Sydneysiders shocked by ‘hidden’ Harbour Bridge restaurant

After ascending 200 stairs, diners will be greeted by a glass of sparkling and panoramic views, 87 metres above sea level.

Sydney foodies or those looking for a unique dining experience are in for a treat, as an Aussie TikToker just lifted the lid on one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

“Did you know there is a secret 20-person restaurant at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?” Tammy Christina asked her followers in a clip documenting her experience at Luke’s Table at the Pylon Lookout.

This sky-high restaurant sees diners ascend 200 stairs up to the Lookout level of one of the Harbour Bridge’s iconic pylons.

Located 87 meters above sea level, the restaurant boasts panoramic 360-degree views of the Opera House and water below.

It’s the brainchild of celebrity chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, who came up with the idea during Covid in a bid to breathe new life into the Sydney hospitality and tourism scene once lockdowns lifted.

“I wanted to help get people into the city, into wine bars and restaurants, and I saw that the South-East Pylon was available,” Mangan told news.com.au.

“I reached out to BridgeClimb in July 2020 and pitched the idea to them, and they loved it.”

After navigating plenty of historical red tape due to its heritage status, the restaurant opened as a pop-up 18 months later but has since become a permanent establishment.

For $345 per person, diners will receive a welcome mocktail, a guided tour of the historic Pylon Lookout and Museum, and a glass of champagne with canapes on the alfresco deck at the Lookout level.

The restaurant, which accommodates 20 guests and offers exclusive hire, then pairs its three-course menu with a glass of wine for each course “to adhere to safety requirements of the Pylon Lookout.”

People are just discovering this 'hidden' restaurant inside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Picture: Supplied

The restaurant seats 20 in an intimate communal dining room. Picture: Supplied

The menu is updated regularly, offering dishes like Sydney Rock Oysters, Kingfish sashimi with sesame dashi, Shimo Wagyu beef fillet with porcini puree, and a course dedicated entirely to cheese.

The logistics of running a restaurant like this is challenging to say the least, but fortunately, Luke’s Table was carefully planned out and runs like a well-oiled machine.

On nights when it’s open, the staff will set up and pack down the entire restaurant, which includes assembling and disassembling a temporary kitchen each time.

“We have to keep the space empty during the daytime,” Mangan explained, as the area is mainly used as a museum and lookout during the day.

“Produce will get delivered, and then we cart it up the stairs in cooler bags because there’s no lift.”

A temporary kitchen is set up each night. Picture: Supplied

Produce must be carted up 200 stairs in cooler bags to reach the restaurant. Picture: Supplied

A spokesperson for BridgeClimb said that since its launch in 2022, the restaurant has received an “incredible” response and is usually sold out, with bookings available months in advance.

For those who might be concerned about dining inside a bridge, the spokesperson assures “those who are afraid of heights can easily avoid any triggering areas while still enjoying the scenery.”

Ms Christina, the diner who made the restaurant go viral this week, spoke to this publication about her experience, saying she was initially anxious about the height.

“I looked up when I was underneath, and it was daunting, but then you eat indoors, so you’re not out in the open,” she explained.

Tammy Christina poses with celebrity chef Luke Mangan. Picture: TikTok/@wbywhitewolfe

Ms Christina said she had the best steak of her life at the sky-high restaurant. Picture: TikTok/@wbywhitewolfe

“Once on the balcony, I felt so safe though because the railing was as tall as I am.”

One of her favourite parts about the night was being able to interact with the staff in the kitchen.

“I sat in there and watched them whip up their dishes and chatted to them with a glass of Luke’s own-made wine. It was really special.”

For someone who dines out all the time, she said the steak was “one of the best” she had ever eaten.

The restaurant can be hired out for private events. Picture: Supplied

Guests are treated to a glass of sparkling and canapes on arrival. Picture: Supplied

Her video quickly gained a lot of attention among her fellow Sydneysiders who were eager to try it out for themselves.

“This is insanely fantastic,” one fan commented.

“Would love to do this” wrote another.

“I’ve been wanting to go to this,” shared a third.

Originally published as Sydneysiders shocked by ‘hidden’ Harbour Bridge restaurant