Going to the iconic Sydney Opera House was on the destination list for either attending a performance, wandering about, or dining at their "Two Hats"-rated restaurant during our short four-day pre-cruise stay. Originally, I made dinner reservations for Saturday night through the OpenTable app a month in advance, but ended up changing our reservation to lunch service since we were scheduled to check out of our hotel by 9:00 AM Sunday. Instead of walking from our hotel (Hyatt Regency at Darling Harbour) to the Sydney Opera House, we chose to catch a ferry from the nearby Barangaroo Pier. Also, the ferry route took us directly into Circular Quay, with spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, in an air-conditioned cabin, since we dressed up and didn't want to ruin our shoes or clothes along the way. The ferry ride cost us only $17.70 AUD, or around $12.50 USD, round-trip per person. I suppose we could've caught a ride-share or another form of public transportation, but the ferries offer a more scenic ride. The ambiance of Bennelong Restaurant was impressive, with its sail-like architectural design by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, and each dish was artistically crafted to complement the UNESCO Heritage Site. Under the direction of Executive Chef Peter Gilmore, Head Chef Rob Cockerill and his fine-tuned kitchen team executed menus (two and three-course prix fixe, à la carte, and bar) which captured the essence of contemporary Australian dining by featuring the finest and freshest seasonal Australian ingredients. We were seated in The Main Dining Room, one of the five distinct dining levels, which offered gorgeous views of Circular Quay. After imbibing cocktails (Burn it Down $36 AUD and Lemon & Melon $22 AUD) along with six sweet, creamy, and slightly briny Sydney Rock Oysters with Lemon Pepper Granita $54 AUD, we selected the 3-course lunch menu (entree, main, sides, and dessert) experience, which cost us $225 AUD per person. We couldn't be more pleased with the exquisite artistry, creativity, flavors, and expert preparation of the dishes. Also, we noticed and appreciated the sophisticated yet not stuffy teamwork, genuineness, and Australian hospitality of all the servers who interacted with us, directly and indirectly, from start to finish. As we were selecting our entrees and mains from the menu, our server pointed out the menu items listing locally and sustainably sourced Australian produce and ingredients from farmers, fishermen, and growers who use sustainable practices. Each dish was stunningly plated and looked too pretty to bite into, but we were informed that, as a couple dining, we had a two-hour limit in the dining room. Our server delivered each course promptly, and we never felt that the service lagged or rushed. In between courses, we could leisurely converse with one another and allow our taste buds to savor everything. We look forward to dining at Bennelong Restaurant and returning to Sydney, Australia, soon. read more

Don't look at the price, and book this restaurant immediately. The food, the decor, the ambiance, the service, the drinks, literally everything here is tip top of the line. The only downside is you will be walking out of here a lot more poor than when you came in. However, I think it is totally worth it. Especially if you're from the USA like me, how many times are you really going to come back here? The $30.80 espresso martini was perfect. We loved the beet salad, pork, and the fish, and the potatoes. There wasn't a bad item that we ordered here. Most importantly the view and service can't be beat. You also get a free glass of champagne with your lunch. I booked our reservation for noon right when the restaurant opened and our guided tour of the opera house ended. This way we were the first people into the restaurant and got a window seat. I had a great time here and hope to be back. read more

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Truly an incredible experience. Great staff, great views, great architecture, and great food! All of the entree's were delicious (my table got one of each). The mains were great- I'm not the largest fan of duck so it was a little chewy for my tastes but I got the fillet and it was scrumptious! The potatoes they were on were a delight as well. The pavlova stole the show for dessert. Wonderful and one of a kind time! read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Marron - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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Enjoyed the classy atmosphere with champagne before the Sydney Opera. Our first sip of Krugs was flat, not a lively perlage, we both looked at each other immediately agreeing. The waitress came back and we asked how long the bottle had been opened. At $88 a glass it should be bubbly, with delicate continuous stream of pearls. We taste a lot of champagnes from "Champagne France" and this was flat. Our waitress seemed defensive and was not as accepting of our question like we expected. She took our glasses almost reluctantly. After waiting awhile another gentleman came to our table and opened a fresh bottle in front of us. He did not speak a word. Simply showed us the bottle, opened it, poured it, and walked away. Not the friendly service I would have expected. It was also observed that many of the other employees were looking over at us, making us feel uncomfortable like it was wrong of us to send back flat champagne. I am sure Krug would want us to enjoy fresh champagne. Very disappointed in our visit. Because the waitress never came back, we did not order food. We had to then flag someone down to get our check. read more

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Wow, Wow, WOW! What a lovely welcome we received when checking in for our reservation! We were a bit early and opted to take time for a beverage in the upper bar. The wait staff was welcoming and very polished. I opted for a Cloud of Passion: a strawberry and coconut infused vodka with passion fruit. The bar is upstairs and gives a Beautiful view of the restaurant below and looks out the harbor. Amazing views! When we were seated at our table for our meal, I was delighted with our window seats looking out over the skyline and harbor. The inside of the restaurant is a stunning display of architectural genius. I dined on yabbies (crawfish to us Americans), kurobuta pork and for dessert enjoyed a delicious crème caramel vs Mille-Feuille. What a sensation for my tastebuds! The sommelier gave us wonderful direction which guided us to a perfect wine paring Reservations are essential. read more

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I believe I may have found my favorite restaurant in Sydney - an immaculate blend of superb service; great flavors; and stunning views. I visited for a solo dinner which did require a phone call ahead of time versus the website. One small issue here - apparently the person taking my reservation didn't denote correctly that I was solo when I arrived. However, the manager, also named John, was able to take care of it quickly and easily. John was absolutely a superstar and was so impressed with how professional he was and personable amidst all the hustle and bustle of the night. I was seated at the bar area at the edge, overlooking a lot of the restaurant and the gorgeous, gorgeous views looking out at the pier. The design of the restaurant is striking and magnificent. It's one of the most memorable restaurants I've been to just from a visual perspective. Here's what I ordered: *Cool, Calm & Collected: A really delicious brandy/rum drink that was a play on bee's knees. Loved the presentation which came with a honeycomb cracker and a wee bit of liquid nitrogen which made the whole cocktail look so neat. Counter Prie Fixe Menu: *Smoked Pig Jowl: Such a gorgeous presentation of noodles. The dish was a nice appetizer and so packed full of flavor. Loved the ivvid notes of black garlic and sesame that weren't overpowering at all. *Maremma pasture raised duck: Also a gorgeous presentation. Loved the duck itself - wonderfully cocked to perfection with a crispy skin. The duck sausage was a bit overpowering in contrast, but I think when all of it is mixed together, it comes together quite well. The entree also came with potatoes and green beans. These were alright. Dessert: *I ended up pushing thru to get the final dessert - the Pavlova. Again, another gorgeously presented dessert that is made to reflect the Sydney Opera House itself. I didn't like the rice crackers as much but the rest of the baked meringue was terrific. I got to the restaurant by using the elevator and looking for signage which were plentiful! Thanks to the server, Valerie, and John for being fantastic. Super, super memorable all the way through and just a terrific way to end the night and cap off the Sydney trip. read more

This was our best meal by far in Sydney. We took the pre-fix meal prior to seeing a play at the Opera House. The views are amazing, and a big part of the experience of dining here. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. We started with an infused orange vodka drink that was delicious. The crayfish appetizer was small in size but was cooked perfectly and full of flavors. The John Dory was a light white fish that was filling but didn't over power with fish taste. Dessert of chocolate crackle with a cappuccino capped off a perfect dinner. Pricey but worth it for the views, ambience and great food. read more

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Yes, the food was delicious. Yes, the view is one of the best. But Johnny, the maitre d' is the shining star of the restaurant. So thoughtful, genuine, and made our celebration extra special (even got us some amazing photos that the public doesn't get!). All of the staff, for that matter, are absolutely wonderful. But the food - sensational and so well thought out. We did the three course tasting which was perfectly balanced. Entrées - koji noodles with mushrooms; XO squid. Can I just say WOW?! The noodles were a stunning work of art and some of the best I've ever had. The XO sauce was a perfect combination of sweet and spicy Mains - roasted pink snapper; duck with hunter sausage. Both rich yet perfectly balanced. Not large dishes which was done on purpose because you didn't need more. Dessert - cherry jam lamington; chocolate crackle. Beautiful dishes in flavor and texture. Who knew there could be so much in something so small. Sensational meal and experience. So special, we can't wait to come back! read more

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I'd give this experience 3.5 stars. While the ambience, architecture and views are spectacular, there are some improvements to be made. When it comes to the tasting menu, some of the dishes we loved, and some were just okay. We shared 6 dishes altogether. The presentation of all was impeccable. 1. We loved the Poached yabbies, finger lime, ume, cultured cream, lemon jam, buckwheat pikelets. It was a beautifully presented plate with bright citrusy flavors. 2. XO squid, crispy eggplant, scallops, radish, aioli was an interesting course, but I wouldn't get it again. 3. John Dory, spigarello, pea, flowers, sudachi citrus emulsion was an absolutely delicious course! The fish was flaky, light and tasty. 4. Maremma pasture raised duck, hunter sausage, black garlic grapes, Kampot pepper, was okay. The duck was cold when it got to us. 5. Crème Caramel vs Mille-Feuille was airy and 6. The Chocolate crackle was rich, but the rice puffs were tacky in my opinion. I felt like the service lacked personality and overall the dining experience was lacking soul, levitating between bright summer flavors and heavier winter themes. While the presentation was beautiful, the portions were fairly small. Some of the dishes were innovative, some seemed tired. Ultimately, I don't think that the 3-course menu is worth 190 aud pp. So, if you ask me- would you eat there again? I'd say no, I'd go to 6Head instead. On top of that one of our waitresses seemed to be in a funky mood, which made us feel like we were a nuisance. This kind of killed the evening for me. So, the service should work on professionalism and creating a more welcoming/ friendly atmosphere. That being said, dining in the Opera building itself and enjoying the architectural features from inside was an amazing highlight of our trip. read more

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Fancy restaurant with high quality food. Each bite tasted great, I did the mini tasting menu with 3 courses. There was a 5 course option. I am a small eater so 3 courses was good enough but if you have a large appetite the 5 course is probably more suitable. There was also a dessert included which I forgot to take a picture of, but if I recall correctly it was some sort of cake. At night there are amazing views and the whole restaurant is candle lit. Waiters were a bit inattentive but I found it was like that everywhere in Australia compared to where I am originally from (Toronto). read more

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Great views, great food, great service! Mud crab congee was a standout!! Everything was yum! read more

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Traveling to Sydney has been a bucket list item for a long time. Advice from friends told us that dinner at Bennelong was a must. And it did not disappoint. We were able to get a reservation prior to seeing the opera that night (Cinderella) and had lovely seats by the window. All three courses were delicious and the wine pairing was perfect. The service by Tibirius (apologies if misspelled) was fantastic and Zahra knocked it out of the park with the wine recommendation. We loved chatting with her throughout our meal--she's a gem. A perfectly timed meal to allow us to make the curtain call. See you next time! read more

They should change the name from Bennelong to Bennaverylong ... time for our damn food. This place is trying to be a fine dining Michelin establishment and the staff just doesn't get it. The chef should realize his dream will never materialize. Just have fun guys, relax and entertain people. read more

Since there are only 5 stars I will give them that. Had a wonderful Sunday Jazz lunch. Food, atmosphere, service, drinks, music all top notch. To top it off you are in the Sydney Opera House. Best. Experience. Ever. read more

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Full disclosure, it is pricey. But . . . Location + food + service makes it all worth while. This is a great special occasion treat and did not disappoint for our anniversary celebration. Lovely. The sommelier was helpful and gently guided us into some great wine. Next time I am in Sydney, I am going back!! read more

Food and service were impeccable, beautiful scenery, lived up to the expectations. The menu is 3 courses pre fixe with option for added cheese plate at the end, however it was not needed as the portions were plentiful. I had the John Dory as a main with prawn (red claw yabbies) as a starter. Plating was very beautiful. The somm was also quite helpful with our wine selection. Overall unforgettable night ,will be back thank you read more

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Don't overlook Bennelong's Cured & Cultured. (Pun intended... keep reading) Sometimes, not having a plan reveals the best of surprises -- and in the case of our impromptu stop at Bennelong, it was exactly that in the cheap seats... Often in Sydney (at least before the dumpster fire that is/was 2020)... there to see Hozier perform at the opera house, we made a last minute decision for a scenic detour at 'Cured & Cultured', the upstairs portion of Bennelong that's primarily comprised of a bar and table service offering a simpler format for upmarket snacking with exceptional service. Seated at a table right at the edge... there was a sweeping view overlooking the main restaurant space beneath -- it was quickly apparent that the view from above was pure magic, all while enveloped in one of the art deco sails of masterpiece that is the Sydney Opera House. Absolutely amazing to take it all in with the help of a wonderful bottle of champagne and some delightful morsels... read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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This place should Be Michelin rated . Every entree was as delicious as the next . It is a pre-fix three course meal . The choices are excellent . I enjoyed my prawns and chorizo ( well that's what we Latinos call it ) for entree . Pink sea bass for Main and the whimsical confectionary that resembles the Sydney Opera House My choice of white wine a Semillon ( which is a Aussie Sauvignon blanc) complimented the meal well. I view although spectacular takes second place to the amazing food!! read more

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Bennelong is a stalwart when it comes to fine dining in Sydney. It has been around for some time, but I only came here for the first time, for my 30th birthday this year. When we entered the restaurant, the host asked us if we were celebrating an occasion, and when my husband said it was my birthday, the host exclaimed "birthday kisses", and kissed me on the cheek. Needless to say, my American husband was shocked (I didn't mind though). After being seated promptly, we were brought menus and asked for our water preferences. At Bennelong, there is only the option of a three course menu, priced at $150. We made all our selections at the time of ordering, along with adding on half a dozen oysters, and two glasses of wine. The wine and oysters were brought promptly, fresh bread and butter were not brought out until after the oysters were gone. The bread was sourdough, served warm, alongside warmed butter and rock salt. It was phenomenal. For starters, we had the beef tartare and the squid noodles. Both were excellent and exquisitely prepared, as was every dish that evening. For mains, I had the wagyu rump cap, while my husband had the pork. Both were divine. In between our mains and dessert, they brought me a complimentary birthday cupcake, which I enjoyed highly. Our two desserts, the mille-feuille and the cherry lamington, were among the best desserts in restaurants I've ever had. Would highly recommend for an outstanding meal, and look forward to another occasion dining here. read more

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Amazing ambiance combined with unique food. Thoroughly enjoyed my dinner here, though would recommend on doing the a la carte option versus set menu. Sat at the chefs table and got the Yabbies, smoked eggplant and tuna- all were phenomenal though the Yabbies in particular stuck out. Had no idea what the hell they were but it's essentially shrimp with mini pancakes and toppings to mix and match. Highly recommend for a nice occasion or even to just stop in for a drink and take in the atmosphere. read more

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Gorgeous! I had the opportunity to choose between Quay and Bennelong... why look at the Sydney Opera House when you can eat in it?! Make reservations in advance.. like seriously, the second you know you're going to Sydney, make a reservation and then change your mind later. These tables go quick! We were lucky to snag our table which had a beautiful view of the Harbour and Harbour Bridge. Most patrons in the restaurant were just like us-- couples on vacation, celebrating something, etc. I like that the menu is per-fixe so you know what to expect and can budget properly. The menu is seasonal so we were eating spring-ish foods. The appetizer and dinner were scrumptious! My husband had the Spanner crab ravioli with golden trout roe, salted egg yolk, palm heart, crème fraîche and the Arkady grass fed lamb cipollini onions, artichoke cream, ice plant, pepitas, garlic blossoms. I chose the Hervey Bay scallops with Israeli couscous, young carrots, prawn custard, and chili oil for my first course. My husband said that was the best lamb he's had in his life-- very tender. For my main entree, I had the Roasted black kingfish with green capsicum, eggplant caponata, capers & olives. If there's one thing about dining Down Under, it's that their seafood is superb. Definitely fine dining with portions tiny in scale to their large, elaborate china.. BUT you still leave full! My favorite was the dessert-- a pavlova shaped as the Opera House! Service was great, as it was all over Australia! You have 2 hours to enjoy your meal-- I suggest savoring it and taking your time (you'll have plenty of time). One regret was that I wish I got the smoked cocktail-- looked like a mini show with dinner! read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Our dinner-- hard to see-- blackfish (foreground) and lamb-- accompanied by roasted potatoes and a fresh salad (needed more dressing) - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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This review is solely based on The Cured and Culture menu. This reasonable tasting menu is great value in terms of the number of items you get, not to mention that you are dining at an Australian icon. There does seems to be too many "finger type" foods (aside from oysters, 3 out of 7 dishes were small morsels). There is also a lack of exceptional dishes and nothing really stood out, with the exception of dessert - Raspberry in 5 textures was beautifully done. Then again, for $65 you really shouldn't expect too much, and it is definitely worth trying once if you ever want to dine at the Opera House read more

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Great experience. Fabulous setting. Superb food and wine. Generally decent service.

I came early to pick up my opera tickets and was nervous to see if there was any space for a walk-in. Luckily, they don't take reservations for the bar, so anyone can walk in! I ordered the arancini, the sausage rolls, the trifle, and a "Still Water" mocktail. The dishes were all amazing in that they really had contrasting,yet complementary textures and flavors! Smaller portions, but it's bar food. The mocktail, while delicious, was extremely green apple-flavored so it didn't really go along with the food. The staff were very kind, welcoming, and vigilant about refilling my water glass. I would highly recommend anyone eating here if they have the chance. The view is worth it too! read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Still Water mocktail - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

We had dinner there with my family after our show in the Opera House this past week. This place is not worth it. We upgraded two meals to the wagyu steak which were warm and cooked as if they just sous vide it without searing it. They ruined the steak completely. Our worst part of the meal was the fact that we waited 30 minutes in between our appetizer (entree) and main dish. There was a lot of staff wandering around doing nothing, and they didn't even give us an update even though we were clearly not happy with our meal. They just ignored us until I had to flag someone down. Our meal ended up being 2 hours just for a three course meal which was ridiculous. For the amount you pay, go somewhere else. We went to Saint Peter the night before and paid much less for much better food and service. The two stars were for the ambience of being inside the beautiful Sydney Opera House. read more

@bennelong_sydney has it all. Inside the lavish Opera House sail, with views of the Harbour bridge. The best way to experience it is sitting at the Cured & Cultured golden counter, we had the best vantage point in the house, with a view of the chefs creating our meals in the centre and over looking the entire restaurant. Cured & Cultured is also a more economical way to dine on the restaurants hero dishes. Service was impeccable, with each dish being explained and our food arrived perfectly presented. I would highly recommend the 'Clouds of Passion' cocktail to drink, I may have had 3 it's that good. read more

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What a great experience having dinner here. We sat at the bar and Rebecca was our bartender/server. She was very nice and personality was even better. Guided us through the menu and helped us make our decision on what to order. We ordered the mud crab congee and shaved southern squid for apps which were phenomenal. For our mains, we ordered the special fish which was pink snapper was pretty good. But the blackmore 9+ wagyu was something we have never had and words cant describe how good it was. You MUST get it if you go. Staff worked well together and all were very nice. Thanks Rebecca read more

I came to Bennelongs on a night before NYE. A party of four. We get the menu, and find the skimpy selection. There is a prix fix menu for $150. Just a few items there. I ordered the wild fish. It arrived and was quite small. Just 4 ounces or less. Really? But it was good. Others in my party ordered john dory fish. It turned out to be rubbery and bland. Someone else ordered pork chops, they were overdone, someone else ordered the wagyu steak. It was tiny, just a couple of bites of steak. Not really wagyu at all. Possibly just regular cow. Really guys? read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Benelongs - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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Eating inside the Sydney Opera house? I'm down! * * * EXPERIENCE * * * Bennelong Restaurant is literally located inside the Sydney Opera House. You need to go through the same main entrance, walk through the theater-like hallways, take a roof-less elevator to reach to the restaurant. I made a reservation for four people two months ahead of time, it was a smooth process and I quickly got an email confirmation. I had to change date soon after I made the 1st reservation and the staff was able to accommodate my request quickly. As you would expect, the service was pretty professional. The atmosphere was surprisingly not too upscale, I guess the restaurant is on ground level and people passing by could peek inside so they can't make it too classy. But when I looked up to the roof which clearly showed the wooden structure making up the seagull shape of the opera house, I had sort of a "holy" feeling - I guess it is really the symbol of Australia and once you look up to the top it felt kind of unreal that I really had the experience of eating inside. Anyway. Everyone dressed nice, I don't believe there's a dress code as I did see one table with a couple young people wearing baggy sweaters/jeans/white sneakers, but for the sake of experience I guess it's better to wear something nice. Our servers were very helpful in explaining both the wine and food menu to us, as well as their personal preference, and pretty attentive to our tables' needs as well. * * * FOOD * * * It's a three-course menu and you can pick an appetizer, main dish, and a dessert. Bread (starter for sharing): A- It's good! Warm and soft. Don't get addicted to it though, you need room for the even more delicious main dish. Double Island Point Scallops: A- Pretty nice. Scallop was fresh. It was slightly grilled and the outside layer's crispness was just about right. Overall it's flavorful. Roasted John Dory served on bone: A I really like how they name this dish so people can expect it comes with bone. I had never had John Dory before, but man they have done a wonderful job both on the seasoning and cooking method. The skin's texture was slightly crispy, the seasoning was slightly salty but since they added raw veggies on top, it completely balanced out. The meat was very fresh. It's just fish but I felt very satisfied and full after it. Creme Caramel vs Mille-feuille: A It wasn't too sweet as the appearance suggested, but the flavor and texture of the different potions came in harmony and it was satisfying. I'm no expert on dessert but I would say it's one of the best I have had in upscale restaurants before. Overall, the food was very good, definitely not the best or it's not even top 5 of what I have had before, but it's the whole experience that matters - eating inside the Opera House is actually kind of gorgeous. I highly recommend Bennelong Restaurant. read more

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Bennelong is Sydney's Premier dining experience, in every way. Dining inside the iconic and architecturally acclaimed Sydney Opera House in the World famous harbour with a stunning view of Sydney another icon - the Harbour Bridge. A site of historical significance, for Australia's first people, the Indigenous Australians, more specifically the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, occupied this site. Bennelong, an Aboriginal man to befriend the British, lived in a house on the point that this restaurant stands today. With a menu by famous chef Peter Gilmore, 5 star food and service, it is a restaurant you must go to at least once in your life. Whether you are a tourist to Australia or simply dining for a special celebration, it is the perfect venue. It is upscale dining, and with that an expensive price tag, but highly worth the cost. The interior of the restaurant is equally as impressive as the exterior, an open restaurant with space on a grand scale with high ceilings, it is a sophisticated place to dine. Service is impeccable with staff on hand to answer any questions, fill up water and were extremely professional and attentive, whilst unobtrusive and make it an excellent experience. You don't normally hear much about the cocktails here, with so much focus on the food, but they can't be missed, with an excellent combination of flavours and theatrics to their presentation. An extremely plentiful wine list, by the glass or bottle and a sommelier to provide advice, your food can be perfectly matched. 3 course menu for $130, you can select a combination to tantalise your palate. We were in a large group so had the opportunity to try many of the selections. It doesn't matter what you pick, the options demonstrate great technique and developed flavours and you will be sure to have a delicious dish. In terms of entrees, the salad of young beetroot was a pop of colour on the plate, with horseradish, cultured cream, leek roasted fermented rye and rhurbarb pickle, you'd covert meat lovers to vegetarian in a second. The main dishes of a full roasted Dory on the bone with roasted turnips and native coastal greens, this was a garden on a plate. Meat lovers, don't fret, the slow cooked beef cheek or suckling pig will satisfy your fancy. The piece de resistance of this dining experience are the desserts. What more could you want than an Australian classic, the Pavlova, presented as the Sydney opera house itself. They also have the layered chocolate cake, made famous by its appearance on masterchef which is presented as a spectacle with hot chocolate poured on your dessert, giving way to the centre like a sink hole. Consuming all that chocolate, you'll certainly go home happy. Cherry lamington a and mille feuille, make sure you try them all. This restaurant truly ticks all boxes; great service, great food, great drinks and a a stunning location, add this to list of must visits read more

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Bennelong was the perfect restaurant to celebrate an engagement. The atmosphere was lively but beautiful. The service was outstanding and the food was the best I've ever had. I highly recommend the Suckling Pig and the lamb main meals. The Clouds of Passion drink was phenomenal! Everything about Bennelong was amazing! read more

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Yummy yummy for my tummy and eyesies. Admire the sunset harbour as you tuck into a delectable three course menu. The entree, main and dessert were all flawlessly presented - look at that perrrfect octopus spiral, and the gorgeous meringue pieces in the pavlova. Almost too good to eat, but you'll be glad you did. The sourdough was delicious, accompanied by the most amazingly cute round blob of unsalted butter. For the entree: roasted tassie octopus with charred pickle (interesting), aioli and salty ice plant. Tender and succulent, paired with crunchy sour. The seared wagyu tartare was also a hit with the GF, the crispy beef tendon having an amazing light crackle that melts in your mouth. Yum. Had some cheeky beef cheeks that dissolved in an unctuously good mess in the mouth. The fat to collagen to protein ratio was out of this world. The lamb was equally delicious, nice and tender. The crunchy rye provided nice textural contrast in addition to tasting like popcorn. The side of new potatoes and greens were a welcome addition. Potatoes buttery, herby and hearty. Greens light, crunchy and vinegary. Desserts. Pavlova nice and light. Not overly sweet, balanced with the sour passion fruit reduction. The chocolate mousse cake was blissfully bitter. Loved how it was less sweet and more bitter than most similar desserts served in other places. Still nice and light, lucky for our then-stuffed tummies. The staff were attentive, professional and included a very nice vanilla cupcake with a candle for a birthday! Many props and thanks. Beautiful restaurant with a softly(?) bustling vibe. Will come again! read more

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Came here to try Australia's Most Expensive Cheese ToastieTM. And got so much more. We booked for supper at 9.30pm and sat at the Cured & Cultured Bar (which for my vote is the best seat in the house, you don't have the stuffiness of the dining section and you feel like a cool cat because the beautiful people sit here, seriously it was like a Tom Ford versus D&G shoot up in yarr I don't know what was happening but I felt like I'd snuck into the popular kid group at high school). The service is top notch, people in suits with nice hair fawning all over you in a friendly but courteous way, kind of like you'd get treated in Business Class on a plane. We got dazzled, I admit it. Ended up springing for a bottle of champagne, the five-cheese & truffle toastie, the yabbie pancakes, and the mother of all goats cheeses with a broad bean salad - which, strangely, was the best dish of the night. The smoky cheese with the firm almost crunchy beans and the crisp salad with delicate dressing was just stunning. The toastie was super rich and it was all the goods, but just half was enough for each of us as the flava flav is pretty punchy. The yabbie pancakes is an inspired dish, fresh and creative and a bit sweet with what tasted like marmalade and clotted cream on tiny buckwheat pancakes that you assemble yourself. I didn't want the experience to end, and we dragged it out as long as possible. We were the last ones there. We closed out Bennelong you guys! TICK. read more

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We went for a friend's birthday lunch. It was a clear day so the view was drop dead gorgeous. You get to see the bridge and the city's skyscrapers framed nicely by bennelong's gorgeous architecture thanks to the opera house setting. We went with friends in the hospitality industry so we got a VIP treatment. We had 3 course lunch including: oysters with gin granita, roasted carrots, prosciutto with toasted bread and truffle butter for entrees, veal with kale, mushrooms, and hazelnut for main, and 8 textured chocolate cake frown across the water. Yes, it's from quay. They're both owned by the same group. The food were spectacular. My favourite were the oysters with gin granita, veal, and the chocolate cake. Another option for dessert was strawberry and cream. That was quite nice. We got to visit the kitchen and see it in action. Apparently you can even book seats in the kitchen! You will be seated facing the window with harbour bridge as your prime view and the kitchen behind. It's pretty cool. read more

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This is a review of the Restaurant. I used to go to Guillaume at Bennelong a few years ago, fairly regularly. It was part of the experience of the Opera House as a whole, an eminently civilised affair that also included an interval champagne flute under the stars and wearing my best suit and wax-shining the hard parts of my shoes. Even if just for a dessert, a glass of wine or a small main after the show, it was worth it. What has changed? Why am I docking a full two stars? Please bear in mind that I am reviewing according to the price point and expectations, not just the absolute quality of the food and service (both of which were, in absolute terms, more than fine). First, the food is less experimental, more "modern Australian/fusion". Goodbye sweetbreads. Hello scallops and even pork belly (with black garlic, like some styles of ramen). This works and it doesn't work. It works in the sense that what is presented are very good renditions of the listed items. Not only were the hazelnuts with the pork belly enormous, they had a concentrated and powerful aroma, and tender texture that went above and beyond what was expected of hazelnuts. What sourcing skill! Second, so much has changed in the service. The Restaurant is supposed to be the upscale, fine dining establishment, and the prices reflect that ($100 for 2, $130 for 3 courses at lunch). Yet, gone are the tablecloths, replaced by plastic (but probably extortionately expensive, "designer") tables better suited for a canteen than a place whose architecture is so renowned it has become a symbol of the entire country. Gone are the ties on the waiters, who now all wear navy suits and white shirts and treat you "like a friend" instead of the reverent style of old French houses. The house is less "Tour d'Argent" and more "My Kitchen Rules". As you can guess I am not a fan of this at all. In fact, I am almost annoyed that the landlord has let it happen. But maybe I'm getting old, maybe I should "get in with the time" and start wearing board shorts and sandals "ironically" to Wagner's Ring Cycle (although technically that too would be old-fashioned, since Boulez/Chereau as far back as 1980). I have nothing against MKR type restaurants per se. What I object to is the waste of an excellent location, the fact that MKR-style cooking is ALREADY offered upstairs in the Cured whatever relaxed dining (at much more reasonable prices, too), and the Restaurant does not offer much of an upgrade in my opinion to justify the markup. Don't get me wrong, the food is well prepared. The sourcing is great - aside from the hazelnuts, those scallops were like sweet fillet steak - and the service not just friendly but also competent, with the staff very familiar with the cooking as they should be and rapidly adapting to the order of play. The cutlery is beautiful, with much Japanese influence; the petit four plate and coffee mug were very "shin-gyo-so", contrasting natural texture and shape with sharp and perfectly circular touches, and this really complements the fusion style of the house. The truth is, I'd give them 5* if they were in Surry Hills and charged $50 for two courses. It's just not the place I would go to when heading to the Opera House. I'd rather, for example, go downstairs to Aria (is that even still open?) which at least plays along with the atmosphere. There is something special about an old fashioned French restaurant (the quintessential example in my opinion being Apicius in Tokyo) which makes me a little sad every time I see another one fall. It's worth noting that once again, I appear not to have a mainstream opinion. The place was packed to the brim and people were begging for any space when we walked in for our reservation. So, discount accordingly. read more

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Right in the Opera house, restaurant itself is nice high ceilings wonderful views. Service is very good and friendly. Food is good but not great, cocktails a little bit pricey. They do bring you cupcakes for birthday party and that is a nice touch. Dessert menu is very good . Overall it's a must try. read more

Well, sorry I can't be more appreciative but we really had a bit of an ordinary night. The service was good, and the view, well, except for the White Dinner on The Steps, which made it look like a zombie attack by about 4000 people all dressed in white, that was happening outside, it can't be beat. The menu is good, and we did like the selection. But a couple of things for us spoiled it - and the main thing was perhaps to be expected, but was still disappointing, and that is serving sizes, and the wide variation in them. We did ask for some explanation on menu items, and in my opinion at this point the wait staff might have provided a little more guidance. Wait, you say, caveat emptor. Actually, no. This is a fine dining establishment, and for the prices and expectations of allegedly one of Sydney's top restaurants, I expect to be guided appropriately. For our mains, the two men ordered suckling pig, and the ladies fish. Fish was served, nice portions of lovely fish, well cooked and superb. The suckling pig, was, sadly, entree size at best, with a thumb-sized piece of crackling and flesh and a very small pile of what can only be described as shredded pork beside it. We are both big blokes and were looking forward to some pork, but it was four mouthfuls at best, perhaps five if I am generous. My fellow diners picked a range of deserts, and for me it was the layered chocolate cake of Quay fame, which was lovely, and a cheese plate for him to try and fill the gap (it didn't) and for the ladies something small and delicious, afraid I can't remember what. Some will say yes, of course it is fine dining, and you should expect that. But I don't. I don't expect to want a burger on the way home from a $250 per head meal. I expect to be satisfied, amazed and hopefully looking forward to my next visit, which in this case will be never. Maybe I am indeed still suffering from fine dining fatigue, or perhaps Peter Gilmore's food and I are just not compatible, I dunno. Give it a whirl, it is certainly stunning, and after all each to their own. read more

We went here to kick off the start of our honeymoon. In all, the experience was wonderful. They gave us one of the best seats in the house, the service was phenomenal, it was amazing. We both had the tasting menu and everything was perfect. My husband had the lamb and I had the duck, we were truly impressed with the flavors and how nothing was overly complicated. read more

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Excellent view, meal and service. We went for dinner before a show at the Sydney Opera House. We got the two course menu and added dessert. For our appetizer we had a heirloom carrot salad and a yellowfin tuna sashimi. For our Main we got ravioli and duck. Everything was presented beautifully and tasted great. Portions are small but that's how it is at a fancy restaurant. Our meal came with a wine pairing so we each got different wines to match our meal. The bread was delicious. Water was constantly filled. The restaurant its self is beautiful. Had a view of the harbor. Great special occasion or date night restaurant! read more

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Came here like most people eager for a drink before the show. The location is fantastic as it is right at the opera house. It was not very busy at all which was surprising right before the opera. The bartenders take pride in their drinks and prepare everything very well. Only drawback is the drinks are very expensive. I knew going into the location that it was going to be expected. It was a bit higher than expected though. The drinks were actually really good but seemed a bit excessive. read more

Bennelong Restaurant - Roku gin and tonic, butterscotch and spiced apple old fashioned - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW