Shell House
Sydney
At a glance
Shell House at 37 Margaret St, Sydney, offers a multi-level dining and entertainment experience for those seeking diverse culinary options. The venue comprises the Menzies Bar & Bistro, the Dining Room & Terrace, Clocktower Bar, and Sky Bar. Each level brings a unique atmosphere and experience, ranging from a casual bistro to elegant dining and lively rooftop scenes.
The Menzies Bar & Bistro provides a relaxed setting with a focus on shared banquet menus, creating a convivial atmosphere perfect for social gatherings. It is ideal for those who enjoy sharing dishes and social dining.
Upstairs, the Dining Room & Terrace offers guests a more upscale dining experience with elegant menus crafted for leisurely meals in a sophisticated atmosphere. This sun-soaked spot is suitable for patrons looking to indulge in a longer, more luxurious dining experience with impressive city views.
The Clocktower Bar adds a vibrant touch, acting as a central hub for drinks and social interaction, while the Sky Bar completes the experience with an outdoor setting featuring expansive skyline views. Sky Bar is perfect for patrons who enjoy the combination of cocktails, sunsets, and a lively ambiance. It's a splendid choice for those celebrating special occasions or simply wishing to enjoy an elevated view of the city.
Shell House caters to various tastes and preferences, making it adaptable for different dining purposes. Whether it's a casual lunch, a formal dinner, or cocktails at sunset, Shell House provides a versatile venue that spans cultures and styles in the heart of Sydney.
Reviews
Sky Bar. The server spilt my drink putting it in front of me, and only said “sorry mate”. The advertised $15 prawn katsu sando wasn’t even a happy hour special, it’s always that price, it’s also overcooked to extremely chewy. And tiny. 1/5 Dining Room. Some stuff was alright, the madeleines were great. The savoury food though, like the WA Marron pasta and the potato galette were extremely over salted. I asked front of house who’s in charge of the sauces, as it was only the sauces that were over salted, they said it’s the head chef. I told them that’s really poor form, not good enough considering they’re a 2-hatted restaurant. Either a big mistake in over salting 2 different sauces, or the rating system is meaningless. An expensive, disappointing night. 2/5 Edit: I just saw somebody else complain that the potato was extremely salty also, so the chef can’t salt appropriately it seems. Very poor form.
What’s there not to love about a stylish restaurant that serves outstanding food with impeccable service? Came here for a Friday lunch … everything we had was delicious. Started with Sydney Rock Oysters, Tuna & Kingfish crudo with Caper dressing and Grilled Octopus with tuna Nduja (not as tender as we’d hoped but still delicious) Mains- Scotch fillet was cooked to perfection accompanied by Roast layered potato. Dessert was the Crème Brûlée - not a traditional version but still delicious. Wine list was extensive. Was a bit noisy because of the usual Friday city crowd having lunch but otherwise an amazing dining experience. Service was impeccable. A definite special occasion restaurant or if you’re trying to impress someone. Conveniently located a short walk from Wynyard station.
Went to Menzies Bar & Bistro to celebrate a birthday and it was such a lovely night for two. The interiors were beautiful, and the staff were down to earth and very friendly, which made the whole experience feel even more welcoming. We ordered the baked scallops, steak tartare, chicken scarpariello and lobster ravioli. I don’t usually go for chicken when dining out, but my fiancé wanted to try the chicken scarpariello and I was genuinely surprised by how good it was. The staff recommended adding a side to go with the chicken, so we went with the broccolini and it turned out to be the perfect balance for the dish. Overall, the food, atmosphere and service made for a really enjoyable and relaxed birthday dinner.
Visited the Shell House Menzies Bar for Valentines day with my Fiancée. We celebrated our anniversary and were pleasantly surprised with a free dessert and a hand written note wishing us well. Truly was a fantastic experience, the staff go above and beyond even asked for feedback on the dishes which was nice. The food was beautiful, we had the valentines set dinner menu and added the oysters on extra. It was a perfect amount of food and each dish was divine. Definitely will be coming back!
