessed with an incredible array of seaside views. For the times when the sun is out, the water is glistening and a long, lavish meal is calling your name, look no further. Here are the very best waterside restaurants to check out in 2019.

Cirrus Dining, Barangaroo
Barangaroo is now home to a raft of incredible waterside restaurants including Cirrus Dining. Here, Head Chef Brent Savage and Sommelier Nick Hildebrandt favour fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, with the fruits of the sea influencing the menu. In between freshly shucked rock oysters, mud crab and grilled rock lobster, be sure to catch a glimpse of the stunning views across the northern end of Darling Harbour to Pyrmont and Goat Island.

Cirrus Dining, 23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW. Open for lunch 7 days from 12pm and dinner 7 days from 6pm

Image: Bea, Barangaroo | Eat Play Drink

Bea, Barangaroo
Marking the flagship restaurant of the architecturally striking Barangaroo House, Bea strikes a fine balance between fine dining and casual restaurant and bar. Make the most of Barangaroo’s waterside views with an outdoor table, and fall in love with Executive Chef Cory Campbell’s masterfully created menu.

Bea, Level 2, 35 Barangaroo House, Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

Pilu at Freshwater, Freshwater Beach
Retaining its two hat status since 2004, Head Chef Giovanni Pilu and his team are certainly doing a thing or two right on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Maybe it’s the impeccable Sardinian menu. Or perhaps the waves crashing before you on Freshwater beach. Whatever the reason, if you haven’t yet dined at Pilu, put it on your foodie bucket list.

Pilu at Freshwater, Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096. Open for lunch Tues-Sun from 12 noon and dinner Tues-Sat from 6pm

Berowra Waters Inn
With sweeping views of the Hawkesbury River, it’s easy to forget you’re only an hour away from the bustle of Sydney’s CBD at Berowra Waters Inn. Glenn Murcutt, the man responsible for the sandstone building’s redesign in the 1970s described it as a “veranda by the water” – a place to sit, dine and watch the world drift by. He wasn’t wrong.

Berowra Waters Inn, Public Wharves, Bay Rd, Sydney.

Chuuka, Pyrmont
Chuuka has taken over the iconic Jones Bay Wharf waterfront space where Flying Fish restaurant used to reside. With head chefs from Sokyo and Lee Ho Fook at the helm, you can expect plenty of quality Japanese and Chinese dishes with stunning views to match.

Chuuka, Suite 62-64, Jones Bay Wharf, 26-32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont.

Image: Aqua Dining, North Sydney | Eat Play Drink

Aqua Dining, North Sydney
Perched above the North Sydney Olympic Swimming Pool is this contemporary Italian restaurant. As far as waterside restaurants go, Aqua Dining has unrivalled views of Sydney Harbour. Request a seat on the outside balcony where the Harbour Bridge is literally right in front of you. The menu is seasonal, with a strong focus on locally sourced ingredients and they make excellent cocktails. Don’t feel bad while you sip your drink and watch people swim laps. Bottoms up.

Aqua Dining, Corner Paul and Northcliff Streets, Milsons Point NSW. Open for lunch 7 days from 12.00pm and dinner 7 days from 6.00pm

6Head, The Rocks
Taking over the beautiful heritage sandstone dining precinct Campbell’s Stores built in 1839, 6HEAD is Sydney’s newest waterfront steakhouse by The Seagrass Hospitality group (Butcher & Farmer, Hunter & Barrel). Although 6HEAD serves six signature cuts of steak (all dry-aged onsite). you don’t need to love steak to dine here. They have a wide range of fresh, raw seafood including ceviche, tuna tartare, a seafood platter and premium beluga caviar.

6HEAD, 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW. Open from 12 pm to 10 pm 7 days.

Image: Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar | Eat Play Drink

Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar
Could this be Sydney’s most Instagrammable location? Hoards of tourists and locals pop up in Bondi to capture a snap of Bondi Icebergs Club pools and the adjoining ocean. Who can blame them? Make the most of this oceanside view at Iceberg’s Dining Room where the Italian menu has everything from cured meats to seafood and handmade pasta available.

Iceberg’s Dining Room 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026. Open for lunch Monday to Sunday from Midday, dinner Monday to Sunday from 6.30pm and brunch Every Sunday 10am to Midday

Ormeggio at The Spit
Tucked away behind an inconspicuous boating dock (stay with us) is another restaurant that has been hatted since it first opened back in 2009. At the helm of Ormeggio is Executive Chef Alessandro Pavoni, who alongside his team produce incredible contemporary Italian and Spanish cuisine. As the sun glistens over Middle Harbour, sip on a Vermentino or a Pinot Grigio teamed with Ormeggio’s signature degustation menu.

Ormeggio at The Spit, D’Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman NSW 2088. Open for lunch Thursday to Sunday from 11:45am, and dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 5:45pm & Sunday from 6:30pm

Image: Quay | Eat Play Drink

Quay
Not only is Quay one of the best restaurant’s in Australia, it also comes with some of the best waterside views of Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge encompassing you. Head Chef Peter Gilmore delivers a unique dining experience, exploring harmonies of flavours and contrasts in textures.

Quay, Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney 2000. Open for lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Bookings from 12pm – 1.30pm and dinner daily: Bookings from 6pm – 9.30pm

Image: Ripples Chowder Bay | Eat Play Drink

Ripples Chowder Bay
Once reserved for secret military operations to defend Sydney Harbour, Ripples Chowder Bay is situated on a particularly historic site. It’s also one of those beautiful waterside restaurants made for a long boozy lunch. With a contemporary Australian-inspired menu and BYO option, Ripples is certainly worth a visit.

Ripples Chowder Bay, Building 7, Deck C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman 2088. Open Breakfast Sat – Sun from 9am – 10.30am, lunch Mon – Fri from 12pm Sat – Sun from 11:30am, Dinner Mon – Sun from 6pm

Image: North Bondi Fish | Eat Play Drink

North Bondi Fish
A few short strides from the iconic Bondi Beach is the relaxed eatery, North Bondi Fish. It is the perfect spot for dressing up and lavish long lunches or keeping it casual with a post-swim bite. Fresh seafood teamed with steaks, salads, sliders and more are on offer. Listen to the waves crashing in the background in between sips of your rosé and bites from your seafood platter.

North Bondi Fish, 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi 2026. Open Monday to Friday 12pm – 12am, Saturday & Sunday 11.30am – 12am.

Image: Catalina, Rose Bay | Eat Play Drink

Catalina, Rose Bay
Situated in Rose Bay, Catalina is a Sydney dining institution. Panoramic views of the Harbour? Tick. Top notch service? Tick. Luxurious seafood menu? Triple tick. Owners Michael and Judy McMahon have mastered the winning restaurant formula, and it seems nothing will slow them down. With a cocktail in hand, watch as the seaplanes glide across the water.

Catalina Rose Bay, Lyne Park, Rose Bay NSW 2029. Open daily for lunch from 12pm. Dinner service Monday to Sunday from 6pm

Image: The Boathouse Shelly Beach | Eat Play Drink

The Boathouse Shelly Beach
The Boathouse Group began back in 2007 with their Palm Beach café (which also makes for a gorgeous waterside restaurant!). Since then, they’ve opened eateries in Balmoral and Shelly Beach. Yes, all three venues come with stunning seaside views, but we’re picking their Shelly Beach eatery as one of our top waterside restaurants. Why? Maybe it’s the dolphins that pay an occasional visit, or the relaxed oceanside vibes. Whether you’re there for a green juice and salad or a boozy Bollinger Champagne lunch, this venue is a total treat.

The Boathouse Shelly Beach, 1 Marine Parade Manly, 61 2 9974 5440. Open daily 7.00am – 4.00pm, Breakfast 7.00am – 11.30am and lunch 12.00pm – 3.00pm

Image: The Nielsen, Vaucluse | Eat Play Drink

The Nielsen, Vaucluse
This waterside restaurant opened its doors in July 2016, making it fairly new to the waterfront restaurants scene. Set on the beautiful grounds of Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, on any given sunny weekend you’ll find it bustling with picnics, birthdays, people sunbaking and giant inflatable toys. Not a frown in sight, this Harbour beach is an absolute gem. To read Ms Darlinghurst’s full review, you can click here.

The Nielsen, Greycliffe Avenue, Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, NSW, 02 9337 7333 The restaurant is open for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays and lunch & dinner 7 days/week.The Kiosk is open from 8am 7 days/week.

Image: Otto Ristorante, Woolloomooloo | Eat Play Drink

Otto Ristorante, Woolloomooloo
You’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to waterfront restaurants at Woolloomooloo wharf. Situated about halfway along the wharf is one of Sydney’s most established restaurants. With a focus on contemporary Italian cuisine, Otto offers not only an a la carte menu, but a full vegan and vegetarian menu as well. Keeping your veggo and vegan friends happy has never been easier.

Otto, Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo. Open Mon – Sun 12pm – 10pm

Image: Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral Beach | Nikki To

Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral Beach
Refined elegance meets relaxed beachside hangout at Bathers Pavilion. On any given sun soaked weekend, you’ll struggle to find a spare table, so make sure you book in advance. For $90pp, take your pick from the two course menu, or for $110pp, enjoy the full three-course experience.

Bather’s Pavilion, 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral NSW 2088

The Collaroy, Collaroy
After much anticipation, Merivale’s The Collaroy at last opened its doors in May. Providing a laid-back and relaxed hangout, The Collaroy takes much of its inspiration from its striking locale. In the words of Executive Chef Jordan Toft, the food is “simple, yet elegant food for a community that loves the sun, surf and sand”.

The Collaroy, 1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy, New South Wales

This story originally appeared on Eat Drink Play