ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Canvas Restaurant at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Offers Fine Dining with Chef James Scott

other · 2026-04-22

Canvas, the rooftop dining venue at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney, showcases a chef-in-residence program that changes with the seasons. The current chef, James Scott from Scotland, took over from the first chef, Josh Raine. Scott honed his skills under Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park before relocating to Sydney in 2013. Designed by architect Anthony Gill, the restaurant boasts views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with furnishings by Grazia & Co. Canvas offers a set lunch menu featuring oysters at $5 each and a wine selection priced between $15 and $740. Dishes include crab cappelletti and miso-marinated toothfish. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 4:30pm, the two-course menu costs $95, while three courses are $120. Current exhibitions highlight works by Diena Georgetti and Yasmin Smith. This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Art Almanac, on pages 40-42.

Key facts

  • Canvas is a rooftop restaurant at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney.
  • Current chef-in-residence is James Scott from Scotland, who replaced inaugural chef Josh Raine from England.
  • James Scott trained under Michael Caines at two-Michelin-star Gidleigh Park and worked at Sepia and Lumi Dining.
  • The restaurant's interior was designed by architect Anthony Gill with furniture from Grazia & Co.
  • Views include the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and sculptures by Ricky Swallow.
  • Canvas offers a set lunch menu: two courses for $95 or three courses for $120, served Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am-4:30pm.
  • Wine prices range from $15 per glass to $740 per bottle, with international selections.
  • The article was published in Art Almanac's March 2026 print issue, pages 40-42.

Entities

Artists

  • Diena Georgetti
  • Yasmin Smith
  • Ricky Swallow
  • Clement Meadmore

Institutions

  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Art Almanac
  • The Big Group
  • Gidleigh Park
  • Sepia
  • Lumi Dining
  • Grazia & Co.
  • Mount Pleasant Estate
  • Pommery

Locations

  • Sydney
  • Australia
  • Scotland
  • England
  • Friuli
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Europe

Sources