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Restaurant

Bennelong

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Recommended by 50 people

Updated

Find Bennelong

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9240 8000
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Bennelong

Concrete ribs overhead, harbour waters below, and dining tables set directly inside the shells of the Sydney Opera House. Sydney regulars treat the room as the default setting for milestone celebrations—or pull up to the bar for native-ingredient drinks and prawn toast before showtime. In the main room, the kitchen works through a sharp Mod Oz lens: warm heritage sourdough with cultured CopperTree Farms butter, spanner crab dumplings in brown butter emulsion, and roasted duck with cherries. Everything wraps up with the Bennelong pavlova, crowned with crisp meringue sails that mirror the roofline above.

  • Cathedral Opera House setting: Tables sit directly beneath the towering concrete arches of the Sydney Opera House, looking straight across Circular Quay toward the Harbour Bridge.
  • Regional fine dining: The three-course menu features regional staples like cultured CopperTree Farms butter, spanner crab dumplings, and a pavlova sculpted into meringue sails.
  • Pre-theatre bar dining: Walk up to the bar for show-timed cocktails and small plates like prawn toast without committing to the full three courses.
RestaurantAustralianRestaurantCocktail Bar

What's On at Bennelong

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

Why Choose Bennelong

Whether marking a lifetime milestone or catching curtain call, secure your table beneath Sydney’s most celebrated sails.

  • Cathedral Architecture and Harbour Bridge Panoramas

    Tables placed directly beneath the soaring architectural ribs of the Sydney Opera House frame sweeping perspectives of Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.

    The setting inside the Sydney Opera House is absolutely stunning, and enjoying dinner with a beautiful view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge made the evening even more special.

    Sofia K

  • Unrivaled Milestone Celebrations

    Milestone dinners benefit from attentive pacing, personalized touches, and a sense of occasion tailored to major personal celebrations.

    An unforgettable evening at Bennelong to celebrate our anniversary.

    Alice Nguyen

  • Site-Specific Architectural Patisserie

    The kitchen crafts sculptural modern Australian pastry, highlighted by crisp meringue sails paying visual homage to the landmark building.

    The Bennelong Pavlova, their signature dessert, the Sydney Opera House dessert is topped with crispy meringue sails and fresh passionfruit juice adds the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

    Jolyslife

  • Spotlight on Native Australian Ingredients

    Multi-course dining brings together premium regional produce, native botanicals, and precise culinary technique across seafood and game.

    Every course was exceptional, showcasing incredible craftsmanship, creativity, and the finest Australian ingredients.

    Karen Liang

  • Flexible Pre-Theatre Bar Dining

    Guests attending Opera House performances can opt for small plates and signature cocktails at the bar without committing to the full three-course format.

    It’s the perfect place to grab a bite and enjoy a cocktail pre-show.

    Niki Vasiliadis

  • Curtain-Paced Hospitality

    Service teams coordinate pacing directly around evening curtain times, ensuring guests enjoy high-end hospitality without curtain anxiety.

    Inform the host that you have a performance to attend and the team will make sure that you can enjoy your time at Bennelong and make it your show in time.

    Nanita

From architectural desserts to refined pre-theatre bar bites, secure your table beneath the sails for an unforgettable dining experience.

  • Bennelong Pavlova

    The Bennelong Pavlova, their signature dessert, the Sydney Opera House dessert is topped with crispy meringue sails and fresh passionfruit juice adds the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

    Jolyslife

  • Spanner Crab Dumplings

    The spanner crab dumpling - absolutely smooth, silky, melts in your mouth tickling with flavors (am still dreaming about it)

    April P

  • Prawn Toast

    The prawn toast is a rockstar dish, best prawn toast hands down.

    Niki Vasiliadis

  • Roasted Wollemi Duck

    If you visit, the duck is an absolute standout -perfectly executed and a must-order.

    Alice Nguyen

Other favorites

Standout drinks, house-made bread, and alternative desserts beyond the headlining dishes.

  • Melon-pan cocktail

    The melon-pan cocktail was so good, crisp and refreshing

    Niki Vasiliadis

  • Heritage whole wheat sourdough

    The Heritage whole wheat sourdough served with CopperTree Farms cultured butter deserves a special mention it was easily some of the best bread and butter I’ve ever had.

    Sofia K

  • Crème caramel

    For dessert I chose creme caramel with coconut, pineapple and vanilla. A perfect way to round off and outstanding meal.

    Duncan Strathie

  • Sour cherry, dark chocolate, and almond dessert

    To finish, the Sour Cherry, Dark Chocolate, and Almond dessert was the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal.

    Sofia K

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches that elevate dining inside Sydney's premier monument

  • Milestone celebration touches

    Staff coordinate milestone celebrations seamlessly across the floor, acknowledging guest birthdays individually and presenting surprise cakes to mark the occasion.

  • Curtain-call pacing coordination

    Guests attending Sydney Opera House performances can alert hosts upon arrival to have course delivery precisely timed to make curtain call without feeling rushed.

  • Dietary flexibility

    The kitchen readily tailors fine-dining courses to strict preferences and allergies, accommodating celiac diners with dedicated gluten-free and dairy-free adjustments.

  • Architectural pastry craftsmanship

    The signature Bennelong pavlova arrives architectural and intact, topped with sculpted crisp meringue sails that replicate the host monument's exterior.

Before you head over

Practical advice on pacing, pre-theatre dining, and dietary needs to ensure a seamless visit—reserve your table in advance to secure your spot under the sails.

  • Coordinate pre-show timing at the bar

    If you are attending an Opera House performance, notify staff immediately upon arrival or book seats at the bar for a well-paced selection of small bites and cocktails before curtain call.

  • Budget time for celebration dining

    The three-course dining room moves at a leisurely, unhurried tempo, so allocate ample time for your meal and mention milestones when reserving to unlock personalized hospitality.

  • Confirm dietary adjustments in advance

    Diners with dietary needs or celiac requirements can dine with confidence, as the culinary team readily modifies dishes for gluten-free and dairy-free preferences.

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