The 8 best waterfront restaurants

Australia is famous for its spectacular coastlines, gorgeous rivers and glittering waterways, making it the perfect destination for seaside or riverside dining. Here’s our pick of the best waterview restaurants that pair exceptional cuisine with natural beauty for the ultimate food with a view.

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Story Bridge and the Brisbane River, Supernormal has plenty of wow factor. Following the success of his Melbourne culinary institution of the same name, celebrated chef Andrew McConnell has created a South East Queensland counterpart that showcases the local produce, landscape and climate.

Serving up modern Australian cuisine and Asian-inspired dishes, you’ll find a few signature treats from Supernormal Melbourne like the famed lobster roll and half crispy duck. Upstairs is Bar Miette, a cosy all-day diner with a more European feel. Take a seat out on the expansive terrace and enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or a cold beer over some delicious Yamba prawns.

Where to stay

You’ll find stylish and modern boutique accommodation just five minutes from the airport at The Kingsford, and centrally located to Brisbane’s attractions.

Combining exquisite fine dining with stunning harbour views, Canvas Restaurant is a must-visit in Sydney. In honour of its home on level four of the acclaimed Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in The Rocks, the restaurant has introduced an intriguing new dining concept that merges art and cuisine. 

Treating the restaurant like a blank slate, the kitchen hosts a seasonal chef-in-residence, which means a rotating roster of culinary excellence, and a whole new menu every few months. With plate glass windows offering impeccable water views, it’s the perfect spot for a long lunch - at night the restaurant becomes an exclusive events space. If you’re an MCA member, you’ll score a 10% discount too.

A quintessential Sydney waterfront dining experience, Icebergs is possibly also Sydney’s most famous restaurant and one of the top restaurants Australia has to offer. Perched on the headland at the southern end of Bondi Beach, above the mesmerising ocean pool, practically every table is afforded sweeping million-dollar Pacific Ocean views. 

Enjoy classic Italian fine dining in elegant surroundings in the Dining Room, perfect for a special occasion, or grab a seat in the award-winning Icebergs Bar and enjoy a relaxed sunset session of handcrafted cocktails, food and music. The sun-drenched terrace is a popular spot to stay away in the afternoon, gazing across the golden sands of Bondi Beach and watching the aquamarine sets roll in.

Where to stay 

Enjoy your stay in vibrant inner city Surry Hills at the heritage-listed Hotel Harry, a short stroll from Central and Museum stations.

For more intimate water views in the leafy heart of Adelaide, be sure to book a table at Restaurant Botanic. Set in a heritage rotunda in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the restaurant overlooks the gardens’ tranquil Main Lake. Renowned for its contemporary Australian cuisine with distinctly Indigenous flavours, the award-winning eatery offers a seasonal and modern degustation menu crafted by Executive Chef Jamie Musgrave.

With a maximum capacity of just 24 guests, and sourcing local produce and ingredients from the Garden itself, Restaurant Botanic offers a more intimate and immersive dining experience than most. Rather than rushing you through service and out the door, you’ll be encouraged to linger and savour every delicious moment, with a typical dinner booking lasting around four hours.

If you’re taking a scenic day trip south to explore South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, then an afternoon or evening at the Star of Greece is a must. Named after a ship that sank off the coast here in 1888, the kiosk-turned-restaurant boasts panoramic ocean views from atop the Port Willunga clifftops and unforgettable beachside dining.

Serving up modern, Mediterranean fare that shows off the abundant produce of the region, you’ll find fresh Kangaroo Island King George whiting and squid on the menu as well as local pork, beef, and dairy. The more casual Port Willy Kiosk is open from October to April, serving fresh seafood, squid, chips and burgers from the kiosk window to hungry beachgoers.

Where to stay

You’ll find quiet and comfortable accommodation in North Adelaide at the Comfort Inn Regal Park, close to plenty of waterfront restaurant Adelaide experiences as well as boutique shops on O’Connell Street. Also centrally located in North Adelaide, the Comfort Hotel Adelaide Meridien offers spacious rooms with private balconies.

As the go-to for waterfront dining in Canberra, The Boat House is unparalleled. Overlooking picturesque Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra’s premier lakeside retreat is a fine dining institution that combines elegance with a peaceful waterfront setting. Known for its impeccable service and refined cuisine, the Boat House is perfect for special occasions or indulgent evenings.

The seasonal menu changes daily, featuring modern Australian dishes crafted with precision and creativity. Linger over a lakeside lunch, enjoy cocktails on the deck taking in the view or indulge in the restaurant’s iconic four-course dinner, sampling delicate Wapengo oysters and Bangalow pork belly. 

Where to stay

Stay in modern and well-appointed accommodation in the heart of Canberra at Quality Hotel Dickson, close to shops, cafes and restaurants.

The ultimate upscale beach house, Stokehouse is one of Melbourne’s most iconic waterfront restaurants. Offering front row sunset seats overlooking Port Phillip Bay, it’s undergone a few transformations in its long history. In keeping with its oceanside location, Stokehouse is famed for its seafood. In fact, it’s been recognised by Tourism Australia as one of the six best seafood experiences in Australia.

Upstairs you’ll find the elegant dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted views as well as Stokebar where you can enjoy a cocktail on the terrace, no reservation required. Downstairs is the more laidback beachside eatery, Stokehouse Pasta & Bar, with tables that spill out onto the foreshore.

A little closer to the city on the Albert Park Foreshore, Pipi’s Kiosk is deceptive. Located in a converted kiosk on the edge of Port Phillip Bay, tucked up against the Kerford Road Pier, there is more to Pipi’s than meets the eye. At the takeaway window, you can grab a quick drink or bite to enjoy on the beach, while inside the bistro is a charming eatery with big windows and expansive water views. 

The compact menu focuses on fresh, locally-sourced seafood and seasonal produce from local growers, with highlights such as the salt cod croquettes and grilled baby octopus. Their drinks menu is more extensive, including cocktails with a twist like their raspberry-infused negroni. On a sunny day, relax on the patio and watch the boats go by or stay on to savour a spectacular sunset.

Where to stay

Located in one of Melbourne’s vibrant inner-city districts, Clarion Apartments South Melbourne is close to major attractions as well as your choice of memorable waterfront restaurant Melbourne experiences.