The smell of salt in the air, the iconic view of Sydney Harbour stretched before you; the ultimate dining experience is made on the end of a wharf. From Wooloomooloo to Walsh Bay, wharf front bars and restaurants certainly like to put on a show, serving up some amazing food and drink, set against the backdrop of this beautiful city of ours. As the warmer weather rolls in, we thought we’d celebrate some of Sydney’s best Wharf Bar and Restaurants, perfect to salute your city in style!
Manly Wharf: Papi Chulo
Having only opened their doors on Manly Wharf two years ago, Papi Chulo have already managed to claw their way to the top of many ‘Best of Lists’, with their exciting, innovative menu. Inside this smokehouse is a sleek interior, complete with beach club vibes. Enjoy a feast from the deep south of America, featuring succulent smoked BBQ items like pork shoulder, lamb ribs, wagyu brisket and much more. Or perhaps one of their sandwiches, dripping with sauces like the hot chicken sandwich, with their famous “comeback” sauce. You’ll be dying to comeback to this ultra-cool establishment, perfect for one of those days, where you don’t feel like doing very much at all…except for eating and drinking by the water.
Papi Chulo , Shop, 22/23 E Esplanade, Manly Wharf 9240 3000. Open: Monday-Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 pm, Wednesday- Thursday 12:00 – 10:00 pm, Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 pm, Friday: 12:00 – 10:30 pm, Saturday:12:00 – 10:30 pm, Sunday:12:00 – 9:00 pm
Walsh Bay: The Bar at the End of the Wharf
A simple name for a not-so-simple place. Although The Bar at the End of the Wharf is a favourite of thespians and theatre-goers alike, it is welcome to all. Beautiful views over Sydney Harbour, a great range of wine and cocktails plus a short but good modern menu await. Our favourite is the Bard Cocktail, allowing you to toast Shakespeare your own way. Or if you are just looking for a bit of fun, they also have stage-inspired menu items. This month they’re serving party pies with homemade sauce to celebrate the 2015 Wharf Revue, playing from 21st October – 19th of December.
The Bar At The End of The Wharf , Pier 4 Hickson Rd Walsh Bay 9250 1761. Open: Mon to Fri 9:30 am – 11:00 pm, Sat 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
King Street Wharf: The Malaya
Malaysian food is so much more than your Friday takeaway laksa. The Malaya is case and point. Located with the spectacular view of Darling Harbour stretched before you, The Malaya serves contemporary South East Asian food, with seafood as their star. Winners of the Certificate of Excellence Award from Trip Advisor for the last two years, it is easy to see why with the spacious interior, matched with spectacular views and food are perfect for sharing. Personally, we are suckers for their spanner crab san chow bao and the king prawn laksa.
The Malaya 39 Lime Street, King Street Wharf, Sydney 9279 1170. Open for Lunch: Monday to Saturday from 12pm, Dinner: Monday to Sunday from 6pm
Cockle Bay Wharf : Cafe Del Mar
There are days when we all feel like packing our bags and heading somewhere exotic like Ibiza. Failing that, there’s Cafe Del Mar in Cockle Bay, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Sydney (sans the dancing ladies in bikinis). Cool meets comfort at this bar and dining venue, complete with a large lounging area looking over the ocean, as well as a sophisticated dining area inside. Music is promised to always be pumping out of the speakers, ranging from cool jazz, to deep house to nu soul. The menu is sophisticated, paying homage to their Mediterranean heritage. If you’re looking to get your hands dirty, a must is the suckling pig to share, because why not? You’re in Ibiza right?
Cafe del Mar, 35 Wheat Rd, Rooftop Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney 9267 6700. Open Monday – Midday to midnight, Tuesday – Saturday – midday until midnight, Sunday’s – Midday to 10pm
Pyrmont: Flying Fish Restaurant and Bar
Flying Fish Restaurant and Bar sits at the end of Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont with the breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour as it’s neighbour. Just a short stroll away from The Star is where you’ll find this treasure chest, which boasts some of the best seafood dishes, bursting with fresh, Asian-inspired flavours. Have a casual drink in their Little Fish Bar on the ground floor then head into the main restaurant complete with a raw bar, and private rooms. The Little Fish Bar perched meters away from the ocean is holding a new pop-up bar Sake and Suits from mid October 2015 throughout summer. At Sake & Suits, you can expect a night of three specially crafted canapes made to perfectly compliment three different kinds of sake.
Flying Fish Restaurant & Bar , Lower Deck, Jones Bay Wharf, 21 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 9518 6677. Open Monday: 6:00pm – 10:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday: 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6:00pm-10:30pm, Sunday: 12:00pm-2:30pm
Woolloomoloo Wharf: Otto Ristorante
The Sydney CBD skyline creates a picturesque backdrop at Wooloomooloo Wharf where there are plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from. Otto Ristorante is one of favourites, championing modern Italian cuisine. As one of the best fine dining establishments in Sydney, Otto is famous for reinventing Italian food and taking it away from just the typical pizza and pasta. A rustic Italian menu, matched with an extensive wine list is perfect for your next big occassion. We love their tagliolini, adding Moreton Bay Bugs to a generous serve of black and white pasta, chilli, tomato and garlic. Otto creates a fresh Australian take on traditional otherwise Italian cuisine. They also offer up a mean virgin cocktail if you are having a night off the wine.
Otto Ristorante, 8/6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 9368 7488. Open 12pm – 1030pm everyday
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