Syney’s newest gem in the sky, Crown Sydney, is much more than a hotel. It’s a dining destination, a staycation delight, and a meeting place for business or for friends and family.
Book a table at a’Mare for an old-school Italian dining experience, or wade up to the rooftop pool for views of the harbour and a cocktail. There’s a lot to do here that doesn’t involve staying the night, but if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, it couldn’t hurt to book a room.
Although not everyone is willing to shell out the cash for a night, so here is everything worth doing at Barangaroo’s hottest destination.
Epicurean
If you’re staying in the hotel, the first place you will find yourself in the morning is Epicurean. This is where you get to dig into an extravagant breakfast buffet. Although, you don’t have to stay in the hotel to enjoy this feast. Outsiders can request to book a seat. Inside, nine kitchens are cooking an array of global cuisines, including Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and more. At any given moment, counters are full of cold seafood, freshly baked pastries, steaming baskets of dumplings, fresh sushi, bacon and eggs, sausages, and a chocolate fountain.
Teahouse
If you’re looking to catch up with friends, do it at the teahouse. Here, you can enjoy a quiet cocktail in a bold and playful take on a Chinese teahouse. They have a wide range of specialty teas, or if you’re after cocktails, they do that too. Its cocktail menu is full of decadent, theatrical cocktails whipped up by talented mixologists.
As for the food, you can’t go past the dim sum in 3, which boasts a butterfly pea flower dumpling, lemon myrtle scallop, spinach, and mushroom dumpling. Best dumplings in Sydney—I only wish they had more. You will also find crispy lobster har gao, tuna tartare, hibachi grilled squid, and Peking duck on the menu.
For a more intimate experience, ask for a seat in the birdcages, where you can lay back on velvet furnishings and enjoy drinks and oriental bites in private. The best part, it doesn’t cost any extra; you need to get there at the right time or book in advance and request the birdcage.
a’Mare
Alessandro Pavoni is the man behind this restaurant. Many Sydneysiders know him from Ormeggio at The Spit, another Italian institution in Sydney that has remained a pinnacle restaurant for several years. Now, a’Mare is taking us back to the days of paramount service and good food.
The atmosphere and interior are inspired by the palazzi of old-school Italy— Venice, Milan, Rome and Lake Garda. Although the real show stopper here is the food. It’s a relatively extensive menu, but a few standouts include the ‘elephant ear’, a 1kg veal cutlet that is best shared with friends.
The squid ink risotto is a favourite, and the casoncelli filled with pumpkin and drowned in burnt butter is every pasta lover’s dream. Take a seat outside and enjoy the view, or inside to feel the restaurant’s buzz and still enjoy views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The proportions are quite generous, so you can share or have a dish all to yourself.
Oncore by Clare Smyth
s the first and only female chef with three Michelin stars in the UK, Chef Clare Smyth is bringing the finesse and art of fine dining to Oncore by Clare Smyth. Set 26 levels above Sydney Harbour, the 68-seat establishment provides guests with sweeping views of the city’s Harbour, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House and will offer a world-class dining experience from one of the world’s most acclaimed chefs.
Like Clare Smyth’s flagship restaurant Core in London, Oncore focuses on a thoughtfully curated local and sustainable menu. Oncore’s ingredients are sourced from Australia’s most dedicated farmers and food producers. Clare is redefining fine dining in Australia. Be sure to book a table well in advance as seatings fill up months in advance.
Nobu
When it comes to sushi, sashimi, and Japanese fare, Nobu is a mainstay. With restaurants all over the world, it made sense for the Sydney debut to be housed in its crown jewel. Channeling Nobu’s in other major cities, this outpost is just as sophisticated and elegant. Although, diners will find a menu packed with local produce and seafood reimagined with Japanese techniques.
A few world favourites are on the menu, including the famed Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail jalapeno. You can expect cold dishes, hot dishes, larger sharing plates, and a signature omakase offering for those who want a culinary adventure. Nobu is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Woodcut
Woodcut serves up a unique dining experience that celebrates the best Australian produce, cooked simply with wood, charcoal and steam. Ross Lusted is a master of fire, cooking both meats and vegetables over the flame. The sprawling 260-seat restaurant serves thick, marbled cuts of meat through an open kitchen providing entertainment for diners. There is a 270-day-aged T-bone and a range of vegetables and sides to go with your steak. Make sure to order the Black Garlic bread, a delicious take on the classic starter that has already achieved cult status among Sydneysiders.
Silks
Silks celebrate the art of Cantonese cuisine with a western twist. The nine-page-long menu is an exploration of regions, traditions, and history. Expect honey-glazed five-spiced char siu pork, suckling Peking duck, a whole range of live seafood, and a range of vegetables bathed in soy sauce, garlic, and some swim in superior broth. The food here is next to none, but we must admit, the yum cha is our favourite time to dine. You can’t go wrong with the pork and crab dumplings or the classic Hong Kong BBQ pork buns.
Yoshii’s Omakase
You will have to set your alarms a month in advance to secure a coveted seat at Yoshii’s Omakase. There are only ten seats up for grabs per seating, and it’s well worth the effort. This multi-course sushi experience is helmed by sushi-master Ryuichi Yoshii, who slices and dices right in front of you. Using the freshest seasonal Australian produce, diners can expect to be surprised by delicate dishes with punchy flavours. Add a wine or sake pairing for the full experience.
Sacrebleu!
Not every restaurant in the Crown is an elaborate dining room with artfully plated dishes. Sacrebleu! is a French cafe serving freshly baked petit pastries, award-winning canelés, and French croissants. You can stop in and grab something for on the go or sit down and enjoy a french baguette stuffed with sliced smoked salmon and capers.
Rooftop pool at sunset
Despite being surrounded by a harbour, many Sydney hotels don’t have rooftop pools. The infinity pool at Crown Sydney is definitely a treat worth experiencing. Enjoy panoramic views of Sydney’s harbour from the pool and terrace, which is perhaps the best rooftop pool in Sydney. Spoil yourself with a private cabana or relax on the poolside lounges and take in the view and a cocktail or two. There are even a few day beds floating on the pool steps that you can enjoy.
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