Food trucks, diners and fire pits: The Vivid food events not to miss

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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More than just lights are lighting up this year’s Vivid Sydney Festival.

A roaring fire to warm up the night, the scent of roasting meat floating on the air and food trucks lining the city: Vivid kicks off tonight and the light displays aren’t the only drawcard. In fact, the Vivid food lineup is worth a trip on its own.

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Returning to The Goods Line in Ultimo, Vivid Fire Kitchen will share 23 nights of live fire cooking as part of Vivid Food 2025. See leading some of Australia’s finest chefs, as well as pitmasters and barbecue experts from around the world show you how it’s done, all following the Vivid theme of ‘Dream’.

“It’s fantastic being back in the fire kitchen for the third year running," said live fire cook Jess Pryles, who will appear at Vivid Fire Kitchen in 2025 for the third year running. “Getting to work with amazing Aussie produce over an incredible live fire rig is a dream. I think sharing the crowd samplers from the demo is easily my favorite part – and you can count on us to be grilling up some tasty treats".

Also on this year’s program, catch acclaimed American chef and TV personality Nyesha Arrington, the award-winning chef behind Viand, Annita Potter, organ McGlone of Bar Copains and many more.

a demonstration at Vivif Fire Kitchen
See live demonstrations. (Image: Destination NSW)

Free to attend, a continual lineup of food trucks – including Hoy Pinoy’s Filipino skewers, Burn City Smokers with South American-style BBQ, Pocket Rocketz’ unique take on vegetarian Indian cuisine and dessert ooptions like Mapo Gelato, Mr Spanish Churro, Miss Sina Korean Donuts and many more – will keep guests well fed each night. If you’re more seafood than barbeque, stop by the seafood BBQ stand for flame-grilled favourites like seared prawns and smoky grilled fish.

A dedicated wine bar will showcase a selection of NSW wines. Check the schedule to catch a masterclass at the bar, led by expert Mike Bennie, as well as curated wine pairings by NSW Wine Industry Association with dishes prepared by local and international pitmasters at the fire pit stage.

vivid food at vivid fire kitchen
Taste delicious flavours. (Image: Destination NSW)

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Food trucks

Speaking of food trucks, you’ll find plenty around the festival outside of Vivid Fire Kitchen. Explore global flavours (in between global sounds) at Tumbalong Park. Enter an archway of light into this mini food hub with tasty wines, beers and cocktails, Korean fried chicken from Birdman, Mexican from Ash’s Nachos, Japanese doughnuts from Mochii Mochii and more.

Or, take a mid-light walk break at Barangaroo. Here, the highlight has to be blacklight-reactive desserts at the immersive Blacklight Dessert Lab. Think doughnuts, cheesecake and ice cream that glow under a UV light.

Dream Mist

Book a seat at this Botanic Gardens of Sydney table for an after-dark three-course Vietnamese-inspired menu by chef Luke Nguyen. Expect blending bold flavours and personal storytelling, as well as an interactive wishing tree for guests to share their dreams with. Oh, and keep the experience going with a take-home bottle of Dream Mist botanical perfume.

Neon Dreams

Not only is this event a roller-disco dream, it will feature a delicious plant-based dinner by vegan masterchef Shannon Martinez and Trolley’d, exclusively for Vivid. Wash down your veggie burger with a milkshake or cocktail whipped up by Trolly’d bar.

neon dreams diner at vivid
Grab a milkshake and burger. (Image: Destination NSW)

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Hollywood Dreaming

If your nostalgia and neon cravings aren’t yet satisfied, head to Foster Street in Surry Hills on 31 May for Hollywood Dreaming. The street will shut down to traffic to make way for an al fresco food festival within a festival. Watch live music and roving performers while feasting on the best of Sydney dishes from the likes of Firedoor, Nomad, Gildas, Nel, Kiln, Poly, Brooklyn Boy Bagels and Butter.

Rooftop dining

Be sure to check out the best of Sydney’s rooftop bars for drinks, snacks and a delectable view of the Vivid lights, all festival long. You’ll find our top picks here.

a couple watching the lights of Vivid Sydney at Aster, InterContinental Sydney
Watch the dancing lights of Vivid Sydney atop the InterContinental Sydney.

The Native Food Experience

Celebrate First Nations culture and cuisine at The Native Food Experience. Held at NSW Parliament House, Parliament of NSW executive chef Vanessa Harcourt will collaborate with pioneering First Nations chef Dwayne Bannon-Harrison to create an equal parts tasty and thought-provoking degustation. Expect a menu that heroes native Australian produce, from rainforest fruits and coastal seafood to game meats and desert botanicals, all to tell a story of Country, culture and community.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.