Cafe Sydney

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Beautiful location, spectacular views and gorgeous decor. We had lunch here in the private dining room. Sydney put on its best weather for us too! The staff are friendly and service orientated with no attitude. The entree of wagyu carpaccio was amazing and a stand out for me. I will definitely be heading back there soon!

Jul 19, 2010 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     

One of the best meals of my life! I went here for a special occasion and it didn't disappoint. The entree was one of the best things I've ever tasted and the service was outstanding. We requested a good table and we got one of the best in the house. The complimentary pashminas for the outside guests was a nice touch when it got a bit windy (it was January). The price wasn't as high as I'd feared (about $100 a head) but it really was fine dining.

Jul 08, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Ate here recently with a friend, on a whim. Early arrival (6 pm) and we met with two delightful woman at front of house who accommodated us in the wonderful outdoor dining area overlooking the Bridge, under the warm glow of a patio heater. Blankets are also provided, a nice touch.

You get what you pay for here, wonderfully presented, well balanced flavours, with the touch of difference you expect. The goat's cheese on my vegetarian entree was superb and balanced with a quite sweet cabernet reduction. For mains, the gnocchi was ever so slightly saltier than I prefer, but executed well. Dessert of banana tart was lovely, with caramelised banana sugars, and a not too sweet caramel sauce.

My only issue was with the quite good, but very heavily priced wine selection. I'm happy to pay the 100% premium on bottles of wine, but there were several brands with which I am very familiar that were grossly overpriced. Staff and timing was impeccable, part of the reason one chooses high-end dining.

Jun 18, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  5     

A good friend from London calls this his most favourite restaurant in Sydney. And based on his call, he invited us there to sample their wares.

We met at sunset, and luckily we were on the terrace. It's quite deceiving, as you think you mightn't get any view. But once you walk through the dark surrounds of the inner entrance of Cafe Sydney, we were welcomed to the terrace and the over surrounds of Circular Quay. The view is breathtaking for dinner, or even for breakfast. Wine was ordered.

The food itself was pretty bloody good. Steaks were chargrilled to near perfection, but order sides, they offer no more than the menu suggests. For three people we easily went through three bottles of wine from their extensive list which cost 3 times if not more what you would pay from the cellar door. It sounds strange but their fries were awesome, as they should be for a five star establishment.

Foresaking dessert we went for the cheese plate, which was your selection whilst also enticed with your also selection of wine to match. Overall, it's damn expensive. You will eat great, if not fabulous food where at times you think you could cook this yourself at home.

But the overall experience, the waiter at the ready, the nice designer soap to wash your hands in the dark washrooms to even the music sailing plainly through the premise, it is a very special place to celebrate a birthday or take international visitors. They have it way over any Circular Quay offer.

It mightn't be for you, and save hard if you want to go, but even if it's mediocre on a bad day, it's still pretty bloody good.

Jun 16, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  8     

Lately, I've had enough of going to high end restaurants with high end prices, only to find the food below par. This is different though. I love sitting on the balcony with a blanket, looking at the view and eating absolutely delicious food. It is pricey but well worth it for a special occasion. Staff are very attentive, food is diverse and yummy. Entrees, mains and desserts were all excellent!

Jun 15, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

Reading rave reviews for a long time, on this site and in the media, I was sceptical as to whether the quality of the food and the experience would align with the price tag, but now I can confidently say - believe the hype, this place is fantastic. While it does come at a price (three courses for two with a bottle of wine came to around $300), it is well worth it. The food was absolutely amazing, the views from the balcony priceless and the staff friendly and attentive. A perfect dining experience.

Jun 08, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  5     

Took my best buddy dazza here on thursday for a surprise lunch and I must say he was very impressed. As he builds a lot of the restaurants around Sydney he raved about the fit out of this place. We ordered a bottle of villa maria which was $69.00 which was a bit hard to swallow and some garlic nann bread then onto the cold seafood platter which was $135.00 which in my opinion was overpriced, then on to the chocolate trifle which was very nice.

We left feeling a little hungry and at the end we had a bill of $300.00, so I pulled out the entertainment card and saved another $50.00 off the bill so all in all a $250.00 lunch. As it was a special lunch complete with a killer view I would come again if I have to impress anyone else.

May 28, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  7     

My boyfriend and I ate here for lunch, and the place was quite crowded. I understand when restaurants become fully booked, but I would have preferred that the tables were more separated from each other. We were very close to two other tables. The entertainment was very nice though, I love jazz music.

The service could have been a bit better though, it feels as though the waiters didn't display enough hospitality. The food was very nice, the crab cakes were to die for! The mains were really nice too, nicely cooked. The mocktails we had were also very flavoursome as well. We got a discount from there so it added to the value. I would definitely come back.

May 24, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  1     

Well, thats one night of my life I will never get back. Amazing view if you can see out or have a table outside, but way too dark inside. My hubbie fell twice on the way to the table (and he hadn't had a drink yet!". Cocktails were ok but nothing special, wines were ridiculously priced.

Food promised a lot but delivered little, small portions that took forever to arrive.
The staff on the floor seemed more interested in each other and their hair than taking orders and clearing. Find somewhere else with the view and save a fortune.

May 23, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Fine bistro, friendly staff and a great location. We will most certainly be going back!

May 21, 2010