This inspirational article is a part of the collaboration between Traveloka and Destination New South Wales. The original article has previously been published on Destination New South Wales' official website.

At this year’s Vivid Sydney, don't just bask in the dazzling displays, taste the flavours, hear the stories, and be moved by the ideas that make Vivid Sydney a festival for all senses.  

From vegetarian menus crafted from rescued ingredients to dinner and cocktails with an unrivalled Light Walk view and fire-infused global cuisine, Vivid Sydney serves up an array of dining experiences that promise to satiate all appetites and are an unmissable part of your night out.  

We’ve curated our top selection of dining and entertainment pairings to help you make the most of Vivid Sydney.  

Where to eat: 

Immerse yourself in the buzz and bustle of this pop-up night market, stretching across the pedestrianised laneways of Sydney Place and Bulletin Place. With an array of more than 20 cafes, restaurants, bars, and stalls, there’s something here for everyone. Cuisines from across the globe will be on offer every night of the festival until late in the evening, including mi goreng toasties, Lebanese sausage with pomegranate molasses, fresh-churned gelato and one-off Vivid Sydney specials.  

Perch at Bennelong Bar, set within Sydney Opera House, and enjoy a bespoke cocktail and bar snack pairing exclusively crafted for Vivid Sydney by chef Peter Gilmore. A deliciously rare opportunity to take in the ambiance of one of Australia’s best restaurants including live music on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from 8-11pm.  

This is dinner and a show all wrapped up in one. Celebrate women in gastronomy at the Sydney Opera House’s iconic Yallamundi Rooms with a special one-off menu by Danielle Alvarez, fine wines by female winemakers and an intimate performance by the incredible Katie Noonan. All set against the illuminated artwork of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. 

What to see and do post meal: 

For an incredible experience you’ll never forgot, wander for 15 minutes from Circular Quay to The State Library for this immersive theatre piece. Once inside, you’ll be seated at a table opposite a stranger with a stack of instruction cards between you. As The New York Times said, “It is a joy; even if it scares you, go.”   

Before jumping on the train home from Circular Quay station, stop and interact with these life-sized silhouettes in First Fleet Park. The figures illuminate and light ripples when their hands are touched, a dazzling visual metaphor for how connected we all are. 

Watch as celebrated Chinese-Australian artist Guan Wei's work is projected across the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s facade, taking us from deep in the sea to the outer reaches of space, and back to Bondi Beach. This is the first time Guan Wei’s work has been transformed into a light projection, make sure you take in as much of the intricate detail as you can!  

Strap yourself in for a surreal road trip with legendary Australian musician and artist Reg Mombassa. Customs House is the canvas for his wild ride of retro-futuristic robots, one-eyed koalas and other strange creatures in this reimagining of Australian icons. Plus, catch Reg performing as part of Dog Trumpet live and free at Customs House on Saturday 25 May at 7.30pm. 

Where to eat: 

Picture yourself sipping on your Vivid Sydney-exclusive cocktails and savouring a special two-course meal at the rooftop bar of the InterContinental Sydney. Complete with panoramic views of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk.  

This exclusive dining experience is quite literally inside one of the pylons of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll be seated in the South-East Pylon to be exact, enjoying a delectable three-course menu by Luke Mangan, not to mention the breathtaking Vivid Sydney Light Walk views. 

What to see and do post meal: 

Wander through an interactive forest of hundreds of LED ropes, as they pulse with light and sound, you’ll feel truly immersed in this wash of colour.  

Put a face to climate change. Several, actually. Experience the animated story of climate change warriors the Torres Strait 8 as each of their distinct and beautiful totems are brought to life on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons. 

Trace the stories of Sydney’s past migrants as you follow holographic figures across Walsh Bay. An opportunity to hear these personal tales of struggle and hope and discover how they shaped our city.  

It’s always a good idea to have a nightcap. And this is the Vivid Sydney, cabaret-style equivalent. Every Thursday and Friday of the festival, experience a sparkling, electric fusion of comedy, music, stories and performances curated by Rhys Nicholson and Georgia Mooney.  

Where to eat: 

Spectacular on several levels, this French-inspired four-course experience is set against a backdrop of Darling Harbour's dazzling Vivid Sydney lights. An uncommon view of the festival lights, and an unforgettable meal.  

What to see and do post meal: 

This is the beating drum of Vivid Sydney’s Light Walk and your opportunity to relish 23 nights of free live music and Djs. Catch a diverse range of acts like Budjerah, Mallrat, grentperez, 3%, Club Broadway and Vivid Kids at Tumbalong.

When we say this is stunning, we really mean it. Witness the ephemeral beauty of life through this dazzling light and laser show, inspired by Japanese philosophy, the transient beauty of flowers and our deep connection to nature. 

This is your chance to encounter Artificial Intelligence as a poet. Step up to and interact with several ‘booths’ as they translate visual stimuli into original verse. You’ll be left wondering what creativity means in this new AI-age.  

Where to eat: 

Smoky, succulent, crisp, caramelised – there’s nothing quite like cooking with fire. That’s why Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen is a must. Food trucks, markets stalls and barbecue stands will serve the best global dishes, like wood-fired pizza, Sudanese BBQ sandwiches, Greek street food, Malaysian bites and much, much more. A bustling and delicious reflection of the diversity of Sydney’s vibrant food scene.

In the heat of the Fire Kitchen action, step into Gelato Messina’s whimsical twist on the classic Australian milk bar for a scoop or two of nostalgia. This modern interpretation of a 'mixed business' will have you scooping up gelato-infused chocolate bars, dixie cups, tailor-made milkshakes and spiders. Not to mention their warm Milo fudge sundae, a Vivid Sydney exclusive.  

What to see and do post meal: 

Enjoy an end-of-day drink while high-profile change-makers and experts dissect the day’s breaking news and current affairs at Rekodo, Barangaroo House. Brilliantly moderated by Tom Wright, this lively, free panel is the perfect kick-start to your evening before wandering up to the Fire Kitchen to continue the conversation over the best barbecued morsels. 

It’s time to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future with this interactive showcase of visionary projects. Wander through all the prototypes, including a food-scrap-powered sauna, furniture made from rubbish and a petrol to solar car conversion, all made for a greener world.   

This performance piece turns the Chau Chak Wing Building into a canvas of illuminated stories, inviting onlookers to peer into eight windows animated by performers, allowing us to indulge our natural curiosity about the lives of others. Right next to the Fire Kitchen action, this free show is a great way to extend your visit to The Goods Line. Please note: Window Dressing won’t be showing on Mondays during the festival.  

Watch this breathtaking portrait of our bustling world in stillness. The free, Australian premiere of this compelling documentary offers a fresh look at the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of 31 international cinematographers.  

Where to eat: 

At Refettorio OzHarvest, top NSW chefs like Peter Gilmore, Guillaume Brahimi, Orazio D’Elia and more create innovative, delicious vegetarian fare from rescued ingredients, all while helping feed Sydney's vulnerable communities.  

At Kyiv Social’s Plates with Purpose, you can immerse yourself in Ukrainian culture and cuisine with a delicious 10-course degustation. An all-female Ukrainian band will serenade you with traditional music throughout your meal. Plus, each delicious mouthful helps support Ukrainian refugees through Plate it Forward.   

What to see and do post meal: 

Celebrate humanity and the cinematic greats with a range of films selected by nine notable Australians. Kate McClymont, Kylie Kwong, Craig Foster and more will introduce the film they have specially selected that connects with the festival theme of humanity at the beloved Golden Age Cinema. 

A short stroll or quick tram ride away you’ll find Vivid Sydney’s new home for Music at Machine Hall on Clarence Street near King Street in the heart of the CBD. Here, at this reimagined 100-year-old substation you can listen to the best boundary-pushing sounds from around the world and around the corner, with highlights from Deerhoof ,Jen Cloher and Ngulmiya.