The best waterfront restaurants in The Rocks
What does your best life look like? Ours definitely involves an ice cold drink (preferably a negroni), delicious sharing plates, a little sunshine, a group of friends and a panoramic water view.
If you agree then you’re in luck - The Rocks is home to some of Sydney’s best restaurants, many of which are sitting pretty right on the water. To save you the trouble and help you live your best life we’ve rounded up the best waterfront restaurants in The Rocks.
6Head
6Head is for discerning lovers of steak and fresh seasonal food. Award-winning executive chef, Sean Hall selects premium wagyu and grass-fed beef cuts from local farmers then prepares them with simple but precise techniques.
The result? This is the juiciest, most flavourful steak you’ll ever taste, accompanied by uncomplicated but delicious sides and a panoramic harbour view.
MCA Cafe and Sculpture Terrace
Once you’re done taking in the art at the Museum of Contemporary Art, make sure you head upstairs and appreciate the view from the cafe. It’s near panoramic, taking in the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the sunny shores of North Sydney.
The food’s even more beautiful than the views - we keep going back for the classic beef burger served with melty Paris butter (drool) and the super fresh fish and chips.
Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant
The name says it all! This exclusive yet casual restaurant serves up local, freshly caught seafood right on the harbour’s edge.
The menu is elegant but unpretentious, with standouts including pan fried Canadian scallops and a whole Great Western Australia Lobster served with dashi and oyster butter.
Luna Lu
Luna Lu craft a fiery and luxurious fusion of Asian cuisines and fresh Australian produce, promising punchy flavours and premium ingredients. Think scallops cured in ponzu, fresh lobster XO noodles and Shanghai toothfish.
Their dining room is poised metres from the harbour with up close views of the Opera House, best enjoyed with a galangal root infused old fashion in hand.
Whalebridge
Whalebridge serve French bistro cuisine, inspired by the bounty of the Pacific ocean, best served with sea views and wine. The restaurant is perched right on the water’s edge so close you could “blow a kiss to passing boats and see their lights wink back”.
Come for long sunkissed lunches, dinners of fresh oysters and buttery lobster, then stay for a world class Parisian Negroni or two.
Ploos
Ploos plucks the flavours of the South Aegean from the kitchens of Santorini and Mykonos and delivers them on the shores of Sydney’s Harbour. There’s grilled halloumi with lemon, honey roasted lamb ribs, sardines, salmon roe - plus a novel-length wine list.
The only place to serve such cuisine like this is by the sea, so renowned chef Peter Conistis has picked a spot in Campbells Cove with stunning views over the harbour to the Opera House.