Best Darling Harbour Restaurants?

The King · 15th August 2010, 1:34 PM

Bros,

In Sydney next weekend, taking a shawtie out for dinner.

Got some other, casual stuff teed up, but what're the best restaurants along the Harbour? After a couple of really nice options with great views and stuff, would appreciate any input.

Meat & Wine Co I know, and it's awesome, but apparently shut for renos.

Hook a brother up

Da Madness · 15th August 2010, 1:37 PM

I'm Angus - good steak
Hurricanes - AWESOME ribs
Nicks - Good seafood
James Squires - Great food, beer, and atmosphere but no view.

Amfibius · 15th August 2010, 8:20 PM

You could go to the best restaurant in Australia: Quay.

The King · 15th August 2010, 9:55 PM

Looks pretty good Amfi, and not as dear as I expected; but set menu?

Not a huge fan of that

You've got great taste though Amfi; any other possibles?

Cheers for the possibles Mad; will check them out and see if any are a go

Nick's was one that somebody else suggested and that might be a good choice. Otherwise I might hit up with mates; this one is with a chick, so seafood/chicken type stuff is preferable.

Amfibius · 15th August 2010, 10:08 PM

Hi King, trust me on this one: if you dine at Quay you will remember it forever. I mean, it is the 27th best restaurant in the world! Don't worry about the set menu - it will blow you away.

I don't know any of the other restaurants, but I can suggest that you NOT go to Aria (Matt Moran's restaurant). The food was well cooked, well presented, and there was nothing wrong with it - but at those prices, you are much better off at Quay.

Aria is "OK" fine dining, Quay is "blow your mind" fine dining.

As for all the other restaurants - don't know. I don't live in Sydney

scon · 16th August 2010, 8:06 AM

I haven't made it there yet, but I've been keen to go to Flying Fish for quite some time. Doubt you'd get the same experience as Quay but I doubt you'd be dissapointed.

bugayev · 16th August 2010, 8:19 AM

I've eaten at waterfront and whilst not the level of FF, Quay or even Aria, it's still pretty awesome and the view is great.

renagade · 16th August 2010, 9:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amfibius

You could go to the best restaurant in Australia: Quay.

Quay is in Circular Quay not in Darling Harbour.
Not a very short walk from one to the other unfortunately.

uberbanzai · 16th August 2010, 9:51 AM

Flying Fish ?

Stooge007 · 16th August 2010, 10:17 AM

Circular Quay has much nicer views (Opera House and Harbour Bridge), and better restaurants

but if you must eat at Darling Harbour, depends on what you're looking for. i'd probably suggest somewhere along King St Wharf though

semi-ok pub food - Cargo, Watershed, Helm Bar, James Squire

casual - Hurricanes, Nicks, Chinta Ria etc.

bit more serious - Malaya, Kobe Jones, Steersons etc.

avoid - Jordans, Ice Cube, Coast (all over priced imo)

Stooge007 · 16th August 2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberbanzai

Flying Fish ?

more pyrmont than DH

Sandez · 16th August 2010, 10:27 AM

Personally I would go with James Squires and Chinta Ria. Been to both a few times and have yet to be dissapointed by the food (which is a contrast to other Darling Harbour restuarants). Plus James Squire has the advantage of exclusive in house beers.

Fresh79 · 16th August 2010, 10:43 AM

Meat & Wine Co is my pick. Awesome steaks in there.

scon · 16th August 2010, 12:21 PM

Dont forget that from Darling Harbour, you can get a water taxi to either Circular Quay or Pyrmont, which would actually be a nice trip particularly if you're not a local.

othy · 16th August 2010, 12:45 PM

I had dinner at Aria last week. Excellent food and service with views of the harbour & opera house. Really enjoyed the Marron entrée.

Quay is very booked out so if you want to go, you're going to have to plan for it. Particularly as I think its had some big exposure on Masterchef, but I don't watch the show. I doubt you'll get a table on a weekend with a weeks notice.

If you can sacrifice the views, I highly rate Rockpool - always enjoy the food there.

The above are all in Circular Quay or The Rocks area.

Malaya - Been here a few times, food is great - very tasty. Bit more casual then the three mentioned above. Its in Darling Harbour.

--

othy

15th August 2010, 1:37 PM	#2
Da Madness Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,228	I'm Angus - good steak Hurricanes - AWESOME ribs Nicks - Good seafood James Squires - Great food, beer, and atmosphere but no view. __________________ BRAIIINS! - Night zombie #5

15th August 2010, 8:20 PM	#3
Amfibius Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 6,584	You could go to the best restaurant in Australia: Quay. __________________ -Amfibius

15th August 2010, 10:08 PM	#5
Amfibius Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 6,584	Hi King, trust me on this one: if you dine at Quay you will remember it forever. I mean, it is the 27th best restaurant in the world! Don't worry about the set menu - it will blow you away. I don't know any of the other restaurants, but I can suggest that you NOT go to Aria (Matt Moran's restaurant). The food was well cooked, well presented, and there was nothing wrong with it - but at those prices, you are much better off at Quay. Aria is "OK" fine dining, Quay is "blow your mind" fine dining. As for all the other restaurants - don't know. I don't live in Sydney __________________ -Amfibius

16th August 2010, 8:06 AM	#6
scon Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canberra Posts: 4,540	I haven't made it there yet, but I've been keen to go to Flying Fish for quite some time. Doubt you'd get the same experience as Quay but I doubt you'd be dissapointed. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. Douglas Adams, "Last Chance to See" - 1990 Food Blog: Wok the Fuck?!

16th August 2010, 8:19 AM	#7
bugayev Whammy! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3,944	I've eaten at waterfront and whilst not the level of FF, Quay or even Aria, it's still pretty awesome and the view is great. __________________ Administrator: Apple Desktop Hardware/Software, Graphics and Programming, Digital Art, iOS Devices, For Sale (PC and Non-PC), Price Check and What/Where Should I Buy? mercury: 11" Macbook Air, i5, 4Gb RAM, 128Gb SSD lunchbox: Mac mini, i5 Dual Core, 4Gb RAM, 500Gb HDD Last edited by bugayev; 16th August 2010 at 10:24 AM.

16th August 2010, 9:51 AM	#9
uberbanzai Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,445	Flying Fish ?

16th August 2010, 10:17 AM	#10
Stooge007 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Shire, Sydney Posts: 5,202	Circular Quay has much nicer views (Opera House and Harbour Bridge), and better restaurants but if you must eat at Darling Harbour, depends on what you're looking for. i'd probably suggest somewhere along King St Wharf though semi-ok pub food - Cargo, Watershed, Helm Bar, James Squire casual - Hurricanes, Nicks, Chinta Ria etc. bit more serious - Malaya, Kobe Jones, Steersons etc. avoid - Jordans, Ice Cube, Coast (all over priced imo) __________________ Over 140 successful trades, most recent: ilmman, Nafe, PANZERAMD, robertgd, GotTone, JLOH, DanWA, Esposch, BevanMX5, SingAlong, ChaoS-GoD, someon3, ELiTEE, Elfanger, peteed1985, alexis, onbail, xsphera, OAG, Duff Man, skiitz, byson, Cestevenson, ShaunDXB, Piroteknik, myf360f1, Thraxeh, austin nguyen, QLDguy1, cooleagles, Temp16, Haillion, nordica-k2, Barra-oz, austin nguyen, MAXKNOTT, LG456, junkie13, Reveng3, sunjet, 2red, jbomb, OnGsTa, k1ll3r, DEMONDOCTOR, dabell, bumthology, Zee, JWM

16th August 2010, 10:43 AM	#13
Fresh79 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 7,158	Meat & Wine Co is my pick. Awesome steaks in there.

16th August 2010, 12:21 PM	#14
scon Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canberra Posts: 4,540	Dont forget that from Darling Harbour, you can get a water taxi to either Circular Quay or Pyrmont, which would actually be a nice trip particularly if you're not a local. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. Douglas Adams, "Last Chance to See" - 1990 Food Blog: Wok the Fuck?!

16th August 2010, 12:45 PM	#15
othy Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: syd.nsw.au Posts: 4,105	I had dinner at Aria last week. Excellent food and service with views of the harbour & opera house. Really enjoyed the Marron entrée. Quay is very booked out so if you want to go, you're going to have to plan for it. Particularly as I think its had some big exposure on Masterchef, but I don't watch the show. I doubt you'll get a table on a weekend with a weeks notice. If you can sacrifice the views, I highly rate Rockpool - always enjoy the food there. The above are all in Circular Quay or The Rocks area. Malaya - Been here a few times, food is great - very tasty. Bit more casual then the three mentioned above. Its in Darling Harbour. -- othy __________________ HASA DIGA EEBOWAI Last edited by othy; 16th August 2010 at 12:48 PM.