The Restaurant Pendolino

About The Restaurant Pendolino

The Restaurant Pendolino occupies one of the most charming addresses in Sydney: Level 2 of the Strand Arcade, the beautifully preserved Victorian shopping gallery running between George Street and Pitt Street Mall. Stepping off the ornate gallery into Pendolino’s warm, Italian-inflected interior is a transportive experience — dark timbers, considered lighting, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a serious, long-running restaurant. The venue has earned NSW Restaurant of the Year recognition and holds an Australian Wine List of the Year award, cementing its status as one of the CBD’s most respected fine dining rooms.

The Strand Arcade setting adds a layer of occasion-dressing that few CBD venues can match. Arriving through the ornate George Street or Pitt Street entrances, ascending to Level 2, and stepping into a beautifully lit Italian dining room creates a sequence that puts guests immediately in the right frame of mind for a special event. The heritage building provides a genuinely unique Sydney backdrop for corporate entertaining where impressing clients matters.

Venue Features & Capacity

Capacity

Pendolino offers four distinct spaces to suit different group sizes and levels of privacy. The Olive Oil Room accommodates 8 to 26 guests seated (up to 30 standing) in a fully soundproof environment. The George Room offers full soundproofing for 8 to 32 guests seated (up to 40 standing). The Victoria Room seats up to 28 guests in a semi-private setting. Main Restaurant exclusive hire accommodates up to 70 guests, while full venue exclusive hire scales to 100 seated or 160 standing guests.

Catering Options

Menus are structured as three, four, or six-course experiences drawing on the best of Italian cuisine, with optional wine matching from the venue’s acclaimed cellar. The menus are designed as a seated dining experience and typically take around two hours to be served. Dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free are accommodated with care.

AV & Equipment

Large TV screens with HDMI connectivity are available for hire at an additional cost, making the venue suitable for presentations and meetings. The Olive Oil Room and George Room are both fully soundproofed for sensitive corporate discussions.

Ideal For

Pendolino hosts corporate functions, birthday dinners, engagement parties, wedding receptions, and boardroom meetings. The venue is particularly well-suited to intimate corporate entertaining where impressing clients matters, as well as celebration dinners and private dining events that call for quality and genuine character without resorting to a blank-canvas hotel function room.

Location & Getting There

Located at Shop 100, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney, the venue sits in the heart of Sydney’s CBD within the beautifully preserved Victorian shopping gallery. The Strand Arcade runs between George Street and Pitt Street Mall, with ornate entrances from both streets providing easy access to the restaurant on Level 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum spend requirements for private dining?

Minimum spend varies by room and day. For the Olive Oil Room, parties of up to 14 guests have a minimum spend of $2,400 Tuesday-Saturday ($3,000 on Mondays), while parties of up to 26 guests require $3,500 Monday-Saturday. The George Room has a minimum spend of $3,000 Monday-Saturday. Sunday bookings require individual enquiry.

Are the private dining rooms soundproofed?

Yes, both the Olive Oil Room and George Room are fully soundproofed, making them ideal for sensitive corporate discussions or meetings. The Victoria Room is semi-private but not fully soundproofed.

What AV equipment is available for presentations?

Large TV screens with HDMI connectivity are available for hire at an additional cost in the private dining rooms, making the venue suitable for corporate presentations and meetings.

How long do the dining experiences typically take?

The three, four, or six-course dining experiences are designed as seated events and typically take around two hours to be served, allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes, the venue accommodates dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options with care. The team works to ensure all guests can enjoy the Italian dining experience regardless of their dietary needs.

Visit pendolino.com.au to arrange a private dining consultation.