Vivid Sydney 2026: A Gastronomic Circuit with Sydney Restaurant Group
-Dine at participating Sydney Restaurant Group venues during Vivid Sydney and progress through the “SRG Vivid Passport”
Publicity release posted on Saturday 09 May,2026
As the city transforms into a kaleidoscopic canvas for Vivid Sydney 2026, the Sydney Restaurant Group (SRG) has curated a sensory journey that extends far beyond the light installations. This year, the “SRG Vivid Passport” encourages diners to traverse the harbor, offering a $50 voucher for visiting two participating venues and an additional bonus for those who complete a third.
*Offer: Dine at participating SRG venues during Vivid Sydney and progress through the SRG Vivid Passport.Visit two participating SRG venues between 22 May and 13 June to unlock a $50 dining voucher. Make it three, and we’ll add another bonus voucher.
From the historic wharves of Woolloomooloo to the serene shores of Lavender Bay, here is your guide to the best waterfront seats for the festival.
Sails | Lavender Bay
The Profile: Perched on the water’s edge with a peerless view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sails is the quintessential North Shore retreat. Known for its refined elegance and technical precision, it offers a tranquil escape from the CBD crowds without sacrificing a front-row seat to the spectacle.
The Review: For those seeking a sophisticated vantage point, Sails is unmatched. Their 6-course Vivid Tasting Menu ($185pp) is a masterclass in culinary artistry, designed to mirror the festival’s energy. The opening night kicks off with a curated 5-course menu that sets a high bar for the weeks following. Pair your meal with their “Experiential Cocktails”—three bespoke creations that shift in color and texture, much like the lights dancing across the bay.
Offer: Your North Shore retreat with postcard views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge — a front-row seat to Vivid’s spectacular lights and colours from our waterfront vantage point.
Vivid Opening Night
Friday 22 May from 5:30pm
5-course Vivid-inspired tasting menu, $155pp. Matching wines available.
Vivid 6-Course Menu
23 May – 13 June 2026
6-course Vivid menu, $185pp, inspired by the lights, colour and energy of the festival.
Vivid cocktail menu
Three experiential cocktails available throughout the festival.
Opening hours: 23 May – 13 June 2026, from 5:30pm
Website: Here
The Fenwick | East Balmain
The Profile: Housed in a beautifully restored sandstone building, The Fenwick offers a ruggedly elegant atmosphere. It provides a unique perspective of the harbor, looking back toward the city skyline from the tip of the Balmain peninsula.
The Review: The Fenwick’s menu strikes a perfect balance between coastal freshness and rich, earthy flavors. The Vivid-inspired menu ($125pp) highlights include delicate Fraser Isle spanner crab on brioche and a robust Coppertree Farms aged rump cap served with a meticulous potato pavé. The transition from a savory Moreton Bay bug with gochujang to a bright pineapple sorbet with miso crèmeux makes this one of the most dynamic dining experiences of the festival.
Offer: Front-row views of Vivid Sydney from one of the city’s most spectacular vantage points.
Vivid Opening Night
Friday 22 May from 5:30pm
5-course Vivid-inspired tasting menu, $125pp. Matching wines available.
Vivid cocktail menu
Three experiential cocktails available throughout the festival.
Starting with Sydney Rock oysters served with a verjus mignonette and Fraser Isle spanner crab on brioche with fennel, nashi pear and yuzu. A Moreton Bay bug with gochujang and ginger adds depth early on, followed by New Zealand hapuka with wilted greens and a sudachi beurre blanc. The Coppertree Farms aged rump cap is a clear hero for the main, paired with potato pavé and cavolo nero, before finishing with a lighter dessert of pineapple sorbet, miso crèmeux and puffed wild rice.
Opening hours: Friday 22 May from 5:30pm
Website: Here
Whalebridge | Circular Quay
The Profile: Whalebridge brings the effortless chic of a French bistro to the very edge of Circular Quay. With “sideways” glances at the Opera House and a direct line of sight to the Harbour Bridge, it is arguably the most immersive spot to witness the 2026 centerpiece, Opera Mundi.
The Review: There is a poetic synergy here this year as French artist Yann Nguema illuminates the Opera House sails. Dining on a twice-baked Comté soufflé or a grand plateaux de fruits de mer while watching French-inspired digital art is a rare treat. The atmosphere is bustling and quintessentially Sydney, making it the ideal spot for a long, “weather permitting” lunch that stretches into a neon-lit evening.
Website: Here
Ventuno | Walsh Bay
The Profile: Located in the heart of the historic arts precinct, Ventuno is a contemporary Italian stalwart. It’s the perfect blend of high-end boutique wine culture and the communal warmth of wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta.
The Review: Ventuno is the go-to for those who want a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere. While the menu remains focused on its Italian roots, the Vivid Cocktail Menu adds a layer of theatricality to the evening. It’s a fantastic hub for those exploring the Walsh Bay installations, offering a reliable, high-quality “recharge” station with exceptional waterfront views.
Offer: Contemporary Italian in Walsh Bay’s historic arts precinct — handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza and boutique wines by the water.
Vivid cocktail menu
For the duration of Vivid, guests can also also enjoy a special Vivid cocktail menu featuring three experiential cocktails inspired by the lights, colour and energy of the festival.
Opening hours: 22 May – 13 June 2026, from 5:30pm
Website: Here
Website: Here
Akti | Woolloomooloo
The Profile: Akti brings the spirit of the Aegean to the Finger Wharf. Focused on modern Greek mezze and seafood, it captures the breezy, sun-drenched charm of the islands and translates it into a sleek, nocturnal setting.
The Review: For a lighter, more social experience, Akti’s Cocktail and Snack Pairing Menu is a standout. Eschewing the formal multi-course structure, these pairings are designed to be bright, aromatic, and visually striking. It’s the perfect choice for festival-goers who prefer to graze on high-quality seafood and mezze while sipping on neon-hued spritzes.
Offer: Greek hospitality on Woolloomooloo Wharf — a modern Aegean escape of mezze, seafood and spritzes with seaside charm.
Vivid cocktail menu
Vivid cocktail and snack pairing menu available throughout the festival, inspired by the lights, colour and energy of Vivid.
Signature Vivid Cocktails
Celebrate the colour and movement of the festival with a limited-edition cocktail and snack pairing menu, designed to mirror the glow and vibrancy of Vivid. Bright, aromatic and visually striking, they are the perfect drinks to captures the spirit of the night.
Opening hours: 22 May – 13 June 2026, from 5:30pm
Website: Here
Vivid Sydney 2026: SYDNEY RESTAURANT GROUP Opening Hours & Details
Offer: Dine at participating SRG venues during Vivid Sydney and progress through the SRG Vivid Passport.
Visit two participating SRG venues between 22 May and 13 June to unlock a $50 dining voucher. Make it three, and we’ll add another bonus voucher.
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Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
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Time: From 5:30pm (Whalebridge open from 11:00am)
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The Incentive: Progress through the SRG Vivid Passport to unlock dining rewards across the group.
