Girl’s Lunch at Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade, Sydney.

Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade is one of Sydney’s famous rooftop bars. It’s made for Instagram and Pinterest, with blush pink furnishings and brushed gold finishings, baby pink Frose and photogenic food. And the added bonus? You get a breathtaking view over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Nikki and I decided we deserved a treat, so we booked a table a coupla weeks in advance for a Sunday lunchtime (you can’t just rock up here, unless you’re ok with being turned away). After taking the elevator up 4 floors and then walking up the final set of stairs, we were greeted with the incredible view, and a few effortlessly cool Sydneysiders taking photos out on the terrace. It’s funny, but if anyone wore the typical Sydney fashion in London or NYC people would question your style (or lack thereof), but in Sydney it somehow just works.

The restaurant itself is fairly large and relaxed, with different seating areas. You have low sofas and coffee tables, dining tables and chairs, and high-stool bar seating.

It was a boiling hot end-of-summer day, so we ordered Frose’s and perused the menu. We decided on Scallops to start with, and for mains Nikki chose the mussels, while I chose the grilled octopus with labneh.

We had a bit of a break inbetween mains and dessert, we were too busy chatting away and drinking our Frose’s whilst overlooking the river. Suddenly we realised the time and set about choosing a dessert to share before I had to run off to the Shangri-La for a massage (I was on a ‘Treat Yo Self’ mission).

Dessert ended up being a chantilly cream, almond wafer, caramel, honeycomb, and chocolate concoction with dried strawberries that was pretty darn dreamy.

By the time we left it was getting much busier with groups of friends, families, and couples enjoying the sunny day up on the rooftop and views over the river. I’ve been to Hotel Palisade a couple of times now, and each time I’ve had such a great time!

The food is delish and a little bit different to your usual Sydney menu, and that view is just magical! It’s surprising just how many restaurants in Sydney have a crazy similar menu – there are sooo many I haven’t reviewed on here because I felt their menus were too similar. It’s definitely up there as being one of my fave restaurants in Sydney (along with Bea at Barangaroo House), so if you’re in Sydney I URGE you to book and go!!