Bennelong

The first and smallest of the Opera House’s vaulted shells on Bennelong Point is the exquisite setting for a restaurant that defines Australian cuisine.

By Sydney Opera House

Bennelong Restaurant, newly opened with Circular Quay in the distance (1973) by Max DupainSydney Opera House

Within months of opening in July 2015, with The Fink Group’s award-winning Executive Chef Peter Gilmore at the helm, Bennelong Restaurant won no less than three ‘Best New Restaurant’ awards’ and international acclaim. “Neither Asian, European nor entirely indigenous”, The New York Times described Bennelong’s unique cuisine as “rule-breaking food that at its best embodies cosmopolitan Australia.”

A stunningly sympathetic fit out by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer underlined the superb bones of a pavilion often described as the Opera House in miniature; the only place that gives an unimpeded view of all the architectural elements - glass, concrete and bronze - that make up Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece.

Bennelong time lapse (2015) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House

Bennelong Restaurant (2015) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

Bennelong Restaurant, interior (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

Bennelong Restaurant, kitchen (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

Pavlova dessert (2015) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

Bennelong Restaurant, exterior, with Circular Quay in the background (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

Chef's Table looking out onto Circular Quay (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House

The ribs of the vaulted shell roof, Bennelong Restaurant, Sam Doust, 2016, From the collection of: Sydney Opera House

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Looking out of Bennelong Restaurant onto the bridge, Sam Doust, 2016, From the collection of: Sydney Opera House

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Glass wall mullions and roof, Bennelong Restaurant, Sam Doust, 2016, From the collection of: Sydney Opera House

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Looking out of Bennelong Restaurant on a misty morning, Sam Doust, 2016, From the collection of: Sydney Opera House

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Message Sticks, Bennelong Restaurant (2016) by Sam DoustSydney Opera House

The ribs of the vaulted shell roof, Bennelong Restaurant (2016) by Sam DoustSydney Opera House

Credits: Story

Created by Sam Doust and the
Sydney Opera House GCI Team

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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