Photo by Nikki To
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Quay Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A landmark fine dining institution offering innovative modern Australian cuisine with iconic views of Sydney Harbour.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Photo by Nikki To

Quay Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A landmark fine dining institution offering innovative modern Australian cuisine with iconic views of Sydney Harbour.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Dining at Quay was an experience that went far beyond just a meal. It was a beautifully orchestrated journey of flavours, textures, and impeccable service."

TIP

Book Views in Advance

Secure your table with stunning Opera House or Harbour Bridge views by making reservations well in advance.

Consider Extra Layer

Some diners found the restaurant to be chilly; bringing an extra layer is advised for comfort.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5:30PM

Cuisine

Modern Australian

Price

$$$

Phone

+61 2 9251 5600

Address

Upper Level Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Iconic Harbour Views

Iconic Harbour Views

Dine with unparalleled, breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal.

Artistic Degustation Menus

Artistic Degustation Menus

Experience a 7-course tasting menu where each dish is a culinary masterpiece, showcasing creativity, finesse, and nature's bounty.

The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in SydneyBest restaurants in Sydney
Signature "White Coral" Dessert

Signature "White Coral" Dessert

Indulge in the visually stunning and whimsically named 'White Coral' dessert, a memorable sweet finale to your dining experience.

Restaurants in SydneyGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Restaurant Quay, Sydney Australia Savoring world-class flavors with a view – a dining experience like no other ✨🍷🌊 #QuayRestaurant #SydneyEats
@nextforkstop
10 likes • 546 views

Book Views in Advance

Secure your table with stunning Opera House or Harbour Bridge views by making reservations well in advance.

Consider Extra Layer

Some diners found the restaurant to be chilly; bringing an extra layer is advised for comfort.

Entered my late 20’s with a special surprise lunch at Quay Restaurant 🤍 We indulged in dishes that were a feast for all the senses! You can really taste the top-tier quality of every ingredient and delight in the beautiful craftsmanship of each dish! With front row seats to undoubtedly one of the greatest views in the world, would you visit Quay Restaurant? 🥂𝟲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘂 ($𝟮𝟵𝟱𝗽𝗽) 📍 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿...
@sydneyummy
83 likes • 7.6K views
You know a restaurant is good, when your guest writes up a 5 star Google review before we’ve even left the place! This stunning venue is located on level 1 of @quayquartersydney and is perfect for corporate lunches through to romantic date nights. The food was incredible, but it’s the super friendly team and their service that really made our dining experience special. I loved every single thing w...
@jessmrizk
320 likes • 20.9K views

Ask About Kitchen Tours

Inquire about kitchen tours with Chef Troy for an insider look at food preparation.

Desserts After Dark

Experience Peter Gilmore's world-renowned desserts from 8:45 pm onwards at a fraction of the tasting menu cost.

Dine at QUAY for a fraction of the cost! ✨ Yes…you read that right. Imagine this: one of Australia’s best restaurants, the Sydney Harbour shimmering below... and you’re indulging in world-renowned desserts by the legendary Peter Gilmore! 🤩 This is Desserts by Quay. Which invites you to skip straight to the sweet stuff from 8:45 pm onwards. For just $90 per person, you can savour a signature dess...
@2hungryguys
4 likes • 622 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Views in Advance

Secure your table with stunning Opera House or Harbour Bridge views by making reservations well in advance.

Consider Extra Layer

Some diners found the restaurant to be chilly; bringing an extra layer is advised for comfort.

Ask About Kitchen Tours

Inquire about kitchen tours with Chef Troy for an insider look at food preparation.

Desserts After Dark

Experience Peter Gilmore's world-renowned desserts from 8:45 pm onwards at a fraction of the tasting menu cost.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Quay Restaurant offers a highly acclaimed fine dining experience with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour. Diners praise the artistic and creative tasting menus, impeccable service, and signature desserts. However, some reviews suggest the experience may not always live up to its renowned reputation and price point, with occasional critiques on dish balance and temperature.

"An Interesting dining experience at Quay Sydney. Each course was a masterclass in creativity, balance, and finesse. The evening began with delicately plated raw scallops topped with smoked eel cream and Murray cod roe — a perfect harmony of freshness and umami.

The wild greenlip abalone and sea cucumber with aged seaweed broth showcased the kitchen’s precision and respect for the ocean. The mud crab dumpling in brown butter emulsion was rich yet refined, while the smoked confit pig jowl with young macadamia and sherry vinegar prunes delivered bold, deep flavors with silky textures.

The highlight for me was the David Blackmore Wagyu — intensely savory, paired with shiitake and dried oyster, elevated by a whisper of licorice kombu.

Desserts were equally show-stopping. “White Coral” and the playful “Post Brood Honey Bee” were not only beautifully presented but also ended the meal with a delightful sense of whimsy."

ARTYOS

"Quay has been an Australian staple and it’s consistency and longevity has been well admired. Peter Gilmore’s classics inspired entire generations of chefs and decades later, many of them have caught up. Beautiful location and atmosphere but currently relies too heavily on its name and location providing “View Tax”. Cool ideas on their menu but seemed like they were all executed in a similar fashion. Extra butter, more cream and sauced the hell out of everything. I would have liked to see more balance on the palate and then have some classics pop up every now and then. It’s just not the same without Peter Gilmore around and the magic has quieted down."

Michael

"I celebrated my graduation dinner here with my family in May, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve ever had.

Over the years, I’ve visited various fine dining restaurants for special occasions, and I have to say—Quay truly got everything right. From the impeccable service and outstanding food quality to the gorgeous night view, every detail was thoughtfully executed. Each dish was beautifully presented, and the layers of flavour were simply remarkable.

My entire family thoroughly enjoyed this unforgettable experience.

Thank you."

Ophelia, Xinran Pan

What People Like

Spectacular harbour views
Artistic and creative tasting menus
Impeccable service and attentive staff

What People Dislike

Restaurant temperature (can be cold)
Occasional lack of flavor balance
Perceived 'view tax' on pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Quay is renowned for its innovative tasting menus, breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and its iconic 'White Coral' dessert.

The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in SydneyRestaurants in SydneyGoogle Review

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially if you desire a table with specific views of the Opera House or Harbour Bridge.

TikTokBest Restaurants in Circular Quay for Locals and Visitors (2025)

Yes, Quay is known to cater to various dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, often crafting bespoke dishes.

Best gluten-free venues in Sydney

While not explicitly stated, fine dining establishments like Quay generally recommend smart casual or more formal attire.

Yes, you can visit 'Desserts by Quay' from 8:45 pm onwards to experience Peter Gilmore's acclaimed desserts without the full tasting menu.

TikTok

Some diners have noted that the restaurant can be chilly, so bringing an extra layer is advisable.

Google Review

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This Circular Quay establishment serves food that matches its million-dollar views, overlooking the Opera House from the shadow of the Harbour Bridge. Located on the upper level of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Quay’s menu is the brainchild of esteemed executive chef Peter Gilmore, the genius behind culinary inventions like the legendary ‘snow egg’ dessert that rose to fame on Australian cooking show MasterChef.

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Quay has been Sydney’s top restaurant for 30 years and it's still going strong with chef Peter Gilmore's experimental Mod Oz cuisine created with seasonal, local produce. The menu has carefully created seafood dishes, like greenlip abalone. But it’s the White Coral dessert, which is what Quay has become known.

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Even if you’re well versed in Peter Gilmore’s leitmotifs – marine life, umami depth, elusive ingredients, the tension between cream and crunch – his cooking at Quay always holds you in its thrall. Hand-dived scallops, each as sweet and soft as custard, make gripping counterparts for shaved abalone, raw palm hearts and liquorice kombu in a hypnotic soy and vinegar dressing. Unctuous black-pig salami draped over creamy shiitake chawanmushi could be its own dish, but layered over confit pork jowl and smoked trotter broth it all becomes a dissertation on intensity and richness.

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Located in the heart of The Rocks and with a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Quay Restaurant’s executive chef Peter Gilmore reinvigorated cooking and dining experiences in Australia when he opened this very restaurant. The ocean-decorated floor couples with Gilmore’s adoration for nature to help find inspiration for his dishes, which can be sampled as part of a six-course set menu (approx. $365 per person) to challenge any in the harbour city. There’s a focus on seasonality with fish, pork, and Wagyu typically dominating the rotating menu.

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