The Best Food and Restaurants in Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge area cluster around Circular Quay, offering everything from award‑winning fine dining at Bennelong to relaxed waterfront bites at Opera Bar, House Canteen, and Indigenous‑inspired cuisine at Midden by Mark Olive, all within a 5–10 minute walk of Sydney’s most famous icons.
For Singapore travellers, this guide from Homejourney gives you practical, safety‑first, and price‑aware recommendations based on on‑the‑ground experience, plus how these Sydney icons compare with lifestyle and dining around Singapore’s key waterfront precincts.
How this guide fits into Homejourney’s Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge pillar
This article is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s broader destination and property insight coverage, supporting our main guide: Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge Guide 2025 – Homejourney Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge Guide 2025 – Homejourney .
While the pillar covers history, tours, and neighbourhood insights, this cluster zooms in on one question Singapore travellers always ask: “Where are the best places to eat around Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and how much should I budget?”
All recommendations are chosen with Homejourney’s core values in mind: safety, transparency on costs, and real, first‑hand experience from frequent Singapore–Sydney travellers.
Why dine around Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge & Circular Quay
The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge sit at the heart of Circular Quay, one of the city’s most walkable and scenic dining precincts.
From a Singapore perspective, this area feels like a mix of Marina Bay waterfront views with the heritage character of Fullerton and Boat Quay, but with cooler evenings and more al fresco dining.
Most key restaurants here are within 5–12 minutes’ walk of each other, so you can easily combine a harbourfront meal with a show, bridge climb, or ferry ride.
Top restaurants inside or directly under the Sydney Opera House
1. Bennelong – flagship fine dining inside Sydney Opera House
Best for: special occasions, anniversary dinners, property‑scouting celebration meals.
Bennelong sits within one of the Opera House sails and is consistently ranked among Sydney’s top restaurants, led by chef Peter Gilmore, also of Quay.[2] It focuses on modern Australian cuisine with premium local produce and an extensive Australian wine list.[2]
Price guide: Expect around AUD 190–230 per person for a 3‑course dinner before drinks, similar to or slightly above a fine‑dining evening at top Singapore spots in Marina Bay or Orchard.
Opening hours: Dinner seven days; lunch Friday to Sunday (with a special house lunch menu).[1][2]
Insider tip (Singapore comparison): If you are used to tasting menus in Singapore, Bennelong’s 3‑course format feels less overwhelming and more flexible. Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for weekend nights, just as you would for a top restaurant during F1 week in Singapore.
2. Opera Bar – iconic harbourfront drinks & casual bites
Best for: sunset drinks, casual dining before a show, friends’ gatherings.
Located on the lower concourse of the Sydney Opera House, Opera Bar has one of the most photographed views in the city, with the Harbour Bridge directly across the water.[1][6] Menus lean towards share plates, seafood, burgers, salads, and a strong drinks list.[1]
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 11am to late; Friday–Saturday 11am–12am.[1]
Price guide: Mains are typically AUD 30–45; cocktails around AUD 24–28. For a Singaporean family of four, budget roughly AUD 180–220 (without excessive alcohol), similar to a mid‑range dinner at Clarke Quay with drinks.
Insider tip: For the best light and fewer crowds, target 4–5.30pm on weekdays. You can often walk in if you are flexible with seating, but on Saturday evenings near Vivid Sydney or New Year’s, reservations are advisable.
3. House Canteen – casual, family‑friendly with Asian‑inspired bites
Best for: relaxed breakfasts, kids, and travellers who want familiar Asian flavours.
House Canteen sits on the lower concourse, just beside Opera Bar, serving breakfast classics, coffee, and Asian‑inspired dishes for lunch and dinner.[1][6] Think rice bowls, dumplings, noodles and snacks alongside pastries and eggs for breakfast.[1]
Opening hours: Daily from 7:30am until late.[1][6]
Price guide: Breakfast from around AUD 15–25 per dish; lunch/dinner bowls around AUD 25–35. This is roughly equivalent to a mid‑range café in Tiong Bahru or Robertson Quay.
Insider tip: If you’re flying overnight from Singapore and landing in Sydney early, House Canteen is one of the most reliable breakfast options with a view that opens early and can accommodate families with strollers.
4. Midden by Mark Olive – modern native Australian flavours
Best for: travellers wanting to try Indigenous‑inspired Australian cuisine in a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Midden by Mark Olive is located on the Western Broadwalk of the Opera House, showcasing native ingredients such as wattle seed, bush honey, saltbush and other local flora in a modern Australian menu.[1][6]
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am–2.30pm and 5pm–8.30pm for lunch and dinner.[1][6]
Price guide: Mains often sit in the AUD 35–50 range; consider budgeting AUD 80–120 per person for a full meal with dessert but without extensive alcohol, slightly above a mid‑tier restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport.
Insider tip: If you book the official Tour & Dine package, you can have a main and drink at Midden, Opera Bar, or House Canteen after a guided Opera House tour, which can be better value than paying separately.[4][6]
Best restaurants near the Harbour Bridge & Circular Quay
If you are walking between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, most visitors pass through Circular Quay and The Rocks, where some of Sydney’s best restaurants sit within a 10–15 minute walk.[3][5]
Fine dining & special‑occasion picks
- Aria (near Circular Quay) – Modern Australian fine dining with direct views of both the Harbour Bridge and Opera House; ideal if Bennelong is fully booked or you prefer to dine slightly away from the crowds.[3]
- Quay Restaurant (overlooking Circular Quay) – Sister restaurant to Bennelong, also by Peter Gilmore, often rated among Australia’s very best. Expect prices similar to, or above, Bennelong.[2][3]
- Café Sydney (Customs House) – Rooftop restaurant with a sweeping view over Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge. A popular local choice for business lunches and celebrations.[3]
Casual & mid‑range options near Harbour Bridge
- Ribs & Burgers, The Rocks – Family‑friendly Western comfort food about 10–12 minutes’ walk from the Opera House.[3]
- Wahlburgers Opera Quays – Casual burger spot along the waterfront near Circular Quay, convenient for quick meals before or after a harbour cruise.[3][5]
- Numerous pubs and bistros in The Rocks – A short stroll towards the base of the Harbour Bridge, offering classic pub fare, steaks, and local beers.
Practical dining tips for Singapore travellers
Best time to visit for food & views
- Weather: For comfortable al fresco dining, many Singaporeans find late spring (October–November) and early autumn (March–April) ideal – cooler than Singapore but still pleasant into the evening.
- Time of day: Aim for early dinners around 5.30–7pm for golden hour harbour views. In winter, sunsets can be as early as 5pm, so shift earlier.
- Peak seasons: Book well ahead if visiting during Vivid Sydney (typically May–June) or New Year’s Eve, when harbourfront restaurants often run special set menus and minimum‑spend policies.[2][6]
Getting there from Singapore & moving around safely
Flights:
