There’s never a bad time in Sydney, except for maybe when it rains non-stop, but most of the time, Sydney is a magical place, especially during the holidays. The big Christmas tree in Martin Place is always a delight, and the lights twinkling above the streets are charming, but most importantly, it’s the magic that’s happening inside the restaurant and bars that make Sydney spellbinding during the holiday season.
Whether you’re looking to catch up with friends or celebrate with family, Sydney’s restaurants are throwing lunches, dinners, happy hours, and specials all holiday season.
Here’s our edit of the best places to eat, drink, and be merry in Sydney this holiday season.
The Meat & Wine Co
Multiple locations
The Meat & Wine Co– is hosting the finest New Year’s Eve celebration. A spirited countdown to midnight will echo throughout The Meat & Wine Co locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, and Perth, providing an opulent and lively celebration. For $150 per person, the Afro-centric inspired restaurant offers a seasonal four-course menu featuring garlic bread, AGED wagyu tartare, Chermoula marinated prawns, and the holy grail—steak.
Forrester’s
Surry Hills
Forry’s is serving up a Festive Feasting menu throughout December at Phylli’s—the lush garden oasis dining space housed within the iconic inner-city waterhole. Featuring 3-courses, the Festive Feasting menu includes classic pub fare with a nostalgic Christmas twist—A prawn cocktail to start, a big Yorkie filled with roast Turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings for mains, topped off with a Pavlova for dessert.
Kingsley’s
Woolloomooloo
Guests will enjoy a 4-course set menu featuring a selection of chilled (and hot) seafood entrees to share. Mains feature a choice of dishes, including—Beef wellington; Roasted turkey breast; Ora king salmon or Truffled wild mushroom risotto, all accompanied by delectable sides to share and finished off with a choice of desserts—Torched Pavlova, Traditional Christmas pudding or a duo of Australian Cheeses.
Little Pearl Bar
Manly
For Christmas Day lunch, feast on a 10-course set menu, with the option to add on a standard or deluxe beverage package. With a focus on hawker-style shared plates, the Christmas Day lunch menu includes dishes such as—Sesame crust tuna sashimi, Crispy pork belly bao buns, Wok-tossed Szechuan king prawns and Crispy skin duck breast Panang curry. A dedicated vegan menu is also available on request.
Q Dining
Circular Quay
Enjoy a glass of Champagne on arrival and roaming artisanal canapes before being seated to dine on an exclusive four-course dinner menu from Head Chef Steven Hartert, featuring dishes such as – Yellowtail kingfish, Dry-aged Hawksbury duck breast; and Wagyu beef. Book a table for the best way to beat the crowds and dine above the action in the heart of Circular Quay.
Untied
Barangaroo
Untied is throwing a Frosé Rooftop Party this New Year’s Eve, and everyone is invited. Having transformed its usual leafy rooftop setting into a floral fantasyland for summer, the Barangaroo rooftop bar’s latest pop-up, ‘Over the Rainbow’ is a candy-hued oasis complete with bottomless frosé serves. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy 4-hours of bottomless frosé, beers and wine PLUS roaming canapes throughout the night and live entertainment with DJs plugging in from 7 pm. The self-serve frosé machine features fruity flavours such as strawberry and watermelon, mango and lime, lychee and rose, and banana and cacao. Don’t forget the candy toppers – boost your boozy rosé slushie with lollies, including gummy bears, rainbow straps, berries, and sour worms.
The Butler
Potts Point
Ring in the New Year with Champagne and a bespoke Ibero-American feast whilst enjoying the panoramic views of Sydney’s iconic city skyline from the terrace at the famed Potts Point restaurant, The Butler. Dine on a bespoke 8-course banquet menu curated by Head Chef, Amber Doig featuring a new wave of dishes designed to be shared. Live music will play throughout the evening, and post-dinner dancing is a must! As midnight approaches, guests will be asked to gather on the terrace to watch Sydney’s spectacular fireworks display, which can be viewed across the cityscape below.
The Rook
CBD
Having transformed its skyline digs into a Secret Garden for summer, The Rook’s roof terrace has been styled into a botanical oasis, including an impressive display of pastel-hued florals cascading down from the atrium-stye ceiling. Enjoy a four-hour beverage package from 8 pm-midnight, plus roaming canapes for $110 per person.
Loulou Bistro
Milsons Point
Make your 2023 New Year’s Eve extra memorable with an exquisite dinner at Loulou Bistro. Head Chef Ned Parker has curated a three-course shared menu, especially for the evening. Begin with poisson cru; chicken liver parfait; and carpaccio de tomate. Then, enjoy a classic steak dish – Tournedos Rossin and Loulou’s signature John Dory farci with sauce champagne. Save room for dessert – bombe Alaska, crème caramel, and warm madeleines. After dinner, wander down to the harbour and watch the iconic Sydney fireworks display that lights up Lavender Bay, or stay at Loulou and toast to 2023 with Champagne.
The Charles Grand Brasserie
CBD
Have a truly elegant New Year’s Eve at the European-style grand brasserie, The Charles. Executive Chef Billy Hannigan has created a three-course shared menu for the evening, which includes the delicate tomato antiboise; steak and anchovy tartare constructed tableside; rock lobster tagliatelle; and the Charles signature aged Maremma duck à la presse. To finish, pastry chef Rhiann Mead’s baked chocolate tart and yellow peach with almond diplomat and frozen sauternes. Allow one of the experienced sommeliers to guide you through the incredible wine list with more than 60 Champagnes available, or opt for a premium beverage package for the evening.
Disco Paradiso NYE at Tiva
CBD
Tiva is bringing back the glory days of debaucherous sophistication for New Year’s Eve. Descend downstairs into this sophisticated late-night basement lounge for an incredible Disco Paradiso party with a live band and DJs through until 4 am. Get ready for an incredible dancefloor. Tickets include a cocktail on arrival, flowing canapes, a glass of Champagne at midnight and live entertainment all night. This is one party you do not want to miss.
House of 54 at Barangaroo House
Barangaroo
Welcome to House of 54, where you’ll find all things DISCO! Sitting pretty on the water’s edge, picture-perfect views of the Darling Harbour Fireworks await. Barangaroo House’s three-level hive will come alive for a night of disco music, food and drinks. Open until 2 am, choose your level and revel this NYE… There are no tickets or set packages—book a table and play it your way.
Rekodo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar on level 1 is where Japanese-inspired food, sake, cocktails, and wine are set to a killer soundtrack curated by some of the best vinyl DJs and amplified through a Klipsch La Scala sound system. There are vinyl DJs from 5 pm – 1.30 am. Returning to Australia after ten years playing the best clubs in Ibiza, Mo’funk is headlining with an incredible vinyl DJ set.
Immerse yourself in rooftop vibes under the stars at Smoke Bar on level 2; opt for the casual vibes of House Bar on the ground floor, where Yolanda Be Cool is headlining.
Opera Bar
Circular Quay
Ring in 2023 with the world-famous view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks from Opera Bar. Guaranteed to sell out, Opera Bar is bringing the heat of Miami Beach to Sydney this New Year’s Eve. Roving performers, a huge festival stage, and non-stop live entertainment. This is Sydney’s premier New Year’s Eve party, kicking off as the sun sets over the harbour and continuing after Sydney’s world-famous fireworks light up the sky. With unrivalled views of the Harbour Bridge, canapes and food stalls running all night long, and the city skyline framing it all – it simply doesn’t get any better than this. Drinks are not included in the ticket price.
House Canteen
Circular Quay
Get whisked away for a night in Tokyo, thanks to street food-inspired dishes, live entertainment all night, retro games arcade, and the best view in Sydney. Tickets include canapes and food stations. Under 18s are permitted, so bring the family.
Chiswick
Woollahra
For anyone wanting to start off the new year in style, Chiswick’s NYD recovery is the spot. There’ll be a DJ during lunch, and they’ll be serving bloody marys and mimosas.
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