The Best Restaurants in Woolloomooloo for a Harbourside Meal
This buzzing harbourside suburb is overflowing with choice. Read on for the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo.
On the fringe of the city, lies Woolloomooloo - a petite suburb with an incredible dining scene. Stylish yet unpretentious, Woolloomooloo is a harbourside suburb that's proud of its working past and renowned for its focus on the arts and a thriving dining scene. The heritage-listed Finger Wharf is now home to award-winning restaurants, bars and hotels.
This pretty pocket of Sydney is bustling every day of the week — whether you want a casual work lunch, a decadent degustation, or a celebratory meal. Read on for our edit of the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo.
Arturo's
Arturo’s Mediterranean-style menu celebrates rich Australian produce. A mix of small plates including octopus, Sydney rock oysters, halloumi, burrata and lobster rolls will get you started whilst more generous shared mains, including a 12-hour Braised Lamb Shoulder with oregano, lemon and garlic and a Delmonico Ribeye will take you further.
Once your belly is full head on upstairs to Arturo's rooftop bar, an oasis overlooking the city skyline where you can enjoy more share plates or let the house mixologist mix you up a signature martini.
2 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo
Bistro Fitz
In the backstreets of Woolloomooloo, The Old Fitzroy is steeped in history. Affectionately known as ‘The Fitz,’ the pub has been around for over 100 years, and has Australia’s only pub theatre, which seats 60 people.
The bistro menu is French-inspired and features the likes of pomme anna with tarama and anchovy, leeks vinaigrette with hazelnut and creme fraiche and beetroot and roquefort salad.
Most of the bistro menu can also be enjoyed in the pub downstairs or alfresco on the tables on the street where you can watch the world go by.
As for the pub exclusive menu, you can look forward to mussels on toast with celery and aioli, eggs mayonnaise with anchovy and cress and Wagyu cheeseburger with frites.
The Old Fitz, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo
China Doll
As far as the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo go, China Doll is the dazzling A-list eatery that every Sydneysider needs to dine at least once in their lifetime. With its prime position on Woolloomooloo Wharf, this elegant institution is famous for its pan-Asian menu. It’s designed for sharing, so feast on dumplings, Peking duck, crispy pork belly with chilli caramel and Asian greens. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity spotting!
4/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
OTTO
Wander a little further down the wharf, and you’ll reach OTTO — a fine-dining Italian restaurant that overlooks the water. The menu changes seasonally but expertly combines Italian flavours with fresh produce. Helmed by Head Chef Richard Ptacnik you can expect dishes like perfectly al dente saffron linguine or local John Dory on the wood grill served simply with butter sauce.
8/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Kingsleys Woolloomooloo
Sometimes, you just need a steak. That’s where Kingsleys comes in. Specialising in premium steaks, the restaurant is a carnivore’s idea of heaven — though crustacean lovers are also very well catered to. For the best of both worlds, start with the snow king crab legs before moving on to the black Angus eye fillet. The amazing food is matched by the equally as impressive harbourside views thanks to its primo location on the iconic Finger Wharf.
10/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Manta
With stunning interiors, a sustainable menu and a sparkling view, Manta has all the ingredients to be a local go-to for a contemporary dining experience. The kitchen focuses on seafood, so there is much to sample. It goes without saying, the oysters are a great place to start. And when you pair them with the incredible water views, you have the makings of the perfect long lunch.
6/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Molo Bar
Possibly one of the chicest seasonal pop-up aperitivo wine bars in Sydney. As part of Woolloomooloo’s restaurant, Manta, Molo Bar's menu is a mingling of fine cocktails and fine Italian fare (their spaghetti vongole is otherworldly, as are their Ballina King prawns). Add to this decadence the stunning harbour views and you’re set.
6/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Alibi Bar and Dining
Situated within Ovolo Woolloomooloo, this entirely plant-based restaurant and bar ticks all the foodie boxes. Both the food and cocktail menus are full of innovative and out-of-the-box dishes, with whimsical and creative plate-ups. With lots of fusion elements, the scope of the menu is broad and does not conform to any one cuisine. Think fire-cooked seasonal veggie salad, cacio e pepe and chamomile pasta.
Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Now you've finished eating your way through the best restaurants in Woolloomooloo, why not check out our round-up of the best cafes in Paddington? Or if you're after some date night inspo, have a read of our edit of the most romantic restaurants in Sydney.
