The Degustation Extravaganza: Sydney’s Best Degustation Menus

Degustation menus have quite the story- they’ve come a long way and Sydney knows how to do the degustation drama just right! There was a point in time when it was exorbitantly priced and only restricted to fine dining establishments, now it has infiltrated some of Sydney’s most loved spots. Here’s a round-up of our favourite degustation menus around Sydney:

1. Clearview Dinner Cruise along Sydney Harbour

This tops the list for one reason alone- in addition to the exquisite 8-course seafood-inspired degustation menu, you also get to experience a 3-hour Sydney Harbour dinner cruise on a glass boat!

The meal starts off in the SkyDeck of the glass boat wherein there’s a roving service of canapes and drinks. You get to enjoy spectacular Sydney Harbour views before you head on inside to enjoy the rest of the harbour dinner cruise from the spacious elegant dining saloons. Dinner is served and how! With meat, seafood and even vegetarian options, you’ll be glad you chose this Sydney Harbour dinner cruise to dine on a degustation menu.

Our favourite dishes on Clearview dinner cruise in Sydney: The beetroot ravioli (on the vegetarian menu) and the delicious deconstructed dessert extravaganza- one of the best Australian pavlovas there is!

2. EST.

Most fine dining establishments serve their meals with a side of pretentiousness, but not Est. With professional service, divine flavours and beautiful wine pairings, every plate here is a winner. Elegantly plated, exquisitely flavoured and complex yet familiar tastes come together to produce a winner of a dish; and they get it right every single time.

Our favourite dishes: Steak topped with truffles and the passion fruit souffle!

3. Automata

If you run a search for a degustation menu in Sydney online, I’d presume that Automata would be the first one to pop up. So, what’s so special about it, you ask? The modern and refined decor makes it a hot favourite among the millennials, in addition to the regular crowd that fine dining restaurants generally cater to.

The 7-course degustation menu is a crowd favourite- making it a must-do for special occasions! Every course is well thought out and the beverage pairing by the experienced sommelier makes it all come together beautifully.

Our favourite dish: The first course stole the show- absolutely sublime starters!

4. Sixpenny

Seven courses- all that can give Michelin star chefs a run for their money. Everything on your plate is tastefully thought out and it shows! A heaven for seafood lovers- with unbelievable wine pairings. They use seasonal ingredients to prepare top quality meals that are worth every cent.

Our favourite dish: The swordfish had us drooling!

5. Blanca

An impeccable 8 or 10-course degustation menu at Blanca is sure to convince you why Australia is the food capital of the world. At a price that’s of great value, it’s a visual and gustatory delight.

Our favourite dish: Lip smacking good salmon and scallops rice cracker!

You only live once- so splurge while you get the chance on these splurge-worthy degustation menus around Sydney.

Charlotte Maxwell traverses the world during her free time, taking her to various exotic places, ticking off her travel bucket list one by one.