Your Guide to the Best Restaurant Wedding Venues in Sydney
If fine dining is one of the must-haves on your checklist for the perfect wedding venue, then looking at restaurants is a simple solution. Sydney is home to 68 hatted restaurants (a close second to Melbourne’s 78), a clear indication that this city loves to show off when it comes to culinary prowess.
Restaurants make fantastic wedding venues. Already designed to accommodate guests, restaurants are well-designed, have gorgeous dining areas, and their staff are efficient and used to navigating crowds.
Obviously, the cherry on top (perhaps for some desserts) is that restaurants are designed to create and serve excellent food. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable space that’s designed for more extensive guest lists, or you’ve got a specific cuisine in mind, our Sydney Venue Specialists have served up their top tips for choosing the best Sydney restaurant wedding venues.
VenueCrew Specialist Tip #1: Specific cuisine or fusion?
For themed cuisine, Kittyhawk Sydney certainly stands out from the pack. Inspired by Parisian street food, Kittyhawk is just as highly sought after for a midweek meal as they are for exclusive events. With conversation-starting decor (WWII military memorabilia, anyone?), this charming venue adds flair and nostalgia to every event, making it ideal for weddings with a vintage theme. Download the Kittyhawk Sydney wedding brochure here.
For a more rounded selection, Establishment Bar by Merivale is a trendy Sydney venue that offers all-day dining menus featuring a wide range of cuisines. When selecting your wedding day menu, you can choose from classic pub fare, Italian favourites, all the way to authentic Thai dishes. Offering indoor and outdoor seating options (the Garden courtyard area is a crowd favourite), Establishment Bar blends restaurant-quality dining with events venue amenities. Download the Establishment Bar by Merival brochure.
VenueCrew Specialist Tip #2: How many guests are coming?
Restaurants are revered for their dining options, but they can have more limited seating capacity as they’re not specifically events venues. Depending on the size of your guest list, we recommend checking out the restaurant capacity before you head in for a visit.
The culinary team at the renowned Chateau Elan at The Vintage are inspired by international flavours, using locally sourced ingredients to create innovative global cuisines. The breathtaking Barrington Room commands a prime view over the golf course and seats up to 200 guests in a cocktail-style arrangement. Download the Chateau Elan at The Vintage brochure here.
If something more intimate suits your guest list, we recommend the Lady Fairfax Room at Radisson Blu Sydney. Seating up to 85 guests in a formal dining setting, you’ll be treated to a three-course menu that can be adapted to any cultural or dietary needs. The culinary team champions the use of Australian produce in each dish they create. Download the Radisson Blu Sydney brochure here.
VenueCrew Specialist Tip #3: Location, location, location.
Many couples prefer their wedding venue to be located close to the CBD, making it an easier commute and a more central location for guests travelling from around the state. However, there is something especially appealing about heading slightly out of the city limits, and luckily Sydney is home to venues with exceptional dining options in both categories.
If you’re only keen to make a short trip out from under the skyscrapers, check out Gunners’ Barracks. A heritage sandstone building, Gunners’ Barracks overlooks the harbour from Georges Head and offers private and semi-private dining options. Executive chef Nathan Darling creates season menus that highlight the best Australian dishes and produce and offers bespoke options to personalise the menu to your needs. Download the Gunners’ Barracks brochure here.
For those happy to make a more extended trip, Dunbar House is worth a visit. Overlooking Watsons Bay, Dunbar House dates back to 1830 and is one of Sydney’s oldest standing buildings. The main dining room has an attached balcony that overlooks the estate and water. Executive chef Rob Crichto creates daring menus that blend British and Asian dishes with Indian cuisine offered upon request. Download the Dunbar House brochure here.
