Sydney’s Best Waterfront Restaurants
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
Today’s guest post is by Roxana Oliver
Being one the most amazing and beautiful cities in the world, Sydney hosts millions of tourists throughout the year. Hardly surprising, once you consider the breathtaking white sand beaches, the glittering blue waters and some of the best waterfront locations for fine dining. Whether you’ve found yourself hungry after a long day at the beach, or are looking for a spot to relax with dear friends over a cup of afternoon tea, here are some of Sydney’s absolutely best waterfront restaurants you absolutely have to visit.
Gunners’ Barracks
Gunner’s Barracks have recently experienced a redesign in interior, as well as a cosmetic refurbishment on the exterior, and the result is a much lighter and softer color palette, coupled with custom-designed carpets, curtains and wallpapers and crystal chandeliers. This might sound tacky to some, but the reality is far from it. It’s located in Georges Heights, only 7 kilometers from the city center and provides a spectacular view of Sydney Harbor throughout the year. Ideal for corporate launches and more private celebrations, this venue is adored by tea enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, due to its enormous selection of genuine Ronnefeldt teas.
Bennelong
Once you’ve visited Bennelong, you’d realize why one of Sydney’s most magnificent restaurants in only fitting to be housed by one of Sydney’s most awe-inspiring structures. Located at the Sydney Opera House, this restaurant has gone through a multi-million-dollar renovation and its iconic dining room is now more stunning than ever. You can dine either in the main restaurant or at the Table, a 10-seat semi-private dining space. They have a number of different dining options, including a pre-theatre menu which is available for those attending one of the menu shows in the Opera House. After the show, you can relax at the Bar and enjoy a selection from the cocktail list inspired by local Australian ingredients.
Catalina Rose Bay
Resting on the very edge of the water, Catalina’s dinner can be found in Sydney’s Rose Bay. It offers exceptional food coupled with an unbelievable view of the harbor. Back in the 1930s, it was home to the first international airport in Sydney and it’s still home to a careful selection of various seaplanes. Catalina is an indoor/outdoor space perfect for business and personal celebrations, large or small. If you ever have a chance to visit Catalina, make sure to try the freshest Sydney rock oysters, the in-house smoked and cured salmon or the pan-fried snapper with garlic potato mash. Wine lovers rejoice, as this welcoming environment also has a detailed wine list to complement its amazing food.
Blackbird Cafe
Blackbird Cafe overlooks the Cockle Bay precinct, which is a hub of good dining experience and great entertainment for the entire family. As you look across the water, you can see the lights of the beautiful Darling Harbor sparkling on the water below. This is a busy restaurant which is well-known for its delicious modern Australian cuisine and favored by the locals. Blackbird Cafe is a staple cafe in Sydney and offers an extensive menu available at prices that are beyond reasonable. Due to various lunch specials and happy hours, this busy café is an excellent choice for families and large groups of friends.
The Bathers Pavilion
A go-to place when you’re visiting Sydney, The Bathers’ Pavilion is adored by locals and tourists for its otherworldly views of the Balmoral Beach. The snappish, modern dining room serves an array of tasty dishes which mainly showcase various European culinary traditions. The absolute star of the menu has to be the seafood, which is caught and prepared daily. The Bathers Pavilion is also home to the Bathers’ Café which is focused on a Mediterranean-style menu coupled with a cozy atmosphere and a choice of communal tables, or the more intimate, soft-cushioned boots for morning chow wow with friends, a refreshing afternoon tea or a late lunch to unwind after a long day at the beach.
Whether you’re a local, looking for a new place to unwind with friends and colleagues or a tourist visiting Australia for the first time, these are just some of the more experience-rich waterfront restaurants Sydney has to offer. Enjoy the gorgeous offering of fresh seafood at Catalina’s, awaken your sleepy taste buds with an afternoon tea at Gunners’ or grab a delicious snack at the Blackbird. There are no mistakes to be made here, just be careful not to indulge yourself too much and burn through your entire budget in a single day.
Author Bio: Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family.
Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find out more about her writing and follow her on Twitter.
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
