Where to eat at Vivid Sydney 2025

Vivid Sydney 2025 begins on Friday so you’re no doubt getting your plans in order. All the fun of the festival makes for hungry work and tables will fill up fast, so you should plan where to eat at Vivid.

Although Vivid Sydney is known to centre around art and light installations, we can’t ignore the fact that the food offering has been growing year on year — and Nigella Lawson will be gracing the city too. Can Vivid Sydney now be described as an art, light and food festival? We think so.

We’ve made a list of all the best places to dine for authentic Vivid experiences, as well as the best Vivid-inspired menus curated by local restaurants. Get planning your Vivid food adventures with our ultimate guide!

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The Goods Line and Inner City

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Vivid Fire Kitchen is back this year under the theme “Fire and Spice”, turning the Goods Line precinct in Ultimo into a meat-lover’s dream. For 23 nights, the flames will do the talking, as some of the world’s best chefs and BBQ legends head down for the famous Vivid Food event, including US-based Australian live-fire chef and TV host Jess Pryles, and acclaimed American chef and TV personality Nyesha Arrington.

It’s not just about the food — the Fire Kitchen celebrates the art of cooking over an open fire, attracting crowds thanks to its warm flames, dramatic scenes and smoky aroma. There will also be live cooking demonstrations, food trucks and pop-ups from top-rated Sydney restaurants including Firedoor, AALIA and Bar Copains.

Where: The Goods Line, Ultimo Pedestrian Network, Ultimo NSW 2000.
When: Friday, May 23 — Saturday, June 14.

READ MORE: Tongs at the ready for Vivid Sydney’s smokey 23-day Fire Kitchen

Spice Lounge

Spice Lounge is a special retreat taking over Maryanne Street, which will be closed to traffic for the whole of Vivid. The Spice Lounge gives you a chance to unwind in front of special fire pits and fire drums as you enjoy the delectable, smoky BBQ of the Fire Kitchen. Relax in the warming aroma of Vivid’s most popular food stall at the Spice Lounge.

Where: Mary Ann Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007.
When: Friday, May 23 — Saturday, June 14, 6pm–11pm.
Price: Free entry.

Vivid Chef Series

Bringing an exciting collaboration of talents together, the Vivid Chef Series combines the culinary skills of an international chef with those of a Sydney local hero. The chef pair will create a brand-new mouthwatering menu to spoil lucky diners for an allocated time.

So who’s jetting over to Sydney for the special series? For three nights only, London’s Michelin-starred restaurant owner James Lowe (Lyle’s) will join Mat Lindsay at Ester — which recently hosted Dua Lipa — creating a one-off menu at the intimate restaurant.

The other collaboration will see acclaimed French chef Claude Bosi join forces with Brent Savage at Eleven Barrack, one of Sydney’s newest fine dining destinations. This French-Australian twist promises the fine dining menu of dreams, with fresh produce, innovative flavours and refined dining.

Where:
Eleven Barracks: 11 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Ester: 46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When:
Eleven Barracks: June 10–11, 12–2:30pm and 5:30–9:30pm
Ester: May 27–29, 6:30–11pm
Price:
Eleven Barracks: From $185
Ester: From $250

READ MORE: Everywhere Dua Lipa ate in Sydney

Hollywood Dreaming: A Taste of HQ

On May 31, Surry Hills will transform into a one-night festival of street food and booze, celebrating Sydney’s favourite bars and restaurants. There will be appearances from incredible restaurants, including Kiln, Firedoor, Gildas, Nomad, Chin Chin, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, NEL and Poly, as well as popular bars The Rover, Tio’s, Butter, Alberto’s Lounge and Golden Age Bar.

The chef line-up will include Lennox Hastie, Nelly Robinson, Mat Lindsay, Andy Bowdy and Julian Cincotta, making it the perfect opportunity to sample the creations of all these talented chefs in one vibrant location. There will also be live music and roaming performers, keeping you entertained as you sample all the amazing options.

Where: Hollywood Quarter, 2 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: May 31, 5pm–10pm.
Price: Free.

Dreams on a Plate

The culinary talents of migrant and refugee women are celebrated with a one-night-only dining experience that showcases the flavours of Afghanistan, Ukraine and Palestine cuisine. Guests will experience the hospitality, culture and kindness at this dining event, which is hosted by Kyiv Social and Plate It Forward.

There will be a sensational six-course tasting menu featuring a delicious mix of authentic recipes and cross-cultural fusion, as well as reimagined classic dishes. Some of Sydney’s top female chefs will join forces and help to bring the vision to life, including Bloodwood’s Claire Van Vuuren, former head chef of Raja, Ahana Dutt, and Kiln’s Isobel Whelan-Little.

As if this wasn’t enough to get you excited, through co-host Plate It Forward, this event will help contribute 140 meals to individuals in need.

Where: Kyiv Social, 202 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: June 11, 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Price: From $150.

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Martin Place and CBD

Vivid Sydney Dinners with Nigella Lawson

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that THE sensual cooking queen Nigella Lawson is in town for Vivid Sydney. For three nights only, the global icon will host a three-course feast prepared in her signature style. The evening will take place in Muru Giligu Tunnel, a brand-new underground landmark in the Martin Place Metro station.

Where: Muru Giligu Tunnel, 1 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 6–8, 6:30pm–10:30pm.
Price: $340.

READ MORE: Will Nigella Lawson’s Vivid Sydney dinners be worth the $340 price tag?

Native Food Experience

The Native Food Experience at NSW Parliament House is a one-of-a-kind dining experience, taking guests on an exciting culinary journey that celebrates more than 60,000 years of First Nations culture.

The dream team combination of the Parliament of NSW Executive Chef Vanessa Harcourt and pioneering First Nations Chef Dwayne Bannon-Harrison will create a stunning menu centred around flavour, reflection and community. It will champion fresh native produce, sourced straight from  Parliament’s very own Native Food Garden. Think rainforest fruits, game meats and delicious seafood.

Where: NSW Parliament House, Strangers Dining Room, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Tuesday, June 3, 6pm–8pm.
Price: From $160 per person.

Dreaming Skies: A Culinary Journey with Dwayne Bannon Harrison

Sydney’s highest fine dining restaurant, Infinity at Sydney Tower, will rotate to give you panoramic views of the Vivid lights below while you enjoy a First Nations dining experience. Curated by Trippas White Group’s Indigenous Ambassador, Dwayne Bannon Harrison, each dish will reflect the land, sea and sky, inspired by the ancient wisdom of First Nations people.

The evening will also feature performances from local traditional dance groups, which you can enjoy as you dine above the city in this spectacular setting.

Where: Infinity at Sydney Tower, 108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: May 29–30, 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Price: From $299.

READ MORE: Best kids-friendly Vivid Sydney events in 2025

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Circular Quay and the Rocks

Dance of Dreams with Danielle Alvarez

Celebrated chef Danielle Alvarez is crafting a dream-inspired menu (right on theme) for Vivid 2025. Promising to be a multi-sensory fine-dining experience, the visionary meal will be set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour in the Yallamundi Room at the Sydney Opera House.

Not only will you be able to watch incredible performances from the dance collective, NON, you’ll also be able to look out to Circular Quay, the heart of Vivid, while you dine. There will also be an array of NSW wines on offer, to sip on as you enjoy this visually stunning dinner.

Where: Yallamundi Rooms, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney 2000.
When: June 13–June 14, 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Price: From $329.

Aster’s Dreamscape

Located 32 levels above the harbour, Aster is serving a dream-inspired dining experience with personalised cocktails (choose between sweet, spicy or adventurous) and a matching canapé included. This menu is on the pricier side, but promises the finest NSW produce and two perfectly paired glasses of wine. The views are included too, of course.

Where: Level 32/117 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Various seating times available throughout Vivid.
Price: $169 per person.

Saltbush and Starlight Dining

Enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House before heading to a secret room within the Opera House, where you’ll savour a three-course First Nations-inspired menu from Midden by Mark Olive, paired with NSW wines and craft beer.

This intimate dining experience will transform the space into a true Vivid spectacle, using stunning light projections. If you love exciting cuisine and Vivid light installations but you want to avoid the crowds, this is the perfect dining experience for you.

Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: May 23, 24, 30, 31 and June 6, 7, 13, 14 at 4:15pm–8pm.
Price: From $290.

Luke’s Vivid Table at the Pylon Lookout

This dining experience offers some of the most spectacular views of Vivid. You’ll enjoy a three-course menu by renowned chef Luke Mangan as you dine 87 metres above the harbour on an exclusive 20-person communal dining table.

The evening also includes a tour of the Pylon Museum, as well as canapés and a glass of champagne pre-dinner (a reward for climbing the 200 steps to the Lookout). Grab 20 friends and experience this once-in-a-lifetime, elevated dining experience.

Where: BridgeClimb Pylon Lookout & Museum, Sydney Harbour Bridge, South-East Pylon, 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: May 27–June 14, 5:30pm–9pm.
Price: From $395.

Dream Mist at Botanic House

One of Sydney’s favourite chefs, Luke Nguyen, is dishing out a three-course Vietnamese-inspired menu in the mystical Botanic Gardens. Dream Mist will be an intimate dining experience, combining flavour, scent and storytelling.

Alongside the delicious meal, guests will be invited to write their dreams on ribbons and tie them to an interactive wishing tree, bringing that sense of Vivid magic along to the evening. Diners will also be gifted a Dream Mist botanical perfume, a lingering scent to remind you of the unforgettable evening.

Where: Botanic House, 1 Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 5 & 6, 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Price: From $269.

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to Vivid Sydney

Forecourt Food Village

Each night during Vivid, the Sydney Opera House Forecourt will transform into a foodie’s dream, championing Korean and Cuban cuisine. The temporary open-air food hub will feature just two options — so long, decision fatigue! When you’ve got the option of sizzling Seoul street food and bold Cuban flavours, what else do you need?

To top it off, Archie Rose, which is celebrating its tenth birthday, is showing up with its very own pop-up bar. Sydney’s favourite distillery will be serving iconic local spirits, wines and a refreshing pre-batched Cuban Mojito.

Where: Sydney Opera House.
When: Friday, May 23 to Saturday, June 14.

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Darling Harbour

Neon Dreams

Pier Street underpass in Darling Harbour is having a late-70s makeover, transforming into a retro-futuristic roller disco diner for the festival. Genius veggie and vegan chef Shannon Martinez will serve up plant-based takes on classic American diner staples. Think burgers, donuts, French fries and mac and cheese.

The diner will be dressed up as a grounded mail plane, with a DJ booth, roller rink and a bar provided by Trolley’d, who focus on low-waste, foraged cocktails. There will be American diner-style milkshakes too. This isn’t just a plant-based dining experience, it’s a roller-blading, funk-infused extravaganza.

Where: Tumbalong Boulevard, Under Pier St Overpass, NSW 2000.
When: May 23–June 14.
Price: From $18.

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The best Vivid-inspired menus

The Rook’s Vivid liftoff

This hidden rooftop gem is doing special cocktails for $25 each. Embodying the vibrancy of Vivid, the cocktails are bright and fruity. The Firefly Glow, for example, consists of gin, mango purée, passionfruit and lime.

Tuck into $15 share plates, including crispy fried bread with whipped ricotta and house hot honey and southern-style buffalo chicken with blue cheese mayo. Fill your boots before you stroll round the city, or get a post-Vivid cocktail and discuss all the best installations that you saw.

Where: Level 7/56-58 York St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Monday-Saturday, 5pm–7pm.

McBungalow pop-Up

Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour is curing your Vivid cravings with their McBungalow Pop-Up. They’ll be selling takeaway cheeseburgers and frozen Coke or Fanta from a pop-up BBQ station, perfect for those who want to fuel up or wind down after an evening of Vivid festivities.

Where: 3 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Thursday–Sunday nights during Vivid.

Untied’s fairy floss champagne

Although the Barangaroo zone does not have any official Vivid food stalls or events, the popular rooftop bar Untied will be serving a whimsical take on champagne, adding different flavoured fairy floss on top of sparkling wine for just $14 a glass. Untied also serves a variety of bar food, so it’s a great place to dine and sip after exploring the Barangaroo Vivid zone.

Vivid Dinner at Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt Sydney is serving a special Vivid-inspired three-course menu, with front row seats at the illuminated harbour so you can take it all in while you dine. The menu includes a beef tartare entrée, blue eye cod and black angus strip-loin for main and dreamy sweet treats including a rose, ricotta, and rhubarb dessert.

Where: 7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: May 23–June 14, 5.30pm–9.30pm.
Price: $95 per person.

Henley’s Vivid Fiesta

Another Darling Harbour gem, and just down the road from Untied, Henley’s is offering a shareable spread of guac and chips, two tacos and two margaritas for $49. If you’re craving flavourful Mexican food, have a snack at Henley’s and enjoy waterfront views of Vivid while you eat.

Where: 9 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Daily from 5pm throughout Vivid.

Opera Bar Specialty Cocktails

Opera Bar is shaking up some specialty Vivid cocktails this year. Sydney’s most famous bar will be serving three limited edition cocktails, called Crimson Prism ($24), Emerald Mirage ($23) and Cobalt Cooler ($23). For stunning views of Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge as well as a live music lineup, Opera Bar is the place to be.

Where: Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Throughout Vivid.

Pre-Vivid Dinner at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo

Waterfront restaurant Kingsleys Woolloomooloo has curated an $89 two-course feast for Vivid, serving up shared starters, a main and sides. Just a short walk way from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kingsleys is perfectly located for a pre-Vivid dinner. The decadent menu includes seared Hokkaido scallops, locally caught calamari, artisan sourdough and black angus sirloin.

Where: 10/6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011.
When: Daily throughout Vivid from 5pm–7pm.
Price: $89 per person.

Esteban’s Vivid set menu

Martin Place is a new zone for this year’s Vivid, so make sure to explore it. Stop by Esteban’s for a budget-friendly pre-Vivid dinner while you’re in the area. For $65 per person, you can enjoy a three-course meal with South American-inspired flavours. The menu features salmon tartare, pork belly taco and Butcher’s choice steak, with chipotle butter and jalapeño cream.

You’ll have to get in quick, though, as they’re confined to one-hour sittings at 5pm and 5:15pm.

Where: 1 Temperance Ln, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Daily through Vivid, one-hour sittings at 5pm and 5:15pm.
Price: $65 per person.