The Ternary in Darling Harbour will host seasonal dining, wine celebrations and a Scotch Whisky Dinner in 2026, offering a relaxed culinary experience by the harbour.
As the afternoon light softens across the water at Darling Harbour, the city shifts into its evening rhythm. Ferries glide across the bay, office towers glow with late sunlight, and the waterfront begins to fill with diners looking for somewhere to pause at the end of the day.
On the upper levels of the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, a quiet transformation takes place inside The Ternary. The open kitchen hums gently with activity, glasses catch the reflections of harbour lights, and the scent of grilled seafood drifts through the dining room.
In the months ahead, this restaurant will become the setting for a series of seasonal dining experiences designed to bring people together around food, wine and conversation. From autumn menus and weekly culinary features to a carefully curated whisky dinner in winter, The Ternary in Darling Harbour will offer something more than a simple night out: a place where the harbour’s pace slows and the rituals of dining take centre stage.
The Ternary In Darling Harbour And Its Three Kitchens
At the heart of The Ternary in Darling Harbour lies a simple idea: that dining can unfold in several directions at once.
The restaurant’s name reflects its structure. Three open kitchens – Grill, Asian and Wine Bar – shape the menu and the atmosphere, allowing guests to move between flavours and styles without leaving the room.
From one corner, chefs prepare dishes over flame and iron, the steady rhythm of the grill producing the smoky aroma of seared meat and seafood. Nearby, the Asian kitchen moves with a different tempo: woks flash briefly with heat, spices release their fragrance, and dishes arrive layered with bold flavour.
Between them sits the wine bar, where bottles from Australian vineyards and international cellars line the shelves. Here the pace slows slightly, with staff guiding guests through pairings designed to complement the menu’s seasonal changes.
This three-part approach creates an environment that feels both lively and relaxed. Conversations drift easily between tables while the open kitchens provide a quiet theatre of cooking in motion.
May At The Ternary In Darling Harbour
In May, The Ternary in Darling Harbour will introduce a calendar of culinary events that reflect the shifting seasons.
Autumn in Sydney carries a certain clarity. The heat of summer has softened, evenings arrive earlier, and the harbour air carries the scent of the sea. It is a season well suited to lingering dinners and shared plates.
Throughout the month, the restaurant will highlight a series of dining features designed to invite guests back more than once.
At the bar, a rotating menu of martinis will appear as part of a month-long “May-tini” celebration. Each variation will showcase Australian spirits from craft distilleries, offering a subtle twist on the classic cocktail tradition.
Nearby, wine lovers will find another reason to settle in for the evening. In recognition of World Chardonnay Month, the wine program will spotlight bottles from Silkman Wines, including its award-winning Reserve Chardonnay. Served by the glass or bottle, the wines will be paired with small bites designed to draw out the character of each vintage.
These experiences will sit alongside the regular menu, allowing visitors to approach the evening as they wish: a quick drink by the harbour, a long dinner with friends, or something in between.
Shared Tables And Seasonal Rituals
Some of the most memorable dining experiences unfold not through grand occasions but through smaller weekly rituals.
At The Ternary in Darling Harbour, these traditions will appear throughout the week. Wednesdays will lean toward indulgence with Wagyu steak paired alongside wines from Wirra Wirra, creating a midweek dinner that encourages diners to slow down.
On Thursdays, the kitchen will turn toward spice with a tandoori-inspired menu that brings together aromatic dishes and suggested wine pairings.
And on Sunday evenings, the pace will shift once again. Whole grilled lemon sole will arrive at the table with simple accompaniments – potatoes and greens – alongside a glass of Longview Vineyard Pinot Grigio.
These weekly features quietly shape the character of the restaurant, turning individual meals into part of a larger seasonal rhythm.
The Ternary In Darling Harbour And A Winter Whisky Evening
Later in the year, The Ternary in Darling Harbour will host one of its most anticipated events: the return of its Scotch Whisky Dinner.
Scheduled for August, the evening will bring together chefs and whisky specialists for a carefully guided tasting experience. The dinner will be presented in partnership with Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia, whose members have long explored rare single malts from across Scotland.
Guests will begin the evening with a bespoke whisky cocktail created by the restaurant’s bar team. From there, the experience will unfold through a five-course degustation menu, with each dish paired alongside a carefully selected whisky.
Guiding the tasting will be Matt Bailey, whose commentary will weave together stories of distilleries, landscapes and the craft behind each bottle.
The intention is not only to serve whisky but to explore its place within a broader culinary context. Each pairing will demonstrate how flavours shift and deepen when food and spirit meet at the table.
For some guests, the evening will offer a chance to discover whisky for the first time. For others, it will provide the pleasure of encountering rare expressions shared among fellow enthusiasts.
Event Details
Venue: The Ternary
Location: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
May Dining Events
Seasonal menus, wine features and weekly dining experiences throughout May 2026
Mother’s Day Weekend Dining
9–10 May 2026
Weekly Highlights
- Wagyu Wednesday
- Tandoori Thursday
- Sunday Grilled Lemon Sole Special (6pm–10pm)
Special Event – Scotch Whisky Dinner
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Time: 5:45pm – 10:00pm
Price: $210 per person | $189 Accor+ Explorer members
Official Website:
https://theternary.com.au/whatson/scotch-whisky-dinner/