I love Sydney Rock oysters - their intense and distinct flavour really hits the spot. Unfortunately one of our dozen did not smell pleasant and was heading toward being off. We notified the waitress who promptly returned with two oysters to replace the one she took away - no extra charge! Cocktails are very good - I described what I was in the mood for and the bartender came up with a conconction that was exactly what I wanted. read more

I have been fortunate enough to eat here many times over the last 10 years, and I can say that the menu never disappoints, with a nice array of old favourites and new items. The location is stunning - if you can get a table outside on a nice day for lunch there is nowhere like it for my money - the bridge and Opera house both in clear view, Sydney harbour usually delivering the goods for diners. Surprisingly little known to locals, Cafe Sydney is on the pricey side but is a wonderful restaurant. The wine list is extensive, with many local wines of course and a range of imports. With an in-house tandoori oven the breads on offer are freshly made naan, and some of the menu items will feature some eastern influences. The split and roasted on a wood-fire prawns are simply stunning, and all the dishes I have had over the years have been wonderful - never had a bad meal here. Service is good, the sommelier knowledgeable, and your glass wil never be empty. Bookings can be hard to get especially for the obligatory Friday lunch, but well worth it. Great place for a business dinner or lunch if you can wangle it ;-) read more

I love love love this place. The food was amazing, the service was exceptional, and the view... wow! It's rare to find a restaurant out there that just excels in all categories. At one point we weren't even sure we'd get a seat since we were told that you normally have to book way in advance. But upon walking in - although booked for the night, they were able to make accommodations for us w/ an outdoor seat on the terrace. The appetizer, entree, dessert - all of it was just so good. Oh and I also loved the fact that when sitting outside we were presented with blankets to keep warm!! The night could not have gotten any better. I enjoyed every moment of my meal -- a great time w/ friends while soaking in beautiful Sydney. read more

We dined with a group and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. I opted for the haloumi as an appetizer which was superb along with the sea bass as my main meal selection. The sea bass was served with a stuffed zucchini flower which was wonderful!!! The wine was more than above average and the expresso martinis were rich and hit the spot. Definitely a must when visiting Sydney!!! read more

The view....the cocktails....what's not to love! Recently I went here with a friend from Paris - she's been looking for a good beef carpaccio since moving to Sydney five years ago - she finally found it! Meals are a good size, reasonably priced for an upper market restaurant - so long as you can get a booking! The salted caramel & espresso martinis are to die for! The dessert cheese selection is one of the best in Sydney! And did I mention that view?! read more

Beautiful location on top of Customs House with a stunning view of the Harbour Bridge! Service was wonderful and took care of us the whole time. I had the vegan brick pastry (you need to ask for the vegan menu) which was delicious and filled with chickpeas whilst my partner had the short rib which according to him was a little bland but nonetheless good overall. The food came out surprisingly quick and since it was my birthday,they gave as a complimentary dessert. Definitely coming back again! read more

Cafe Sydney - Complimentary vanilla cheesecake,berry,coconut crunble and raspberry sorbet - Cafes Near Me - Circular Quay, NSW

As soon as we sat down we were told we only had 90 minutes to eat. When we took a few minutes to look through the menu we were asked to pick something soon so we would not run out of time. We should have left right then! The staff was constantly at our table rushing us along. Although the food was good and the view is beautiful I would not go back. And I would NEVER take a client here. read more

Love my city's view romances every diner. grest service the food is always amazing. Must try the cocktails read more

Cafe Sydney - Cafe Sydney - Cafes Near Me - Circular Quay, NSW

You really cannot beat the view, and the building is pretty nifty. First impression: Hip but relaxed, very promising staff interactions at coat check. Our waiter was a little rude at first, which I've found is somewhat typical if you show up to a nice place dressed a bit too casually, looking a bit too young, and then make a somewhat odd request in an American accent. To be fair, our luggage, with all my hair and make-up and nice clothes, got stuck in Canada for unknown reasons, we were super jet-lagged, and I was really hungry and wanted to get our app started while we finished deciding on our mains. Yes, it's weird to order that way, but his snarky, condescending refusal to accommodate us left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was especially annoying given how friendly and polite he was with the same-aged Aussie couple sitting directly behind us. When he came back, we ordered only apps and handed over the menus. He sighed but brought them out promptly. The yabbies were okay, basically what you'd expect from crayfish. Neither of us particularly cared for the under-seasoned citrus mayonnaise they came with. The bug salad, on the other hand, was fantastic! Good acidity in the dressing, the bugs were sweet and there was plenty of meat, the prawns cooked perfectly, just a big more avocado paste than I needed. When our waiter came back to check on us, we ordered the Baramundi to share. He seemed to relax a lot after that, telling us that it's one of the best Australian fish, and we should go to the fish market and see a whole one. When I told him this was our only day in Sydney, he seemed to settle down even more. I think we started to make a bit more sense. Or perhaps he was just relieved that we were ordering a quick to prepare main and he wasn't going to have to rush us to open the table up for the next reservation. The piece of fish was one of the best I have ever eaten in my entire life! The skin side was crispy, the flesh was tender and juicy, cooked to perfection, and flavor-fully seasoned without over-powering the fish itself. Also, everything on the plate complimented everything else, which I greatly enjoy! We finished the meal with tea and a dessert each. I had the apple rhubarb pudding with custard, crème fraiche, raspberries, and raspberry ice cream. My husband had the fried banana with peanut mousse and chocolate ice cream. Both plates were wonderful! Everything on mine combined to make blissful mouthfuls of sweet, creamy, tangy, richness. One of the best desserts I've ever had! Overall, the majority of the meal was excellent, and the waiter's attitude improved enough that I won't hold his initial remarks against the Cafe Sydney as a whole. I would recommend making a booking and giving them a try, especially if your time is limited and you want to spend a couple hours overlooking the iconic bridge/opera house/harbor scene. read more

We had a wonderful night at this big, boisterous restaurant, boasting one of the best views of Sydney you'll be likely to find. We had to wait a little longer than expected for our table, but considering it had one of the best vantage points in the restaurant, we didn't mind kicking back in the lounge with a couple of pre-dinner cocktails. Like most restaurants around the world with exceptional views, the food takes a bit of a back seat. I had the seafood platter and as much as I do love seafood, this $135 bounty of treats from the sea was a little too simple and tasteless in its preparation. Regardless, I still enjoyed it, but it's definitely lacking compared to the platter at a few other places around town (ie. Sydney Fish Market, Portofino Norton St Italian Eatery). read more

This cafe is on the fifth floor of the Customs House. There's no signs to indicate where it is, so go inside the building and take a lift up. There's a beautiful view facing the Sydney Harbor Bridge from the dining area. The view isn't good for pictures but it's great to see. Also, this place is within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House so it's good before shows. The food was delicious. The entree of prawns, clams, corn and a tasty sauce was excellent though on the light side. The tandoori king salmon with falafel balls was very good as well, but the fish was a bit soft. Nice setting, friendly servers. I like this place. read more

Location perfect, view perfect and the rest alright. Expensive place to eat ok food. If you have money to burn Sydney has so much on offer nearby that is a cut above this one. read more

My second meal at this beautiful location at Circular Quay in Sydney was this week. Top floor of the old Customs House building. The view is stellar. The service excellent. The food & wine was outstanding. Perfect. The first time I came was with a family of friends w/young children and they were great then too. Great staff. read more

Lovely location. Pricy but it is considered one of the best restaurants in Sydney. We did enjoy our meal although sometimes it was hard to get service. I ordered the risotto for a main which seemed a bit undercooked. Everyone else enjoyed theirs a tip would be to stick to the seafood side of the menu. read more

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Well... I was expecting quite a lot given all the hype. Service left a lot to be desired. The entree was positively underwhelming- some variant of a tuna tartare. I had high hopes .. alas.. was not to be. Mediocre and the flavours did not quite compliment each other. So there I was, bitterly disappointed and had little hope of things improving and then... ladies & gentlemen... a sublime mozzarella gnocchi that is best described as ambrosia. I kid you not. Infused notes of sage complimented with strategically placed kiffler potatoes all smothered in silky smooth scented butter. OMFG. Best thing I have eaten EVAAA!!!! Notwithstanding my annoying waiter with fake Texas accent, I really enjoyed my dining experience here. Harbour views at night made it really special. Highly recommended for a special occasion and such. The waiter somehow kept on trying to convince everyone he was American when it was clear to me he obviously hailed from the southern suburbs somewhere. Reminded me of waiter/actors who are hopeful for a small role on neighbors to launch their acting careers!! I'm a bitch I know, but that's how I see it anyway. Mwah. read more

Cafe Sydney was a birthday treat, and delicious as it was, it was also quite the splurge. On the top level of Customs House, Cafe Sydney offers amazing views of the harbour, taking in Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House in a Sydney dream panorama. The tables by the windows are the best in the house, but the ambience is similarly luxe anywhere in the restaurant. We started our night with cocktails and appetisers in the bar, and the salt and pepper prawns and deep friend, blue cheese stuffed olives hold a place in my heart to this day. Also, the White Cloud cocktail is up there with the best I've ever had. The food was good and although portions were small the meats were cooked to perfection. We had a lovely night, however whilst we weren't expecting it to be a cheap night, the bill was a slight shock to the system. Tip: Unless you wish to pay over $10 for a 250ml bottle of still water, ask for tap water instead. read more

Ate a delicious meal here for a date night. The grilled baby octopus was delicious, as was the snapper and ravioli (a special), and the chocolate pear dessert (also a special). The naan was average. The service was decent. Obviously the view is nice. I recommend making a reservation for sure. All in all it was a good dining experience, but overpriced. I would give them another star if their dishes were $5-$10 cheaper. I suppose that extra money goes towards the posh decor and the rent they pay for that view. I'm glad I tried this place since everyone raves about it, but I don't think I need to come back again for a while. I could take a walk around the harbour area and enjoy the view for free, and then get a more reasonably priced, good meal elsewhere. read more

I can safely say, I love Cafe Sydney. It's at, or is that on, the roof top of Customs House down at Cirqular Quay and it's a great restaurant (or cafe?) that specialises in modern Australian and seafood. I'm there with a small group and get to see a selection of what the place has to offer. Entree sees some oysters, kingfish, bugs, veal carpaccio and they all get the big tick. Plus there was stuff on there that missed the cut that sounded great. Mains see a variety of seafood and fish dishes come out and a big juicy steak. All with a big tick! With wines to wash it all down and a dessert plate to share, I'll say it again. I love Cafe Sydney! read more

Cafe Sydney - Cafes Near Me - Circular Quay, NSW

Food is fantastic, the staff very friendly and the view of the harbor is great. Although most of the sydney opera house is blocked by buildings, the bridge is very visible. The duck confit was delicious. It's a little odd that it's at the top of a public library, but the building is very classy and very close to the opera house. Would definitely recommend making reservations. Great place for a date. I docked it one star because the dessert was pretty lack luster. I had the mousse with chocolate ice cream. For $19, I expected better. read more

Cafe Sydney - Duck confit - Cafes Near Me - Circular Quay, NSW

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Went here last week for lunch. Great views of the Harbor. Atmosphere is really nice. The food however was pretty bland and expensive. Waiter was cool but I wouldn't go back. read more

Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. Cafe Sydney is one of those places in Sydney I would highly recommend.... although with the disclaimer that I would try and book waaaaaay in advance to try and secure one of the outside seats with the amazing view. So, to cover the important parts: Ambience: Set in the old customs house the place oozes character. Service: Friendly, fast, efficient Prices: Expensive, but considering location, food, etc I think it is a good deal Food: Very good. I had the octopus for the appetizers and was very pleased. The tiger prawn with ravioli is *amazing*. The desserts may be the weak spot on the menu, but are still worth having. I've previously tried the rhubarb tart, which was ok. The chocolate terrine I tried on the second visit was better. The cheese plates are huge! Go there. It's worth it. read more

I've been here a number of times. Normally great but tonight not so. Poor service, over cooked meal and incorrect bill served with a touch of arrogance. Manager made promises for better luck next time, but, in reality I'm not certain there will be. read more

We visited this restaurant on a lazy Sunday afternoon. This restaurant is located on the rooftop of Sydney's Custom House with spectacular view of Sydney's harbour. The food is beautifully presented, served in generous portions and delicious indeed. The service is excellent with the staffs very polite, friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend this casual, relaxed restaurant with that serves good food. read more

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Fabulous food, given it's a few stories up, it overlooks the Harbor with open air tables in good weather, and great service with large group. Price is high. read more

I rarely do this but as a solo global traveler having dined at many nice establishments, I despise when a restaurant cannot accommodate a single person at 1:00 on a Sunday. If you're entire business is reservations only and you do not accommodate walk ins, you lose out on new business. So newcomers beware, the hostesses were not welcoming at all. I've heard really good things about this restaurant, the menu looks good and so does the view but being turned away with no opportunity to dine at all today really leaves a bad taste with the customer. You're not that special Cafe Sydney. I did give this place a chance and dined there on a Monday evening. The view was the only thing worth paying for. The server didn't know the menu, he read from the menu when I asked him questions. He recommended the beef tenderloin, it was awful! I loved the beautiful view but couldn't get out of there fast enough! Over priced! read more

Attitude! Slow service for bread and cold bugs, must have been half an hour. Prices over the top. 1 Bread roll $4.50! Wine pours chintzy. Steak was good. read more

Fantastic view/location, amazing food/presentation and great service. This resturaunt is on my hit list for when any international guests cone. Ask for an outside table if possible when booking for breathtaking views of Sydney harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I personally had the seated scallops for entree, confit duck for main and vanilla cheesecake with raspberries for desert. Ah. May. Zing. Others at the table also thoroughly enjoyed their meals. read more

Really nice restaurant with great views. Try to get an outside table to maximise the atmosphere. Can be expensive but is worth it for a special occasion read more

Been here many times. yes its expensive but some of the negative reviews here I find hard to understand. Its got arguably one of the best views of any restaurant but I feel the food has improved over the years, it can be excellent.The oysters mostly very good, had lamb shoulder for 2 (special) which was amazing. Their sides are pretty good. Main thing here is its an experience, bargain about $150 a head if you go the full hog with an ok bottle of wine or a few cocktails. Great business celebration venue or a special partner date night :) read more

We had reservations for 6:30 pm on a Wednesday night, we arrived about 30min early and were told they could seat us right away, naturally we were very pleased! Imagine our complete surprise when we were led through the entire almost empty restaurant all the way to the back right next to the kitchen! We may not have been wearing black tie outfits, but all wore nice jeans, and comfortable shoes because we had been walking around all day, we asked if we could change tables and they basically refused us. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty! As an Asian female, I rarely experience this kind of discrimination in Southern California, but it was clearly a matter of the color of our skin. Fair warning to those who choose to patronize this establishment, if you do not fit their client profile, may be wiser to take your business elsewhere. read more

Great views, but honestly for a fine dining restaurant with fine dining prices, the food wasn't so fine (dining?)... My mom had the prawns & clams main, and it came out with 4 prawns and 2 clams and she was like, "This is it?! That's like $10 a prawn. I'm going to be hungry after this." I had the barramundi which size-wise was OK and had pretty good flavours but wasn't very warm. My sister had the beef tenderloin which was the most substantial of all the dishes, and she seemed to like it. Also, it was cooked perfectly to medium rare. I think the biggest letdown though was the service. It wasn't like it was BAD, but it was definitely not good. Our waiter didn't even smile and came across a bit abrupt and unapproachable in terms of his tone and expression. I know working at a restaurant can be stressful, but come on, let's at least try to get along. I guess for such a nice restaurant, I expected a bit more. Having said that, I would still come back if friends from out of town visit... or if someone else pays. read more

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You are thinking about taking your lovely date at Cafe Sydney on a romantic beautiful night? Hahahaha, do yourself a favour, cook some fresh seasood at home and follow some proper recipes. I am sure the flavour would be better: ) read more

Ordered the potato fritters and naan with eggplant dip. The naan came out soaked in butter and was very sweet. The overall vibe here was quite unusual, not quite fine dining and far too over the top to relax. Won't suggest this to people under 60. Much better places for far less read more

A number of reviews comment that the staff are rude and I agree. Condescending and unprofessional. Managers and staff need training that customers are more important than them!! What used to be a great place to eat has unfortunately become too well known for their own good. Food is overpriced for what it is, information for reservations changes depending who to talk to and service and attitude of staff needs to be vastly improved. I agree with Toni C's review that staff are not welcoming. Find somewhere else with a good view and don't waste your time and money here read more

This restaurant was unbelievable. The food was delicious, the views were spectacular. My friend since 7th grade took my husband and I here as a wedding gift while we were honeymooning in Australia (she has been living in Sydney the past three years). We had an outside table overlooking the water, the Opera House, and the Harbor Bridge. Just beautiful. The food we ate was all so amazing. We started with the bugs (trust me, it's the most delicious prawn appetizer), the goat cheese and beet tart, and some feta and spinach naan. All of it was so delicious. For our mains, we had the sage gnocchi, the filet, and the pork belly. Everyone loved every bite. For dessert, we had the salted caramel dessert and the special tropical trifle. They were the best desserts I had in Australia. What a great place. Keep in mind, however, they limit your dining time to 2 hours -- you can switch over to the bar afterwards, but your table time is limited. read more

The food was decent, and a good view but service is pretty bad. We had to flag down the waiter numerous times... 1 to take our drink order, 2 to take our food order, 3 to fill up wine and 4 to bring our bill after we said we didnt want dessert and were all set. We had booked this as our honeymoon dinner and noted as such at the time of reservation, but no mention was ever made by the staff. I would not recommend this place for any special occasion. read more

This restaurant is amazing to bring family from overseas as the view from the outside balcony is breathtaking. It would also be great for a small birthday get together. I would highly recommend booking in advance as the outside seats get filled quite quick (I personally use opentable the app to book the seats)I would also recommend going there at night as the lighting around the area is stunning. The table are set up beautifully and outside tables are candle lit. The service is amazing and I can always count on them to do an amazing job. read more

Love everything about the restaurant, I will always come back. Great view...if you can, try and get a seat outside to enjoy the view. Just remember to book in advance or risk being seated at 9:30pm :) read more

I've eaten here probably about four times over the past 6 years, and am really quite pleased with the food, service and ambiance of this place. Top of the state library, it's reasonably priced for the luxury of the meals. It's got stand out views, as mentioned in other views, but the real winner is the food - such a great range of types of foods and wine. Even found some of my favourites, which always makes me lean towards a favourable review. Will be back, as I can rely on it being good every time I've been. read more

Another fantastic Australian meal. We were able to make reservations to sit on the terrace and lucked out as it was a beautiful night. My fear with Cafe Sydney was that it would be totally touristy. To avoid this, we went on a week day and it was fantastic! I ordered two apps instead of an entree (the scallops and some salad that was wonderful). My husband had the steak which was also great! All in all, great food, very cool atmosphere, just be mindful of tourists on the weekends and during high season. read more