My mum first took me to Bennelong many moons ago. We weren't flush by any means, but special occasion dining was our treat together. I still remember the grandeur of Bennelong's sun-lit dining room – its soaring cathedral-like ceiling, the striking sandstone ribs, those shiny golden orbs, the glass walls that allow you to drink in Sydney Harbour views. I remember the butter lettuce salad – each leaf crisp and coated in a perfect balance of acid, salt and sweetness. And after our meal, I remember thinking: this has got to be as good as it gets.
Ten years on – and a bunch of visits later, each one just as remarkable as the last – I still think this is as good as it gets.
Chef Peter Gilmore, alongside the Fink Group, took over the reins of the restaurant inside the heart of the Sydney Opera House in July 2015 (Guillaume Brahimi was steering the ship for 12 years before that). It's named after Woollarawarre Bennelong, a significant Aboriginal man who is renowned for his historic interactions with British colonists. Bennelong Point, where the Opera House is found – and where Woollarawarre Bennelong once lived in a small hut – is also named in his honour.
Here are 10 things I love about Bennelong – and why, if you’re heading out for a special day or night, I think you should come here.
1. Dining inside the Sydney Opera House is magic
There’s a thrill you get walking up those steps and into Bennelong. Dining inside the white shells of the Sydney Opera House – one of the world’s most recognisable architectural icons – is a uniquely special experience. And it’s one that stays with you long after you walk down those steps.
2. The food’s spectacular, elegant and delicious – and not overly fussy
Peter Gilmore is one of Australia’s best chefs – and you’ll see and taste why after one visit here. He and head chef Rob Cockeril's dishes look like a work of art, demonstrate technical flair and a deep understanding of flavour – and nothing’s over-engineered. As Gilmore says: “Our cooking is not overly technical and tricky – it’s robust and direct – allowing the pure flavours of the ingredients to sing.”
3. The Bennelong Bar is one of Sydney’s best gems
The top tier of Bennelong is where you’ll find The Bennelong Bar. With excellent snacks, sexy cocktails and the Bennelong vibe, this is the place to kick off date night, or enjoy a pre- or post-theatre bite and drink. As one of my friends puts it: “It’s the place I go to celebrate, commiserate and elevate – the team is unbeatable.” Be sure to order the soft and nutty panisse topped with brown butter aioli and a buttery Wagyu bresaola hat. Walk-ins are welcome.
4. Those harbour views
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allow you to take in the best of Sydney Harbour at Bennelong. From the Harbour Bridge to ferries gliding by and golden sunsets, the views are almost as good as a holiday.
5. The duck. And the perfectly dressed green salad. And the Bennelong pavlova
You know how some dishes are so delicious and so memorable, they stay with you for years? Bennelong has more than a few of those. Take the pasture-raised Maremma duck, all bronzed, glistening and rosy in the middle, balanced with dark ripe fruits and a savoury jus. Or the perfectly dressed butter lettuce salad – a side dish greater than the sum of its parts, showcasing integrity and care in cooking. And, of course, the wow-inducing pavlova – crisp shards of meringue arranged to echo the Opera House sails, brightened with tropical-tasting passionfruit
6. This is the place to take a tourist to show off Sydney
If you need to impress an out-of-towner, this is the place to do it. Even better if they want to shout.
7. Aussie produce is front and centre
The country’s best bounty is celebrated at Bennelong, thanks to Gilmore’s decades-long passion for vegetables and beautiful Australian produce. Not only does Bennelong support the country’s growers and farmers, but in-season produce and local ingredients taste better. From New South Wales Murray cod to Tasmanian beets and Western Australian marron, the menu reads like a love note to the land and water of this sunburnt country.
8. It’s fun to dress up
Whether it’s a meal before a show, a special anniversary or birthday celebration, lunch or dinner at Bennelong feels like an occasion. In our Crocs-saturated culture, there are few reasons to get dressed up to the nines these days – but a meal at Bennelong is exactly that.
9. Service is a standout
Warm like the afternoon sun, as polished as a Clarke’s new school shoe and as natural as the ebbs and flows of a tide, service – led by restaurant manager Daniel Unterrainer – at Bennelong is excellent. Faultless, even. And it makes the experience all the better.
10. Bennelong makes me proud to call Sydney home
Enough said.
I could keep going. I haven’t touched on the wine list – overseen by head sommelier Alexander Jacques – for example, which spotlights Australian drops as well as standout international vinos. There’s also the counter dining option – a more accessible offering that lets you order à la carte and perch on high stools. But I'll save that for another birthday.
If it’s been a while between visits, or if you’ve never been before, it may be time to experience the thrill of walking up those steps and into that room.
Oh, and happy birthday, Bennelong. Here’s to another 10.
Find out more here.
Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney New South Wales 2000