You’ve received some good recommendations Brad. The rooftop at the Glenmore Hotel has a great casual vibe. I also second heading to Manly on the ferry (tour of the harbor without paying for a tour) for the day. You can’t beat the view for a drink at Blu Bar on 36 (in Shangri-La Hotel), especially at sunset. The Malaya in Darling Harbor is good for Malaysian cuisine. Enjoy!
Ferry to/from Manley was great. The line can be very long from Sydney if it’s a hot day. I took an Uber when I saw 200 people ahead of me. Should have just waited in line, even though I wouldn’t have made the next ferry.
Highly recommend the walk along the ocean from Bondi beach too (to Brontë beach, or shorter, in that direction). Great maintained path (stairs , but not too bad).
A shorter, also great walk, is from Watson’s Bay to South Head. A shorter ferry ride than Manley.
We did all three, they were the highlights of our week in Sydney.
One other thing to note Brad is that Jan 26 is Australia day and being a public holiday many restaurants will be closed. Also factor in 15% public holiday surcharge…although you will save on tipping compared to home!
Save on tipping only if you ignore suggestions on the tip line of the credit card bill. Big change since my last visit 25 years ago.
One Australian board member helpfully mentioned they tip 5%-10%. (Suggestions on the bill start at 10 % and go up to 20%).
Is that in line with your practice?
15% is cheap! We look forward to all the fireworks.
Better than here. I’m seeing suggestions start at 20% and work their way up above 30%.
Firedoor is Sydney, absolutely no question. Watch the Chef’s Table BBQ on him and feel free to swing by if you want to borrow his cookbook before you go… just wait until after Feb 2, as I’m going the whole dry Jan nonsense.
For average to reasonable service I don’t tip.
Good to very good service maybe round the bill up by $20 to $40, unless it’s a big group in which look to 5-10%.
For outstanding/flawless service 10% but no more.