Top Places to Drink Wine in Sydney
Sydney’s wine and dining scene has changed dramatically over the past few years. I’ve been visiting the city at least half a dozen times a year to catch up with customers in the trade, and every visit seems to uncover another exciting bar, restaurant, or hospitality concept.
For a long time, I considered Melbourne Australia’s wine-and-dining capital. These days, I’m not so sure. Sydney is absolutely giving it a run for its money.
With precincts such as Barangaroo bringing fresh energy into the city, talented hospitality operators and restaurant groups have also been expanding into surrounding neighbourhoods. The result? A seriously exciting mix of wine bars, restaurants, late-night drinking spots and waterfront venues.
On my most recent visit, these were some of my favourite places to drink wine in Sydney.
Big Poppas
An Italian-style diner with a late-night bar tucked underground, Big Poppas is one of those Sydney spots where you can settle in for good food, good wine and a very late night.
The wine list has a strong Italian focus, with plenty of interesting wines by the glass to explore alongside a hearty food offering. It’s also one of the few places in the city that keeps going until the early hours, although these days, I’m quite happy to leave the 2 am or 3 am finishes to someone else!
My Sangiovese is served here, making it an especially fun stop for anyone interested in discovering modern Italian-inspired wine drinking in Sydney.
Opera Bar
If you’re looking for wine with one of Sydney’s most spectacular views, Opera Bar is hard to beat.
With the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge practically on your doorstep, it’s an ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the city. It attracts a healthy mix of locals and visitors, particularly during the warmer months.
Grab a glass of our Pinot Grigio, find a spot overlooking the harbour and let Sydney do the rest.
Dear Sainte Éloise
For serious wine lovers, Dear Sainte Éloise is one of the places I’d put high on the list.
The venue has built a reputation around its thoughtful wine selection, combining Australian bottles with international benchmarks and plenty of discoveries in between. The food keeps things relatively humble in flavour while presenting everything with a contemporary touch.
It’s the kind of place where you can come in for one glass and suddenly find yourself several pages deep into the wine list.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
A little further from the CBD, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel brings together three things Sydney does exceptionally well: wine, seafood and spectacular waterfront views.
With its contemporary setting and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a great destination for a long Sunday afternoon. Think rosé, oysters, seafood platters and DJ beats, essentially everything you need for a proper Sydney summer session.
Keep an eye out for our Rosato here.
Sydney: A City Worth Drinking Your Way Through
What I love most about Sydney’s wine scene is its variety. You can go from an Italian-inspired late-night diner to a harbourfront institution, a serious wine bar or a relaxed seaside hotel — often within the same weekend.
For wine lovers, hospitality professionals and anyone exploring Sydney’s best wine bars and restaurants, the city is well worth drinking your way through.
And honestly, I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
FAQs
What are the best places to drink wine in Sydney?
Big Poppas, Opera Bar, Dear Sainte Éloise and Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel are four standout options, each offering a distinctly different Sydney wine experience.
Where can I drink wine with a view in Sydney?
Opera Bar is an excellent choice for wine with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, while Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel offers a more relaxed seaside setting.
Where can I find Italian wine in Sydney?
Big Poppas has an Italian focus and offers a selection of Italian-style wines by the glass alongside hearty food.
What are good Sydney venues for wine and seafood?
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is particularly suited to a relaxed wine-and-seafood session, with rosé, oysters and seafood platters overlooking the water.
Why is Sydney becoming a major wine and dining destination?
Sydney’s growing hospitality scene, new precincts and expanding restaurant groups have created a diverse mix of wine bars, restaurants and drinking destinations across the city.