Annata

Someone from this business manages this listing.

150 reviews

#8 of 92 Restaurants in Crows Nest$$ - $$$, Contemporary, Australian, Wine Bar

+61 2 9437 3700+ Add website

Hours

Tue

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Wed

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Thu

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Fri

12:00 pm - 12:00 am

Sat

12:00 pm - 12:00 am

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

150 reviews

#8 of 92 Restaurants in Crows Nest

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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PRICE RANGE

$34.00 – $87.00

CUISINES

Contemporary, Australian, Wine Bar, Dining bars

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

meals, features

Location and contact

69 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest, North Sydney, New South Wales 2065 Australia

+61 2 9437 3700

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Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

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About

Established in 2015, Annata is recognised by locals as the best dining experience on Sydney's Lower North Shore's. Chef's Jordon Garcia prepares our delicious 5 course Chef's Tasting Menu and our Abbondante A' la carte menu. Both are regularly updated through the year to reflect the best seasonal produce. Our menu is accompanied by an award-winning wine list, exemplary cocktails, and a wide and eclectic range of Spirits & Craft Beer - Whatever the celebration and whatever your favourite foods and wines, you can expect a great dining experience for you and your friends to enjoy at Annata.

PRICE RANGE

$34.00 – $87.00

CUISINES

Contemporary, Australian, Wine Bar, Dining bars

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly

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4.5

150 reviews

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Libbi2017

Lisburn25 contributions

Amazing degustation menu!

Jan 2021 • none

We all know local restaurants are struggling to survive at the minute so decided to go local rather than into the city and so glad we did! The five course degustation menu was beautiful, my favourites were the spanner crab salad and octopus but hey, they were all delicious. I think the menu changes monthly so we’ll be back next month for sure. Matching wines are available but we chose a French Chablis, premier cru, not cheap but a fabulous wine and overall the meal was value for money. Important we don’t devalue the excellent food and service provided by suburb restaurants just because of location. This is an awesome restaurant, delivering delicious food and personal servIce. Well done Annata!

Written 13 January 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irish2002

72 contributions

Another cracking dinner at Annata!

Jun 2020 • couples

Keen to support Anaya post-COVID restrictions as our last dinner there was excellent. Great 5 course set menu tonight and the staff were uber-professional. Sommelier very helpful. Menu nicely paced and, despite a 1hr 45min dining window, we did not feel rushed. Great work Annata and see you again next time!

Written 26 June 2020

David L

Sydney414 contributions

It may be my fault

Sept 2023 • couples

For a wine and cocktail bar, the set menu was really impressive and reasonably priced. Just a bit puzzled about the comparative tasting of wine pairing. I was offered to try two wines for each course. I may have misunderstood the sommelier's intention, was I meant to choose the wine I like or choose the better one to accompany the course being served? It was the first time ever that I was offered choices at pairing. I am too used to relying on the host and recall a couple of perfect matching experiences at places like Esca at Bimbadgen or the Magill Estate Restaurant. Let's not forget, the cocktail menu was impressive. Will definitely try more the next time round.

Written 4 October 2023

Sharon S

14 contributions

Overpriced

Feb 2021 • friends

We had a nice night- great company, ambience and service but the food was really disappointing and the bill made me fall over . The waitress kept suggesting we would need double of everything we ordered because the dishes were small so we went with it . By the end of the night we had an absolutely ridiculous bill. There is no way I would eat there again because it just wasn’t worth it.

Written 16 February 2021

Christian B

Hi Sharon, Thankyou for your feedback. We pride ourselves on sourcing the best quality ingredients we can find, and our chefs work long and hard to prepare them in a mindful and inventive way. The prices we charge, and the coinciding portions, are the result of over five years of us finessing to find a spot that provides excellent quality with fair value, and we have a broad base of regular guests and locals who consistently return for the balance we provide. It's always regrettable to learn that the quality we provide hasn't been evident to some of the guests that have joined us. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a review

Written 17 February 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Richard B

Sydney106 contributions

Good food... but overpriced!

Nov 2021 • none

We celebrated a birthday dinner at Annata which was recommended to us. We had made a booking for 6pm but had been told that we could come at 5:30pm to be out by 8pm. Arriving at 6pm, the person who checked out booking said that we must be running late but it's okay, there was still enough time. I brushed it off but in hindsight it wasn't really a necessary comment to make. We ordered entrees and mains and one of the entrees didn't arrive and the waiter admitted that he had forgotten to order it. The food overall was good and nicely presented and cooked. The price however, is what really makes me rate this restaurant as average. A slice of bread costs $5 per person. $5! Pretty much the cost of a loaf of bread. It was nice bread, don't get me wrong, but not worth $5 a slice. I had the steak - which was $50. I don't mind paying that for a nice meal, if it comes with something else. I asked the waiter what it comes with and he said it comes with some asparagus and lettuce... It came with about 3 of 4 small rocket leaves and two mini asparagus spears on the top of the steak. So all up it was $50 just for the steak. It was a nice cut but not worth $50. So overall whilst the food is nice... it is not somewhere that I will return. There are a lot of restaurant options in Crows Nest where the food is just as good and at a fraction of the price.

Written 6 November 2021

MosmanLocal21

Sydney6 contributions

Can't understand the high rating

Mar 2022 • none

I booked a group lunch here on the strength of the reviews. I couldn't have been more misguided. The waiter was so serious and looked unhappy, and interrupted us so many times while I was trying to talk to my fellow diners, I kept forgetting my train of thought. I got the impression that it was 'fine dining' with the decor to match. Instead it looked like a pub interior, all wooden floors and tables, no tablecloths. The food portions were miniscule. The sourdough seemed stale and came out in huge slices. Two or three slices for four people, how does that work? No one would take one because they were so big and someone else would have missed out. The butter was almost melted. The entree was bland and forgettable (popcorn on foam on crab?), with this size it should have packed a flavour punch but there was none. I thought the main would be better. It wasn't. The sauce with the fish was brown and looked so unappetising, and was tasteless. The side dishes were so small, no one would take any because they thought there would not be enough to go around. I was alarmed to see that the beef that others had ordered had chilis on the top, when this was not mentioned in the menu. Some honest person in my team later said that the waiter was wrong about the chilis not being super hot. I had dessert, thinking that it would be hard to stuff that up and it might save the day. I was wrong. Coconut sorbet did not even taste like coconut. Had something that looked like hard molasses in it. Couldn't even figure out what the pieces of fruit were, maybe semi ripe peach? I could tell everyone else felt the same as not one person commented on the food, except when asked, they said it was 'good'. Too polite to complain. If I had to think of positive things, I would say the napkins were nice and the food came out promptly. As I had chosen the restaurant I was so embarrassed. This was a rare outing for our group and we were really looking forward to it. I would never go back or recommend this restaurant. Sorry, I hate to be negative but it's the truth. When you are charging $40-50 for a main, it had better be spectacular and this was disappointing at any price.

Written 9 March 2022

John B

Hi We love what we do at Annata, so we take customer feedback very seriously. Your Trip Adviser review is dated 9 March and you mentioned your group lunch was for four diners . However, we did not have a lunch booking for four people on that day, so it would be great if you can tell us the day of the booking so we can follow though on your concerns with our staff. For example, perhaps you had the Locals Lunch special promotion, including a main and shared sides for $49 per person. We have found that promotion has been highly rated as great value by the majority of our guests, so I am very sorry and disappointed we did not hit the mark for you. I can also assure you that our bread is baked daily. Should you wish to discuss your concerns further, please call us at the restaurant with the details so we can take appropriate redial action in person. Again, please accept our sincere apology. John Bligh Owner Annata Restaurant

Written 14 March 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

owler08

Sydney59 contributions

Nice wine bar with lovely food

Feb 2021 • none

We like this place very much and the food is really great! The only problem is the service goes off after a little while and you find yourself waiting for the original person who looked after you to come back and see if there is anything else you might like. Or in fact, anyone. We tried to praise the food so much but there wasn’t a lot of interest in what we thought or said. Would like to go back, but the service would have to be better.

Written 20 March 2021

Christian B

Thankyou for taking the time to leave your review; we will definitely be reviewing our sequence of service and making sure that our staff are maintaining the attentive standard that we aspire to every day. Hopefully we can see you again soon, and keep our pace all service long!

Written 29 March 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

bush_turkey

41 contributions

Ear plugs recommended if you want to enjoy a relaxing meal.

Oct 2023 • couples

We dined at Annata restaurant and our night was humorously spoilt by the manner in which the manager ran the restaurant. His voice was so loud and jarring, he continually disrupted our evening. He was oblivious to the volume of his own voice and frantically ran around the restaurant causing a stir for diners. In fact, the couple at the table next to ours ordered a drink, got up and then decided to the leave the restaurant “because it was too noisy”. He was constantly coming back to our table, despite other waiters attending to us, interrupting conversations with loud interjections, and offering unsolicited comments. The food quality was just ok but given the fine dining prices, I'd consider the portions too small and overall, the value for money being somewhat poor. The wait staff appeared very inexperienced and clumsily tried to explain the food delivered and made errors with our orders. My wife’s $52 fish meal came out with her fish being raw in the middle. By the time it was replaced, the rest of our party had finished their meal. At the time of trying to pay for our meal, three waitstaff gathered around the EFTPOS machine trying to work out how to include a tip into a split bill and said it couldn't be done. LOL ! Sadly, the manager's "high-decibel" demeanour overshadowed what could have been a relaxing dining experience. We’ll never return to this restaurant again and I would never recommend it to anyone else. There are so many restaurants in the area offering a much better dining experience.

Written 25 November 2023

Mitch T

West Pennant Hills35 contributions

Sooooooo expensive

Mar 2022 • couples

Food was nice although the portions were very small. Staff were nice. Ambiance was good. The food was sooooooooooo overpriced it was absolutely ridiculous. I got the rump cap which was nice but tiny. Sides you have to pay for separately. The rump cap was $45. Im a butcher so i know how much that would have cost the restaurant. And yes i know there are a million factors that go into the cost of running a restaurant. Still way too expensive

Written 19 March 2022

Nalini N

Greater Sydney685 contributions

Innovative dining in Crows Nest.

Dec 2020 • none

A delightful 4 course meal for our group - tuna tartare, spätzle, pork neck and a light and appetising cheesecake. The mushroom arancini as appetiser was well crafted and to finish off we also had complementary puffed rice nougat. Impeccable service, al fresco dining meant we had the area to ourselves. A nice little find in Crows Nest which has no shortage of dining experiences. Happy to recommend & re visit!

Written 6 December 2020

FrederickL

1 contribution

Amazing dishes but service needs a lift

May 2024 • business

Normally, I am not inclined to write reviews but the last visit to Annata warrants one. I also noticed some of the most recent reviews here on TA which we experienced as well. I have been involved in hospitality for some time (manager/owner) and appreciate the diligence and ever-changing complexity of what makes a great restaurant. Furthermore, I have been visiting Annata sporadically since the previous owner (Christian) and can say that the new owner and current chef have done a superb job! I can't fault anything; even down to the zucchini flowers with anchovy. While I don't expect this to be 11 Madison Park there are glaring issues with service as the previous reviewers revealed. To me, service has always been how you implement your process (the timing of the dishes, presentation, etc) while hospitality is how you make people 'feel' when you provide that service. The latter part is where we endured a negative experience. Our feedback is around the silver-haired lean server/manager (not the owner) who has a veneer of assistance, but as the night wore on, it seemed more like a hassle dealing with customers. While the server/manager could rattle off menu features well, the 'hospitality" side was lacking. It became more clear when one of our table members sent a mistaken cocktail back and he took it personally. We then noted he went back to some of the team and was angrily gossiping about out table to other staff who were seen peering over at us. This type of passive aggressive behaviour detracted from the beautiful food and offering Annata provided. Given my background in the industry I have also noted how it can be infectious and toxic to other members within the staff. My suggestion is to revive a sense of graciousness, with an understanding that the experience isn't about what the staff knows, but how the customers feel and how they are treated. They will always remember that more than anything. Constructive feedback aside, it is a wonderful location with a changing seasonal menu that will not let you down. I have yet to try the tasting menu on Tuesday but would imagine it reflects the creative and delectable offering we have come to enjoy - even more since new ownership.

Written 6 June 2024

Johan H

Sydney139 contributions

High expectations did not disappoint

Aug 2023 • couples

I have wanted to visit Annata for some time now, finally finding the opportunity to share this delightful establishment in Crows Nest with another surpassed my expectations. Not only the food and drinks, everything about this place is just right. We were seated outside at the front of the restaurant and that was more pleasant than I expected. More so even as the service was upbeat, yet not over the top. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the food and drinks was pleasantly informative while not burdensome. After briefly perusing the menu, we quickly decided to go for the chefs' degustation. We also opted for the accompanying wines to compliment the fare, which turned out to be an excellent decision. Overall the food and accompanying wines we superb making for a very relaxing evening. A testimony to their efforts and enjoyment is that we arrived for our appointed time at 18:15 and did not leave until after 23:30hours. Overall just excellent. Happy to come back soon. Chapeaux

Written 26 September 2023

gregwN8540XN

3 contributions

warrant a return visit but the sluggish service, coupled with repeated apologies (excluding the owner)

Apr 2024 • friends

The food was truly excellent, easily deserving a rating of 4.5 out of 5. However, our experience was dampened by significant service issues. Despite ordering starters, our main courses took a full 45 minutes to arrive. The owner, who introduced himself as the resident wine expert and sommelier, should ensure that the service matches the quality of the cuisine. Throughout the evening, a more seasoned waiter repeatedly apologized for the delays, yet the service itself was subpar, earning a mere 1 out of 5. To add to the disappointment, upon receiving the bill, we had already paid when the same waiter noticed they had forgotten to charge us for one of our drinks. This oversight certainly does not reflect the standard expected of a reputable restaurant. While the exceptional food might warrant a return visit, the sluggish service, coupled with repeated apologies (excluding the owner), made our experience far from memorable. It's clear that improvements are needed to ensure a more enjoyable dining experience in the future.

Written 26 April 2024

theweeflea

Artarmon306 contributions

Another brilliant restaurant in Crows Nest

Nov 2020 • none

Its hard for us to leave Crows Nest - there are so many good restaurants. This is as good as any of them. The flounder I had was probably the best fish I have ever had. The waiter knew his wine...and the salad with the fish was superb....This is a restaurant we really want to return to. If it is as good the second time - then it will get a five star!

Written 15 November 2020

Glenn

1 contribution

Stunning food paired with great service - Annata is a winner!

Jun 2020 • none

I've had the great pleasure of dining at Annata on a number of occasions. I managed to get in last night for their degustation, which was absolutely lovely. Annata's menu changes regularly, which is fantastic as iIt gives me a great reason to go back time and time again. The great food is suitably complemented by a very good cocktail and wine list. The bar staff do their utmost to find a wine to suit your palate. The cocktails are not surprisingly some of the best to be found in Sydney. At the moment they have a feijoa based cocktail which I thought was absolutely sublime. The staff at Annata are genuinely friendly and know their stuff. Highly recommended.

Written 18 June 2020

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