Shell House — Restaurant in Sydney

Shell House Dining Room & Terrace offers one of Sydney’s most striking dining experiences—both for its food and its setting. My second visit has only reinforced how exceptional the cuisine is, though the journey and service bring a mixed bag.

Getting There & First Impressions Be prepared: entering Shell House is an experience in itself. You must weave through a nondescript alley before being greeted by a security guard who checks your reservation. There’s a certain air of exclusiveness to this process, though it does border on the slightly unnecessary. For some, it will feel like a select club; for others, just a confusing start to the night.

Reception can add to that confusion. While the hosts politely offered to store our bags, they declined to take our coats—an oddly inconsistent policy that leaves you wondering about the reasoning.

Atmosphere Any doubt vanishes once you’re inside. The restaurant’s atmosphere is simply fantastic. The interiors strike a perfect balance between modern elegance and classic warmth, with outstanding lighting and comfortable seating that set the scene for a memorable meal.

Food The menu remains the highlight and is consistently excellent.

Starters included: Warmed Potato Bread with Smoked Oyster Butter: Decadent and inviting—the butter is rich and perfectly briny. Abrolhos Scallop with Fermented Cumquat, Pickled Chilli, Aged Vermouth: Delicate and adventurous, with layers of flavor. Spanner Crab with Fennel, Tomato, Grapefruit: Immaculate fresh crab enhanced with bright, zesty notes. Fremantle Octopus with Parsnip, Chermoula, Roast Grape: Tender octopus, with sweet/smoky dimension from the grapes and spices. Wagyu Bresaola, Horseradish, Melon, Agretti: A well-composed plate, beautifully balanced. Sydney Rock Oysters, Fingerlime & Verjus Mignonette: Fresh, vibrant, a true showcase of local produce.

Mains: Scotch Fillet with Jus and Mustard: Superb quality beef, cooked perfectly. Blue Eye Cod with Pickled Walnuts, Rainbow Chard, Ebi Prawn: Standout dish—flaky, fresh, elegantly accompanied by its garnishes.

Dessert: Lemon (Olive Oil, Limoncello, Meringue): Bright, zippy, and satisfying. Mille Feuille (Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, Mascarpone): Rich, layered, and indulgent. Chocolate (Cocoa Nib, Sobacha, Jersey Milk): Deeply flavored and inventive.

Service Here is where Shell House can falter. Some staff are attentive and efficient, but the service tends to be hurried and at times slightly pretentious. The pace can feel rushed, detracting from what should be a relaxed, special meal. A particular bright spot is the French sommelier, whose warm manner and deep wine knowledge added real joy to our evening—the wine pairings and recommendations were outstanding.

Overall Shell House Dining Room & Terrace delivers remarkable food in a beautiful setting—its strengths are truly world-class. However, the overall experience can be softened by inconsistent service and puzzling entry procedures. Still, for food lovers (and especially wine enthusiasts), it remains a must-try dining spot in Sydney—just come prepared for a few quirks...

Menzies Bar offers a subdued, relaxed atmosphere with dimmed lighting and a jazz DJ that sets the mood beautifully. It’s a charming space to unwind, especially during golden hour.

We visited during their $10 lobster roll special, which was a definite highlight. The roll was exactly what you'd expect, soft, buttery, and filled with a generous lobster and scallop mix, though slightly overdressed. Our starters of warm, plump olives and well-seasoned focaccia were a lovely way to begin, though the focaccia could be improved when compared to places like Kittyhawk.

Entrees included burrata served over fresh plum, nicely seasoned and a great match for the focaccia, and octopus skewers that arrived later but were well worth the wait. The octopus was grilled to perfection: tender, smoky, and topped with a sticky agrodolce and crushed pistachios.

The tomato tart with stracciatella was beautifully presented with buttery pastry, though the base could be easier to cut and the tomatoes more deeply roasted. The calamarata pasta with cuttlefish, pork ragu, and fennel was the standout of the evening, expertly balanced, with layers of flavor and a perfect al dente bite.

For mains, the ricotta gnudi with brown butter sage and rainbow chard was another hit, and the crumbed pork schnitzel was juicy, well-seasoned, and paired nicely with heirloom peppers. The quality of the pasta dishes is exceptional, we’d definitely return just for those.

Service was friendly but slow, especially considering the venue wasn’t busy when we arrived. It took nearly 20 minutes after receiving our drinks to be asked about food, which aligned with other reviews we’d read.

A small gripe: there are no dietary labels on the menu, which meant asking staff to clarify what was and wasn’t vegetarian, something that could easily be improved.

With a winter menu change around the corner, we’re already planning a return visit. The food is thoughtful and well-executed, and with a few tweaks in service and menu clarity, this could easily be a...

I recently visited the Shell House rooftop bar with high hopes of enjoying a delightful evening overlooking the city. Unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

First and foremost, the prices at Shell House are exorbitant, considering the underwhelming quality of both their drinks and service. The cocktails, which should be the highlight of any reputable bar, were surprisingly tasteless and lacked any unique flavors or creativity. It was disappointing to see such a limited selection of lackluster concoctions that failed to impress even the most basic of palates. In my opinion, the pricing structure did not align with the quality received, making it an overall poor value for money.

Moreover, the service at Shell House was lackadaisical, with inattentive staff members who seemed disinterested in providing a memorable experience for their customers. It took an excessive amount of time to get the attention of a waiter, and even when we did, their knowledge of the menu and cocktail recommendations were subpar. The lack of enthusiasm and attentiveness from the staff added to the overall underwhelming atmosphere of the venue. Given the underwhelming quality of the drinks and lackluster service, I cannot in good conscience recommend Shell House as a go-to rooftop bar. Instead, I would suggest exploring other options in the area that offer more vibrant atmospheres, superior cocktail craftsmanship, and better value for your money. There are numerous rooftop bars in the city that provide a more enjoyable experience, where you can savor well-crafted cocktails that truly leave a lasting impression.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an elevated and memorable rooftop bar experience, I would suggest steering clear of Shell House. There are better options available that offer more affordable prices, flavorful cocktails, and a more attentive and engaging service. Don't settle for mediocrity when there are superior alternatives just waiting to...