Guidebook for Waterloo
Food Scene
This isn’t a restaurant, it’s an experience. Let the elevator whoosh you to the top of Sydney Tower—the city’s tallest structure—to an elegant revolving restaurant that’s often above the clouds. There’s a lot of opportunity for romance in this intimate environment: lose yourself in conversation, then look out the window to discover your view has changed.
Start with a cocktail and go just before sunset so you can see Sydney in the daylight before enjoying the nighttime view. It’s easy to get giddy, so don’t drink too many! Enjoy the exhilaration of being 250 metres up—it’s a great bonding experience for established couples having a special-occasion meal.
16 íbúar mæla með
360 Bar and Dining
108 Market StThis isn’t a restaurant, it’s an experience. Let the elevator whoosh you to the top of Sydney Tower—the city’s tallest structure—to an elegant revolving restaurant that’s often above the clouds. There’s a lot of opportunity for romance in this intimate environment: lose yourself in conversation, then look out the window to discover your view has changed.
Start with a cocktail and go just before sunset so you can see Sydney in the daylight before enjoying the nighttime view. It’s easy to get giddy, so don’t drink too many! Enjoy the exhilaration of being 250 metres up—it’s a great bonding experience for established couples having a special-occasion meal.
Manta is just one of many elegant, white-tablecloth restaurants lining Finger Wharf, but in my opinion it’s the best. This area is one of Sydney’s best places to celebrity-watch, and you can’t help but feel special and attractive in such a charged atmosphere—it really sets the scene for flirtation. A great first- or second-date location. Order Champagne!
They specialise in carefully sourced seafood at this quintessential waterfront destination. If you order the prawns, expect your plate to be overloaded. And girls, be careful walking in your high heels–they can get stuck in the boards of the wharf!
16 íbúar mæla með
Manta Restaurant
6 Cowper Wharf RoadwayManta is just one of many elegant, white-tablecloth restaurants lining Finger Wharf, but in my opinion it’s the best. This area is one of Sydney’s best places to celebrity-watch, and you can’t help but feel special and attractive in such a charged atmosphere—it really sets the scene for flirtation. A great first- or second-date location. Order Champagne!
They specialise in carefully sourced seafood at this quintessential waterfront destination. If you order the prawns, expect your plate to be overloaded. And girls, be careful walking in your high heels–they can get stuck in the boards of the wharf!
This buzzing tequila bar and eatery in the CBD serves up fresh, healthy, flavoursome Mexican in ample amounts—in a trendy, modern environment. This isn’t about traditional romance, it’s about being playful, lighthearted, and social. The perfect night out for a couple that wants to have some fun.
From guacamole smashed at your table to jalapeño margaritas, the whole menu is worthwhile. And the corn lollipop—chargrilled corn on a stick—is an absolute must. But unless you want spiced cheese sauce all over your chin, cut the kernels off the cob and eat with cutlery. You’ve been warned!
10 íbúar mæla með
Mejico
105 Pitt StThis buzzing tequila bar and eatery in the CBD serves up fresh, healthy, flavoursome Mexican in ample amounts—in a trendy, modern environment. This isn’t about traditional romance, it’s about being playful, lighthearted, and social. The perfect night out for a couple that wants to have some fun.
From guacamole smashed at your table to jalapeño margaritas, the whole menu is worthwhile. And the corn lollipop—chargrilled corn on a stick—is an absolute must. But unless you want spiced cheese sauce all over your chin, cut the kernels off the cob and eat with cutlery. You’ve been warned!
This quiet, high-ceilinged dining room in the Opera House is a very special place—best for the couple who’s been together for a little while, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary. Dress up, because you’ll be surrounded by people in amazing clothes on their way to the opera. Hold hands, make eye contact, and order the acclaimed eight-texture chocolate cake.
A city landscape tends to promote feelings of stress and busyness, but this restrained, spacious area will slow you down faster than a yoga class. For many of us, that’s a rare feeling indeed, so capitalise on the connection by reminiscing on fond memories you’ve shared.
23 íbúar mæla með
Bennelong Restaurant and Bar
This quiet, high-ceilinged dining room in the Opera House is a very special place—best for the couple who’s been together for a little while, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary. Dress up, because you’ll be surrounded by people in amazing clothes on their way to the opera. Hold hands, make eye contact, and order the acclaimed eight-texture chocolate cake.
A city landscape tends to promote feelings of stress and busyness, but this restrained, spacious area will slow you down faster than a yoga class. For many of us, that’s a rare feeling indeed, so capitalise on the connection by reminiscing on fond memories you’ve shared.
There’s a sense of being on retreat at this exclusive cliff’s-edge restaurant, 50 minutes north of the city. It’s a place where hand-holding couples come to ignore the spectacular view over Whale Beach, in favour of gazing at each other. After your meal, take your digestif and snuggle up on a terrace couch, listening to the sound of waves below.
Leaving the hustle of the city behind often gives people more perspective on life, which can be the perfect way to find the headspace for new conversations and possibilities. Jonah’s relatively remote location makes it a favoured spot for proposals—take note!
111 íbúar mæla með
Jonah’s Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
69 Bynya RdThere’s a sense of being on retreat at this exclusive cliff’s-edge restaurant, 50 minutes north of the city. It’s a place where hand-holding couples come to ignore the spectacular view over Whale Beach, in favour of gazing at each other. After your meal, take your digestif and snuggle up on a terrace couch, listening to the sound of waves below.
Leaving the hustle of the city behind often gives people more perspective on life, which can be the perfect way to find the headspace for new conversations and possibilities. Jonah’s relatively remote location makes it a favoured spot for proposals—take note!
Drinks & Nightlife
I love this place for a mid-week date—you’ll see established couples here enjoying a rare Wednesday dinner escaping the kids! It’s Manly’s most-awarded wine bar and, with its intimate lighting and unobtrusive service, the kind of place that fosters deep conversation. Come here if you like a bit of space and want to keep to yourselves.
Most people want to sit by the ocean as this spot is on the waterfront, but at the back of the restaurant, near the bar, is a little booth that’s often empty and great for privacy. Wherever you sit, kick off your shoes after dinner and take a stroll on Manly beach together—even at nighttime the sand is well-lit.
90 íbúar mæla með
Manly Wine
13 S SteyneI love this place for a mid-week date—you’ll see established couples here enjoying a rare Wednesday dinner escaping the kids! It’s Manly’s most-awarded wine bar and, with its intimate lighting and unobtrusive service, the kind of place that fosters deep conversation. Come here if you like a bit of space and want to keep to yourselves.
Most people want to sit by the ocean as this spot is on the waterfront, but at the back of the restaurant, near the bar, is a little booth that’s often empty and great for privacy. Wherever you sit, kick off your shoes after dinner and take a stroll on Manly beach together—even at nighttime the sand is well-lit.
This hugely atmospheric, open-air bar by the Opera House has a magical front-row view of the Harbour Bridge. As such, it packs out with both tourists and investment bankers after work each day, making for great people-watching. Add live music, icy cold beers, and a stunning sunset, and you’ve got yourself a fun evening for two.
Aim to get a seat close to the water’s edge. The bar can get quite packed—a great excuse to be in each other’s personal space—but this way you’re guaranteed a comfortable seat and the ultimate vantage point for those harbour views.
403 íbúar mæla með
Opera Bar
Macquarie StreetThis hugely atmospheric, open-air bar by the Opera House has a magical front-row view of the Harbour Bridge. As such, it packs out with both tourists and investment bankers after work each day, making for great people-watching. Add live music, icy cold beers, and a stunning sunset, and you’ve got yourself a fun evening for two.
Aim to get a seat close to the water’s edge. The bar can get quite packed—a great excuse to be in each other’s personal space—but this way you’re guaranteed a comfortable seat and the ultimate vantage point for those harbour views.
The Australian pub is traditionally a masculine space, but The Sheaf—with its gorgeous garden, lavish upstairs section, and boisterous sports bar—appeals to both sexes equally. It’s upmarket fun. A great space for a first or second date, since the general buzz will drown out any awkward silences. You can dine here and equally just come for a drink or two.
The old-world, wallpapered elegance of the upstairs is full of private rooms, which most people assume are off-bounds—they’re not. Take advantage of the privacy to steal a kiss! Also, despite the party scene here toward the end of the week, a live band plays low-key jazz here on Tuesdays.
130 íbúar mæla með
The Golden Sheaf
429 New South Head RdThe Australian pub is traditionally a masculine space, but The Sheaf—with its gorgeous garden, lavish upstairs section, and boisterous sports bar—appeals to both sexes equally. It’s upmarket fun. A great space for a first or second date, since the general buzz will drown out any awkward silences. You can dine here and equally just come for a drink or two.
The old-world, wallpapered elegance of the upstairs is full of private rooms, which most people assume are off-bounds—they’re not. Take advantage of the privacy to steal a kiss! Also, despite the party scene here toward the end of the week, a live band plays low-key jazz here on Tuesdays.