✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.
The vibe
If you’re after a sunny-day lunch spot by the water, this place has your name written all over it. It’s down at the harbour at Barangaroo, an iconic Sydney setting. It’s got a huge indoor-outdoor dining room – there’s cover to keep you out of the rain and blaring sun, but you look straight out onto the boardwalk and water. This is no cosy, underground, “hidden gem” – it’s a slick, sleek-surfaces kind of place. On the day we went, the service was a little slow, but the place was pumping – even though it was only a Wednesday lunchtime.
The food
As the name suggests, the menu heroes fish. Sustainable fish, which is ace. Their philosophy is: "Be as local, seasonal and sustainable as possible.” The menu spans raw and cured options, small plates, pastas and risottos and, of course, main fish dishes (including grilled swordfish, barramundi and mulloway). Non-fish fans can opt for the steak or chicken dish instead, but we’re here for the seafood – so we order the fish and chips (today it’s king dory) and the spinach linguine with prawns. The fish and chips is solid – a nice, generous serve with crisp batter, a tangy tartare sauce and Maccas-like fries. The green-tinged pasta comes with sliced prawns and a pearlescent cherry tomato and pangrattato sauce that sticks nicely to the pasta that has a lovely sweetness. Our only critique is that it’s all a little under-seasoned.
The drink
Just as the food menu celebrates Australian seafood, the drinks list is all about Australian wines, beers and spirits. Some of our favourite drops – from the Hunter Valley’s First Creek to Tasmania’s Clover Hill – are on offer.
Time Out tip
Try to nab a seat at the front, by the boardwalk, so you have uninterrupted views of the water and people passing by.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.