Review Riley St Garage - Sydney

Such an amazing restaurant that provides modern Japanese & Australian fusion cuisine. Interior design and atmosphere are wonderful. Food is delicious, creative and well presented. Staffs are super friendly and professional. The whole dining experience is enjoyable. Will definitely come back again and again. Highly recommended.

We recently had our wedding reception at Riley St Garage and had the ABSOLUTE BEST NIGHT. We couldn't imagine a better reception venue. The food was amazing and the team were outstanding, some of the best hospitality in Sydney. Every single time we've visited Riley St we've left so full and happy!!

My partner and I visited this restaurant on the 11th of December to celebrate our anniversary and we were both absolutely blown away, not only by the exquisite and delicious food, but the service received was above what we could've wished for. We were served by the Japanese waitress who was so sweet and accommodating to my dietary requirements. She was so lovely and made sure that it was no problem at all. Having dietary requirements, it is not everyday you come across restaurants that are so accommodating and willing to switch items on the set menu or adjust the ingredients specific dishes to make sure you can enjoy it. Every dish that we tried that night was full of flavour and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you for providing us with such a pleasant and hospitable dining experience. We will definitely be back soon.

The food was SO tasty and the wait staff are lovely! I was served by Alice, she was very friendly and attentive. We were particularly impressed by the steak and octopus. Wait times between courses were a bit long but understandable due to staff shortages. Will be coming back :)

The whole meal we were ooing and aahing about how delicious each dish was. Sashimi was very fresh, highly recommend the pork knuckle and the dashi mash. It wasn’t a big food menu, but definitely something for everyone. Shame we couldnt try the wagyu or lamb because of mum’s dietary requirements, maybe next time. Big drinks list. Really happy with the service as well.

Amazing place. The food was delicious and the service even better. We have a few food allergies and Sandro explained with lots of details the menu and what we could eat. 10/10 We're definitely coming back 😊

Riley Street Garage is one of those restaurants that I would revisit again and again. Great food, generous portion, beautiful interior decorations and a chic ambience. It has the perfect setting for a chill date night or a group celebration.

The hardest thing about my visit to Riley St Garage is to decide whether the service or the food was better... Having the set menu was not just a smart decision but also a delicious one, each plate was special, full of flavours an excellent gastronomic experience. The rib eye, the truffle mash potatoes, the sashimi or even the baked cauliflower (and I truly hate cauliflower) each one of those was a 5 star dish... Special thanks to Sandro, he made the experience even more spectacular.

Great place. Fantastic American style bar restaurante ambiance. Bar seating available if solo. Quality foods. We had 18 oysters and the 800g (sharing!) ribeye. The only item that fell short was the shoe string fries - I'd recommend the chef to opt for some better ones (possibly duck fried style, but realise that this might conflict with some of the food in the menu). Short, but to the point wine menu. Service was very good with lively staff. Dirty vodka martini's went well with the oysters!!. The NZ, Central Otago Pinot Noir at 99AUD is great! Great place! 5 stars in total.

Incredible food, great value and great atmosphere. I'm a big foodie and loved the tasting menu for two $79 Every dish was great and to end a platter of small nibble dessert with a flaming creme brûlée! Great dinner and drinks spot!

Love this place! Really cool ambience! Pork knuckle was sooooo yum, green pea risotto is the best risotto I've ever had, the chicken is really good as well and not to mention the dessert platter, WOW! (My fave was the liquid lemon cheesecake). Definitely will return! (Oh the truffle mash was so delicious too)

All of us were talking for days about how unbelievable the food was here. It was off to a good start with happy hour wines and beers and $1 oysters with yuzu granita. Some amazing cocktails on their list which absolutely deliver on all ingredients. By far the standout was their food however, all of which is designed to be shared. All dishes were outstanding, but the kingfish starter and the lamb were to die for. The service was fantastic. Couldn't fault them on anything based on my experience. I will 100% be bringing people back here !

Amazing food! Can't think of the best words to give it justice, but everything was fabulous! The dessert platter was unbelievable to say the least! Will definitely go back again next time we are in Sydney. Well done! The food simply could not have been better!

Great food but the service let me down - yes we were lingering at lunch but the waiters just disappeared at the end - never poured rest of our wine or took dessert orders after leaving the menu - we needed to hail down a random person to get the bill - the food was amazing but for service to just disappear - poor form. It gets the four stars for food and decor only.

This is my second visit , love the food ,brilliant atmosphere, and service is great. Gina looked after us yesterday, and on my previous visit too, highly recommend her service . Friendly, and good advice on choosing the food. Well done Riley Street Garage, keep up the brilliant food & service

OK! So, we were 30 mins late for lunch and they had cancelled our booking. No points from Dimmi. Our uber driver did a great job trying to get us there but due to so many road closures, we did a few laps of the Rocks and so were delayed. It wasn't a busy day so thought we might have a bit of understanding but whoever greeted us was a quite icy. Luckily the waiter was friendly but we were making a big effort, it was our wedding anniversary. The food was lovely, and we enjoyed it very much! I would go back. But what ever happened to good old fashioned hospitality! I've been a waiter too. Try the fish and chips! It's not what you think.Yum! The whole snapper was also great. And the liquid cheesecake was delish!

I had great oysters, but had to skip on the steak. If you're dining alone 800g are a bit on the "much" side. Overall great ambiance.

Food is a gastronomical delight, staff are very professional and friendly, atmosphere is a buzz. Great place for that something special

Amazing food and great staff. Pricey but worth it x had a great night here.

Best place ever we had dinner in Sydney. Great food, wines and service (Alex was very kind)! The oysters are delicious! We want to go back for dinner before we fly back to Brazil.

Love the dark interiors, very vintage feeling place! The menu is full of classics as well...standout dish was the lamb and the chocolate fondant...yummy gooey richness! And the service impeccable.

I had my 30th at your venue last night & we were seated on the round table in the back corner. So impressed!! I have to say how perfect the night was and how amazing and attentive the staff were. It was such a busy night but the team make it look effortless! Liam in particular was warm, funny and helped make the night that little bit more special. You guys always have top notch customer service & it makes all the difference.

Oysters a must, order one of each. Eggplant Miso fab. Crab � bao is good. Pearl, the server, is a pork knuckle powerhouse.

7/10 FOOD<br/>7/10 SERVICE<br/><br/>Food was flavoursome, great and fresh, service was fantastic. attentive, kind and friendly staff. The only down fall was definitely the amount of time our table waited for each course to come out. We waited almost an hour before main course was brought out. Hoping it was a one off.

Our friend celebrate their wedding for lunch there with their banquet menu there, they nicely decorate the dessert with sparkles! The food is with fusion elements and well present, service is great too.

Went for their $70 set menu and glad that they did include their signature truffle mash in it but would be great if they can bring back their oysters and beef carpaccio back on board too! Overall was a great night.

Place was a bit quiet on a rainy Saturday night, but nevertheless enjoyed the less noise. Decided to order a la carte instead of the banquet menu. Dishes were good and tasty, serving sizes a bit on the smaller side, and Columbian waitstaff member was friendly. Cocktails a bit of a miss.

This is a huge restaurant which has an extension menu so you can choose from a range of dishes. The dishes are aesthetic and delicious and some are really generous in portions. Service is great and staff are friendly.

The thing which pleased me the most is its ambience. It is a huge huge place with a hell lot of variety in their menu. They serve you the best sea food. The staff too is amazing.

Absolutely loved the vibes and food at Riley st garage and would highly recommend to everyone 🤩 we ordered the $85 banquet but I requested to swap out the edamame for the truffle oysters and surprisingly it was done at no extra cost! <br/>The truffle oysters were definitely a standout of the dishes in the banquet - the sauce was rich with truffle flavour, the oysters were so fresh as well 🤤 <br/>Sashimi tacos - generous servings of fresh salmon, great flavour and crispy taco <br/>Burrata with red capsicum - the burrata was so creamy and went so well with the bread and capsicum <br/>Pork knuckle, greens and truffle mash - truffle mash was amazing very strong truffle flavour and very smooth. The pork knuckle was cooked and seasoned well with crispy pork crackling 🤩 and paired well with the greens and truffle mash and portion size was massive!! We couldn’t finish it all<br/>Deconstructed lemon cheesecake - this was super fun to eat and tasted really good as well <br/><br/>Service was super quick too

Riley St Garage is definitely one of my favourite places to eat, the food is top quality and service is beyond amazing! ❤️🤗 We had the rib-eye which was perfectly cooked, so incredibly soft and not chewy at all 🤤 And omg I’m even exaggerating but the pork knuckle from @rileystgarage is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!!! 🐷😍 I like to pair this with their truffle mash because it’s just so heavy duty 😂 The skin is next level crispy and the meat is sooo tender and fatty 🤤 The seeded mustard sauce is more on the sweeter side, sooo incredibly tasty! The sauce is so perfect 😭😋 This is definitely a must-have when going to Riley’s 👌<br/>& the SMOKEY SOY TRUFFLE oysters! 🤩 These oysters are my favourite oysters ever ❤️ That dressing is everything 🤤 I’d describe what it tastes like but the name says it all, smokey, soy and truffle 🥺😩 These oysters are freshly shucked as well 🤗😍 All the other dishes were just as good, Riley’s never disappoints! ✨<br/>

What a cool place this is. My daughter and I popped in for a spot of lunch after a morning at the Australian Museum.<br/><br/>We got a very warm welcome and the service was slick and friendly. My daughter ordered a cheese burger and fries (she told me that it was excellent) and I ordered the pork belly ramen, which was hot and spicy.<br/><br/>One of the other highlights was a flaming mock-tail they made for my daughter.<br/><br/>Highly recommended.

I’ve loved Riley for so long. It never disappoint me. Best pock knuckle I’ve had! Very crackling!! And the pickle apple OMG this dish impress me every time and impress all the frds I bring! And wagyu! !And dessert!! Really anything you pick from the menu can’t be wrong. Love the wine collection.

4.5 ⭐️ . Tucked away in an unassuming street and what a find! I had no expectations and was blown away by the taste. The shared plates was perfect for trying a little of everything. And I think we managed to try half of the menu between us. <br/>Highlights: the sashimi taco - unexpectedly good. Beef carpaccio - perfectly seasoned. The wagyu tri dip - so tender. The octopus - perfectly cooked, lamb shoulder - yum! Mashed potato - wasn't heavy on the truffle and I loved the sauce for the greens. I can't fault anything with the food. <br/>Lowlights: half a star off for the one of the head servers - a smile wouldn't hurt....

Love the venue and the drinks. Food is nice but nothing to write home about. Our waiter was lovely on the night and the place has a great vibe.

Even though this spot is definitely for the meat lover, we ordered the seafood dishes. They didn’t disappoint. Highlights for me were the salmon sashimi tacos with bacon cream and ponzu truffle. A flavour sensation. As well as the sake steamed pipis and mussels. Fresh, quality ingredients made creatively! #seafood #sydneyeats

I made a reservation for the January special, half price on the $110 banquet. What a bargain right! The ambience of the place was really good, what I look out for during a date night. Dark but still lively. The service was really amazing in the beginning, food was coming out pleasantly fast. I did find the food although pretty average, some dishes I enjoyed more than others. I found the kingfish sashimi & carpaccio cut too thick, but this is based on my own liking. My favourite was the rib-eye, they didn’t ask us how we liked it served so it was a bit rare. I did still enjoy it. The dessert platter was fairly disappointing, although I think it was cheap out because of the half price special which I am not complaining about. The dining duration was about 2-2.5 hours so do keep that in mind.<br/><br/>Overall, a good dining experience for a great deal.

Booked the 50% off the $110 banquet for lunch and was not disappointed.<br/><br/>Food was great although dishes didnt give me the wow factor. Not sure if it was worth the original $110pp price tag but at $55pp, this was an amazing price. Service was friendly. My partner was over 30min late but we were not rushed at all and appreciate it =)<br/><br/>Food took slightly long near the end so be prepared to chat alot with your dining friends !<br/>Highlight was probably the truffle mash and the oysters.<br/><br/>Food 8/10<br/>Service 8/10<br/>Ambience 8/10<br/><br/>

We had the $110 banquet and most dishes were phenomenal. Highlight dishes were the soy truffle oysters and sake mussels and clams, the seafood was very fresh and cooked perfectly. Would definitely recommend this banquet as the servings are very generous and worth the price.

Everything was amazing. We ordered the $70 banquet for 4 people and ordered two sets of oysters on top (they were so good we had to order them again). Not one dish was a disappointment, everything left us speechless especially the pork knuckle. My favourite dishes of the night were the soy truffle oysters, truffle mash and of course the pork knuckle. <br/>Definitely coming back. The ambiance of the restaurant was also good.<br/>We also ordered a whole bunch of cocktails and they were on point too, recommend the ruby and kicks after six.<br/>We were left so full we couldn’t breathe 😂

I came with my family for a birthday dinner and was greeted promptly and friendly by the waitresses. There was heaps of atmosphere and ambience, I was super excited to have my meal!! After being seated, we were promptly attended to take our orders.<br/><br/>The food was delicious and of a high quality. The waiters were super nice but the overall experience was disappointing. We waited over an hour and a half for the mains to arrive in which we waited over 45 minutes just to receive all the entrees we ordered. We had to follow up our orders more than once just because it took so long for the food to arrive. i would recommend this place for decent food if you can confidently sit in a restaurant for over 3 hours for a meal.

Perfect place for a date night or special occasion. Came here for my partners birthday and had the 5th Birthday Banquet Menu of the chefs selections. Started strong with the truffle oysters and eased our way through unique dishes ranging from salmon sashimi , slow cooked lamb shoulder , truffle mash and an exquisite liquid lemon cheesecake. Every dish was well presented and of high quality. I definitely recommend Riley St Garage whether with friends or a loved one.

Got the $110 banquet with added chorizo corn dog and shoe string fries - this was amongst 2 people and it was very filling. I really liked both mocktails on the menu. Soy truffle oysters, sashimi tacos and dry aged rib eye were my favourites. The banquet had dishes with a variety of flavours, it would be particularly enjoyed if you’re a truffle lover! Dessert presentation was on point and delicious too. Staff and a service were superb but food came out a little slow despite the restaurant being a little busy on a Saturday night. We dined in for about 2 hours in total as the mains took awhile to come. Ambiance is very nice for a date or small group. I would come back to try the pork knuckle

Service was great, food was amazing however, we waited an hour and a half for the mains. Luckily, I had good company and alcohol so it wasn't too bad. <br/><br/>I loved the oysters - mignonette & soy truffle flavours were delicious and unique. The crispy pork knuckle OMG!! Crispy skin, soft and tender on the inside with the pickled apple! Perfect! <br/><br/>Truffled mash was good. Beef carpaccio and grilled snapper were quite nice but nothing special.<br/>Cocktails were okay. <br/><br/>Good value for money. Between the four of us, we spent $200 including drinks which is pretty good.

Some friends had recommended Riley St Garage so we were looking forward to trying it. Overall, the food was delicious. We had the sashimi taco, beetroot tartare, soft shell crab bao, mushroom risotto, and lamb shoulder. Plus the brownie chocolate dessert. Really enjoyed the lamb shoulder and the seafood dishes. We weren’t fussed on the beetroot starter or the risotto. We found the risotto to be quite bland. It needed a good grating of quality Parmesan on top. We did ask for this but unfortunately they didn’t have any. I was tempted to go across the street to Woolworths and buy a block for the kitchen!I would have given this restaurant 4 stars but unfortunately I can’t as I didn’t enjoy the experience as much as I could have. The music was really loud - they had speakers everywhere. Combine that with hard wooden surfaces, and lots of diners yelling to be heard, and it made for a very loud evening. I go out to dinner to talk to the person I’m with. I felt like my husband and I were shouting at each other all night in order to have a conversation.....not relaxing!I don’t understand these restaurants that think they are nightclubs. It’s a popular place so people mustn’t mind it. Interestingly, a lot of the crowd on Saturday night was older than us. Unfortunately we wouldn’t go back because of the noise levels. The service was OK but could have been better. If you like yummy food and don’t mind yelling at your dining companions, then this is the place for you!

Ordered way too much, but all of it was amazing and flavourful! Cocktails pre dinner put us in the mood and we loved the lay out ! Perfect for birthdays or functions

The oysters were so delicious, highlight of the meal. I loved all the dishes we ordered, and they were plated beautifully. The service was also really good. I would definitely consider going back multiple times.

Riley st garage was a great place to celebrate a birthday. The atmosphere was warm and cheery and workers were great also. Entrees and dessert were a 3/5 but the mains were 5/5... loved the chips, mash, dry aged steak and lamb shoulder!!!! Drinks were also fantastic...

Riley St. Garage is housed in a 1934 art deco parking station and garage that was designed for Drive Yourself Lessey’s Limited by the architectural partnership Wilshire & Hodge. With two ground levels, Lessey's Garage, as it was colloquially known, once incorporated a garage, machine shop, car wash and service station – basically your one-stop shop for all things automotive. As the days of full-service parking garages moved behind us, Frank Lowy used the space as a personal parking area for his Westfield executives. In 2013, the heritage listed building with its beautiful stepped brick façade, was morphed into the form you see it now. Architect Richard Alexander from RAD Studios cleverly maintained as much of the original industrial warehouse elements as possible, including the ornate steel beams lit with fairy lights that catch your eye as you enter the expansive room.The room’s centrepiece is a large 30-seat bar with curved edges that fit with the period. While you can sit there, or on a long brown leather banquette running most of the length of the space, it’s hard to beat the sheer comfort of the plump leather window seats. Sinking into this kind of seat calls for a whiskey, and the Service Manual answers this call with a Smoked Old Fashioned ($20). It arrives in...

Went there once but loved it. Good atmosphere! Its a good place to hang out and chill. My favourite dish to order was oysters! Nice and fresh. Staff was lovely!

Riley's started off incredibly strong, with a fun server and cool atmosphere. Our cocktails were prompt and the smoked old fashioned arrived at the table in a smouldering box, which was a cool twist on the trend of smoked drinks that started a few years ago. Sadly, the smouldering box was more about the show, as the drink didn't take on much of the flavour (my favourite version of this is at The Park in Banff, Alberta, where a square chunk of wood is set directly on top of the cocktail). <br/><br/>We started with oysters (on special that night) and the seared tartare. Both were on point, but sadly this is where our server disappeared (leaving his unusually large section hanging) for an awkward length of time. Eventually a manager came by and took the rest of our orders, but the damage was done by that point.<br/><br/>The lamb and pork knuckle were both OK, but the pork seemed to be fried and neither had much for flavour. When the two share sides arrived it was clear we ordered way too much food for two people, as the prices lead us to believe portions would be quite small. <br/><br/>In the end Riley was simply OK. Had the service stayed strong I would likely bump them to a 3.5, but that would have been a bit generous considering the mains lacked flavour/ambition.

The food here was fantastic coupled with the dark hue atmosphere. The service was very good as well. It was definitely worthwhile going for the banquet. <br/>

Love the locale and decor. The service excelled from entrance, every staff member was professional and fun. Food was special from the soft shell crab boi, kingfish, tartar, tortellini to the lamb and ribeye. Everything was plated and tasted fantastic. A must visit.

My boyfriend went here for a work dinner and decided to take me.<br/><br/>Parking is very easy - there is plenty of street parking.<br/><br/>So we made a booking to this place and we were about 10-15 mins late. As we arrived and told them we had a booking, the girl that was serving us gave us this look which I did not appreciate and said in a tone 'sorry we gave your table up, as you can see it's like 7:45 so yeah' - I was not happy, thought it was a bit rude to be honest. <br/><br/>I know that we should've called but I have been to places before where 10-15 mins late was not an issue and never received this type of remark before.<br/><br/>Anywho, she still managed to get us a table but still didn't appreciate that attitude.<br/><br/>Pros<br/>- Service amongst other waiters and the lady who recommend drinks<br/>- I like how the dishes are made to share<br/>- Smoked soy truffle oysters!!<br/>- Steak tartare<br/>- the melting cheese dish!!! When you cut into it, it oozes out like butter<br/>- barramundi main - the dressing/sauce is so nice<br/><br/>Cons<br/>- the girls serving at the door<br/>- I did not enjoy the passion fruit oysters, it was sort of overpowering with the passion fruit<br/><br/><br/>

Used to come here all the time. Went recently and will never go back again. The food was horrible, service was horrible. Drinks were still good... but wow talk about a fall from grace

Amazing vibe and large dining space that if beautifully decorated. This joint is perfect for birthday dinners and a good catch up. <br/>we ordered multiple items from the a la carte menu, however they do have multi set menus that you could choose from. <br/>This place is amazing, food were all perfectly cooked and delicious. The only let down was the chorizo corn dog. Would definitely return to try their remainder items on the menu, our dish of the day was the 800g steak and tuna tataki, a must order is definitely the truffle mash - silky smooth smash with delicious truffle oil. <br/>Also, great service and exceptional wine list to top off the nice

We had dinner here last night for my partners birthday. The food, ambience and customer service were top notch 👌 We had ordered the small share platter: tempura squid (which was lovely and fresh!), large share platter: jap pumpkin risotto, and finally for mains: 800gm Riverine steak (cooked med rare) with sides of mushroom and truffle mash. The meals were faultless 😊 As always, we over-ordered and felt like this was more than enough. We could of skipped on the risotto, but the steak was truly a highlight. However, there was always room for dessert. We got special; which included creme brulee, coconut sorbet and lemon cheesecake. <br/><br/>Overall; 10/10 dining experience 😀

Amazing experience from start to finish. Warm and attentive service offering food and wine suggestions. The food was very well thought-through and balanced. Every element of each dish was of the highest quality, fresh and cooked impeccably. The selection of wine and cocktails were generous and perfectly selected. Not to mention the creative presentation ! Will be revisiting again

Don't be fooled by the large and open space of Riley St Garage. You are treated as if you are in an intimate restaurant by the service. Our waiter was so vibrant and attentive. He really added to the whole experience.<br/><br/>The food is divine. Each dish cooked to perfection and balanced in flavour. My favourites were the truffle oysters, beef carpaccio and truffle mash. The tiniest negative was that the chocolate brownie tasted a little more on the fruit cake side of things, rather than really chocolatey. I would absolutely go back here.

Meeting up with some friends from our early days in Dubai, I was more than happy to a) see them again and b) have someone else choose the restaurant.  With nearly 20 days of meals to choose in our tour across Australia, I was running out of steam once we returned to Sydney (which could also be related to the un-fun vacation cold I managed to pick up in Port Douglas).  Therefore, when someone else told me when and where to show up, I was over the moon.  Throw in a fun cocktail menu, a dynamic interior, and some excellent food and Riley Street Garage was the location for a perfect Friday evening.

Fantastic venue in renovated garage, very funky and chic with excellent service and great ambience. Highly recommend the oysters which are fresh daily from different spots around the country. Fun wine list to boot! Definitely be back!!!

Omg the steak, truffle mash and liquid cheesecake is a must here. Would definitely go back a few times to eat that. Great atmosphere, but pricey though and the waiters could be a bit nicer.

My friend and I came here for a much needed catch up and what better way than to sit at the bar and have a few glasses of rose and a burger!<br/><br/>This place is near by work and initially when we went in, about 12.15pm on a Friday, we were the first ones there but soon it got much busier.<br/><br/>On recommendation, I tried their classic burger and my friend had their mushroom burger which we managed to devour. I prefer my chips to be thicker but that didn't stop me from finishing my plate clean!<br/><br/>It was nice sitting along the bar as we got to admire their large collection of alcohol. I wouldn't mind trying their pork knuckle from their full menu next time!

We opted for the banquet for our first visit to Riley St Garage, just so we could get a little taste of everything. We were wrong to think it was gonna be a "little taste," as the serving sizes were super generous!<br/><br/>Definitely go the oysters - with the truffle dressing!<br/><br/>Also, don't skip the Dessert platter/box ;)

One of my new favourites in Sydney. I have been here twice now with exceptional food and great service. Every dish was fantastic and possibly the best oysters I've had in Sydney

Dined there twice. Very good the first time, slightly disappointed the second time. <br/>During our second visit, the kitchen must be short staffed. We waited long time for each of our dishes.<br/>Dessert was nice though, we had a dessert platter, and every single one of them is nice.

We got a special deal to try their $75 tasting menu at half price. The venue oozes cool, a big open warehouse garage space converted with a long stretch bar in the middle. The dinning tables to one side & kitchen to the other. This tasting menu consist of 7 courses, all sharing plates. The oysters to start were fresh & served with a tangy soy dressing. Then next two were "raws", snapper sashimi & beef carpaccio were ok, not particularly exciting. The pumpkin ravioli had nice flavours, but the pasta was a bit thick. The BBQ octopus were nicely charred, not chewy, with a nice sauce coating. At this point after 5 courses we were a bit concern that we would still be hungry, everything so far had been bite size (the octopus was slightly bigger at about 5 bites). Then came the pork knuckle! Definitely the highlight of the meal. It was a quite big size knuckle & plenty for the 3 of us. It was crispy, lots of crackling, the meat were mostly moist, the sauce had a hint of sweetness balancing the savoury. The final course was a dessert platter, unfortunately for me I was either allergic (mango sorbet) or not like (creme brûlée & cheesecake with cream) half of the selection. The pear sorbet & honeycomb were nice. Overall, I probably wouldn't come back just for the food, but the atmosphere is great, and a great place to come with a brunch of friends to have a few drinks & something to eat.

Place has that rustic vibe to it, with the dim lightings, copper pipes and the jazzy blues kinda music you can't help but feel relaxed there after a long day of work. Now food-wise it's nice, a bit too expensive but you get what you pay for; large servings that could fill up two individuals completely. The food was a bit of hit and miss for me, i had the snapper, was so good and just melted in the mouth, we had a risotto serving for the table too, i thought the rice was a bit undercooked. We also had the chicken, was so nicely cooked, only missing a good sauce to complete the dish. The mussels were spot on, loved that dish!<br/>The service was too slow and food took forever to come out, but then again the restaurant was somehow busy so i will cut them some slack for that.

The place is amazing! The fit out is cool and funky really big and open space. Had the $90 set menu and it did not disappoint. The "fish and chips" were a highlight- salmon tartare with super crispy potato and a great tangly dressing. Pumpkin ravioli was fantastic, filing had a great flavor. Beef carpaccio was fresh and had a great flavor. Stand out was definitely dessert platter- hazelnut semi freddo, honeycomb, deconstructed liquid lemon cheesecake and an amazing vanilla creme brûlée that came to the table still lit. Visually stunning! Highly recommend<br/>

Really enjoyed dinner at Riley Street Garage on a busy Saturday night. The venue is spacious and has a great vibe and the waitstaff are attentive and knowledgable. Between 3 people we ordered the scallops and the octopus to share for entree followed by the lamb shoulder and the mushroom and broccolini side dishes. The octopus was a particular highlight as was the generous serving of lamb which literally fell off the bone. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends.

Our monthly dinner was our first Black Label dinner and we chose Riley Street Garage.<br/><br/>We selected one of the set banquet menus to try and I was a tad iffy about the fish and chips tartar and the beef carpaccio. Sorry but I did give the beef a miss but the fish and chips tartar was quite nice as was the truffle mash with the final meal. <br/><br/>We were a small group and were placed in a private area which made the evening more intimate and allowed us to have conversations we could hear. The main dining area seemed to be rather loud.<br/><br/>I will be honest the food is good but not 'Oh my god I must go there' having said that though yes I would recommend you go there because the ambiance is pleasant and the food tasty. As other reviewers have said the portion size is a tad on the small side of things but I certainly did not leave hungry.

Pricey - but worth it. Apart from their lunch menu, Riley St Garage isn't a place to go to on a regular basis due to the limits of my wallet. However, when you do go, each dish is made with real precision. Extremely tasty, though if you're a big eater, then the portion sizes may be a bit small for you. As a group of 6 males, some people were longing for a maccas run...

Went here last Friday with a party of 7 for my sisters bday. It was my second time and I thoroughly enjoyed both experiences! <br/><br/>We had the ~$80 banquet and the highlight for me was the sage burnt butter ravioli, the lamb & the dessert platter. Most of us liked all the dishes with a few exceptions here and there, purely down to individual preference. I'm not a huge fan of sashimi but the kingfish dish was top quality and all the seafood we had was super fresh! <br/><br/>The cocktails ranged in price and most of the ones we had were well done. <br/><br/>This is casual fine dining done well, and the decor just ties that package up really well - I'd go back for a celebration :)

I've heard so many great things about this place so I definitely had to check it out. I love the dim-lit ambience and welcoming service. Food is pretty good too although the portions are considerably small for their prices.

Excellent food and drinks in a chilled atmosphere, but unfortunately it is ridiculously pricey for what you get. All the small share plates contain 2 bite-sized portions, while the 'large' share plates are equivalent to entree sized dishes at most other similar restaurants. We don't mind paying a bit more for good food, but this restaurant is a bit of a paradox in the sense that it operates on an industrial garage theme while serving tiny food portions which neither fit in with the theme nor offer a fine dining experience. There are plenty of better restaurants in and near the CBD that are in the same price range and can offer better gastronomical experiences.

Finally, got to tick this one off my list! <br/><br/>As expected it was sensational! Got the espresso martini with salted caramel to start! That def hit the spot. Share among 3 people we got the following:  <br/><br/>Spinach ricotta ravioli w/ burnt sage butter $14 <br/>Tempura Zucchini flowers, whipped feta $14<br/><br/>Chicken Liver Parfait, fruit pickles, sour dough $14 <br/>Chorizo corn dog, dijon mayo $4ea<br/><br/>Steak Tartare, barley miso, parmesan nori $18<br/>700gm Organic half chicken w/ apple, onion vinaigrette $28<br/><br/>Wow! Presentation wise and taste = excellent. Staff were very attentive and patient as we were also paying with the new Clipp app. The place is very spacious and takes you away as soon as you enter. We got the dessert platter to finish and it was nothing short of spectacular!

Amazing food and very attentive customer service. As soon as you walk in - it feels ultra sexy and the dim lighting is great for intimate dinners or your next tinder date. The space is large and they have these big round tables at the back which are great for groups. I highly recommend the steak tartare and the organic chicken. Dont forget to order the dessert platter!

The food is basically fine, essentially meeting expectations for the price point, although I was still left feeling fairly hungry after the $75 tasting menu. <br/><br/>The low score is because we were unlucky enough to be served by the bitchiest male waiter I've ever experienced. Porn-stached, pot-bellied and blond, this light-footed waiter seemed to almost implode when he wasn't given a tip at the end of the meal - a result of his consistently poor service. Sarcastic comments and rolled eyes are not a nice way to cleanse the palate, and I'll be happy not to have to experience this unpleasantness again by avoiding eating here again.

I really like this place. <br/><br/>The food is great and the drinks are solid <br/><br/>It has a sexy New York style feel... but my god is it expensive for what it is <br/><br/>Each time I have eaten with a group and their share menus are so over priced and really poorly put together. <br/><br/>I am always left hungry and I wish you didn't have to share a single dessert especially when paying $60-$70<br/><br/>

Enjoyed a fabulous long ladies lunch at Riley Street Garage. The $60 tasting menu was deliciously fresh however portion sizes were quite small. The gift inclusion was a lovely touch. Beverage service could have been slightly faster but the staff were friendly and efficient in all other areas.

They have done a really good job. Set in an Art Deco building that use to be a car mechanics garage. The share plates are stunning, the highlight being the pork knuckle and the truffle mashed potatoes.

Cure your evening at a classy yet casual wine bar with the ideal company enjoyed over a variety of delightful share plates. Spice your appetite with the addictive bite-size chorizo corn dog with dijon mayo whilst slurping up an incredibly refreshing oysters that were seasoned with mignoette jelly and foie gras.

The food is good bit the combination in the banquet is quite odd and doesn't really flow. Beautiful food and great service but just doesn't know what it is trying to be and is a bit over priced.

After seeing the early Friday night show of the very fun show ‘Velvet’ at the Sydney Opera House (a sexy disco circus concert), we wandered back to grab a 9pm reservation at Riley St Garage (how European, eating so late!). A converted garage in Woolloomooloo seemed like a good place to eat.

Formerly a garage, the large industrial space has been converted into an upscale bar and restaurant, Riley St Garage in Woolloomoolo. The interior is dark and chic, with a large oval shaped bar in the middle. The menu is made for sharing and we started off with the Smokey Soy Truffle oysters. Beautifully presented, the smoked soy really enhanced the flavour of the freshly shucked oysters and I could easily have eaten a few more!

We went to Riley Street Garage on a dimmi deal and it was great. It is a large venue and even on a Tuesday night it was busy and had a good atmosphere. The service was good with a knowledgable waiter offering food and wine recommendations. We started with Sydney rock oysters one from each of of the flavours. Next was the beef carpaccio which was delicious and one of the highlights of the night. We then moved on to the scallops which were cooking perfectly and one of the largest I've ever eaten. For mains we got the slow cooked lamb shoulder which fell of the bone and also the trademark pork knuckle. I don't normally love pork but it was so tasty and cooked perfectly, crispy crackling but juicy and moist in the centre. I would highly recommend. This is definitely a place I will go back to and a good night out for a couple but would be great with a group.

Sleek interior with an industrial grunge vibe. We ordered a couple of dishes to share with some hits and misses. I recommend the pork knuckle, one of the better versions in Sydney with moist meat and a tangy seeded mustard gravy that cut the richness. Still a very more-ish dish and us three girls struggled to finish it. The soy truffle oyster was also a punchy starter but the smaller NSW rock oysters are the better choice due to their sweeter, delicate flavour. The miso eggplant gratin was also a highlight, with its creamy flesh and salty crust. We were mostly unimpressed with the grilled octopus which did not live up to its 'large share' status (and was it meant to be served cold?). The dessert platter also looked better than it tasted - the best component was the pistachio creme brulee, while the mango ice-cream, honeycomb and deconstructed lemon tart got a collective shrug upon tasting. Service was friendly but the food took awhile to reach our table. On the positive side, all the dishes hit the table at the same time.

Great place- hidden gem that ticks all the right boxes. The place is decorated really nicely ,  and the food is tasty . A little expensive for what you get , but nothing crazy . Staff  knew their stuff . Can get a little loud on  a Friday night but that adds to the charm :)

I definitely think this place deserves better ratings! The pork knuckle is so large, so flavoursome and the pork crackling was so crispy and melt in your mouth (and I'm not usually a fan of pork) <br/><br/>The tataki and heirloom salad were also great dishes. Very well balanced and decent portions. I'm definitely returning here!!!!<br/><br/>Update: Just came here for the $75 banquet and every dish was just perfecto! We really enjoyed the oysters, truffle mash, pork knuckle (of course) and the dessert platter was outstanding!

Great venue but underwhelmed by the food. Had the banquet with a group and enjoyed a mouthful of salmon tartare and beef carpaccio then there was the rest. Left hungry and unimpressed. There is a point where a restaurant tries so hard to be cool and different and forgets the basic premise of food. This place crossed it. Would rate it for nibbles and drinks as beautiful venue with great lighting and ambience.

The Ladies of Sunday brunch club bent the rules a little and did Saturday "Ladies who lunch" $60 set menu at Riley St Garage. The service was attentive and the 8 dishes were a treat plus that glass of sparkling wine. My favourite dishes would be the smokey soy truffle oysters and the liquid lemon cheesecake, ahhhh-mazing! As described by the waiter, it was definitely a light lunch. The place has a great vibe and beautifully decorated. I would recommend ordering from the menu if you are there for lunch or dinner. For me? I'll just stick to my champagne brunches :)

Riley Street Garage has launched a Ladies Who Lunch concept on Saturdays. For $60 a head you’ll enjoy a glass of bubbles on arrival and eight dish menu. Book in advance and you’ll also receive a little gift bag with a mini YSL mascara and lipstick. This low lit venue is perfect for a winters lunch with friends. Start with your glass of Chandon Vintage Blanc de Blanc and let the dishes come out one after another. The best part is you don’t need to stop chatting to worry about placing your order, it’s all done for you.

Well intentioned, great tasting but very over priced for portions and slow with service. Eating here was unsatisfying with portion sizes, albeit very tasty morsels to share, but I will not be back. Drinks took far too along to arrive and clumsy wait staff mixed up orders.

...a venue where it is best to share. With so many delicious items on the menu, that works as you get to try a little of everything! To start, friends of mine ordered the oysters ($4ea), while myself and another friend opted for the Chorizo Corndog with Dijon Mustard with the recommendation of our waitress for the evening. ($4ea)

Good food but service is the deal breaker. My second time back tonight. Great tasting food but due to solely the poor service, I will not be coming back. <br/>Our tasting menu was spread across 3 hours. We don't mind taking our time in good company but it was extremely slow! Where we could have ordered another bottle of wine and at least 3 more round of beers for our table of four, we did not order because we simply did not have the opportunity to which is a testament to the horrible table service by the waiter we had. We did not even get more than a second refill of our water! We didn't bother asking but really we shouldn't have had to??!<br/>Again, if the service was even close to satisfactory, we would come back because of the good food but the bad service has affirmed a non return for us.

Below average. The food is good however the service is sub standard. If you are charge $600 for 6 people, I should expect table service. We arrived at 6.30 pm and after ordering 4 wines we were encourage to hurry up and order as our table was gone at 8.15. Food for good, not excellent but the was the service standard through out was terrible. I will never return.<br/><br/>Regards<br/><br/>Roger

Average food, bad service and NYC Ripoff poorly executed. Food was medium to good. The beetroot salad, zucchini flowers and the lamb shoulder were average but the beef sliders and grilled mushrooms were fantastic.<br/><br/>Most importantly the waitress offered still water when we were seated which we accepted. Hilariously we found out when we received the bill that we had been charged $5 per person for the water. And when I remarked to the hostess that this was unusual she said that it was 'unlimited and probably the cheapest water you would find in Sydney haha'. Meanwhile, we only had one glass each - not that it should matter. <br/><br/>The service was also very poor with only being asked for another drink after we have finished our hour course meal and our waters only filled from when we sat at the table.<br/><br/>Really put a damper on the overall meal, seems like a poorly executed duplicate of Buvette in NYC.<br/><br/>Price: OK<br/>Service: Poor

...By fortuitously running late for a road trip to a wedding, I bought myself enough time to meet up with Him (and his flatmate Sam, HI SAM!) and duck into this cute little establishment to try the burgers.

Riley St Garage, as name states is a less than modest space remodeled out of an old garage along Riley Street in Woolloomoolo. Not immediately visible upon turning into the street, a non-descript sign on the steel doors marks the entry point, a slight steel slatted facade retrofitted into the red bricked building. The space is lofty, at most times, basic and industrial - outfitted with sleek plumped up leather chairs and a large bar counter that takes center stage with its perky notes of feminine expressions arising from the vase of fresh sunflowers. I adore the retro touches, store rooms with the sign 'spare parts room' nailed to the door and the fun black working overalls donned by the waitstaff bridging a relevance to the garage concept.  We dived straight in for the dirty deed: Let's Do Lunch deal in line with the Sydney Good Food Month. And for $38/person, this is what we got... First course: Smoky Soy Truffle Oysters . 2 for him and 2 for me, the Pacific oysters a better companion to the Smoked soy vinaigrette, it's taste, less piquant, allowing for the tangy dressing to carry its weight whereas the Sydney Rock oysters with it's heavier body, acquired from a longer period of maturation worked with mild discontent with the acidic dressing. Second Course: Crispy Pork Knuckle with soy mustard/ pickled apple/ iceberg lettuce salad with herb and blue cheese vinegar & chips. (1 trotter for us to share fight over) I pondered the size of those despondent piggies till I took in my first forkful. The shatteringly crisp skin giving way to a meltingly moist interior. The soy mustard dressing that pools at the bottom of the plate grew on me after its slight sweetish first impression -  I was licking up the remnants with the aid of a spongy chip (i acquired this after quite a good amount of rummaging) at the end of the meal. Despite it's deceivingly small size on first glance, there wasn't a need for any more than served given it's excellent deliverance, the marginal utilit

We start with kingfish sashimi, sitting in white soy and pork dust and my oh my, this was so light and fresh. I don’t think I could ever get enough of this...But I tell you what I would not be able to live without for sure if I was to come back to RSG, it would be for their beef carpaccio, soaked in soy vinegar and finished off with brioche croutons. The beef was so full of flavour, though it looked heavy in all ways, it was in fact light, I enjoyed the croutons but would have preferred a little more crunch.

NYC Manhattan feel, dark but noisy, alive and inviting. Felt like midnight inside even though it was 7pm on a Tuesday night. Will impress...

What used to be a garage (literally) has now been turned into a snazzy hot eatery – just next door to where my friends...

“Why is it called Riley St Garage? I understand it’s located on Riley St though, what’s with the ‘Garage’” Quite literally, this space used to be a garage. It all makes sense now.. Old time garage, new time, art deco fit out which screams suavity.   We arrive at 8pm for our booking at the gorgeous bar positioned in the centre of this large industrial space. Pleasantly surprised, the bar stools are cushioned and better yet, they have a back rest – I make myself right at home. Seated at the bar, enjoying the open kitchen  Friday night calls for girls night, catch ups, oysters & champagne. Our bartender Chris, is very helpful and seems to know his way perfectly around the menu.  Kicking the night off with a celebratory glass of Champagne.  Oysters $4each 3 Pacific Smoky Soy Truffle 1 Sydney Rock Smoky Soy Truffle 3 Pacific Mignonette Jelly, Foie Gras 1 Sydney Rock Mignonette Jelly, Foie Gras  I am a Sydney Rock Girl myself though, I have read numerous reviews encouraging the Pacific as your selection.  Dare I say it? These Pacific oysters were better than the Sydney Rocks! Furthermore, the Smoky Soy Truffle compliments the Pacific oysters almost a little too well. It’s dangerous, I want to order more. I tend to like Sydney Rock’s because they’re smaller and I like the idea of it being a one-bite-wonder. Meaning, one bite and its slithering down. I don’t like having to chew my oysters more than once. Personal preference I guess, each to their own of course!  These oysters were some of the freshest oysters I have had in Sydney, they were so tender, not a tough part on them. Served gorgeously on a platter of ice with a large ice ornament in the centre.  Fish n chip tartare, miso dressing $18 My friend J, having been to RSG many times in the past,  couldn't  recommend the fish n chip tartare highly enough. The silky smooth, perfectly Brunoise dice

Great people, Great place, Great time. We love the atmosphere, the people, the staff and the food. They always look after you here!

THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!. Wow, this place was incredibly disappointing. From the moment sitting down we were ignored and then the waiter has the nerve to come over and start to patronise us. The Manager was also a complete smart ass to us and very rude. We thought it would be nice to check out the local area and liked the menu enough to try it out, but after the first 20 minutes of our welcoming becoming am awful, laughable experience and actually leading to my partner asking me if we were on camera..... I would DEFINITELY NOT recommend this place to anyone!!! Save your money on the overpriced drinks and food that looked unappealing and go to a nice bar that actually serves gourmet food to match the decor. This place does not justify it's price or it's incredibly unfriendly, rude staff.

Balance between con-artists and top chefs....... On booking the table for 8 I was told that we must use the $80 set menu at the minimum. Cool.<br/><br/>I then received an invoice via email to pay a $20 deposit for the booking. Cool.<br/><br/>The deposit isn't actually a deposit, it's taken off your bill (how awkward is that when splitting the bill at the end of the evening, "erm can you pay the restaurant this much then me this much...."). Not cool.<br/><br/>Refund policy: <br/>"Should your booking be cancelled more than 48 hours before it was due to take place the deposit will be issued as a gift voucher or can be used for an alternate booking date.<br/>If less than 48 hours notice is given Riley St Garage will retain the deposit as the cancellation fee."<br/><br/>- 48 hours notice and you only get a gift cert - how arrogant is that, you get better with an airline! Not cool.<br/><br/>On arrival it is also assumed that you will be having oysters along with your $80 p/h menu. "Sir how would you like your oysters..?" Er, madam, there aren't any on our set menu. No you are right it's extra...." Not cool.<br/><br/>"Wine sir?" Yes a bottle of sav. thx. She picks the $90 p/b and then opens a second one without asking us. Not cool.<br/><br/>15% included tip in the bill (over $120) for our group, ermmmm I think I'll decide how much of a tip you get thanks, which I am usually very generous, but $15 per head is pushing it, especially without asking. Not cool.<br/><br/><br/>The pork knuckle. Cool.<br/><br/>For $160 per head I'd expect less painful service.

Went for a mid week dinner, the tasting menu was excellent! Service was great too, highly recommend.

Manhattan brasserie decor. When I first walked in I instantly loved the layout. Cool garage/depot space. Great ambient lighting with a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Lovely big windows, concrete walls and a busy bar area. Met two other girls on a Wednesday night. Friendly attentive waiter, beautiful Malbec and smoked oysters. Tempura prawns, salmon and beetroot salad all delicious. Roast chicken was a little dry. Unfortunately we over ordered so was more expensive than would've liked but would definitely go back (to try the cocktail list).

Another Restaurant Not Worth The Effort. Very difficult restaurant. Bookings are for seatings at ridiculous hours.<br/><br/>Even if you get in it's nothing special foodwise and so noisy you can barely hold a conversation.<br/><br/>Don't bother

This place is busy and popular and now I know why!!! Food was sensational - recommend the corn dogs, sliders and pork knuckle! To die for! Found the wine list too expensive so I stuck to beer. This is a really classy and hip new place!

Enjoyed this as a group of 4. Efficient service and good number to work the menu.<br/><br/>The "sledge" Shiraz was the highlight. Every dish we had was enjoyable. The chicken was delicious!

Loved it! New fav. I came to Riley Street Garage about a month ago for a drink - sat at the bar and had an amazing Krinklewood Rose by the glass, and perfect Oysters. <br/>The decor is fantastic - they have done an outstanding job with the space. Very NY/ Luxury - I love the bar in the middle.<br/>I came back on Friday with my boyfriend for dinner and the food was fantastic!<br/>Amazing Oysters - some of the best I have had. We shared a delicious white fish sushimi with pickled onions - perfect! and the Pork Knuckle to share - to die for. I love this place - a new fav - I have been recommending to everyone. <br/>I must say though, I actually enjoyed sitting at the bar, more than the restaurant - but could of just been our table.<br/>I will be popping in more regularly for Oysters!

Great restaurant. The decor is incredible and the service was great. got to sample the oysters and they were divine. It was abit loud I must admit but even that didn't ruin the ambience and my love for the place. The ribeye was the best I've had!

Go early, have the tasting menu. My partner and I went early last night (a Saturday) for the first time and were impressed. The bar/restaurant is beautifully fitted out, there's a buzz but it's not deafening. We both had the tasting menu - for $68 pp you get a bit of everything, including the fantastic pork knuckle. Service was friendly and attentive. If you like a Negroni, try the Brazilevardier cocktail. Delicious.

Great for sharing. Two girlfriends and I visited Riley Street Garage last week. The food was delicious. We ordered the smokey soy truffle oysters each and the heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella as starters. The flavours in the oysters were fabulous - only thing I can complain about was the miniature size of the oysters. The salad was very refreshing. <br/>For the mains, we got the grilled snapper with red capsicum and chorizo dressing, truffle mash and grilled mushrooms. The snapper was very fresh and the flavours were unique. <br/>Dessert we ordered the white chocolate, rhubarb pannacotta and chocolate brownie with honeycomb and salted caramel. Both desserts were delicious and the servings were quite big.<br/>I noticed other reviewers commented bad service, but we didn't find it a problem. <br/>Would definitely go back to try the other dishes on the menu :)

Venue is nice and food was great especially the pork knuckle to share .YUM and truffle mash. HOWEVER. Service could of been better. For bottles of wines they stored in a communal box where they would refill your glass. However on a number of occasions our glass became empty and in one instances my friend got up and filled our own glasses. For the money and the image they are portraying, you would expect better service. 5/10

Poor service.. Bad attitude.. Can't wait to go there again.. NOT!!!

Service matters. Great room good food some of the worst service I have experienced in a Sydney restaurant. Management attitude reflects the service. Not worth the effort unless they get their staff training and service in order

Loved it! Food was excellent and I am a food snob. Good menu, good wine list. I recommend the whole Baby snapper and the oysters are excellent. Wasnt a huge fan of sashimi fish and chip tartare

Loved it, loved it, loved it. We were blown away by this place. As people prepared to pay top dollar for food we were especially surprised by the quality to price ratio (if prices went up 50% we still would have been happy). They have exceptional quality wines and spirits, with an equally impressive cocktail list. The food - carpacio, mushrooms, beet salad and pork knuckle were all suburb, I would struggle to pin point a favourite and the service was friendly, even the girls at the door smiled