Dining à la Darling

Just ten minutes walk from Sydney CBD, Darling Harbour is one of the city’s largest entertainment districts. Big daytime draws include the world’s largest IMAX screen, a Madame Tussauds wax museum, Sealife Aquarium, and Sydney Zoo. After night falls King Street Wharf buzzes at hotspots like The Loft, Bungalow 8 and Cargo Bar.

Whether you’ve built up an appetite walking the harbour or are looking for a casual meal before a night of cocktails and dancing, we’ve sussed out 5 of Darling Harbour’s best restaurants.

Meat District Co

Harking back to an earlier era when beef came from farms instead of factories, waterfront eatery Meat District Co have taken over the whole process from Paddock to Plate. Much of the flavour in a cut of meat depends on the treatment of the animal, so MDC work in partnership with select sustainable Australian producers. They then go the extra mile by retaining the services of an in-house butchers to select, age, cut, and season the finest cuts.

At MDC you can expect to find a smorgasbord of hanging cured meats, juicy steaks, succulent burgers, and slow-roasted ribs that fall off the bone. A secret blend of seasonings has been perfected to enhance the properties of the each cut of meat, each delicately balanced so as not to overwhelm the natural flavour.

Blackbird Cafe

For a cracking view over bustling Cockle Bay Wharf and a buzzing atmosphere to match head to the balcony of Blackbird Cafe. Their modern Australian menu offers casual dining options to suit all tastes including steaks, stone-oven pizzas, juicy burgers, and pastas. The menu focuses on vibrant flavours and fresh ingredients and includes many vegetarian dishes along with healthy, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.

This coming school holidays from July 2nd to July 17th, Blackbird is proud to be part of Darling Harbour’s Cool Yule. Fun family activities include an cool ice skating rink, snow pit, ferris wheel, and frosty fireworks. Blackbird will be offering cool yule specials throughout including an $11 Santa chocolate soufflé and $8 mulled wine.

Or hire a sitter to put the kids to bed and come down on Friday or Saturday night to hear the best live DJs while Blackbird’s award winning mixologists invent stunning new cocktails.

Baia The Italian

For a romantic Mediterranean-style meal on the waterfront you have to try Baia The Italian in Cockle Bay. An inspired menu takes you on a tour through the famous flavours on Southern Europe, and each dish is complemented by a perfect pairing of both imported and Australian wines.

Baia runs a $20 lunch special all week long featuring a range of delicious Italian meals served with beer, wine, or soft drink and followed by Italian coffee. Live musicians create a party atmosphere every Wednesday and Friday evening from 6pm.

The Watershed Hotel

There’s no better place to watch the sun go down over Sydney harbour than local favourite The Watershed Hotel. With several stylish indoor and outdoor areas to choose from it’s the perfect place for casual dining both day and night.

Every Tuesday from 6pm the The Watershed hosts Darling Harbour’s biggest pub quiz, inviting you to think while you drink to win some great prizes including bar tabs and dinner vouchers. Get down early to take advantage of happy hour from 4pm – 6pm.

Seafood lovers should check out The Watershed on Sundays when live entertainment runs from noon ’til late. The famous Watershed Sunday Seafood Platter feeds two for $100 including a bottle of Prosecco.

Casa Ristorante Italiano

For spectacular waterfront views and the best Italian cooking on King Street Warf it has to be Casa Ristorante Italiano. Everything is made fresh on-site and the menu celebrates the meeting of authentic Italian recipes with innovative contemporary culinary techniques. Every unique pizza and pasta dish bursts with the flavours of Italy.

Looking for something special for your lil' Bambino’s next party? Pizza Maestro Salvatore D’Avalo hosts a class where kids will learn to knead dough and make their own pizza. For $49 per child the 1.5hr masterclass includes drinks, pizza, ice cream, and entertainment.

Meanwhile mama and papa can raise their glasses at happy hour, running daily from 3pm to 6pm with $5 beers, house wine, and house spirits. Or try the cocktail of the day for $8 alongside a $15 pizza from the stone fired oven. Meravigliosamente!