From tide to table: The 10 best seafood dishes in The Rocks

Harbourfront is just a ripple away from the water with a close up view of the Opera House. We’d argue it’s the perfect place to split their indulgent seafood platter, which features delicacies like scallop ceviche citrus, whole roasted balmain bugs and chargrilled baby octopus (plus eight other types of seafood).

Nearby Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant you’ll find another elegant dining space headed by renowned Grecian chef Peter Conistis. Ploos offers an authentic taste of the South Aegean, with a regional Mediterranean twist. We love the entire menu but we can’t stop thinking about the grilled octopus, charred to perfection and topped with pickled caper shoots.

Luna Lu serve elevated Asian fusion cuisine featuring Australia’s most coveted ingredients. Their dumplings and raw fish are amazing but the highlight of their menu is the Ikejima Coral Trout - it’s caught on the Great Barrier Reef, steamed in a banana leaf with chrysanthemums then topped with trout caviar. It tastes as good as it sounds.

Indulge in the ultimate luxury of dining on oysters at Altitude Restaurant, located on level 36 of The Shangri-La. Elevate your culinary experience with a dozen of the finest rock oysters, accompanied by a tantalizing combination of rhubarb, granny smith granita, and shiso plus a glass of bubbles and take in the panoramic views of Sydney harbour.

Whalebridge’s beautiful poisson frit (fried fish) is proof that fish and chips can be fancy. There’s nothing quite like a sunny afternoon at this charming harbourside French bistro dining on an impossibly crunchy, tender whole king George Whiting, with a squeeze of lemon and a side of frites.

There’s a time and place for fancy fish and chips but sometimes you just want a no-fuss, well-executed classic. That’s what you’ll get at Sydney’s oldest continually licensed pub, The Fortune of War - their fish and chips is as Australian as vegemite on toast. It’s served simply, with a little tartare sauce, chips and a herb batter.

Saké serve their own unique brand of contemporary Japanese fine dining, alongside an extensive menu of cocktails and sakes. The highlight of their delectable menu is definitely the Glacier 51 toothfish - it’s caught in Antarctic waters and has a complex, wagyu-like mouthfeel and an elegant balance of flavour.

Sergeant Lok is a smart Asian Fusion restaurant housed in one of Sydney’s oldest historic police stations, so what looks like luxurious dining rooms were once holding cells, jails and offices! If you feel like treating yourself, order the WA Lobster - it’s grilled over coals and served with shellfish butter sauce and charred lime (and it’s probably a bit more luxurious than the meals that used to be served in these rooms).
 

6HEAD is Sydney’s best steak restaurant right on the water. But don’t let that fool you, some of our favourite items on the menu come from their raw bar section  - we’re talking plump Appellation Oysters, scallop ceviche and pickled Port Lincoln sardine fillets with saffron aioli. 
 

We usually visit the Australian Heritage Hotel for the local characters and the fridge full of 130 Australian craft beers, but their Australiania pizza menu is worth a look too. The pepper kangaroo is a must try but our go-to is the saltwater crocodile pizza with crocodile mince, mozzarella, lime and satay sauce (sounds strange but trust us, it’s delicious).