One glorious day, some genius looked at their steak, sighed and said “This would taste even better with a spicy dancer”. And just like that dinner with show was born.
Now, there’s dinner, and then there’s dinner with a show. That winning combo of delicious food and dazzling performances? Love it. Lucky for us Sydneysiders, this city absolutely nails it. So, if you’re after a night that’s a bit more than a restaurant dine out and small talk, Sydney’s got the just answers you were looking for. Let’s dive into my hotlist of the best Dinner and Show experiences in Sydney.
Triple treat on the Showboat
This one’s a classic. The Showboat’s Cabaret Dinner In Sydney is where you swap ordinary evenings for full-blown, old-school glitz. The first time I did the Showboat experience, I wasn’t sure what I was signing up for.
It started with the boarding, dazzling showgirls greeting you with smiles (genuine ones, not the robotic grins). Then it’s straight to business, first up, a three-course dinner served to your table. Next, the lights went dim for showtime! An hour-long cabaret featuring talented singers and dancers in glittering costumes, who sang, strutted and sashayed their way through the show!
The show’s called ‘Voyage of Love’ and it’s all heart, sass and sparkle. Meanwhile, you’re cruising past the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, all lit up like they know they’re being watched. Honestly, it’s Sydney at its best with the right amount of over-the-top. No wonder why it’s hailed as one of the best dinner cruises on Sydney Harbour!
A ‘magical’ combo at the suburbs
Hidden in the backstreets of Darlinghurst is this velvet-draped little spot that’s kind of like a time machine. The Magician’s Cabaret serves up old-school magic, burlesque and a candlelit 3-course dinner in a moody, Parisian-era setup.
Last time I went with my pals, the show was more into sultry acts with towering, beautiful dancers who completely slayed the stage. There were more bold jokes thrown in than the comedy club down the next lane, nothing I couldn’t handle, but definitely not PG either. If you’ve got a fragile sense of humour, you might wanna rethink this one. But if you’re into cabaret with big laughs and a touch of risqué, this one’s a no brainer, just… don’t bring your nan.
Multi-sensory dining at Oxford Street
If your idea of a great night out includes French food, live piano and a touch of theatrical excellence, Claire’s Kitchen ticks every box. The exclusive dining room often hosts cabaret singers, jazz performances and the occasional drag diva. I felt the vibe was some sorta Paris meets Surry Hills, the dinner naturally blends into the show without trying too hard. And the best part? Their menu changes every now then, they even have winter specials on the plate right now.
Decadent dinner & show at a familiar venue
The Opera House is the real deal mate. I mean, I can’t remember the last time I read a ‘Top Sydney’ list without the mention of this bad boy. And just like that, history repeats. This list would be incomplete without a ‘wine and dine’ at the Opera House. The most recent dining affair I had at ‘The House’ was when I had mates visiting back in 2024.
We went all out for a decadent dinner and show experience to catch the reimagined ‘Gatsby’ by Fitzgerald. The three-course dinner featured a bloody yum blue gum barramundi for main, paired with a gin-martini that meant business. The bang for buck was soon evident on the plate, then again on the stage. The show was outrageously entertaining, with a seamless blend of cabaret, acrobatics, jazz melodies and mesmerising vocals; it was almost like a 1920s shindig crashed into a 2020s party. I’ve always pictured myself at one of Gatsby’s evening soirées, and this felt exactly like how I thought it would be!
Dinner and shows are trending by the hour, because it hits all the senses and turns your regular dine-outs into a memorable outing. Sydney’s the master of it — with crowd-pulling experiences like the cabaret dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour and exclusive dining at the Opera House, you’ve got options for days. So, next time, do dinner the Sydney way and make a night out of it!
