The 21 best wine restaurants in Sydney 2024:
Wondering where to go in Sydney when you want to eat a nice meal accompanied by some great wine? Here is the guide for you!
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Phone: +61 (02) 9220 0111
Address: Shop 10/23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
By the Glass List Award Australia 2022
The Bentley Group’s dedicated seafood restaurant, Cirrus is (aptly) nestled waterfront in the city’s Barangaroo precinct. Overseen by chef Brent Savage and group sommelier Nick Hildebrandt, who are renowned for putting up a high-class dining experience, this is the place to get to for the magical combination of glistening water views and next-level seafood (and wine). Let’s start with the by-the-glass selection: at 36 wines, there’s almost enough here to engage even the savviest customer – before moving on to the rest of the 92-page list. Not including a small but sharp list of chilled sake,...
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Phone: +61 (02) 9332 2344
Address: 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Named in honour of its saffron facade, which originally fronted an art gallery, Yellow has been the Eastern Suburbs’ go-to plant-based bistro since 2016. The kitchen team, headed by chef Brent Savage, continues to plate up the pinnacle of vegan cuisine with a stellar wine list to match. The comprehensive list packs a lot into three pages, naturally centred on vegan-friendly wines without forsaking sommelier Nick Hildebrandt’s well-honed taste for the rare, fine and eclectic. Expect the very best of Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, with an emphasis on progressive and low-interventionist pro...
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Phone: +61 (02) 8871 7171
Address: Crown Sydney, Level 1/1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Situated in the waterside Barangaroo precinct, the 260-seater Woodcut is one of Sydney’s more ambitious fine diners. Brought to life by chef-restaurateur couple Ross and Sunny Lusted, the menu revolves around the concepts of steam, fire, smoke, and ice – and there’s a kitchen dedicated to each method of preparation. High-quality Australian produce is at the core of everything here, from seafood to steak, with a seasonal focus, too. With its high walls and immaculate decor, Woodcut is one for making an impression. The wine list is comprehensive and unapologetically classic (in the best way...
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Phone: +61 (02) 9158 4000
Address: 37 Margaret Street, Sydney
Fastidiousness, in both service and decor, defines Shell House’s Dining Room and Terrace, a chic and natural light-filled haven nine floors above Sydney’s bustling CBD. Overseen by ex-ARIA chef Joel Bickford, the food menu is fine and impressive, worthy of an equally arresting wine list. Clear your schedule – this is a place for lingering and whiling away a couple of blissful hours. At 62 pages, Shell House’s list is bordering on tome levels, seamlessly balancing traditional and contemporary classics. There’s a noted emphasis on sustainable viticulture and wines that convey distinctive terro...
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Phone: +61 0481 384 153
Address: 99 Redfern Street, Redfern
With the exterior appeal of a buzzy neighbourhood bistro and the interior detail of a sophisticated yet casual wine bar, Redbird manages to nail several briefs at once; that this is also one of Inner Sydney’s finest Chinese restaurants is very much an added bonus. Redbird is the brainchild of celebrated hospitality couple chef Hamish Ingham and sommelier Rebecca Lines, who between them have been responsible for some of Sydney’s most esteemed casual fine dining venues over the last 15 years. Thanks to the help of a feng shui expert during the design process, there’s a distinct sense of tranq...
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Phone: +61 (02) 9280 3395
Address: 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills
Arguably the beating heart for the revered Foster Street precinct, Nomad opened in 2013 and very quickly gained a loyal following, with its cavernous interior and industrial aesthetic providing the foundations for fire-cooked, Middle Eastern-inspired dishes and a positively boisterous atmosphere. The format has proven itself time again since, and continues to be one of the inner city’s most popular venues. Nomad’s wine list has long been a celebration of minimal intervention and earth-friendly practices, and always with an emphasis on Australia (but the great regions of France, Germany and Ne...
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Phone: +61 (02) 9440 4088
Address: 2 Eastern Road, Turramurra
Housed in a former mechanic’s garage, Kipling’s is a beacon for Sydney’s affluent yet sleepy upper North Shore, providing CBD-level service against far leafier surrounds. The focus here is on simplicity of ingredients and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere: arguably the perfect foundation for a stellar wine list, which continues to be one of the finest offerings north of the Harbour Bridge. The 20-page list impressively targets both weight and variety, offering plenty of perusal material for a proudly casual-chic venue. The smart selection of 375ml carafes is a winner for both indecisive and exp...
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Phone: +61 1300 391 808
Address: 108 Market Street, Sydney
At 81 floors above Pitt Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD, Infinity’s revolving floor offers guests the very best views of the Harbour and surrounds available. The Modern Australian menu champions local and seasonal produce in a comfortable and stylish setting. It’s quite literally a feast for all the senses. This is a list of classic proportions, with an appropriate emphasis on local producers, with no shortage of blue chip options, including a 10-year Grange vertical. To counterbalance, Group Sommelier Louella Mathews has also put forward some of Australia, New Zealand, and Europe’s mo...
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Phone: +61 (02) 9167 2921
Address: Shop 2/81 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Ornate with parquet floors, red velvet seating and plush green banquettes, Franca is a step above your classic French brasserie. The menu covers Paris bistro classics in addition to more Mediterranean-inspired dishes, all assembled with sustainable and high-quality local ingredients. France is (naturally) high on the list of priorities, and there’s an admirable emphasis on Alsace, the Loire, Jura, Savoie and Languedoc, in addition to the behemoths of Burgundy and the Rhône. It doesn’t stop there, however, with sommelier Riley O’Doherty offering a well-curated selection of some of Australia a...
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Phone: +61 (02) 8023 7609
Address: Shop 1- 4 Level 2/455 George Street, Sydney
If we’re led to believe that 1920s speakeasies were as luxe and well-fitted as ESQ Bar + Dining, then perhaps Prohibition might have (just) been bearable. Dim lighting, leather booths and parquetry floors are all accentuated by jazz music, bistro dishes and an exceptional selection of wine, whiskey and cocktails. The wine list is comprehensive and detailed, arranged by variety with charming selections of “Obscure Delights”. The by-the-glass selection is all poured with Coravin, allowing for some particularly special liquid to end up in your glass for a very fair price.
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Phone: +61 (02) 9280 3395
Address: 1 Fracks Lane, Surry Hills
Hidden in a very narrow laneway in the heart of Surry Hills, Beau is the newest, and undoubtedly most polished Sydney venue from the Nomad Group. Deep, moody tones and industrial textures define the venue’s minimalist aesthetic, which is at once comfortable and refined. Owners Al and Rebecca Yazbek, and Group Chef Jacqui Challinor have long been revered for their philosophy of incredible yet approachable food and quality ingredients, and here it’s no different. Middle Eastern-accented dishes champion the very best local produce, expertly assembled by Head Chef Troy Spencer. The beauty of Bea...
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Phone: +61 2 9437 3700
Address: 69 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
Annata is a small restaurant and bar located on the high street of Crow’s Nest in Sydney. Part cocktail bar, part wine bar, part restaurant, this little venue has a lot to offer and brings inner city buzz to the North Shore. It’s a long, narrow, split-level space, with bare brick walls and dark wooden floors. Wine racked against the walls lends a semi cellar aesthetic, red leather banquettes add warmth, and a splashy marble bar below adds a sense of grandeur. Large arched windows look out onto the street side terrace, and offer a spot to perch and people watch. Regulars prop themselves up at...
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Phone: +61 2 8214 0505
Address: 27 O'Connell Street, Sydney
International Grand Prix, presented by Domaine Laroche 2023
When Bentley moved into the grand dining room of the Radisson Blue Hotel in Sydney city, it evolved from neighbourhood wine bar to CBD heavy hitter, and now oozes style and confidence. The restaurant is very much it's own space within the hotel – black steel scaffolding lends a moody yet polished warehouse vibe that’s worlds away from the hotel lobby. The offering is multifaceted; you can sit at the bar and sample from a short snacks menu, or opt for the main dining room and choose between à la carte or degustation. Slick industrial design, inventive food and an extensive wine list ensure it...
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Phone: +61 2 9362 4680
Address: 7 Bay Street, Double Bay
Located in Double Bay, Bibo is a restaurant-cum-wine bar serving up Portuguese inspired cuisine in a dark and moody atmosphere. The wine list takes an all rounder approach to varieties, regions and styles. 50% of the 450 bins are devoted to Australian listings - with a good portion of these given over to iconic producers - and the remainder covers the heavy hitters across Europe. With about 30 wines by the glass, and a decent offering of aged wine, this list offers plenty of choice within the world of classic wine.
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Phone: +61 2 9332 2100
Address: 50 MacLeay Street, Potts Point
Set in an old bank building on Macleay Street in Potts Point, Bistro Rex has all the grandeur one expects from the genre. Marble accents, high ceilings and beautifully detailed floors make for an impressive setting, the large space broken up by curved leather lounges. Splashes of copper across booth backs and doors bring warmth, in a playful nod to the old copper pots of the French kitchen. Rex may be shiny and beautifully maintained, but the offering remains decidedly down to earth. The classics like chicken liver parfait, tartare, and steak frite are well executed, and the menu offers luxur...
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Phone: +61 2 9550 6196
Address: 131 King Street, Newtown
The second incarnation of Cafe Paci has found a home on King Street in the eclectic inner western suburb of Newtown. This lively, bustling little venue is well placed in this quirky, offbeat suburb, and often has queues snaking down the street. The more formal, tasting menu of the former Paci is gone, replaced with a very on-trend offering of down-sized sharing dishes. Dark molasses rye bread, potato dumplings with XO sauce, and devilled eggs with trout roe are just a few of the current staples, by Finnish-born chef & owner Pasi Petanen. The dishes will fly out of the kitchen one by one, wh...
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Phone: +61 2 9232 2767
Address: 111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
After years spent working as a sommelier in London, Stuart Knox returned to open Fix, an eclectic wine bar and restaurant on Elizabeth Street in Sydney’s business district, just opposite St James station. In a decidedly corporate market, where tastes tend towards the conservative, Fix offers individuality and personality. The offering is split between the wine bar, lower streetside, and the restaurant, tucked upstairs. There’s a high bar for solo drinkers and chatters, and small tables for twos and threes looking for a slightly more intimate experience. A terrace offers views of Hyde Park an...
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Phone: +61 2 8080 9144
Address: 16-20 Curtin Place, Sydney
Best Medium-Sized List Award Australia 2022
Monopole is a restaurant and wine bar located in Sydney’s Central Business District. Previously located in Potts Point, this self proclaimed “European style” eatery boasts a 450 bin strong list with a French focus. A light filled interior makes this a popular spot for corporate and casual lunches alike and offers a pleasing counterpoint to the more sombre dining experience of sister venue Bentley Restaurant.
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Phone: +61 2 9969 4088
Address: D’Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman
Ormeggio is an Italian fine dining restaurant situated at The Spit, overlooking Middle Harbour on Sydney’s North Shore. Set on the D'Albora Marina, this restaurant aspires to bring the Italian Riviera to Sydney. Large open bi-fold windows allow for a wonderful view of the water and the glittering multimillion-dollar mansions across it, interrupted only by sleek yachts and powerboats bobbing on the tide. If you’re looking to vacation via a long lunch and indulge in a bit of La Dolce Vita, then Ormeggio is the place to do it. Specialising in seafood, this two hat restaurant does some of Sydney...
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Phone: +61 9232 0881
Address: 15 Bligh Street, Sydney
Down a winding stairwell, this Belle Epoque inspired restaurant transports the diner from Bligh street in the city’s centre to post-war Paris. Dining here feels like theatre. The scene is set with red velvet drapes and dark wood panelling, and a baby grand piano takes centre stage. Lit by the soft glow of candles dripping wax down old Burgundy bottles, and manned by a brigade of bow-tied waiters, the ambience here feels bizarrely authentic. Not a surprise really, considering that it’s a Swillhouse offering; the team behind other themed venues in Sydney like Shady Pines Saloon, Baxter’s Bar...
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Phone: +61 2 9572 6666
Address: 83 Percival Road, Stanmore
Set in the unassuming neighbourhood of Stanmore in Sydney’s inner west, Sixpenny is a small fine dining restaurant. With just 34 seats in total, and only one sitting per night, this little restaurant has been making waves in the dining scene since opening in 2012, and now serves a single seven-course degustation menu. Housed in a federation building, the interior of the restaurant is surprisingly contemporary. Wooden tables are left unclothed, and the aesthetic is pared right back. The white walls are hung with simple artworks of Australian natives, and a single large copper basin, serving...
