Sydney’s wine culture has never been more exciting. From glittering harbour landmarks to hidden laneway gems, the city is rewriting the rules of how we drink: less, but better; curious, but uncommitted; always chasing discovery. By-the-glass has become the new ritual, giving wine lovers the freedom to explore rare vintages, local icons, and natural finds without ordering the whole bottle.
Curated by the Coravin Guide, here are 22 of Sydney’s best venues to drink wine by the glass—from fine dining institutions and prestige hotel restaurants to relaxed wine bars and neighbourhood favourites. Whether you’re after Krug at Bondi, Nebbiolo in Redfern, or Burgundy high above the harbour, this list proves why Sydney is a global capital for by-the-glass experiences.
The Rocks & Circular Quay
1. Quay
Specialist in: Chardonnay | Pinot Noir | Riesling
Quay, led by Executive Chef Peter Gilmore and the Fink group, offers around 40 wines by the glass plus rotating premium cuvées, showcasing both iconic Australian producers and benchmark international styles. With its meticulously curated list and breathtaking harbourside setting, Quay delivers a refined fine-dining experience that balances a sense of place with global prestige.
2. Bennelong
Bennelong, set within the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House, offers over 50 wines by the glass, with a focus on Australia alongside select European picks. The wine list mirrors the cooking—robust, direct, and approachable—celebrating tradition while embracing innovation, all within a striking yet relaxed fine-dining atmosphere.
3. Aria
Aria, overlooking the Opera House, showcases over 90 wines by the glass—all served via Coravin to ensure freshness—alongside three pairing options for its tasting menu. Led by Executive Chef Tom Gorringe with Matt Moran, the restaurant celebrates the best of Australian produce in a refined yet quintessentially Sydney setting.
4. Altitude (Shangri-La)
Specialist in: Barossa | Chardonnay | Margaret River
Altitude at Shangri-La Sydney offers around 50 wines by the glass, focusing exclusively on Australian producers with Champagne reserved for special occasions. Curated to pair with Chef Jason Huynh’s native-driven cuisine, the list highlights both small growers and iconic names, all within a prestigious fine-dining setting high above the harbour.
5. Oborozuki
Specialist in: Japanese Sake | Rhône | Bio-dynamic
Oborozuki blends Japanese–French fine dining with an award-winning drinks program featuring 60+ wines and 13 boutique sakes by the glass or carafe. Exclusive highlights include its own sparkling sake crafted in Kyoto, alongside rare French and premium Australian labels. Served with Coravin precision and Edo Kiriko crystal, every pour complements the restaurant’s elegant, harbour-side atmosphere.
Sydney CBD
6. Rockpool Bar & Grill
Specialist in: Ribera del Duero | Cool climate | Regenerative viticulture
Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney, housed in the iconic 1936 Art Deco City Mutual Building, offers over 60 wines by the glass from a 3,600-label list. Known for wood fire–grilled meats and seafood from top Australian producers, the venue pairs its heritage setting with Coravin-poured rarities and aged wines, creating a prestigious atmosphere for serious wine discovery.
7. Bentley Restaurant & Bar
Specialist in: Bio-dynamic | Champagne | Sherry
Bentley, the flagship of the Bentley Group, offers over 60 wines by the glass—most served via Coravin—spanning iconic regions and producers worldwide. Known for its ambitious Modern Australian cuisine and award-winning list, Bentley delivers a sophisticated yet stylish atmosphere, making it a destination for serious wine lovers and casual sippers alike.
8. Restaurant Hubert
Specialist in: Champagne | Jura | Low intervention
Restaurant Hubert channels Parisian glamour with velvet-draped dining rooms, live music, and a love of old-world hospitality. Its list offers 55 wines by the glass, poured via Coravin, spanning Champagne, Burgundy, Jura, and Australian icons. With a mix of avant-garde low-intervention bottles and classic prestige cuvées, Hubert delivers a sophisticated, theatrical atmosphere perfect for long, indulgent evenings.
9. The Charles Brasserie & Bar
Specialist in: Burgundy | Chardonnay | Syrah/Shiraz
The Charles Brasserie & Bar pairs grand European brasserie elegance with a modern Sydney edge, offering over 40 wines by the glass via Coravin. Guests can explore rare Burgundy, Barolo, and Australian icons alongside French and Italian classics, all within a stylish setting of chandeliers, warm timber, and plush leather—perfect for celebrations or lingering evenings.
10. Glass Brasserie
Specialist in: Champagne | Chardonnay | Cool climate
Glass Brasserie, a Sydney dining icon within the Hilton, offers around 50 wines by the glass via Coravin, from Oliver Leflaive and Pol Roger to rare vintages like Krug ’96 and Quintarelli 2015. With sweeping views of the QVB, European charm, and a refined yet lively atmosphere, it’s a landmark destination for both fine dining and world-class wine discovery.
11. King Clarence
Specialist in: Alsace | Burgundy | Grosses Gewächs
King Clarence, part of the Bentley Group, brings bold Asian-inspired dining to the CBD with sleek neon interiors and a lively, late-night vibe. Its eclectic list features over 40 wines by the glass plus carafe offerings, spanning Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne, and rare “unicorn” bottles opened weekly, making it a hotspot for adventurous wine lovers and stylish nights out.
12. Palazzo Salato
Specialist in: Italy | Orange | Super-Tuscan
Palazzo Salato, a Roman-inspired trattoria from the Love Tilly Group, brings refined yet playful dining to Sydney’s CBD. With over 35 wines by the glass and an 800-bin cellar, the program highlights Italy alongside France, Australia, and beyond—spanning iconic classics to hidden gems from regions like Georgia and England. The atmosphere is sophisticated, stylish, and made for discovery.
13. De Vine Food & Wine
Specialist in: Natural | Jura | Loire
DeVine Food & Wine, a CBD institution since 2003, combines Italian warmth with one of Sydney’s most dynamic wine programs. Offering 50+ wines by the glass from a 500-bin list, it champions Euro-centric, natural, and biodynamic producers. With lively energy, classic dishes, and rare gems by the glass, DeVine is both a relaxed social hub and a haven for serious wine lovers.
14. FIX Wine Bar + Restaurant
Specialist in: Cabernet Franc | Chardonnay | Pinot Noir
Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant, a 60-seat gem in Sydney’s CBD, has built a loyal following since 2006 with its focus on rare and unusual wines. Offering over 40 wines by the glass—around half of its 200-bottle list, poured via Coravin—it’s a relaxed, social spot where seasonal dishes meet small, handcrafted wines from around the globe.
15. O Bar & Dining
Specialist in: Barbaresco | Barolo | Barossa
O Bar & Dining, set high on the 47th floor of Australia Square, combines revolving skyline views with a refined wine and dining experience. Its Coravin-powered list features over 40 wines by the glass, from Barossa icons to rare Barolo and Barbaresco, all paired with contemporary Australian cuisine in a sleek, sophisticated atmosphere.
Surry Hills, Darlinghurst & Redfern
16. NOMAD Sydney
Specialist in: Chardonnay | Pinot Noir | Off-the-beaten-track
NOMAD Sydney, set in Surry Hills, combines wood-fired, produce-driven cuisine with a globally inspired edge. Its list features around 45 wines by the glass, highlighting premium Australian makers alongside Coravin-poured international gems. With a focus on small, sustainable growers, NOMAD delivers depth, diversity, and discovery in a buzzy, contemporary setting.
17. Paski Vineria Popolare
Specialist in: Natural | Low intervention | Organic
Paski Vineria Popolare, on Oxford Street, blends a casual ground-floor bar with a more refined upstairs dining room. Its wine list champions small-scale farmers and artisans, offering authenticity and discovery at every turn. With Coravin, guests can explore a wide range of rare and natural wines by the glass, making it a go-to spot for adventurous drinkers seeking connection and character.
18. Attenzione! Food & Wine
Specialist in: Nebbiolo | Rhône | Regenerative viticulture
Attenzione! Food & Wine, a cosy Redfern neighbourhood spot, serves “Regional Redfern Cuisine” alongside a wine list of 480 labels with a near-religious focus on Nebbiolo. Its by-the-glass program offers a rotating mix of Italian varietals and global classics, keeping the experience fresh, exciting, and always rooted in discovery.
Eastern Beaches
19. Icebergs Dining Room & Bar
Specialist in: Rosé | Super-Tuscan | Sweet
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, perched above Bondi Beach, captures the essence of Sydney with ocean views and coastal Italo-Australian cuisine. Its intimate dining room offers around 45 wines by the glass, from Dom Pérignon and Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon to avant-garde icons like Radikon and Barolo, making it a destination for both elegance and discovery.
20. Mimi’s
Specialist in: Burgundy | Champagne | Syrah/Shiraz
Mimi’s, overlooking Coogee Beach, blends Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with sweeping ocean views framed by arched windows. The wine program offers around 50 wines by the glass, highlighting Burgundy, Champagne, Syrah, and sustainable global producers, all in an elegant coastal setting that feels both prestigious and deeply connected to its surroundings.
North Shore
21. Kipling's Garage Bar
Specialist in: South Africa | Tasmania | Margaret River
Kipling’s Garage Bar, in Turramurra on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, is a neighbourhood favourite with a relaxed, lively vibe. Its list spans nearly 420 wines, with an impressive 145 available by the glass via Coravin—ranging from Barolo and Burgundy to Barossa icons and Champagne. Welcoming and unpretentious, it’s the perfect spot for date nights, catch-ups, or adventurous wine discovery without the fuss.
22. Annata Restaurant (Crows Nest)
Specialist in: California | Tasmania | Margaret River
Annata, a hatted gem in Crows Nest, pairs gourmet dining with an immersive Coravin wine program offering 40+ boutique wines by the glass. With 250 bottles on its list and interactive pairing menus guided by sommeliers, Annata delivers a refined yet engaging atmosphere for serious wine and food lovers alike.
FAQs
Final Note
Sydney’s by-the-glass culture reflects the city itself: vibrant, diverse, and always evolving. From prestige dining rooms to laid-back neighbourhood gems, these 22 venues show that wine in Sydney is no longer about committing to the bottle—it’s about freedom, discovery, and enjoying the perfect glass in the perfect moment.
With the Coravin Guide, you can explore these experiences with confidence, knowing every glass has been chosen to inspire curiosity and elevate the way we drink wine in this remarkable city.