Sydney's two major casino complexes, The Star Sydney in Pyrmont and Crown Sydney in Barangaroo, offer an exceptional collection of restaurants ranging from signature fine dining to casual waterfront venues. These entertainment precincts feature award-winning chefs, diverse cuisines, and spectacular harbour views.
Sydney's casino dining scene has evolved into one of the city's most sophisticated culinary destinations, with The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney collectively housing over a dozen premium restaurants. These entertainment complexes have transformed from gaming-focused venues into comprehensive dining precincts that attract food enthusiasts regardless of their interest in casino activities. Understanding the distinct offerings, booking procedures, and dining experiences at each location helps visitors maximize their culinary experience in these iconic Sydney venues.
Located in Pyrmont at 80 Pyrmont Street, The Star Sydney operates multiple dining venues across its harbourside complex. The casino's restaurant collection spans various price points and cuisine styles, anchored by signature establishments that have earned industry recognition over two decades of operation.
Flying Fish represents The Star Sydney's flagship dining experience, celebrating twenty-one years of signature seafood service. Positioned on Level G of the Harbourside building, this restaurant focuses exclusively on Australian and New Zealand seafood prepared with minimal intervention to highlight natural flavours. The venue has consistently earned recognition including Best Seafood Platters from Urban List in 2025, Two Glasses at the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards in 2023, and Best NSW Wine List at the NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards in 2019.
The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours, offering both lunch and dinner services. The dining philosophy emphasizes sustainable sourcing, minimal waste practices, and technique that serves the ingredient rather than overshadowing it. The wine program features an extensive selection that complements the seafood-focused menu, with sommelier expertise available to guide pairings.
Beyond Flying Fish, The Star Sydney houses multiple dining options including Flying Fish & Chips in the Cafe Court, which provides a casual interpretation of the flagship restaurant's offerings for guests seeking quick service. The complex also features various bars and casual dining venues that cater to different timing needs, from pre-theatre dining to late-night options that align with casino operating hours.
Crown Sydney in Barangaroo represents the newer addition to Sydney's casino dining landscape, featuring a curated selection of fine dining venues with spectacular harbour views. The property positions itself in the luxury segment, with restaurants led by internationally recognized chefs and design-focused interiors that complement the architectural statement of the Crown tower itself.
Crown Sydney's restaurant portfolio includes Japanese, Italian, Contemporary Fine Dining, Modern Australian, Chinese, and French cuisines, along with all-day dining options and multiple bar venues. The property emphasizes private dining capabilities, with dedicated rooms and whole-venue hire options for corporate events and celebrations. This focus on private events distinguishes Crown Sydney from The Star's more publicly accessible dining approach.
Crown Sydney operates an exclusive online booking system through its website, with all reservations, modifications, and cancellations managed digitally. The system allows guests to adjust party sizes, add dietary requirements, and select specific seating times based on real-time availability. Group reservations and private dining room bookings follow a separate request process through dedicated event coordinators.
The venue enforces specific policies regarding dress standards, surcharges for peak periods, and cancellation terms that vary by restaurant. Crown Gift Cards are accepted across all dining venues, providing flexibility for gift-givers and recipients. Unlike many restaurant groups, Crown venues maintain a no-split-bill policy, requiring guests to arrange payment distribution privately.
Selecting the ideal casino restaurant depends on your occasion, budget, and dining preferences. Both The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney organize their venues by cuisine type, formality level, and dining experience. Fine dining venues require advance reservations and often have dress codes, while casual options accommodate walk-ins during off-peak hours.
Consider booking through official casino websites for the most accurate availability and to access exclusive dining packages. Group reservations and private dining rooms require special arrangements, typically available through dedicated event coordinators. Check venue-specific policies regarding surcharges, cancellation terms, and dietary accommodations before finalizing your booking.
Both casino complexes require advance planning for optimal dining experiences, particularly for signature restaurants during weekend evenings and special occasions. Understanding the booking infrastructure, modification procedures, and venue-specific requirements prevents disappointment and ensures smooth dining experiences.
Fine dining venues at both properties typically require reservations one to two weeks in advance for Friday and Saturday evenings. Weekday lunch services and early-week dinners offer more flexibility, with some venues accepting walk-ins during off-peak periods. Holiday periods, major sporting events, and concert dates at nearby venues create additional demand that necessitates earlier booking windows.
Both The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney provide digital tools for managing existing reservations. Confirmation emails and SMS messages include links to modification portals where guests can adjust party sizes, update dietary requirements, or cancel bookings according to venue-specific policies. Changes remain subject to availability, and some venues impose cancellation fees for late changes or no-shows, particularly for large groups and private dining arrangements.
Transportation logistics differ significantly between the two casino properties due to their distinct locations and parking infrastructure. The Star Sydney in Pyrmont offers more direct parking options, while Crown Sydney in Barangaroo requires understanding of the precinct's parking limitations.
Crown Sydney does not operate dedicated parking facilities. The nearest public parking is the Wilsons car park at Barangaroo Reserve, located approximately ten minutes walking distance from the casino. This car park operates limited hours and does not provide 24-hour access, requiring guests to verify operating times before planning late-evening visits. Alternative parking options in the broader Barangaroo precinct may offer extended hours but involve longer walking distances.
The Star Sydney provides more integrated parking solutions with on-site facilities that accommodate the casino's extended operating hours. Parking rates vary by duration and time of day, with validation options sometimes available through restaurant spending thresholds. The Pyrmont location also benefits from better public transportation connections, including light rail access and multiple bus routes.
Both casino restaurant groups accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, though procedures and capabilities vary by venue. Fine dining establishments typically handle complex dietary requirements more effectively due to kitchen structure and ingredient sourcing flexibility, while casual venues may have more limited modification capabilities.
Guests should communicate dietary requirements during the booking process rather than upon arrival, allowing kitchen teams to prepare appropriate ingredients and plan menu modifications. Confirmation emails typically include sections for dietary notes, and some venues follow up with phone calls to clarify complex requirements. Venues maintain detailed allergen information and can provide ingredient lists upon request, though cross-contamination risks exist in all commercial kitchens.
The two casino dining destinations serve different market segments and dining occasions. The Star Sydney offers a more established collection with venues that have built reputations over decades, including the twenty-one-year history of Flying Fish. The property's Pyrmont location provides easier access and more casual dining options alongside its fine dining anchors.
Crown Sydney represents a newer, more luxury-focused approach with emphasis on architectural design, harbour views, and private dining capabilities. The venue selection skews toward fine dining and special occasion restaurants, with fewer casual options compared to The Star's broader spectrum. Crown's Barangaroo location offers superior harbour views but presents parking and access challenges that The Star's Pyrmont position avoids.
Sydney's casino restaurants have evolved into legitimate dining destinations that compete with the city's best standalone restaurants. The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney each offer distinct advantages: The Star provides established venues with proven track records and easier access, while Crown delivers newer facilities with spectacular views and luxury positioning. Successful dining experiences at either property require advance booking for signature venues, understanding of venue-specific policies, and realistic planning around parking and access logistics. Both properties continue expanding their culinary offerings, maintaining Sydney's casino dining scene as a dynamic component of the city's broader restaurant landscape.
No, all restaurants at both The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney are open to the general public regardless of casino participation. The dining venues operate independently from gaming areas and welcome guests purely for culinary experiences.
For fine dining venues like Flying Fish or Crown Sydney's signature restaurants, book one to two weeks ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings. Weekday reservations typically require less advance notice, and lunch services generally have better availability than dinner.
Children are permitted in restaurant areas that have separate entrances from gaming floors. However, minors cannot pass through casino gaming areas to access restaurants. Check specific venue policies as some fine dining establishments may have age restrictions or may not accommodate young children during evening services.
Crown Sydney accepts Crown Gift Cards at all restaurant and bar venues. The Star Sydney has its own gift card program accepted across its dining outlets. Third-party dining vouchers depend on individual restaurant participation and should be verified before booking.
Dress codes vary by venue formality. Fine dining restaurants typically require smart casual attire minimum, with some enforcing stricter standards prohibiting sportswear, thongs, and overly casual clothing. Casual dining venues have more relaxed requirements. Check specific venue policies in booking confirmations.
Both properties offer group dining and private event capabilities. Crown Sydney particularly emphasizes private dining rooms and whole-venue hire options. Group bookings typically require separate inquiry processes through event coordinators rather than standard online booking systems.
Pricing aligns with venue positioning rather than casino location. Signature fine dining restaurants charge premium prices comparable to other high-end Sydney establishments, while casual venues offer mid-range pricing. The casino location does not inherently inflate prices beyond what similar quality venues charge elsewhere in Sydney.
Both properties provide digital modification tools through confirmation emails and SMS links. Changes remain subject to availability, and cancellation policies vary by venue. Some restaurants impose fees for late cancellations or no-shows, particularly for large parties, so review specific terms in your booking confirmation.
Explore premium dining experiences at Sydney's leading casino entertainment destinations.
The Star Sydney's flagship restaurant continues its legacy of signature seafood dining with sustainable sourcing, minimal-waste practices, and an award-winning wine program that has earned multiple industry accolades.
Crown Sydney's curated restaurant portfolio features internationally recognized chefs, spectacular harbour views, and diverse cuisines from Japanese to French, with dedicated private dining capabilities for special occasions.
The Star Sydney's signature seafood restaurant marks over two decades of culinary excellence with continued industry recognition.
Crown Sydney introduces enhanced private event capabilities across its restaurant collection for corporate and celebration bookings.
Flying Fish receives Best Seafood Platters recognition from Urban List, continuing its award-winning tradition in Sydney dining.