Flowers, Flavours, and Free-Flowing Rose at Solander Dining and Bar

There is a special kind of magic in clearing your schedule on a Saturday afternoon for a “long lunch.” It is a thing my flatmates and I enjoy, a chance to hit pause, debrief on the week, and treat ourselves to a bit of luxury. One Saturday, we booked a table at Solander Dining and Bar, tucked away inside the West Hotel Sydney on Sussex Street.

The location is a perfect “best of both worlds” spot, positioned right on the edge of the CBD and the vibrant Barangaroo precinct. Inside, the design is stunning: a suave, Art Deco-inspired space filled with plush velvet seating, emerald green terrazzo marble, and a “jungle” atrium that makes you feel miles away from the city bustle. We arrived at 12:30 pm for their Bottomless Rosé Lunch package, and at $99 per person for three courses and free-flowing drinks, the price point felt almost too good to resist.

To our absolute surprise, we were the only diners in the restaurant for our entire sitting. While we initially worried the lack of a crowd might dampen the vibe, we decided to lean into the exclusivity. We snagged a prime table right by the window, turning our lunch into a private dining experience where we could sip our drinks and watch the world pass by.

Before the food arrived, we had a small hurdle to navigate. One of my housemates is gluten-free, so finding a safe menu is always our top priority. On paper, Solander looked perfect, with the majority of items marked as gluten-free, including the Forest Mushroom Arancini. However, when we double-checked on arrival, the waitress wasn’t entirely certain. After a trip to the kitchen to consult the chef, she returned to advise that the standard arancini wasn’t actually gluten-free. While the menu labelling was a bit confusing, the kitchen team redeemed themselves immediately by whipping up a specific gluten-free version just for us. It was a relief to know they took it seriously, and once that was sorted, we ate.

We kicked things off with a Welcome Rose Spritz cocktail, a floral and refreshing palate cleanser that set the tone for the afternoon. The starters were excellent. The Salumi Misti provided a classic graze of cured meats and marinated olives with sourdough. Then came the Forest Mushroom Arancini; despite the initial gluten-free confusion, they were delicious, served with a truffled aioli, garlic flakes, and parmesan that gave a wonderful earthy depth. We also loved the Cultured Quail Parfait, it was incredibly smooth and rich, balanced beautifully by a “boozy” jelly, grapes, and onion pickle.

For the mains, we split our choices between the land and sea. The Charred Angus Rump Steak was cooked perfectly, served with a glossy red wine jus and rosemary. It came with crispy baby potatoes that were the ultimate comfort food. For a lighter option, the Grilled Australian Barramundi Fillet was fresh and vibrant, accompanied by broccolini and a bright sauce vierge. To round it all out, the Mixed Baby Leaves with a native lemon myrtle vinaigrette added a lovely botanical touch that tied the whole meal together.

We finished the afternoon with the Iced ‘Vovo’, a nostalgic take on the iconic Aussie biscuit with raspberries and coconut.

The food was undeniably delicious and the price point was on-point. The only slight dampener was that the service felt a little slow and non-attentive when we wanted to order more drinks, perhaps because the room was so quiet, the staff were a bit more relaxed than usual. While we enjoyed having the place to ourselves, it would be wonderful to see the restaurant a bit busier to create more of an atmosphere, or perhaps to sit out in that lush courtyard section next time. I will definitely be heading back, perhaps for dinner to try more of their botanical-inspired selections. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, food-focused escape in the heart of Sydney, Solander is well worth the visit.

Solander Dining and Bar
65 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
T: +61 2 8297 6500 | E: solander_enquiries@hilton.com | Book Online