Strangers’ Restaurant

Strangers’ Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Domain, provides a rare opportunity for the public to experience fine dining at New South Wales Parliament House.

Executive Chef, Vanessa Harcourt and her passionate culinary team design seasonal menus that showcases the wonderful delicacies and unique regions of New South Wales. The Restaurant proudly supports local farmers who practice ethical and sustainable farming methods. The matching wines on the menu are designed to highlight a wide variety of award winning and unique wineries from across the state.

The Restaurant is open for lunch on Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with the last seating at 2:00 pm.

On nights when Parliament sits late, the restaurant opens for dinner from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with the last seating at 7:30 pm. To view the Parliamentary Sitting Calendar, please click here.

Open for Dinner every Thursday night until Thursday, 12th December 2024.

The restaurant will be shut for Christmas break from Monday 23 Dec 2024 and will reopen on Wednesday 8 January 2025.

The maximum size for a group booking is 24 people. For groups over 24 people private dining room are available, please refer to the function & events page above.

Available Menus

A la carte, Monday to Friday
Three course Set Menu, Monday to Thursday
High Tea, every Friday
Dinner, Sitting Nights and every Thursday Night
Children’s Menu, Monday to Friday

A credit card guarantee is required for High Tea, 3 Course Menu and the Monday Lunch Special. The credit card is only used as a hold, the bill must be settled on the day.

If your booking is cancelled within 24 hours a late cancellation fee of $30 per person is incurred.

For any enquiries about the Public Tours please contact the Tours Officer on 9230 3444.

Bookings are essential

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Dining with history

Dine with history at Strangers’ Restaurant – a place where Members of Parliament meet and greet their guests.

Historically, guests to Parliament, which may include visiting dignitaries, consulate representatives or even members of the Royal family were referred to as ’strangers’, thus the restaurant became known as the place ‘where strangers become friends’.
Today, we invite you and your guests to continue this tradition.

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met”.
William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) poet

Dining with history and discover the flavours of New South Wales

Parliamentary Catering has long played host to a high calibre of esteemed guests, from Heads of State, World Leaders, Consul Generals and Ambassadors, to Hollywood stars and British royalty. Guests among the famous names include King Charles III, the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Actress Audrey Hepburn.

The very talented culinary team have a breadth of experience and strive to provide an equally high level of service while showcasing the wonderful delicacies, fresh flavours and unique food & wine regions of New South Wales.

A la Carte

The a la carte menu is available Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 3 pm, with the last seating at 1:30 pm. An a la carte menu allows you to order individual dishes as you go with your waiter on the day. The meals will be charged as per listed on the menu.

Three Course Lunch

The three course lunch menu is available Monday to Thursday from 12 pm to 3 pm, with the last seating at 1 pm pm. This lunch special includes your selection of one entree, one main, one dessert and tea & coffee per person. Wine pairing is also available. This package allows you to explore the menu at a fixed price.

Traditional High Tea

Traditional High Tea is held every Friday from 12 pm to 3 pm, with the last seating at 1:30 pm. Served on the Parliamentary Crested Wedgwood crockery this unique high tea experience includes a wonderful selection of sweet & savoury items followed by a large selection of teas and coffee. Optional upgrades are available.

Dress Code

The dress code for Strangers’ Restaurant is smart casual. Singlets, thongs and offensive branding on clothing are prohibited.

Location

Strangers’ Restaurant is located within NSW Parliament House at 6 Macquarie Street. Once you enter the main building walk past the water fountain and follow the signs to the Restaurant.

Children

Children are welcome at Strangers’ Restaurant, if you require a high chair, please advise at the time of booking. Children under 12 can either share a meal or order from the Children’s Menu which is available from your waiter on the day, to view the current menu, please click here.

Payment

A credit card guarantee is required for all bookings in the restaurant.
Your credit card is stored securely with Resdiary Australia
Your credit card is only charged for no-shows or late cancellations.
We do not have visibility of your credit card.
On the day, a final bill will be presented to your table by your waiter.
All bills must be settled on the day,
A tax invoice receipt will be provided by your waiter from the till once the bill is paid in full.
We do not offer split bills.
We accept credit cards, debit cards and Parliament House Gift Vouchers for payment.

Cancellation Policy

To cancel your booking we require at least 24 hours notice prior to your reservation time. A late cancellation or no-show fee of $30 per person will incur a credit card charge to the card provided at time of booking.

Responsible Service of Alcohol

NSW Parliament is committed to complying with its responsible service of alcohol obligations under the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW) and supports responsible consumption practices and intoxication prevention. It is against the law to sell or supply liquor to, or to obtain on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years.

Kitchen orders

The last seating in the restaurant is 1:30 pm. All kitchen orders must be in by 2 pm as the restaurant will close promptly at 3 pm. On sitting nights of Parliament, the last seating in the restaurant is 7:30 pm, all kitchen orders must be in by 8 pm as the restaurant will close promptly at 8:30 pm.

Bill and Gratuity

A final bill will be presented to the table at the end of service, gratuities are optional and at your discretion. Once your bill is settled, a tax invoice receipt will be provided by your waiter. The preferred payment method is by card (debit or credit), however the restaurant does accept cash. The Restaurant Gift Card by Visa Debit Cards is also accepted.

Dietary Guide to Menu

Gluten free (GF), Dairy free (DF), Vegetarian (V), Vegan (VE), Lactose free (LF), Nut free (NF). Dietaries along with final numbers must be provided to the venue within 48 hours of the booking. Read the allergen disclaimer.

Licensed premises

Strangers’ Restaurant is a licensed premises, no external food or drinks are permitted. If you wish to bring outside food (like a cake), or wine, please speak to the restaurant ahead of your booking. There is no fridge storage onsite.

Accreditations

Strangers’ Restaurant is HACCP Certified and a Gold Licenced Caterer.

Terms and Conditions of Booking

To view the Terms and Conditions of restaurant booking, please click here.

Privacy Policy

To view the Privacy Policy for restaurant bookings, please click here.

Security Protocols

All Personnel and guests must go through security screening and inspection of personal possessions on arrival to Parliament House, for more information please click here.

Group Bookings

Enquiry about group bookings over people

Getting Here

Information on nearby public transport, parking options and hotels

Gift Vouchers

Buy Gift Cards online

Wine List

View the current wine list

Floor Plan

View the building floor plan and way finder

Image Gallery

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Awards & Certificates

Strangers’ Restaurant