Sydney Eat Street: Vivid 2024
The lights are on, cameras are out but for foodies, Vivid-themed food offerings and events might just steal the show.
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The lights are on, cameras are out, but for foodies, Vivid-themed food offerings and
events might just steal the show.
Sydney Opera House
When Vivid launched in 2009, the focus was on light installations, notably the light
painting; on both sides of the Opera House.
The festival has grown exponentially in size and breadth (Light, Music, Ideas, and Food), but the heart of Vivid is still the Opera House, not just on the sails and in concert halls but also from a food perspective.
There will be special offers and activations throughout the precinct, but a
highlight is Aurorae at Bennelong Bar, where the floor-to-ceiling windows afford an
unobstructed view of the city and harbour bridge.
While you marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours, enjoy Peter Gilmore’s Vivid-inspired snack and cocktail for only $55. (Monday-Saturday, 5.30pm-11pm).
For something more formal, a standout of the Vivid Food Program is A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez, a celebration of Australian food, wine, and music.
Over two nights (June 7 & 14), Alvarez – an internationally lauded chef and Sydney Opera House’s Culinary Director – has designed a three-course dinner that champions local and artisan producers alongside wines from female-owned Australian wineries.
In between courses, guests will be treated to musical performances by Katie Noonan.
sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/eat-drink
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Nights are getting colder, but things are heating up along The Goods Line, an urban
park and pathway in Ultimo, where the stage is set for the best barbecues in town.
Back for its second year, the Vivid Fire Kitchen is all about fire-related cooking –
smoke, charcoal, wood-fired or chargrilled.
There’s a collection of food trucks and pop-up restaurants, each with limited-edition fire-themed food such as Happy as Larry, Smoked Margherita pizza, Berliner Donuts, burnt chocolate orange Fire Jaffa donuts, and Starward Whisky’s hot toddy.
Grab a seat around one of the many firepits around the centre stage, watch local and international pitmasters and chefs, and prepare their signature fare while chefs share tips and cooking techniques.
The 45-minute demonstrations run from 6.30pm-11pm.
vividsydney.com/event/food/vivid-fire-kitchen
Chef Series
It sounds like a recipe for disaster – two high-profile chefs in one kitchen but, through a universal love of food, it can also produce something magical.
A part of Vivid’s Food Program, that scenario plays out in Vivid’s Chef Series, in which a renowned Sydney chef and an acclaimed international chef join forces and blend their different styles, cultures, backgrounds, and techniques to create bespoke dinners.
The first event pairs Fred’s executive chef, Ben Greeno, with Max Coen of Michelin-starred Dorian Notting Hill.
At Aalia, executive chef Paul Farag, known for highlighting various Middle Eastern flavours, is joined by Ivan Brehm, chef/owner of Nour in Singapore (June 11 and 12).
vividsydney.com/programs/vivid-chef-series
Vivid Food
The mesmerising light installations may get the glory, but that 8km Light Walk is
practically an illuminated trail of the city’s best dining districts - from the Sydney
Opera House through The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour to
Chinatown and Darling Square.
From hatted restaurants to casual cafes, everyone is embracing the electrifying atmosphere, offering meal deals and Vivid-themed food and drinks.
Before starting the evening, grab a bite at Sydney Place behind Circular
Quay.
It’d been renamed VividPlace Food trail for all its dining deals, including Hong
Kong beef fillet stir-fry with flat rice noodles ($19.80) at Bobo Dumpling Bar or a
complimentary glass of wine with fish or pasta special of the day and a $15 Vivid
cocktail at Bourke & Ward.
For the picky eaters in your crew, head to Burger Point for burgers, steak, fried chicken combos and Halo Halo, a purple dessert drink with ube ice cream, leche flan, and shaved ice.
Keep the colour theme going with jewelled-toned dumplings at Luna Lu in The Rocks, then wind your way to Zephyr Sky Bar for vibrant cocktails, to Vivid Fire Kitchen, then a sweet Japanese treat at Dopa by Devon in Darling Square.
After all, with all that walking, you have to eat.
Carriageworks
It may not be in the centre of the light show, but Carriageworks, the cultural precinct
in Eveleigh, refuses to be left out of the spotlight.
The venue’s main draw is VIVID’s Music line-up from (May 31-June 15) but, as with all things Vivid, there’s got to be food.
So, before you take in the tunes, grab some Mexican street food from Coyoacán Social; a pop-up from Plate it Forward, a social enterprise that donates a meal through community kitchens for every taco purchased.
Another notable event of the Vivid Food Program is The Warakirri Dining Experience.
The immersive dinner, led by Ngemba Weilwan woman and chef Sharon Winsor,
features Australian native foods and beverages prepared with traditional methods
and modern techniques with storytelling, music, and dance.
245 Wilson St, Eveleigh; www.carriageworks.com.au
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