Sydney Eat Street: Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Welcome the New Year in grand style with venues around Sydney that offer a spectacular view of the fireworks and equally magnificent menus.
Welcome the New Year in grand style with venues around Sydney that offer a spectacular view of the fireworks and equally magnificent menus.
Take a tour of the area’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram.
For a chance to feature your food picture in The Sunday Telegraph, tag #SydneyEatStreet.
OPERA BAR
Dance your way into the New Year at one of the hottest spots on Sydney Harbour.
This year, Opera Bar’s New Year’s Eve party will be headlined by Australian DJ, Hot Dub Time Machine, who’ll be spinning time-travelling musical hits guaranteed to get you out of your seat and primed for the big countdown.
The vibe for the night will be channelling the streets of Havana with roaming canapes of Cuban foods and guests encouraged to dress the part — think white flowing sundresses, tropical headpieces, sandals, guayabera shirts and fedoras.
Cocktails will be available, along with the requisite bubbles, including the limited edition Chandon x Seafolly summer bottles and Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
It’ll cost $495 per person, plus booking fee, and includes priority entry to the Opera House precinct, live entertainment and food. Drinks are not included.
Lower concourse level, Opera House; operabar.com.au
THE SQUIRE’S LANDING
Located at the International Passenger Terminal at the foot of The Rocks, there’ll be five different dining options with offerings suited to every reveller.
For a top-rate evening, opt for the exclusive Tower Room with a six-course meal that includes Merimbula oysters, Western Australia lobster and 60-day aged sirloin.
You’ll be treated to champagne on arrival and access to the coveted outdoor Harbour Deck for the 9pm and 12am firework displays.
Larger groups may opt to pull up a seat at one of the long tables in the restaurant for a five-course shared menu and drink on arrival.
If something a bit less formal is your preference, head to The Rock’s Corner for a canape style event with a drink on arrival and direct view of the Harbour Bridge.
Or for something much more casual, hang out in the forecourt where you’ll receive canapes as well as a selection of James Squire beers, plus wines and cocktails.
You can order additional food from a reduced bar menu. Doors open at 6pm to grab a spot.
Circular Quay W, The Rocks; jamessquire.com.au
THE BUTLER
“I love New Year’s Eve at The Butler!” head chef Amber Doig says.
“It’s always a great vibe and so beautiful overlooking the city skyline.”
Her excitement for the evening is reflected in the evening’s eight-course feasting menu.
The dishes have an Ibero-American influence which Amber says “includes some of my favourites such as oysters with tigre leche raspado, cucumber and roe; Blue Swimmer crab with mango, papaya, arbol chilli & lime and duck carnitas with all the trimmings”.
And throw in a glass of Champagne on arrival ($195pp).
123 Victoria St, Potts Point; butlersydney.com.au
O BAR AND DINING
For those after an epic VIP experience, rise to the occasion with an exclusive private room set 47 floors above the city in a unique circular stage that offers a panoramic view.
You’ll not only be served a decadent eight-course degustation dinner while taking in the stunning views, you even get your own butler who ensures that everything from the welcoming glass of NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier, the matching wines throughout the meal — and the dessert is absolutely flawless.
Level 47, Australia Square, 265 George St; obardining.com.au
FELIX BAR AND BISTRO
For the first time, French brassiere Felix will be opened for New Year’s Eve.
“We want our customers to be able to enjoy a fabulous celebratory dinner with us,” head chef Nathan Johnson says.
The three-course menu will offer five choices in each section.
The classics like sauteed garlic prawns, steak frites and the profiteroles will be there plus some of Felix’s summer favourites, such as the crab salad and John Dory. ($120 pp)
2 Ash St, Sydney; merivale.com.au
MUST TRY
SALT MEATS CHEESE
Enjoy roving canapes such as Merimbula oysters, saffron and fontina croquettes, duck liver parfait and beer tartare soft buns plus Aperol Spritz and Campari.
l201 Alfred St; saltmeatscheese.com.au
BAR PATRON
Overlooking Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge, Bar Patron offers some of the best views of the fireworks and some of the best cocktails in town.
2 Phillip St; barpatron.com.au
ARIA
If you’re looking for something truly memorable, the five-course tasting menu with canapes on arrival and a premium beverage offering, this is your calling.
1 Macquarie St, ariasydney.com.au
OTTO
Don’t want to brave the crowds but still want the harbourside experience, this Woolloomooloo institution is offering an Italian feast with champagne on arrival.
8/6 Cowper Wharf Rd; ottoristorante.com.au
THE ARGYLE
Take advantage of the early bird special ($40 pp) or indulge in the VIP package, which includes three hours of roaming canapes as well as house wine and beer.
- 18 Argyle St; theargylerocks.com
PIER ONE
You won’t get much closer to all the lights and action than this waterfront venue at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And you’ll have a hard time finding a better party as well.
Your ticket gets you a prime spot where you’ll enjoy plenty of live entertainment, pop-up bars and various food stations with offerings such as Mirrool Creek Lamb Spit Roast, Sydney rock oysters, pizza, prawn tacos, paella and so much more. ($495pp)
Or, if you’re after more of dining scene, head to their hatted restaurant The Gantry for a six-course tasting menu and unlimited beverages. ($695pp)
- 11 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay; pieronesydneyharbour.com.au
FEI JAI CANTONESE EATERY
Six courses with drink on arrival. Start off with a dumpling platter, pork & crab Xiao long bau and vegetable gow gee before moving on such dishes as braised beef cheeks, char sui snapper and duck fried rice.
Vantage point for fireworks at the end of the street. ($85pp)
- 31 Challis Ave, Potts Point; feijai.com
FLYING FISH
Celebrate the New Year with a stellar view and the best seafood catches from Australian and New Zealand waters. There’ll be two seatings:
The first at 5.30pm starting off with snack size fish & chips and crab sandwiches followed by a four-course meal ($190pp) or at 8.30pm when things get a bit more decadent.
“We’ll be serving up some of the best Sydney oysters as well as Italian and Californian caviar,” says executive chef Peter Robertson.
“We overlook Pyrmont Bay and you’ll get a fantastic view of the fireworks display.” ($320pp)
- The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont; star.com.au/sydney/flyingfish
PORTSIDE RESTAURANT
Ring in the New Year from the ground level of the Sydney Opera House. Before you set your sites on the fireworks you’ll be treated to free-flowing champagne, wine and beer along with canapés throughout the night.
After the fireworks, DJs will keep the energy going until 1am. ($795pp)
- Western Broadwalk, Sydney Opera House; sydneyoperahouse.com
QUAY
Farewell 2018 in grand style with an evening at the Green Room at Quay.
Grab some friends to take advantage of the 10-person tables and then of course an amazing menu by renowned chef, Peter Gilmore.
Dance to music from a live jazz band and catch both firework shows from the restaurant’s private upper deck. ($1450pp)
- Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks quay.com.au
‘Please’: $2.50 favourite returns to Macca’s
An item that has been missing from Macca’s menus for three years has returned for just $2.50 — but fans will have to get in quick.
Huge update after $18 Bondi cookie ‘scandal’
The cult US dessert chain whose products were imported into Australia and sold at an unauthorised pop-up has a massive announcement.