The Best Restaurants in Woolloomooloo for a Harbourside Meal

On the fringe of the city, lies Woolloomooloo — a petite suburb with an incredible dining scene. Stylish yet unpretentious, Woolloomooloo is a harbourside suburb proud of its working past and renowned for its focus on the arts and a thriving dining scene. The heritage-listed Finger Wharf is now home to award-winning restaurants, bars and hotels. 

This pretty pocket of Sydney is bustling every day of the week — whether you want a casual work lunch, a decadent degustation, or a celebratory meal. Read on for our edit of the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo.

Akti

There’s a new reason to stroll down Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf, and its name is Akti. Taking over the landmark harbourside space formerly home to Manta, this elegant new Greek restaurant is a modern homage to heritage.

From the Sydney Restaurant Group, Akti is helmed by celebrated Greek chef Ntinos Fotinakis (Bungalow 7, Athens) and Robert Judd (Hellenika, SK Steak & Oyster), who are bringing their flair for refined Greek flavours to the waterfront. The menu is playful yet reverent — think traditional dishes reimagined with a twist: giouvarlakia transformed into a raw fish creation, moussaka croquettes, and galaktoboureko reinvented as an “Athenian Mess,” theatrically finished tableside.

There’s a strong focus on Australian seafood, paired with curated Greek wines and boundary-pushing cocktails like a tzatziki-inspired mix or a savoury martini featuring kalamata olives and EVOO. The interiors, decked in sunset tones of plum and ivory, channel the relaxed elegance of an Aegean holiday. Whether you settle in for a long lunch or sip meze at the Baraki, Akti promises wholehearted hospitality, done the Greek way

6 Cowper Street Wharf, Woolloomooloo

Arturo’s

Arturo’s Mediterranean-style menu celebrates Australian produce. A mix of small plates including scallops, Sydney rock oysters, halloumi, burrata and lobster rolls will get you started, whilst shared mains — including a 12-hour Braised Lamb Shoulder with oregano, lemon and garlic and a 1kg steak — will take you further. 

Once your belly is full, head on upstairs to Arturo’s rooftop bar, an oasis overlooking the city skyline, where you can enjoy more share plates or let the house mixologist mix you up a signature martini.

2 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo

Bistro Fitz

In the backstreets of Woolloomooloo, The Old Fitzroy is steeped in history. Affectionately known as ‘The Fitz,’ the pub has been around for over 100 years, and has Australia’s only pub theatre, which seats 60 people. 

The bistro menu is French-inspired and features the likes of pomme anna with tarama and anchovy, duck croquette with hot sauce and beetroot and pickled walnut salad. 

Most of the bistro menu can also be enjoyed in the pub downstairs or alfresco on the tables on the street where you can watch the world go by.

As for the pub-exclusive menu, you can look forward to mussels on toast with celery and aioli, gnocchi Parisienne with mushrooms and parmesan custards and a Wagyu cheeseburger with frites. 

The Old Fitz, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo

China Doll

As far as the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo go, China Doll is the dazzling A-list eatery that every Sydneysider needs to dine at least once in their lifetime. With its prime position on Woolloomooloo Wharf, this elegant institution is famous for its pan-Asian menu.

It’s designed for sharing, so feast on dumplings, Peking duck, crispy pork belly with chilli caramel and Asian greens. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity spotting!

4/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

OTTO

Wander further down the Woolloomooloo Wharf, and you’ll reach OTTO — a fine-dining Italian restaurant overlooking the water. The menu changes seasonally but expertly combines Italian flavours with fresh produce.

Helmed by Head Chef Richard Ptacnik you can expect dishes like perfectly al dente saffron linguine with Moreton Bay Bugs or local fish of the day served simply with dill and caper sauce. 

8/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Bar Woolloomooloo

Situated within Ovolo Woolloomooloo, this modern restaurant and bar ticks all the fussy foodie boxes. The food menu is full of tried and tested classic dishes that pair well with their wines by the glass.

If you’re stopping by for nibbles, the antipasto share platter for 2 should do the trick, with cold meats, grilled vegetables, olives and bread. 

Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Kingsleys Woolloomooloo

Sometimes, all you need is a good steak. That’s where Kingsleys comes in. Specialising in seafood and premium steaks, the restaurant is a meat-lovers heaven — with crustacean lovers also very well catered to.

For the best of both worlds, start with the Alaskan King crab legs before moving on to the black Angus eye fillet. The amazing food is matched by the equally impressive harbourside views thanks to its prime location on the iconic Finger Wharf. 

10/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Now you’ve finished eating your way through the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo, why not check out our round-up of the best cafes in Paddington? If you’re looking for date night inspo, check out our edit of the most romantic restaurants in Sydney.