Best Fine Dining in Cockatoo Island

"When one thinks of fine dining, Quay instantly comes to mind. It could be the many awards that it has received or the fact that chef Peter Gilmore makes some of the best food in Sydney. The menu here features fantastic foods like Maremma duck served with preserved blueberries, black garlic, Kampot pepper and ice plant."

"For fine dining and more of those famous views (you’ll need to dig into your wallet) book a table at either Aria, Quay Restaurant or Cafe Sydney if you didn’t do lunch. And there’s also the famous Tetsuya’s."

"Restaurants Australian The Rocks"

"It may be booked up until next winter, but if you manage to secure a table at Tetsuya’s, you’re in for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience. The venue is geared towards special occasions on account of its ambitious central dining concept: a 12 course, $220 set menu for groups of ideally four to six people. Chef Tetsuya’s kitchen takes natural, seasonal Australian and Japanese ingredients (including fresh waterlily directly flown in from Japan, a unique flavor in Sydney) and employs classic French techniques to execute world class dishes."

"Tetsuya’s nine-course degustation ($250) is a balancing act of Japanese and European flavours that is elegantly minimalist and best taken at a leisurely place. In an art-filled restaurant that is light-dappled by day and moodily dramatic at night, Tetsuya’s overlooks a glorious Japanese garden and is a masterclass in fine dining. Long term favourites are the Confit Ocean Trout with salad of apple and witlof and sumptuous Chocolate Stone with Honey & Milk – divine!"

"Turning cooking into creation, Tetsuya’s serves a fusion of Japanese and French cuisines turned into a tasteful degustation menu. The moment you walk in you’ll see a grand, spacious room filled with awaiting tables, beckoning for you to begin your night. Outside, you’ll see a very traditional Japanese garden, perfect to set the mood."

"Scoring a window seat at Mimi’s is the restaurant equivalent of releasing 100 white doves into the air to the sound of Barry White. For a night to remember, start your evening with an ice-cold martini and a bump of caviar, and follow up with the salt-baked crab which is theatrically cracked at the table. Executive chef Jordan Toft has a passion for great produce, so whatever you order – be it meat, seafood or vegetables – you can expect it to be the best of the best."

"If you're on the hunt for a nice Sydney restaurant to host your celebrations, head to Coogee, where you'll find the seafront fine dining spot Mimi's. This exclusive eatery screams luxury, with gorgeous muted interiors and a trolley dedicated to all things caviar."

"Restaurants Modern Australian Coogee"

"Indulge in elegant, a la carte dining at Omeros on the Beach restaurant, on the ocean side of the corner of Ramsgate Road and Grand Parade. Surrounded by an interior of crisp white, diners are treated... "Each meal is a culinary journey."

"For smart casual dining in Sydney, be sure to stop in at The Tilbury Restaurant on Nicholson Street in Woolloomooloo. A crisp, clean design typified by varnished wood, linen-draped tables and soft lea..."

"Italian inspired cuisine is the main focus on the menu at The Tilbury. You’ll find local produce turned into delicious dishes, like ricotta gnocchi with garlic prawns and buttermilk panna cotta."

"The perfect beachside location, Blackwood Pantry keeps it light and casual. This whole place flows from inside to the outside sitting area. Pop down for breakfast with classics like French toast or lunch with a chicken salad."

"While some places go for a modern approach, others love to simply capture an era gone by. Doughbox Diner is your go-to if you need to indulge in authentic 60s America, all the way down to the tables. They’re also famous for their handheld crepe cones, but we drool for their banana splits!"

"At the more casual end of Sydney’s nightclub spectrum is this Surry Hills favorite, which pumps out daggy old-school tunes that the bouncing dance floor adores. Past Soda Factory’s kitschy American diner-style entrance lies an inviting, unpretentious industrial space that serves affordable cocktails and great classic hits, two ingredients that are always conducive to a heaving dance floor and a cracking night out."

"The entrance to The Soda Factory is hidden behind a Coke vending machine – and it would actually be a secret were it not for the queues out front every weekend night. The reason people are waiting probably has something to do with the $15 happy-hour cocktails and the affordable American diner fare. Add in regular DJ sets, and this spot can break out into a throbbing dance floor at any moment."

"The Soda Factory is a winning date night bar in Sydney for its secret location, American refreshments and live music sessions. Go through the Coco-Cola fridge of Bobby's Boss Dogs and you'll find a cavernous venue decorated with neon signs and old school memorabilia."

"No matter how far you stroll down the beckoning path of American cuisine, you’ll always end up finding burgers. The Hub House Diner redefines them so beautifully that it’s impossible to ignore them. But the menu is not just about burgers, they even do chicken wings, Mexican corn, and specially designed loaded fries."

"Their plating isn't boring either, order the popcorn chicken and find it in a jar with real bits of popcorn!. Must try:The House Plank platter also has it all. Southern fried chicken wings, pork ribs, corn and zucchini fritters."

"For our history buffs, we are highly recommending the Sydney Jewish Museum, which documents the history of the Jews in Australia, as well as the Holocaust. Founded by the late John Saunders AO, the survivor of the Auschwitz and Dornhau concentration camp, the museum was opened in 1992, and has since then exhibited a number of artworks and historical artefacts regarding the tragedy Jewish people survived during the World War II, including the paintings of the Jewish Australian artist, and a two-time Archibald winner, Judy Cassab. Apart from the standard museum offer, what is also interesting about this place is the six-ton mosaic discovered in the toilet of a house in Oatley, made by Melocco brothers, and the large-scale Star of David that covers the floor of the premises, and made of Jerusalem stone."

"Rich in history and filled with stories, Sydney’s Jewish Museum is an exploration of Jewish history, culture and the genocide, as well as a powerful statement against racism. Walking through the museum you are able to read individual stories, see historic artefacts and learn about the plight of the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Guided tours are available four days a week, and are often conducted by a Holocaust survivor, making this museum a wonderful, immersive experience for primary and high school aged children."

"Sydney Jewish Museum is an interesting destination that specializes in the exhibits of the Holocaust. The Museum is situated in central Sydney. The artefacts of the museum reveal the description of the lives and cultures of the early Jews who had immigrated to Australia."

"Designed by Harry Seidler for his parents and built between 1948 to 1950, Rose Seidler House provides panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is one of the finest examples of mid 20th-century modern domestic architecture in Australia. A visit to the Rose Seidler House provides visitors with an opportunity to view the furniture and fittings form one of the most complete and intact post World War II design collections in public ownership. Opening Times: Open Sundays only | 10.00 am – 4.00 pmTicket Prices: Family $38.00Address: 71 Clissold Rd, Wahroonga NSW Website: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rose-seidler-house"