Sydney’s harbourfront has a new spot for sun and sea breeze. Opening today inside the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, The Oriana stretches across four levels, transforming the former Squires Landing and Quay restaurant footprint into a single, interconnected venue designed to move with the city’s rhythm.
The name nods to the SS Oriana, one of the first major ocean liners to dock at Circular Quay in the 1960s—an era when the terminal cemented its role as a gateway for arrivals and departures.
That sense of movement carries through the new venue, which leans into a more fluid, experience-led format rather than a one-stop destination.
A venue built to move
At ground level, the Beer Garden opens directly onto the harbour, positioning itself as a front-row seat to both Sydney’s skyline and its biggest sporting moments. A permanent LED screen anchors the space, setting it up as a go-to for everything from FIFA World Cup matches to AFL and NRL grand finals—effectively merging pub energy with postcard views.
Upstairs, Level 1 shifts gears. The Oriana Pub keeps things casual by day but leans into late-night territory after 9pm with a dedicated martini offering and DJ-ready setup.
It’s a deliberate pivot that reflects broader changes in Sydney’s nightlife, as venues increasingly blur the line between dining and after-dark experiences, a trend highlighted in recent Night Time Economy reports across NSW.
Level 2 brings a more refined tone with The Oriana Restaurant, opened 22nd May, just in time for Vivid Sydney. The menu focuses on seasonal NSW produce and seafood, offering both à la carte and a Vivid set menu—particularly appealing given its elevated vantage point over the harbour’s light installations.
Here, you can indulge in dishes like Hokkaido scallops with finger lime or beurre blanc and caviar, lobster tagliatelle in a rich bisque, and Murray River cod with butter emulsion.
At the top, Level 3 houses the Harbour Room, a flexible events space aimed squarely at corporate functions, weddings and private celebrations—another sign of how premium harbourfront real estate continues to double as both public venue and private experience hub.
Dining at The Oriana
Food at the venue blends elevated dining with familiar favourites. Sydney rock oysters, prawn rolls and schnitzels sit comfortably alongside more indulgent offerings like Southern rock lobster, Bluefin tuna crudo and premium NSW steaks, including a 300g full-blood Wagyu striploin.
The redesign leans heavily into materiality inspired by the harbour—warm timbers, bronze finishes and layered textures that shift in mood as you move upward through the space. It’s bright and open at the base, gradually becoming more intimate above, echoing the day-to-night progression the venue is built around.
Launching with Vivid Sydney
Timing-wise, the launch aligns neatly with Vivid Sydney, and The Oriana is clearly positioning itself as a key viewing spot. A Four Pillars pop-up bar will serve gin spritzes overlooking the Harbour Bridge, while a roaming martini trolley adds a bit of theatre to Level 1.
Live music will run throughout the festival week, reinforcing its role as both a dining destination and a nightlife player.
Set between Circular Quay, The Rocks and Sydney’s cultural corridor, The Oriana enters a competitive but high-traffic precinct. Its edge lies in scale and flexibility as a vertical precinct designed to capture everything from long lunches to late-night drinks in one continuous flow.
