Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Bennelong serves to celebrate the Sydney Opera House and its extraordinary architecture by offering a culturally significant and inspiring menu showcasing a most magnificent production of Australian food and wine.
A classic restaurant in Sydney. Expect excellent service and a very charming venue, perfect for special occasions. Not gonna lie, I expected the food to be better/more flavourful considering the price you pay, but I still had a good time for my birthday.
Bennelong restaurant was absolutely amazing, fantastic service as well as fantastic food. How many times do you get to have a meal in a UNESCO World Heritage location? This restaurant is in the Sydney Opera House and is stunning and has great views of Sydney Harbour. There was a three course menu when I was there and I selected the squid risotto, duck, and a pavlova for dessert. Pavlova is apparently the national dessert of Australia but New Zealand and them fight about who made it first! Anyway, the food: the squid risotto was cooked in uni (sea urchin) broth and was soft and buttery and rich. Thank goodness it’s served in a small portion since it’s VERY rich. They also give you bread which is like sourdough and comes out warm and chewy and delicious. The duck had such crispy skin which was salted with a flecked sea salt and nice chew on the actual meat, cooked about medium rare and the sides of califllower sprouts and potatoes were great! The dessert was a pavlova in an abstract shape of the opera house! It was good but I thought was still a bit too sweet because I personally think it needed more fresh fruit or more passionfruit to offset the sweetness of the meringue. I had a drink called Swan Lake and it was very light and perfect for a hot and humid day! Citrus flavors and sparkling! You definitely need a reservation for the restaurant but bar seems to be easier to get in to if you want to try and walk in!
Pros: Iconic location with nice atmosphere inside. The person who greeted us at the door was super friendly and attentive somehow he knew my name but I don't know how. The food was very pretty and nicely presented. The bread and butter were yummy. Cons: quite pricey and food while beautifully presented was mediocre in taste (no special surprises or lasting impression but not bad) you're definitely paying for the location. The portions were smallish for a three course meal we were only full because of the bread and side dishes. Wait staff were generally good but forgot to refill my water and only refilled it after I drank from my partner's cup (a bit of a petty complaint but given we are paying 200+pp would expect more) Note: the day we went we were unlucky and there was a concert outside reducing the views and ambience it would be something to check before booking
Review: The location is great, and the view makes it a nice spot for special occasions. However, the overall experience was disappointing. The food fell short of expectations—our main course (beef) was overcooked, and the side dishes lacked flavor, failing to meet fine dining standards. The service was even more underwhelming. After our mains, the plates were left on the table for a long time, and no one came to clear them. To make matters worse, we were asked to vacate our table before dessert was served because the staff said the next guests had arrived. While they offered us a table in the bar area instead, we declined. Overall, the setting does not make up for the poor food and unprofessional service. Would not recommend for a fine dining experience.
One word: FABULOUS. Thank you for a wonderful experience and looking after us. The food was unbelievably good. I thought the portion sizes were incredible and nobody could complain that it wasn't value for money! Beautifully and very cleverly executed, without being over complicated. We just loved everything. The service was professional and polished and incredibly well coordinated. It was a well oiled machine that's for sure. Incredible wine list, the cocktails that my mum and I had were spectacular (Clouds of Passion) We had a wonderful evening and I would like to personally mention and thank Ethan (floor manager?) and Zara, who were both friendly, professional and personable. Bennelong = Bucket List Experience.
All the food was delicious. My favourite part of the meal was the bread and butter 😂 Each dish is bursting with flavour (even the vegetables tasted amazing) and the service is great. Lots of friendly, happy staff. Would definitely love to come back!!
Top notch service, the host welcoming us was amazing. Literally would consider coming back to be welcomes by him again. Rest of the crew was very friendly, helpful and delivered a professional service. The drinks were great and the food itself was top notch. Absolutely loved it (even though we came over on a rainy day).
The dinner experience truly exceeded our expectations! From the front desk staff who kindly helped us with our coats, to the server who spontaneously arranged a table with a better view, and the waitstaff at our table—all of them were exceptionally friendly and charming! Given the prime location of the restaurant, we didn’t have high hopes for the food. But the oysters, paired with a refreshing flavored granita, really enhanced the natural taste of the seafood. And to our surprise, all three courses were delicious! That’s quite rare for fine dining. Plus, the cocktails here were well-crafted and absolutely worth trying. The restaurant’s pacing of each course was spot-on. The interior was stunning with ample space, allowing for photo-taking without bothering other diners. Everything was just perfect, and we can’t wait to come back!
Stunning restaurant with views to die for. Overall service is impeccable, we did have to ask to have the wine topped up at one stage but they were extremely busy. We were there in September for my birthday which was fantastic, this time we went for my husbands birthday. Slight little changes second time around, small price increase and I did have the Ravioli of Hervey Bay Scallops both times, September there were 3 on the plate, December there were only two on the plate. The Angus beef was exactly as remembered. Overall lovely meal with dear friends from the UK.
Absolutely amazing experience. My partner and I were there to celebrate our anniversary and our servers took amazing care of us. The food was delicious too, we both loved the fish as well as the mulberry and cream dessert. It was definitely a dinner to remember and we will be back soon.
Amazing!! Great to have a memorable dinner, beautiful atmosphere, amazing service and the food was very delicious.
No doubt one of the best restaurants in the nation, the food is of the highest standards that meet the expectations. No need to mention about the view and the settings, as its what you would be expecting or perhaps more! Parking: Parking is very expensive. Go by train.
Worth the time and the money if you are in Sydney. The entrees were the star of show (we had the marron and pork belly noodles). The beef was some of the best Ive had but the fish (John Dory) was average for a high end restaurant. The mocktails were lovely. We also enjoyed the sides and desserts. Service was impeccable. Shout out to our waitor for taking lovely photos of my mum and I. We werent in a rush and finished the 3 course meal in just under 2 hours. Mad respect for how fast the food came out.
Great food and service. Innovative, fresh and friendly. Part of our Christmas tradition and always a special occasion.
During our recent visit, we encountered a complete absence of service. We were seated at an unoccupied table for an extended period of over 30 minutes, during which we were not provided with any entrees. It was only after I became aware of the protracted waiting time, given the substantial price tag of over $600, that any attempt was made to offer us service. This level of unacceptable service is utterly unacceptable.
We were attending The Rites of Spring after our supper and had a most enjoyable meal at the Bennelong. It was a wonderful experience of flavours from Australia and despite having a show to attend we had plenty of time to enjoy the well prepared food, service and a delicious wine from the Barossa Valley.
Many thanks to Isaac the sommelier for the wine suggestions. Felt really personal. Food was amazing. Thank you for a great evening.
Stunning restaurant and impeccable service. However, the food is mediocre at best for that price point.
Iconic restaurant in the Opera House. Cant beat the view! The food was amazing, and the service was impeccable.
Absolutely amazing to celebrate my birthday here, everyone from the front reception gentleman to the table service is so accommodating and welcoming. Especially the Japanese lady thank you for looking after us all the time, and yes we should ve spoken Japanese with you from the very beginning not when we almost finished! We will come back.
I recently visited Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House, expecting a world-class dining experience. While the food was undeniably exceptional the oysters and Angus beef were absolute highlights unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. The bartender and floor manager, who were responsible for champagne service, were unprofessional and unaccommodating. I requested to perform my personal champagne ritual, but the response I received was rude and dismissive. Not only did they fail to follow any professional protocol, but I also found myself waiting an hour before I was finally allowed to serve myself. On multiple occasions, my glass was left empty, which is unacceptable, especially when spending $1,000 AUD. That said, the French and Italian waitresses stood out for their professionalism and attentiveness, delivering excellent service and salvaging parts of the evening. Sadly, the poor behavior from the other staff overshadowed their efforts. While the cuisine was outstanding, the lack of polished service from certain team members ensures I won t be returning to Bennelong. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend it to others.
I treated my Goddaughter to lunch for her 50th birthday and couldn t have wished for a more beautiful venue, superlative food and service. The stracciatella entree and wild caught fish mains were sublime, and the complimentary surprise candlelit birthday cupcake was such a lovely touch. The staff went out of their way to make my Goddaughter feel special. Thank you for making it such a memorable experience for us both.
The restaurant is located inside the famous Sydney Opera House. The food was tasty and the staff were very friendly/helpful. We enjoyed the birthday dinner very much. Definitely worth a visit.
We ve dined at Bennelong a few times and each time is nothing short of perfection. Service, food, atmosphere, ambience, wine - incredible. No need for further explanation, it s everything you could hope and more!
We celebrated my birthday here at Bennelong and we absolutely loved it. The food, views, service and everything else in between were perfect. Thank you Bennelong for making my birthday extra special.
Easily one of the most EXCEPTIONAL Australian dining experiences in the country, if not the world. If it s not enough to sit front and centre in one of the countries most recognised icons and harbours, the food is simply outstanding. It tastes, smells, feels, sounds and looks as beautiful as Australia and its friendly people. A must, at least once, for any international visitor, or special celebration.
Great service and nice desserts
The atmosphere/location is top shelf and our waitress was awesome however the sommelier came on too serious coming off initially as snobby, which made us feel like we were out of place, and the food was not worth the price tag with my wifes meal being dry and my main having an overtly rich sauce.
Outstanding service
Awesome experience, we really recomend before any opera house show. We get The pre-opera menu with 3 courses and was so good.
Had our wedding here a few weeks ago and it was an amazing experience! Nina from the fink team patiently answered all our questions throughout the planning process and the front of house team were there on the day to make sure our day would run perfectly. Could not ask for a more unique location along with good service and food!
The food, drinks, service and location are perfect. Definately recommend dining at the Bennalong!
I proposed to my girlfriend and staff there and johnny helped me with it. It was awesome. It was such a good night!
Service is exceptional and the food is immaculate. add the fabulous views and its a winning combination in the opera house. Whats more to say.
For the price, it definitely did not meet my expectations. Portions are way too small at that level, particularly for just a 3 course meal
The whole family has a meal together. Every dish is delicious! The presentation is also super beautiful. The waiters pay great attention to etiquette. great experience
Food is amazing ~ it s course meal that you have plenty option can choose , nice to sit inside opera house enjoy all the beautiful view and yummy food at the same time
Love this place. Had 3x bar snacks but prawn toast was my fave, choc crackle dessert and a few signature cocktails. Great service and friendly bar staff. Sitting while watching Sydney Harbour.
Had our Anniversary dinner at Bennelong was absolutely amazed at the whole experience. From the minute we were greeted at the door, right through to the last bite of the delicious desserts.The location is second to none, and Sonia and the rest of the service team made our night unforgettable.Thank you we will most certainly be back!!
Sadly disappointed with our meal last night.We had high hopes as our first experience here 6 years ago was amazing but unfortunately last night the meal and experience was not up to standard. We had the last seating, 8:45 and could only order off the set menu, we were surprised to have to order everything at once, the whole experience felt rushed and as though the staff were just going through the motions. The food was bland and uninspiring. Giving 4 stars for the atmosphere because you know, the Opera House, but we wont be back.
Staff were fantastic, welcoming, helpful and attentive. Food was perfectly cooked and great flavour.
Best spot ever
Absolutely incredible, warm, friendly and accommodating service, delicious delicious food, and gorgeous views. My toddler came along and the staff went out of their way to look after her. Thank you staff at Bennelong for the wonderful experience. We will definitely be back!
Wonderful staff and delicious and beautifully presented food. The wine list, by the glass has some standout wines as well as some nice staples. Had a pre theatre dinner at the bar and everything was very well executed. The sommelier suggested excellent accompanying wines and our waitress was friendly and professional.
This restaurant is located at the Sydney Opera House. I stopped by after a concert at the Opera House. You can spend a wonderful time in this spacious and open space with a wonderful design. There was also a Japanese staff member, and we were able to hear a lot of stories about the food. I didnt think you could eat raw oysters here, but they were rich and delicious. The champagne and beer were also delicious. I would like to come again.
Undeniably fine dining with lovely Aussie inclusions - chocolate crackle & opera house sails pavlova Great location for a long, overdue special Friday lunch catch-up. Superb views, service, food & company. Definitely a must do experience.
With the lights of the city framed by the sweeping arches of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong possesses unquestionably the best dining room in the city. It would be easy therefore to write this off as a simple pre-theatre spot (or even worse, a tourist trap), but the restaurants glowing reputation is well deserved: Creative, beautiful dishes adorned with fresh produce and bursting with exciting flavours are sped from the kitchen by friendly and attentive staff. Absolute perfection. I heartily recommend the yabbies with finger lime, as well as the signature opera pavlova.
Visited this place on 24/09/24. Upon arrival, a gentleman greeted us and he was lovely. Unfortunately, service in this restaurant was inconsistent. The one serving us (Taylor, if i spelled it right) and another male staff who s responsible for filling up our drinks provided really bad service. Taylor was really passive aggressive, like she didn t want to be there. However, she was very different to the people on the tables adjacent to us- the different treatment given to us was significant. This ruined our night as we felt unwelcomed and disrespected. Toilets are located outside the restaurant, and note if you re coming during colder days, the restaurant does not turn on the heater. It gets cold in the restaurant itself, so put on more clothes. On to the food, sourdough bread was excellent, hot and toasty with rich sour taste. Butter was very creamy since it s cultured butter that s higher in fat content. For entrees, we had yabbies and pig belly with koji noodles. Yabbies with the pikelets were good, cold yabbies topped with ginger lime made it refreshing together with the buttery pikelets. Noodles were the highlight of this meal, bursting with flavours from the black garlic. For mains we had wild caught fish, which was dory, and aged pork. Dory fish was quite rubbery and tasted pretty bland, expected a better fish than dory. Oyster jus sauce that went with the dory was tasty. Aged pork was on the tougher side but it wasn t bad, the pecans were sweet and crunchy, I enjoyed it. For the sides, the potatoes were delicious with the amount of butter added, paired with seaweed. As what others have reviewed, the desserts (chocolate crackle and mille feuille) were overly rich. One of the sweetest desserts we ever had that we could not even eat more than a bite of it. As we were done with our meal, Taylor came up to us and made us pay for the meal. We felt rushed as we could not sit for a bit longer despite having multiple empty tables. Paid $408 in total for 2 people. Overall a very disappointing service and experience here in Bennelong, would not recommend.
Consistently impressive.
Came to Bennelong for the first time for dinner with friends. Setting and service were excellent. I had scallop ravioli (excellent), Angus beef (nice but a bit stringy and fatty) and chocolate crackle (gorgeous). What let the place down was the noise level, which meant it was hard to converse, and the table lighting, which actually made it hard to see what you were eating. The lighting is low probably to emphasise the view, but it was a shame that came at the cost of easy conversation and appreciation of what we were eating. Given the view is free outside, I would probably spend half as much for a good meal elsewhere and where the noise and lighting was more conducive to a pleasant night out with friends.
Amazing atmosphere, incredible views of downtown Sydney. A can t miss experience. Food was amazing and the service was incredibly attentive.
Possibly the best overall restaurant experience in Sydney. This is not a tourist trap, it is 5 star dining in an iconic structure. And the service was incredible, every member of staff was perfection and offered a warm and personal touch without being intrusive. Looking forward to our next visit Vegetarian options: There were 2 great vegetarian options already for one of our group, with a third made available from another dish by switching the protein. Brilliant.
The team make this space incredibly special, alongside the the venue, food and wine. Well done to the team for creating an amazing experience. Dietary restrictions: Easily adjusted for gluten intolerant diners. Parking: Park under the opera house but prebook for a discount.
This is a great place to consider for your special occasion, offering a beautiful view. The food was amazing, though a bit pricey, but the view and atmosphere make it worth the cost. I asked for a recommendation for a sweet drink, but unfortunately, they suggested the wrong one and gave me a bitter cocktail instead. Despite the drink mix-up, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I would still recommend the restaurant for its ambiance and food quality. Just be sure to double-check your drink orders!
We took our son here for his 21st Birthday. Food was very underwhelming. When you pay $800 for 3 people which only includes 1 alcoholic drink each and a 3 course meal you except high quality. This was definitely not. Good service but average food. $30 for water. Really!!! My wife and I went to the Quay a few years ago for our wedding anniversary. The food and experience was excellent. Far superior to the Bennelong. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant.
Wow an amazing experience, greeted by Johnnie, maitre d so welcoming then the lovely Moe looked after us for the duration, so attentive. Explaining all the dishes and suggestions. We had pre ordered oysters perfect. The Ravioli of Hervey Bay scallops radish, XO sauce, entree exceptional. John dory fish and Angus beef for mains again perfectly cooked. Deserts pavlova (signature) and raspberries and strawberries( this is presented as a waratah flower ice and delicious best desert my husband has had he said). Daniel our sommelier suggested guava and pomegranate non alcoholic cocktail for me as i requested so refreshing . Vodka martini for my husband he was celebrating a birthday gift from our daughter and son in-law we had the best time thank you. The staff ALL OF THEM so professional so attentive and celebrating with a birthday cup cake /candle and card. All these gestures make a truly exceptional place to visit. Lastly on our departure we asked the lady on the door to thank Johnnie maitre d( he was on the phone) and he raced down the stairs to hugged us both and that we had a nice time. Loved every minute. Parking: Parkg under the Opera house
Absolutely amazing meal, service was faultless, experience is one of those that you will cherish forever. Thank you for making our anniversary such a special occasion.
We had an amazing evening here a couple weeks ago. The food was delicious and our waiter was cheeky and attentive. Such a romantic and fun evening. Highlight for me was the quail and lamington
Bennelong enjoys its status and premium location, in one of the most iconic cultural venues around the globe. But if you judge the restaurant purely on what a restaurant is supposed to offer, which is good service and food, at a price that matches the quality, I think it falls short of expectations compared to other premium restaurants. Where Bennelong is falling short in my opinion is the value for money. Dont get me wrong, the food is good, but its not exceptional. And for a $560 dinner for two people, Im expecting nothing less of exceptional. The kind of experience that will leave my palate with an everlasting gustative memory. I could provide a very precise account of why the food never reached that exceptional level but that would be a very long review. The TLDR is that while you are going to eat well, the flavour, taste and sophistication of the dishes leave something to be desired. There wasnt one that made me think Ive rarely eaten something that good in my life. The service was ok overall. Waiters / waitresses checked in with us regularly at the start, then it got more sporadic. They were polite and respectful throughout, but no one made an amazing impression, simply got the job done. I should also say that we had to wait a lot inbetween dishes, and in total were there for almost three hours. We started wondering if that was on purpose to make us buy more wine, and we were kind of over it at the end. A word about the venue as well, which in spite of being hosted in an iconic venue, and some view on the harbour, doesnt deliver in my opinion a unique atmosphere. Most premium restaurants create their own identity and signature through interior design, often thematic, that make them more memorable, and Bennelong is somewhat minimalist in that regard, with a high ceiling venue that can almost feel cold and brutalist. Its the Sydney Opera house in Bennelong Point, perhaps there could be a stronger Aboriginal identity, or one related to Opera, music and culture. Im glad I was lucky to have a dinner at Bennelong once in my life, but for all these reasons, I will not be returning there. If you want a truly unique and premium experience with this level of prohibitive prices, there are most likely other restaurants in Sydney that will do a better job at leaving you with an overall better and unforgettable experience.
Third time around at the Bennelong. This time for dinner, however the experience was from ideal . Booking was at 8:45 on 24 August. Didn t get seated till after 9 and after chasing staff on a couple of occasions. Pretty sure, they wouldn t have waited, had we turned up late. Found the waitress Taylor, rather rude and impatient. Notes from the reservation weren t looked at and Vegan menu not provided until having to request for it again. Numerous interruptions during the course of the night to even list here. When asked for more lighting to help someone read through the menu, she just asked that we pick up the light on the table and use it to help ourselves and that it wasn t as heavy as it looked. On a couple of occasions, we had asked staff to clear the bread plates to create more room on the table but were advised it would all be done once we finished our meals. Appreciate everyone has an off day, however for a venue as reputed as the Bennelong, this is unacceptable. Has left me with a bad taste and a hole in the pocket. Won t be returning anytime soon. Dietary restrictions: Notes missed
Food was not as expected. I ve been to lots of fine dining restaurants and they normally provide a culinary experience. It s not the case with Bennelong. Bad service as well. Food took way too long to arrive
Wonderful pre-show dinner. They offer 3 courses. The Wagyu was so tender and flavoursome. Loved the pork and noodle dish for entree as well. Great service and location is amazing of course-Sydney Harbour!
I travel the world but the dinner here was impressive. Everything from the service to the quality food was really high level. In Europe would have at Least one michelin star.
A perfect dining experience. The service was amazing, the food delicious. An exceptional experience.
Breathtaking views to this impressive restaurant. For a memorable occasion highly recommend . The staff and level of service is next level and the view into the harbour is beautiful . Food : 4/5
The food is exquisite, and the service is the perfect blend of Australian luxury knowledgeable yet warm. Always a pleasure.
Friendly service staff, super delicious food Sydney Rock oysters are paired with exclusive vinegar and salt to bring out the exquisite flavor. The wild fish and sauce go well together, and the crow meat is also a must-have. Special wild crow. The wine chosen by the confident Sommelier will not disappoint.
Our family had such a lovely dinner there :) Every dishes were exceptional! This is our second time visiting. We went there last year in May and few weeks ago. They are continuously great! Kid-friendliness: Surprisingly really child friendly!!
Beautiful setting at the iconic Sydney Opera house. Entree and dessert was exceptional, the main wasn t quite to the same standard. The wait staff were attentive, perhaps overly so, as I felt a bit rushed. It was certainly an excellent meal, location and evening, just not quite worthy of five stars considering the price.
The cauliflower is very refreshing and has a balance of sweet and sour. The oysters are freshly seasoned and the view is great.
Worthy every cent, amazing food and service
I was very excited to book Bennelong as we had a number of international guests arriving and what better place than to dine inside Australias iconic opera house - however the experience was far from pleasant and we left shocked, disappointed and humiliated. Firstly, two of our international guests couldnt get visas on time so I called 44 hours before to try cancel however was met with a cold response stating that I couldnt cancel as their policy was 48 hours and the full $200 per head would be charged whether we went or not. Although I was suprised by the inflexibility I did understand that was their policy. Stressed about having to pay the full amount we managed to find two new guests to replace the booking and went ahead. During the night, we asked politely to check on our meals (twice) as the service was slower than expected and that was when the manager Daniel came and shouted at our table stating rudely that you were the ones who were late!, stop rushing us, we will serve when we are ready!. We were shocked and taken aback by this encounter - we often take guests and clients out to such establishments and have never received such horrifying and rude customer service. A more appropriate response could have been apologies for the delay, we are a bit overwhelmed, please allow us some time You are representing Bennelong and Peter Gilmore - would he allow this kind of behaviour from his staff? We were in fact not late - we had called in advance to reschedule the dinner as one of our guests had an an emergency to attend to which the restaurant accepted and I received a new booking confirmation of 7pm. I was embarrassed and shocked and felt deeply sorry for our international guests who flew all the way to endure this abusive behaviour. There was also zero attempt at service recovery. After the encounter with Daniel, we asked why we were treated this way and the response was equally rude and unapologetic. We were also served the wrong desserts but as we felt sick and appalled by the rude treatment we took two bites of the desserts and left the establishment. Thank you very much Daniel for the worst dining experience of our lives. We will not be returning or recommending anyone to book this establishment. We couldnt help but wonder if we were treated this way because we had international guests?
Exceptional.
Bennelong is always a great time. The staff always go above and beyond to accommodate and make you feel part of their family. Any menu selection will delight. Highly recommend.
It took me 43 years to finally experience The Bennelong & can I say everyone especially Australians should experience it at least once in their life. My wife & I had a memorable anniversary which the staff made most enjoyable
Amazing experience. Went with my daughter before the Laufey concert. Customer service from Johnny to all the service staff at the drink and snack bar was phenomenal.
Friendly staff, amazing views, stunning food and cocktails. Thank you!
Two people visited for lunch on Saturday and ate 3 courses It was a course meal that was a delight for both the eyes and the mouth! Angus beef steak and duck steak were both so juicy, tender and delicious I was impressed by the passion fruit syrup sprinkled on the pavlova. The atmosphere is nice and friendly :)
Unique restaurant at the Sydney Opera House. Very good treatment, reaching exceptional. The food and wine lived up to expectations, making it a special place. The only drawback in my opinion is the ambient noise, perhaps somewhat high due to the number of diners in the room and the acoustics of the premises. Still, highly recommended.
Beautiful lunch for my birthday. The food was delicious and beautifully plated. The staff were charming and the view was beautiful.
Great food and great ambience
Thank you for a beautiful experience at Bennelong. The House lunch was a perfect intimate birthday celebration. Sonya looked after our girlfriend s special diet concerns and the recommendation for the Grenaché red wine paired divinely with our Angus beef main course. Everything was exceptional!!!
Gorgeous place, amazing food, great people and service they provide! Smoked pig belly was to die for, iconic pavlova beautiful and delicious, drinks menu definitely worth exploring. This unforgettable experience was not cheap but worth every penny! Great place for celebrating something special.
I had the chance to eat at Bennelong and it was a really great experience for me. The waiters were all friendly and professional, and food was pretty much excellent. Sharing more below Oysters - Fresh oysters from southern NSW according to the waiter. Comes with an iced dip that s Yuzu / citrus based. Similar to how some squeeze lemon juice onto the oysters, it serves the same purpose but in a very surprising manner. The dip kept the oysters cool but retained the saltiness at the end. The oysters without the dip are just as good. There s some seaweed served and you can enjoy it if you want a stronger sea flavour. Entree - I had the smoked pig belly with koji noodles and shiitake. Very interesting combination of flavours, with the black garlic and sesame garnish adding a very Japanese shine on the noodles. The noodles texture was smooth and were a tad on the chewy side. The pork belly was unexpectedly less fatty, so the meat was a bit on the harder side without the fat to blend the meat closer with the overall sauce. Nevertheless, its still a great piece to get me started. Main - I had the wild caught fish, with 2 sides - baby potatoes with seaweed and anchovies, and fioretto cauliflower in vinaigrette. It was a great anchor piece of the meal. Of the fish - it was fresh and blended so well with the broth thats served together. I think its best eaten with a spoon after cutting the fish, so that you can enjoy it better. The broth had a great umami and enhanced the freshness of the fish. Of the sides - the fioretto was crunchy and added a small sour edge to the dish, while the baby potatoes had a generous serving of herbs and seaweed and tossed in anchovy oil. Such a marvelous combination to the fish. It might be a bit too salty for me, but I think its still good. Dessert - The pavlova was served with passionfruit sauce, with wafer thin opera house shells decorating it. I felt so bad smashing them. The passionfruit had a good balance of sweet and sour, and the pavlova meringue was pretty fresh. A great way to end the meal. In all, I had a great meal here, and you can see the full interior architecture of the opera house shell in close proximity too.
I love it every time i go
My dining experience at Bennelong was exceptional! Johnny catered to my request for a table by the window and arranged a better timeslot for me, making the evening even more special. Throughout the dinner, Fabio provided exceptional service, looking after me with great care. The food was amazing the fresh scallops tasted like they were just caught, and the pavlova, resembling the Opera House, was a delightful touch. To top it all off, I received a warm blessing for my 3rd year anniversary in Australia. Highly recommend Bennelong for an unforgettable dining experience!
I expected more from one of the worlds most iconic restaurants. The food was barely average, though the service and staff were friendly and very attentive.
Had a wonderful dinner here last night with the family to celebrate a milestone occasion. Friendly staffs, amazing food and view. Jordan was fantastic at taking our family photos, he had all the spots and poses down, even got the teens to smile! Such a fun night thank you. x
Unbelievable service, amazing environment and super delicious food. This restaurant 100% deserves a 3 Michelin Stars! Food
What a wonderful, elegant place with beautiful views, the staff is incredible, the food is exquisite. Coming to a place like this and having it meet all your expectations is incredible. Totally recommended.
Beautiful setting and attentive service. Great panoramic views of the harbour, sunset and fireworks display. Enjoyed all courses, wine and cocktails. Wait time to get a preferred Saturday evening reservation was not too long. Dietary restrictions: Gluten free
Amazing!!
Food is ok. View, vibe and service are excellent
Absolutely incredible. Amazing food, lovely service staff and great wine at a reasonable price! 10/10
Great place for fine dining. The staff was great, and took some great pictures for us. The food was delicious. My favorite was the marron with cream and lime. We did have to eat two portions of bread and butter because the portion sizes on the main dishes were quite modest.
Great place for dinner, You dont have many options to choose from since it is a tasting menu But of course everything is exquisite!
Reception service only deserve 1 star all others are good
Some of the greatest service I ve ever had in my life lovely live music and the atmosphere felt very warm and opening
Simply outstanding, food, service, and what a location! Hands down one of the best meals our family have shared, thanks to all the staff that made this such a special lunch for us.
Many good things to says about this restaurant, architecture wise it is superb and iconic. Warmth and good services. Delicious food! I would recommend
Best restaurant I ve ever been to. Sensational service from the moment you enter until you leave. Will be back for sure Food
Mediocre food & service
An amazing experience.. Beautiful setting, stunning views, great service.. Beautiful produce, delicately prepared & presented. Food was absolutely delicious. Wine list & cocktails - exceptional. Nothing to fault here..
I went here for my birthday and we booked a 3 course meal option. Food was great! Quantity is less but it s tasty. Service was EXCELLENT!! Like the way they treat you is amazing. The ambience is also really beautiful! Girls there s amazing backgrounds to click some Instagram worthy pictures!
Dining at the Sydney Opera House is unparalleled for tourists. We opted for the two-course meal with oysters at the bar before our musical performance. The food was exceptional, and the service was superb. They graciously accommodated our request for the best seats at the bar. The atmosphere and view were extraordinary, surpassing our expectations. Nonetheless, Im deducting one star because of the cost versus the overall value.
Immaculate; the food, the service, the views.
A memorable meal at this fine dining restaurant in the Sydney Opera House. Waiters were mostly attentive and kind, whilst the food came out at a good pace. Food highlights for us included the pork entree and main, as well as the snapper which was delicious. The desserts were a bit rich for us, but we could appreciate the technical skill it took to create them. Definitely a pricey meal, so one to save for a special occasion.
Wonderful atmosphere and exceptional hospitality from Staff 10/10
Absolutely divine. The food, the location, the ambiance, the quality and professionalism of the staff, by far the one of the best if not the best dinner I had in Sydney!
If you re so keen to rush people out the door don t be surprised if they opt to pay $200+ a head to be able to spend more than a hour at a table elsewhere. The wine waiter couldn t keep up with the speed of the food service, 3 courses in just over an hour so they could make way for the second sitting despite being well on time for ours. I ve eaten here three times, but the exquisite food isn t worth the pressure surrounding it anymore. Really disappointed.
Wanted to book a dinner here for Monday 27th june. Unfortunately the waiter thought it was too much trouble whem we asked for a window seat at 6:30 pm and some other questions.He growled you can only do that at 5:30 or 7pm. He just totally made us feel why would we spend $600 in a place that cant be bothered. Nice out look but need staff who want to be wait staff.
Its just such a beautiful place to enjoy an evening with friends or someone special. The food is exceptional, the service immaculate and the atmosphere is buzzing. The three course menu is just perfect and a pavlova to die for.
Amazing food, location and service! We even saw two celebrities Came here to celebrate my birthday and wow, what a memorable evening! Food : 5/5
Been here a few times for either a pre theatre drink/snacks or dinner and it s worth every penny.
I ll start with positives. The host was incredibly warm and attentive. Clearly focused on excellence. It s one of the most beautiful dining rooms, the views of the city are unmatched and the ambience with piano and vocals were lovely. However the service was often fairly sloppy for a restaurant of this standard, waitress lent across one of our guests, on multiple occasions the team were confused over which guests were having which dish, something which should certainly never happen. The expectation for the experience and the price point are obviously going to be high. It is overpriced for three courses, not least because of the lack of amuse bouche and petit fours, which is usual from a restaurant of this standard. Multiple dishes were under seasoned. The starter for one of our guests was almost bland, one guest enjoyed the main course pork s flavour however it was incredibly chewy and the meat was over cooked. We left feeling underwhelmed from an experience that should of been incredible.
Went there today with my girlfriends had the $190 lunch 3 coarse Omg!!! Absolutely fantastic,food was melting in the mouth and staff were sooooo Good will be back aga
The Sunday jazz plus lunch was a perfect combo. The portions were good, dessert was the best part. Was definitely not a fan of the sides. Service was impeccable, made the lunch that much better.
It was my second time at the Bennelong. I loved it but I just find it a bit pricey for what it is. You also have to spend $190 for a 3 course mane. However it is worth it
Ahhhhhhhhhh .. I was really looking forward to this experience and it started wonderfully with 1/2 dozen freshly shucked south coast Sydney rock oysters accompanied with a wonderful wine. Both entree s were enjoyable, but the mains were ordinary - my oven cooked John Dory was dry and over cooked- the sauce was great tho. If the fish had been individually pan fried I think it may have made an incredible difference? Deserts were good! Wonderful venue, but doubt we ll be back.
Best location in Australia and flawless food, drinks and service.
Great restaurant, amazing food options. Very nice view.
What a great experience, such as beautiful food and cocktails well served by amazing staff specially by Fabio that gave us such a lovely night
The food from the set menu was truly exceptional, leaving me thoroughly impressed. However, my disappointment stemmed from the caviar, which fell short of expectations due to its perceived lack of freshness and the minimalist presentation. Considering the esteemed reputation of caviar as a luxurious delicacy, I had anticipated a more meticulous attention to both quality and presentation. The minimalist approach seemed incongruous with the dishs elevated status, leading me to expect a more elaborate presentation befitting its premium stature. Furthermore, while the ambiance created by the jazz music was undoubtedly pleasant, it was unfortunate that the excessive echo in the room detracted from my overall enjoyment. Despite the pleasant music, the acoustics of the space hindered my ability to fully immerse myself in the experience, which was regrettable.
Terrible service. Food average
The duck was delicious, no fishy smell, the skin was crispy, a bit like the traditional Chinese roast duck. The beef was tender, the mushroom sauce was delicious. The eggplant in the scallop eggplant was crispy. The taste was better than expected. The restaurant has a great view, I will come again next time.
A bit disappointed as we are charged for jazz music(40 bucks per head) after spending around $1600 for 4 people. I believe the music is to attract people for Sunday lunch not extra. Higher expectations especially from the iconic restaurant like Bennelong as we have been charged without consent (once we booked) so feel like someone robbed you especially they said they can t waive the price. Not the first one we came but probably would not back there again for a while.
Its a great place to celebrate a special day during your trip to Sydney! I was worried after reading the reviews, but contrary to my worries, it tasted good! I recommend fish for the main menu!
I went there for dinner last night with my family. This is the second time that I have dined here. The first time was for a 50th and it was incredible. Last night however I thought they missed the mark. The staff were all friendly and our table seemed to be served by lots of different people. One lady took our food order, a guy took our drinks order and two sets of staff brought our different courses. The food was very nice however the portions were just too small. The three course set menu was about $200 per head and there was one small piece of pork belly in the entree. The fish was also nice however for a main, it was the size of an entree. Service was mixed. Our table didn t receive any bread. Obviously an oversight however this place should not make these mistakes. We also ordered a second round of beers. Ten minutes later when the beers were not brought out, I asked one of the ladies who delivered the entree if she could see where the beers were and she said obviously they will be coming . They didn t arrive so we had to ask a third waiter. Just not good enough. Overall it was a nice place for dinner however I feel it lacks value for money. I think they need to increase the size of their portions or add another course. Service last night could have been better. Maybe it was just one of those night.
A group of close friends and I had lunch at Bennelong yesterday and it was truly an amazing experience. We had a newborn with us as well and they made us feel so so welcomed. From as soon as we entered, it was clear the service was what was going to stand out. After not being allowed to dine at an affiliated restaurant due to a no children < 7 yr policy, I am delighted to have been able to dine here. I pretty much doubt the other restaurant would have been better. The food was simply exceptional, as I guess you would except from a 2 hatted restaurant- the scallops, duck and chocolate crackle were stand out dishes. The atmosphere and view are incredible. But what made this an experience that stands out from the rest is the service. I have dined out a lot and genuinely don t think I have had better service than what we had here. From the marvellous welcome from the maître d , to our personal waiter, to the sommelier, to the staff serving food and to a staff member who, I am unsure what their role was, but kept coming over to check on our newborn, I could not have imagined a better dining experience for our special occasion. Particular shout out to the maître d - such a huge asset to the restaurant and is one of the reasons we will be back. If you want a truly special experience, book here.
One of the best Australian fine dining I have ever tried. The service and their sommelier is to perfection. Their ability to cater for dietary needs is exceptional and they had alternatives for any dish I ordered. The sommelier picked the perfect wine pairing for my main. One little disappointment was that the duck was way too undercooked for my liking. Above all else, I understand why this is the OG fine dining in Sydney. Would definitely visit again.
Great food, service, ambience and view. Had the evening 3-course set menu. Scallop with crispy eggplant, aged pork and pavlova. All dishes excel in taste and presentation. Especially love the eggplant dish. A bit pricey but worth the splurge.
Struggling to find any positive experiences other than the architecture of the actual opera house Food was beyond average. Everyone seems to enjoy the duck the most; its probs the best dish out of the mains option but still it was very average. Sauce doesnt go too well, rather something a bit more flavourful and poweful. And the long waits between dishes really throw us off. 3 courses for almost 3 hours were too much
Celebrated wedding anniversary at Bennelong. Impressed with the impeccable service, ambience and food. My wife and I were very well taken care of by the staff, especially Moe and Zac. Would return on my next trip to Sydney!
Overall experience was exceptional.
My wife and I recently visited Bennelong Sydney to celebrate her birthday, and while the evening had its highs, there were a few high disappointments that we felt compelled to share. Despite our pre-arranged request for vegetarian options without mushrooms, we found that all the dishes both entrees and mains were centered around mushrooms. This left my wife with limited choices and somewhat marred what could have been a perfect celebration. It was disheartening to see our dietary preferences overlooked, especially after being assured that they would be accommodated.
Located inside the Opera House, not much needs to be said about the views! Great ambience upon entering and we were met with friendly and courteous staff. We had the evening 3-course set menu and chose the scallop and pork as entrees, fish and wagyu beef fillet as mains, a side of potatoes, and the lamination and pavlova for dessert. All the dishes were thoughtfully made, and each sauce and accompaniments matched well. The presentation was elegant and mostly minimalistic, with the exception of whimsical pavlova constructed in the shape of the Opera House.
Lovely venue/views, but sadly food was not great for the huge price you pay
We came here for a Friday night before going to the Symphony. It was an amazing experience - relaxed atmosphere, wonderfully friendly staff, delicious food, nice drinks, not rushed at all. Brilliant restaurant at an iconic venue.
Beautiful view & great service by the Bennelong staff. The food & cocktail menu however did not meet our expectations. We had better dining experience in other hatted restaurants. Overall, we had a good time. The pavlova dessert had a great presentation!
It was a belated birthday celebration for me and an early birthday celebration for my husband. Started from the warm welcome at the entrance, located to our table, the service, food and atmosphere, everything is perfect. My next visit to Sydney, well definitely re visit again.
Iconic, good food
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Bennelong. Whats not to like - They deliver exquisite food in one of the most iconic venues in the world. The highlights for us were the pig jowl and marron starters and the lamington and pavlova.
Had just cocktails, and there were great. Staff was super friendly. Prices are high, but what else to expect from such a central iconic place.
Warning: tip included in bill.
Here for a quick meal before a show and absolutely loved it. Fantastic service, great food and a wonderful atmosphere. A highlight from our trip.
Great night out.
Place and atmosphere great. Helpful staff. Food probably only worth three stars though.
A birthday to celebrate, and a meeting with my daughter who lives in Sydney. We have chosen to celebrate this date in the spectacular Bennelong. Nestled within the Sydney Opera House, you enter the restaurant and are delighted by the incredible design of the sails as you sit at your table. The experience of being in such an enchanting place is already worth the choice. The staff both at the reception and at the table were truly professional, kind and impeccable. We started with the oysters and continued with the three course menu. Every dish thrilled us, the atmosphere and the view were incredible, everything really exceeded expectations. The only note to improve is the light on the tables: in the evening it creates ambience but its a shame not to be able to see the color of the magnificent food on offer. Experience to repeat! Congratulations to all the staff.
Surprisingly average! Food is just very average, lamb was served cold, almost raw, obviously the location is great and the interior is the real star of the show. Great staff and service though.
Excellent Service & Amazing Meals. Reasonable Prices for a High End Establishment
Spur of the moment dinner, was a highlight of our time in Sydney.
Impeccably executed fine dining with attentive friendly staff, and the most beautiful views
Went for a special function for a friend s birthday where the entire venue was booked for he s party . Amazing atmosphere and the food was amazing. I was so impressed by how well managed it was even though there were around 150-200 guests. The food came out seamlessly and my wine glass was never empty. The staff was so well trained and highly skilled and professional.
Absolutely amazing experience from the moment you walk in till the very end. Staff were absolutely lovely and ensured every aspect of the experience was looked after. Food was exceptional and so beautifully presented. The view was amazing of the harbour bridge as well Vegetarian options: The majority of the dishes can be accommodated to be vegetarian just as long as you speak to the staff and they will guide you through and make changes where necessary.
Bennelong is near the top when I think about the best restaurants that Ive been to in Sydney - an immaculate blend of superb service; great flavors; and stunning views. I visited for a solo dinner which did require a phone call ahead of time versus the website. One small issue here - apparently the person taking my reservation didnt denote correctly that I was solo when I arrived. However, the manager, also named John, was able to take care of it quickly and easily. John was absolutely a superstar and was so impressed with how professional he was and personable amidst all the hustle and bustle of the night. I was seated at the bar area at the edge, overlooking a lot of the restaurant and the gorgeous, gorgeous views looking out at the pier. The design of the restaurant is striking and magnificent. Its one of the most memorable restaurants Ive been to just from a visual perspective. Heres what I ordered: *Cool, Calm & Collected: A really delicious brandy/rum drink that was a play on bees knees. Loved the presentation which came with a honeycomb cracker and a wee bit of liquid nitrogen which made the whole cocktail look so neat. Counter Prie Fixe Menu: *Smoked Pig Jowl: Such a gorgeous presentation of noodles. The dish was a nice appetizer and so packed full of flavor. Loved the ivvid notes of black garlic and sesame that werent overpowering at all. *Maremma pasture raised duck: Also a gorgeous presentation. Loved the duck itself - wonderfully cocked to perfection with a crispy skin. The duck sausage was a bit overpowering in contrast, but I think when all of it is mixed together, it comes together quite well. The entree also came with potatoes and green beans. These were alright. Dessert: *I ended up pushing thru to get the final dessert - the Pavlova. Again, another gorgeously presented dessert that is made to reflect the Sydney Opera House itself. I didnt like the rice crackers as much but the rest of the baked meringue was terrific. I got to the restaurant by using the elevator and looking for signage which were plentiful! Just a terrific way to end the night and cap off the Sydney trip. Thanks to the server, Valerie, and John for being fantastic. Super, super memorable all the way through.
I will run out of adjectives to describe how great the food and experience was for the Jazz lunch today. The service was wonderful. The Jazz band and @katewadey were perfect. We have eaten all over the world and the food here was the best all around meal we have experienced. The drinks were tasty and refreshing. The presentation and attention to detail was amazing. DO THIS!
We were seated 40min after our booking time, service was very slow, food was average. This place shouldnt be considered in the top 100 restaurants in Sydney. When Matt Moran ran this place it was 100 times better
A magical experience, from the atmosphere to the salmon. The attendant was superb. The wine amazing. The side beyond excellent. And the view of Sydney Bay and the bridge happiness. Excellent date night.
Excellent view and services. But presentation is a bit plain than expected. Food were tasty but nothing crazy compared to similar fine dining restaurants around.
Waited main menu for 2hr.
A beautiful restaurant with a spectacular view and authentic service.
Great preconcert refreshments.
A must visit. Been here multiple times. Food is always good and is consistently good. Same as customer service consistently helpful and professional.
Both food and service was on point. Definitely worth the price and experience.
The wine list is very expensive for very average wine, the mark up is at least 500%. The service is pretentious and the food was very average for a high end restaurant. It is sad that the only draw card is the location, it should be a five star venue across all categories. The Opera House is off my bucket list and I will not be back.
2024 update: had to remove a star for the poor service last night. One of the waitresses attitude was not up to scratch for this place everyone else impeccable! Had dinner for two late 2017. This is a real treat but be prepared to pay for it. Worth every penny in my opinion as food, service, wine and setting are just the best one could ever imagine. Unforgettable experience.
From the moment you walk through the door, the service is impeccable, the way youre greeted, then seated was absolutely professional, then it came to table service with drinks, food etc, constantly being checked on, water being topped up etc, it was just perfect, the ordering process of food was so simple and easy and the food was just a perfect 10/10 3 course meal, every detail about every dish was just on point, I made to sure to leave my plates clean, sauce and all, I would definitely come here again, 100% worth it and the view of the harbour from the table was just so beautiful, even having a view of fireworks
The bar is amazing, a short but nice list of plates to have with your drinks. The best aperol spritz in town :) and the best waiter; Francesco, who was spot on with the wines he suggested and was a total delight.
The food was absolutely wonderful but poor service spoilt the experience. We spent 15 minutes with empty glasses awaiting a refill from a bottle already bought to accompany the starter, meanwhile we were having the main courses thrust upon n us before we had any chance to choose the wine we wanted to accompany it.The waiter and sommelier were condescending and insincere.
Unfortunately the money ($630) for 2 people did not deliver on expectations. We were happy to spend the money for an unbelievable experience. Well we got the unbelievable experience but unfortunately not in the good way. Food was basic at best, even the side of potatoes was undercooked (twice as we sent them back). There was no special atmosphere that made me feel like we were anywhere particularly special from the greeting of the host who couldn t make me feel any less welcome to the sommelier whose answer for a basic request of a gimlet was met with no .. to not being able to offer a non dry sparkling wine/champagne at all. The Sangiovese wine was also lack lustre. The decor is dated, the tables didn t have any linen on them and the communication between different wait staff had our sparkling water topped up with still water. In the end, the only redeeming factor in our visit was our waiter Marek who looked after us and the supervisor who replaced my main (from Lack lustre Lamb to lovely snapper). But even the oysters were small and only offered natural with zero flare or any vinegarette. It was giving buying oysters from the supermarket vibes not top restaurant vibes. The toilets are located far away. The restaurant is not accessible friendly. If I was asked if would come back again or recommend this restaurant my answer would be go to altitude at Shangri-La instead. Wheelchair accessibility: There is none.
I took my mum here for her birthday. We ve always wanted to try the iconic Bennelong restaurant located inside the Sydney Opera House. We had the three course dinner menu, and honestly the food was just okay - I ve had much better set menus elsewhere in Sydney. Had the Western Australian marron and the scallops for entrées (the marron was a bit underwhelming; had like 5 teeny tiny pieces of marron which were quite dry. The scallops were much better). For mains, we had the wild caught fish and the Maremma pasture raised duck which were decent. For dessert we got the chocolate crackle (which I think got made famous from MasterChef), but my mum and I weren t a fan. We also had the crème brulée, which was pretty good. Service wise, I found it okay - wasn t extraordinary. The host at the door took our jackets and did not let us bring my mom s birthday flowers to the table, which I found quite odd? That s why we couldn t take her birthday photos with the flowers at the table.
Friendly service, beautiful meals, delicious food, great atmosphere, and great views! Especially the flower strawberry ice cream, so amazing!
We came here for Valentine s Day dinner and the service was amazing and most of the dishes and flavours I could not fault. The food was tasty and all the combos just go! The only things I say could have been done better were the sides - the beans and potato were both slightly undercooked but the flavours were still amazing. Will def come back and would give it 4 1/2 star but can t really do that on google. The service was beyond amazing from the min you walk into the restaurant till you leave. Dietary restrictions: My husband had dietary requirements and the restaurant was beyond accomodating and ensured all his meals didn t have onion or garlic even though it was a degustation menu. Very pleased with that!
Beautiful and elegant. Food is excellent!
Superb
Lovely atmosphere and views. Attentive sommelier, very good waiting staff and just the right amount of attention to detail. I started with Marron and buckwheat pikelets, main was roasted snapper and finished with the creme caramel. All were utterly delightful and would recommend the experience to anyone looking for an elevated dining experience.
wonderful service,food,atmosphere and company, what more do you need. GREAT.
The food was next level, the surroundings were obviously incredible and Fabio was a fantastic host! Great job, great experience!
The cuisine was satisfactory but not extraordinary, the ambiance was overly noisy for a fine dining experience. However, the service was very good, friendly and lovely servers.
Enjoyed the scallops and pork jowl as entrees, the duck as main and the modern take on the lamington and creme caramel vs mille fuille. The whiting was a bit bland and the only critique from an otherwise amazing evening!
Aside from the view, for the price, I would say its not worth it, I only remember the pork belly confit from the course meal. We went here on a summer day, its like a magnifying glass inside, it was so hot, one of the automatic shades wont go down and the sun was directly in my eyes, I was melting my face off, even with sunglasses it was extremely uncomfortable. Then suddenly, when a patron appeared, the shades magically went down beside them. We asked twice if we can be moved somewhere else, it felt like an inconvenience as they have nowhere else to move us to. No effort was exerted to make us more comfortable. Id spend my money somewhere else next time.
We had dinner there with my family after our show in the Opera House this past week. This place is not worth it. We upgraded two meals to the wagyu steak which were warm and cooked as if they just sous vide it without searing it. They ruined the steak completely. Our worst part of the meal was the fact that we waited 30 minutes in between our appetizer (entree) and main dish. There was a lot of staff wandering around doing nothing, and they didnt even give us an update even though we were clearly not happy with our meal. They just ignored us until I had to flag someone down. Our meal ended up being 2 hours just for a three course meal which was ridiculous. For the amount you pay, go somewhere else. We went to Saint Peter the might before and paid much less for much better food and service. The two stars were for the ambience of being inside the beautiful Sydney Opera House.
Dinner at Bennalong was always high on our bucket list. Sadly our celebration became a complete disappointment. I booked 3 months in advance for a surprise 60th birthday, booked the table with the Harbour Bridge View. This was a very special occasion one which we were going to make a treasured event. inviting immediate family including relatives from interstate. When making the booking for 6, I advised I was waiting on confirmation from two other guests making it 8 in total. At the time the reservations manager advised that there would be no problem accommodating two extra people, a few days notice was all that would be required. Three days out from the event I rang to update the numbers, I was advised that there was no room for the other two guests. I repeat two guests. No was the answer. The best they could do was to put the additional guests on a waiting list. I offered many seating alternatives, only to be advised were sorry but... In my discussion with the reservations manager, she advised that Bennalong had overbooked for that night and there was nothing that could be done. I had no choice but to cancel, this didnt phase them one iota and although they apologised it was hollow to say the least. In hindsight I probably did them a favour by cancelling as the restaurant was overbooked. Despite what you may hear, in reality, youre just another number.
The restaurant s location is great, it located inside the famous Sydney opera house. The Sydney harbor view is outstanding in front of us. The service was good and the staff were attentive. The presentation of food was not good, the main course fish has no taste at all, the presentation of this dish looked somehow weird to me. The main course lamb tasted bloody and terrible. We paid over $400 dollars for 5/10 food , would not recommend it.
Amazing place! All the cocktails were really good, presentation, taste, everything. Bartenders were very friendly and real professionals. Im not a big fan of oysters, but decided to try and they were perfect! The atmosphere is really fantastic views are beautiful. Food
Had our wedding anniversary here. The experience was amazing. Very professional staff that you can have great conversations with. Food was amazing in taste and presentation. I would have preferred larger portions. Although the quality made up for that. Bonus of having one of the best views in the world that night, my wife. But harbour bridge came in second! Would definitely recommend.
Overrated: overall, a disappointment for a two-hat and pricey place. Front of house was mechanical and insincere and didnt acknowledge people in the queue until after the clock struck the next seating. Entrees were great, but I can do mains like that at home. The service was excruciatingly slow, and the mains arrived tepid. But you pay for the location here and for that alone Bennelong gets a bonus star.
The foods are delivered sooooooo late. We eat food 30min and wait 2hr. For tourists, the time is gold. Food is delivered too late. We wasted 2 hours just waiting for our food, excluding meal time. Other than the symbolic meaning of eating inside the opera house, neither the food nor the service are particularly outstanding. In particular, in terms of service, some of the staff were friendly, but other staff were almost whispering when explaining the food, so you couldnt hear what they were saying, and while others were wiping the table, they suddenly came without any explanation or understanding, dragging dishes across the table to the side. After cleaning up, I wiped the table. In terms of price, a family of four paid about $1,100 au, so its fine dining, but Im not satisfied with the taste or service. We recommend that you visit only for those who have symbolic meaning and plenty of time to spare.
Sydney/Bennelong Its a world heritage site and has Western cuisine. The person in charge is Japanese. The space inside the store and the flow of time give it a special feel. There was a staff member who could speak Japanese. Each dish was decorated with small flowers. Also, the location is great Good access What impressed me the most was the chewy texture of the extra bread, and the crunchy sound that echoed in my ears. It takes about 1 hour for each dish to be served. If you have more time, you can enjoy it even more. Vegetarian options: There was a vegetarian menu
Amazing food in a great venue with views all around. Dishes were all perfectly prepared, full of flavour and delicately presented. Food
Fantastic experience! What could be better than dining at the Sydney Opera House as a Sydney tourist experience? Opting for the two-course meal with oysters at the bar seats before our musical. The food was outstanding and the service was exceptionally excellent. They accommodated our request for the best seats at the bar. The ambiance and view were incredible, truly beyond expectations. However, Im deducting one star due to the value aspect of our experience in relation to what we paid.
Quality of the food is great but the size of some meals are very small, the duck in particular. Our issue was with the wine. The list is uninspiring and over priced. We were recommended a wine off list that was $400 and weren t impressed with it. Later found out you can buy it for $80 retail. Not a nice feeling when you walk away from a dinner feeling scammed. Great location but this is becoming a tourist trap restaurant trading on its name and location. Far better options nearby.
We were delighted to receive a gift voucher as a wedding present. However, covid hit and had to wait until afterwards. We were then told our voucher had expired and they could not help us. Extremely disappointing considering it was out of our hands. Their email had a definite aura of smugness.
Great dining experience. We enjoyed the choices from the menu and were taken care of by the staff.
Please make the reservation and experience this exclusive place by yourself! Very recommended!
Impeccable service from all the staff who go above and beyond. All of the food was delicious and what made it a truly memorable night was how customer-centric all the staff were. Amazing restaurant.
Fine dining at the Opera House in Bennelong is a special treat. Celebrate that special occasion with aplomb. For the views - for the food - for the service. The city lights sparkle. The sunset glows. An iconic experience.
The location and table was great. We arrived on time but were sent to the bar for drinks. We had to request our table half an hour after we were told the previous sitting was busy paying? We were then seated at the table and after a half hour wait had to request the menus. The waitress seemed to be having a bad night, very short responses, no pleasantries and was totally unpleasant. Food was great when it arrived, we ordered coffee and tea after dinner, one coffee never arrived. Had to ask where the coffee was only to be told it was coming straight off, took some time to arrive after someone must have followed up, which should have been the answer to start! We were celebrating a friends birthday and were asked constantly by wait staff......how are you feeling the answer was hungry! Also how are you feeling is a very strange question seemingly the buzz term at Bennelong? All in all food was great, service was very poor particularly waitstaff at our table. Also when we were moved from the bar area our water glasses were all mixed up, so if you insist carrying drinks for patrons please ensure you can manage which glass belongs to the correct corresponding diner! Luckily we carried our own wine glasses. Training and attitude improvement required because the service experience was not enjoyable
Nice and fresh food
Being known by Peter Gilmore reputation, however this restaurant is not worth your next visit. We went there on Wednesday night, food was average, 6/10, actually frankly speaking, the duck dish was the highlight, one of the best duck I had so much, but the portions, i mean seriously that is the potion for main course ?! I remember we ate Quay 2 year ago (same executive chef with Bennelong) with 8 course menu, the quail dish we had have the same portions with this, or Bentley or Tetsuya we just had this year with 7 course and 8 course all the portion are bigger than this (FYI: this is portion for 3 course and they charge 190pax for this much of food). I am an Asian chick, who barely eat anything whole day to keep myself skinny but still cannot stand with the portions here. But that was not the main point, the SERVICE was absolutely TERRIBLE. Only highlight is the host gentlemen who was welcome us on host desk is the only one who show interaction with guest. Our section waitress is a lady who just came once to took order then left, never came back to ask how was everything. Noone said happy anniversary or ever mention even that is why we were there (except host guy), but the ridiculous thing is we saw other table got petit fours or even with candle well-prepared. But that is fine, people forgot sometimes, if only that I already not write this bad reviews. More than that, we finished our 3 course meal within 2.5hr, being waiting for someone to come and pour tap water for 10 mins, being wait for main course almost 50mins, being wait for dessert 30mins. I mean come on, we had 8 course in Tetsuyas for 2.5hrs with wine pairing as well and for Bennelong was just 3 dishes and go home, is that nessesary to take that long? The table next to us impatiently asked them how long for our main course twice while we still kept our mouth shut and wait. Not even apology for us for being wait that long or even them. They had lots of staff but none is give guest good experience. Also, when we were so hungry waiting for main course, we had asked for more bread to have while waiting, there is a lady with a pixie hair wearing a dark blue vest with shirt was say sure and she was literally roll her eyes, like we are crime who did something wrong when we just ask for more bread. She came back bring the bread, and I said no need to put plate for me, only for my partner, but she still throw it in front of me, no respond and left (yes it was throwing). Just a side story but when we were in the bar have some cocktail and cheese plates, 1 guy just came and took 1 chair from our table for other guest without saying sorry or anything (this is fine-dining standard?). And when we were paying the bills for the bar, the bar waiter was literally BEGGING for tips, even when they havent even prepared table in restaurant for me to sit. I have been always give tips wherever I go to dine at any places, but please dont be desperate for it. I think Bennelong should focus on training your staff to behave better. This is the worst service ever that I have experience
Here for birthday dinner. Food was beyond expectation! Loved the service! Favorite food was ravioli. Food : 4/5 |
Fantastic service, got seated by the window with gorgeous views of the harbour.
(4.5 stars) Tis almost that time of the year when your mind turns to end-of-year catchups and wrapping up loose ends to start 2024 with a clean slate. Shocked it had been six years between drinks, I started my season at one of the best spots in town to enjoy a beverage: the Sydney Opera House. The Bennelong Bar sits at the juncture of two precast concrete shells pointing in opposite directions. The view is grand whatever way you re facing. With the sky providing a muted grey backdrop, my eye s focus shifted to the magnificent cathedral-like bones of the building designed by Jørn Utzon AC. The sail structure is reflected in Snow White ($30) that arrives flies the skeleton of a pressed leaf. Silky smooth and easy to drink, this cocktail balances a tricky collection of big notes, including Herradura Ultra añejo tequila, Wahaka Espadin mezcal, lemon myrtle and mandarin made onsite from fresh fruit and clarified using milk to form a totally transparent drink. The Seven Dwarfs ($30) makes use of dry gin from the boutique distiller of the month, Joadja Distillery, which is operated by the Jimenez family. It s basically a martini perfumed with mango and dirtied up with Southern Highlands olives. One for All ($27) is probably the prettiest whisky cocktail I ve tried, teaming Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch with lightly smoked smoked pink grapefruit, saline, and house-made fig and grapefruit bitters lengthened with soda. At the fuller-flavoured end of the list, Burn it Down ($32) takes butter-washed Ron Zacapa 23, Bulleit rye whiskey and Joadja Pedro Ximénez and teams them with burnt orange, Angostura bitters and smoke swirled and released at the table. All four were high quality drinks delivered by an engaged floor team who knew a lot about how they were made. To remain upright and responsible, you can accompany your beverages with a slightly oily pair of prawn pockets prawn toast ($16/2) dragged through fermented chilli aioli, as you watch the lights come up on Sydney Harbour. Merimbula rock oysters ($54/6) came at a price that made me wince, but they were the best oysters that I have had from this popular South Coast holiday destination. (I prefer oysters from the sleepier Tathra, myself). The accompanying lemon pepper granita cut through the creaminess nicely.
Couldn t not have a better location for a birthday celebration! The food was delicious and reasonable priced. Service was wonderful and the venue is spectacular! My fav food of the night was the duck, I had to try very hard to not lick the plate definitely will be back again and again!
Great spot for a function. Staff very good and attentive. Food very nice. There for a wedding and very well looked after.
Now it is not often my partner and I go fine dining and when we do it ends up to be nice but nothing spectacular. Our experiences previosuly did not prepare us for how spectacular Bennelong was going to be. Nestled within the Sydney Opera House you enter the restaurant and are treated to the incredible sail design as you take your seat at your table. We arrived fairly early and some time to converse with our head server Marco and the sommelier. We also were very lucky as we got a table facing Circular Quay and just sat down prior to a huge thunderstorm outside that made it extra cosy and were treated to a natural lightshow throughout. We both ordered the XO Scallops and this was pure decadence with the scallops just melting in your mouth with bang on the money flavours. Unlike other restaurants that make you wait 30 mins or more between dishes, our mains came out around 15-20 mins after the entrees were collected. I had ordered the Wagyu fillet and my partner ordered the Roasted Snapper, both of which were cooked to perfection paired with amazing sauces. Ive had beef all my life and always struggled with restaurants typically cooking the meat to medium but it arriving as well done, but Bennelong clearly understood this and delivered perfectly cooked Wagyu. To top off dinner, we we opted for the pavlova sahped as the Sydney Opera House and the Chocolate, both of which once again delivered above and beyond. All in all, were were beyond satisfied not just at the food, but also the venue, service and how lucky we were to escape the weather and treated to a natural light show.
The old furniture and unfriendly service made the experience quite unpleasant. Throughout, the sun was shining directly on my face, and their solution was to ask me to sit with my back to the view to ensure the sun wouldnt hit my face, but it kept shining on my head instead.
Dining here was a very memorable experience! From the appetisers to the desserts - the flavours were exceptional and it was cooked/made to perfection. The venue was breathtaking and had a very classy vibe. The customer service was excellent all around. Johnny, the front man, even went above and beyond to take photos of my partner and I. Highly recommend this dining experience!
Bennelong exceeded our expectations. For years we ve avoided Bennelong perceiving it as a tourist restaurant. A gift voucher from work finally took us there. Most thing on the menu were impressive. Entrees: Salad of pickled cherries, confit tomato & liquorice kombu cornets of buffalo milk feta was delicious Mud crab congee with chawanmushi was good. Though being asian you can t help but feel that you can get this just as good and 10 times cheaper in asia Main Lamb with herb puree. Can t fault this. Everything about it is just stunning Dessert The cherry jam lamington and their signature opera house pavlova were both excellent Service was impressive and nothing could go wrong with the ambience when you re actually dining in the Opera House. Our only drawback was the price. They dont offer a full degustation menu. For a 3 course menu, a couple of sides with a mid level bottle of wine, we paid around the AUD 750 mark. We feel that this is a little over priced.
Exceptional Dining experience perfect for special occasions.
Just want to shout to Johnny for being understanding with us when we were a little late for our reservation and choosing us the best seats for dinner. The atmosphere is peaceful and the food was delicious. We are from Perth, and it has been the best experience for us we never forget. So once again, thank you for giving us the best experience and we definitely will come back!
Unic environment, very friendly staff, delicious food. A place worth visiting.
Another great experience at Bennelong! This time for Jazz Brunch. Lovely 3 course menu is just the right amount of food! Everything was a ten, and highly recommend it all!
Loved it! Great service, amazing views, great food. Worth it.
Fabulous. Beautiful place inside the bones of the Opera House and looking out at the Harbour. Amazing food and excellent service. Vegetarian options: Not a huge vegetarian range, but just such good quality
Absolutely great service and food, possibly the best stuff I ve ever eaten.