Few things pair better than a Sydney restaurant terrace and a platter of locally caught seafood – throw an ocean view and a sustainable fishing practice into the mix, and you have yourself a match made in heaven. Australian locals and tourists alike are seeking out the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney right now, and we don’t blame them. Something about fish and chips enjoyed beneath the shade of a striped umbrella seems to capture everything we love most about summer.  

We’ve rounded up the premier outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney so you can indulge in all the fruits — or shall we say, ‘frutti di mare’ – of the summer season, from tuna tartare on the beach to bouillabaisse along the harbour. 

Tables at these popular spots are snapped up quickly come summer but, if you’re an eligible Westpac cardholder, you’ve got a team of dining specialists on hand to dish out recommendations for the foremost places to eat and help you manage your reservations. Check your eligibility below.  

Discover the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney and its surrounds

Whalebridge 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: fresh fish with a French flare enjoyed harbourside 

Idyllically perched on the quays of Sydney Harbour, Whalebridge beckons boat passengers puttering by with its sunny outdoor patio, Parisianesque wicker chairs, and buzzy atmosphere. Executive chef Will Elliott serves a French-inspired menu with a seafood emphasis – think indulgent bouillabaisse and lobster thermidor, a whole lobster dressed in mustard and Gruyère. Charming and unpretentious, Whalebridge is a favourite among locals looking for a special treat and tourists indulging in their next vacation meal. 

📍 8 & 10 Circular Quay East, NSW 2000 

St George Sailing Club 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurant in Sydney for: sashimi in a modern riverside setting 

On the banks of the Georges River in Sans Souci sits the spectacularly renovated St George Sailing Club, a breezy bistro by the team behind Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. The redesign, led by Jon Jacka, leans into a chic coastal aesthetic with a neutral palette, modern lounge, and airy deck. The menu reflects the restaurant’s waterside location, with a panoply of pescatarian delights – from tuna tartare to salmon sashimi.  

📍 2 Riverside Drive, Sans Souci NSW 2219 

North Bondi Fish 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: a tuna tartare beach break

Surf, sand, and sea(food) meet in perfect harmony at North Bondi Fish – a mere hop, skip, and jump from the water’s edge. Bondi beachgoers need only towel off, shake out their salty hair, and saunter a few steps up the sand to find themselves in one of Sydney’s most iconic fish joints. A fresh and simple menu with favourites such as pink snapper fillet and yellowfin tuna tartare is made that much better by the restaurant’s unobstructed sunset views. 

📍 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi NSW 2026 

Charcoal Fish 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: cracking cod on the go

If you’re familiar with life in Australia, chances are you’re also familiar with the delights of a takeaway charcoal chicken. It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s delicious. And that’s precisely what Australian chefs Josh and Julie Niland wanted to bring to the world of fish with their pioneering restaurant Charcoal Fish. Enjoy its sustainable Australian fish on the go at the beach or pull up a stool at its casual, cool Rose Bay outpost. 

📍 670 New South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029 

Ormeggio at The Spit 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: overwater private dining

Built directly over the water at D’Albora Marina, recently renovated Ormeggio – Italian for ‘mooring’– offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the sea from a table that hovers right over it. The restaurant exudes a casual yet refined aesthetic, which perfectly complements its no-fuss, simple yet mouth-watering Italian seafood menu. For a truly luxurious waterside dining experience, reserve the deck, dining room, chef’s table, or entire restaurant for a private event. 

📍 D’Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman NSW 2088 

Jonah’s  

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: award-winning food and wine with a Whale Beach view

Just around the corner from Palm Beach and perched on a hill overlooking Whale Beach, Jonah’s boasts an unbeatable waterside location. The idyllic setting is made only more exquisite by the contemporary Australian seafood cuisine and menu by executive chef Federico Tidu and food and beverage director Niels Sluiman. Indulge in classic dishes such as frutti di mare from its sun-drenched terrace or its dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows. 

📍 69 Bynya Road, Palm Beach NSW 2108 

Coogee Pavilion 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: a one-stop shop for all your seafood, cocktail, and sunshine needs 

An eight-for-one food and drink destination, Coogee Pavillion, affectionately known as ‘The Pav’, comprises three levels of restaurants and bars. The ground floor is a family-friendly dining area with a seafood-heavy menu – think sashimi and shucked oysters. The middle level hosts mimi’s, a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant; will’s, a cocktail lounge with ocean views; and UNA MÁS, a tapas bar. Finally, the Rooftop has four bars – both indoor and outdoor – and all with wraparound seaside scenery.  

📍 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee NSW 2034 

Bondi Icebergs Club 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: fish and chips and pool dips 

You may need a membership to dine at Bondi Icebergs Club, but we can assure you that the $25 (AUD) fee is well worth the opportunity to tuck in at its poolside bistro. After a dip in its landmark swimming pool, patrons can enjoy grilled barramundi fillet and Sydney rock oysters while catching a tan and people-watching beachgoers on the shores of Bondi.  

📍 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach NSW 2026 

Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for: iconic Sydney Harbour views and Aussie-centric seafood 

Under the leadership of executive chef Saiful Islam, Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant offers a menu that marries fresh seafood with Australian native ingredients for the ultimate local dining experience. The Aussie-centric ethos is further accentuated by the restaurant’s location within the historical Campbell’s Stores building in Sydney Harbour, which boasts panoramic views of iconic Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.  

📍 Campbell’s Stores Bay 1-3, 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000 

Doyles on the Beach 

One of the best outdoor seafood restaurants in Sydney for fresh catch steeped in family tradition 

A true Australian historical landmark, Doyles on the Beach at Watsons Bay first opened its doors in 1885. Serving fresh seafood for more than five generations, the Doyle family are as beloved by their fish-hungry patrons as they are by the fishermen who supply their restaurants. Now expanded to include two additional locations, Doyles Garden Bar and Doyles Fishermans Wharf Takeaway, the restaurant continues its Australian seafood legacy. 

📍 11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay NSW 2030