Portobello Caffe

After getting off our cruise earlier in the morning, we wanted a nice coffee to take in Sydney. This café seemed perfect. Just a stones throw away from the Opera House? Across the quay from the Harbour Bridge and our cruise ship. Unfortunately the coffee was average and service was abysmal. All this place had going for it was location and great view. I expected better being in such prime real estate. Even people around us were getting poor service so we weren’t a one off. Shame really. If there was no other options and we were in the are I’d visit again otherwise I’ll be looking to go elsewhere. Shame because the view is lovely.

Great location right by the water. Great view of the harbour bridge, friendly staff although i waited a while for my order but it was worth it (for me anyway)
I ordered a Salmon Bruschetta and i loved it (though it was windy and my salad was flying off the plate)
Am i coming back? You bet!

The only good thing about this place is the view.
I asked the waiter if they had gluten free available for breakfast, after I was seated all they could offer me was fruit salad or musli. So I just got a coffee it was watery and weak. And it cost me $ 6.50. Not impressed at all.

Café with a view!
Portobello probably has one of the best views for a café in Sydney. Your able to see the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House all from the comfort of your table.
Grabbed some coffee and breakfast which happened to be not bad. Food was alright, nothing that leaped off the table. The bread that was served with the meal was dried out and unappetizing.
Service was ok, staff seemed a little annoyed that we wanted to order something and had to also chase down our waiter for pay.
Overall:
Food: 3 – 5
Drink: 4 – 5
Service: 2 – 5
Coming back: yes (for the view)

Oh the choices, I can’t decide if I should give this place 3 stars or 4. I’ve changed the stars so much that I’ve given myself whiplash.
Either way, this little place by the water will give you grand views of the harbour bridge and the Opera House if you can get a seat that isn’t blocked by umbrellas, heaters or other paraphernalia.
We dropped in here on our way to see The Magical Flute at the Opera House because, well. We were starving.
They have some interesting looking cocktails on the menu and we went for the Red Queens — strawberries and something alcoholic which I can’t recall the name of at the moment. Either way, it came out in a very hipster glass jar with a paper straw that disintegrated before I’d finished my drink. Thankfully they thought to put in a plastic straw too that didn’t melt away into the ice!
The pasta was, well, interesting. I got the prawns in penne and it definitely hit the hunger spot, I’m not sure it hit the taste buds though. I guess for me, I don’t eat pasta that often so when I do I expect a bit more of a «wow» factor than I got from this place.
Either way though, good drinks and good view. 2 out of 3 ain’t that bad right?

Good muffins and a nice strong mocha. Service is a little reluctant. The workers start setting up a good bit before the café actually opens. Since the owner was there, we were able to get a berry muffin and a mocha a little early. Both were some of the best that we had on our trip.

The view is gorgeous. But so is it from half a dozen other places along the water. Don’t bother going here. Chose another spot. The service is slow, food not that good and expensive. $ 79.00 for cheese plate, bowl of pasta and 2 glasses of wine. So not worth it.

Hmmm was going to give one star but the location would have to be worth one star itself.
Lining up to be seated with a long line waiting behind us, a number of empty tables, and staff seemed disinterested.
Then we realise that you have to walk up a bit further to order and pay for your food. This was ok but for such a high profile location I would have thought that the service would have been seated a la carte and more efficient.
Anyway food was ok but nothing to rave about — kids serves were tiny and my 6 and 9 year olds who aren’t big eaters by any means were left dissatisfied.
On a positive point staff were polite, well presented, and food came out quickly.
Had been here a few years ago and the service, food, and experience was wonderful … Wondering whether management has changed since then.

Great location, decent service, and not too expensive compared with other touristy places nearby.

On a nice sunny day the location of this spot is UNBEATABLE!
It’s right by the water, surrounded by all the chi-​chi cocktail bars and fancy restaurants — but it’s totally outdoors (with a cover), so if its raining, you probably want to choose some place else.
The food is good, if completely unremarkable. I would just say they should have a wider choice of salads available or at least a more expanded gluten-​free menu. They have like, 2 salads to choose from and then, literally everything else on the lunch menu is either bread or pasta based.
This place is great for a coffee and a snack in the sun on a beautiful day, but I’d choose someplace else for a full meal.

Sitting right on the harbor, you really can’t get a better view than this.
Nicely informal, great place to stop by and grab lunch. The smoked salmon sandwich was particularly good.

A million dollar view for your breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea dinner or various other snacks.
Separate and on the water, unlike every other place along circular quay this place isn’t overly fancy, but whatever the lack in glam they make up for in view. As long as its a beautiful day. If its raining try somewhere else as all the seating is outdoor.
Fine food, ok coffee and service but really don’t care too much. Just kick back, people watch, watch the ferries go past and soak up the serenity.

Portobello is the only café/​restaurant that’s managed to bag itself the waterside spot of the Opera House forecourt, everywhere else is a part of the complex and the forecourt lies between yourself and the water. Which is fine for people watching but how are you supposed to look for sharks from that side, huh? (NB: I have never seen a shark in Sydney Harbour).
A great place to stare out over the Harbour with a quality coffee, this is my eatery of choice before catching a film at the Dendy. They make a mean smoked salmon baguette…

A little more downmarket than the Oyster Bar next door, Portobello shares the same drop dead amazing views of the harbour. I’ve had some good salads here in the past, although the other day I just stopped in for a coffee and to revel in the pleasure of sitting somewhere so beautiful on a sunny morning.
An added pleasure was the giggles I got from overhearing the American tourists at the next table. (Said with impressive seriousness) ‘I wanna go for a really great scrub.’ Cue 15 minute conversation on salt scrubs and Korean beauty spas delivered in tones more appropriate for an action movie sequence of defusing an imminent nuclear bomb. Hilarious. The woman working behind the counter came out and chased away some seagulls with a broom. I then noticed the sign: ‘Please be aware. Birds will try to take your food from your plate.’ I think it’s an ongoing frustration.
The coffee was good and you can spot the jellyfish floating by in the water and smile at the tourists in the jetboat about to get drenched. While the coffee was a bit pricey, the view was for free…