It’s one of our national treasures, but chances are you haven’t explored all the Opera House has to offer. And for food lovers, it’s a generous helping. 

The Taste of the Opera House tour is the ideal opportunity to enjoy an insider experience of its tastier side, served with sparkling harbour views and insights into rock-star behaviour and prima-donna performances with a rich side of modern Australian culture, delivered by hosts well schooled in history and anecdotes. 

The all-inclusive experience kicks off, like all good dégustations, with cocktails. At the Opera Bar a top mixologist gives guests a hands-on lesson on how to make its signature cocktail, the Sydney Sling, along with a good measure of general cocktail-making advice. A refreshing highball brimming with zingy herbs, the Sling is then enjoyed with a spread of seasonal seafood and charcuterie from the Raw Bar and Meat + Cheese Room. Expect the likes of scampi ceviche with lime and nam jim dressing, prawns with Marie Rose sauce, prosciutto, bresaola and salami or whatever is best on the day. 

Still on the Lower Concourse, Opera Kitchen chefs reveal how to make a classic Hawaiian poke bowl with ingredients they’ve expertly prepped. Add a fresh pineapple Mojito and it’s a tropical adventure that’s tailor-made for the Sydney setting.

Up by the Western Foyers, it’s lunchtime at Portside Sydney. Depending on the day, that might be orecchiette pasta with cauliflower polonaise and brown butter, perhaps, or maybe barramundi with macadamia and pancetta crumb. Whatever the case, guests will enjoy notable New South Wales wines with each course. 

Every opera performance has a grand finale and here it’s the eight-layered chocolate cake at Bennelong, served with a butterscotch and spiced-apple Old Fashioned.

It’s served with a surprise, as is the back-of-house tour, but we can’t say too much. If you want to know more, you’ll need to take the tour. 

Taste of the Opera House runs once a month on a Sunday (dates vary) from 10.45am to 2.30pm for a maximum of 10 people. Tickets are $295 per person.

For more information and bookings, visit sydneyoperahouse.com/tasteoftheoperahouse or call +61 (2) 9250 7250.