Sparkling water views and some of the most incredible international food in Sydney set Barangaroo’s restaurants apart. The city’s harbourside playground has it all, including a beloved Korean barbecue joint, a decades-old wine bar, and a family-style Greek gem.
These bars and restaurants churn out high-quality food and consistently good vibes, all while being imprints of their lively waterside surroundings. Here are 12 restaurants in Barangaroo and its surroundings that locals can’t get enough of.
Anason (Barangaroo)
Chef Somer Sivrioğlu is a legend. In 2015, he pioneered Sydney’s Turkish food scene with Balmain institution Efendy. He now splits his time between his Sydney restaurants and judging contestants on MasterChef Türkiye in Istanbul. Anason is Sivrioğlu’s contemporary meze bar, complete with an oven that churns out rings of sesame-sprinkled bread, simit. Locals also come for other Turkish treasures such as manti (dumplings) served in clay pots with tomato and garlic yoghurt. Drinks are equally inspired, featuring a rhubarb-forward take on a negroni and an espresso martini made with Turkish coffee. It adds up to a transportive meal that evokes the seaside meyhanes of Istanbul.
Kinhboy (Barangaroo)
The team behind some of Sydney’s buzziest Asian restaurants including Tokki, Marble, and Khoi moved Kinhboy, their well-loved Vietnamese diner, from Redfern to Barangaroo in early 2023. Which means their signature crisp bánh xèo “tacos” wrapped around prawns and slaw, wagyu shaking beef, and velvety marrow-laced pho now come with exquisite harbour views. Consider a bespoke cocktail such as the Spicy Lychee, made with gin and hot sauce, and raise a glass to this charming waterfront newcomer.
BORN by Tapavino (Barangaroo)
Named for the trendy El Bórn district in Barcelona, this hotspot has celebrated Spain since 2016. Born is led by the folks behind Tapavino and Balcon, and stocks 300 Spanish wines to go with dishes such as jamón serrano with crusted burrata and pickles; chorizo sliders with red cabbage slaw; and steamed Kinkawooka mussels with white wine and salsa brava. The interiors echo Balcon’s, flanked by chevron timber and mirrors on one side and wine cages behind the bar on the other. Sit inside and pretend you’re in Catalonia or grab an outside table—a stone’s throw from the water—at this bustling Barangaroo star.
Devine Food & Wine (Sydney CBD)
Devine is an Italian wine bar that has presided over the corner of Clarence and Market Streets since 2003. The menu is an ode to bread and pasta, including pappardelle with rich, smoky wagyu ragu and tagliatelle with octopus, squid, and chilli. The food seems contemporary, but many of the recipes were passed down from the owners’ nonnas. The restaurant’s Mediterranean classics pair well with a prolific wine list—there are a staggering 400 drops on offer, including many by-the-glass options—plus 150 amaros. Devine is one of the area’s most versatile restaurants, just as suited for a spur-of-the-moment weeknight dinner as it is for a snappy business lunch.
Zushi (Barangaroo)
Zushi brings harbourside Zen to Barangaroo with its sunlit cement interiors. Like its popular Surry Hills outpost, this location can skew casual or refined. For a quick meal, there’s a bento of crunchy chicken karaage plus sushi rolls, or bibimbap with sashimi, avocado, and roe. A more drawn-out experience calls for the sustainably-sourced sashimi platter or generous set menu which includes the restaurant’s greatest hits, accompanied by sake flights or umeshu plum wine for sipping.
Hustlers. Syd (Sydney CBD)
Hustlers.Syd isn’t easy to find, but the intimate bar, which you can reach by descending a set of dimly-lit stairs and following a tangle of bamboo, is worth the hunt. The clandestine spot—designed to channel a “gambling den” according to co-owner Andrew Huynh—is the sibling venue to Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Hustle, with a broader Southeast Asian focus. Expect fried rice and prawns with XO sauce and mi goreng flanked by bone marrow. The salty, shareable food pairs exceptionally well with drinks including the rummy Pandan Punch (which sells out nightly) and is just one of the many reasons to dine at this underground stunner.
love.fish (Barangaroo)
Come for the locally sourced seafood and stay for the striking waterfront panorama. love.fish’s airy outdoor vibe makes it one of Barangaroo’s most sought after al fresco dining experiences. Chef-owners Michelle-Grand Milkovic and Michael Milkovic relocated from Rozelle in 2018, enticed by the harbourside backdrop. Highlights include a raw bar which serves live Sydney rock oysters with finger lime and micro coriander; albacore tuna crudo, and citrusy scallop carpaccio. Mains are simply prepped and let regional produce shine. Case in point: New Zealand flounder served with whole sunny mash and miso butter. The deep wine list also leans local, confirming this scenic retreat is all about its surroundings.
Soot (Barangaroo)
David Bae is fluent in all things Korean barbeque. SOOT is the restaurateur’s easygoing neon-lit version of his Haymarket hotspot Kogi. A feast here begins with drinks and banchan such as steamed egg, pickles, and kimchi. Seafood features heavily, including hoe (thinly sliced raw fish) with gochujang vinaigrette and wasabi. But the main event is the sumptuous premium wagyu, cooked over table top smokeless barbeque grills. Wash it all down with excellent cocktails that feature ingredients such as purple shiso, soju, and nashi (Asian pear), and buckle in for one leisurely feast.
Steersons Steakhouse (Barangaroo)
Steersons is one of the best places in Sydney to bring out your inner carnivore. Angus steaks from NSW and kilo t-bones from Queensland take top billing at this city staple. It’s possible not to scarf down on steak here, courtesy of worthy alternatives such as roasted duck breast, kingfish, and beef Wellington. The most desired seats are on the balcony (hello, King Street Wharf views) and if you’re seated indoors, Steersons’s backlit marble bar makes an elegant focal point. Bonus points for the roving whiskey trolley—opt for the house-smoked version shaken with lemon, egg whites, and charred rosemary for an especially unique cocktail.
Vessel Dining & Bar (Barangaroo)
Vessel occupies the base of the landmark Macquarie building and was made for escaping the city rush. The sun-drenched space is a go-to for all-day dining, thanks to three distinct dining areas (a bar, cafe, and dining room). Breakfast kicks off at 6 am and includes hits such as a smashing eggs Benny or rolled omelette—made for wolfing down on the run. For a more relaxed meal, there’s baked-till-runny tomino cheese with spicy ‘nduja, charcuterie platters piled high with prosciutto crudo, and duck ragu with pungent pecorino.
Kokumai (Barangaroo)
Don’t be fooled by Kokumai’s playful sushi train—the food at this Japanese place is anything but casual. Most of Kokumai’s seafood comes from Sydney’s renowned fish markets, and its wasabi, miso, rice, and nori are Japanese imports. For a quick meal, grab plates from the rails, where favourites include rolls featuring elaborate spanner crab and roe. For a group-friendly meal, opt for the whole barbecued eel and caramelised miso toothfish. If you’re feeling fancy, there’s an omakase option at a five-seat bar, proving that this multi-tasking Japanese spot can do it all.
Georges Mediterranean Bar & Grill (Barangaroo)
The area’s families love this Darling Harbour spot for its prolific Greek sharing menu. Take the banquet route for a taste of Georges’s greatest hits: the mezze banquet (there’s a vegetarian version available) features grilled halloumi, king prawn saganaki baked in a clay pot, and chicken souvlaki; the lamb feast highlights a Greek-style lamb shoulder. If you’re drinking, consider the Baklava Martini, a nutty blend of whiskey, hazelnut liqueur, and vodka. With a flowing floor plan which includes a swish waterside dining room and patio seating, Georges has plenty of space to spread out—just what you’ll need after this whopper of a meal.
