Harbour Front Seafood Restaurant at The Rocks is a hidden gem that has left an indelible mark on my dining experience. Nestled in the heart of Sydney, this restaurant boasts not only the best view in the world but also a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds.
The view, oh, the view! Sitting at Harbour Front, you are treated to a mesmerizing spectacle of the Sydney Opera House, aglow with its enchanting lights, and the iconic Harbour Bridge. As night falls, you're in for a spectacular treat with a drone show that dances through the night sky, creating a breathtaking tapestry of colors and shapes. This restaurant provides a front-row seat to the beauty of Sydney, making it a perfect spot for a romantic evening or a special celebration.
But the view is just the beginning. The real star of the show is the food. Harbour Front takes pride in its seafood and offers a diverse menu that caters to all tastes. I had the pleasure of trying their steak and barramundi, both of which were cooked to perfection. The steak was tender and flavorful, and the barramundi simply melted in my mouth. It's clear that the chefs here know their craft, and their dedication to serving top-notch seafood is evident in every bite.
To complement the main course, I couldn't resist ordering the fresh Greek salad. Crisp cucumbers, plump olives, and tangy feta cheese combined to create a refreshing and vibrant side dish that perfectly balanced the richness of the main courses. The flavors were so well-orchestrated, and it was a delightful addition to the meal.
In a world where good service is often overlooked, Harbour Front Seafood Restaurant shines brightly. Our server, Mimi, was not only attentive and friendly but also extremely knowledgeable about the menu. She provided great recommendations and ensured that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Restaurant Manager Jenny, who stopped by to check on our table, exemplified the same level of professionalism and warmth, making us feel truly valued.
Harbour Front Seafood Restaurant at The Rocks is a place where food, atmosphere, and service come together to create an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Sydney, I highly recommend treating yourself to the delights of this restaurant. It's a world-class experience that will leave you with memories to cherish...
Read moreI had a disappointing experience at this restaurant tonight. Arrived at the restaurant around 8:00 PM and checked their online booking system while walking there. It showed an available slot for 8:15 PM. However, when I arrived at the reception, the staff told me they were fully booked and couldn’t provide a wait time.
Since we were hungry, we left and immediately made the online booking, which was successful. The reason I didn’t book online earlier was due to the required $100 deposit—I’ve had credit card fraud issues before and prefer not to enter my details online unless necessary.
After securing the online booking, we returned to the restaurant and were seated. I asked the staff why I was denied a table as a walk-in while one was available for online booking. The response was that priority is always given to online reservations over walk-ins, even if there are empty tables.
I questioned whether this meant they keep tables vacant for potential online bookings rather than accommodating walk-in customers, which seems like a poor business practice—especially late at night, around 8:15 PM, when it’s highly unlikely that new online bookings would suddenly appear. The staff member, who later identified himself as the manager, confirmed that this is their policy.
When I expressed my dissatisfaction and said I would provide feedback via restaurant email and/or Google review, his response was, "Do whatever you like."
This experience raises two major concerns:
Does this policy prioritise hypothetical online reservations over actual walk-in customers, even when tables are available? This seems counterintuitive to maximising occupancy. Is this how you treat customers? The dismissive attitude of the manager was disappointing.
To make matters worse, at 8:30 PM, I took a picture showing several empty tables, while the staff couldn’t even tell me when a table would be available earlier. This makes the policy even more questionable.
As for the food, it was really average for the price—definitely not worth the cost. The only redeeming part of the evening was the service from our waiter, who was attentive, professional, and made the experience better despite everything else.
I hope the restaurant reconsiders its approach to customer service and booking policies because, as it stands, I wouldn’t...
Read moreA restaurant that had probably bit off more than they could chew.
Based on reviews, the Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant appeared to be a fantastic choice. So, I booked a table.
After waiting in line for 10 or so minutes, I was asked to wait until a table was available, in front of multiple empty tables. Half an hour after my booking, I get seated and order the lobster, a cocktail, and a rocket/pear/parmesan salad. The menu appeared good.
I didn't think the experience could get any more disappointing.
Orders were being carried from table to table until the correct table was found. Some as much as being placed on 4 tables. I received food that wasn't mine and the nearby tables got my order before it was switched to me.
When I received my food, it was by far not worth the price I paid. The lobster was overcooked (still nice, but for $220, it needs to be better). The salad was fine, but also not worth the price (having 4 thin slithers of pear). The cocktail was good, no complaints there.
When I finished my food, the guests next to me who were seated first were waiting on mains. I believe they would have waited about 45 minutes -1 hour for their food. When it arrived, it was all overcooked to the point that they couldn't eat it.
The silver lining of this dining experience is that 3 tables of people got to talk together out of it. We laughed over the wrong orders being sent to us, shared experiences and talked. That was truly fantastic. The servers were also very lovely. Considering they had to deal with the brunt of long waits, overbooking, and some annoyed customers, the servers were attentive. Not in regard to table numbers. But overall, I appreciate their work.
However, would I have paid over $280 for the social aspect, the cocktail and some niceish food? ... Probably not.
Good: cocktail, lovely wait staff, the tables next to me.
Bad: there were too many tables for anyone in that restaurant to manage. Making the experience on...
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