Now Open: Pairing Its Sydney Opera House Views and Celebrity-Favourite Rooftop Bar with a Revamp, Cruise Bar & Restaurant Is Back
This airy waterfront icon has reopened with a brand-new look, plus cuisine inspired by Australian landscapes.
Circular Quay is looking a little more stylish, as wharf-side icon Cruise Bar & Restaurant has reopened following an extensive renovation. Decked out with a fresh look and innovative menus, this well-known celebrity haunt invites budding socialites to indulge in its unmatched Sydney Opera House views and brand-new rooftop bar. Who knows, maybe you'll catch past guests like Kylie Minogue, Fleetwood Mac or Justin Bieber relishing the vistas.
Transformed by award-winning design firm Luchetti Krelle, the space is now effortlessly breezy, with beachy hues and floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of Cruise's stunning vantage point. However, the most attention-grabbing change is the addition of Melba's Rooftop, a chic haven with panoramic harbour views named after iconic opera singer and jet-setter Dame Nellie Melba — perhaps Australia's first global celebrity.
"Sydney has changed a lot in the past decade, but there's always been a place for a venue like Cruise," says Cruise Bar General Manager John Harvey. "It's got history, it's got views that stop you in your tracks, and now it's got an elevated experience to match."
The menu has received a sizeable makeover too, with Head Chef Han Chen (a'Mare, Felix) shaping modern Australian cuisine informed by the country's native larder. Inspired by diverse landscapes, some of the most eye-catching dishes include bush tomato butter mussels, pan-seared Humpty Doo barramundi with macadamia cream, and confit duck risotto with butternut squash and crispy saltbush.
The cocktail menu strikes a similar theme, as barman Tom Bulmer (Margaret, O Bar, Jane) pushes native botanicals in fun and engaging directions. For instance, the Lily Flower combines raspberry, lilly pilly, Casamigos tequila and hibiscus, while the Afternoon Fashion reinvents a classic old fashioned with croissant-washed whisky and toasted wattleseed. Meanwhile, the Berry in Sight goes bold with a blend of mulberry, bush apple, blended whisky and desert lime shrub.
"We've carefully curated an offering that reflects Sydney's evolving food and drink culture. From the menu to the design, every detail has been considered to create an experience that feels fresh, exciting, and uniquely Cruise. This isn't just a comeback — it's a statement, and we can't wait to welcome Sydney back," said Harvey.
Cruise Bar & Restaurant has reopened Sunday–Thursday from 11.30am–12am, Friday from 11.30am–1am, and Saturday from 11.30am–3am at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay. Head to the website for more information.
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