Sydney Eat Street: Best food and drinks festival in Sydney this Spring
Spring is already peeking through the winter gloom and for Sydneysiders that means festivals, shining bright with food and fun the whole family can enjoy. Here is the cream of the crop.
Eat Street
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Spring is already peeking through the winter gloom and for Sydneysiders that means festivals, shining bright with food and fun the whole family can enjoy.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
BEER, FOOD AND WINE
The three ingredients for a successful festival: Beer, food, and wine. It’s why the popular south-coast Towradgi Beach Hotel’s annual festival is in its 16th year and gets bigger as each one passes. The event features the best of the Illawarra region winemakers, craft beers and distillers, alongside other noted brands.
With a wide array of drinks, there’ll also be an abundance of food trucks selling everything from skewers to thick shakes.
Bring the kids (and fur babies) to enjoy the live entertainment, guest speakers, and activities. (Sunday, Sept 17, 11am-5pm, free entry).
170 PIONEER RD, TOWRADGI; TOWRADGIBEACHHOTEL.COM.AU
CHERRY BLOSSOM
From pale pink to deep purple, cherry blossoms’ ethereal beauty and fragrance (known in Japan as “Sakura”) herald the coming of spring.
At Auburn Botanic Gardens, 100 cherry trees in full bloom will serve as the backdrop for the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival (August 19-27, 2023).
Follow the Cherry Tree Trail then head to the Food Village for the best of Sydney’s food scene, including Gangnam Bakery, Iron Ramen, Brooklyn Boy Bagels and Firepop.
There’s also cherry blossom-themed treats such as THICC Cookies’ Sakura mochi and Sakura lamingtons. At the Izakaya Cocktail Bar, sip on Japanese-inspired cocktails, mocktails, beers, sake, or wine.
AUBURN BOTANIC GARDENS, CHISHOLM AND CHISWICK ROADS, AUBURN; WWW.CUMBERLAND.NSW.GOV.AU/SYDNEYCHERRYBLOSSOMFESTIVAL
TASTE IN THE CITY
This annual event showcases not only Coogee’s culinary scene but also that of Sydney and NSW.
Now in its 10th year, the festival continues its tradition of cooking demonstrations at the Celebrity Kitchen.
This year also introduces the “Fire Kitchen”, where renowned chefs will demonstrate how to prepare various meat and vegetables over an open fire.
Catch some beach vibes, listen to live music, and enjoy an El Jimador Margarita with Sydney Rock oysters. So much to taste, but only two days to do it.
BONDI PAVILION, QUEEN ELIZABETH DR, BONDI BEACH; TASTEINTHECITY.COM.AU
CRONULLAFEST
Whether it’s sweet or savoury, loaded with meat or plant-based fare, even the fussiest of us will find something to eat at CronullaFest, where you’ll find more than 100 food trucks, vendors and stalls.
It’s one of the Shire’s largest community events.
Enjoy one of Eat Lebanese’s popular falafel wraps with a beer from Sunday Road Brewing and Shark Island Brewing or opt for charcuterie from Fred’s Providore and a tipple made with Scylla Distilling liqueur.
There’ll also be live entertainment, amusement rides, carnival games and a kids’ activity area. The three-day event starts Friday, Sept 8, 4- 8pm; Saturday, Sept 9, 10am - 7pm; Sunday, Sept 10, 10am-6pm
CRONULLA STREET & CRONULLA PARK, CRONULLA; CRONULLASPRINGFESTIVAL.COM.AU
THE SINGAPORTAL
“Sydneypore” is the ambition of The Singaportal, a unique physical activation that immerses visitors in Singapore’s nightlife.
Spread across three sections – the Giant SuperTree Grove, Haji Lane and Raffles Long Bar - each has its own dynamic environment illuminated by vibrant lights with lively music, street food, and urban art.
OVERSEAS PASSENGER TERMINAL, CIRCULAR QUAY, KLOOK.COM/EN-AU/ACTIVITY/91056-SINGAPORTAL
GUINNESS & OYSTER FESTIVAL
Shucks! Who wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon enjoying beer and oysters? Hosted by The Doss House in The Rocks, The Guinness & Oyster Festival is two days of activations spread throughout the venue and the sandstone courtyard.
The weekend event will feature thousands of freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters from East 33, several Guinness stalls, including one with beef and Guinness pies, plus Irish Australian celebrity chef, Colin Fassnidge will be on hand preparing a pig on a spit. There’ll also be pop-up bars with Irish spirits distillers and ticketed tastings at The Doss House and Frank Mac’s. (Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, 12pm-pm).
77/79 GEORGE ST, THE ROCKS; THEDOSSHOUSE.COM.AU
COCKTAILS AND CANAPE TRAIL
For those after a more spirited adventure, follow the Cocktail and Canape trail through The Rocks for a bespoke beverage and a bite to eat.
Through the end of August, 13 venues offer bespoke cocktails and a bite to eat for just $25.
Visit Grain Bar at Four Seasons Sydney for a classic martini using Grain’s own gin and oyster.
At Bar Lulu, enjoy a stunning view of the Opera House, a native wattleseed old fashion, and truffle duck spring rolls.
In the old sailor’s home, The Keel, known for its sustainable practices, has three cocktails, including flavours of wattleseed and Davidson plum, plus half of its profits go to charity.
Download the map and see what other spirited treasures are around the corner.
THEROCKS.COM/WHATS-ON
JUNIPALOOZA
Gin lovers rejoice as Junipalooza is back, big and better. This annual celebration of the juniper-based spirit returns to Sydney with over 50 distillers from around the world. Held at, Carriageworks, the city’s hub of creativity, this year’s event will also feature winners of the prestigious Australian Distilled Spirits Awards Prohibition Liquor Co, Reed & Co Distillery, and Naught Distilling.
Here’s your opportunity to chat with the people behind the brand, sample the latest hits, and revisit old favourites. There are three sessions over two days: Saturday, August 26, 11am-3pm & 4pm-8pm; and Sunday, August 27, 11am-4pm. Tickets are $50pp with group discounts.
CARRIAGEWORKS, 245 WILSON ST, EVELEIGH; EVENTS.HUMANITIX.COM/JUNIPALOOZA-SYDNEY-2023-GIN-FESTIVAL
WATSONS BAY SPRING MARKET
A ferry ride to picturesque Watsons Bay is worthy of an outing any day, but for an added incentive, venture to the South Head for Watsons Bay’s annual Spring Market. Held on the lawn of Robertson Park on Sunday, September 17, 2023, 10am-3pm, there’ll be over 120 stalls, 30 of which will be devoted to food.
Grab food from vendors such as Damaskis Greek souvlaki and Authentic Turkish Gšzleme, along with a tipple from local distiller Bond Liquor Company. There’ll be live music, entertainment, and kids’ activities, plus the stunning view over Sydney Harbour.
CAMBRIDGEMARKETS.COM.AU
EAT DRINK NIGHTS
Spend the evening on a worldwide culinary journey listening to live music with the relaunch of Eat Drink Nights at Wentworth Point. From 5.30-9.30pm, over 40 international food stalls and trucks will offer dishes, desserts, and drinks ranging from Mexican tacos to French crepes.
The event is licensed, so expect some authentic beverages as well. If you miss out on this evening, fear not; when the weather warms up, it’ll return on the first Friday of each month.
WENTWORTH PLACE, WENTWORTH POINT; CAMBRIDGEMARKETS.COM.AU
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.