As Vivid Sydney bathes the city in colour, creativity and light, it also invites a celebration of another kind—culinary brilliance. This year's festival of lights isn't just a visual feast; it's an epicurean adventure across Sydney's most dynamic dining destinations. Whether you're after historic elegance, theatrical teppanyaki, avant-garde cocktails or refined Modern Australian fare, these restaurants are pairing Vivid’s spectacle with gastronomic flair. Here’s your guide to five exceptional venues that offer immersive dining experiences as vibrant as the city itself.
The Strangers’ Restaurant at NSW Parliament House – Sydney CBD, NSW
Dining at Strangers’ Restaurant inside NSW Parliament House is like stepping into a meticulously preserved time capsule—one that also happens to serve fine Modern Australian cuisine. Set on Macquarie Street with views over the Domain, this elegant dining room is steeped in heritage, with a curated collection of historic artefacts and Australian art adorning its stately halls. Whether you’re seated for an à la carte dinner or an indulgent high tea, the grandeur of the building adds layers of depth to every dish. It’s a destination where politics, culture and cuisine converge—an ideal setting for Vivid’s more refined revellers.
The menu leans confidently into bold local flavours with a sophisticated twist. Begin with sticky beef short rib glazed with shiitake and paired with miso eggplant pickle and shiso—a masterclass in umami. Follow with veal escallops served alongside French peas, smoked speck, pecorino and pommes au gratin—rich, refined and quintessentially elegant. For those attending the special "Tyrrell’s: A Journey Through History" dinner hosted by fourth-generation winemaker Bruce Tyrrell, expect a five-course sensory journey led by chef Vanessa Harcourt, featuring iconic Vat 1 Semillon and Vat 9 Shiraz.
Secure your table for a dining experience where history and haute cuisine meet.
Harbour View Hotel – The Rocks, NSW
The Harbour View Hotel is where history meets hedonism, perched just beneath the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and mere steps from the glowing heart of Vivid at The Rocks. With a rooftop terrace made for watching light shows and private rooms for more intimate gatherings, this venue delivers a classic Sydney pub feel—reimagined with upscale flair. Whether you’re upstairs soaking in the view or downstairs sipping a craft beer, the Harbour View is the quintessential Vivid pitstop, complete with hearty food and a front-row seat to the city’s nocturnal transformation.
On the plate, expect comforting fare that punches above its weight. The fried calamari is perfectly seasoned with Szechuan and black pepper salt, matched with house-made tartar sauce for a kick of brightness. Mains range from indulgent pasta—like linguine brimming with prawns, crab, calamari, zucchini and lime—to pub classics like slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with broccolini and crisp green salad. Whether you’re in the mood to share or indulge solo, the menu balances familiarity with freshness.
Make a night of it—book your Vivid table and toast to lights, lamb and local legends.
The Rocks Teppanyaki – The Rocks, NSW
Step through time and into theatre at The Rocks Teppanyaki, where the drama of live teppan cooking meets the rich character of a heritage-listed 1880s building. This Kobe Jones restaurant offers an intimate, elevated experience across five private dining rooms, each fitted with its own gleaming grill. The interiors marry salmon pink walls and sleek finishes, but it’s the sizzle and spectacle of the chefs that steal the show. Just a stone’s throw from the vibrant light displays of The Rocks, it’s the perfect venue to start—or end—your Vivid evening with a little flame and flair.
Begin with the delicately torched scallop carpaccio or opt for the buttery freshness of kingfish sashimi. Mains are a carnivore’s dream: grass-fed tenderloin or fullblood Wagyu sirloin, both served with garlic and seaweed butter rice, seasonal vegetables and all the flair of expert teppanyaki craftsmanship. Finish with a cooling green tea ice cream and you’ve got a meal as theatrical as Vivid itself.
Reserve your private teppanyaki room now—because nothing says drama like dinner with a side of fire.
Located within the Four Seasons Hotel, Grain Bar is where cocktail culture gets a glow-up. This sleek CBD hideaway combines moody lighting, embossed walls and a glowing aqua-lit bar to deliver a venue as alluring as it is sophisticated. During Vivid, the venue morphs into "The Dream Lab”—a sensory playground with DJ sets, theatrical cocktails and a late-night buzz that rivals the city lights outside. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow, glasses clink and the night stretches luxuriously long.
Order the "Fox with the Key", an inspired blend of Ki No Bi Rice Gin, yuzushu, Sakura honey and Toji Sake that dances between sweet and sharp. Pair it with a gourmet charcuterie board featuring Wagyu bresaola and grilled focaccia or indulge in a rich rock lobster roll with lemon and Siberian caviar. For something heartier, mini Wagyu cheeseburgers with mustard mayo deliver a satisfying hit of flavour in one refined bite. This is late-night luxury, shaken not stirred.
Plan your Vivid nightcap at Grain—book a booth and sip beneath the city’s glow.
Mode Kitchen & Bar – Sydney CBD, NSW
A stone’s throw from the action yet somehow removed from the chaos, Mode Kitchen & Bar offers a calm, elegant sanctuary in the midst of Vivid Sydney’s electric energy. Polished timber, velvet banquettes and low-lit sophistication make it an ideal spot for those looking to elevate their festival experience. Part casual bistro, part fine dining destination, Mode delivers a culinary journey that’s all about balance—think simple ingredients prepared with finesse and plated with style.
Start your journey with yellowfin tuna tartare, paired with creamy labneh, tomato consommé jelly and bottarga for a bright, complex entrée. For mains, the dry-aged duck breast served with chard, pear and mustard is a showstopper, while the grass-fed T-bone with crispy rosemary potatoes caters to classic cravings. End on a whimsical note with lemon Madeleines, yoghurt mousse and a touch of fairy floss. As part of its Vivid celebration, Mode’s "Dream Lab" menu brings a splash of magic to every course.
Indulge in sensory splendour—book now for an unforgettable dining dreamscape.
As Vivid Sydney paints the city in luminous colour, let your tastebuds follow suit. These venues don’t just serve food—they serve unforgettable experiences that echo the innovation, drama and joy of the festival itself. From Parliament House grandeur to intimate teppanyaki rooms and cocktail bars with theatrical flair, Vivid dining in Sydney is as bold and brilliant as the lights overhead. Be part of it—and make your booking before these tables glow out.
