NEL Restaurant in Sydney

Absolutely fantastic dinner. Great experience. One of our group had some strick dietary requirements and they were amazing, even rang the check the requirements. Fantastic dinner top off with Nel coming out to say hello and a photo. Thanks to all a NEL.

Great experience, great food and excellent service. Had a show to go to and made it with time to spare. Thank you great service.

In love with this restaurant. The food and presentation was just amazing. Looking forward to another NEL experience soon.

Had a late lunch on the Christmas menu. Most of the dishes are excellent, however the desserts were a bit sickly sweet for our taste. Cannot fault the service from the staff, however, we were charged for 3 bottles of wine, when we only had 2 you don t expect this level of mistake from a restaurant of this quality. We pointed out the error and it was rectified. My biggest issue of the evening would be the charge of $8 per person for a couple of glasses of Sydney Water s finest tap water. We dine out weekly and I don t remember having to pay for tap water in any other (fine dining) restaurants in Sydney . From experience, there are better restaurants in Sydney.

What a fabulous evening! We had the Christmas experience and every dish absolutely stunned. Left feeling absolutely stuffed and that the whole evening was incredible value for money. Cocktails prices are also reasonable (and they re delicious). But on par with the food, the standout was the service! Thanks to all of the team for being so accommodating and warm - it truly made the evening. And lastly, but importantly, we d like to thank this venue for the volume/sound/acoustics!! It was so pleasant to be able to actually hear the person opposite me with ease, and yet there were Christmas songs audible the whole night. Loved it all, highly recommend.

We dined here for the first time a few nights ago and what a wonderful experience it was. Friendly staff, glorious food and a great atmosphere - well done to you all and thank you!

We had the 11 course Story of Christmas lunch and it was an entertaining and delicious experience. The staff were incredibly attentive and helpful and service was provided like clockwork. Thank you for a great experience and we look forward to future concept menus!

Amazing host and waitstaff tonight (sorry didn t get names). Christmas menu was entertaining and a fun experience

Hahahahaha! This place is a joke! Its in a basement and smells of mould. The toilets are dark and creepy with a lose faucet. The set menu included champagne, but we do not drink alcohol. They offered to provide a substitute drink which turned out to be Solo (carbonated soft drink). Most food servings are only one bite. The kitchen is open to see the cooks, but they seem to only be warming sauces and plating pre-prepared food. The servers are very nice, but they are given poorly scripted stories to tell while serving the disappointing plates. They offered still or sparkling water. We chose still, which was served from an open decanter and charged $8/person. We asked to see the bottle, and they said the water came from a machine in the back. When challenged, they removed the charge for still water that came from the tap. The food was extremely overpriced for the poor quality and the tiny portions. Afterwards, we were all still hungry. So we walked to Thaitown for filling bowls of fresh hot boat noodles. Yum! ~~~~~~ Follow up after venues response I was expecting an aggressive response from the venue as they have attacked other critical diners. Oh well, the venue has reinforced my opinion that NEL is a joke. Nobody was rude, we simply took the disappointment in stride. The venue reply has a number of other misstatements such as the booking arrangements. To be clear, I did not plan to be filled up by the meagre servings, but some freshly prepared food with insightful information about its preparation would have been appreciated. I look forward to the venue continuing the joke with another snide reply.

The food is like convenient food only re-heated from the Owen with some fancy plates and floral deco And the chef(owner) called us that not suitable for their tireless prepared fine dining assuming we never tried any fine dining. Fine dining Places like the quay, aria, oborozuki, Hubert, o bar are obviously a far better place for your money if one never tried any real fine dining with a decent view too with the same price and don t want to feel money gone rabbit hole Good Luck anyone have your money spend on pre-cooked food with deco that seem recycled from previous guests - not even tidy up the used coconut flakes And a house-made still water I never seen any other fine dining restaurant

Before my review, I have read through others that have tried to be helpful, but the chef/owner replied with contemptuous venom. I expect that the angry owner will do so with this review too. My two lady friends faced the kitchen and felt uncomfortable with the chef (owner?) leering at them throughout the evening. The waitstaff were very friendly and delivered the simplistic storyline that accompanied each serve. Unfortunately, they had no idea about the ingredients of the serves. This was particularly troubling as one of us has allergic reactions to some ingredients. They offered to ask the chef, but no information was ever provided. The menu (storyboard) had no intelligible information at all. Each of the 11 different serves were unimpressive with taste and smell, and lacked balance. Some were too salty, or too bitter, or undercooked (prawn - yuk), or unpleasant texture, or left a lingering bad taste on the palate. Nothing was served freshly prepared. There were some reheated sauces poured over some of the ambient morsels served. The focus seemed to be on style over substance with the storyline supported by props rather than meaningful food preparation. Most of the props and plates used to present each serve were reused without cleaning or replacing garnishes or beddings. Some were quite disgusting as the crumbing, crusting, and indentations of prior customer serves were obvious. The final desert was a tiny ball placed on a bed of icing sugar (?) and desiccated coconut which obviously had not been changed for several settings. The ball burst in your mouth when chewed releasing a liquid passion fruit substitute which left a final unpleasant lingering taste (akin to artificial sweetener) on our palates. We felt nauseous after this meal, but we werent sure if it was the food, or just the thought of eating food served on reused (uncleaned) props/plates. Dont go to NEL for the food, but go for the Instagram post material if thats important to you and your $$$$$. And dear chef/owner, I trust you will reinforce my poor opinion of you with comments directed at me rather than remedies aimed at improving the quality of your disappointing food.

This was a fantastic experience from the moment we entered the restaurant. We were warmly welcomed by the almost each and every staff as we made our way to our table. Service was attentive, pleasant, efficient and genuine. Chats with the staff throughout the night were informative and entertaining. The Story of Christmas menu was spectacular. Snacks were a delicious start to the evening - the pick of the snacks for us was Fairytale of New York - weve never had a reuben sandwich like it. The Naughty Child coal covered carrot with macadamia and honey butter was delightful also. Prawn and Mango, what a well thought out dish, and the two part duck dinner brought tarts to a new level. But the Yule Borscht was the show stopper. Borscht gelato with beetroot jue, and all the bells and whistles that went with it, the taste of this dish was out of this world. Of the three desserts, Edible Snowflake was the standout, although we would have preferred that it ended the meal, with the Festive Bomb served beforehand. Cocktails were vibrant and visual, served with flair. Our sommelier selected some wonderful pairing s for us. Hard to fault the night. we loved every aspect of it, and cant wait to go back to experience a new themed dining event. Thank you for a wonderful anniversary dinner experience.

Horrible service, after reservation online and paid deposit, they will give you a call said no table available for you, you have to sit on counter.

The food was beyond amazing, but what made our day a lot more special was our charismatic host Pavin. He really made our time at Nel one to remember, thanks Pavin and the wonderful chefs at Nel for this fantastic experience!!! Shout out to Jason behind the bar with some banger cocktails

Had the Great Experience menu. There was bone in The Garrison Special and they apologised. Thought they would offer an alternative but didn t. Enjoyed the desserts part of the menu though.

we went for the halloween themed lunch and absolutely loved it and highly recommend to anyone. a big shout out to the host Pavin for making it such an unforgettable experience. my husband and i loved him and we ll definitely be going back

Omg. Absolutely amazing experience. Staff were exceptional and trained well. Eye for datails. Chefs are fantastic to treat us to these amazing memorable experience of the senses .

Yhr best creative menu. Went for the Halloween test kitchen Highly recommend this for a cute lunch date or a romantic dinner venue Ask the bar tender to create you something special

Memorable experience

Great concept done with exceptional service. Loved the non-alcoholic parings for the degustation, it added a whole new level of excitement to the meal!

Yes, there is fanfare and gimmickery. But I adore the playfulness, attention to detail, and sheer fun that goes into tailoring a set menu at NEL. Some elements of the courses you experience may stray beyond the realms of adventurousness, polarizing and sometimes confusing the senses. Others are just well executed, and exemplify innovative culinary technique. It s part of the fun, and I love every chance that I get to wile away a lazy afternoon or evening here. Great experience with friends or a couple - just head into it with an open mind and have fun. Parking: The nearby paid street parking is hit and miss, particularly during busy periods. Kid-friendliness: Whilst the venue could accommodate children, this is probably one where you d try to leave the kids at home to enjoy a date night out or time away with friends. Be respectful to the other diners, and focus on treating yourself!

Recently attended for a special one off menu and I absolutely loved everything. Each dish was so detailed and beautiful, with some exciting theatrics. Highly recommend and cant wait to go back! Check out my food Instagram @erinxeats for more!

Just celebrated our Anniversary at Nel , it was fantastic! From we walked in, the staff were so welcoming & friendly, the Great British menu was like being transported back to my childhood in N.Ireland & the music playlist matched that. The food was so inventive with wonderful presentation & each dish tasted amazing! Loved every minute & will be back everytime they change the menu!

An absolute standout! We booked the Great British Menu with matching wines and to say it was amazing is an understatement. The interpretation of classic British dishes transformed into high end dining was not just impressive it was a fun and enjoyable journey through the evening. The wines were very well paired and the service was not just perfectly executed it was the right balance of perfection and casual, this is something many places struggle with as the casual and friendly service can often lead to a drop in execution however the team on the night balanced this perfectly. The restaurant atmosphere was just right and the underground location further added to the theatre and experience. Congratulations to the team in the kitchen for preparing and presenting dishes of such a high standard, every course was not just visually exciting it was backed up with a taste experience of perfection with every aspect balanced ensuring every mouthful was a delight. A special mention to the staff member who created the first two cocktails we enjoyed, The Royals and English Garden I think they were named, not only were they a fantastic way to start our evening they are two of the best cocktails we have ever had and would be enough to bring us back time and time again.

One of the best dining experiences! Enjoyed every minute of it!

The GM and his team were a delight.. entertained my parents throughout the service. Didnt even feel like 3 hours had passed. Will def come back the next time I am in town.

Amazing experience. Great British menu degustation.

Great night Amazing Food they take you along a journey Great Service, very relaxing atmosphere Thank you Food : 5/5 |

Amazing concept degustation menu.

If I tell too many people publicly how amazing every thing is a NEL I might not get a booking

Very good

I have dined in many restaurants all over the world and Nel is certainly one of the best.

Stellar service, from the moment we walked in, welcoming, accommodating, generous, could not have asked for more or recommend somewhere more, Promise, Pawan and Andrew are of special mention 7/5 stars for food and drinks

My very first degustation wow didnt disappoint. From the time we arrived, the staff were very welcoming. We had every dish explained to us not only ingredients but also the inspiration for the dish. They even gave us a little treat when we told them it was our anniversary. Hearing stories of how these types of menus can leave you hungry well, this was definitely not the case, and we left with a very high sense of satisfaction. Thank you to the staff at Nel

My wife paid in cash and the waiter said they dont give any change. Pretty sure the waiter did a dodgy and tipped himself.

For the money the food and service was absolutely what you would expect, never left unattended, the menu and wine pairings were nothing short of superb.

Yes you come here for the amazing food journey you get taken on, however, the most memorable part of this experience is the service. It was impeccable, the laughter shared between staff and patron is not something you experience all the time, so to have this in hand with the great quaility food and presentation it is definitely worth your time. Highly recommend

The menu was very creative and tasty. It was a good experience.

The food and ambience was good, not until when my friend paid in cash, the waiter did not give the change back when she clearly said she wants the change back. The waiter body language looks dodgy as well when we demand for the change at the counter before going out.

It was an excellent experience, and the service was outstanding. The food was delightful, particularly the starters and main courses. Im giving it four stars because the last two dessert dishes, such as the crispy rice pop, didnt quite meet my expectations. However, all the other dishes were a remarkable experience with beautiful flavours, especially complemented by the superb wine pairings. This review reflects my experience with the Great British menu.

Food was good but the service really let it down. 11 courses is a lot, so they need to come out promitly for this to work. We were forgotten about for 40mins after the 3rd course. Finished over 3 and a half hours after being seated and 90% of that time was waiting, as the courses were all small as you would expect for 11 courses. Drinks service was non existent for most of that time. (If youre going to take this long to serve, at least keep up with drinks so you arent left with nothing in front of guests..) Not worth $450pp at all. If the restaurant cannot handle this amount of guests (30cm between tables) it shouldnt accept as many reservations.

Style over substance and what they offer in creativity of presentation is sadly lacking in creativity and brilliance of flavour. One of the most disappointing meals I ve had at this price point.

Great experience. Got the wine pairing with the British menu and it was awesome. Highlights everywhere but the service was the standout. All the staff were knowledgeable about the food and wine, but each in their own way added some fun and personality. It made the whole experience a lot of fun. Food

The food was spectacular and we enjoyed each of the 11 courses from the Once Upon a Time menu. The whole dinner experience ended up taking 4 hours for us. We arrived around 7pm and the entrees came out quite quickly after each other, but some of the mains had 30 minute gaps in between. By the time it hit 10pm we were only 8 courses in and starting to get a bit tired. Once we finished and received the bill, we also found charges for 2 bottles of water to be $24 and a surcharge for dining on Friday night of $50, which resulted in a final bill for 2 people of over $500. The staff were lovely and described each dish with good enthusiasm and we even received a birthday sparkler for my partner.

NEL is a great off-the-beaten-track experience that offers a really inviting and interactive dining adventure. We did the once upon a time experience and were served by 3 different staff throughout the evening who were insightful, friendly, funny and passionate about the story behind the experience, which made eating the dishes a real joy. The portions were honest, carefully curated and add delicious to eat as they were to look at. The pork and the gnocchi were absolute standouts but we enjoyed everything and were left pleasantly full by the end. We werent interested in pairing wines at an additional $310 for 2 people, so we bought a beautiful bottle of Pinot Noir instead, which was thoroughly enjoyable. We are happy to pay a premium for a great experience and we definitely had one, but we were left with a pretty poor last impression when our bill arrived with a $50 addition that was unaccounted for, after already spending a very generous amount on the overall experience. Never in my life have I been met with a FRIDAY SURCHARGE before. If staff are being paid extra on weekends to work, then the weekend surcharge is somewhat justified, but charging a 10% surcharge on a Friday night on a $500+++ bill was a really poor last impression that put a damper on the evening, only to be followed up with the usual press this button if youd like to leave a tip. Needless to say, there was no additional tip left, and we will not be returning. As mentioned above, we couldnt fault the overall dining experience but little things like this also have an impact on the overall experience and it wasnt a nice end to a really important celebratory experience for us, so despite the 5 stars across the board, we are unlikely to pass the recommendation onto loved ones.

From the time I walked in I was treated so well. The team was exceptional. Food was exquisite. I have no complaints at all. Thank you team I totally enjoyed myself on both visits

Out of the world culinary experience! Every dish was very tasteful and I wanted more. Cosy ambiance and very professional & friendly staff! I would love to try their other menus but I probably would just keep it as food alone, personally for me non-alcoholic pairing was too much, I couldn t finish either my food or the drink and that s why 4.5 star(if I could), I did try to get drinks cancelled (was happy to pay) sadly, it was not an option, so I ended wasting 3 of my drinks Pawan was amazing and other staff as well in detailing the concept behind what we were eating! Parking: Parking at opposite road Goulburn st was out of scope due to weekend. Make sure you have extra 15-20 mins on weekends for parking if not pre booked.

Dining at NEL was a fantastic experience. The food was exquisite, with each dish crafted to perfection. The service was impeccable, making the entire visit memorable. I highly recommend NEL for anyone seeking a top-notch dining experience

Possibly the best restaurant in Sydney. The food is superb and the service wonderful. Nel coming out of the kitchen to chat with his customers is an added personal touch.

The Sunday Roast at nel in Sydney is a standout dining experience that blends tradition with creativity. Known for its modern Australian cuisine, nel elevates the classic roast with bold flavors, inventive twists, and beautifully presented dishes. The warm atmosphere and attentive service make it a must-try for food lovers, though reservations are recommended.

The Sunday Roast at nel is a truly delightful dining experience that combines tradition with creativity. Located in Sydney, nel is known for its innovative approach to modern Australian cuisine, and their Sunday Roast is no exception. The Sunday Roast at nel takes the classic concept of a comforting roast dinner and elevates it to new heights. Each week, the talented chefs at nel create a unique and inventive roast menu using the finest seasonal ingredients. From succulent meats to flavorful vegetarian options, the Sunday Roast at nel offers something for everyone. What sets the Sunday Roast at nel apart is the attention to detail and the unexpected twists that are incorporated into each dish. The flavors are bold and harmonious, showcasing the chefs creativity and skill. The presentation is also a feast for the eyes, with each plate beautifully arranged and artfully garnished. The warm and inviting atmosphere of nel adds to the overall Sunday Roast experience. The attentive and friendly staff ensure that guests feel welcome and well taken care of throughout their meal. The restaurants commitment to sustainability and supporting local producers is also evident in the quality of the ingredients used. While the Sunday Roast at nel is undoubtedly a special dining experience, it is worth noting that reservations are often necessary due to its popularity. Additionally, the prices reflect the high-quality ingredients and the level of craftsmanship that goes into each dish. Overall, the Sunday Roast at nel is a must-try for food enthusiasts looking for a unique and memorable dining experience in Sydney. With its innovative approach to traditional flavors, impeccable presentation, and attentive service, nel offers a Sunday Roast that is sure to impress even the most discerning palates. For more insights on top travel destinations, exceptional dining, and unique experiences, follow my account. I share detailed reviews and recommendations to help you discover your next perfect getaway and culinary adventure!

Beautiful & elegant food and ambience. The service was exceptional. Love this place & will definitely visit again one day!

Love this place

Thanks for a great experience again. You guys never let us down.

Love it Each dish beautifully nods to a Disney classic, with spectacular flavors and presentation. The enchanting atmosphere and attentive staff made for an unforgettable evening. A must-visit for Disney fans and fine dining lovers alike! Food

The food was not satisfactory (either tasteless or overly salty), and the service was slow. The manager was both arrogant and rude, making it the worst dining experience Ive had in all of Sydney. It was definitely not worth the money. I specifically requested not to have two fish dishes as my main course, yet they failed to replace or compensate for it. Additionally, each dish took approximately 20 minutes to arrive, which was unacceptably slow.

Very disappointing and greedy restaurant. - Were there for nearly 4 hours (arrived at 8.30pm and left at 12.10am) and not by choice - First dish was served 45 minutes after we arrived, probably because they wanted us to buy drinks first (they kept asking) - Weird pacing of dishes, snacks were super slow while mains and desserts were rushed - First dish was 2cm big - Many cold dishes that should have been hot (cold chicken, cold Bambi) - Two main fish dishes and no red meat - Who replaces ocean trout with beetroot?? - Theme was really loose for some dishes (what does prawn toast have to do with the cricket in Mulan?) - Female waiter was really dull and couldnt be bothered explaining the dishes by the time she got to us Male waiter (Andrew?) was really helpful even if tired of us by the end. Some of the dishes were fun and really tasty. Unfortunately we left annoyed and disappointed so I cant recommend the experience. P.S. Beware of the weekend surcharge.

It s 7pm in Surry hills, freezing on a Saturday night, NEL is the restaurant of choice. A few steps down and greeted by warmth and a very intimate space - low level lights and the hum of waiting staff. Coats hung and at the table, the cocktails and drinks menu is at the ready, the waiting staff so friendly and helpful. The first choice, mandarin and jasmine tea vodka cocktail which was delicious The degustation menu was to follow- 12 courses of wondrous selections. Each course superbly presented from fish to pork. This inventive menu presented followed a Disney theme, it s richness was contained in small and delicate morsels The Staff well versed and attentive, whilst each so professional- their interactions with customers made the whole experience a delight. This is a must do experience, whilst at the more expensive end of the spectrum, it s well deserved culinary adventure. Highlights included the Blood orange sorbet and Roasted pork, it s hard to single out any one item in a star studded menu The Maître d and sommelier were stand out performers Do take the time to put this one on your must do experiences Vegetarian options: This option should be alerted to the restaurant prior to arrival, preferably at booking Dietary restrictions: Dietary options were discussed and catered for Parking: Whilst in the heart of the city parking is hard to locate, but not impossible Wheelchair accessibility: It s east access to the basement with wheelchair lift - bathrooms well catered

The food was imaginative & tasty. Ive been to Nels about 5 times so I knew what to expect. But Ive never been to a restaurant where I paid $240 per person, & had to stop at McDonalds for a cheeseburger on the way home. And when people say they just want water to start while they decide what to get from the bar, they mean tap water. Charging $12 for a bottle of water is theft. I dont like wait staff constantly trying to push more drinks & add ons on patrons, not cool. Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly Wheelchair accessibility: No wheelchair access

Well done the NEL team The restaurant should have chef hats. Food was delicious, creative and displayed beautifully with lots of thought put into it. Wine pairing was also a great experience with Andrew (sommelier) who certainly hit the notes of the wine with the food. Staff was very attentive, friendly and professional. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. Was also fair and reasonably priced. Thanks for our great experience Kind regards Justin

My husband and I visited pre-Covid for a British Pub experience and loved it so much we visited last night for our anniversary. It s been too long between visits. Honestly, you re our favourite restaurant!! The food, drinks, staff and atmosphere are like no other. Our favourite dish last night was the gnocchi thanks once again for an amazing dining experience once upon a time

Firstly the service was excellent. Close but not intrusive, friendly but not obsequious. I commend the wait staff. At these prices though it had to be. A dank room, dark and cold (though my dining companions said it was hot: it seems I was sitting next to a vent or some such ) it didn t suggest anything special. And I didn t get anything special. Masterchef has ruined food at certain restaurants. Apart from trying to convince us George Colombaris knows anything about cooking, its reliance on the visual over smell and taste brings us this type of disappointing pap. The food was allegedly based on a theme of fairy tales. But it turned out the fairy tales weren t drawn from a rich vein of folklore but middling US fare like Coco and Frozen. There was an acknowledgment Snow White and the seven dwarves was originally German but it was based on the globalised Disney film. Hire a folklorist, don t just look at your kids streaming history. A wasted opportunity The food was really just ok. Ingredients didn t dance on the tongue, giving delight, but rather moved over the tongue, slid down the gullet and rested uneasily in the stomach. Disappointing is over praising it. The eleven courses dribbled slowly out. I remember really only three - a very nice Mexican dish, the pork belly and a sickly sweet banana dish. The rest blended into a samey meld of predictable tastes, with little to delight or even savour much. For nearly $300 per head (with drinks and a bonus beluga caviar) I struggled to see the value. I can eat just as well in a good local restaurant for a 10th of the price. Sydney has some of the best restaurants and food in the world. But not here. If you like food and good restaurants, nearly anywhere else would be recommended.

Exceptional service beyond 5 stars if I could rate it that! The food was amazing! We booked for the 11 course Once Upon a Time - Chapter 5. We booked 3 months in advance. It was worth the wait. The food presentation was so beautiful to the eyes. The matching Disney music in the background provided the restaurant with a relaxing and calm ambient vibe. It was definitely worth the experience.

The service was amazing. The food was fantastic. And I really appreciate the effort the chef went through to cater for my familys dietary requirements. Will certainly be back.

I had an absolute euphoric experience celebrating my Pre-Birthday at NEL with self and I (SOLO). Every detail was perfect, tailored just right. Being a food lover, I savoured every taste with complete indulgence. Every dish had a flavour that blew my mind. The staff was mazing and I wholeheartedly recommend NEL. It is a Once Upon A Time experience for me, thanks to Pavan and the entire NEL team, I really appreciate you all for making my Pre-Birthday experience extra special

The food is great but the waiters seemed to forget about us from the 5-10th dish. My partner and I would fight to get their attention to order a drink or ask for our next dish (very long wait for our last 5 dishes, we were starving). Spent $570 for 2 people Food

Amazing food! Fantastic experience

If you have the means . Just do it .. the team are amazing . The food is inspiring and the wine pairing is out of this world . If I could give 10 stars I would.

One of our favorite restaurants to go to. The staff are incredible and the food is no different. Love the different menus they put on. Can not fault the restaurant. Will be back over and over...

I loved the experience. I came for the Once upon a time - chapter 5 menu. Everything was very well thought. Each dish had a name related to a Disney movie and a story linking it to it. There are supplements you can get and I added caviar for $25 but I didnt think it added a lot of impact to the dish. There were 4 entrées/appetisers but none of them was wow to me. I was expecting a bit more. The mains were great, especially De Vil that was gnocchi with a mushroom velouté. I absolutely loved this meal. The meal presentations was amazing, very beautiful plates.

A complete experience of superb tasting creative food , warm relaxing surroundings and welcoming friendly staff.

Superb food, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere this restaurant has it all.

We were celebrating my wifes birthday here and everything was perfect! The atmosphere, the food and the attention of all the waiters! My wife is a Tinker Bell fan and they had the detail of surprising her with the menu with her favorite Disney character, 100% recommended!

Nel have a wonderfully creative dugustation menu underpinned by rotating the theme of their dishes every few months. During our visit, the theme was Once Upon A Time - Chapter 5 ; the fifth chapter of their Disney inspired degustation. It was a magical journey full of nostalgia and fun; especially trying to guess which movies each dish was inspired by. The food was delicious while the staff were very friendly and attentive. The high price is justified by the creativity, artistry, innovation and effort put into creating each and every dish. A strong recommendation for any special occasion

Thank you so much to the amazing staff at Nel. My family and I came tonight to celebrate my mums 50th and we were all blown away not only by the amazing food and drinks; but by the impeccable service as well - and a special thank you to Jess, whose friendly and thoughtful service and presentation of each dish made the night that much more special; and to the chefs who were able to to make accommodations for three members of our party while still providing delicious food on theme. My family can t wait to come back here again, and would highly recommend.

Another fantastic menu at Nels.

We visited Nel to try their Once Upon a Time concept menu and left feeling disappointed. Despite the theme, the connection to the Disney movies wasnt clear from the dishes themselves or their flavors. Aside from a few obvious nods like the Cinderella shoe, identifying the movie inspirations was challenging. Unfortunately, none of the dishes stood out in terms of taste or presentation. The service, while friendly, felt rushed, which detracted from the overall dining experience. By the end of the meal, my friend and I agreed that Nel wouldnt be a place wed choose to revisit. Overall, while the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short, and we left feeling underwhelmed by both the food and the experience. Wheelchair accessibility: No. You need to walk down stairs to get into restaurant and there s no ramp.

I paid heating food in microwave.

Went for a birthday dinner, they had a 11 course degustation menu. We were so full by the end of it that it was hard to get up haha But the food was delicious, everything we ate had it own unique flavour and the presentation was pretty good as well. The highlight was most definitely the crab risotto, some of the best tasting risotto we ve had. Can highly recommend it for special occasions.

What a beautiful experience! The whole team at NEL was just amazing! Everyone was very nice, positive, and cheerful. The ambiance of the restaurant was so beautiful. I came for the Disney inspired menu - Disney music was playing in the background, and every course came together with a story and explanation. Thank you everyone for making my evening so lovely and memorable!

Really love this place and the experience but got charged $12 for still water for two .Can t believe we got charged for table water. I wouldn t have had any water if I d known.

Been here multiple times. Each time is a new experience, and service is always outstanding.

Overrated food, sorry.

Portion is very tiny and we even found fish bone in one of the main dishes. Completely overrated!! But service was really good. Parking: Street parking is not easy to find in that area.

We had ordered the wine and non alcoholic drink pairings to go along with our meal. However, it seems that we were forgotten and we were never given our last drink. When we had advised the staff that 1/6 drinks were not provided we were given a small discount of around $8 off our meal. Considering that each drink is over $30 the situation left a sour taste in our mouths and ruined our experience. We had been told that NEL provided excellent service and treated their guests fairly but I guess the restaurant is more interested in profits rather than their guests.

NEL restaurant is an experience, they have an ever changing menu and beautiful ambience. We went during their Native Australia menu, the Kingfish Carpaccio and Crab Risotto were outstanding. However I wasn t in love with the other dishes. Presentation is top tier and you can tell a lot of time goes into their carefully curated menu. The menu was like a story being told through taste. Would love to try the wine pairing.

One of the best degustations I have done as a vegetarian. I left feeling full and happy

Enjoyed a solo experience here tonight, the staff were really lovely each of them addressing me by my name which I thought was a special touch. The dining experience itself was well thought out + everyone really knew what they were talking about as they presented food and drinks. I wasn t rushed at all and was able to go at my own pace. The restaurant vibe was intimate and exactly everything I hoped it would be. Really can t fault this for a Tuesday night adventure. Will definitely be back for the next experience. Ps: reading through some of the other reviews on here I wonder where on earth they were ( some people are just miserable ..) because that s definitely nothing like the experience I had or the great food I had tonight.

The Native Australian menu was fantastic with its vast variation of flavours of each course. Highly recommend. We plan to endure another 9 hrs drive to join your once upon the time journey in July.

NEL is a restaurant but it is more off a journey in Sydney Ambiance: As you step into NEL the elegance envelops you. The dining room exudes understated luxury, with muted tones, soft lighting, and an intimate arrangement of tables. Whether you re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in gastronomic artistry, NEL sets the stage for an unforgettable evening. The Tasting Journey: The tasting menu at NEL is a symphony of flavors, orchestrated by Chef and his team gives the details on every course. Each course is a revelation, a delicate balance of creativity and reverence for ingredients. From the amuse-bouche to the grand finale, expect surprises that elevate familiar elements. The wine pairings, carefully curated, enhance the experience, harmonizing with the dishes nuances. Highlights The Menu does change and this season is all about Australian native food. The service at NEL is impeccable. Attentive yet unobtrusive, the staff guides you through the menu, sharing stories behind each dish. Their passion for hospitality shines, making you feel like an honored guest. WILL RETURN

For the final feast of my fortieth year fanfare month of March, it was a fortuitous occasion that coincided with the return of the Native Australian menu at Nel, celebrating ingredients native to this place we call home. Every course was well thought-out and delicately balanced - top marks. The impressive wine selection was well-versed by tonight s sommelier who definitely helped us pick the right bottles (yes, plural). The service team was amazing with just the right amount of attentiveness and cheer, which made it a great space to chat away and catch up. The acoustics of the space was such that the sounds didnt compound too much, which was a bonus. Im not quite sure why its taken me so long to arrive here, but Im glad I have and Ill surely be back!

Absolutely remarkable! I have nothing but praise for Nel. The indigenous Australian-inspired menu is simply fantastic. Were eagerly anticipating our return to sample the next menu iteration. Each of the 11 courses we indulged in was nothing short of divine. The hospitality of the waitstaff was warm and welcoming, adding to the overall experience. Its worth noting that Nel is more suited for special occasions due to its higher pricing, but the exceptional quality justifies every penny spent. It truly excels in every aspect.

A promising project that falls short of a true fine dining experience for a number of key reasons. ATMOSPHERE. Once you descend the stairs into the cosy space of the restaurant you are met with an imitation LED fireplace at the counter. The space itself is crammed with tables giving the impression of over stocked shop floor, more ZARA than boutique. A soundtrack of classic pop covers and generic interior design akin to a 3.5 star hotel lobby, lacking the sophistication of avant garde culinary experience. Finally, a number of fellow diners were there to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday, an achievement. All great, but each time a sparkler fizzled away, creating smoke and phosphorus fumes which punished your nose and taste buds as you go through the courses. This brings me to the FOOD, which was good! But perhaps not refined and reflective of the concept and price. there were definitely highlights but the three course desert left you with sweet after sweet after sweet with no complexity. SERVICE. Very nice overzealous waiters who will ask you how your meal was at least ten times over the 11 course meal. we also had two occasions were our sparkling water glasses were topped up with tap water. This would have been avoided if the waiters simply asked us if we wanted water. Overall, definitely an experience but not meeting high-end expectations or worth the price. A distant Michelin dream for nel.

We loved everything about our dining experience at Nel. The service was amazing with really personable and welcoming staff. The food was impeccable and absolutely delicious, phenomenal presentation. It was a wonderful experience and look forward to visiting again.

The food and service were both excellent.

A psuedo-fine-dining experience with a boring interior. The food was ok, but lacked innovation and originality. Over-priced, given it is faaaaar from exceptional Food : 3/5

Hidden in an unassuming basement... Best food and service in the city. Just friendly staff and really good, creative food and wine.

What a great experience. From start to finish. The sommelier was super helpful and friendly Food : 5/5

Flawless.

We ended up having the Disney themed menu, and as parents of young children having Disney themed music playing throughout dinner was grating and unpleasant. Firstly, I was pretty miffed to discover a 10% Friday surcharge. Ive never paid a Friday surcharge anywhere before, and it wasnt advertised. Anyway, on to the food: First course Lucky Cricket: Nels spin on prawn toast. A crunchy pillow encasing prawn paste, topped with toasted sesame seeds. Prawn flavour completely overwhelmed by the sesame flavour. Not a bad taste, but a waste of prawns. Very one-note in flavour - a theme throughout the meal. They missed a trick here - I think salt and pepper crickets/grasshoppers would have been a great intro dish. Second course Make a wish: middle eastern spiced chicken & egg encased in a pastry cigar. This started badly, as when the waitress tried to use her wand to light a scent spray it malfunctioned and she nearly set me on fire. A replacement wand arrived, and she set the charcoal base of the dish on fire, leaving us with an incredibly unpleasant acrid smell filling our noses - we had to wait a few minutes before we could taste properly again. Cigar was soggy, taste was just ok - and one of our diners had a stated cinnamon allergy and this dish was spiced with cinnamon. Third course Deer in the forest: Venison tartare. After two pretty poor dishes to start, it was nice to get a good dish. Well balanced, rich flavour, nicely cut venison. Excellent umami bomb. Id come back for this dish. Fourth course The Masked Skeleton: Churros with molé sauce. A quite pleasant end to the snacks courses. Well cooked churros, nicely complex molé sauce. Fifth course Arendelle: Ocean Trout, plus alternate dish beetroot rose. This was a tale of two dishes. The ocean trout was superb - dish of the night. Perfectly cured, beautifully balanced sauce, with a great crumb adding a little crunch. Id have happily had 3 of these. On the other hand, the cured beetroot was inedible. it was aggressively pickled to the point that we literally couldnt eat it. Worst dish of the night. Sixth course De Vil: gnocchi in a mushroom sauce. Absolutely delicious dish, but again very one note - no complexity at all. That said, would happily eat it again. Seventh course A fine young kettle of fish: Lemon Myrtle crusted barramundi. The lemon myrtle was so strong as to render the dish inedible - it completely blew out our palates after one mouthful. After stripping the crust and outer layer of fish, there were a couple of mouthfuls left which were fairly nice, but again one note. Both of us left most of the dish on the plate. Eighth course A young warthog: Pork belly. This was a pleasantly complex dish - one of the few that was not one note. My serving was excellent, but the other diners pork belly was incredibly fatty, and half the dish was left on the plate - disappointing quality control for a high end dish. Ninth course The Pixie Hallow: Blood orange sorbet on a salted caramel base. We disagreed on this one - I thought it was well balanced and a lovely dish, my partner thought it was too sweet and only had 2 bites. Judge for yourself. Tenth course King Louie: Banoffee pie. Tempered white chocolate encasing a banana cream. Beautiful slightly overripe banana flavour, but incredibly one note. No relief from the flavour, and neither of us were able to finish it. A dark chocolate crumb or a dark cooked biscuit would have offset the flavour. Eleventh course The glass slipper: It was called petite fours, but that was a misnomer. It was salted caramel and chocolate, aggressively seasoned with cinnamon. It was fine, but Haighs would deliver something similar for just a few dollars. Overall Nel sits at the bottom of my degustation experiences. Not a lot of complexity in flavour, a couple of genuinely inedible dishes, mixed bag of service - we both agreed wed have rather eaten almost anywhere else. We wont go back, and also cant recommend it unfortunatley.

Food could have been hotter.

Very average. Over priced, food buautifully presentented, but actually bland and below par. A ridiculous, Firday Service Chargeon the bill. What the? Waitress infomred us that she is not paid more on a Friday than other week day. So clearyl just a rort, that ;eaves a really bad taste in you mouth. I actually don;t undesrstand how Nel gets so many glowing reviews. But for me the native menu was a glowing disaster of overpriced naffness. It was OK, but for the price, you feel ripped off.

10% friday service charge? this is an absolute rort - it isnt advertised anywhere either so feeling rather ripped off

Incredible! Honestly can t fault Nel. Love the native Australian menu. We can t wait to go back to try the next menu. The 11 courses were all divine. The waiters and waitresses were so friendly and lovely. Definitely a special occasion venue though, very expensive but I can understand why. Exceptional in every way.

Well what a night, with Zennon Wijlens of Paris Butter Auckland & NZ Chef of the Year came to Sydney to join forces with Chef Nelly Robinson Nel Restaurant for one night only. And these guys didn t disappoint with their 13 course degustation menu. #nelreastaurant

Have been to Nel 3+ times and each time, they always deliver Love the food, love the theatrics & experience! Always a fun experience dining at Nel. Will be back again for sure!

Amazing meal full of respect for native ingredients. Loved the journey and the staff were truly outstanding. Overall a very lovely night out.

On balance, more pluses than minuses so worth a visit. Don t skip lunch beforehand though as portions aren t generous. There are also courses on the menu that should just be accompaniments like the damper and petit fours. It s all outrageously tasty though, except for the one uninspired curry-not-curry main dish that we had, and even that was nicely presented. The unexpected weekend $70 service charge was a nasty sting at the end as well.

Me and my team had a wonderful experience at Nel. The staff were beyond kind and patient with our large group. Everything is quite perfect, we loved the whole experience!

All round 5 star experience. We have been 2 times now and each time has been divine. We have just been to the Native Australia menu which we thoroughly loved. The food is always so amazing and the cocktails are sensational. Staff are so lovely, accommodating and really make you feel welcome and comfortable. Chef Nel you have one hell of a restaurant and we will be back again!!

Had a beautifully themed Degustation dinner this weekend at Nel. Expect a fairly hefty bill, but service and food are exquisite. You wont be disappointed.

Where do I even begin? This experience was beyond my expectations! My partner and I visited Nel during the Australian Menu and did the wine pairing with our meal. Neither of us have ever done a meal like this and were blown away by the individual attention we were given by our waitress Jess, and our sommelier Louis, despite the full house- We felt like the only people there! We learned so much as our sommelier tailored her descriptions for what we wanted to learn about with each pairing. Our pallets took a fantastic trip around Australia and we are so so happy we were able to experience this.

The food was sensational, no compromise on flavour, while the feast started visually with every dish beautifully presented. The service was attentive and friendly, more relaxed and comfortable than some other fine diners. Absolutely recommend this wonderful restaurant!

Yet another delightful meal at nel - this time the nel Test Kitchen. Lovely and inventive food - the prawn, cucumber and tomato gazpacho, and the barramundi baked in paperbark with mushrooms were particularly fine. An interesting cocktail list, with the green ant and finger lime gimlet the standout. Service was friendly and nicely relaxed. Always a reliable favourite for an excellent meal.

OmG!!! I was truly taken back to how good Nel is. The food was out of this world fantastic, I loved every bit of it. If I didnt live in Qld I would book into Nel every weekend of the year!!! The service was amazing too, very attentive and great to talk to everyone at Nel. Thank you, I leave Sydney feeling Amazing!!!

Waiters were exceptional. However, dont place booked reservations into bad tables (Noticed the chef doing this)

Wow! Bravo! Best dining experience with the most incredible food in our one month of eating out every day/evening in Sydney. Where else can you savor special food and a special evening for 3 hours without being nudged to leave? Where else can you hear the background music and still carry on a conversation without shouting? And, every bite of food was incredible. We learned about Nel quite by accident. It doesn t seek or get buzz like a new restaurant does. It deserves way more buzz than every other restaurant in Sydney!

One of the finest restaurants that Sydney has!! and i have ever been too. the ambience, the amazing service ( and a special shout out to Andrew who made our evening super special), and of course the OUT OF THE WORLD exp re the culinary journey was to truly die for. it was totally mesmerizing and loved every single dish that we had consumed there. Thank you to Chef N and his incredibly talented team of chefs and support staff. Over all 10/5 experience. Vegetarian options: unsure Dietary restrictions: they were really good to accommodate allergy specifications. Parking: paid parking available Kid-friendliness: unsure Wheelchair accessibility: unsure

An amazing experience with wonderful staff

Without any doubts, my new favorite place! Native Australia is a unique experience with unusual ingredients and perfectly balanced flavors. Non-alcoholic drinks pairing is a must!

Located in the basement of an old building. Guess they got the inspiration from Alice in Wonderland (down the rabbit hole). Great food and service. Chef personally refilled water for us, very approachable! Spanner crab risotto is a bomb! They change menu every 10 weeks. Will definitely go back! Wheelchair accessibility: Has a lift for wheelchair users

wonderful staff food was Beautifully presented, fun, tasty and a great concept.

Superb service, very friendly staff and the menu is so creative and fun!

Very creative, Christmas menu with surprises and poetry. Excellent service too. Strongly recommend for an unforgettable evening.

4.5 stars if I could. Beautifully presented, creative and superb service. Perfect for those you want to gift a unique experience. You ll have a great time. I only took off half star as the snacks taste wise were pretty ordinary/average. I note Sydney has an extremely strong snack game though. The mains and desserts were yum though!

Tasting the Christmas menu: a real pleasure for the taste buds. Very good restaurant

This has been on the list for the longest time! We went to their experimental lunch which occurs once a month I believe. The menu was very interesting. It was really lovely to hear the chefs come out and talk about the dishes they ve created and why. I think we both agreed that the short rib was the favourite of the dishes closely with the taco, octopus & quail. Maybe we will come back for a usual themed dinner but the mix of the lunch, wasn t noteworthy

Really great experience and really unique. My wife and I dined here and really havent experienced anything else like it.

We had a divine time at Nel with the Disney themed menu. The service was impeccable, from descriptions of each dish to plate presentation and cocktails. The restaurant is situated in the lower ground of the building with an interesting floor layout and colour choice of the room. Recommend that you make reservations prior visiting to avoid disappointment.

Great

One of the fave restaurants in Sydney. Sole - ful, original, great concept, exquisite food, great service. Every time and every special occasion, our visit is a joy. Thank you Nel and every person in the team for making every visit so special. Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp available upon request

I think experience is a great way to describe this venue. Great story telling, beautifully aesthetic food and attentive service. Even the music is thematic!

It was my birthday and my partner and I were super excited to celebrate. Unfortunately food was very blend with cheap ingredients ( potatoes, pasta, pork, fried squid etc). Food portion was extremely small, Im a small eater but I was hungry after the meal. We were surprised to see the 10% surcharge on Sat as it was the first time at a fine dining place where I needed to get my own cutleries after every dish from the draw under our table and still needed to pay $50 surcharge. At the end, they gave a me a cookie cos it was my birthday with a helium balloon and i thought it was nice, after I took a photo they asked me to give them back the balloon, haha. After the meal, husband and I went for a kebab and it was so satisfied and gooood. Yea, dont think we will be back again. They need alot of work to do, there are alot of good fine dining restaurants out there with the price I paid for.

We went for the Disney themed menu, it was one of the best dining experiences. Wonderful service that played into each course. Each course had an amazing story and excited us a lot! Definitely want to come for more themes but this might always be my favourite!!

I was really excited at the start, but the night just went downhill afterwards. The food was served in inconsistent timeframe, and our drinks were forgotten. The girls served us was nice and patient; but the guy seems just already had enough for the day. What disappointed me most is that for knock knock they gave us a balloon to take back, when we were leaving they asked us to give it back! The excuse is that they ran out of the balloons for other customers. That just ruined the whole experience of Disney magic moment . Not Disney at all.

Food was cold, even when dishes were meant to be hot dishes. Even the flavour was very average, we were not blown away at all. Rude service by one server in particular - very patronising when we asked about the temprature of the food. For the money you pay, you expect exceptional service. Ive had better dishes at the local pub. Very disappointing indeed.

Dined here for my daughters 22nd birthday on Friday, Indulging in chapter 4 Disney menu. We have not stopped thinking or talking about the experience since. The Nel experience is so much more than just out for dinner....our palettes, imaginations and love of flavour all went on a Road trip. Thank you so much.....we have already recommended to everyone and cant wait to come back for the next chapter!

What a delightful dining experience this was! I love a good degustation menu and Nel is by far my favourite so far. The once-upon-a-time Disney-themed menu challenged the mind and the palate in a really magical way. I highly recommend the premium matching wines. The service, the food, and the experience were all 10 out of 10. I cant wait to try the next menu.

I attend the Once Upon a Time dinner every year and it never disappoints. The food and service never disappoints and look forward to the next chapter. Thank you

We go at least once a year for the Disney menu. This is our favourite tradition, and we never leave disappointed in the quality of the food or service.

Nels meal was a burst of creativity! From the imaginative fusion of ingredients to the exquisite presentation, every dish showcased a remarkable level of artistry and culinary innovation, making it an exceptionally memorable and delightful dining experience. Highly recommended for those seeking a unique gastronomic adventure.

I went in the once upon a time menu and it was a highly creative menu. The food was delicious with a Disney twist. The food was delicious but for the price to dine here, the serving sizes were tiny. It was definitely overpriced with additions very expensive. As much as I enjoyed, I would not go back here Vegetarian options: Inform the staff prior to reservation and there will be a separate menu Dietary restrictions: Inform staff prior to reservation and there will be seperate menu Parking: Street parking can be found but it is far

Went to Nel on Saturday afternoon for the Test Kitchen. We were greeted at the door by the head chef, who happened to be wandering past reception. We had the most wonderful lunch, with all the courses created by the kitchen staff as tributes to their pasts, and their mothers. Each dish was delicious and though provoking - I loved every one of the 6 courses. The wine list is strong, but a bit pricey - it would be better to have some more reasonably priced offerings in this area. That is my only criticism on what was a lovely experience.

Awesome experience! Scrumptious food! Exceptional service!!

Disappointed in the food. Service was disappointing as we had to remind staff that we were missing our pairing of Wine with the meal. Would not eat here again. Food

This is the worst dinner experience in Sydney. Do Not Recommend. I have the worst birthday dinner here. We booked the table at 8:15pm. Staff tried to let us have a private and quiet seat for celebration, so we waited till 8:40pm to be in seat which was next to the place that staff s water and checkout serving table. The concept of the menu was cool. but the meal was not that good. Every dish was either too salty or tasteless. The time we were there was disney menu. I have no ideas of most of the dishes, the apple thing tasted nothing and I didn t like the texture which like you put the bread into skim milk for a long time and take it out to make it as a little apple shape. The potato head was just potato, nothing special, I can make at home. The poco loco was good, I like the pastry but the slow cook pork/beef was way too salty. The idea of be our guest was cute, I like the teapot thing. Alfredo linguni was also salty and taste boring. The tulgey wood . It was like a super oily pork part to be baked super dry The two dessert were also terrible, does not suit my taste. We took a long time to wait for our last dessert (20mins), The staff told us because they ran out the pumpkin . I could not understand that every one book a reservation and be excited to try a good dinner, but the restaurant couldn t even prepare enough food for every guest. And at the time we were waiting, no one told us it had to take some time, every staff started cleaning kitchen, wiping table, be ready to finish works. Also, there had no one told us we have to take our own cutleries from the table drawer until the 4th dish was a soup abd we asked the staff if he could give us spoons. Regardless we had to prepare our own cutleries in a good restaurant, the cutleries should be the basic part of a restaurant. That made me feel it was impolite. After we finished all the dinner, kept waiting a long time for the knock knock thing. To sum up, the food was too salty/tasteless for me, and also taste not special (only the appearance was cool), it definitely does not worth the price. The service was also not the best, took a long time to wait the reservation, didn t tell us about the cutleries, waited for a long time for dishes. Oh, and the bottle of water cost $12 which was ridiculous.

Absolutely amazing experience with the once upon a time menu! The food was incredible, staff were super friendly and attentive, and the experience is one that Ill never forget. Food

This place never disappoints. Weve enjoyed a number of delicious, creative, fun meals here and love to take overseas visitors when in Sydney. A must!

We went for the Once Upon a Time set menu and absolutely loved it! My dairy allergy was catered to, the music was great and the Disney props were just amazing! Hope this set menu comes back, Ive recommended to a few friends who are Disney lovers!

Always a spectacular experience at Nel. Thanks to Rufus, Vincent, Andrew and of course the incredible Chef Belly for making my birthday celebrations magnificent. The food was impeccable and magically surprising! Can t wait to come back again.

We dined with Nel for the second time last Friday the 11th. We opted for the paired wines with the 11 course Disney themed menu. A special occasion for us after having just gotten engaged. For myself, anything Disney themed is an instant yes. The food itself was beautifully presented, however some of the courses felt rushed and underwhelming in both flavour and texture. The poison apple was bland and had an unpleasant finish. Mr Potato head was nice but something that could be cooked at home for a similar result to baked potato. The bread served with Lumiere was dry and tough. The two dessert courses while presented well, were lacking in complexity. I barely finished some of the courses before the plates and wine glasses for that course were whisked away. More than once because my partner drank faster, I was forced to quickly finish my wine to accommodate the waiting member of staff who had come to take his glass. It is absolutely worth noting that the Sommelier was brilliant. Thoroughly entertaining conversation around the beautiful pairings. Although the poured amount was meagre for the pricing, the selection was delightful. The consistency ended there however and we received varying levels of service depending on who was dropping or picking up plates. The final course was presented as cookies representing the movie Up and had a balloon tied to the paper bag the scout cookies were presented in. To get to the course, my fiancé tied the balloon around my wrist which in itself was whimsical. Almost instantly we were told that we weren t allowed to take the balloon with us. For two people to enjoy this experience, with starting cocktails, paired wines as well as adding the Sturgeon Caviar and Australian Truffle options to two of the courses, (again - special occasion for getting engaged so really went all out) For the sake of the review, Our bill totalled $920.00 When receiving the bill, we were confronted with a Friday Service Charge of an automatic 10% A few things on this, - Why is it specifically for Friday? - If operating costs increase on a Friday night, increase the prices of the experience. - If it is an automatic tip for staff, why did they feel the need to ASK for a tip on top of the $80.00 service fee. Coming back to the Balloon, when people spend this much for a dining experience it would seem a small token that two separate people wouldn t need to recover the balloon presented with the course we paid for. Overall we left feeling unappreciated for the patronage, left the venue hungry and still have a sour taste writing this. Without compare the worst degustation we have experienced and will not be coming back.

A Theatrical Delight in Surry Hills Nestled in the heart of Surry Hills, New is a culinary gem that promises an exquisite dining experience. This high-end restaurant, with its ever-changing seasonal menu, offers a journey through 11-12 thoughtfully crafted dishes, including a divine dessert. Location: The restaurants underground location adds an element of adventure to the dining experience, making it a true find for those in the know. Ambiance: Upon entering, the dimly lit ambiance of New sets a cozy tone, drawing you into its culinary world. The space, while slightly snug, adds an air of intimacy that enhances the dining experience. Price: While the food alone leans towards the pricey side, the exceptional quality of the dishes justifies the expense. New offers an alternative to the full wine pairing package, allowing you to indulge in individual glass selections that perfectly complement the flavors. Food: Prepare to be dazzled by the presentation of each dish. Despite their petite size, the plates burst with flavour and creativity, taking you on a gastronomic journey. The menu showcases the culinary teams dedication to their craft - very theatrical! Verdict: For those seeking an occasional splurge or a memorable celebration, New is a must-visit. The restaurants commitment to delivering a unique, seasonal experience shines through in every aspect. While the service might not reach the highest pinnacle, the food and ambiance make up for any minor shortcomings. Discovering New is like uncovering a hidden treasure, making Surry Hills reputation for hidden gems even more enchanting.

Absolutely incredible experience! As a fellow Brit like Nelly, it was so wonderful seeing all these amazing takes on British classics! They were not out of place, they took me back to dishes I know and love, while still being phenomenal standalone dishes themselves! I was served by wonderful staff throughout my evening, and in particular the kindest and warmest French hostess (Im afraid I forgot her name), but she was incredible throughout my meal, from greeting me to my departure! I can only apologise for forgetting her name! I cant wait to go back and see what Nelly (and Nel) try next!

Always love their food quality. Even though it can be pricey but they have a monthly special menu which is cheaper. This restaurant always puts special thoughts on each dish. Love it. Been here 2x and I loved it.

We tried their Great British Memories menu and I honestly enjoyed it more than their Disney menu I tried a few years ago Everything was presented beautifully and there were very cute little themed details throughout. The service was very good with an explanation of each dish and how it ties into the theme. Some dishes we loved more than others. Highlights were fish and chips and rhubarb and custard. Some dishes were a little forgettable but they did well to support the theme. I do wish the setting was a little bit more intimate with the lights slightly dimmer. Overall, had a great time. Definitely fine dining pricing but that is to be expected for the amount of detail put into each dish and the 2.5 hour seating. The friday surcharge was a unique surprise as well. Approx $200 pp not incl drinks

Food whilst inventive in execution was quite bland, textures lacking, unrefined. At no time did I feel like sitting with a dish and savouring flavours, lots of finicky plating added nothing to the dishes. Only one dish stood out the fish and chips, Murray cod and broad beans silky and delicious. Beef Wellington a use of beef cheek made the dish more like a meat pie. The rhubarb and custard dessert was excellent and balanced. The wine list though was over priced and pretentious favouring oddness over well priced excellence. Staff were imposing rather than attentive.

Excellent!!

i had a good experience at this restaurant. the food and service was good.

We had a fabulous time at Nel, for a birthday celebration. The online reservation is super easy to make. Its dining atmosphere, food and service quality are excellent.

Went to NEL last time i was in Sydney. Awesome food. and the wait staff were all to happy to help with the menu.

Great experience all over Vegetarian options: I got lots of vegetarian options Food : 5/5 |

Great customer service.

Food was amazing! but need to increase the quantity significantly

Beautiful presentation but extremely small portions, mediocre taste, and unsophisticated wines/drinks.

The menu surprised with every dish, deliciously mysterious and always a pleasant surprise. The venue is fantastic, quite homely and inviting. This is great value for the quality of food and the quantity.

Fantastic fantastic fantastic

Beautiful food and great service from Jason

I really wanted to like this place but this was an underwhelming experience. For a restaurant that presents itself as fine dining with prices to match, it just didn t seem to fall into place to feel like it s worth the money. The restaurant felt loud, ambiance had all the right elements but something doesn t work. The food - all perfectly nice but lacks any wow factor for the price, and was all rather bland. It seems more effort has gone into presentation (I had the great british menu) than the actual taste. Nothing popped, with the exception of one pork snack at the start. Frankly, forgettable. Service staff were mostly wonderful, but the main waiter who looked after my table seemed rather tired and just going through the motions, just quickly listing the ingredients. My menu and drink didn t arrive for ages after I sat down, and then the timing of serving the dishes was inconsistent. I also found a small piece of plastic in my dessert, didn t make a big deal out of it at all just politely pointed it out. But it s still unacceptable in a fine establishment. And while several of the staff apologized, I would have expected at least the $20 service charge be taken off my bill as recompense, or my glass of wine comped, but no. The full $225 bill was presented with thanks. Would that be different if I acted more upset? Who knows, but I really expected more from a place that bills itself as fine dining. Disappointed.

Fantastic Experience, wish I did not have a headache come on during half way through the meal. The food was fantastic, especially the non-alcoholic drink , with the meals. The Pea and Mint soda was odd, but was addicting to drink . Next time I visit Sydney I will be sure to come back. For a new experience.

Nel offers a unique and beautiful dining experience. The atmosphere is lovely (although hearing the kitchen at times isnt the greatest dining experience), and the service is excellent. We found a few of the dishes (great British memories) had flavour imbalances (too much sweetness in the gammon & eggs and Sunday lunch, too much richness in the Jaffa) which was disappointing. The portion sizes left us peckish after leaving which is not ideal when you are spending that much money on a dining experience. The premium wine pairings were excellently chosen, and as I couldnt drink red wine, the pairing that was found for me to go with beef was extremely impressive. We were very disappointed in the surprise Saturday surcharge. Stand-out dishes were the fish and chips (cod with broad beans), korma scallops, and rhubarb and custard (simultaneously a palate cleanser and dessert) with a sublime dessert wine pairing. The last course - Paddington Bear - was very minimal and didnt feel like a nice way to finish an 11 course menu. Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

Wonderful food which evoked happy memories. Excellent wait staff and a sommelier who had matched the wines with consideration and an open mind for perfect pairings. An exceptional experience which I highly recommend

Great British memories was a lovely menu every dish was on point 10/10 would recommend to a friend. Perfect place to have an intimate celebration dinner such as an anniversary or similar

Great food & wines though positions were very small even for a degustation. Not happy to have been charged $76.20 for a Friday Service Charge? Food

Excellent customer service Food delicious with excellent wine pairing Will definitely go back to try the next season menu Food : 5/5

Should start by noting that this review may become outdated shortly, as the whole thing of NEL is that the food is themed and menu changes every month or two. When I went it was Great Memories of Britain (which was a nice theme but also gave just the slightest hints of imperialist vibes). Very nice ambience, great service, food was varied. To be clear nothing was bad, but not everything was mind blowing and some were arguably only mediocre. Peep my photos for the menu. Scampi - 8/10 Good and interesting presentation Cheese and onion 6/10 Most underwhelming for me. Mine was actually a bit lukewarm, but others with me said theirs was fine. I thought it was just ok, even if it had been warm. Gammon and egg 7/10 The gammon is a bit overpowering, even when mixed well with the hollandaise. Just a tad too salty. Bread+ gravy (Sunday lunch) 8/10 This combo is great. The bread has a walnut glaze so it can get a little sticky. Break the bread into bits so you can get full gravy coverage. Korma scallops 8/10 Perfectly cooked scallops on a bed of cabbage in a sauce consisting of coriander and chili oil in coconut milk. A very very good sauce, be sure to mix well Cauliflower cheese 9/10 Absolutely no complaints. Great fun texture and I loved everything about it. Theres a custard (with truffle sauce), a bunch of bread crumbs and parmesan on top. Recommend having a spoonful with both but and mixing the truffle sauce (in the custard) while minimising mixing topping as that will de-crunch the bread crumbs and cheese. Fish and chips 7/10 Perfectly cooked Murray cod with chips of fried fish skin and very thin potato chips. Alas, the fish despite being at just the right tenderness, not overcooked and dry, not undercooked where it reminds you of seared sushi, is once again a bit bland even with the sauce. Beef cheek beef Wellington 7.5/10 A pattern is unfortunately forming perfectly slow cooked soft and tender beef cheeks and just the perfect thickness of pastry, but its undercut by a purely salty flavour. Doesnt feel like there was much complexity in taste, and really just gets the rating it gets due to how well everything else was done. Rhubarb and custard 9/10 Amazing. Perfect blend of strawberry rhubarb sherbet, milk chocolate biscoff, meringue, and vanilla custard. Try to get a bit of everything in each spoon, it just goes so well together. I dont even usually like rhubarb. Nellys orange 8.5/10 Im not a massive fan of dark chocolate or. chocolate in general so personally I wouldve rated it lower in terms of enjoyment, but feedback from my other diners and the fact that I ate the whole thing relatively comfortably warrants this rating. Actually looks like an orange. Comes with a carved out half orange with a light orange sorbet meant to balance the richness of the chocolate. Paddington bear 8/10 This is more like a final snack, like a mint or something to finish off. A super mini sandwich of very thin toast and plum marmalade. A very good combo when youre eating it but the lingering aftertaste is the marmalade which is a bit tart and in my opinion not my preferred flavour. But really its a tiny tiny non-issue.

Very nice place !!

Special treat to myself for my 50th Birthday & I wasnt disappointed. The Great British Menu was a BIG hit & I cant wait for the next special occasion so I can book again! Food

Love the theatrics of eating at Nel. Its not just the experience in the mouth, the playlist, the visual spectacle, the ambience... all of it makes Nel a memorable experience.

We heard about the restaurant on Masterchef Australia and booked on a short holiday from nz. It was tasteful bliss and artistically creative. Even better than expected. One dish the gammon came out not warm enough is only slight criticism. Thank you for a fantastic experience.

A once in a lifetime experience. Such attention to detail while maintaining a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Simply the most amazing degustation experience ever.

The food was fabulous but lacked the imagination of previous menus. We had a lot of fun with the staff but Andrew really made our night!!

ok

A more than wonderful restaurant

My daughter brought a voucher for Nel Restaurant which we used on Saturday night. I had been to Nel Restaurant prior to Covid and truly I had forgotten how great this restaurant was. The ambiance and service were 100 out of 10 and the food .. OMG what an experience. The only disappointment for us was that we are unable to return again prior to the change in menu from British Menu to their Christmas menu. However are are very much looking forward to experiencing their Christmas menu in December. I truly magnificent restaurant with phenomenal staff. Congratulations Nel for creating this venue .... you should be very proud of your efforts.

We had an absolutely amazing dinner at NEL Restaurant. Having the Great British set menu was delicious. Each course was a journey of flavour, and with the pairing of wine, was absolutely delightful! Each staff member we interacted with was exceptional and lovely. The few requests we had regarding where we were sitting and the food (dietary requirement) was effortlessly addressed and nothing was to difficult. I cant say enough about NEL, and would highly recommend visiting...you will not be disappointed! Dietary restrictions: NEL is accommodating to dietary requirements, just have to give them notice ahead of time.

As others said. - mismatch between price and quality of food/service. Food leaned too hard into being unique and quirky that the taste took a backseat. Portion sizes were very small. You take your own cutlery from under the table from a drawer. When dessert came one of us didn t have the dessert spoon in their drawer. Instead of grabbing us one, the waiter told the person to use the soup spoon instead. Service was as expected for restaurants at this price range but extremely slow. 1hr wait time between the finishing the last main course and by the time second dessert was served. In the end, the bill came and it was a surprise to see a 10% Friday surcharge. From reading other reviews it seems like Friday isn t the only day of the week with a similar surcharge.

Good food and service to match. A hidden delight that you can easily walk past.

Sensational cuisine with a well thought out menu and executed perfectly. Here for a co-host dinner with De Salis wines. Each menu item delivered on it promise of layers of flavour and fine dining execution. Will be back to sample the standard menu

Visiting Sydney from the UK with my wife. We were really looking forward to the Taste of Christmas Menu at Nel. It was a real treat as it s at the top of our budget for an experience of this kind. The food was great (although very small portions - even for a tasting menu) however, the service and general experience was pretty poor. We had 4 different people providing service at our table throughout the courses. We got off to a bad start when our first dish was delivered to our neighbouring table even though they had already had that dish (despite arriving after us). The issue was quickly rectified but we then had staff talking over each other when servicing our table and the adjoining one which meant we didn t really hear what the dishes were. The tables are brilliantly equipped with a small drawer for your cutlery however, my wife s drawer was empty. We had to ask a couple of times for cutlery during the courses which was probably exacerbated by the fact our waiting staff kept changing. Finally, the restaurant is a really nice space with warm colours and a great layout however the air-con was on really cool despite it being cool outside and I shivered my way through the meal. I probably expected more in terms of service when visiting a restaurant like Nel. The food was great, I just wish the overall experience matched it.

Excellent service and delicious food

We have been to Nel 4 times and always love the experience. We had tried their British menu, Disney themed and Christmas menu. We recently went back there for the Christmas menu again and still love the food and experience. The food was served quick with great customer service.

Amazing experience!

Beware, you dont go here to eat. Just taste and maybe instagram lots of pretty little things. We went and ate afterwards. In regards to taste, only 10-20% of the christmas menu warranted the price tag. 250pp gets you a long way elsewhere. Not mean spirited. This is what I wish I had known before committing the time to this place. Great service, although they stuffed a couple of things up. If youre arrogant enough to enforce a service charge, you need to be many times better than this.

Returned for the Christmas themed dinner. Absolutely fantastic again. Presentation and flavours of the food was sensational, and the service was incredible. Our friends came for the first time and were extremely impressed with every aspect of their dining experience and commented that their operation resembled a well-oiled machine.

An absolute gem of a place. The attention to detail that Nel has put into the flavour and the presentation of the food is outstanding. The 11-course themed dégustation (this one, Christmas 2023) lives up to its definition of a careful, appreciative tasting, with each taster created to perfection. Service was fabulously balanced: professional and attentive but friendly and unpretentious; and the visit from owner and Head Chef Nel made it feel more personal than other restaurants. It is obvious that Nel takes pride in ensuring every dish meets his high standards before leaving the kitchen. Restaurant Hubert, where I ate the night before, could & should learn from this - it was a stark contrast for an equally high-end restaurant. RECOMMENDED FOR: those seeking a unique and very well designed experience for the palate and beyond. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: those seeking a big hearty feed and/or on a budget. WILL I BE BACK? HELL YEAH! Looking forward to seeing what the next culinary adventure will entail. Superb job Team Nel!

What more can I say other than amazing. Such a great experience and lovely food will definitely return

Awesome, just amazing! Nelly and his brilliant team were able to provide our large group an exceptional experience. Thank you for having us.

tacky atmosphere. Lighting is off Friday night 10% Mandatory service charge - the ego to do this then the waiter to ask for a tip lol very avg tasting courses Feels like im at a dark thai pub atmosphere The only thing worth going for is the venison

What a great experience! The food was amazing loved the story behind each dish, atmosphere perfect, people were lovely and the personal touch from Nelly was what topped it off!! What a lovely guy! Highly Recommended NEL.

Anniversary lunch. The chef is very talented. The food is technically very impressive. This is top end pricing - up there with Quay, Aria and Bennelong. I want to give it 5 stars - alas ambience didnt quite ignite the fantasy. A great place for food lovers who are content with small portions, technical expertise and a wild culinary journey.

The Christmas menu was whimsical and fun, the stand out dishes were Nonnas potatoes and silent night while the desserts were beautiful made and delicious without being too heavy. Perfect way to end the meal.

we had the Christmas menu and it was delight! From the welcome, to the table, to each course, its a delightful and whimsical journey! Cant speak highly enough!