Have you experienced counter dining before?

More and more restaurants have adopted the idea of having their customers dine at their bar counters, offering a new and fun experience whilst dining. Watch the chefs do their magic right at your feet, or how bartenders mix and combine your favourite spirits to create something delicious and mesmerising. We have compiled the best counter dining experiences Sydney has to offer. 

Firepop

You may have seen Firepop’s food truck at popular events such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show or Parramatta Lanes, but did you know they have an actual venue in Enmore? This multi-floored venue, just like their food trucks, provides an experience where you can sit in on the action.. Watch as they cook fine meats such as Fullblood MBS 9+ Wagyu beef, or Pork Belly from your seat. The cuts they use are premium quality and will give you the ultimate sensory experience.

137 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042

Katsu Haki 

Sydney CBD has a new restaurant which highlights one of Japan’s most popular dishes, Katsu. Keeping familiar with its Japanese origins, the restaurant is quite small and dark, giving it an authentic Japanese izakaya feel. There is standard seating, but the ultimate seating is at the counter, where you can see all the action. Watch the chefs prep, cut and fire up the various dishes on offer including their popular unagi-don. Sit front row to a mini show of food theatrics and the intricacies of food plating. 

Shop 4a/505 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Nomad

There is an art to plating food, and at Nomad, you can see it come to life as you eat. If you choose to dine at their 30-seat counter, you can observe as they arrange and decorate your food in front of you. Try some of their Middle Eastern inspired dishes, such as their half lamb shoulder, paired with smoked eggplant and jalapeño zhoug, as well as their famous dessert, an olive oil ice cream sandwich made with halva, pistachio, and honey. 

16 Foster Street, Surry Hills NSW, 2010

Restaurant Hubert 

Sydney has some of the best fine dining experiences, and this restaurant is included in that list. Restaurant Hubert offers an immersive dining experience reminiscent of mid-20th-century Paris, located underground with live music. If you choose to sit at the bar, enjoy watching the bartenders mix delicious cocktails whilst feasting on classic French dishes such as the Soufflé au Gruyère, a fluffy, cheesy souffle with an airy texture, or the Crème Caramel, a classic French custard dessert that is smooth and velvety, topped with a layer of bitter caramel. This is the place to visit on a night out when you want to splurge. 

15 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000

Woodcut

Woodcut celebrates the art of cooking with fire, steam, and wood. For those seeking a more interactive experience, counter dining provides a front-row seat to the action, where guests can enjoy watching chefs work with flames and smoke. Their menu is a tribute to traditional Australian cooking methods, with signature dishes like wood-fired meats, perfectly charred seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Highlights include their slow-cooked lamb, grilled octopus, and delicate steamed fish, all cooked to perfection using wood and charcoal for unique flavours. 

Level 1 (Ground), 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia

Bennelong

Dining in the Opera House should be on everyone’s bucket list. Bennelong happens to be located right inside it and offers a refined dining experience that showcases the best of Australian produce. For a more casual yet immersive experience, The Counter provides bar-style seating where guests can enjoy signature dishes, including Aquatir Beluga Caviar with crème fraîche, and Handline Caught Barramundi with fennel and oyster jus. Whether in the main dining area or at the Counter, you can enjoy the stunning views of Sydney Harbour. 

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, NSW 2000

The Dry Dock

Tucked away in the heart of Balmain, The Dry Dock’s sit-up oyster bar is a hidden gem worth knowing about. Found within The Dining Room, this four-seat counter offers an intimate and elevated experience. Perch up and enjoy front-row views of the open kitchen while the chefs prepare and plate each dish with precision. Choose from the regular à la carte menu or indulge in the dedicated ‘Oysters and Caviar’ menu, featuring freshly shucked oysters, caviar bumps, and premium seafood pairings.

22 Cameron St, Balmain NSW 2041