Rose Bay, cancel the sensible lunch plans. A glamorous new waterfront Italian has arrived and, honestly, she is very pretty.
Perched above Rose Bay Marina, Riva Rose Bay brings handmade pasta, premium Australian produce and full Italian Riviera energy to one of Sydney’s most loved harbourfront addresses.
Yes, the view is doing some serious heavy lifting. But Riva has not simply turned up with a few white tablecloths and hoped the harbour would handle the rest. The room is warm, layered and just glamorous enough without becoming the kind of place where you are frightened to laugh too loudly.
Inspired by an Italian icon
Riva takes its name from the iconic Italian Riva yacht, the sleek mahogany boat synonymous with mid-century Mediterranean glamour. That reference runs through the entire room, from polished timber and scalloped dining chairs to custom tabletops inspired by classic yacht detailing.
The room understood the assignment. Washed blues, terracotta and honeyed timber meet huge windows, sparkling water and bobbing boats. It is romantic without becoming fussy and polished without losing its personality.
“Rose Bay Marina is one of those sites that doesn’t need an introduction. Sydneysiders have a genuine affection for this location, and we don’t take that lightly.”
Perry Drakopoulos, Managing Director and Creative Director of SRG Hospitality
Pasta, porchetta and plenty of Italian spirit
Head chef Manuel Bellanti leads a menu that keeps things Italian without turning dinner into a history lesson. Handmade pasta sits proudly at the centre, joined by fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients and generous dishes made for ordering in the middle of the table.
Among the signatures are a dry-aged risotto and Bellanti’s porchetta, made using a family recipe that has been going strong for more than 40 years. So yes, the porchetta arrives with a little family pressure behind it. No big deal.
The wine list travels through Italian regions and varietals, with Australian expressions of Italian grapes and a carefully chosen collection of international bottles. Cocktails bring in Italicus, amaro, vermouth and grappa, making aperitivo hour extremely capable of becoming dinner.
What are we booking it for?
A birthday lunch, date night, family celebration or one of those “we deserve somewhere beautiful” afternoons that quietly turns into sunset drinks.
A closer look at Riva
Swipe through for a little taste of the food, drinks and waterfront atmosphere.
Images supplied.
The Local Bird take
Riva has all the ingredients for Rose Bay’s next long-lunch obsession: a beautiful room, handmade pasta, proper Italian drinks and a view that makes leaving feel wildly unnecessary. Come hungry and do not make plans that require you to be anywhere else in a hurry.
The details
What: Riva Rose Bay
Where: 594 New South Head Road, Rose Bay
Lunch: Wednesday to Friday, 12pm–3pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am–3pm
Dinner: Wednesday to Friday, 6pm–8.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 6pm–9pm
Good to know: The venue advises that the marina precinct and Riva do not have wheelchair access. Opening hours and menus can change, so check directly before visiting.
