Where sky-high views meet world-class flavours

Sydney Morning Herald

14 hours ago

Advertorial for Altitude Restaurant – Shangri-La Sydney
To get to Sydney's best-looking dinner destination, you've got to be willing to go high.
Perched 36 floors above the city is Altitude, the fine-dining restaurant that arguably offers Sydney's finest views – no small feat in a place renowned for its natural beauty.
Situated at the top of the Shangri-La Sydney, Altitude offers a panoramic view over Sydney Harbour. From your table, you can watch ferries cruise by, see the sun reflect off the sails of the Opera House, and take in the sheer scale of the Harbour Bridge.
As unforgettable dining experiences go, it's hard to top Altitude. It's well worth the elevator ride.
Modern Australian excellence
It's not just the view that makes Altitude memorable.
Seasonal menus make use of the very best local produce for inventive dishes. You could start with cajun tuna tataki, served with Katsuobushi, pimenton, saffron, watermelon, heirloom tomato, karkalla and finger lime (with the option to add scampi caviar) – 'a beautifully layered dish that brings together sweetness, umami, and native Australian texture'.
Another standout entrée is the honey-glazed duck breast, which executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi cites as 'a perfect example of how we integrate sustainability and local character into our fine dining experience.'
The duck is brushed with honey harvested from the hotel's own rooftop beehives – an urban colony that has produced over 2,700 kilograms of raw, unfiltered honey since its inception.
Next, you might move on to one of the stellar main courses, such as the Wagyu with a marble score of 4+ – braised beef cheek complemented by Kipfler fondant potato, rich and tender with deep, comforting flavours.
Alternatively, the Condabilla Murray cod offers a lighter yet equally refined option, paired with lemon aspen, La Boqueria chorizo, harissa, Dutch potato cream, and a roasted fennel vinaigrette.
Dessert could be a tangelo mousse with lemon myrtle meringue crisp, or an Earl Grey chocolate terrine with spiced corella pear and wattle-seed wafer. In a mark of their quality, at the helm of many of the restaurant's most delicate dishes is executive pastry chef Kumiko Endo, who has worked at famed restaurants like Testsuya and Attica.
As executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi sees it, the Altitude menu is a refined expression of modern Australian cuisine.
In fact, behind each dish you'll find at least one native Australian ingredient (and artisan passionate about their harvest). Working closely with local producers and farmers is all part of the ethos at Altitude, with regular visits to farms often inspiring new ideas for the menu.
'We champion premium local ingredients and apply contemporary techniques to bring out their natural character,' he says. 'It's about telling a story of place and season on every plate, with a focus on elegance, balance, and thoughtful detail.'
The Altitude experience
At Altitude, every detail is designed to impress. You'll be greeted warmly as you arrive and waited on by staff who remember that special occasion you're there to celebrate. Expect refined ambience and comfort inside. And with floor to ceiling windows facing the harbour, there's nothing interrupting that breathtaking view.
Even the menu is designed to complement Altitude's prime position, Menegazzi says.
'Our menu is inspired first and foremost by where we are – 36 floors above Sydney Harbour, surrounded by panoramic views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the ever-changing skyline.
'We draw from Australia's diverse landscapes and native ingredients, using seasonal produce and regional flavours. The goal is to create dishes that not only taste distinctly Australian but also feel in harmony with the sweeping views that surround our guests.'
When it comes to wine, consult executive sommelier Shun Eto and his team. They're on hand to help you choose the ideal grape or design a perfect wine pairing for your meal.
Enjoy your selection – perhaps a glass of Dom Pérignon – or delve into the restaurant's extraordinary 500-strong wine library. This celebrated collection spans from promising emerging producers to truly iconic, rare vintages. A testament to its unparalleled depth and curation, the list earned the highest 3 Glass Rating at Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards in 2024, celebrating its ninth consecutive victory.
Whatever tipple you go for, Altitude is certainly the perfect place for a sundowner – when the sun's up, you can take in the Harbour in full flight, at sunset you'll watch oranges descend over the horizon, and after dark you can see it all twinkle. A dinner for the history books is all but guaranteed.
Plus, Altitude's glass-walled private dining room offers an unparalleled experience, 'floating' 36 levels above the harbour for intimate gatherings of up to 18 guests. With its matching iconic views, this sought-after space perfectly sets the scene for both romantic marriage proposals and special milestone celebrations.
Menegazzi believes any truly wonderful fine dining experience demands a combination of elevated cuisine, warm and intuitive service, and a setting that simply takes your breath away. Altitude, he's proud to say, offers all three.
'An unforgettable experience is when the food, setting, and service work together to create a moment of genuine connection and delight,' Menegazzi says. 'At Altitude, every detail is intentional, from the view-inspired dishes and seamless wine pairings to the personalised touches from our team.' How good.