Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Empire Bay

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianJapanese

Regions

Bondi AreaCentral CoastEastern SuburbsInner SouthInner South WestInner West

Areas

AlexandriaBarangarooBelroseBondi BeachCircular QuayDarlinghurst

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

GFG

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

41 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Ettalong Diggers

4.5

Awesome(493)

$$$$

• Bistro • Ettalong Beach

Booked 7 times today

For classic bistro-style dining with something for everyone, this is the place! Juicy steaks from the grill, schnitzels, succulent fresh seafood, pasta, salads and kids’ meals….with beautiful views to match.Choose to dine on the sun-drenched Tallow Beach Terrace or Bistro 51.While you dine at Bistro 51, the kids can enjoy our Starfish Kids Play Zone which features an enclosed play area for younger children plus arcade games.

A photo of Georges Mediterranean restaurant

2. Georges Mediterranean

4.4

Awesome(444)

$$$$

• Greek • Barangaroo

Booked 7 times today

Step into Georges Mediterranean Bar & Grill, where a taste of the Med meets Sydney’s sparkling waterfront. Here, food is about connection: plates made for sharing, long conversations, and the joy of eating together.Our kitchen celebrates the Mediterranean way of life. Simple, honest cooking with the freshest local seafood, premium meats, and vibrant seasonal produce. Crispy squid fried to perfection, souvlaki fresh from the grill and the freshest Market fish. Gather around a table laden with mezze nd let the abundance, colour, and warmth of the Mediterranean transport you.

3. CATALINA

4.8

Exceptional(397)

$$$$

• Modern Australian • Rose Bay North

Booked 37 times today

Catalina is an iconic harbourside restaurant, family owned and operated since 1994. It is a light airy modern space with wonderful views, floor to ceiling glass, and outdoor balcony seating. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired and features sustainable seafood from the best producers Australia-wide, and grass fed and free range meat and poultry. The wine list is one of the best wine lists in Australia, featuring over 800 wines, and receiving a 3 Goblet rating every year in the Wine List of the Year Awards. The service is welcoming, friendly, informal and yet, professional. An ideal venue for all occasions: from everyday dining, to business lunches, to celebrations, to wedding receptions and events. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A photo of The Dining Room & Terrace at Shell House restaurant

4. The Dining Room & Terrace at Shell House

4.5

Awesome(26)

$$$$

• Modern Australian • Sydney CBD

Booked 14 times today

The Dining Room is classic in theory, yet modern and forward-thinking in practice.It is elegant, grand, and approachable at the same time.The menu by Culinary Director Joel Bickford, focuses on carefully sourced produce, presenting simple, refined dishes that are infused with Australian provenance yet bear the mark of the Mediterranean way of life.“This Dining Room holds a very special place for me as I hope it will for many others – it’s the beating heart of Shell House.”– Brett Robinson“Two Hats” – Good Food Awards 2023, 2024“Wine List of the Year” – Good Food Awards 2023

A photo of Tapavino - Circular Quay restaurant

5. Tapavino - Circular Quay

4.6

Exceptional(445)

$$$$

• Spanish • Circular Quay

Booked 16 times today

A celebration of Sherry, Wine, Tapas, & Friends. Influenced by the culture of sip-a-little-bit-of-this-and-eat-a-little-bit-of-that, Tapavino began in August 2012 as Australia’s first Sherry Bar in Sydney, in a little lane-way not unlike something you would find in the cobblestoned alleyways of Spain. Helped by the beautiful warm vibe that greets you as you step inside and take a seat among floor-to-ceiling wine bottles, Tapavino was named runner-up in Sydney Morning Herald's 'Best New Bar' Awards within 4-months of opening. 12-months later we were named 'Best Bar with Food'.

A photo of The East Chinese Restaurant restaurant

6. The East Chinese Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(143)

$$$$

• Chinese • Circular Quay

Booked 14 times today

The East is Sydney’s leading fine dining Chinese restaurant by the Opera House, Circular Quay. With both indoor and outdoor seating with a view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, we proudly serve authentic Chinese cuisine, offering a diverse and delicious menu inspired by rich Chinese history.Our menu is very extensive, with dishes that are hot and powerful to those that are more mild and subtle. Whether you’re craving sweet and sour flavors, or steamed natural aromas, or perhaps exotic herbs and spices, The East has dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.

7. Fratelli Paradiso

4.8

Exceptional(354)

$$$$

• Italian • Potts Point

Booked 24 times today

WALK-INS ALWAYS BENVENUTI!Italian food and imported wine in a bustling space with exposed-brick walls and a blackboard menu.

A photo of The Grill at The International restaurant

8. The Grill at The International

4.5

Awesome(37)

$$$$

• Modern Australian • Sydney CBD

Booked 22 times today

From the finest grade produce and culinary techniques guided by the expertise of Culinary Director Joel Bickford, The Grill at The International celebrates classic traditions and global standard fine dining with a simple and unwavering commitment to the finest ingredients cooked to order perfectly over live fire and delivered with warm, generous and skilled service. The Grill is designed as the ultimate place to celebrate life’s great occasions or enjoy the everyday pleasure of exceptional food and wine in a luxurious indoor outdoor dining room keyed to the rhythm of the city.Expect technicolour seasonality and obsessional provenance aimed to set a new standard in big city dining in Sydney.

A photo of Zushi - Surry Hills restaurant

9. Zushi - Surry Hills

4.7

Exceptional(865)

$$$$

• Japanese • Surry Hills

Booked 30 times today

We’re a Modern Japanese restaurant located in Surry Hills. We pride ourselves on serving the best Japanese cuisine in Sydney, prepared by our expert chefs using the freshest local and sustainable ingredients where possible. Our signature rolls are a must!We’re your fun neighbourhood Japanese restaurant located on Crown Street in the heart of bustling Surry Hills, Sydney. At Zushi we love our customers and our customers love our relaxed approach, coupled with delicious food, friendly service and dining options in our buzzy restaurant, upstairs mezzanine and open air courtyard. We offer dine in, takeaway, catering and mobile zushi where we send our Chefs to you!Zushi is fully licensed and offers an exciting list of cocktails for those who have worked up a thirst. We also love sharing our passion for sake, beer and wines to match your meal.

10. The Potting Shed

4.4

Awesome(4163)

$$$$

• Modern Australian • Alexandria

Booked 58 times today

The Potting Shed is a place to meet, eat, drink, relax and chat your day and night away – where hanging plants, terracotta pots and timber beams meet brass, brick and iron. Where you can plant yourself down on the swing seat, bench or at the bar and feel like you are on your family’s porch.It’s a lively place where you can hoe into fresh, locally harvested produce, delivered by our shed-hands. The same hands that will deliver you good-natured banter, craft beers on tap, great tasting wines and unique cocktails.The menu offers cozy share options for groups, three course substantial meal choices for those wanting to make an evening of it and a fun selection of nibbles for people wanting a light after-work snack with their cocktails or a share jug amongst friends.Plus, enjoy exclusive after-dark access to The Grounds of Alexandria's latest laneway attractions when you dine in!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

H
Heather
Sydney •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Four of us ate here on Saturday night and as usual it was cozy, delicious and the service was excellent. Davinia served us and she was warm, friendly and professional. We shared a number of plates and desserts but it is impossible to call one better than another. Beef cheeks are always delicious, anchovies in oil are melt in your mouth good and the jamon in béchamel croquettas with black garlic mayo are superb. Aubergine on toast.. cabbage with manchego … yum.. Crème Catalan was great to share. The vermut is a favourite, plus sherry at the end of the meal was a perfect way to finish. 10/10.
More info
Tapavino - Circular Quay$$$$• Spanish• Circular Quay
•
4.6
J
Jessica
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The service at Shell House from Street level entrance to wait staff is unmatched. The food is incredible with a great selection to cater for everyone. Decor is stunning and will definitely be back.
More info
The Dining Room & Terrace at Shell House$$$$• Modern Australian• Sydney CBD
•
4.5
A
Affie
Sydney •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
We had a lovely meal again. I always visit the restaurant when I am in town and have never been disappointed. Position is great at Circular Quay, great outlook.
More info
The East Chinese Restaurant$$$$• Chinese• Circular Quay
•
4.5
S
Sandrine
New South Wales •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 May 2026
Always very good service and food. Friendly staff always willing to help. Thank you
More info
Ettalong Diggers$$$$• Bistro• Ettalong Beach
•
4.5
E
Eric
Sydney •1 review
5.0
Dined on 22 May 2026
i had great experience with my friends there. with great view and delicious food. fabilous drinks. nice.
More info
Georges Mediterranean$$$$• Greek• Barangaroo
•
4.4

Explore OpenTable

Area
Outdoor dining

Empire Bay

Georgetown
Ulladulla
Charmhaven
Adamstown
Broadway
Umina Beach
Pearl Beach
Brunswick Heads
West Wallsend
Albion Park
Patonga
Tweed Heads South
Terrigal
Avoca Beach
Lisarow
Budgewoi
Ballina
Ewingsdale
Lithgow
Gosford