Cosy atmospheres, dedicated spaces, and bespoke menus – private dining in Sydney goes well above a room in the back. If you’ve got a special occasion or just want to push the boat out (because why not?), the private dining rooms Sydney restaurants offer are second to none, all boasting the luxe earmarks that make these restaurants so sought-after, but with the intimacy of an at-home dinner party.
From Quay’s soaring glass castle that overlooks Sydney Harbour splendour to the retro-chic glamour of Spice Temple’s tucked-away tables to the charming Sean’s in Bondi delivering a tailored gourmet experience in its elegant beachside setting, there are Sydney private dining rooms fit for every occasion. Want to rent out an entire restaurant? Grana Privato is the new dining space on the top floor of Hinchcliff House, offering a totally private experience for up to 90 seated guests.
Whether it’s an intimate gathering for a birthday, a workplace Christmas party, or a grand celebration such as an engagement or elopement, our guide to the best private dining rooms in Sydney selects the most exclusive, beautifully designed spaces where memorable meals and private moments sit at the table together.
a’Mare
BARANGAROO
With several, unique spaces available for private dining, a’Mare takes all the guesswork out of planning your function. Two smaller spaces, the Wine Room and the Library cater to 10 and 12 people, respectively; the Wine Room is decorated with a’Mare’s extensive wine collection and features dramatic glass windows with glimpses of Sydney Harbour, while The Library is all decadence, furnished with dripping lights and elevated views of the main dining room and bar. For larger groups, the Harbour Room seats up to 70 guests, while the Terrace has space for 120. Plus, all private room bookings come with the option for personalised set menus.
Bennelong
CIRCULAR QUAY
With views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and the twinkling night lights of the city, a private dining event at Bennelong is guaranteed to take any party to the next level. Bennelong has three semi-private rooms available for booking: The City Circle, The Opera Circle, and The Table. All three are part of the main restaurant, allowing parties to marvel at the iconic architecture and sleek restaurant atmosphere while still enjoying privacy. The City Circle is the largest space available, hosting 100 people cocktail-style on the upper level of the restaurant with both Sydney Harbour and Botanic Garden views. The Opera Circle hosts 28 people across two tables and is best suited for larger groups enjoying a long dinner or lunch. The Table is the smallest and most private, tucked between floors and seating just 12 people.
Da Orazio
bondi beach
Drawing on Bondi’s beachside scene and Puglia’s sunbleached masserias, this private dining room makes a chic new addition to the Da Orazio playbook. Wrapping around a central dining table, terrazzo flooring and blonde wood give way to clamshell-inspired light fittings and sheer curtains. Seating 14-20, there’s two set menus to relish, the Tavolata ($105pp) and the exclusive Dining Room ($145pp) menu.
Dear Sainte Éloise
POTTS POINT
Orwell Street provides some of the best day-to-night eats in Potts Point, but it’s Dear Sainte Éloise’s sunken dining room that takes the cake for hosting an intimate affair. Following a recent renovation, the intimate indoor dining room was refreshed with leather banquettes and Venetian-style plaster, and was redesigned to spill out into the laneway courtyard. Recently appointed chef Samuel Rozsnyoi (ex-Café Paci, Saint Peter, Fred’s and ACME) oversees the set menu, which may include dainty brioche rolls with dill pickle and chives; wagyu flank steak with capers, horseradish and jus; and a Hungarian take on tiramisu for dessert. The full indoor dining room can be booked for groups of 12 to 20 people, day or night.
Grana Privato
CIRCULAR QUAY
Hinchcliff House is full of surprises. Already stacked to the max with Lana, Grana and Apollonia, this new addition is just another feather in its red brick tail. And the latest, Grana Privato, is a doozy. On the very top floor of the heritage-listed CBD building, it’s a flexible new private dining space, with its own kitchen, that accommodates 90-plus seated guests. Perfect for that end-of-year work party or a chic wedding reception.
housemadeevents.com/grana-privato
Morena Sydney
SYDNEY CBD
Chef Alejandro Saravia’s homage to Latin America, set within the colonnades of Martin Place’s old GPO building, has a low-lit, intimate and clubby private dining room. Is there a better setting for a late-night Pisco Sour in Sydney? Not likely.
morenarestaurant.com.au/private-dining-sydney
Otto
WOOLLOOMOOLOO
Located above Otto’s main marina-dwelling dining room, this pasta-focused favourite offers the Rosso Room for up to 30 people seated or 40 people for a cocktail event. Menus including some of Otto’s greatest hits, from melty beef carpaccio with mustard and horseradish; to saffron linguine with sweet Moreton Bay bug, zucchini, anchovy and pine nuts.
ottoristorante.com/sydney/events
The Dining Room at Promenade
BONDI BEACH
Situated in Bondi’s heritage pavilion, Promenade’s own private dining room, dubbed The Grotto, has views out to the lapis ocean and beachfront. Seating up to 12 people in the pink and desert-toned sandstone room, there are three menus to choose from ranging from $79 to $129 per person, which may include rock oysters with finger lime vinaigrette, bug toast with ginger and shallot dressing and charcoal roasted Magra lamb shoulder.
promenadebondibeach.com/private-dining-bondi-beach
Quay
CIRCULAR QUAY
Overlooking the Sydney Opera House, Quay is arguably one of Australia’s most well-known restaurants, so booking a private room in this towering glass beauty makes any event a surefire success. Quay offers two bookable dining rooms: the Upper Tower and the Private Dining Room. The Upper Tower seats 20 guests and is perched above the main restaurant, giving guests the best views possible while enjoying a four-to-six-course dinner curated by executive chef Peter Gilmore. The Private Dining Room at Quay seats up to 10 guests at a lower level of the building, though still resplendent with spectacular views thanks to floor-to-ceiling mirror to reflect the harbour views around the room.
Saint Peter
PADDINGTON
The Nilands’ famous fine diner Saint Peter has finally completed its move from its small Oxford Street spot to the freshly renovated Grand National, a couple of streets away. And with that new space comes some new toys to play with – including a private dining room that can seat up to 14 guests. Expect all of the Oxford Street favourites, like Niland’s famed edible art The Kandinsky, plus some new Grand National snacks. And you can enjoy it all with your nearest and dearest, tucked away from the usual restaurant dim.
Sean’s
BONDI BEACH
Effortlessly groovy Bondi Beach icon Sean’s has a private dining room that exudes beach-chic charm, where you and your guests can sit back, relax, and not worry about a thing. The intimate private dining room can seat up to 12 guests and is adjacent to the restaurant, sharing dazzling ocean views. Guests who book this room will dine on a menu designed exclusively by Sean’s chef-owner Sean Moran (winner of Gourmet Traveller’s Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality award in 2023), for that extra touch of luxury.
Spice Temple
SYDNEY CBD
Soft lighting, moody ambience and opulent décor are just some of the many reasons Spice Temple’s CBD private dining room is an excellent option for group bookings, catering for everything from intimate dinner parties to corporate functions. The banquet menu is a perennial crowd-pleaser, from the dim sum to plates of succulent duck.
spicetemple.com.au/private-dining-spice-temple-sydney
Ursula’s
PADDINGTON
Dressed in the quintessentially dreamy style of the main restaurant, the Blue Room at Ursula’s is the perfect place to host an intimate end-of-year party. Accommodating up to 12 guests, this private dining room can be reserved for either lunch or dinner, where guests can dine on Ursula’s full French bistro-style offering.
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