Guidebook for Neutral Bay
Food Scene
Famous for its lovely beer garden shaded by a massive oak tree. Built in the 1930s and beautifully renovated, it's great for lunch on sunny days, or at night for dinner and/or drinks in the garden.
178 locals recommend
The Oaks Hotel
118 Military RdFamous for its lovely beer garden shaded by a massive oak tree. Built in the 1930s and beautifully renovated, it's great for lunch on sunny days, or at night for dinner and/or drinks in the garden.
An old bowling club remodelled as an outdoor casual drinking/dining venue. One of the best views of Sydney. Dog/kid friendly. You'll need to sign in as a visitor.
50 locals recommend
The Greens North Sydney
50 Ridge StAn old bowling club remodelled as an outdoor casual drinking/dining venue. One of the best views of Sydney. Dog/kid friendly. You'll need to sign in as a visitor.
Stunning views and walks along harbour coastline. You can walk to Balmoral Beach on one side or Chowder Bay on the other. Just gorgeous. Try the goat's cheese salad, wine and the little lemon tarts.
22 locals recommend
Frenchy's Cafe
3 Read PlStunning views and walks along harbour coastline. You can walk to Balmoral Beach on one side or Chowder Bay on the other. Just gorgeous. Try the goat's cheese salad, wine and the little lemon tarts.
Our favourite cafe, right on the harbour next to Neutral Bay ferry wharf. 10 mins walk from Bay Cottage. Great for brekky or lunch. Spot the doorway and path leading to one of Sydney's secret beaches
54 locals recommend
Thelma & Louise
1 Hayes StOur favourite cafe, right on the harbour next to Neutral Bay ferry wharf. 10 mins walk from Bay Cottage. Great for brekky or lunch. Spot the doorway and path leading to one of Sydney's secret beaches
Great coffee and pastries, in a laneway off Grosvenor Street which is packed with restaurants.
99 locals recommend
Bourke Street Bakery
19-25 Grosvenor StGreat coffee and pastries, in a laneway off Grosvenor Street which is packed with restaurants.
Best and freshest salads in Sydney and a nice wine list. Make it the end point of a scenic walk past Luna Park, Wendy Whitely's Garden and up the hill to McMahon's Point.
13 locals recommend
Moorish Blue
139 Blues Point RdBest and freshest salads in Sydney and a nice wine list. Make it the end point of a scenic walk past Luna Park, Wendy Whitely's Garden and up the hill to McMahon's Point.
Fabulous food, great wine list, quite noisy and crowded but great service and atmosphere. Go earlier if you prefer it quiet. Opposite the Art Deco jewel, the Orpheum cinema.
43 locals recommend
Radio Cairo Restaurant
83 Spofforth StFabulous food, great wine list, quite noisy and crowded but great service and atmosphere. Go earlier if you prefer it quiet. Opposite the Art Deco jewel, the Orpheum cinema.
Fantastic views of the Harbour from an old Queenslander-style home. The tables are set up on the wide, cool verandah. Great for lunch or coffee.
34 locals recommend
Burnt Orange
1109 Middle Head RdFantastic views of the Harbour from an old Queenslander-style home. The tables are set up on the wide, cool verandah. Great for lunch or coffee.
Stunning casual dining overlooking Shelly Beach. A lovely 10-minute walk from Manly. Breakfast/lunch and dinner. Crowded on weekends so be prepared to queue.
153 locals recommend
The Boathouse Shelly Beach
1 Marine ParadeStunning casual dining overlooking Shelly Beach. A lovely 10-minute walk from Manly. Breakfast/lunch and dinner. Crowded on weekends so be prepared to queue.
The closest takeaway, and reasonably healthy food - chicken, salad etc. 3 minutes walk from Bay Cottage. Open seven days until 10pm, so good for late arrivals.
6 locals recommend
Nando's Neutral Bay
64A Clark RdThe closest takeaway, and reasonably healthy food - chicken, salad etc. 3 minutes walk from Bay Cottage. Open seven days until 10pm, so good for late arrivals.
Neutral Bay's dining precinct. Upmarket hamburger chains like Grill'd and Ribs'n'Burgers, through to Indian and Japanese cuisine. Surrounding streets also have many takeaways and eateries.
6 locals recommend
Grosvenor Street
Grosvenor StreetNeutral Bay's dining precinct. Upmarket hamburger chains like Grill'd and Ribs'n'Burgers, through to Indian and Japanese cuisine. Surrounding streets also have many takeaways and eateries.
One of my favourite things on a sunny day: catch the ferry to Watsons Bay, and have lunch at this famous seafood restaurant est 1885. Doyles also have a cheaper takeaway outlet on the ferry wharf.
66 locals recommend
Doyles on the Beach Restaurant
11 Marine ParadeOne of my favourite things on a sunny day: catch the ferry to Watsons Bay, and have lunch at this famous seafood restaurant est 1885. Doyles also have a cheaper takeaway outlet on the ferry wharf.
Best Asian food in the city and a Sydney institution. Great views over Darling Harbour (book a table with a view). Must haves: Kapitan prawn curry and Beef Rendang. Ferry from Milson Pt to D. Harbour
32 locals recommend
The Malaya
39 Lime StBest Asian food in the city and a Sydney institution. Great views over Darling Harbour (book a table with a view). Must haves: Kapitan prawn curry and Beef Rendang. Ferry from Milson Pt to D. Harbour
Great French restaurant right near the Ivy, the Establishment, Palings and a heap of interesting bars and restaurants.
10 locals recommend
Felix
2 Ash StGreat French restaurant right near the Ivy, the Establishment, Palings and a heap of interesting bars and restaurants.
Relaxed rooftop dining area with a good range of pub food (salads, seafood etc). Just on the other side of the Bridge and on the edge of the Rocks. Get there early as it's popular on weekends.
64 locals recommend
The Glenmore Hotel
96 Cumberland StRelaxed rooftop dining area with a good range of pub food (salads, seafood etc). Just on the other side of the Bridge and on the edge of the Rocks. Get there early as it's popular on weekends.
Do the Cremorne Point walk and end here (about 40 minutes start to finish). Nice cafe right on the water with brekky and lunch fare. Catch a ferry back to Cremorne Point or Circular Quay.
24 locals recommend
Mosman Bay Wharf station
Do the Cremorne Point walk and end here (about 40 minutes start to finish). Nice cafe right on the water with brekky and lunch fare. Catch a ferry back to Cremorne Point or Circular Quay.
Sightseeing
Fabulous art deco sun-bathing nooks right under the incredible Harbour Bridge and next to Luna Park. On a hot day, it's just a great Sydney experience.
88 locals recommend
Olympic Pool North Sydney
4 Alfred St SFabulous art deco sun-bathing nooks right under the incredible Harbour Bridge and next to Luna Park. On a hot day, it's just a great Sydney experience.
Simply the most beautiful spot in Sydney. Take a picnic, set up on the grassy slopes and take in the jaw-dropping view. Or walk the scenic path all the way to Mosman. Best view of NYE fireworks.
89 locals recommend
Cremorne Point
Simply the most beautiful spot in Sydney. Take a picnic, set up on the grassy slopes and take in the jaw-dropping view. Or walk the scenic path all the way to Mosman. Best view of NYE fireworks.
Created by Brett Whiteley's muse and widow, a beautiful peaceful place to walk or contemplate life. Make it part of a harbourfront walk around Milsons Point and McMahon's Point.
111 locals recommend
Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden
Lavender StreetCreated by Brett Whiteley's muse and widow, a beautiful peaceful place to walk or contemplate life. Make it part of a harbourfront walk around Milsons Point and McMahon's Point.
Lovely harbour swimming beach with stunning coastal walks on either side. Has large grassy area with palm trees for shade, a small cafe, and a range of other wining/dining options on the northern path
10 locals recommend
Clifton Gardens
Lovely harbour swimming beach with stunning coastal walks on either side. Has large grassy area with palm trees for shade, a small cafe, and a range of other wining/dining options on the northern path
A 20-minute walk will bring you to one of our two most famous landmarks. My favourite view is from underneath. Or walk across it (another 10-12 minutes) into the historic Rocks area.
984 locals recommend
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour BridgeA 20-minute walk will bring you to one of our two most famous landmarks. My favourite view is from underneath. Or walk across it (another 10-12 minutes) into the historic Rocks area.
A five-minute ferry trip from Neutral Bay or Milson Point takes you right past this gorgeous landmark giving you the best view ever. Once you arrive at Circular Quay it's a 5-10 minute stroll away.
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
A five-minute ferry trip from Neutral Bay or Milson Point takes you right past this gorgeous landmark giving you the best view ever. Once you arrive at Circular Quay it's a 5-10 minute stroll away.
Very touristy but a popular spot for wining, dining and people watching. Catch the ferry straight there from Milson Point ferry wharf (near Luna Park).
892 locals recommend
Darling Harbour
Very touristy but a popular spot for wining, dining and people watching. Catch the ferry straight there from Milson Point ferry wharf (near Luna Park).
Our newest harbour foreshore reserve. Still waiting for the trees to soften it, but if you're up for a decent walk, it gives you a good vantage point of the Harbour. Carry on to the Malaya for lunch.
46 locals recommend
Barangaroo Reserve
Hickson RoadOur newest harbour foreshore reserve. Still waiting for the trees to soften it, but if you're up for a decent walk, it gives you a good vantage point of the Harbour. Carry on to the Malaya for lunch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cute subterranean wine bar with great share plates (get the tacos and sliders). Get there early for a table though as it gets very crowded. It's possible to book.
84 locals recommend
The Botanist
17 Willoughby StCute subterranean wine bar with great share plates (get the tacos and sliders). Get there early for a table though as it gets very crowded. It's possible to book.
Nice little wine bar, very friendly, and also does breakfast and lunch. Right in the heart of Kirribilli Village and good for people watching.
38 locals recommend
SBK Sydney
1-3 Broughton StNice little wine bar, very friendly, and also does breakfast and lunch. Right in the heart of Kirribilli Village and good for people watching.
One of Sydney's underground bars, accessed through an alley and unmarked (you'll see a security guard at the door). Specialises in whiskey but also has a good wine list.
185 locals recommend
The Baxter Inn
156 Clarence StOne of Sydney's underground bars, accessed through an alley and unmarked (you'll see a security guard at the door). Specialises in whiskey but also has a good wine list.
Another good stop on the Cremorne Point foreshore walk. Good pub food and drinks, very casual and a bit scruffy, right on the water. Does breakfast, lunch, dinner. (Google for details)
16 locals recommend
Mosman Rowers
3 Centenary DrAnother good stop on the Cremorne Point foreshore walk. Good pub food and drinks, very casual and a bit scruffy, right on the water. Does breakfast, lunch, dinner. (Google for details)
Everything Else
Entry is on Military Road. Closest supermarket to Bay Cottage - a 15 minute heart-pumping walk up the hill.
14 locals recommend
Coles Express
Ernest StreetEntry is on Military Road. Closest supermarket to Bay Cottage - a 15 minute heart-pumping walk up the hill.
If you're into supermarkets this is just the best ever. Lots of fancy food and an instore cafe. Very North Shore! There are 2 Woollies close by - this one is on the other side of Military Road.
70 locals recommend
Woolworths Neutral Bay
43-51 Grosvenor St If you're into supermarkets this is just the best ever. Lots of fancy food and an instore cafe. Very North Shore! There are 2 Woollies close by - this one is on the other side of Military Road.
Arts & Culture
Gorgeous Art Deco cinemas, showing a wide range of popular and arthouse films. Has a bar so you can take a glass of wine in while you watch the movie. Catch any bus heading north along Military Road.
165 locals recommend
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
380 Military RdGorgeous Art Deco cinemas, showing a wide range of popular and arthouse films. Has a bar so you can take a glass of wine in while you watch the movie. Catch any bus heading north along Military Road.
Shopping
Walk across the Bridge and explore the historic Rocks area, including these terrific markets. Google for times etc. Then maybe lunch at the Glenmore Pub or Sailors Thai.
186 locals recommend
The Rocks Friday Market
Playfair StreetWalk across the Bridge and explore the historic Rocks area, including these terrific markets. Google for times etc. Then maybe lunch at the Glenmore Pub or Sailors Thai.