Bennelong

The location of the restaurant is unparalleled being on the forecourt of the Opera House and with stupendous views through its extraordinary windows. Access is a little tricky as you need to enter the Opera House to find the dedicated restaurant entrance. The roofless lift is fun! Once you enter you are blown away by the superb architecture and soaring windows. Staff are wonderful and helpful. Bathrooms outside the restaurant in the foyer. The food is great. It is not cheap by any means and perhaps even overpriced but you are paying for an experience and it one you won’t get anywhere else. Great range of food and the cellar is broad and of high quality. A lovely experience for a special occasion.

The service was outstanding, attentive, and warm, which really elevated the experience. On the food side, however, there were some disappointments. The mud crab noodle, while beautifully presented, unfortunately contained shells, which took away from the enjoyment. Staff were apologetic and comped a free wine. Pieces of the potato salad also arrived undercooked and was quite raw in texture. Overall, this is a venue worth visiting for the views and exceptional service, though I hope the kitchen can refine some of the dishes to match the quality and price of everything else.

My husband and I enjoyed every part of our dining experience here. It made his birthday so memorable. He even got a mini cake with a candle! The staff went above and beyond with their service. The atmosphere within the Sydney Opera House was something that was definitely mesmerising, especially on the last night of VIVID. The highlight definitely was the dessert. It was so refreshing and delicious. We would definitely visit again!

Came for the Vivid experience and was super pleased with everything from the service to the good to the amazing views and atmosphere. Well worth the price tag for those special occasions. It's a very well-staffed establishment and they were very attentive to all the details and were prompt in checking in at each stage. Food was excellent and perfectly portioned as part of the menu. Presentation erred on the side of simplicity but the flavour was anything but. Definitely recommend booking ahead to get the best seats of the house!

From the moment we arrived, we were treated with such warmth and professionalism. Our waiter, Clementine, was incredibly helpful, friendly, and attentive throughout the evening—she made us feel truly welcome. The entrees were absolutely delightful, bursting with flavour and beautifully presented. The beef dishes, in particular, were marvellous—cooked to perfection and rich in taste. The ambience of the restaurant is warm and sophisticated, with stunning views that elevate the entire experience. A special mention to the concierge and a waiter, who took some wonderful photos of us during our visit—truly thoughtful touches that made the night even more memorable. Highly recommend Bennelong for anyone looking for a world-class dining experience in Sydney. We’ll definitely be back!

Staff were so friendly and hospitable! We went there with our bub, and all the staff made so much effort to make us feel comfortable and welcomed. Food presentation was amazing!!! The pork ribs were nicely cooked and tasted really good! Highly recommend. Fish also fresh however I would recommend trying something else on their menu next time. Desserts had lovely presentation. Nice view and interior decors. Thanks for the lovely lunch! And thanks to Julia Xu for helping with my reservation and bub.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Amazing Vivid Experience! We had a fantastic experience dining here during Vivid. The special Vivid menu was not only delicious but also very filling. The staff were all professional, friendly, and attentive. We celebrated the birthday here and was pleasantly surprised with a thoughtful birthday wish and a small cake — such a lovely touch! The best part? We were given a table with an incredible view, even though we didn’t book super early like we usually do. It truly turned out to be a wonderful fine dining experience. Highly recommended!

Such a fabulous place! Everything about it was amazing. Great food, fabulous service, superb location. Highly recommend. The beetroot and feta starter was amazing; the beef lovely; and the pavlova a work of art. Incredible service from Daniel (manager) and his team - including a wonderful French lady who explained the menu, took our order, and created a wonderful mood. Beautiful views of the Harbour Bridge; a really great vibe; and wonderful food. We will definitely go back, and would highly recommend it for a special night out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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).

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!!

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

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.

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

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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!

@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.

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?

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!

Was this the BEST meal I've ever had? Probably not. But how often do you have an opportunity to have a lovely meal with great service in a famous landmark on the other side of the world?! And the food was pretty dang tasty! For those who are even thinking of coming here and are not local to the area, book your table here before you book your other plans! They have very limited availability so snagging a table early on is your best bet. Keep in mind that the restaurant only appears to serve fixed price menu, so for travelers, make sure you have enough AUD or a good travel card you can use. As there were no dinner reservations available, we booked a Sunday lunch reservation about a month out. The restaurant space is just simply stunning. In the main dining room, there are curved and angular floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the water and the Harbour Bridge. The furniture and seating itself is very simplistic, but there were ornate pillars and ceiling fixtures at every corner. From the moment we were seated, the service was very attentive. Water and drink refills were frequent, with someone always checking in on us. The menu had a variety of meat and seafood options, with an option to go for a 2 or 3 course meal at lunch - choosing one item from entrees, mains, and desserts. We ended up going for one 2 course and one 3 course, with a dessert to share between the two of us. From plating, to aroma, to tableside finishes, everything was done to perfection. What we ordered from the April 2017 menu: Entrees: grilled tasmanian octopus, royal red prawns and broth of rock cod --- BOTH absolutely divine and great choices for seafood lovers. The octopus was tender and flavorful with very complimentary sides, and the prawns with the broth was enveloped with the taste of the sea without all the fishiness. Mains: steamed cod with sea scallop and congee, grass fed lamb with onions, eggplant cream, and capers --- The lamb was tender and actually tasted like a hybrid of lamb and beef. This cod with sea scallop was definitely an Asian-inspired dish. When reading from the menu, I had envisioned that the scallops would be separate from the cod. Instead, it was baked onto the cod with slivers of scallops underneath. Ultimately, it was all steamed, so it was missing that scallop sear and some of the texture which I thought I would be getting. Dessert: pavlova --- because when in Australia, you get the dessert that originated (maybe?) there! The most spectacular part of this dish was the presentation - delicate marshmallow'd meringue with slivers of sails resembling the Opera House. The marshmallow, meringue, and passion fruit filling was all the same consistency, so it definitely left something to be desired texture-wise, but that was to be expected for a pavlova. We had a peek of the chocolate cake at the table next to us, which looked like a great option. The meal also came with complimentary bread and house-churned butter to start, and sides of buttered potatoes and dressed greens with the mains. Simple and satisfying. A 10/10 experience and a must-do when visiting Sydney if you have the time and the money for a nice splurge!

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

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!

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

My first visit to Bennelong saw me dine here at lunchtime on a busy Saturday afternoon. What a wonderful experience I had! From the moment I was seated to the time I left I was treated extremely respectfully, by gracious and friendly staff, the food was nothing short of exquisite and the views overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay are spectacular! Located on the first floor of the Sydney Opera House, this is one restaurant that should be on everyone's "to do" list! I know that I shall certainly be returning again! I can't thank the staff enough for making my visit as pleasant as it was, and my compliments must definitely go to the kitchen staff for preparing such magnificent food! Three cheers for Bennelong - may she long prosper!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bennelong's location in the Sydney Opera House creates an atmosphere that is truly tough to beat. The soaring space and captivating views leave a lasting impression. Though spots like this often conjure memories of past tourist traps, Bennelong is highly regarded and recognized as a hated venue. The cuisine truly delivers, as we found dishes to be tasty and beautifully presented. A solid cocktail and wine list compliment. Bennelong is a must visit restaurant in Sydney. Atmosphere: - Magical space amidst incredible architecture, gigantic windows unto the harbor, and intimate lighting. - Nearly every seat provides clear views outside. - While upscale, the space is not stuffy. - Smart casual dress seems appropriate, though formal dress is not out of place. Food In the main space, diners are served a three course a la carte menu (145 AUD). The modern Australian menu tends to skew heavily toward seafood in entrees (only one vegetarian and no meat selections), while mains lean the other way. We found the food to be of very high quality in both taste and presentation. We enjoyed: -Slow Cooked Pork Belly (southern squid, pea greens, smoked broth, kombu crackling): Quite unique and delicious. -Salad of Spring Peas (stracciatella, smoked almonds, rye crumble, asparagus & tomato chutney): Great presentation, but the peas were actually least prominent ingredient. Could have used some bolder flavors. -Confit of Maremma Duck (kumquat & kampot pepper marmalade, slow cooked carrots, nasturtiums): Amazing! Executed perfectly, duck and perfect temperature and kumquat marmalade was stunningly balanced. Great presentation. Must order! - Roast Wagyu Rump Cap (cipollini & buckwheat pudding, horseradish emulsion): Ordered on waitress's recommendation. More simplistic and classic in concept, but flavorful and with a few twists. Nicely done. - Cherry Jam Lamington: Sumptuous texture and delicious cherry flavor, nice treat to conclude. - Australian Cheese: While the selections were solid, presentation lacked with no accompaniments other than crackers, some of which were not conducive. Beverage Interesting selection of cocktails, though some are at the higher end price-wise. The Worlds Apart (calle 23 blanco tequila, mezcal, campari, elderflower, lime, mandarin - 24 AUD) was balanced and refreshing with a classic flavor profile, while the Top The Cherry (yoshinogawa yuzu, cherry heering, mirabelle xocolatl mole bitters, sparkling wine - 24 AUD) had more exotic flavors that may not appeal to some. Wine list has an array of worldly options across price points, including a number of higher end options also proliferate. We liked our 2013 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz (143 AUD). With dessert and cheese, the Rockford P.S. Marion Tawny (19 AUD) was a solid selection. Service -Waitress and mister d' were both personable and welcoming. Table service was generally good, but with occasional lags toward the end. -Somm seemed miffed we did not consult him in our selection and basically served our wines all night without a word uttered. Odd.

Went there for my bday. Service is really nice. Food to be honest not so impressive. They all looked gorgeous but tasted average. Was a lil below my expectation being told it's one of the best in Sydney. Sf still does a lil better I think. But the view and surrounding is absolutely worth the time and money.

Nice service, nice food, and nice ambience but all within expectation. Overall you do leave pretty satisfied so all in all a good experience. The entrees were quite nice and I did enjoy the pumpkin, however surprisingly the pig belly was not as exciting. The seeds and grains provided a contrast to the soft pumpkin which made a winning combo, but I would have liked more pumpkin less grains. Mains were definitely the highlight with the fish and beef being enjoyed by us both. I can't comment much on the beef but apparently it pulls away so easily and melts in your mouth. Safe to say it was a hit. I found the fish to be equally as delightful in a delicious broth but it did have fish bone despite meaning to be boneless. Even the sides were great and easily demolished. No plate left the table without being completely cleared first. As much as the desserts are probably their most well-known, neither of us have much of a sweet tooth so unfortunately it wasn't as enjoyable as the entrée or main. The pavlova is something that you should definitely try at least once. So pretty and quite nice but was just slightly too sweet for us. If you love sweet things or desserts in general, you will most likely be a huge fan! The lamington was probably more to our liking but very rich. Both mocktails, tea-groni and pink grapefruit spritzer, were delicious also! The spritzer was intense with a strong grapefruit flavour which was awesome, and the tea-groni was more sweet but equally as good.

Everything was perfect from Start to finish. The Staff were so professional with a personal friendly touch. We requested a table by the window and got one of the best on offer. It was smiles all round as we were offered a wonderful selection of drinks to choose from. As time went on smiles turned into lots of laughs and heaps of fun as the banter rolled along. Then the reason for the afternoon ....... fun memories and great food ..... and it just got better. I'm not going to spoil anything involving food as I feel it maybe a seasonal offering as well ...... but the choices on offer were impressive, the presentation was superb and finished with such delicate flavors that make you feel like you never tasted anything like it. To enjoy, immerse yourself in a deep culinary adventure will cost a few dollars ....... we were carried away in the moment and had to laugh when the bill finally arrived 3 hours later. So be prepared and don't hold back ....... you work hard ..... you need to enjoy all the wonderful things life has to offer ....... and the Bennelong will not disappoint.

We came here for our mum's birthday. It was an exquisite meal in a special location. Although it was a bit noisy we enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. They offer a 3 course menu for $130 which includes complimentary sides for dinner. The plating of the food are like works of art. The flavours were amazing too. Highlights of our meals included the Butter Poached Quail which was melt in the mouth and the macadamia added an interesting taste and texture to the dish. The Macleay Valley Suckling Pig was so tender and all the components of the dish went well together. It was time for dessert and wow! They first brought out a birthday cupcake with a candle for mum. It was a thoughtful touch and noticed quite a few tables celebrating birthdays tonight. All three plates looked fantastic. We were not disappointed by any of them. The Pavlova looked like the sails of the Opera House and was soft and fluffy. The Cherry Jam Lamington was a sight to behold with the plumes of smoke surrounding it when brought out. The coconut shards are beautiful and melt in the mouth. The cake was wonderful. Creme Caramel Vs Mille-Feuille was an explosion of different textures and flavours. It was the creaminess of the creme caramel, the crunch of the shards of caramel, and the coolness of the ice cream. Service was friendly and the waiters all wished our mum a happy birthday.

The views are unsurprisingly stunning. The architecture on the inside of the restaurant is just as intriguing as the outside. The service was amazing as expected A must do if you're in Sydney.

This was the highlight of our dining in Sydney. Simply a magical environment with amazing food and ambience. We were seated and then greeted by the sommelier, who provided a solid wine recommendation. There was a long delay before tracking down a server, but the ambience was so incredible that we didn't care and were happy to sit there enjoying our wine! Once we found our server, he apologized profusely (I don't believe it was his fault) and the service was very attentive from that point on. Standout dishes for me were the yellowfin sashimi and wagyu rump cap. However, there were so many intriguing options that if we would have had another night left we probably would have tried to go back again! Truly a special experience and we would not miss if we were to visit Sydney again!

There is no getting away from it.. this is a pricy place to eat. But the food is worth every cent. The wine list is very expensive but, again, comes to you with care knowledge and enthusiasm. You know you are in good hands when you ask for a "bold" Shiraz to compliment your choice of mains and they nail it straight away. The location and vista is awesome. Staff were friendly, knowledgable and approachable.

Went to Bennelong on a Monday night. This place is amazing inside the opera house and the view on the Harbour bridge is beautiful. The service was just lovely, extremely attentive and friendly. The food was also really good. I was a bit disappointed by my dessert, the famous pavlova, in the shape of the opera, I found it a bit cloying and yet, I'm a sweet tooth. Apart from that, we had a really good time.

This place falls short of five stars for a couple of reasons that I will get into details later. The setting and decor is dramatic and dimly lit they have large viewing windows. We dined here as a party of four (including our kids) for pre theater dinner. We ordered from their two course menu and kids from their kids menu. My fish dish was not expertly prepared it was overcooked and dry. Our meal comes with desserts. It took the wait staff a very long time to clear our dishes after we were done and to wait for the desserts. I was watching my time closely as the wait staff did not seem to value our sense of time and urgency to make the opera performance in time. I decided to step out and check in our large bags at the opera coat check to save time. Alas I did not get time to enjoy my dessert. Next time think twice before paying $$$$ for slow service and mediocre food before a performance.