Keen to try a new restaurant for a night out? Whether it’s a night out with the girls or date night with hubby, we’re spoilt for choice with so many amazing local options! We share 12 restaurants on the North Shore that serve up delicious flavours in a fun atmosphere.
Nothing beats a well-deserved night out, enjoying a delicious meal completely kid-free. Need a little help? We have you sorted when it comes to finding a babysitter you can rely on. Now for the easy part, settle back and enjoy your evening!
Here’s restaurants on the North Shore… listed not in order of preference (as they are all fabulous!), but from Lower North Shore to Upper North Shore.
- The Botanist, Kirribilli
- Poetica Bar & Grill, North Sydney
- Ripples Chowder Bay, Mosman
- Enoteca 128, Neutral Bay
- Annata Restaurant, Crows Nest
- Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest
- Smoque Brasserie, Chatswood
- Cafe Lyon, Lindfield
- The Sawmill, West Pymble
- Brasserie l’Entrecôte, Pymble
- Cafe Patina, Wahroonga
- The Butcher’s Block, Wahroonga
Best restaurants on Sydney’s North Shore
1. The Botanist, Kirribilli
The Botanist, Kirribilli
Welcome to Kirribilli’s local gem, which is the perfect spot to drop in for a cocktail or a bite to eat. The restaurant uses fresh, seasonal ingredients to curate colourful dishes and vibrant flavours with a Mediterranean flare. Expect beautifully decorated dishes paired with an equally impressive drinks menu. The bar showcases an extensive list of Australia and International wines and beers, as well as exciting seasonal cocktails and specials.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Address: 17 Willoughby Street, Kirribilli
- Phone: (02) 9954 4057
- Website: thebotanist.com.au
2. Poetica Bar & Grill, North Sydney
Follow the flowing lines of Kristian Hawker’s mesmerising mural as it leads you past their wine wall—home to 2,500 iconic wines from Australia, Italy and South America. Arrive in their light-filled restaurant featuring an open kitchen with outdoor terraces so you can sit back and relax from afternoon to evening. Everything on the menu–whether it’s the perfectly aged ribeye steaks cooked over the open-view wood-fired Grill or the locally caught seafood–reflects their philosophy that simplicity is best when using the finest, freshest produce and the element of charcoal and fire.
Prefer something a little more relaxed? Gather at the adjoining bar—perfect for afternoon, after-work or pre-dinner drinks—offering wines by-the-glass with an Australian focus and a curated cocktail list inspired by influential poets. Each mix is made with local spirits and served alongside a selection of bar snacks.
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
- Address: 1 Denison Street, North Sydney
- Phone: (02) 9067 4925
- Website: poetica.sydney
3. Ripples Chowder Bay, Mosman
Ripples Chowder Bay, Mosman
This is one of the top restaurants on the North Shore for views and food! Enjoy a Modern Australian menu served in a renovated 19th-century building with white, weatherboard walls. Located on the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral foreshore walk you can’t beat it for incredible views of the famous Clifton Garden’s Bay. Its opening marked a momentous occasion, as it was the first time in over 100 years that the general public could enter this historic space, once reserved for secret military operations to defend Sydney Harbour. Head Chef Kristian Gamble uses only the freshest seasonal produce to create simple flavoursome dishes.
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
- Address: Building 7, Deck C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman
- Phone: (02) 9960 3000
- Website: rippleschowderbay.com.au
4. Enoteca 128, Neutral Bay
Enoteca 128, Neutral Bay
Nestled in the heart of Neutral Bay, you’ll find Enoteca 128. We offer contemporary, well-executed Italian Cuisine. Expect to find menus that feature the best produce Australia has to offer and an ever-growing wine list to pair. Their menu focuses on the freshest produce of the season, offering something for everyone in all courses- stuzzichini, antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni & dolci.
- Cuisine: Italian
- Address: 11 Grosvenor Ln, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
- Phone:
- Website: Enoteca 128, Neutral Bar
5. Annata Restaurant, Crows Nest
Annata Restaurant, Crows Nest
Annata is a modern bistro style restaurant and wine bar located on Sydney’s lower North Shore. Their goal is to provide customers with the very best dining experience north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With chic leather lounges, warm lighting and cosy nooks on the mezzanine level, bar-side casual dining and an alfresco garden lounge setting outside, Annata has a variety of choices to suit all occasions. Outside dining is also pet friendly and comes equipped with heaters for the cooler months.
Chef Jordon Garcia selects the highest quality produce which is delivered daily to their kitchen. His cuisine is described as modern European bistro. It is elegant and edgy; prepared using a broad range of culinary techniques to highlight the natural freshness of the food while exciting the taste buds with every bite.
- Cuisine: Modern European Bistro
- Address: 69 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
- Phone: (02) 9437 3700
- Website: annatasydney.com
6. Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest
Whether you’re looking to feast on tapas, pizzas and share plates or just have a few cocktails, this delicious menu has something for everyone.
Li’l Darlin is a Sydney institution, and not just because of their iconic Fairy Floss Cocktail. The Surry Hills venue has hailed from its corner spot for over 10 years, providing CBD visitors with the perfect balance of casual bites and exceptional drinks. Now, their second venue in Crows Nest is delivering the same good vibes, menu staples and quirky cocktails to Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
The food is just delicious and perfect for sharing with friends, whether you fancy their burrata and prosciutto plate, salt & pepper squid, or tacos. For something a little more, you can’t look past their pizzas, and we can highly recommend the Truffle & 4 Cheese! Come for the cocktails, but stay for the food…
- Cuisine: Tapas, pizza
- Address: 23 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
- Phone: 0412 921 510
- Website: https://lildarlin.com.au/
7. Smoque Brasserie, Chatswood
Smoque Brasserie, Chatswood
Looking for a delicious meal in the heart of Chatswood? Smoque Brasserie is conveniently located at The Concourse, with an ideal outlook across the space. The flavours of France come alive with their delicious three-course menu, featuring classic dishes meticulously prepared by their talented chefs, using the finest locally-sourced ingredients and authentic French techniques. From delicious seared scallops or authentic sizzling snails for entree to mouth-watering pan-seared ricotta gnocci or twice-roasted duck for main, there’s plenty of choice. Plus, there’s always room for dessert and you can’t go wrong with the Crepes Suzette!
- Cuisine: French
- Address: 5/409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
- Phone: (02) 8021 0225
- Website: smoque.com.au
8. Cafe Lyon, Lindfield
Cafe Lyon, Lindfield
Café Lyon has been inspired by the humble neo-bistro’s that have been flourishing in the various arrondissements of Paris, and of course, the traditional Bouchon’s of Lyon. It brings together the best of these inspirations with a fresh, contemporary twist to suit the beautiful, local produce. It’s all about great bistro food and wine, efficient and friendly service, and an enjoyable, casual dining experience.
- Cuisine: French
- Address: 366 Pacific Hwy, Lindfield
- Phone: (02) 9416 5026
- Website: cafelyon.com.au
9. The Sawmill, West Pymble
The Sawmill, West Pymble
The Sawmill is a rustic Italian eatery located in West Pymble. The menu features seasonal, fresh produce with an emphasis on simple Italian flavours. Wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta feature daily on the menu. Take away pizza is also available. The use of natural and recycled timber throughout the space reflects the early use of the local area. The Sawmill Restaurant & Pizzeria pays homage to the history of the local area, while maintaining a feeling of warmth in food lovingly prepared and served from fresh produce.
- Cuisine: Italian
- Address: 7 Duneba Avenue, West Pymble
- Phone: (02) 9498 6565
- Website: thesawmill.com.au
10. Brasserie l’Entrecôte, Pymble
Brasserie l’Entrecôte, Pymble
One of our favourite restaurants on the North Shore. Brasserie l’Entrecôte takes a nod from the original “Le Relais de l’Entrecôte”, the famous one dish steakhouse that opened in 1959 in Porte Maillot, Paris. The concept is simple, an amazing quality Sirloin Steak, accompanied by the delicious secret sauce, crispy homemade french fries, a simple salad & a glass of wine. Nothing more, Nothing less…
- Cuisine: French
- Address: 1047 Pacific Highway, Pymble
- Phone: 8021 2433
- Website: brasserielentrecote.com.au
11. Café Patina, Wahroonga
Café Patina, Wahroonga
Cafe Patina in Wahroonga features a contemporary design inside, focusing on simple colours and quality fittings, with a nod to the classic heritage style. And of course, it has a unique leafy outlook opposite Wahroonga Park. They strongly support local producers to bring the freshest ingredients from the paddock, garden and sea to your table. It’s open for breakfast, lunch & dinner, and the menu is mostly gluten-free.
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
- Address: 64 Coonanbarra Road, Wahroonga
- Phone: (02) 9489 0980
- Website: cafepatina.com.au
12. The Butcher’s Block, Wahroonga
The Butcher’s Block, Wahroonga
Whether you’re looking for a spot for brunch, lunch or a fancy dinner, Butcher’s Block in Wahroonga is a top spot for a meal on Sydney’s upper north shore! The extensive menu offers delicious meals made from organic, locally sourced produce. You can expect exceptional customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
- Address: 15 Redleaf Avenue, Wahroonga
- Phone: (02) 9487 8136
- Website: butchersblockgroup.com.au
