The Apollo’s semi-private chef’s table adjoins the kitchen and feels part of the lively dinner service, while claiming some privacy from the other punters. Chef Jonathan Barthelmess sends out share plates of his sublime, modern tweaks on Greek classics – think taramasalata dip; village salad of tomato, cucumber, feta and olives; and his famous slow-cooked lamb with lemon and Greek yoghurt – to the table of up to 12 guests. This is fun, delicious food made for joyous, communal dining. 44 MacLeay St, Potts Point, theapollo.com.au

At one of Sydney’s premier steakhouses, there’s always options. Namely, the two private dining spaces at the Gidley. For groups of up to 20, the Norfolk room is the perfect option for a larger group looking to have an elegant dining experience. For something a little more intimate and rowdy, there’s the Library. Groups of up to eight people can enjoy a private dinner before the table is whisked away to reveal a poker table – experienced dealer included. 161 King St, Sydney; liquidandlarder.com.au/venues/the-gidley.

Bennelong is the best seat in the house, the Sydney Opera House, and there’s no better dining experience – location-wise – in Sydney. The main restaurant is snug when fully booked, but the semi-private dining room offers a more intimate experience while still enjoying a presence under the lofty sculptural ribs of the building’s ceiling. Between six and 10 people can sit in the beautiful nook, with its deep, red chairs and sculptural lighting, and the same extraordinary menu the rest of Bennelong enjoys. Executive chef Peter Gilmore’s food is just as superb as the room. Bennelong Point, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, bennelong.com.au.

Designed by Luchetti Krelle, RAFI is sheer, unadulterated elegance with a mix of marble and stone floors, custom timber parquetry and pops of orange, pink and bottle green spread across the 300-seat venue. For groups, you can book out the glasshouse-like Arbour for up to 20, the plant-lined terrace for 40 or the cosy, geometric-shaped private dining room for 10. The $105 banquet menu changes seasonally, but for the next few months will star hummus with green chilli, Roman beans with roasted garlic, toothfish with charred lemon salsa and a stunning Black Angus rib-eye. Weekend get-together? There’s a bottomless lunch every Saturday and Sunday for $120pp. 99 Mount St, North Sydney, rafisydney.com.au

It’s not just ladies who lunch. This beautiful Hamptons-style Woollahra restaurant, with its own working kitchen garden, is perfect for groups. The charming interior is all glass-panelled French doors with views in all directions of the garden, but all eyes are on the relaxed food by chef-owner Matt Moran and head chef Tom Haynes. The semi-private dining room can accommodate up to 40 guests for a sit-down lunch or dinner receptions (yes, they do weddings). The group menu is designed for sharing, and spans wood-fired rosemary focaccia, stuffed zucchini flowers, ‘barra-in-a-bag’ with peas and broad beans, and the famous Moran Family lamb shoulder with zucchini, mint and lemon. 65 Ocean St, Woollahra, chiswickrestaurant.com.au

The postcard-worthy view of Sydney Harbour jostles with the stellar food by chef Matt Moran in this slick dining room, which is completely private. A recent mammoth refurbishment has instilled a new vibrancy to this beautiful space by Sydney’s favourite restaurant interior architect George Livissianis. The room seats up to 54 guests or 120 for cocktails, and has an exclusive terrace. 1 Macquarie St, Sydney, ariarestaurant.com

Otto’s home in the heritage Woolloomooloo Wharf makes this one of the loveliest rooms in waterfront Sydney on a sparkling day. A party of six to 14 can dine in the elevated 100-year-old timber wool lift, which is completely exclusive to the main restaurant and has its own waiter. The Rosso room, for 35 seated or 50 standing guests, overlooks the marina below. Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo, ottoristorante.com.au/sydney

For the seventh year of American Express delicious. Month Out, the American Express Card Member offer is back. The month-long campaign has activated across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, giving food lovers the chance to score cashback at thousands of the nation’s best cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars throughout May. To get 20% back on dining, up to $25 per Card, at more than 65,000 participating venues from April 28 to May 31, simply save the offer to your eligible Card*. *Exclusions, T&Cs apply.