Cafe Sydney is the Brad Pitt of restaurants. For me, this means: expensive - 100% of the time. awesome view - 90% of the time (the shoulder-length locks are a no-go, but we still love you Brad). delivery and execution - 60%, maybe 70% of the time; your individual mileage will vary based on your choices and the vagaries of your specific visit. After 3 visits, what I can say is that where Cafe Sydney trumps everyone else is its quintessential Sydney harbor view. A direct sightline of the Harbor Bridge and North Sydney that, on a sunny day or clear night, is the stuff of dreams. If the weather is nice, heed my advice: gents, open up those billfolds and ladies, lift up those skirts. Do whatever you need to do to the host to secure a seat on Cafe Sydney's patio, as there's no better guarantee of a WINNING dining experience. Make the special request if you're booking ahead (which you probably need to do far in advance for an evening dinner, as they book up fast). The food and service, on the other hand, are like Pitt's filmography. Well-intentioned, and often succeeding, but still too many misses to be a truly reliable contender for Top Model in Sydney's fine dining scene. The Fight Clubs: I have had dishes here truly soar, including a salad of super-fresh moreton bay bug, prawns and avocado puree ($27) that just clicked; and one of their mainstays on the menu, perfectly cooked Tandoori roasted Tasmanian trout with chickpea marsala, spinach bhaji (fried spinach fritters) and a sweet raita yogurt ($39). Their naans (admittedly pricey at $2.5-$3.5) are delicious and baked to order in a massive tandoor in their open kitchen that is impossible to miss. My favorite is the goat cheese and spinach, but if you go with a group, you can ask for a mixed assortment of the breads. Mr. & Mrs. Smiths: I have also had dishes that were fine but not exceptional, like a somewhat-dry duck leg confit ($39) paired with a fig sauce that was overly sweet and an upside down pineapple cake ($19) that lacked moisture but was well-caramelized on top. Ocean's Twelves: And then there were the misses, like seared scallops ($30) with a porcini-truffle butter that came with tasteless scallops the size of 10-cent coins and tasted nothing like porcini or truffle, or duck-fat potatoes ($9) that didn't taste like duck fat was used at all and could have used a few more minutes of browning for crispness and better taste. Troys: Service, though well-meaning, falters occasionally too, especially when they are busy. A forgotten coffee order on one visit, an odd lack of familiarity with the menu on another, and a general slowness that extends meals beyond the comfort zone to flagging down the waiter for the check. Overall, there are more Sevens than Twelves here, but you're still paying a hefty fee to gamble. It's no Money Ball, that's for sure. P.S. - they offer free CS caps to keep the sun out of your eyes, and for yours to keep as souvenirs. read more

Loved my lunch here. We had our office Xmas party here and went with the 3 course menu for $98 per head. Great choices for entree, main and dessert. Everyone raved about their choices ad I must say I was extremely happy with mine. I'm a seafood fan so had the scallop as entree which was beautifully cooked. Soft and perfectly cooked with the corn purée was an excellent combination. My main was the tandoori spiced ocean trout which was beautifully cooked - medium rare. With the side of green beans and chat potatoes I was stuffed by the end of the this but I still had room for the mango coconut sago dessert!! The other dishes looked fantastic as well - everyone rolled out at the end of a satisfying meal. read more

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I've returned here under sufferance, and the service has not improved. It's abominable. Countless young ladies clad in black, carrying on as if they're old money, standing around doing absolutely nothing. Trying to get service in the bar to buy overpriced cocktails is virtually impossible. Upon crash tackling a waiter we finally get served. But then they never came around to collect us as promised to escort us to our booked table. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I was able to convince the group after our drinks to go somewhere else, thereby avoiding the overrated food. read more

I have been to a lot of work dinners in my life. Some have been tedious, some I have struggled to keep my eyes open after a 36 hour flight to the other side of the world, but every so often they have been extraordinary. And that was the case with Cafe Sydney. From the moment we exited the elevator we felt like we were somewhere special. Which did not diminish in the least when we were ushered on to the terrace to the most spectacular, fall head over heels in love with Sydney view. The only word my colleagues could get out of me for the next 5 minutes was 'wow', I was totally bedazzled. We were a big group so tried quite a few dishes, although there were some clear winners in the ordering stakes. Oysters and scallops for starters, salmon and beef tenderloin for mains and pavlova and salted caramel for desserts. I ordered the scallops with white sausage, bacon, apple and cider caramel. Nice dish but the white sausage was a bit bland and uninteresting - it really didn't add to the dish for me. I would have liked something with a bit more texture and flavour like boudin noir. The beef tenderloin, however, was a total winner. Absolutely perfect and consistent for everyone that ordered it. The desserts were also excellent. I loved this restaurant and would recommend it for anyone with a special occasion to celebrate, or with visitors to Sydney to entertain. Fabulous. read more

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Ate here over the weekend. Had a table outside, creating the perfect romantic setting. Attentive service. We started with Champagne and some of the most beautiful oysters I've ever had. Wagyu Tatar, and Scallops with Truffle Gnocchi were amazing. The mains were a bit lacking.. Pork three ways was average, and my steak was under cooked. The meal was saved by fantastic desserts, and a 30 year old sherry. read more

This is the third time I've been here for a dine. As always, the food was delightful and worth every penny. The cocktails were just as good as was the wine and our personal waiter. I have nothing but praise for this establishment as it's always been consistantly good in it's food, service and ambience. You really can't ask for more with a resturant! read more

What a lovely evening. A work colleague and I were recommended this place and it was spot-on. We had cocktails in the cocktail "area" and those were great (although we had a strange experience with the waitstaff where he thought my colleague had ordered two drinks for herself). For dinner we were seated at a table with a great view of the city and harbor and then gorged ourselves on seafood. Great location. Great views. It gets crowded. It would be a nice place for a date as well if you can score a table with a view. read more

So there's a couple of things that drive my 3 star rating... Service - impeccable, uber-friendly, almost to the point where you wonder if they are serious or just effing with you. But in all seriousness, great great staff, always on top of their game! Location - what can I say: stellar. We were a party of four, sitting outside with a perfect view on Harbor Bridge. Beautiful. Food - well... It was definitely good but not kock-you-out-of-your-socks amazing (esp for the price). We had a wild combo, ranging from swordfish to steak to risotto. All good but not great. It was like with each of them the final, last little touch was missing. Great presentation and decent sizes, but a little "mpf" short at the end. Dessert was phenomenal I have to say though. Definitely a great place for a date, birthday etc. read more

Oh Café Sydney...where do I start?! From the amazing menu, delightfully presented dishes, prompt service and gorgeous views, there was barely a thing I could fault. I was able to walk in and get a table for a weekday lunch during a stopover, and we were fortunate enough to be seated on the balcony with the view of the Harbour Bridge right next to us. All our food was impeccably presented with beautiful flavours. My only comment/question on the food would be the coconut sorbet with the chocolate praline dessert - I enjoyed it, since I love sorbet and ice-cream, but it seemed a little bit of a random match and I think the dish would have been just as delicious without it. Café Sydney is a tad on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for and I thought it was well worth the money. I didn't enjoy trying to navigate the incredibly dim toilet cubicle, but I'm still giving it 5 stars. Thanks to the Sydney Yelpers for the recommendation! read more

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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

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

Waited 6 months for a reservation and were seated behind a pole! I booked our table in March this year requesting an amazing table with a view. I was told that the next available was Saturday 9th September so I booked this immediately. I then called again last Thursday to confirm a great table overlooking the harbour. I was told that I was the 4th booking for that day so our request would be accommodated. Having waited 6 months for a reservation with a request of a table with a view we were so disappointed I cannot explain. read more

What a treat to be taken to Cafe Sydney on our first visit to the city. Located atop the historic Customs House with an outdoor terrace and a view of the harbour that just can't be beat. Add to that an exquisite menu with an impressive and Australian focused wine list (indicating organic and vegan-friendly choices) and friendly and attentive service, and you have yourself a recipe for a memorable meal. The tandoori roasted king salmon was perfectly prepared. Everyone raved about their meals. There are a number of vegan options as well, though seafood is their forte here. A bit upscale, but you won't be turned away for wearing jeans (as long as you don't look like a sloppy jalopy). This is a special place that I'd be happy to find my way back to again. Reservations highly recommended for lunch and dinner alike. 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

I only go to Australia once and this company doesn't fail to disappoint... recommend not wasting your time here. Reservations can be overbooked if someone booked the seat longer back. read more

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

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

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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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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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

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

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

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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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

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

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