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22 of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Sydney

Take it outside

Site: Lucie Clark

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The Bucket List, Bondi: There is nothing better than blue sky, Bondi Beach, a cool beverage in one hand and a fresh fish burger in the other.

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The Bucket List, Bondi

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The Grounds of Alexandria: The garden loveliness of The Grounds in hipster Alexandria is an alfresco eating situation not to be missed. Fresh food, fresh flowers, it’s all here.

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The Grounds of Alexandria

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Beach Club at The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel: Serving up sparkling Sydney Harbour views with panache and charm. The menu at the Beach Club is en pointe, but let’s keep it real, you’re not breakfasting here for the smoky bacon.

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Beach Club at The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

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The Boathouse Palm Beach: On the wharf at picturesque Palmy, The Boathouse is all kinds of sunshine gorgeous with divine fresh eats. Since Home and Away is filmed in this locale, talent spotting across the table is as inevitable as drinks in jam jars.

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The Boathouse Palm Beach

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The Boathouse Balmoral: The lower north shore sister to Palm Beach’s Boathouse, this Balmoral beauty is all about rustic wooden charm with flavour-stacked platters served sunny seaside up.

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The Boathouse Balmoral

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North Bondi Fish, Bondi: The Matt Moran-blessed menu is a tight edit of just-caught fish and seafood, while the view over North Bondi presents a picture perfect edit for the eyes.

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North Bondi Fish

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The Opera Kitchen and Bar, City: The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a compelling sight on any day of the week and The Opera Kitchen and Bar ups the ante with a delightful array of nosh and beverages served in the direct sight line of the icon.

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The Opera Kitchen & Bar

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The Butler, Potts Point: This botanical eatery in pretty Potts Point delivers the goods in the verandah dining scene. Sublime sunset spritzers, a palate-pleasing menu and service you would expect from a trained professional.

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The Winery, Surry Hills: Cool eats, drinks, clientele and cloudless skies abound in Surry Hills alfresco go-to The Winery. Set to become your summer speed dial favourite.

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Catalina, Rose Bay: This eastern suburbs show pony is a shoe-in location for soon-to-be filmed Real Housewives of Sydney, heavy on the glamour factor, both from a table setting standpoint and who’s occupying them.

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Tide Café at Regatta, Rose Bay: Rose Bay locals keep this outdoor eating gem on the down low for a reason. Located prime real estate side on Rose Bay wharf with views every way you look, the all-day breakfast menu will float any foodie’s boat.

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Coogee Pavilion Rooftop, Coogee: On the top level of eating and drinking funhouse, Coogee Pavilion, expect beach beauty accompanied by Mediterranean fare.

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Coogee Pavilion Rooftop

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Jonah’s Whale Beach: Perfect views and pews at this fine diner in showstopping Whale Beach.

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Jonah's Whale Beach

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One Ford St, Balmain: New Italian kid on the block in breezy Balmain digs.

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Otto, Woolloomooloo: Haute-cuisine by the sea at Italian grand dame Otto in Woolloomooloo. Don your best designer shades; the glitterati wattage shines bright here.

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El Loco at The Slip Inn, CBD: Melt-in-your-mouth Mexican under summery vistas is El Loco’s alfresco edge.

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Ripples, Milsons Point: House-made pasta under the Harbour Bridge? Yes please.

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Doyles on the Beach, Watsons Bay: Classic fish and chip pairings served with seaside charm at Doyles on Watsons Bay.

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Doyles on the Beach

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The Commons, Darlinghurst: Share plates under the stars is how Sydneysiders do summer courtesy of casual eatery The Commons.

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Peats Bite, Hawkesbury: Best-kept Hawkesbury dining secret with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce. There’s a giant chessboard in situ for après-dining fun.

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Cottage Point Inn, Hawkesbury: Another beauty on the Hawkesbury, catch a ride in on the sea plane for sunset vistas and fine dining fare.

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Cottage Point Inn

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Leaves and Fishes, Hunter Valley: Articulating the country affair angle, Leaves and Fishes in wine town Lovedale is homespun outdoor eating at its best.

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Leaves and Fishes

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Long summer days and balmy nights call for sipping and supping in the great outdoors

Whether you're team sunset, sunrise or stargazer, breakfasting, lunching or supping in the open air is one of life's highlights. With our southern climes currently in sunshine overdrive, taking advantage of our fair weather is a must. From fish n' chips by the sea to high-end Italian under the Sydney sun, we present the ultimate alfresco eat-out list in Sydney and nearby hotspots.

Culture

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