Sydney’s Best Set Menu Lunch Spots

Sydney is a paradise of delicious food, spectacular waterfront venues and pleasant weather- and its charm never fails to draw us in! With all the cosy winter vibes in the air and the warmer trails of spring slowly inching its way towards us, we’re trying to make the most of time spent outside. At mid-day, people are always on the lookout for climate-controlled, cosy restaurants to escape the cold and enjoy a warm and delicious meal. And we’ve got you covered (quite literally) with Sydney’s best lunch spots! What’s even better is that all these options have a prix fixe lunch menu which leaves you no room for pre-dining confusion.  

Lunch is served! Here’s a few options for you to enjoy a long lunch in air-conditioned comfort with a fixed menu while in Sydney- 

  1. Lunch cruises along Sydney Harbour

Several cruise companies around Sydney have lunch cruises to allow their customers to experience the best of midday dining and sightseeing, all at once. With a wide range of options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! A company that boasts great reviews and is highly recommended is the Australian Cruise Group and they run several luxury cruises in Sydney. Pick a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise to suit your style and budget and there you have it- one of the best long lunch experiences in the city! 

Out of all their lunch cruises in Sydney, a crowd-favourite Showboat 3-hour lunch cruise onboard Sydney Showboats is easy on the wallet and a family friendly option! Enjoy spectacular Sydney Harbour views from the spacious wrap-around verandah and dig into a delicious multi-cuisine buffet. It’s the perfect choice for a day out with the entire family!

In the coming days, Sydney Harbour will relaunch some of the best Sydney Harbour lunch cruises featuring the best cruise dining packages. Treat yourself to ultimate luxury on this 3-hour Showboat lunch cruise- roving harbour views, 3-course menu and delicious beverages! If you intend on splurging, this is definitely your best bet. 

If you’re looking for a unique and adventurous lunch cruise experience, you also have options such as the tall ship lunch cruise which promises an unforgettable day out away from the buzzing city! Enjoy the roving harbour views from an authentic tall ship and dig into a delicious lunch—you could also go for a mast climb to get that adrenaline pumping! The most famous catamaran cruise on Sydney Harbour is another budget-friendly you should look out for. This family-friendly cruise offers the best sightseeing experience as it has three expansive outer decks that are perfect for getting the most mesmerising harbour views ever! The Clearview Cruises is another option on Sydney Harbour. This premium glass boat has a stylish nautical design with 360° glass windows and luxe interior decor.  

Choose any of the above lunch cruise options in Sydney and be guaranteed a power-packed and unforgettable day out in the city. Get your tickets today! 

  1. Quay, The Rocks

If location and lunchtime views are important to you, Quay is simply the best dining spot in the whole city. Choose from the various fixed menu options- there’s sure to be one to match your tastes perfectly. If you’re feeling particularly fancy and experimental, the 7-course tasting menu is simply divine!

  1. Bennelong Restaurant

If dining in the iconic Sydney Opera House isn’t enough of a thrill by itself, the House Lunch is a specially curated lunch menu available on select days of the week. 

  1. Vacanza

An Italian restaurant that sticks to the philosophy of less is more when it comes to pizza toppings. The set menu and the delicious lunch options in Vacanza draw you in and leave your hearts and stomachs full of cheesy Italian love!

So, what’s your pick?

Dining on Harbour lunch cruises

Get the best of lunch experience on a lunch cruise in Sydney

For a wonderful lunch experience in Sydney, hop on board one of the lunch cruises in Sydney. With roving views of the iconic attractions in Sydney such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise is also a great option for sightseeing. Book your seats now for a wonderful restaurant-style lunch served to your table with water views.

Planning your perfect picnic in Sydney

Sydney is a beautiful harbour city which effortlessly houses some of the prettiest landscapes in the world. When it comes to planning an aesthetic picnic with your family in Sydney, there will be a few concerns that pop into your mind such as finding an affordable picnic spot, food, transport and more.

One of the easiest ways to do a picnic right in Sydney would be to hop on board one of those magnificent lunch cruises in Sydney Harbour, and fun and happiness is assured. These lunch cruises in Sydney also organise exclusive expeditions for its guests, allowing them to explore some of the remote islands off the coast of Sydney. So if you haven’t had enough time to plan the perfect picnic for your family, head to Sydney Harbour and all you have to do is pick a favourite lunch cruise destination in Sydney and there! You have your picture perfect picnic to brag about for a week on Instagram. Of the likes, you may also approach picnic planners in Sydney who also do a stunning job at organising tiny al fresco events for you. Name a place and time and you’ll have the perfect picnic arranged for you by the time you reach there.

Wouldn’t it be awful if you sail smoothly to your destination only to find out that it’s going to be a wet day? So when planning a picnic, do a weather-check so that you won’t regret it on the day. Another pro tip to keep in mind about picnicking is that you ought to be well-equipped with enough amenities to tackle any unforeseen events.

If you’re one of those sprightly souls who love to do it all by themselves, but without much skills at organising a picnic, let’s get down to some basic etiquettes in al fresco dining. Choosing a peaceful place is the first rule and it cannot be compromised come what may. Imagine feasting on your favourite cheeseburgers and steak ribs only to be swarmed in by buzzing flies and mosquitoes. Or it could be the stray dogs or an unsolicited flock of birds. So, it’s always better to make sure that your spot is not already taken by someone or something else.

For those who love to take photographs, having an aesthetically arranged picnic mat might be your top priority. So choosing a theme beforehand and keeping things ready a day or two prior to the day might work well for you. From freshly cut flowers, glossy mason jars, sweet smelling breads and fresh fruits to fun toys and props to inspire your skills in photography, find your best picnic supplies from the street markets in Sydney.

On the whole, organising a picnic comes down to how much time and energy you invest for it. A picnic can happen on any day off the calendar and that’s the beauty of it. Spending too much money on a picnic wouldn’t be worth it if at the end of the day it doesn’t turn out to be as good as you expected. So always remember to keep it simple folks and you wouldn’t regret it.

Are you planning a picnic with your family in Sydney? Here’s a look-see into some of the pro tips to have a picture-perfect picnic.

Choice of Sydney Harbour lunch cruises

Combine sightseeing with a premium lunch buffet onboard Sydney’s premium vessel
The most recommended way to explore Sydney and its attractions is onboard a sought after Sydney Harbour lunch cruise. Relish in a freshly prepared lunch menu and enjoy your choice of beverage as you take in the amazing views of Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and more.Choose your favourite lunch cruise and enjoy the pristine ambience of Sydney Harbour in style!