Lunch at Bennelong is a moment. It’s where the panoramic views of Sydney Harbour can actually be seen from your table, and Australia’s finest ingredients join the cast for a midday performance of culinary artistry. Sitting at the base of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong is a destination that’s as much about soaking in the atmosphere as it is about indulging in Chef Peter Gilmore’s elegant, produce-forward cuisine. I made my reservation 4 weeks in advance of my 1-week work trip.
Food: Bold Flavours and Artful Presentation
Lunch at Bennelong isn’t just dinner-lite. The 2-course menu offers a concise selection of dishes that pack as much elegance and flavor as the evening offerings, but with an approachability that feels closer suited to midday dining. I came for the Bennelong House Lunch ($125/person) and had a great taste of the following:
- NV Arras Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine
- Smoked Pig Belly
- Roasted Corn Tart
- Pavlova ($43 additional)
- Passionfruit and Vanilla Mocktail ($20)
Note: I was also offered the traditional 3-course menu which they serve for dinner which offered the same options as lunch but costs a whopping $210 per person. Maybe the wine is different there but I thought it was a better deal for lunch to stick with the 2-course menu and add the dessert separately.
I began with the smoked pig belly, served with housemade koji noodles, shiitake, sesame, and black garlic. The noodles were delightfully bouncy, the shiitake mushrooms even bouncier, and a ton of umame was had with the black garlic. Holding the whole dish together was a light broth which lathered on quite nicely and scooped up into my spoon to finish the dish.
For mains, I chose the roasted corn tart, which was a wafer-thin-yet-rigid shell of soft polenta, goat's curd, and smoked almonds. These ingredients all provided different levels of texture to make the tart an experience to chomp into. It's kinda crazy how something that looks so basic can taste so good. I would have a whole bowl of this tart if I could.
Dessert: A Sweet Curtain Call
The desserts at Bennelong were nothing short of theatrical. The Pavlova, inspired by the Opera House’s iconic sails, was almost too beautiful to eat. But its crisp meringue, tangy passionfruit curd, and tropical fruit medley proved irresistible. Honestly, I'm scared to have another pavlova at a fine dining establishment because I'm scared it won't beat the place where pavlova was originally perfected.
Note: Because I did not opt for the 3-course lunch, this dessert was an added cost to my bill, which was still cheaper than the price of the 3-course menu.
The Drinks: A Celebration in Every Sip
Drinks at Bennelong were as impressive as the food. I started with the Arras Blanc de Blancs, a refreshing non-vintage blend that featured notes of crisp peach, Greek yogurt, and a bit of sourdough. Suffice to say though, having this after recently gotten off a 16-hour flight was a tough gig. I was pretty de-hydrated and therefore really drunk really fast so I could not finish this sparkling beverage.
My other drink this lunch was the passionfruit and vanilla mocktail. Despite being very passionfruit-forward, this allegedly also came with vanilla bean, mandarin oil, and green apple. I wish I enjoyed this drink but it was way too sweet and acidic. I could feel the insides of my throat burning with every sip. Again, maybe this was a bad idea because I was de-hydrated, but I think I would have been happier just sticking to my tap water.
Vibes: Daylight Luxe
Dining at Bennelong during the day felt like stepping into a living postcard. Sunlight poured through the glass-paneled walls, illuminating the Opera House’s architectural curves and setting the stage for breathtaking views. The Harbour Bridge stood proudly in the distance as ferries drifted past, while the buzz of Sydney’s waterfront provided a lively yet soothing backdrop. It was quite amusing to watch people take selfies as they watched us customers dining in one of Sydney's most prestigious restaurants. For lunch, it appeared there was seating for about 80 guests.
Despite its grandeur, the vibe during lunch was relaxed and inviting. Tourists and locals mingled over crisp white tablecloths, and the natural light gave the entire experience a vibrant energy that felt distinct from the restaurant’s more formal evening atmosphere.
If you were to cover the windows with blackout blinds, and eliminate the Sydney Harbour from view, I don't think this dining experience would be worth it. But the structure of the Opera House feels very much a part of the experience, so I would advise readers that the price here is not just centered around food, labour, or location, but includes the architecture too.
Service
Bennelong at lunch offers everything you’d expect from its famous dinner service—exceptional food, impeccable service, and jaw-dropping views—but with a daytime twist that feels fresh and unpretentious. The staff are chill without being overbearing, and the setting ensures every bite feels like part of an occasion.
All the usual tropes of fine dining are present here, despite Sydney not being on the Michelin Star tour. The front desk recognized me from a photo I uploaded during my reservation, they had a team show me to my table, tuck in my chair, and offer the many variations of paid and free water you get at this level of dining.
The service didn't end there though. Perhaps because I was a single diner, or they thought I was a food snob for filming myself drinking, but they brought over a cookbook for me to peruse while waiting for the food to arrive. I thought it was a nice touch.
Final Thoughts:
One-liner: Sydney's most iconic restaurant hits hard for lunch with better value than dinner, even if my mocktail experience wasn't one to write home about
Highlight: Roasted Corn Tart
Price per person: $155-$220/person for lunch
Would I go back? No because I've had my fill, but it's worth a one-time try.