All the best eats at Rising festival 2022

Described as a “fluoro fantasy of art, sound, taste and ice”, The Wilds promises to be one of the most popular and exciting offerings on the Rising program this year.

Set in a “moonlit forest of stimulation,” guests can enjoy inflatable sculptures, projection art, ice skating and immersive soundscapes, with plenty of drool-worthy eats adding to the magic.

Plant-based game-changers Smith & Daughters, masterful wine merchants Blackhearts & Sparrows and iconic purveyors of our favourite pasta dish 1800 Lasagne are all in the curtains, waiting to make an appearance.

But if you’re after something extra fancy after your explorations, be sure to book a multi-course feast at the leafy, 70-seat glasshouse bistro overlooking The Wilds, aptly named The Lighthouse. Led by acclaimed chef David Moyle (Franklin and Longsong), and assisted by Jo Barrett and Matt Stone (futurefoodsystem, formerly Oakridge Wines), the eco-conscious fine dining menu here includes premium quality seafood, unique ferments and inventive takes on garden-fresh veg.

Oh, and did we mention there’s going to be an epic wood-fired rotisserie? You can’t miss it.

When: 1 June – 19 June, entry from 5pm

Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Cost: $12 – $22 (plus transaction fee)

Book here

If getting lost in a three-level car park of architectural wonders and art installations sounds like your idea of a dream date night, grab a partner and head straight for Rising’s Golden Square.

You’ll get a chance to taste some heady underground drops and cocktails from liquor locals Blackhearts & Sparrows, plus top-notch bar snacks from a small selection of rooftop drinking dens.

As you wander across each level, there’ll be performances, parades and fantastical creative displays to keep you entertained into the late hours.

When: 1 June – 12 June, from 5.30pm (closed Monday and Tuesday)

Where: Golden Square Car Park, 228 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Cost: $24 (plus transaction fee)

Book here

Just around the corner from Golden Square, you’ll find the bustling Heffernan Lane Night Market, a smorgasbord of your favourite Asian street eats to choose from on demand.

Designed to ignite all five senses and deliver your street food fix with a side of local love, the night market has been pitched as a “one-stop shop for the best snacks on the strip.”

Here you’re likely to taste some of Chinatown’s very best. (Stay tuned – a full list of vendors is coming soon.)

Expect original recipes from some of Asia’s most beloved street food cities, from Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur and beyond, but don’t go gangbusters on the first stall you see. Take your time strolling down the strip.

There’ll be tantalising aromas of smoked meats, spices and herbs, and a motley crew of friendly-faced punters to entice you in. When your hunger’s reached breaking point, find a spot to savour your treasures amidst the heady atmosphere.

When: 3 June – 12 June, from 5.30pm (closed Monday to Thursday)

Where: Heffernan Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Cost: Free

For full details of all the events, go to the Rising website. And don’t forget that you can get 25% back of the cost of your Rising tickets by using the Victorian Dining Program.