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    Cafe Sydney

    4.2 (206 reviews)
    PriceyCafes, Australian
    Closed 12:00 pm - 4:00 PM

    Cafe Sydney Photos

    CAFE SYDNEY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Sydney

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    Harbor Bridge and part of the Opera House
    Kosta K.

    The food was excellent. We had ocean trout ceviche and in its own way, it was at the level of the ceviche we enjoyed on an excursion to La Paz Mexico where we enjoyed the Captain's mother's homemade ceviche after snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions on Seagull Beach. The entire staff we interacted with were pleasant and passionate about the foods offered. This will be our must return spot every time we visit Sydney.

    Ann S.

    Beautiful outlook showcasing Sydney's gems, the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Luna Park and the Harbour!

    Jewelia C.

    Came to Cafe Sydney on two separate occasions in May 2024 (catching up on old reviews). We came once for a group buyout dinner and then later in the week for a regular dinner reservation. The restaurant is shared with other floors of various tenants in the Customs House building. The restaurant had a gorgeous view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is probably the best part of this place! The staff was a bit rude and inattentive both evenings. The food was plated beautifully and good but not the best meal I had while visiting Australia for sure. We got the Morton Bay Bug which I had been hearing about nonstop during my work trip but it was a bit disappointing. Overall, not sure if the restaurant is worth the hype in terms of food, service, and value but it definitely does make up for it a bit with the amazing view!

    Incredible views
    Greg T.

    Cafe Sydney was definately one of my finest dining experiences in Sydney. We stopped by for lunch, and it was fabulous! Service was impeccable, the view of the harbor incredible, the drinks/wine menu extensive, and the food imaginative and delicious. Located on the 5th floor of the old Customs House (now a library) Cafe Sydney overlooks Sydney Bay and the Bridge. Reservations recommended, we managed to get a table at lunch. It filled up quickly, and is obviously very popular with the business crowd. My wife has food allergies, and the wait staff made sure the cook staff could accomadate them. Everything we tried was wonderfully prepared and presented...and delicious! Prices were surprisingly reasonable for the quality and craftsmanship of the dishes.

    $56 Beef Tenderloin
    Trent N.

    Cafe Sydney, 6Head, Bennelong, & Maybe Sammy (for drinks) have to be the 4 places you must go in Sydney if you are even remotely a foodie. I absolutely loved me some Cafe Sydney. The view is impeccable. The restaurant is beautiful. I love the view of Circular Quay. Up first, the $23 espresso martini! Perfect! Get yourself one if you like espresso martinis! Up next, $17 broccolini probably the worst of the items we tried, but still an 8/10. Then, the $18 brussel sprouts. They were amazing. Had a really different taste to them, nothing like I've ever had anywhere. 9.5/10. Only wish they were slightly more charred. For main courses, $56 beef tenderloin, roasted oyster mushroom, peppercorn sauce. Freaking amazing. 10/10. There is a Happy Hour here on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm-7pm. $2 Sydney rock oysters, $14 classic cocktails, $10 local wines.

    Rob B.

    It's the total package, but getting a reservation can take years as I can attest. I think on retrospect, a walk in is better than trying to make a real reservation. The food is good but it's not 5 star, but the view is. Even a marginal table is fortunate. It's a total magical experience even with good but not exceptional food.

    Matt U.

    Well, I had never heard of this place before a friend recommended it, it's a spot that will not soon be forgotten! Café Sydney sits a top an old building near Sydney Harbour, overlooking one of the most iconic inlets in the world. It's a top-notch place. That is well worth checking out if you have the time. We were able to get a reservation on the patio on what turned out to be an absolutely spectacular night. If you have the opportunity to dine out there when it's nice, the experience is unparallel! The cocktail selection, wine list, and food selection are distinctively, upscale, and creative. It's very seafood, focused, as you would expect, and left very little to be desired. The staff were all very friendly, aside from a waitress who seemed to not love that we had our kids dining with us, everybody was very nice. We were seated promptly, our beverages and food came out quickly, and everything was exactly as we hoped. If you have the opportunity to dine here, you should absolutely take it. We booked reservations, something like three months ahead of time, so it's definitely something you need to plan for, and wallet will be a relatively expensive dinner, it's 100% worth it!

    Kitchen staff
    Debra R.

    We were looking for a good restaurant a short walk from our Intercontinental Hotel since it was rainy, and Yelpers raved about this place. We have to agree, five star dining with upscale professional service, a great wine list and an eclectic menu with innovative offerings. Located on the 5th floor of the customs house, now the city library, on a clear day the views of the bridge from the outside seats would be stunning. On a rainy day with everyone seated inside noise level was high due to the locals and business people filling the place, obviously very popular rain or shine. We arrived just before noon and were lucky to get a table. Reservations are a good idea. My allergy issues were handled well, with a quick check on the items I ordered to make sure they were okay, rather than trying to list items I could eat. I started with twice cooked Gruyere souffle, quince, watermelon radish, pomegranate, burnt apple puree, all fresh ingredients with a wonderful blend of flavors. Their dutch cream potato gnocchi, stracciatella, cavolo nero, zucchini, basil, lemon butter sauce came in a large portion, and was very rich and tasty. Their appertifs are reasonably priced, service great, and we will definitely eat here again.

    Vacation in Sydney
    Karyn P.

    Great food... Great views...Great staff Will be posting more as we travel along Looking for Sushi now

    Skip B.

    Came here for our first ever night in Sydney, which happened to be our 20th Anniversary. The Terrace View was stunning. Sit on the Terrace...it's a must and one of the best views in Sydney. The food was spectacular. My wife ordered the Snapper and I ordered the filet. We shared them so we both had "Surf N Turf". Both were great. Instead of a "side" we ordered a main dish of the Gnocchi in a cheese/cream sauce. Good thing we skipped the starters...we ate 3 mains shared between the two of us for our meal. The wine selection was extensive, but the wine team made sure we got the perfect bottle for our meal. Ben our waiter was simply the best. The whole team was beyond Top Notch and here, the whole team works seamlessly to insure the best possible experience. They took care of everything to make sure our 20th anniversary dinner was incredible and memorable. If I could give the service 6 Stars out of 5, I would. From the moment we walked off the elevator into the restaurant until the moment we left...everything was as good as it gets.

    Sidney Harper Bridge

    We visited Café Sydney right before the Christmas holidays, and this was our second time--so naturally we wondered if lightning could strike twice. It absolutely did. It was a perfect Sydney evening: ideal weather, clear visibility, and--by some stroke of luck--the same terrace table we had on our first visit, facing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The view is nothing short of spectacular. Café Sydney has a buzz and a sexy, energetic vibe that immediately draws you in. While the food is very good, it's almost secondary to the overall experience. We started with the Sydney rock oysters--fresh, clean, and beautifully presented. For mains, the tenderloin was scrumptious, paired with a lovely sauce. We also tried the salmon with curry sauce, which was good, though I would have happily ordered the tenderloin again. Our waiter was clearly busy and in high demand, but he remained pleasant and did his best throughout the evening. This restaurant has an undeniable energy that keeps pulling you back. One tip: they seat you promptly when you arrive, and if you want a great table during peak season, book at least six weeks in advance. Here's hoping lightning strikes a third time--we'll definitely be back.

    View from our table.

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    1 month ago

    Incredible meal. Amazing service. Wonderful venue. The staff were so attentive and professional. The menu superb.

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    5 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Great service and the food tasted magnificient and was perfect. Well done to all the team at Cafe Sydney !

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    8 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Outstanding dining experience-food mouth watering, service (Jack) prompt, engaged and attentive. Overall a memorable happening

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    2 months ago

    Thanks to Jan Mackenzie and the whole team for a great birthday experience on your terrace--always a delight!

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    11 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

    What a beautiful setting for a special meal! Highly recommend! Service was wonderful and you can't beat the ambience. Sit outdoors!

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    7 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Keep the wonderful staff you have and the food was amazing! And of course the view !! So proud to live in Sydney

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

    I'm kind of neutral on the restaurant. Nothing was bad, it just didn't really stand out--but the view was absolutely spectacular.

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Service, ambiance and food were spectacular. Highly recommended for special occasions.

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    6 months ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    Cafe Sydney Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Cafe Sydney

    fabulous views overlooking Sydney Harbour bridge make this restaurant really special.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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    Ground Control Cafe

    Ground Control Cafe

    4.0(25 reviews)
    0.1 kmSydney
    $

    This is Major Tom to... No! I won't go down that road, let's try another route. Like the dumbbell…read morewielding moustachioed man of strength at the circus this cold drip coffee connoisseur delights and astounds the crowd as he goes about his daily grind. First impressions count, and GC had me at hello... That 'tash, is to curling what.... Curling is to the winter olympics. Awesome sauce! I fully expect moustache rides will be on the menu if business ever hits the skids. Alas, despite the gleeful charm of the curly coifed one, nothing short of an excellent coffee with character was going to make the all important lasting impression on me and sadly in that area GC disappoints. I gave GC the Soy Latte test and the Long Black test and it just doesn't measure up to other coffee in the area. I like strong coffee with complexity and GC just doesn't have that. It's not the worst but it is very weak despite using the same La Marzocco espresso machine (that Barista's rave about for ease of use) as other places in the area. The service at GC however is very good and to some people that's first priority. So if you aren't too fussy about your coffee and are looking for a smile and a spring in your step from an energetic soul then get your morning fix at GC, and start the day on a happy note.

    Stopped by this place for a quick bite to eat and a coffee and was really pleasantly surprised by…read morethis hole in the wall next to the train station. Fantastic coffee and service! I think it's in the top three places in the area so far as quality wise for coffee. I had a bagel with cream cheese and sat inside the tiny little shop and it was delicious. I would have preferred to have been able to spread my own cream cheese as I think that they put a bit too much on for my taste. I will say the milk crates for tables are a little problematic as I found myself stooping to get my coffee and spilt it a little but that's really not a problem for the quality of the shop. The rest of the food in he glass cabinet, muffins and sandwiches, looked delicious and I can't wait to go back and try more things there!

    Photos
    Ground Control Cafe
    Ground Control Cafe
    Ground Control Cafe

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    Cafe Sydney - cafes - Updated September 2026

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