Where to eat and drink at Vivid Sydney

Sydney stalwart Cafe Sydney is one of our favourite places to take in the dazzling Vivid lights. Throw in excellent service and consistently good food and drinks, and dining here makes you feel proud to call Sydney home. If you're just visiting, we promise you'll love it too. Just be sure to book. And this Vivid, Cafe Sydney is offering a glass of Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé Champagne paired with a pretty and perfect salmon roe tart for $40. Come here for a little treat before you hit the lights.

Hungry and want something quick while you stroll around the Light Walk? Good news – every night during Vivid, the forecourt in front of the Opera House will be hosting pop-up food and drink stalls. Think Cuban snacks by Danielle Alvarez at La Cubanita, Korean street food at K-Town Bites, and smashable Mojitos at The Bar ft. Archie Rose.

Deux Frères is a Basque-inspired restaurant and wine bar right in the heart of Circular Quay – so it’s perfect for pre- or post-Vivid snacking (and drinking). We love it so much, it won our Best Wine Bar Award 2025. Our tip? Book ahead.

Perched above Circular Quay with unbelievable harbour views – taking in the majesty of the Harbour Bridge and sweeping past the Opera House sails to the glittering CBD – the Glenmore Hotel is one of Sydney’s best rooftops bars. To capitalise on these views this Vivid, the historic boozer will be serving Vivid Hot Toddys. Come here for one of those, plus steak and chips, before you hit up Vivid.

In terms of views and vibes this Vivid, it probably doesn’t get much better than Opera Bar. And with live music, front-row seats to the lights and free entry, the harbour bar is going to go off. Expect limited-edition specials – including a warm Espresso Martini – and for it to be pumping. 

If you’ve always dreamt of going to Aria but haven't had the cash to splash, now’s your time. The waterfront fine diner is bringing back its snack bar, where Vivid-goers can enjoy luxe and fun snacks – Aria-style. Think mushroom and truffle tarts, Wagyu smash burgers, ice-cream sundaes and more. Bookings are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Plus, throughout Vivid, all guests can opt for the tableside nitro ice-cream experience.

Located within Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel in Circular Quay, Mode Kitchen & Bar is the luxe hotel’s go-to dining spot. This Vivid, the team is serving a special three-course menu available throughout the festival of lights. Think: creamy burrata with zingy green tomato salsa verde and Yarra Valley salmon roe; Margra lamb backstrap with goat’s milk yoghurt and beetroot; and a fun tutti frutti flower dessert to share.

Enjoy cocktails, dinner and views (on steroids) this Vivid at Aster, the swish cocktail bar located on level 32 of InterContinental Sydney. Throughout the festival of lights, Aster is offering Dreamscapes at Aster, featuring a cocktail and canapé on arrival, followed by a starter, main and two glasses of vino. You get to enjoy Vivid from one of the best viewpoints in town – sans the crowd. Sign us up.

Indigenous restaurant Midden by Mark Olive, located in the Sydney Opera House, is putting on specials during Vivid. Pop in for the Lucid Moon cocktail, Moonlight mulled wine and The Dreamwalker mocktail, while enjoying tasty snacks as you take in Vivid in all its glory.

This Vivid, Hickson House is transforming into Vivid Dream Lab, complete with neon lights and glow-in-the-dark cocktails. Conveniently located right in the Rocks, pop in to Hickson House for a drink or three before you explore the city at night. You’ll be able to get your hands on these bespoke cocktails on Friday and Saturday evenings in Hickson House’s mezzanine High and Dry Bar, from 6-11pm.