the rocks
Restaurants
Le Foote
Restaurant
A Mediterranean grill and wine bar unlike anything we’ve seen in The Rocks before. Visit Swillhouse Group’s grand-statement venue for two-sip Martinis; dishes cooked over charcoal; and a massive mosaic from Italy.
Saké The Rocks
Restaurant
Old and new style Japanese with sake.
Pony Lounge & Dining
Restaurant
Contemporary dining with rich, sophisticated flavours
Quay
Restaurant
The standard-setter for fine dining in Sydney. Executive chef Peter Gilmore is tireless in his pursuit of what’s interesting, new and Australian. His backyard is peppered with test plantations of rare vegetables, he works with local ceramicists on custom crockery and he’s a leading advocate for native produce. The restaurant’s theatrical tasting menus show off all this and more, bolstered by some of the city’s best harbour views.
Tayim
Restaurant
Elevated Israeli street food.
Ploos
Restaurant
A pioneering Greek-Australian chef is celebrating the cuisines of the south Aegean at this handsome harbourside diner. Dig into spanakopita-inspired dumplings and chargrilled octopus in the heritage-listed sandstone dining room. Or snag a seat outside for cocktails with one of the country’s most iconic views.
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Cafes
MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah
Cafe
The cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art has one of the best views in the city.
The Fine Food Store
Cafe
A go-to for salad-heavy lunches and wall-to-wall shelves of gourmet bits and pieces.
Creperie Suzette
Cafe
What was once an antique souvenir shop is now a vintage-inspired, French-themed creperie.
Bars
Alice
Bar
Descend the staircase and part the velvet curtains to find this plush cocktail bar by the group behind Rockpool Bar & Grill. It’s also serving considered snacks inspired by its sister restaurants Rockpool and Spice Temple.
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
Bar
Sydney's oldest continuously trading hotel is a craft beer holy ground. Sipping a pint of Three Sheets Pale Ale is a rite of passage here, and goes rather well with a warming curry from the flash bistro menu.
The Glenmore Hotel
Bar
Since 1921, stunning views of the Harbour Bridge have attracted drinkers to this pub.
Maybe Sammy
Bar
Maybe Sammy channels the opulence and excess of Las Vegas in the late '50s, and is officially recognised as one of the 50 best bars in the world. The reason for all the acclaim is simple: Maybe Sammy combines flawless service with singular cocktails.
Hickson House Distilling Co
Bar
Take a distillery tour, sip cocktails beneath the chandeliers, and eat Kangaroo tartare with Vegemite toast at this grand palace of Aussie gin. It’s set within a 100-year-old brick warehouse in the heritage heart of The Rocks.
The Australian Heritage Hotel
Bar
One of Sydney’s most iconic pubs.
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