SYDNEY REVIEW: Dunbar House

The charming Dunbar House.

I had two amazing culinary experiences while visiting with my lovely sister in Sydney at An Restaurant and the amazing Rockpool. When I then went to stay with my lovely best friend, she wasn't about to let the food adventure end. We caught an exciting ferry out to the absolutely stunning Watson's Bay and I got my first look at the historic Dunbar House, resting prettily on a undulating rise near the bay.


Such a pretty building, with picture perfect blue skies.

The house was built in the 1830's  for the Colonial Treasurer before becoming various hotels until 1924, when it then became the Vaucluse Council Chambers. Finally, Dunbar House underwent it's final transformation into the charming venue it is today. It's been lovingly restored with a modern take on a period dining room, with embossed wallpaper and impressive fireplace. Since we visited on a sunny early spring day, we decided to sit on the patio and take in the sparkling water views.


The beautiful dining room with modern touches.

The menu at Dunbar House was extensive, with many different options from venison to duck, burgers and pastas. My friend chose the Slow Cooked Berkshire Pork Belly, Celeriac, Apple & Radish with Spiced Crackling ($27) with a glass of 2014 Botolobar Shiraz ($11). I went with one of the many seafood options, the Macadamia Crusted Barramundi Fillet with Fennel, Asparagus & Zucchini, Dill Pesto ($29) and a glass of 2013 Charlotte Sounds Sauvignon Blanc ($11).

The pork belly soon to be in a belly.

The pork looked really tempting when it came out and it was a good size. The salad that went with it cut through the fattiness of the meat and the celeriac, apple and radish were classic accompaniments to the pork. The pork was slightly overdone on the outside and as a result the layer of fat under the top was not very rendered very well. It didn't ruin the meal but it might have benefitted from being cooked longer on a lower heat.


The barramundi soon to be in a mundi? Doesn't work as well as the pork belly one.

My barramundi was very good with a nice crispy skin underneath the macadamia crust. The portion was well-sized and the salad was fresh. There was not a lot of fennel, but for me, this is a good thing as I find it can be very strong and sometimes overpower a dish. The fish was cooked well, still a little fleshy and soft in the centre like it should be. It was a very nice dish, perhaps ever so slightly bland but I do have quite a strong taste for salt.


I see you, Moon! You think you're so clever being out in the day but I see you! Go home, Moon, it's not time for youyet!

After we went to a bar across the way in Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel called The Beach Club where we had a few drinks then had a hilariously difficult ferry ride home but that's another story.


Ahh what a beautiful day!

In summary, lunch at Dunbar house was lovely with one of the best views I've ever had the pleasure of eating in front of. It was so peaceful and relaxing to look at the bay. The menu is not particularly inventive but there's nothing wrong with sticking to the classics.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Price: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4.5/5