Review Cafe Del Mar - Sydney

Cafe Del Mar in Sydney offers a unique take on the darling Harbour dining scene. The styling just oozes Mediterranean island vibes and on a summer evening you will be forgiven for forgetting for a moment that you're in a Sydney restaurant. The food is fantastic with options ranging tapas plates to large share plates and a great range in between. We opted for tapas to start with King Prawn Salad and beef cheek for mains. If you've read this far, the best time to go is just before sunset. Place your dinner order then take in some cocktails on the balcony while your starters are being prepared. Lastly the service was great, attentive, very helpful and friendly.

Cafe del Mar hosted my birthday party 24th April 2022 for 18 people and it was a fabulously fantastic event. Thanks to the waiting staff who ensured our glasses where never empty, thanks to the chefs for delicious food and thanks for the weather, the sun came out so we enjoyed the decking off the private event room giving us so much more space to relax and chat. Special thanks to Clinton for assisting with the booking and a massive big THANK YOU to Antonio for all your help on the day, you delivered an outstanding service with your wonderful magnetic personality and BIG smile. I can't wait to return again soon for lunch. Thanks Cafe del Mar

Great experience, 80/100 is a fair score. We attended for a special celebration and ordered oysters and the prawns as entrees, and the vegetarian mezze as the main. The prawns were simply lovely and cooked to perfection, though I do wish they were slightly more generous in number at that price point. The mezze plate was very unique and I would certainly recommend. For dessert, the 'chocolate sunset'was rich and decadent, and definitely worth a try. A couple next to us ordered the "golden moon' and that too looked so interesting, will try next time!

The weather was awful when I visited so I couldn't enjoy the views outside but it looked like a lovely terrace. The food was good, I recommend the goat's cheese croquettes. We had 2 issues: when we got there, it took them a while to seat us and they kept saying they don't have our reservation even after I showed them a booking confirmation email sent directly by their website. The second problem was the fish came out raw in the middle and had to be sent back to finish cooking. If you don't like very sweet desserts I would suggest not ordering the chocolate sunset. It was nice but too sweet for me.

We had bottomless lunch for $99 included 3 course meals with side of veggies and drinks! They also had live music on Sunday afternoon with a dancing floor with darling harbour views. Chicken was halal and they were happy to make any other dietary changes. For people who weren't drinking pricing can be reduced. Definitely recommend to try.

Big shout to Clinton Pullman event manager for helping me organised a wonderful Xmas party for my work! He made everything so easy no stress from every detail of food , drinks menus to balloon decorations drop off. Honestly everyone had such a amazing time, with delicious foods, cocktails and views but also the wonderful staff that looked after us. From the time we entered to the time we left all the staff was so lovely and attended to every request we had! This def won’t be the last time I’ll be heading back to this restaurant! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT CAFE DEL MAR! 😄

The only draw card here is the location and view of Darling Harbour. Other than that, it's pretty average all round. The atmosphere was dull and the food was ok. I ordered the steak and asked for it 'blue', but it was a little overcooked and gristly. Not worth a revisit.

Came for a work function and had high expectations for a nice venue like this but these were met dismally across food, service and experience - but mainly food! Food started off with these tiny cubes of chopped up beetroot and what seemed like chopped up pork, both drowned in runny sauce. Then came this salad on an Asian soup spoon where portion size was not consistent - I really don’t understand these flavours right now. The only saving grace in having our stomachs somewhat filled was probably the Arancini, mini burgers and fish & chips - but even the fish was way over cooked as the fish was rock hard! Overall, didn’t understand this style of food and the balance of flavours was not well thought out.

Want to have a chill and relax night with a couple of friends??? Then this bar restaurant is the place to check out!!! They do amazing cocktails, which you can sip on all night long!!!!!! With the amazing view of the harbour, you will sure have a great night!!!!!!!

I have been going to cafe Del mar for years, with friends, family, husband and social group. I am a VIP. <br/>After my last visit I will never return again. <br/>We don’t go for the food, as it’s not that great. We go as we love the selection of wine, ambience and music and International DJs and a great waiter called Antonio. <br/>The last few visits have been disappointing. <br/>DJ never starts on time. <br/>My friend had a pole on a windy night fall on her head ( they thought a bottle of wine was enough to say sorry ) they didn’t follow up how she was the next day either. <br/>Over the weekend I made plans to spend my birthday there, which is always a long lunch. I also had friends coming later that night. However, to our surprise we were told we had to move after a few hours of lunch out to the terrace as they had to set up for a private function, it was freezing too, then once on terrace settling in to buy cocktails and expensive champagne (not sparkling wine) an abrupt security guard came out and started calling last drinks. <br/>When booking this for lunch (and the staff know me) I should have been told the venue would be closing for a private function later on. I had to tell my other friends not to come (Who were on their way) and my Bday was ruined. One of the mgrs said to my friend, well you have been here for 5 hours. Seriously! So what! We spend money, and I mean a lot of money, dance and enjoy it for as long as we want. <br/>I work in customer service and regulars are an important part of a business. Word of mouth also goes along way and being a social group organiser, bad move cafe del mar. <br/>So my advice to anyone that books here, ask (as they won’t tell you) if they will boot you out later on. (after taking your money) <br/>Not happy and I will never return.

We had a very relaxing and comfortable experience here with a beautiful view of the harbour. The food was alright, but loved the golden moon dessert. It was hard trying to get service sometimes.

I dined here on a Saturday night with a friend. I was impressed with the decor of the restaurant and general ambience. Staff were friendly and attentive. We ordered the following dishes:<br/>- Seared scallops, spiced cauliflower, bacon jam ($24) : my friend had this dish and said it was delicious. However, the portion was small (3 scallops) and would have liked to have seen more cauliflower on the plate.<br/>- Grilled haloumi cheese, butternut pumpkin, walnuts, honey, grain mustard ($16) : shared between us, i really enjoyed this dish. Haloumi was cooked well and the dressing balanced the dish. I also like the crunch of the walnuts and sweet pumpkin. <br/>- Grain fed beef tenderloin 200g, sautéed seasonal vegetables, celeriac puree, confit garlic, whipped foie gras ($44) : As an avid steak eater, this met my expectations. It was cooked exactly as I had requested, the puree was smooth and well seasoned and I loved the edition of the foie gras.<br/>- Pear and chocolate dome ($15) : A tasty and rich dessert however the description on the menu could lead you to think it would be something else. The dish was a chocolate ganache dome with pear in the middle (in chunky pieces). The praline was in the form of a biscuit on the bottom. I liked it but it's definitely one for sweet tooths.<br/><br/>Overall, we had a great experience at Cafe Del Mar. There are more items on the menu that i'd like to explore so will be returning.

An amazing experience for both of us. We came here for lunch on Saturday. The people who served us were very friendly. <br/><br/>We ordered some shared dishes. They were amazing. The chilli prawns were cooked to perfection and I am craving for more! Definitely coming back again.

Amazing food, amazing service. The tuna tartare is out of this world - all the elements go really well together. Tuna was very fresh. The Golden Moon was extremely beautiful and delicious. We left here feeling happy, and we would definitely dine here again.

Set in a nice location overlooking Darling Harbour. The service was good and friendly.<br/><br/>The food was nice but I think we ordered too much. We had:<br/>- Roast heirloom tomato tart, parmigano, balsamic glaze <br/>- Grilled haloumi cheese, butternut pumpkin, walnuts, honey, grain mustard<br/>- Vegetarian Antipasto Platter which contains Fried zucchini blossoms, truffle and goat cheese croquettes, beetroot falafel, mushroom and taleggio arancini, tomato bruschetta<br/>- and we got complimentary olives and bread<br/><br/>All the food was good but very rich full of fat and oil and salt. In small amounts that's ok but when you over order then it's a bit too much

A disappointing meal for what was a originally quite a good start. The oysters and chicken parfait with brioche were good and got us very excited but obviously things turned for the worse and hard worse. <br/><br/>The bouillabaisse, tasted of tomato and nothing else. The seafood was pretty much over cooked. <br/><br/>The short rib, no idea what happened? It tasted like it was just boiled. The texture was stringy and dry. Probably left like half the food on the plate. <br/><br/>The Brussels had no colour whatsoever. <br/><br/>But the Truffle Gratin, amazing! Look couldn’t quite tell if it was amazing in the scheme of things but it was just tender, flavoursome and hearty. Real comfort food! <br/><br/>We were diners of first table on the night so look otherwise we would of had to give this place a 1 but nothing like a 50% discount can’t fix :) <br/><br/>

We went there for a business lunch, everything is nice, raviolis are so yummy, liver patait was very generous in portion. beautiful view from the deck overlooking darling harbour.

Nice spot right on Darling Harbour but was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday lunch at 2pm. Menu read very well and there was some great dishes on the menu. Jamon Croquettes, pulled pork and burnt but ravioli, pumpkin were the standouts for me with the lowlight being the chicken liver pate which looked disgusting and apparently didn’t taste much better. We had a kid with us and the waiters were very good with us and the kid. Worth a visit, nice place to have a drink after lunch out on the deck.

If you think Darling Harbour is just filled with tourist trap eateries, you may be right, but Cafe Del Mar is certainly better than most.<br/>The restaurant has a prime location with views across the bay towards the Harbourside Shopping Centre and the dining room is beautifully appointed inside and out.<br/>We tried two mains and one dessert and they all impressed.<br/>The Mediterranean Pulled Pork Ravioli was herbaceous, unctuous, and delicious, with ample amounts of tender pulled pork inside the six large ravioli and as a bed on the plate, making for a generously meaty dish perfect for carnivores. The pasta was lovely and al dente, and the dish as a whole was excellent.<br/>The Riverina Lamb Rump was equally inviting with many layers of flavours and textures (pumpkin puree, charred pumpkin, crispy sweet potato ribbons, spiced salsa verde, rosemary), but the lamb was cooked well done as per request from my dining companion so it's difficult to judge the lamb properly (it was a little dry so it needed the rest of the dish to balance that).<br/>Lastly, the Golden Moon dessert was a fun dish finished at the table with liquid nitrogen and coffee sauce poured over the top. The flavours were very well balanced with the sweet white chocolate dome, mascarpone cream, raspberry jelly, and chocolate crumbs. The only negative was the server's aggressive pouring of the liquid nitrogen from too high a position, making too big of a splash and mess on the table, but that's a minor quibble.<br/>Overall, Cafe Del Mar is a great restaurant in the Darling Harbour precinct that should stick around for a long time.

More of a 3.5. Came here using 50% off with theforkau app and had nil issues using this discount. I like the nice ambience,indoor and outdoor and the views of Darling Harbour. Food wise I liked it but my missus thought it was average and serving sizes were smaller than expected. The Golden Moon dessert is something different and out of everything what I would recommend. Without the discount I would be scared to see the bill but I know you pay for the area

Café Del Mar is a Mediterranean restaurant located in Cockle Bay Wharf that is famous for their fresh seafood and tapas. They offer a fantastic view of Darling Harbour and the ambiance and décor reminds me is always alive and full of energy. We came here for dinner one warm summer night, keen to try their dishes.

Cafe Del Mar is situated at Cockle Bay Wharf, I’ve been there a few times for drinks and food or both. The food was alright, the drinks were also average, they made a mistake with my friend’s drink as well.

Definitely a special occasion / tourist experience type of place that you have to come without worrying too much about getting bang for your bucks. We only came for drinks and both the cafe del mar-garita (its pineapple flavoured signature cocktail) and sangria were pretty satisfying, which were also obviously complimented by the view. Perfect for fireworks viewing on Sydney’s Saturday nights.

Except for the amazing view and great decor this bar/restaurant has to offer, everything else is pretty average. The staff are kind of disorganised and the food is bland. Drinks are basic and could be better presented.<br/>The outdoor rooftop area has been overcrowded both times I’ve been there.

Whilst still ‘abusing’ dimmi 50% this month, why not try the very hype Cafe Del Mar at Darling Harbour. Venue is pretty cool and staffs are very friendly. Extra credit on the seat, was so cushy and comfy. Opted the a la carte, went for scallops and calamari for entree, good starter and mains were the rib eye (350g) and duck.. the rib eye was good and juicy, however the sauce of the duck was not the best in my opinion. We also ordered the brussel sprouts as sides, and for dessert, of course the very instagram-able golden moon, it was really good.. overall generous portion and tasty food.. definite come back, maybe during summer time, as it has a nice view of darling harbour

We came here for a late lunch on a Saturday. So it wasn't crowded at all, quite relaxing with a lovely view. Decor was lovely and great service. Entree was amazing, recommend the prawns. Scallops were a bit small but tasty. 4 Mains were duck, salmon, beef cheeks and rib eye. I had asked for the rib eye to be medium rare, so either they misheard and it came out looking like medium well or they got it wrong. Oh well it looked nice tho. Dessert was nice also. We really wanted the golden moon as it reminded us or the dragon egg from sake. But the experience wasn't quite the same. Because we watch masterchef religiously, we now understand the disappointment when the tempered chocolate is too thick. The moon didnt crack like it should. Moon...crack...get it? Lol anyways presentation for everything was great so we're thinking this place would be a great place to hold a small event.

Place is lovely and service was good. We had a quick work lunch there. The taste of the food is heavy on Mediterranean which can be conflicting... But is nicely presented.

Came here for drinks one Friday night. Didn't try any of the food but drinks and service were both good. This restaurant/bar offers an amazing view of darling harbour. Can't wait to come back again for dinner sometime.

Really awesome venue with incredible views from the balcony. Unobstructed panoramic views of all of Darling Harbour. <br/><br/>Great food and friendly service too. <br/><br/>Very central and convenient location, right in the middle of bustling Darling Harbour

Liking the ambience here - relaxing and chill, also the service was pretty attentive last night. However the food was quite a let down. It was slightly under average, was expecting full of flavour with the moroccan lamb dish but it was bland. The crab linguine (didn’t take a photo of that) was slightly over-cooked.

Lovely view and location but unfortunately overpriced for the quality of food received in comparison to other restaurants charging the same price range. Decent lamb shank and spiced chicken salad but average flathead, steak and desserts.

What a stunning location at darling harbour over looking the harbour! <br/>We came here for a date night on a Thursday night and we loved the place, food and decor! <br/><br/>The restaurant is very spacious and have both outdoor and indoor seating. The outdoor is more relaxed and a chill out area for after work drinks, and the indoor seating is more of a “sit done meal”. <br/><br/>We were immediately greeted with very friendly staff and offered water and house bread and butter. <br/><br/>Our recommendations is the chargrilled octopus!! This just melts in your melt. The octopus was fresh and cooked to perfection. <br/>The steak is also a great choice when your feeling hungry, we got a huge piece of steak and cooked evenly throughout. <br/><br/>We will definitely be back for a drinks night after work soon!

Idyllic location for drinks and canapés, with the outside deck offering views from Cockle Bay across to Darling Harbour. The espresso martini was on point but the food was somewhat hit and miss with the retro crumbed prawn with mango sauce one of my least enjoyed canapes.

We dined there on January 4th 2018 using Dimmi's 50% off your food bill code.<br/><br/>First of all, the service there is one of the best in Sydney - very pleasant staff (every one of them!), my glass was always full, food and drinks were served fairly quickly.<br/><br/>For drinks, we had 2 rounds of the Cafe del Martini because it was on special. It was very nice we ended up making it at home!<br/><br/>For food, we had the zucchini flower (our favourite dish of the night), the mussels (I liked it but my partner didn't because it was almost raw and reminded him of eating oysters which he hates; though he loved the sauce which was beautiful), the beef cheek (very, very tender) and the braised duck (not the best duck I've had but definitely one of the better ducks I've had in Sydney).<br/><br/>For dessert we had the creme brulee and it was divine.<br/><br/>All in all, I highly recommend Cafe del Mar. It's not the cheapest (our bill came to $131.50 even after the 50% discount on food, though we did get charged $10 for the water so we will make sure to ask for tap water next time).

Get my weekend dinner in here.. the view so beautiful and also the food really nice.. I come when it has vivid before and I can exactly see the vivid performance in front of me

We had the pork shoulder to share and it was excellent. On another occasion I had a steak which was cooked perfectly medium well. But my girlfriend had a fish dish that tasted rubbery. So I guess meat dishes get a higher rating than the seafood from us at this restaurant.

Although the cafe has a nice view of Darling Harbour,but the food was not impressed,maybe I had ordered a wrong dish.My spicy lamb spank was plain,didn’t taste spicy. But my friend ‘s beef cheek was tender.The side,steamed broccoli and anchovy,was too disappointing.Where is the anchovy,only three very small slices,not the dish I wanted.

I visited Cafe Del Mar for an event on a Tuesday and the view from here of Darling Harbour was spectacular! The service was on point and there was always someone refilling our drinks. They had a bunch of starters, my favourite being the bread toastwith cheese. I would visit this place again to try out their menu, however I'm a bit skeptical on the choices they have for vegetarians.

Pros: for the most part we had Great food, best beautiful views of the water, friendly servers. I liked the fish with the octopus on it. My partner loved his steak and claimed it was the best he has ever had!! Slow cooked lamb is large portion, tasty, melts in your mouth, sooooo yum, I highly recommend!!!!!! Fries were fresh, great with tasty aioli dip and came in a huge bucket, can easily be shared between two people! After dinner , we enjoyed a drink on the balcony bar with amazing water views (but music was a little too loud).<br/><br/>Cons: snapper fish (special of the day) was very chewy/rubbery. Dessert needs improvement , sized too small, and is overpriced ($18) for what u get. The host does not let u pick your seat even when u ask.....not cool....the large sized restaurant was only half full the entire night so they should let u sit where u want (maybe this was because we used a Groupon voucher? Still, not cool)!! Heat lamps on the balcony smelled bad as if it had a small gas leak.<br/><br/>Overall, I love this place and would highly recommend! We had a great night and our friends loved this place too. I've been here twice and would return.

A regular place that we went for special occations and had never been let down. Spectacular views of the harbour during vivid sydney and very tentative service. Also like how they changed the menus based on season. My favorites are the lamb shanks and mackerels, served hot, extremely tender and cooked to perfection. Was recommended to try the charcoal carrot as side and what a delight! Also great value if can get their vouchers that sometimes available on Groupon.

A relatively fancier dinner for a group catch up. As you would expect, restaurants at Darling Harbour with views and nice decor ain't cheap, but thanks to Dandelion for finding a voucher for us to use (ended up being around half price). I've been here before, but mainly at the balcony for some drinks and finger food. I remember the inside was really pretty and that hasn't changed, When step inside, it's sort of like an indoor trapeze with fancy lighting and decor. It's more formal dining, so lighting inside was pretty crap (soz for blurry photos). Also, didn't focus some properly since everyone was starving so didn't check if I took my photos properly lol.

Excellent views of Darling Harbour. Drinks were mainly good as well as the friendliness of the staff. Food was to a decent standard, although rather expensive for the amount given; unsurprising as the prime location in the CBD is already a huge selling point.

We used Groupon to eat there and we somehow felt like staff treated "paying" customers differently than "voucher" customers. Food on the other hand was good - beware of the "Pomme frites" which we thought was a small bowl and came out as a mountain of fries 😄

Situated on the rooftop of cockle bay wharf, Cafe Del Mar has spectacular views of Darling Harbour which is its main selling point. The staff were attentive and friendly. The food however was only average for its price, which is what you kinda expect when you dine in darling harbour.

Good service and the guy had cute accent，but the cocktail was horrible. The lamb shoulder doesn't looks like a very big portion, but can't finish by two people, it's quite nice

Forget it, this went wrong from beginning to end: oysters have a bitter taste, are as tiny as can get -'cocktail- and must have been frozen ('tired' and taste like frozen oysters: $4.50 EACH!), food and wine are over priced (food is below average in quality, wine list is extensive), coffee is better at home instant. Sorry but I cannot recommend this place, I will actually warn you against having a meal there, although the waterfront location is tempting, I know (be also warned: you won't have a chance to enjoy it -as happened to us- it is only opened  for functions the terrace the waiter told us).

Stylish interiors with a nice buzzy atmosphere, great quality dishes with a bit of flair and interest. Our cocktails were fresh and full of flavour, and we were able to enjoy drinks before and after our dinner on the terrace and enjoy the awesome DJ. Overall it was a great experience!

Quick Service. The staff were friendly, the place cozy and the food great I used Liven App and got a $50 cashback!I recommend this place highly.

The steak I ordered is just beautiful! Definitely above average. Didn't try any entree or dessert tho. The market fish my friend ordered is average. $35 for a main is reasonable. Would highly recommend the steak!

Came here for a work function and while the views are killer and the have some swanky decor, the food was a let down. However this was catering event style food, so I will have to come back and dine in to see if there's a variation. The drinks are great however, and the outside bar has lots of cute bartenders who will pour you your fave, while you watch over the twinkling lights of Darling Harbour

We came to Cafe Del Mar on a Wednesday for after work drinks (which happened to be paid for by the company

Very special venue, Nothing like this in Sydney..The food is delicious, the staff looked after us perfectly..The bar on the balcony has an amazing view..you MUST try one of their coktail,the Honey raspberry caiprioska...They know how to make the difference We will be back soon

Great service with friendly waiters checking in on us and topping up our water glasses. Entre came with complimentary bread. Food was very nice. Nice vibe to the place. Parked at car park listed on website. Cheaper to prebook for parking.

Had the worst experience at Cafe del Mar. The bartender called Sam was extremely rude to my friends and I....<br/><br/>*Avoided serving us on purpose<br/>*Serving customers that arrived later than us <br/>*Laughing and smirking while being confronted on his behaviour<br/>*Talking back and yelling something out across customers<br/><br/>Made a formal complaint but was informed they would side with the bartender....!? (Nathan)<br/><br/>Reason: because i pulled the bartender up on his behaviour!? Yes i was angry....of course!!! He gave me all the right reasons to be! Laughing at me while i am pulling him up!!? Excuse me!? <br/><br/>What ever happened to customers first? If high end restaurants hire rude, arrogant and passive aggresive bartenders (who obviously don't want to be there), what are they setting themselves up for!? To dismiss a customers complaint is absolutely disgusting. What a joke....<br/><br/>At first i was shocked and disgusted by the bartender, now even more in disgust after being told over the phone they would side with the staff member.<br/><br/>I have to say, when I did speak to the general manager ( Mathew) he was responsive and apologetic. He also gave us a round of drinks for the table. But i am very dissapointed in my conversation with Nathan, no apologies....just arrogance.<br/><br/>Never again.

Monday's ain't so bad😏 Not with Summer's newest frozen cocktail creation... frosé ❄️🍸@cafedelmarsyd has brought this New York hit to the Sydney streets and I am totally confident of its success👌🏻Accompanying the new fabulous frosé is a sensational selection of dishes for your dining delight!🍴🍸This pork belly certainly complimented our cocktail fetish!😉☀️ @mybondisummer #cafedelmar #mybondisummer

It’s no denying Cafe Del Mar hosts the perfect setting for a lazy long lunch or drinks on a sunny day. The gorgeous coastal mediterranean vibe they market meets the expectation with breezy windows, high ceilings and lashings of blue hues and splashes of whites. The dishes at Cafe Del Mar are presented at the same standard as the decor. Impeccably placed and well thought out. A beautiful ladder of slow cooked lamb dotted with puree, greens and cheesy gnocchi, a contrasting mosaic of carrot with charred edges, all looking very beautiful. We dined here with clients and although the place feels upmarket, it’s clear the focus is on visuals. <br/><br/>Of all our dishes, there were a few wildcards, and the most enjoyable was the lamb, which was flavoursome and incredibly tender. Another was the ancient grains with shankleesh. There were a mix of textures and overall this and the lamb were both favourites. This all being said, we were left unimpressed with other dishes we sampled. Whilst the carrots were tender there was nothing standing out in regards to flavour. Both the vongole and pippis in the light stew were chewy and tasted metallic. One of our guests orders of a basic steak well done, yet it arrived cooked rare and served with a side a butter despite advising allergies to dairy. When we returned it to staff it was recooked and served again with another portion of butter. The wine list seems a little basic although there are quite a lot of options per varietal when buying by the bottle. Keep your eye away from the spelling errors dotted throughout, perhaps with a glass of Rose - their standard by-the-glass offering is actually a decent drop over lunch.

Cafe Del Mar located on top of the restaurants at cockle bay wharf always seemed like a bit of a tourist trap for me, but when had lunch there one day, I was pleasantly surprised. The service was good, the view was good, the atmosphere was good and the food was delicious. Char grilled octopus with chorizo and potato - lovely grilled flavour with just the right amount of smokiness.

Had our office Christmas party there. Don't know what it is like for dinner, but based on the function experience, I would not be in any hurry to come back. Very little effort was made to make the space more attractive and welcoming. Had to continuously ask the staff where the food was and when it finally came - most of it over an hour late - it was pretty average. Shame - such a great location.

Overall this place is abit pricey for its seafood portion. Lamb shoulder was delicious and soft, pork belly was yummy too. We had family dinner there, love the atmosphere and service. Would of course go again!

They took our 5:30 reservation, invited us to have a drink while we waited for the kitchen to open at 6:00. The wait staff promptly disappeared and no one took our drink order!! Oyster starters  and swordfish main were quite good. The chicken main for two and the pork were both too dry.

Cafe Del Mar is a stylish restaurant located at Cockle Bay Wharf down serving up a mixture of Modern Australian dishes in a well designed venue. The restaurant also features a beautiful outdoor rooftop terrace with views of darling harbour and a dedicated bar and drink menu to match. Seared scallops, baby carrot escabech, spiced carrot puree, jamon serrano

The restaurant is located in a quiet location at Darling Harbour. It has pretty good harbour view and perfect for outdoor dining/drinking. However the food was ordinary.

Alex: Since I turned 18 some 3 years ago, there has been many a Sunday sesh at Darling Harbour’s hotspot Cafe Del Mar. It’s one of those places that oozes appeal. It’s classy, it’s got the views and at one stage. Was one of the ‘it’ places to be seen in Sydney. Perhaps it’s still like that but it’s been a while since I’ve been there….ha see what I did there😉

Perfect setting over Darling Harbour,  just a stones throw away from the CBD is a Cafe Del Mar the ultimate spot for a long relaxing lunch over the harbour. The highlight was the starters... I can never say no to a charcuterie board and the black ink salt and pepper squid is up there as one of the best squid's i've ever had!

We celebrated a baby shower at Cafe Del Mar. Full marks for the great service - the manager was kind enough to help us with the decor and our waitress was lovely and patient in explaining the food. We shared some entrees - truffle croquettes, seared king prawns being the standouts. For mains, I had the seared salmon with clams and pancetta which came with a generously sized fillet. Desserts were beautifully plated and the Golden Moon even had some tableside theatre! While the food was generally nice, prices are still very high with mains hovering at the $40 mark. To be honest, I'm not sure the food alone justifies the price but the harbour views come at a cost I guess.<br/><br/>---Previous visit---<br/>The restaurant has great views overlooking the harbour and the interior is also decked out nicely with plenty of seating for large groups. We thought the food was alright but pricey, though this could be chalked up to the location. First entree was the wagyu bresoala, the thin slices of cured meat made richer with dollops of horseradish mascarpone. Next up were the king prawn wrapped in prosciutto. It was quite a salty dish but the avocado dressing mellowed it out. Lastly, we shared the Holmbrae chicken for our main. This was a whole roast chicken with spinach stuffing and Tuscan roast potatoes on the side. Though the chicken was moist and tender (even the breast meat), it needed more flavour and possibly more cooking time. We got a mouthful of fatty bits often which was quite off-putting. Service was friendly and warm; we were pleasantly surprised as we haven't always found stellar service in Darling Harbour. Overall, a decent choice for this area but given the price and quality, I'd prefer to go elsewhere.

Ambience: Situated on a second level area in cockle bay wharf, the views were quite good. <br/><br/>What we had: <br/>Lamb shoulder - tender off the bone. A little under seasoned<br/>Suckling pig - good crackling a little dry<br/>Squid ink calamari - cooked perfectly aoili complimented the calamari well<br/>Prawns in prosciutto - prawns were succulent and really flavoured well<br/><br/>

Went here with the mrs for our anniversary, beautiful restaurant, right on the harbour side. The staff were friendly and welcoming, however when asked about dishes, they pretty much said everything on the menu tasted good lol. We saw that most tables ordered the seafood stew which was just okay. The highlight of the meal was definitely the steak, which had an excellent flavour and melts in your mouth. I bought a scoopon voucher for this so $99 gave $200 credit to spend, I'd definitely come here again if I see another voucher.

Went out for drinks with friends, pretty relaxing environment with good background music. Ordered margarita and martini, it was both nice and well made although it took a little while.

Food was okay. Beef breasaola was decent. Staff were civil wouldve been much better if they didnt look bored. Would come back once a year perhaps. 😊

We went there for few drinks with friends. The outside area is really nice. You have to go to the bar to get your drinks because they don't have waiters. The most disappointing was the girls' bathroom... it was a mess!! really dirty with toilet papers everywhere on the floor. For a brand like cafe del mar, it was a deception.

A bit too pricey if you don't have a scoopon deal. Their signature dishes are the bouillabaisse and lamb shoulder. For the price of 65 each, the bouillabaisse was ok but the lamb lacked taste.

Café del Mar is the perfect venue for a summer celebration, relaxing drink by the harbour, or casual get together with friends and family. I was lucky enough to be invited to a Zomato meetup hosted by Cafe Del Mar, and was delighted to sample some of their menu in celebration of summer. Sip on a cocktail or two as you settle in to watch the sun. As well as the singular mains on the menu at Café Del Mar, there are also shared dishes such as 8 hour slow-cooked pastoral lamb shoulder, Bouillabaise seafood stew and roast free range chicken, as well as some delicious desserts and sides.

This is a great place for a relaxing dinner. The food is great - especially their oysters and wagyu beef bresaola! And it's not very expensive either - main courses and shared dishes range from $30-60. Sharing among 4 people, you could spend a total of $200-250 which I believe is good value for the quality of the food they have. However the service there was quite below average for a fancy restaurant as staff don't seem very friendly or welcoming. Would definitely recommend getting the wagyu beef bresaola - I could eat that dish forever!

Zomato hosted a "meet up" for a handful of bloggers and we were lucky enough to be invited to dine at Cafe Del Mar. It is the perfect place for people to chill-out after work or if you book early enough, why not book your celebrations at Cafe Del Mar? We could not think of a better way to celebrate a joyous occasion than enjoying a drink on the open deck during sunset. If that doesn't sell you on this establishment, have a look at the below snapshots which show how elegant and formal this restaurant is decorated.

After recently visiting the original Cafe Del Mar in Ibiza, I was very keen to check out the Sydney version of Cafe Del Mar and experience a little bit of the Mediterranean back at home.. And let me tell you it did just that! You walk in to Cafe Del Mar and you feel the vibe, it's open and airy with a great view of the harbour, it brought me ever so close to being back in Europe and just having a taste of that again!<br/><br/>The night began with Cafe Del Mar's signature martini (or two) and gorgeous, flavoursome canapés with my favourite being the Wagyu bresola, potato skordalia and soft quail egg, it was sooo good! <br/><br/>Dinner then started with chermoula crusted, slow cooked lamb shoulder and salsa verde, a seafood stew and sides to share which included fries, and a selection of salads and greens, which were all delicious! And then for my fave main meal dish, the roast holambrae free range chicken and Tuscan style roast potatoes.. I don't know what they did with those potatoes but they were so crispy and tasted amazing!! <br/><br/>And of course to end the night, a great selection of desserts and cheese to share! The desserts and cheese platter were varied and really interesting, with a range of flavours and they were really delightful, I really enjoyed them! It was a great way to end the night! <br/><br/>All in all, though you would think that Cafe Del Mar is just a great place for a drink, what will really surprise you is how delicious and tasty the selection of food is.. I really enjoyed every part of the meal from the canapés to the dessert, and I will definitely be going back for a meal and some great cocktails of course! <br/> <br/><br/> <br/> <br/><br/> <br/>

I admit that I was one of those people that thought Cafe del Mar was just another night club/ cocktail bar venue with average food offerings. <br/>I was incredibly impressed at the calibre of the food offerings. Delicious canapés with fantastic produce. And as a person who doesn't eat lamb. The slow cooked lamb for 8 hours literally fell apart on my fork, it was divine. The bouillabaisse was first class as well as the chicken. Definitely will be back for lunch and dinner. I urge you to try it as well.

The original Café del Mar opened its doors in Ibiza as a bar that played great chill-out music at sunset; it morphed into a music brand with famous chill-out music compilations that became popular in the 90s. So, it’s an interesting concept to transfer to Australia. I wonder whether it will work. Remember how popular all those Hard Rock Cafés were at one point?

fantastic evening there for celebrating my friend's birthday. very impressed! before I go, I did some digging. "Cafe Del Mar" means "Cafe of the sea" which originally came from the famous Cafe Del Mar in lbiza. staff is very friendly and patient to explain some spanish dishes for us. I like their summer menu which got very famous high-class spanish ham "lberico de bellota". we ordered traditional ham"Jamon serrano" and melted truffle pecorino (Italian truffle goat cheese) which are so great. the cafe is located at rooftop terrance at cockle bay wharf, so there are floor-to-ceiling windows for overlooking the darling harbour. there is also lounge bar area with lush sofas at rooftop balcony to have a drink on. anyway, great chilled-out music, perfect view and perfect food and drink. 10 points~\(≧▽≦)/~

I'm completely blown away by cafe del mar. What a beautiful Mediterranean menu and such a breathtaking view of the harbor. I was very fortunate to be in attendance at a Zomato meetup and it by far exceeded my expectations. I'm not a big lamb eater, but decided to give it a try - it melted in my mouth and was so full of flavour. The chicken was soft and bundled with an incredible herb mix and the dessert... Oh my gosh the dessert!!! The raspberry/chocolate cake was absolutely delightful.<br/><br/>The cocktail menu here is fantastic, but whatever you do, don't disregard the food. A wonderful spot for a work lunch or weekday dinner.

Was the chef a child?. My partner and I dined here with a Living Social 3 course special menu. We both ordered the beef bresaola for entrées, which we were extremely disappointed by as soon as the waiter brought it to the table. It was presented as slices of beef slapped on a plate and was quite rich to eat. For mains we both ordered the lamb shoulder in parchment. I was shocked to see a small portion of lamb in burnt parchment. Although the lamb was the only delicious meal we ate that night, I couldn't appreciate a small portion of lamb that was still in dirty looking parchment. It was extremely unattractive and wasn't presentable. For dessert I ordered strawberry tart with mascarpone. But instead got a pastry shell filled with mascarpone and topped with a few strawberries. It wasn't a strawberry tart, rather a rich unpalatable mascarpone tart. My partner ordered the chocolate mouse which was apparently quite bitter. Overall, the food was terrible and I would not be returning. It should be mentioned that the ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, however it's hard to enjoy when your food looks and tastes like it was prepared by a child.

The food is all right, but the weird thing is that on top of a cooked meal (I had crispy salmon for main) they poured a lot of olive oil. My salmon was simply swimming in oil, which made me almost sick even though I was trying to part all the oil from the fish. Saying that, my husband did enjoy his steak and I liked my tartar steak for starter.<br/><br/>What ruined my experience was the hostess who at first pretended she could not find our booking, eventually found it. But in one and a half hour she came up to our table and asked us to leave, said they needed the table, even though our reservation was from 6:30 to 8:30 (which I made 2 weeks in advance),we were asked to leave at 8:00. Unacceptable! It was our wedding anniversary; we spend $260 for 2, but nevertheless were not treated even fairly never mind respectfully. <br/>Would not recommend...

Absolutely awful. Everything about this place. The worst would have to be the staff. So rude and unwelcoming. They showed no warmth and just seemed like they really did not want to be there. They got our order wrong multiple times and were unable to accommodate a vegan option. When they did make a vegan pasta dish it was drowned in oil and pretty much inedible.

We booked in to Cafe Del Mar for friends birthday for over 19 of us. When we arrived we found that they had seated the group at two separate tables without letting us know that this would be necessary. We waited over an hour for someone to take our orders despite us all having arrived and it being a simple set menu (groups are not allowed full menu apparently). We had to ask twice for our orders to be taken, although they were more than happy to keep pouring overpriced bottles of average wine. We were told that because someone was in the bathroom they would come back in 10 minutes once everyone was seated. An hour and a half after arriving we received our small entrees and it was then another hour before we received our main meals. This is nearly 2.5 hours after we arrived! The main consisted of a piece of meat in baking paper. There were chips and vegetables as sides for the table to share. The meat was beautifully tender, although after a few hours waiting and so much wine, I'm surprised to have tasted it. This set menu was $75/head. As soon as we had received the bill two almost full bottles of wine were swiftly removed from the table despite being paid for. When we received the exorbitant bill, there was a $157.00 "Gratuity charge" which was apparently supposed to have been communicated to the person making the booking. It was not. After us pointing out that this is not America and gratuity charges are not part of our service billing, it was removed by the manager. We all left with a very sour taste in our mouths and determined not to come again. I have no problem paying for an expensive meal if the quality of the food, wine and service complement it. This is not the case at Cafe Del Mar.

I love Cafe Del Mar. I have been here on multiple occasions for drinks, dinner and for a couple of functions which I booked the private dining room for. The staff are amazing, well dressed, professional. The hosts always look so lovely. The food itself is a high quality presented well. The ambience is great and the location is fab! If you do not eat here, you should go for drinks in summer.

Never going there again!. I never complain about customer service. If it's something small I nerve let it get to me. But this is the 3rd time Iv walked into cafe del mar, and have been disappointed with the service, but after this time I will deff never be back. I don't appreciate my plate taken away from me when I havnt even finished the food (not a joke) and the waiter doesn't even ask if Im done with my food, just takes the plates away, Moments after we've finished our mains, walks up to us with the bill, when I didn't even ask for it, then later comes and stands over me with the eftpos machine. Yes, it did feel like they were trying to kick us out, yes it did feel like we didn't belong, yes it did feel like they didn't want us there. I don't see why though, we were not making any noise, keeping to our selves, and acting like eveyone else there eating out food and having a glass of wine. I don't know what their problem was, but I could not take it after that. It was so rude. They usually are, but I never let it get to me although they just crossed the line.

Never going there again!. I never complain about customer service. If it's something small I nerve let it get to me. But this is the 3rd time Iv walked into cafe del mar, and have been disappointed with the service, but after this time I will deff never be back. I don't appreciate my plate taken away from me when I havnt even finished the food (not a joke) and the waiter doesn't even ask if Im done with my food, just takes the plates away, Moments after we've finished our mains, walks up to us with the bill, when I didn't even ask for it, then later comes and stands over me with the eftpos machine. Yes, it did feel like they were trying to kick us out, yes it did feel like we didn't belong, yes it did feel like they didn't want us there. I don't see why though, we were not making any noise, keeping to our selves, and acting like eveyone else there eating out food and having a glass of wine. I don't know what their problem was, but I could not take it after that. It was so rude. They usually are, but I never let it get to me although they just crossed the line.

It is all about drinking amazing and exotic cocktails in fabulous locations and raising money for the Animal Welfare League NSW, which works to save and improve the lives of pets that have been surrendered, neglected or abandoned.

Parched March, Sydney’s only month-long celebration of bar culture in support of Animal Welfare League NSW relaunched as BARS MARCH for its fifth year. The new name says it all: a whole month of responsible drinking of fabulous cocktails in great bars – for a good cause. We vist Cafe del Mar for the BarsMarch launch, checked out the fine digs and bought some cute dog earpieces for charity These 2 models went shirtless for charity but the real stars are @oscarandfrank the brand ambassadors from the optical brand. More guests. Dusk arriving at Cafe Del Mar. The view’s lovely Café del Mar Head kitchen team, Brand Ambassador Miguel Maestre posing with Mrs Australia Kate Johnson Russian Mule made with Russian Standard Original Vodka The Side Car – Remy MartinVSOP, Cointreau and lemon juice; and theMidori – Russian Standard Vodka rather astounding suckling pork Chermoula crusted chicken, rouille and endive Café del Mar Head Chef Ben Fitton and Brand Ambassador Miguel Maestre prepped the food

........ I loved the venue, with it's open layout, chill out music, and gorgeous views of Darling Harbour, especially during sunset.

For a little slice of the Mediterranean in Sydney, head to the top level of Cockle Bay Wharf for the lavishly decked out Cafe del Mar. The original Cafe del Mar on the gorgeous Spanish island of Ibiza is well known for its view of the sunsets on the island, with beats playing in the background. It seems that the Sydney restaurant is set to continue the tradition with the restaurant’s stunning views over Darling Harbour providing the perfect backdrop to watch sunsets over the water. The spacious Cafe del Mar feels luxurious from the moment you step in, thanks to the plush banquette seats and dramatic blue and white themed decor which pays homage to its Mediterranean roots. There’s also a lovely outdoor terrace area facing Darling Harbour with comfy lounges which would be a top spot for drinks in summer. We tried their Sangria Rojo which is a delicious, sweet concoction featuring Ciroc Snap-frost Vodka, Cointreau with house made wet-chai falernum, orange juice, lemon juice, red wine and

A gently melodic tinkle heralds the arrival of Restaurant Manager Jessica Mead, wafting across the floor in a bright Camilla Franks kaftan. Her welcoming smile and down-to-earth nature suits this little slice of Ibiza, pitched to become the crowning jewel of Darling Harbour. The blue-tiled Mediterranean kitchen produces arguably the best food I’ve had in an area better known for family-style dining and the odd tourist trap. Sibella Court’s blue and white colour scheme continues into roughly hewn fabric awnings, shading a balcony overlooking the waters of Cockle Bay. With several styles of seating, it beckons as the perfect place for sundowners. Start with draught Peroni ($9) or craftier Moon Dog ‘Love Tap’ ($10) as the sun goes down and The Star lights come up. While the brand speaks to me of lazy Sunday sessions; down to providing everything you need in one killer cocktail - El Jalisco ($19) featuring Don Julio Reposado , chilli, ginger, chorizo and a Laphroaig rinse – it’s also a cre

Café del Mar is synonymous with chill-out music, beach parties and Mediterranean glamour – and it's now here for Sydney-siders to enjoy. Opened late last year on the rooftop terrace at Cockle Bay Wharf, Café del Mar Sydney is a more food-focused offering than its Ibiza party animal counterpart. Rooftop balcony While it's not quite a beachfront location, the rooftop terrace position offers a unique view of Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay. With the balcony facing the west, it's about the best we can do in terms of watching the sun set beyond the casino and other Pyrmont buildings. Inside restaurant In a nod to Café del Mar's Spanish heritage and the Sydney venue's food focus, they have appointed Miguel Maestre as a brand ambassador, while head chef Ben Fitton incorporates Mediterranean touches to the menu's share plates and mains which features Australian produce and the fun flavours that Sydney is known for. Rojo tres red sangria Seated on

Translating to “Cafe of the Sea”, Café Del mar has been open nearly a year, under the guidance of Food Director Miguel Maestre and Head Chef Ben Fitton. It has become a scenic spot where you can enjoy a relaxed lunch that stretches all the way into dinner. Located at the very top storey of Cockle Bay Wharf, this picturesque café boasts a decor that transports you to the Mediterranean, with blue drapery matching a maritime themed color palette.  But while you might expect a menu heavy on seafood options, Café Del Mar actually utilises ingredients and techniques from all over the region, to evoke the laid-back atmosphere of a Mediterranean holiday.  Crispy cased Berkshire Pig Jowls served with Truffle Mash We were presented two starters for our lunch – Crispy Cased Berkshire Pig Jowls with Truffle mash ($24) and Jamon, Watermelon and Persian Feta ($16). The pig jowls (or cheeks, if you prefer) are slow cooked ’til they’re fall apart tender, then wrapped in a light house-made pastry and d

I had my Engagement Party here last Sunday. Food tasted amazing, table service and waiters were top notch, punctual and friendly, the views, well what's not to love?!? And the DJ created an awesome atmosphere.<br/><br/>I've also eaten here for Lunch and Dinner before. The meats are succulent, the seafood fresh and all are cooked to perfection, abundant in flavor and well presented.<br/><br/>I'm not sure why there are mixed reviews about this place. At the very worst, it is a 9/10. Quality v. Price. Its Sydney people! You're paying for great food and here, amazing views to match. Get used to it or move to Adelaide ;)<br/><br/>Thanks Cafe del Mar for a wonderful day!

Worst place to go. I went to cafe del mar for my friends 18th. As it looked from the surrounding it looked inviting and real classy. But not incase for the food though. I ordered the shoulder lamb it literally had no taste.. No seasoning. My friend ordered risotto and it had half cooked rice? Her other friends ordered risotto too and they had a spoon and chucked the rest away. Didnt bother complaining as to not ruin the mood of the guests at the table. For the amount they charge its totally not worth it.<br/><br/><br/>On a serious note, a place to avoid.

I wouldn't go again ever. Trashy atmosphere, trashy patrons. Mains arrive before starters? Apparently this is normal?? Food is cold or just warm and very average quality. The food arrives looking great, then you bite into stone cold barramundi, really not good. Not one person from 8 at our table was satisfied with the quality of food. <br/>I'm struggling to understand how anyone could have left positive reviews for this place. They are not legitimately part of the Cafe Del Mar brand. Which is obvious once you've been there. All seems fine on arrival. Then the comedy of errors and horrors begins.

Beyond terrible. Extremely dissapointed with this restaurant. The food was literally disgusting. Dessert - disgusting. Staff - rude. Expensive for nothing.. i wouldn't eat here for free if i had the opportunity. First and LAST time we come here!

Rude Door staff. This place is a real disappointment. The door staff are arrogant and rude. Give it a miss.

Went here the other night wife the wife!<br/>Food was great! Recommend the Monti cristo sandwich it was great!<br/>Relaxing atmosphere attentive staff and good drinks list all added up to a great night.<br/>Will definitely be going back!

I Absolutely love this venue, the food, the location, and the sunday sessions are one of the best in Sydney. <br/><br/>Highly recommended to everyone that loves a restaurant with a twist. <br/><br/>Favourite dish - Lamb shoulder and the salt crusted snapper 10/10

Absolutely loved this place. Granted its not for everyone, the crowd is quite particular and has the exclusive feel of the best dressed and best looking but I absolutely loved this place. Service was great, security at the front were actually decent guys (unlike the below comments). I'll definitely be back!

THIS PLACE IS A JOKE. Cafe del mar... Sounds fancy rite ? This place ruins darling harbour.... It's litterally that bad. I don't think i can ever go back to this dump. We attended cafe del mar in a group of 7 girls we walked up the stairs at the front to face 2 ugly gorilla like security guards screaming at a young man around 23 This immediately gave us a bad impression but we didn't let it ruin our evening, we asked the femail at the door way which I asume was a host or security in black were the bathroom was located and she just laughed and looked at her side kick and whispered something as we walked inside. We later ordered after begging for service ..... The food was very poor ... We waited over an hour for our food the fish we ordered was off and slimy like mucus, My girlfriend ordered the lamb shoulder... Which presented well but was under cooked and tastes like something you would expect at a budget reception lounge. Later on into the evening it filled up with a disgusting crowed full of The types of people who you would expect to see out west not in darling harbour. STAY AWAY GIRLS ..... Unless your into all that crap socio economic circle then STEER CLEAR ...... Worst place I have attended yet.

Absolutely terrible experience. We attended this establishment yesterday for a friends birthday we were intimidated at the door before entering what was a very nice establishment .... Only soon to realise the food is overpriced and microwaved the cocktails are again overpriced and horrible(watery) the security guards walk around the resturant intimidating customers, I couldn't even swallow the overpriced microwaved meal without security staring at my chew, the security was overall very unprofessional which we paid for it was an overall unpleasant experience I will stick to my home town of Melbourne.

Terrible. Went to cafe del mar the other night. Dissapointing. <br/>Food was almost just cafe style food with a ridiculous price tag. <br/>Got a red wine and it was tiniest amount i have ever seen. <br/>No thought put into the menu. I thought the chef was supposed to be good, looks like he is just an overnight success.<br/>Airconditioning was freezing. <br/>Ive never put up a review, but this place was an absolute rip off, and i eat at good restaurants weekly. <br/>Cafe delmar my advice is, stick to music only, ur very good at that. Leave the restaurants to the experts. Your tarnishing your good name with such a bad product.