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    The Rocks Cafe

    4.1 (203 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 10:00 pm

    The Rocks Cafe Photos

    THE ROCKS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - The Rocks Cafe

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    menu
    Gordon C.

    the place was fairly quiet and very clean. the service was great, the servers were top notch. the food and portions were very good. sat outside and was entertained by the passersby.

    Best veggie omelet.
    David D.

    I liked the food and atmosphere here so much I ate here three times on my trip to Sydney in 5 days. Perfect for dining with a group on the outside patio, romantic dinner on outside patio, or alone on the patio or inside. The veggie omelet and chicken stir fry were outstanding.

    Avocado toast and cappuccino
    Yvette K.

    BEST espresso and cappuccino in Sydney. Hands down! Lovely pastries, pies, croissants and banana bread. Full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections as well Great young and friendly staff. Highly recommend

    Joy S.

    We were looking for a restaurant with air conditioning for lunch on a sweltering hot day in Sydney. Many were open air, but this one had it. The main floor looked like it was full, but they directed us upstairs where it was even more comfortable temperature-wise. The ambiance/vibe was great, although I forgot to snap any pictures of it. Attentive service with a smile. I ordered the calamari and a house salad, my son ordered the kangaroo burger with chips. We enjoyed our lunches. The calamari was tender and crispy coated, the house salad was large with lots of tomatoes and kalamatta olives with a lemon vinegarette. The burger gave my son a chance to try kangaroo and a beet on a burger. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because it was fairly expensive for a lunch meal. It was a nice break in the middle of a hot day of sightseeing.

    Cappuccino
    Sam M.

    Walking down such a busy block, it's hard to think you'll run into a great restaurant. The Rocks Cafe sure is though! Superbly friendly staff brought us right in. The Grilled Haloumi Breakfast and poached eggs were just what we needed this morning. The coffee is top notch. Super strong and delicious. Highly recommend if you need a quick but awe inspiring breakfast

    10/21/23 Grilled chicken & prosciutto salad
    Lee D.

    Quality/Quantity - Grilled Chicken & Prosciutto Salad - Interesting combination, but good. Seafood Linguine - This was good, generous seafood. See picture. Grilled Kangaroo Fillet - Okay, I believe this is my first time trying kangaroo. And it was AMAZING! Done PERFECTLY, melted in my mouth. Generous portion. We were warned by our friends that if it is not done correctly, it will be rubbery and very chewy. We have had bad kangaroo after this and I agree with our friends. I knew I should have stopped ordering kangaroo after this visit as it was done so well... Special, Pan Roasted Cone Bay Barramundi Fillet - Good and tasted fresh. And a few glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. Good size menu, kids menu, dinner, lunch, breakfast, specials, etc. Atmosphere - Tourist area. Many choices to choose from. Interesting layout, but again this building is from the 1780's. We did not bother checking out the rest of the place. We just stayed in the front of the business, so we could people watch. Table, booth, bar seating. Open 7 days a week from 7:30am to 5pm or 9pm. Service - Good. Price - Expensive but worth it. Expect "tourist" prices. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since the late 1980's. We will be back.

    Gnocchi with mushrooms and truffle oil. Yummy
    Art T.

    Excellent seafood pasta. We substituted penne for the seafood linguine. The gnocchi with mushroom was amazing. A cheap appetizer would be the kid size fish and chips for $15.

    Vanilla latte

    We were in Sydney for 2 1/2 days before beginning our cruise. We found the Rocks on the first day. We walked by on our way to an excursion and noticed how busy they were and decided we had to go back for dinner. The food was outstanding and the staff were beyond impressive. We went back for 2 breakfasts and another dinner. All the staff and managers remembered us each time. You cannot go wrong with eating here.

    Meat special lamb shank shepherds pie and kangaroo filet with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes.

    Delicious food and great service by very attentive staff. We sat outside, lots of families and people watching. The specials were great! My husband had the kangaroo filet and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned.

    Grilled chicken,  steamed rice, and steamed vegetables.
    Blanca M.

    I'd like to thank the owner or manager who greeted us when we were looking at their outside menu. He took his time to find out what we were looking for. I was looking for a healthy meal without oil which is very hard to find and, to my surprise, they were able to cook without oil. He told us that they took great pride in making home cooked meals. As you can see in the picture, my dish looked very beautiful and it was delicious He brought the plate out himself as he wanted to make sure it was done properly. I'm very grateful for the service, and the food ... the ambiance was a nice bonus too.

    Dinner menu
    Richard W.

    Located in the heart of the busy George street in the Rocks section of Sydney Harbor. The bustling nightlife is contagious and even though you know it as a tourist site the food is actually really good. There is a full menu for three squares a day but we arrived during the busy Friday night dinner hour. Despite the crowds, we were seated immediately with orders taken within minutes. Specials of the day (shown on dry erase board): Cauliflower and Leek soup With toasted pane di casa. Lovely cauliflower brew, creamy and well balanced with herbaceous side notes. Pan Roasted Barramundi Filet Marinated artichoke salad, roasted potato, cherry tomato, kalamata olives, big stemmed capers and salsa verde dressing. Filet is soft and tender with a nicely crusted skin. It reminds me so much of ling cod in California. Grilled Kangaroo Filet Mash Potato, buttered spinach and red wine jus. This is a lean, low-flavor red meat - that eats more like a hamburger patty than a steak (especially since I'm used to fatty rib eye). Ordering medium rare is the only sensible option otherwise it would be bone dry. Less gamey than lamb and overall a healthier alternative to fatty cow steak. Seafood Linguini Queensland king prawn, squid, mussels, tomato sauce, chili and parsley. Noodles cooked just right and a nice assortment of seafood. Looked for clams but didn't find any. Truffle Fries with Shredded Parmesan Fat cut chips that are pretty regular - bountiful aroma but dry to the palate. This was the only meh item tonight. The long menu contains a wide variety of beverage choices: coffee, tea, cocktails, wine, beer, fortified and even a liquor coffee section. You really can't go wrong with so many options. That's all...

    Grilled Scotch Steak with potatoes and broccolini
    Charles M.

    Recently had dinner at the Rocks Cafe. It was a really good experience. Food was fresh and tasty. Service was polite and efficient. Atmosphere was very vibrant and lively. We started with the herb crusted bread - yummy! I had the scotch grilled steak and my wife had the stir fry with chicken. Everything was terrific. To top in all off was the cheesecake with strawberries and cream! Our server recommended the cheesecake and it was an excellent choice. I highly recommend this cafe. I plan to go back soon!

    Avocado toast
    Kristi W.

    Great little spot to grab breakfast. Nice outdoor seating, quiet and enjoyable. Service was quick and you pay at the counter when you've finished. The avocado toast was tasty and the grilled halloumi was a nice treat on the side!

    Prawn bruschetta

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    1 year ago

    Great all around. Beautiful views of Harbour and Opera House. Perfect for people watching.

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    2 years ago

    Great food, service, and atmosphere! Stopped in here on my first night in Sydney! Wonderful historic location.

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    2 years ago

    The best coffee I have had in Sydney for a very long time. Popped in on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Easy to order from the table. Thanks.

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    Galileo Restaurant

    Galileo Restaurant

    4.0(3 reviews)
    0.5 kmMillers Point
    $$$$

    Galileo Restaurant sits within the classic Observatory Hotel. The menu is traditional and the decor…read morefeatures old fashioned charm. The restaurant is expertly run by staff who are graceful and possess excellent manners. The French style menu incorporates a fusion of International flavour and has been well received thanks to the restaurant's famous chef. Piano music playing quietly in the background adds to the ambiance, making it an overall enjoyable experience. The restaurant's vibe is warm and relaxing and not overly noisy unlike many restaurants.There's plenty to see at Galileo and the Observatory houses plenty of interesting memorabilia, particularly old posters. The 'attendants' are always at your beck and call, are fast and efficient. It was rather refreshing to have such remarkable service. We arrived 10 minutes late, yet the staff were accommodating and friendly. Customer service is obviously a major priority at Galileo and is nothing short of 5 stars! Galileo is perfect for a special occasion, whether it be an anniversary or birthday. They cater to group bookings and while a little on the pricey side, it is well worth the expenditure. The food is beautifully presented and tastes exceptionally good. Set menus are available for special events. We dined at Galileo as part of the Sydney Food Festival and had a pre organised set menu. All the food was simply divine- I could have inhaled it all! I only wish some vegetables or salad were included with the meal. The wine selection is comforting and with weekly specials available between Tuesday and Thursday, visiting Galileo seems a little more accessible for budget conscious patrons. $60 per person will get you a three course dinner (entree, main and dessert). Galileo is also open for breakfast- something which I am yet to try. Would love to return and sample their breakfast menu. The Observatory Hotel has excellent spa packages- perhaps its time for high tea and a bit of pampering? 2 hour parking is available outside the hotel, otherwise valet parking is an option.

    It's decent for a fancy restaurant, but nothing to write home about. It's priced accordingly for…read morethe ingredients, however lacks much of the quality you'll find at the better restaurants in France and the US. If someone were paying for my meal I'd definitely come back, otherwise probably not. I was pleased but not surprised.

    Esca - Specials Board

    Esca

    2.8(13 reviews)
    2.9 kmGlebe
    $$$

    I had a terrible experience today, enough to never go there and to tell everyone I meet to avoid…read more I was one of the few people left inside as it was near closing. A woman in her 60s came up to order a takeaway coffee from the barista. Over her shoulder, the owner said, "Hey, darlin'." This woman turned to him and said not to call her that. He defensively said, "It's my age. I guarantee you, 99.9% of us would say that." (ironically, she was in the same age category as him) She replied without hesitation: "I'm not offended, it's just not appropriate." and turned back to the counter to await her coffee being made. The owner was standing behind her and went totally silent. YES! I thought. A win for this woman standing up for herself. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS TERRIBLE. As soon as she got her drink and left, he went over to his employee, a young asian guy, and said to him: "If she comes back again, tell her to F*** off." I'm never putting another cent into that man's business, knowing the kind of person he is to other people - including his own customers.

    I love my brunches at Esca. The manager, (maybe owner?) Jim is lovely! Every time I chat with him…read morehe passionately chirps about the menu, what soup they have that day etc. He has polite conversations with the customers making sure they're okay :) coffee is always on par too....today I got a flower in my froth. Packed with locals always and there's a reason. Foods yummy! Specials are always up on the chalkboard. My fav for breakkie is the veggie eggs Benedict but today I'm going with the BALT.

    Photos
    Esca
    Esca - Great wall art

    Great wall art

    Esca - Avocado caprese with smoked salmon

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    Avocado caprese with smoked salmon

    Lola Cocina - Lola cocina coming up with it European and Spanish tapas in north shore .

    Lola Cocina

    3.6(7 reviews)
    3.6 km
    $$$

    Lola Cocina is a cute Spanish tapa bar. They have a phenomenal menu with a wide range of items…read more They have specials during the week which I really want to try. They have small plates, cured meats, cheeses, several kinds of paella, and salads. The sharing platters look amazing, they have a little bit of everything on the platter. We ordered a variety of tapas which were all delicious: Gambas con crema y vino blanco -prawns in a creamy white wine sauce. Delicious and comes with 6 prawns. Need more bread to soak up that creamy goodness. Empanadillas de carne: Spanish pork and chorizo empanada pastry -good Jamón stuffed figs: figs stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in jamon -great Vientre de cerdo: crackling pork belly with cabbage and caramelised apple sauce -good Croquetas de manchego: croquettes filled with manchego cheese -great For the main course we ordered: Paella Serrano: chicken, pork, and chicken chorizo, green peas, and sofrito. -highly recommend Churros and chocolates for dessert! Yumm Everything was delicious and the drinks were also tasty. The watermelon mojito is a must try. The service and ambiance were lovely. I would definitely go back. It's also BYO which I wasn't aware of!

    We were looking forward to eating the paella but we were disappointed. Their traditional sangria…read morewasn't the best and we wouldn't order it again if we came back. On the other hand, the customer service was amazing as well as the tapas.

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    Lola Cocina
    Lola Cocina - Dessert

    Dessert

    Lola Cocina

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    The Rocks Cafe - modern_australian - Updated May 2026

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