NEW SOUTH WALES
Icebergs Dining Room & Bar
Rain, hail or shine, this dining room, perched on a rocky clifftop overlooking Sydney’s Bondi Beach, has to be one of the best-situated in the country. And with head chef Monty Koludrovic’s Italian-accented menu, Icebergs continues to sparkle. Dishes are borne through the dining room by elegantly clad staff, landing on clothed tables as the sea breeze flows through. For something that requires less commitment but with the same views, pull up a seat at the bar for a Spritz and a snack of Ortiz anchovies on toast, or pared-back pasta made with the day’s catch. 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach, (02) 9365 9000, idrb.com
Sean’s
It doesn’t get more Sydney than a leisurely Sunday lunch at Sean Moran’s breezy Bondi restaurant, where produce-driven plates from the succinct blackboard menu celebrate the seasons with stripped-back style. Corn chowder finished with smoked rock oysters or a persimmon and quince trifle may seem simple, but every detail is given its due by an assured and accommodating team that has cultivated a fiercely loyal clientele over the course of two decades. 270 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, (02) 9365 4924, seanspanaroma.co
Catalina
Dignified diners with deep pockets have flocked to this seafood specialist since 1994, where elegantly dressed tables set the scene for a special occasion. The likes of poached Western Australian marron in a grapefruit and Campari consommé, or tagliatelle nero tossed with Goolwa pipis, diamond shell clams and cuttlefish follow it through. And the dramatic seascapes of Rose Bay dazzle from every angle, as does the winning wine list. Lyne Park, Rose Bay, (02) 9371 0555, catalinarosebay.com.au Merivale doubles down on the success of the Queen Chow concept with a second outpost in the former Papi Chulo space on Manly Wharf – and the good news is none of the original’s precision gets lost in transit. Eric Koh’s deft touch in the dim sum department is just as commanding, and the new waterfront digs have inspired a broader seafood selection that includes Singapore-style Moreton Bay bugs and nostalgia-inducing honey king prawns. Manly Wharf, 22-23 E Esplanade, Manly, (02) 9114 7341, merivale.com
Ormeggio at the Spit
The fact that the view – of polished boats bobbing on the shimmering waters of the marina that opens out onto Middle Harbour and Pearl Bay – doesn’t thoroughly distract the diners here speaks volumes. Alessandro Pavoni and Victor Moya offer an inventive synthesis of Italian traditions and Iberian influences at Ormeggio, with a worthy wine list, obliging staff and a price tag to match. Should bare feet, BYO and timeless trattoria classics better suit your style, sister venue Chiosco awaits next door. D’Albora Marinas, The Spit, Mosman,
(02) 9969 4088, ormeggio.com.au