Sydney Restaurants

#4 of 958 things to do in Sydney

#18 of 9613 things to do in Pacific

5 reviews | Write a review

Good for: service, Romance, atmosphere, food, views

Not good for: cheap

  • Address
    • Level 3, Overseas Passenger Terminal
  • Transport
    • Circular Quay
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 02 9251 5600
  • Price
    • set menu lunch/dinner $95/145
  • Hours
    • noon-2.30pm Tue-Fri, 6-10pm daily

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Lonely Planet review for Quay

Quay is shamelessly guilty of breaking the rule that good views make for bad food. Peter Gilmore may be one of Sydney’s younger celeb chefs, but Quay’s exquisite menu proves he’s at the top of his game (doubters should try the crispy-skin Murray cod with shiitake). And the view? Like dining in a postcard. Bookings essential.

 

Traveller reviews for Quay (5)

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    the best of Sydney

    thefakefoodie recommends this,

    full review and pics at: http://wp.me/p1Ilcf-1f

    Walking into the restaurant is a little daunting; it’s sparse, quiet, the lighting is low, the carpet is purple and the staff shuffle between tables like phantoms, you’re never quite sure if you someone filled your water glass or if it somehow topped itself up of its own accord.

    But once you’re seated, everything flows and you feel the real benefits of what it means to eat in a Top 50 restaurant; attention, but not too much, friendly service, but still unobtrusive, quick food service, but never rushed. In short, from only $155 a head, you can feel like you rule your little part of the world.

    The food: I chose the 4 course a la carte menu. Yes, I know, the true gourmand would have eaten the degustation, and at an extra $65 for 4 courses, it makes financial sense. To be honest, I didn’t feel hungry enough, and had no interest in being too full to enjoy my incredibly expensive meal. So, now that I have made my excuses…my menu involved:

    Carrot cream amuse-bouche with smoked eel jelly and rye crumble
    First course: Mud crab congee, fresh palm heart, hand-shelled mud crab, chinese inspired split rice porridge
    Second course: Gentle braise of black lipped abalone, rare breed pig belly, shiitake, warrigal greens, ginger milk curd earth and sea consomme, wasabi flowers
    Third course: Berkshire pig jowl, maltose crackling, prunes, cauliflower cream, perfumed with prune kernel oil
    Fourth course: Jackfruit snow egg

    The verdict: What else can I say? If there are 25 restaurants in the world that offer better food, better service and a higher standard all-round than Quay, i would like to see them for myself, because as my first Top 50 restaurant, Quay has set the bar very high

    Nat

    Good for: service, views, sightseeing, Sydney, organic

    Not good for: cheap

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    No regrets!

    hindy89 recommends this,

    Being a bit of a budget traveller, I was feeling a little skeptical about coming along to this restaurant with my other friends.

    Turns out the experience was so worth the price.

    The service was absolutely amazing and the food even better. Each morcel was bursting with richness and flavour and the real reason we came was to try the famous 'snow egg' that appeared on the TV show Masterchef (the entire Australian population fell in love with this dessert and were completely jealous when they saw the photos of us eating it).

    We even asked to get a photo with the young chef Peter Gilmore. Will never forget this experience.

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    More please...

    joandory recommends this,

    The most memorable dish I had was Quay's pork belly. The crispy pork belly was served with shaved abalone and silk tofu. The sauce that comes with it is just amazing. This dish is a must!

    I had the famous Snow Guava Egg for dessert. It is basically a poached meringue ball served with guava puree, guava granita and custard apple ice cream covered with maltose biscuit.Crack the ball before you eat it!

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    Desert to Die For

    sarasydney recommends this,

    Some would describe me as a chocoholic, and yes I would have to admit it is true. Quay's 8 layer chocolate cake, with it's innovative serving style and amazing textures, prepared by talented and dedicated chefs and served by professional, friendly floor staff, have won me over. However the pear creme caramel with it's layer of sauterne jelly is not easily pushed aside. The deserts were a perfect end to a varied and delicious dining experience and after the setting sun sank over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the stars began to shine brightly, and I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

    Good for: Romance, atmosphere, food, service

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    Get Lucky

    zelly recommends this,

    Perhaps being on the receiving end of a sibling's generous credit card had something to do with it, but I couldn't help but feel everyone else around me also felt lucky to be at Quay. It's not a meal so much as an experience. There is a sense of theatre, anticipation and salivation as the prospect of what is to unfold is contemplated. Looking out at ferries poking up and down the sparkling harbour, or people like ants scaling the big coat hanger in front of you slows the passage of time. Just as well. I had the best wild mushroom experience of my life here, served unusually as a warm jelly. My apprehension gave way to bliss very quickly. Was I hallucinating? There are some things in life you will do only once, and sitting front and centre on the harbour in front of the bridge eating the best food imaginable I was aware of it, what a lucky guy.

    Good for: Romance, atmosphere, food, service

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