Subscribe 
Sydney’s Best Waterfront Restaurants for a Scenic Bite
For a delicious meal with a side of water views, these are the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney to dine at.
The best waterfront restaurants in Sydney include Pilu at Freshwater for Sardinian cooking above Freshwater Beach, Icebergs in Bondi Beach for regional Italian with ocean views, and Whalebridge at Circular Quay for French classics facing the Opera House. Further out, The Joey in Palm Beach and Bobby’s in Cronulla bring seafood-led menus to the water’s edge. These are the spots our editors return to when the view matters as much as the menu.
Best Waterfront Restaurants on the Northern Beaches
Pilu at Freshwater
One of the only authentic Sardinian restaurants in Sydney, Pilu at Freshwater certainly has a reputation to uphold, and Chef Giovanni Pilu and his wife Marilyn Annecchinni, never disappoint. Aside from the mouth-watering menu, which includes degustation’s and an impressive wine list, Pilu’s panoramic view of Freshwater Beach alone is worth booking a table for.
Suburb: Freshwater
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
Felons Seafood
Brisbane-based Artemus Group — the team behind Felons Brewing Co — has reimagined the iconic Manly Wharf, offering a fresh seafood-focused dining experience that harmoniously blends modern Australian cuisine with the relaxed charm of the Northern Beaches.
Helmed by former Rockpool Bar & Grill culinary director Corey Costelloe, Felons Seafood showcases a menu that celebrates locally sourced produce and bold flavours, including some seafood offerings that aren’t widely known.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront, Group dining
The Joey
If it’s waterside you want, it’s waterside you get at The Joey. Located right on the Pittwater, this Northern Beaches favourite is housed within the lovingly restored heritage Barrenjoey Boatshed. A nautical colour palette sets the scene whilst large windows and lush gardens make the most of the scenic spot.
Multiple spaces allow for varied dining experiences from the relaxed ‘The Jetty Bar’ to the casual Garden Bar and the elegant Dining Room & Bar. As for eats, you can expect the freshest Australian seafood cooked up with premium seasonal accompaniments alongside a drinks list packed with Australian-made spirits.
Suburb: Palm Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Long lunch, Waterfront, Group dining
Manly Pavilion
A dazzling location doesn’t get much better than the Boathouse Group’s Manly Pavilion. The interiors have been decked out in the trademark Boathouse style — think bright and bold wallpaper, shell mirrors, floating glass buoys, fresh flowers galore, and crab baskets — which creates an uplifting, coastal, beach-like atmosphere. While the inside is a visual feast for the eyes, the outside terrace is just as special for drinks and a bite to eat thanks to its magical views of Manly Harbour.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Waterfront, Group dining, Long lunch
Need To Know: Daily happy hour from 4-6pm, perfect for sunset drinks!
Pasadena Sydney
There’s a reason so many couples choose to tie the knot at Pasadena. The views are nothing short of incredible. Pasadena Sydney lets you enjoy this iconic view Wednesday through to Sunday. Right on the edge of Church Point, you can soak up sweeping views of the Pittwater whilst sipping on a coconut margy. It doesn’t get better. As for food, you can look forward to a range of seasonal mains, fresh oysters and pizza.
Suburb: Church Point
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
Need To Know: Only open Wednesday – Sunday
Dunes Palm Beach
If holiday vibes are what you’re channelling for your waterside feast, head straight to Dunes. Located on the laidback Palm Beach, the scene is set with luxe coastal decor and a seafood-heavy menu paired with fresh spritz and cold glasses of wine.
Suburb: Palm Beach
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Group dining
Best Beachside Restaurants in Bondi
Etheus
Come for a fire-cooked feast at Etheus and we promise you’ll leave with more than you bargained for! Located right on the beach within Bondi Pavilion, you can soak up the beach views from the veranda or enjoy the ambience indoors, from the dining room or one of two private spaces.
Expect a fire-led menu with modern takes on Greek classics, like garlic, oregano and lemon braised lamb shoulder and stuffed peppers, ground beef and avgolemono. As for drinks, cocktails with a Greek spin take centre stage as well as beach classics.
Suburb: Bondi Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Greek
Best For: Long lunch, Group dining
Icebergs
Another Bondi classic, there are few oceanfront views more iconic than this. Perfectly placed to take advantage of Bondi’s delicious sea air, the Dining Room offers an evolving menu based on regional Italian cuisine. Seasonal cured meats are available alongside antipasti, and the kangaroo agnolotti. The Icebergs tasting menu is a safe option if missing out just isn’t going to work for you.
Suburb: Bondi Beach
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian, Modern Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
North Bondi Fish
There’s nothing that screams ‘Sydney’ more than sparkling sea views paired with incredible seafood, and North Bondi Fish delivers on all fronts. The interior is bright and airy, and the clientele is hip yet relaxed – so you and your crew will fit right in.
Suburb: Bondi Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Long lunch, Waterfront
Best Harbourside Restaurants in Sydney
St Siandra
How does Seven spice Moreton Bay Bugs, “en brochette” skewers of Clarence River baby octopus and Skull Island tiger prawns washed down with spritzes on tap sound? Oh, and did we mention your own private beach to enjoy them? St Siandra is located right on The Spit on Sydney’s North Shore and serves up some of the best seafood and Mediterranean-inspired bites in town.
Suburb: Mosman
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
China Doll
Inventive dishes with a modern take on the culinary traditions of Hong Kong, Japan and Southeast Asia, China Doll is a firm waterside favourite. China Doll covers all the classics including steamed prawn dumplings, duck pancakes and Penang slow braised wagyu beef shin curry. Banquet menus offer mouth-watering share plates, including steamed scallops, crispy pork belly and corn and zucchini cakes.
Suburb: Woolloomooloo
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
Whalebridge
For unrivalled harbour views (Opera House and Harbour Bridge included) head to Whalebridge for a French feast. This dreamy restaurant is proof that killer views can be rivalled by an incredible menu. Watch the ferries go by as you sup on French onion soup and steak frites.
Suburb: Circular Quay
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: French
Best For: Special occasion, Waterfront
Catalina Rose Bay
Perched on the waters of glimmering Rose Bay, Catalina has been serving impeccable cuisine to the well-to-do since 1994. An extensive (and awarded) wine list is teamed expertly alongside a healthy smattering of cocktails while freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters keep the seafood-smitten happy.
Suburb: Rose Bay
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
Best Waterfront Restaurant in the Sutherland Shire
Bobby’s
Just steps away from Cronulla Beach lies this Mediterranean-led seafood restaurant brimming with both style and substance. There’s a little something for everyone at Bobby’s with an all-day coffee cart offering coffee by morning and spritzes at sunset, a restaurant for long lunching and a beach club perfect for a cocktail and snacks.
What can you expect on the food front? Think brioche prawn rolls, Cantabrian anchovies on toast, ocean trout crudo and a very special lemon tiramisu, all cooked up by Executive chef Pablo Tordesillas (ex-executive chef Otto & Totti’s) and head chef Shaun Baker (Pier, Yan Restaurant, Bills Restaurants). As for drinks, the focus is on Mediterranean wines and light and fresh cocktails.
Suburb: Cronulla
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Special occasion, Long lunch, Waterfront
FAQs
For classic harbour views, Whalebridge at Circular Quay takes in both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with a French menu of dishes like French onion soup and steak frites to match. Catalina has been a Rose Bay fixture since 1994, pairing its position on the water with freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and an awarded wine list. China Doll in Woolloomooloo rounds out the harbourside picks, with a menu drawing on Hong Kong, Japanese and Southeast Asian traditions, including steamed prawn dumplings and banquet menus built for sharing.
For a milestone meal, Icebergs Dining Room in Bondi Beach is hard to go past, with a regional Italian menu of seasonal cured meats, antipasti and kangaroo agnolotti, plus a tasting menu for those who want to try everything. Pilu at Freshwater offers Chef Giovanni Pilu’s degustation menus and a strong wine list, all overlooking Freshwater Beach. For a special occasion with holiday energy, Dunes in Palm Beach pairs luxe coastal decor with a seafood-heavy menu, spritzes and cold glasses of wine, making it worth the drive north.
Most of Sydney’s waterfront restaurants suit a long lunch, but a few are built for it. Bobby’s in Cronulla has a dedicated restaurant for long lunching alongside a beach club, with a Mediterranean-led menu of brioche prawn rolls, ocean trout crudo and lemon tiramisu. The Joey in Palm Beach sits in the restored Barrenjoey Boatshed on the Pittwater, with spaces ranging from a relaxed jetty bar to a more formal dining room. Pasadena Sydney at Church Point adds sweeping Pittwater views, oysters, seasonal mains and pizza, open Wednesday to Sunday.
Manly’s waterfront has two standouts. Felons Seafood occupies Manly Wharf, where former Rockpool Bar & Grill culinary director Corey Costelloe leads a menu built on locally sourced produce, including some lesser-known seafood. Manly Pavilion, from the Boathouse Group, pairs coastal interiors of shell mirrors, glass buoys and bold wallpaper with an outdoor terrace overlooking Manly Harbour, which works well for drinks or a lighter bite. For something more special, Pilu at Freshwater is just north of Manly, serving Sardinian cooking and degustation menus with panoramic views over Freshwater Beach.
Waterfront dining in Sydney doesn’t have to mean fine dining prices. Several of the city’s best water-facing spots sit in the mid-range, around $30 to $70 per person. North Bondi Fish pairs sea views with a seafood menu in a bright, relaxed room that suits a casual catch-up. St Siandra on The Spit in Mosman serves Moreton Bay bugs and tiger prawns with spritzes on tap beside its own private beach. Nearby in Bondi, Etheus at Bondi Pavilion offers a fire-led Greek menu, six non-alcoholic cocktails and a dedicated vegan menu.
Loved our pick of the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney and looking for more dining inspo? Head straight to our full guide to the Best Restaurants in Sydney, or to our guide to the Best Restaurants on the Northern Beaches for more!
