Indulge in sublime fine dining in Sydney and take your taste buds on the road to discover dazzling destination dining experiences across the state. Pair these culinary delights with equally atmospheric stays and you have the ingredients for the ultimate gourmet holiday.
Get a bird’s-eye view of Bondi at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Sydney
Drink in the views of Australia’s most photographed stretch of sand along with an expertly crafted cocktail at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, perched above historic ocean baths at the southern end of Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Taste for yourself how restauranteur Maurice Terzini’s heritage inspires a modern Italian menu elevated by the freshest Australian produce available, from sustainable seafood to hints of native ingredients. Ease deeper into holiday mode at QT Bondi, a boutique hotel that plays up to its seaside location with bright pops of colour and fun, beachy furnishings.
Celebrate a special occasion at Bennelong in Sydney
Get a buzz dining inside an Australian icon at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House. Admire the intricate concrete bones of the building’s vaulted ‘sails’ as you peruse the modern Australian menu by renowned Australian chef Peter Gilmore. Save room for desserts that feature a fabulous, fine-dining spin on Aussie favourites such as the humble lamington. Enjoy the glittering harbour views for longer by staying at one of the neighbouring Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour’s chic one- and two-bedroom garden-view and harbour-view luxury apartment-style suites.
Embrace fermented flavours at Sixpenny in Sydney
Step through the doors of an unassuming terrace house in Stanmore, in Sydney’s inner west, and into one of NSW’s most coveted degustation experiences at Sixpenny. Indulge in fresh and innovative flavours driven by fermentation that dance on your palate long after you have finished dessert. Strap in for a culinary adventure and opt for wine pairings hand-picked from small artisanal producers. Then retire to the comforts of the urban-chic Old Clare Hotel, a 10-minute drive away in Chippendale, which also wows with its multitude of facilities, including a sparkling rooftop pool.
Recharge and refuel at Ates in the Blue Mountains
Relax after an invigorating day of bushwalking through the Blue Mountains at Ates in Blackheath, where the 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven (Ates means ‘fire’ in Ottoman Turkish) invites you to unwind and feast on contemporary share plates and fun wines with all your senses. Tuck into charcoal-grilled fish and wood-roasted dishes from the a la carte menu, or prep your appetite for the chef’s banquet for carnivores or vegetarians. Drift off to sleep as you recall each morsel of your memorable meal in a stylish suite at nearby Kyah boutique hotel, where fresh mountain air collides with Palm Springs-inspired design.
Lean into the theatrics at Muse Restaurant in the Hunter Valley
Prepare to be just as dazzled by the presentation as you are by the flavours of the refined contemporary dishes served up at Muse Restaurant in the Hunter Valley, a two-hour drive north from Sydney. Observe how the relaxed elegance of the moody restaurant at Hungerford Hill winery allows head chef Troy Rhoades-Brown’s creative yet unfussy seasonal creations to shine as you sit back and enjoy each act. Retreat to the nearby Spicers Guesthouse to soak up its modern farmhouse ambience, heart-warming hospitality and the convenience of the region’s top cellar doors within easy reach.
Make a grand entrance at Printhie Dining in Orange
Seize the opportunity to travel to one of the newest restaurants in the Country NSW wine region of Orange by helicopter. It’s just one of several memorable experiences you can add to a decadent meal at Printhie Dining, where considered Printhie Wines pairings elevate each beautifully plated dish you savour in the estate’s sophisticated restaurant. Feel right at home at the welcoming Byng Street Boutique Hotel in Orange, just a 10-minute drive from the estate, which combines the history of an original homestead with contemporary furnishings.
Dine like the stars at Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay
Take your seat at the intimate, light-filled Dining Room at Raes on Wategos, overlooking the most exclusive beach in Byron Bay on the North Coast. Dive into the Mediterranean-inspired three-course menu, or treat yourself to executive chef Jason Saxby’s thoughtfully curated tasting menu (vegetarian and vegan menu available) and settle in for the afternoon. Afterwards, it’s only steps to your suite or penthouse in the Spanish mission-style boutique hotel. Revel in the exclusivity of an early beach swim at Wategos Beach before the crowds arrive the following morning.
Relish amazing local produce at Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah
Discover the delicious bounty harvested from the fertile fields and waterways of the Northern Rivers region at Bistro Livi, a popular neighbourhood restaurant in Murwillumbah, a 45-minute drive from Byron Bay. Bond over shared plates featuring freshly caught seafood — depending on the day’s catch you might find Ballina pipis with XO sauce or Pottsville spanner crab on the Spanish-influenced menu — as you admire the Art Deco architecture of the Murwillumbah’s M|Arts Precinct. Fortify yourself with one of the restaurant’s rich desserts before you begin the 30-minute drive to your luxe private glasshouse at Avion Retreat, in the foothills of the Tweed Valley.
Slurp oysters to your heart’s delight at Bangalay Dining in Shoalhaven Heads
Taste the NSW South Coast on a plate at luxuriously relaxed Bangalay Dining, nestled in the sand dunes at Shoalhaven Heads, a two-hour drive south of Sydney. Connect with the coast on a whole new level as you savour plump local oysters before sinking your teeth into a rack of local lamb. Or allow executive chef Simon Evans and his team to delight you with a sumptuous dinnertime tasting menu before you retire for the night with a smile on your face at the attached Bangalay Luxury Villas, which offers 16 stylish self-contained one- and two-bedroom villas (and a four-bedroom holiday house).
Lap up island-style dining at Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island
Be astonished by the diversity of the culinary bounty of Lord Howe Island, a two-hour flight from Sydney, on a stay at Capella Lodge, spectacularly situated at the secluded southern end of the tiny island. Top off days exploring Lord Howe’s mesmerising landscapes with a daily-changing three-course celebration of island produce, from fresh kingfish sashimi to grass-fed beef, complemented by homegrown delights from the lodge’s own kitchen garden. Savour the exclusivity of the setting along with the cuisine, as the lodge’s restaurant is open only to guests of its nine luxurious suites.
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