Drink it in! Sydney restaurants with stunning views

Is Nobu Sydney a world-renowned Japanese restaurant chain? Yes. Has its Sydney outpost been a huge hit since it opened? Also yes. Does this ritzy Crown Tower’s spot happen to have some of the best views this side of the city? Absolutely.

The inside of this glam resto is almost as stunning as the outside, and you’ll find high ceilings, a harbourfront view and dishes to excite your tastebuds. The famed black cod miso dish is on the menu here, as is their beef toban yaki and salmon skin salad – all contemporary Japanese dishes designed to give you the best possible experience.

Dish Cult recommends: Black cod miso ($60)

If you’re familiar with Sydney’s dining scene, you’d know that Ormeggio is quintessential Sydney dining. Here you’ll get Ormeggio fare made casual as Chiosco serves up authentic Italian street food with the kind of mouth-watering offerings you’d find wandering the streets of Italy.

Inspired by long leisurely lunches over waterside views, Chiosco sits on the jetty at The Spit and is an airy, sunlight-filled space serving up surf and turf and meat plates in gorgeous surrounds. Gaze out on the water as you down another glass and finish off your meal strong with a Nutella-filled bombolone.

Dish Cult recommends: Crustacean bisque spaghetti ($38)

It’s only right that Cafe Sydney should be on this list. Head up to the fifth level of Sydney’s Custom House and you’ll get stunning front row seats for the sunset over the Harbour Bridge, floating ferries and Opera House views.

The stunning harbourside views are worth the price of admission alone, but the seafood platters and award-winning sommelier-special wine list make this an affair to remember. A dining room that knows how to use the sprawling view to its full advantage, Cafe Sydney serves up Moreton Bay bugs and scampi to hungry and well-heeled customers that continue to make this long-standing favourite relevant in what can be a fickle dining city.

Dish Cult recommends: Crustacean platter ($175)

Queen Chow Manly is Merivale’s answer to Cantonese fare out on the water complete with live seafood tanks for theatrics and dim sum carts laden with dumpling goodness. The vibe here is lively and laidback, with rolling carts piled high with prawn dumplings, rice noodle rolls and steamed buns. What you might not expect from this lovable Cantonese joint is that it boasts one of the best views in Sydney, and their tall glass windows open up to the wharf with its bobbing ferries and gently lulling waves.

Dish Cult recommends: Prawn Har Gau ($16)

Straight out of the movies, The Butler’s grand dining room is leafy and exotic, with sprawling views of the city skyline. It is undeniably one of the city’s best places to head to when you’re after a fun but relaxed spot to down a drink and gaze at a view made specifically for the romantics. Sharing plates are the star of the show here, and you’ll get a taste of contemporary Spanish-Portuguese flavours to go with your view.

Dish Cult recommends: “Chorizo y papas” potato gnocchi, chorizo ragù, pico di gallo, brown butter crema ($32)