Vivid Sydney is finally here with the annual festival of light, colour and ideas kicking off today across twelve precincts around the city; from Circular Quay and The Rocks, to Chatswood and Kings Cross. Make a night (or two) of it and enjoy fine food when checking out these top restaurants. Some offer spectacular views and are located in and amongst the action, while others offer limited edition menus to help mark the occasion.
City CBD and Circular Quay
OBar
Situated 47 floors above Sydney you’ll be getting the best seats for a bird’s eye view of the light festival. Either dine in or pop into the bar for share plates or a cheeky cocktail. We enjoyed the three course dining menu with expertly matched wines after sipping on the amazing and on theme vivid cocktail, High Definition, pre dinner. Doesn’t get any better.
Bennelong Restaurant
Situated inside the iconic Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Restaurant screams sophistication. This is arguably the best seat in the house, offering spectacular views across the Harbour Bridge and Taronga Zoo, as well as Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Indulge in delectable dishes from the a la carte menu, or sample some of Australia’s best drops from Bennelong’s beverage menu featuring 180+ small-scale winemakers.
Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel
There’s no better place to relish in Vivid’s technicolour world than at Altitude Restaurant on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. Offering a six-course tasting menu, dishes are centred on fresh produce while diners are able to enjoy interrupted views of the city skyline.
Barangaroo
love.fish – Barangaroo
Located in the Streets of Barangaroo precinct – one of Sydney’s newest dining hubs – sustainable seafood venue love.fish offers a premium view of Barangaroo’s illuminated trail of Vivid installations. Be sure to book a table outside to appreciate the view of the colourful harbour lights.
Banksii Vermouth Bar and Bistro
One of the hottest venues on the Barangaroo strip, Banksii is another restaurant option which overlooks the harbour and will provide you with front-seat views of Vivid. Be sure to dazzle your dining experience with a tantalising Vermouth special for which the venue is most famous.
Kings Cross
Billy Kwong
Throughout the 23-day festival, Kylie Kwong’s Billy Kwong restaurant is offering a bespoke Vivid menu of sumptuous meals which celebrate the local community of Sydney. ‘Kylie’s Table’ is available to diners on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights of the festival.
Monopole
For a different dining experience, head to Monopole for a pre-vivid meal where you can enjoy popular dishes such as the pork belly, brisket with horseradish cream or swordfish and kombu butter. Plus, there are over 500 boutique wines to choose from!
Cho Cho San
A trendy hotspot set to impress, Cho Cho San is the place to go for food that’s rich with flavour. Not too far from Kings Cross light display, Cho Cho San’s Japanese menu designed by Jonathan Barthelmess and Nic Wong will have you wanting more with a range of classic and innovative dishes as well as a special “Celebrate Vivid” menu.
The Rocks
The Cut Bar and Grill
Housed within a heritage cellar in the heart of The Rocks, The Cut Bar & Grill offers a contemporary twist on a traditional concept. Inspired by New York’s signature steak houses, the venue’s pre-Vivid menu celebrates the finest quality Australian beef and sustainable seafood, and is a convenient spot to dine before heading out to the festival.
Saké Restaurant & Bar – The Rocks
Saké Restaurant & Bar aims to continually surprise and delight diners with its dynamic, evolving menu. The premier Sydney Japanese restaurant draws on traditional training and passion for unique flavours when preparing some of the most celebrated culinary creations. This year for Vivid, the chefs have created a set menu for city-goers, allowing them to dine and dash before the Vivid lights begin.
Wolfies Restaurant
Ideal for waterfront dining, Wolfies is located a stone’s throw from all the Vivid action. Situated in a historic sandstone storehouse, Wolfies specialises in contemporary Australian cuisine offering delicious meals that diners can indulge in whilst seated on the harbour foreshore.
Chatswood
Marciano’s Woodfire Spuntino Bar – Chatswood
Nothing says cosy winter evening more than an Italian feast. From metre-long pizzas, to calzone and arancini, Marciano’s Woodfire Spuntino Bar in Chatswood has it all. It’s the perfect place to satisfy your tastebuds as either a pre or post-Vivid treat.
Bavarian Bier Café Chatswood
Located in Chatswood’s Eat Street precinct, the Bavarian Bier Cafe guarantees a good time. Just a few steps from Chatswood’s Vivid display, this is a great option to dine at with plenty of good vibes, good food and of course, great beer.
Restaurants via OpenTable.
