Customs House Top-Floor Harbourside
Cafe Sydney on the top floor of Customs House at Circular Quay has held its harbourside view since it opened in June 1999, and marked its 25th year in 2024. Executive chef Sarahjane Brown, who trained in London fine-dining kitchens, now leads a contemporary Australian menu under one of the city's most-photographed dining rooms.
The cooking is contemporary Australian with serious sourcing: Australian seafood, considered seasonal vegetables, careful protein cookery, and the kind of broad menu that handles a business lunch and an anniversary dinner equally. Most main courses run about AUD 40–55.
What to Order
The kingfish ceviche to start and the wagyu ribeye are the dishes the kitchen is known for, alongside the day's Australian seafood and seasonal vegetable courses. The wine list runs deep on Australian and international producers.
The View
The Customs House top-floor terrace is the experience. Harbour Bridge framed across the water, Opera House to the left, the Circular Quay ferry traffic moving below. The lighting at evening is among the most flattering in the city.
Best Occasion: First Date
Cafe Sydney is a quiet first-date win. The view carries the evening before the food arrives; the format handles a flexible-length dinner; the price point allows a return visit. The post-dinner Circular Quay walk is part of the experience.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Cafe Sydney? Executive chef Sarahjane Brown leads the kitchen. Originally from the UK, she trained in London fine-dining kitchens before heading the contemporary Australian menu on the top floor of Customs House.
What should I order? The kingfish ceviche and the wagyu ribeye are the dishes the room is best known for, alongside the day's Australian seafood and seasonal vegetable courses. Most mains run about AUD 40–55.
Where is it? Level 5, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay, Sydney 2000, looking out over the harbour toward the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
How long has it been open? Cafe Sydney opened in June 1999 and marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, one of the longest-running fine-dining rooms at Circular Quay.