Looking for a special dining experience without travelling far from the North Shore? Sydney’s degustation scene is thriving, and you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy some of the city’s most spectacular culinary experiences.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary, or simply craving a sophisticated night out, a multi-course degustation menu offers the perfect opportunity to savour expertly crafted dishes paired with premium wines.
From the stunning harbour-side venues dotted along our Lower North Shore – including McMahons Point, Mosman, and Balmoral Beach – to the exclusive riverside retreats of Berowra Waters and Cottage Point in the Upper North Shore, you’ll discover world-class restaurants showcasing seasonal Australian produce with breathtaking waterfront views.
And while the CBD offers exceptional options worth the short trip, nothing beats the convenience and beauty of dining close to home.
Here are Sydney’s finest degustation experiences, with North Shore gems leading the way.
- Sails on Lavender Bay, McMahon’s Point
- Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral Beach, Mosman
- Ormeggio At The Spit, Mosman
- Cucinetta, Woolwich, Hunter’s Hill
- Berowra Waters Inn, Berowra Waters
- Cottage Point Inn, Cottage Point
- Peats Bite, Berowra Waters
- Pilu at Freshwater, Freshwater Beach
- Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney
- NOBU Sydney, Barangaroo
- LuMi Dining, Pyrmont
- Nel Restaurant, Surry Hills
Sydney’s Best Degustation Restaurants: Lower North Shore
Sails on Lavender Bay (McMahon’s Point)
Sails on Lavender Bay (McMahon’s Point)
Perched on Sydney’s harbour waterfront at McMahons Point with postcard views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sails celebrates coastal flavours with seasonal ingredients. Currently offering a five-course tasting menu ($145pp, January 2026) with wine pairings, it’s just an 8-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. Groups of 11-25 can choose between 3-course or 6-course shared tasting menus.
- Address: 2 Henry Lawson Ave, McMahons Point NSW 2060
- Website: sailslavenderbay.com
Bathers’ Pavilion (Balmoral Beach, Mosman)
Bathers’ Pavilion (Balmoral Beach, Mosman)
Set on Balmoral Beach overlooking Middle Harbour, this 1920s Art Deco venue combines beachside elegance with Mediterranean charm. Executive chef Aaron Ward (ex-Sixpenny, awarded 2 hats) offers a 6-course degustation ($175) with matching wines ($75) or premium wines ($125). Standouts include Rangers Valley Wagyu, handmade cavatelli with spanner crab, and Apple Tart dessert. Vegan options available.
- Address: 4 The Esplanade, Mosman NSW 2088
- Website: batherspavilion.com.au
Ormeggio At The Spit (Mosman)
Ormeggio At The Spit (Mosman)
Located at D’Albora Marina in Mosman, this buzzy Italian seafood restaurant features spectacular waterside views and the l’Esperienza degustation menu ($279). Chefs Alessandro Pavoni and Victor Moya reimagine dishes using Italian and Spanish influences, techniques, and ingredients. The restaurant also offers a Chef’s Table experience and regularly changing sharing menus, plus a Sunday Classic Menu ($ 99 pp).
- Address: D’Albora Marina, The Spit, Mosman NSW 2088
- Website: ormeggio.com.au
Cucinetta (Woolwich, Hunter’s Hill)
Cucinetta (Woolwich, Hunter’s Hill)
Established in 2006 by Chef Vincenzo Mazzotta, this Italian restaurant in Woolwich offers breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour. While primarily known for fresh handmade pasta (voted best gnocchi in Sydney), they offer a 4 Course Feast (Sun-Thu, $89pp) and various banquet options. The restaurant features rustic Italian cuisine inspired by recipes from Chef Vincenzo’s home country.
- Address: 103 Woolwich Rd, Woolwich NSW 2110
- Website: cucinetta.com.au
Sydney’s Best Degustation Restaurants: Upper North Shore / Hawkesbury
Berowra Waters Inn
Berowra Waters Inn
Located in a stunning riverside setting accessible only by boat or seaplane, Berowra Waters Inn offers one of Sydney’s most exclusive gastronomic destinations. The restaurant features a 6-course degustation lunch showcasing local, seasonal produce by chef Brian Geraghty. Housed in a 1920s sandstone teahouse with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the Hawkesbury River, it pairs its refined cuisine with an impressive 100% Australian wine collection.
- Address: Via East and West Public Wharves, Berowra Waters NSW 2082
- Getting There: Drive to Berowra Waters. Complimentary Boat Transfer from two wharves in Berowra Waters (East or West Wharf).
- Website: berowrawatersinn.com
Cottage Point Inn
Cottage Point Inn
Set alongside Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on the water’s edge, this restaurant offers 5 or 8-course tasting menus for lunch and dinner with optional wine pairings. Just an hour north of Sydney or accessible by seaplane, the menu features refined dishes like Spencer Gulf blue swimmer crab, Abrolhos Island scallops, and Diamantina Wagyu. Vegetarian and vegan options available with advance notice.
- Address: 2 Anderson Place, Cottage Point NSW 2084
- Website: cottagepointinn.com.au
Peats Bite
Peats Bite
Nestled on the Hawkesbury River banks, accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, Peats Bite has been operating since 1982. Rebuilt after a 2021 fire, the ultra-modern, chic venue maintains its relaxing vibe with long lunches featuring seasonal set menus that combine shared and individually plated dishes. Surrounded by Muogamarra Nature Reserve, it also offers four waterfront loft bungalows for overnight stays.
- Address: Sunny Corner, Berowra Waters NSW 2082
- Website: peatsbite.com.au
Sydney’s Best Degustation Restaurants: Northern Beaches
Pilu at Freshwater
Pilu at Freshwater
This Sardinian fine dining restaurant sits beachside at Freshwater, offering both 5-course ($130) and 7-course degustation menus. Chef Giovanni Pilu specialises in regional Italian cooking from Sardinia, with dishes complemented by Sardinian wine pairings. The beachfront location provides stunning ocean views for long, leisurely lunches, and reviewers particularly praise the suckling pig and exceptional service.
- Address: Moore Road, Freshwater NSW 2096
- Website: pilu.com.au
Sydney’s Best Degustation Restaurants: CBD
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Named the 12th Best Steakhouse in the World 2025, Rockpool is housed in the Art Deco City Mutual Building. While primarily a steakhouse rather than a traditional degustation venue, it features wood-fired grilled meats and seafood from Australia’s best producers, with over 3,800 wines. Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal oversees the menu featuring in-house dry-aged and butchered beef.
- Address: 66 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000
- Website: rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au
NOBU Sydney
NOBU Sydney
Located at Crown Sydney, Nobu offers world-famous Japanese cuisine, led by Chef Harold Hurtada, earning one Chef Hat. While no specific degustation menu is advertised, the restaurant features a seven-course Omakase experience and Gochiso Lunch (Fri-Sun). The menu includes Nobu Classic dishes (like miso black cod) and contemporary Nobu Now options.
- Address: Level 2, Crown Sydney, 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
- Website: noburestaurants.com/sydney
LuMi Dining
LuMi Dining
Perched atop Wharf 10 in Pyrmont with Sydney Harbour views, LuMi offers a unique fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine. Led by chef Federico Zanellato (ex-Noma, Attica) and sommelier Michela Boncagni, the restaurant features an Omakase Menu (17 courses, $350) and a Tasting Menu ($255). The seafood-based seasonal menu can accommodate vegetarians and includes thoughtful wine pairings.
- Address: 56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009
- Website: lumidining.com
Nel Restaurant
Nel Restaurant
Nel Restaurant is an intimate, degustation-only dining experience in Surry Hills, led by Lancashire-born chef Nelly Robinson. The restaurant offers an ever-changing 12-course tasting menu that completely transforms every 15 weeks, with optional wine pairings available. Set in a bunker-style space, Nel provides a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere where diners can enjoy a unique culinary journey.
Each menu is built around a central concept, ensuring no two dishes are alike and every dining experience feels fresh and memorable. The regularly rotating themes mean guests can return throughout the year for an entirely different gastronomic adventure.
- Address: 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
- Website: nelrestaurant.com.au
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