Where to eat (and what to see) during Vivid Sydney

Circular Quay and The Rocks are always the heart of Vivid, with the harbour providing a canvas for the spectacular light shows and the institutions of the area housing the ideas and music so integral to this annual festival.

With all that’s going on here, from Wayne Quilliam’s projections on the Harbour Bridge pylons to a series of talks and performances to showcase the future of Australia’s music industry, the area is a must-visit to really get into everything that Vivid has to offer.

In that spirit, Circular Quay’s Cruise Bar has turned its harbourside location into a waterfront garden to give you a front row seat to the lights, sights and sounds of Vivid. A ticket into the Vivid Garden will give you a meal from the specially designed menu, a Vivid-inspired cocktail, live entertainment and a guaranteed table in the midst of all the action.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Vivid Garden at Cruise Bar ($49 per person)

An alluring drawcard at this year’s Vivid, Resonance is a light show experience described as a “moment of mindfulness”.

Curated by the creative team at Studio John Fish, Resonance uses rotating convex mirrors to provide a multi-sensory light spectacle.

Before heading to Resonance, begin the night’s sensory proceedings with a Brazilian BBQ taste sensation at Braza Churrascaria.

Incorporating an all-you-can-eat dining style, passadores (meat carvers) rotate between each table, serving 20 types of tender meat skewers and dishing out tasty sides.

With colourful decor and Brazilian-inspired cocktails, dinner at Braza is a sure-fire way to get into the festival spirit.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pork belly churrasco (part of $65 all-you-can-eat menu)

It doesn’t get any better than an intimate gospel performance from music icon Marcia Hines.

Taking place within the suitable confines of St Stephen’s Church and accompanied by a 12-member choir, Hines will sing the same gospel music that inspired her own illustrious career. A Vivid experience not to be missed!

Raise the roof further with a pre-show dinner at nearby Q Dining, for a night to remember.

Pick from a menu created from locally sourced fresh ingredients. With tantalising mains such as butter-poached cod fillet, slow-cooked Wagyu beef rump, and a decadent passionfruit panna cotta for dessert.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Queensland red snapper fillet ($52)

Created especially for Vivid, Sydney Infinity is the largest ‘liquid and light show’ in Australian history.

Utilising hundreds of jets blasting water a whopping 80 metres into the air, Sydney Infinity is described as a dramatic crescendo of light and water artistry set to a soaring soundtrack.

All that excitement calls for something spicy. Luckily, Nok Nok Thai Eating House is close by to satiate festival-goers with their mouth-watering Thai food.

Choose from creamy curries and fragrant noodle soups, or keep it simple with a pad Thai (one of the best in Sydney!).

After a night of Vivid lights and sights, stretch out on the spacious communal tables and let your taste buds enjoy what’s on offer.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Red duck curry ($20.90)

The illumination of the Sydney Opera House’s majestic white sails is an iconic part of the Vivid festival.

This year Sydney-based creatives Curiious bring to life the beautiful Martumili collective painting Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground which will be projected onto the sails.

If you’re after the best view of this year’s projection, and downright delicious food to boot, look no further than The Glenmore.

With an uninterrupted picture-perfect view of the Opera House, The Glenmore’s rooftop terrace is the ultimate spot to enjoy the lighting of the sails.

Hearty pub fare is the name of the game here as well as juicy burgers, ginormous schnitzels and parmas, and a selection of fresh, zesty salads for those on a health kick.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Spiced barramundi ($33.50)

With a career spanning four decades, award-winning director Baz Luhrmann is a national treasure and pop culture icon.

Fresh off the release of his latest film, Elvis, Luhrmann will give Vivid a peek behind the red curtain, sharing insight into what fuels his creativity and success.

Ready the popcorn! The night will conclude on the silver screen with an exclusive red-carpet screening of Elvis.

To start the night in true Hollywood style, step into Gowings next door for NYC steakhouse fare with modern glitz and glamour.

Australian produce is the lead actor here. Fremantle octopus mafaldi (pasta), Riverine rib eye and Sydney rock oysters all steal the show.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Wagyu eye fillet ($80)

ARIA-award winner and Order of Australia recipient Paul Kelly is a living music legend with hit classics such as ‘To Her Door’ and ‘Before Too Long’.

Performing for the first time at Vivid, this will be a must-see live event for both Paul Kelly fans and keen music lovers.

A night of rock ‘n’ roll deserves a dinner fit for a rockstar. For a leather jacket approved pre-concert feed, pop into Kid Kyoto.

Here it’s all about Japanese-inspired dishes that pack a flavour punch. Don’t go past the trout sashimi with mustard miso or eggplant dengaku with smoked yoghurt, all paired with creative cocktails and set to a rock music soundtrack.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pork hocks, green apple and teriyaki ($28)

Making creative use of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Equilateral is a mesmerising Vivid installation courtesy of artist Andre Kecskes.

Featuring a geometric light display that creates a canopy of ever-changing patterns, this futuristic light sculpture is an atmospheric exploration of the quality of our time, actions and relationships.

After checking out Equilateral, there’s no better way to end the night than a scrumptious dinner at Mr Wong.

Conveniently located close to Equilateral, the menu boasts exquisite modern Cantonese delights. Prepare to feast on juicy pork dumplings, salt and pepper mud crab and an absolutely to-die-for crispy Peking duck.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Kung pao chicken ($39)