The International

Rising up between Harry Seidler’s “Modernist Mushroom” and the iconic tower within the heritage-listed MLC Centre, The International draws energy from the precinct’s mid-century modern design, celebrates its place within the cultural epicentre of the CBD. One destination, three venues, The International is more than a restaurant; it’s a social and culinary destination where the only rule is that the food and the wine be delicious and of exceptional quality, and the service dedicated, inspired, and authentic. Each level offers distinct yet connected experiences. Open kitchens serve as the conceptual heartbeat of each level, blurring traditional boundaries between service and dining areas. This transparency reimagines staff as protagonists in the culinary narrative, embodying Australia's distinctive hospitality philosophy, where service feels familial rather than formal. The Grill inhabits the long sinuous curve of the 1978 Harry Seidler building; fringed with operable glazed walls open to the elements and illuminated at night with ribbons of light. The glamour isn’t gratuitous but harnessed and put to work. A petite Champagne Bar greets diners at the entrance; a raw bar of shellfish, and a quietly spectacular house-of-mirrors wine room. Material selections perform double duty throughout. A consistent timber treatment transitions purposefully between levels—matte in the casual Wine Bar, high-gloss lacquer lending sophistication to the Grill, before returning to understated matte in the Panorama. This thoughtful materiality creates visual connectivity while serving specific functional requirements in each environment. Silver service is deployed at the slightest opportunity, with even the humble British potted crab borne on a silver tray, the pikelets speared by a silver pin echoing the accents of stainless steel throughout the three venues. Drawing from the architectural optimism of 1970s Australia—an era when the nation boldly claimed its place in global design conversations—the multi-level destination celebrates Harry Seidler's original vision while deftly adapting it for a new generation of Sydney clientele. Polished stainless steel threads throughout the venue, capturing the era's unmistakable sparkle and confidence, transporting guests to a time of unbridled possibility and modernist ambition. The approach is simple: if it’s fun, delicious, and exciting, it’s on the menu.