North Bondi Kepos Credit: North Bondi Fish
North Bondi Kepos - a collaboration between North Bondi Fish and Kepos Street Kitchen.
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It’s looking like a decidedly delicious winter in Sydney with new restaurant openings, high profile collaborations and exciting refurbs. Discover food that warms the soul, restaurants that evoke afternoons in Paris, pastries worth queuing for and cafes with a purpose.
Kinhboy goes to Barangaroo
Redfern favourite Kinhboy is popping up on the Barangaroo waterfront this winter, taking over the lunch service at Sama Sama with their signature blend of Vietnamese soul food. Diners can cosy up with a steaming hot bowl of pho or make the most of winter sunshine with fresh rice paper rolls, vermicelli noodle salads, mud crab dumplings and bo luc lac (shaking beef). The Kinhboy x Sama Sama collab will run until 31 August, serving lunch from 12pm-3pm Tuesday to Friday.
New flavours for North Bondi
Award-winning chef Michael Rantissi is heading east to take over the kitchen of the famed North Bondi Fish. He will be bringing the modern Israeli menu from his Redfern café Kepos Street Kitchen to Bondi for the winter, partnering with restaurant owner and celebrity chef Matt Moran to create North Bondi Kepos. Diners can choose from mezze share plates, raw seafood, grilled meats, and Middle Eastern classics like slow-roasted lamb shoulder and spanakopita, all served alongside a special cocktail list with a Tel Aviv twist.
Old is new at QBF
History meets modern dining at Pyrmont favourite Quick Brown Fox after a revamp of its interiors and menu. Set inside a stone cottage from the 1800s, the new design (from Sydney stylist Nicola Stillone) makes a feature of exposed brickwork and stone alongside modern neon pink signage. The most exciting news is on the plate, thanks to the arrival of new head chef Daniel Grey from Sydney venues Apollo, Aalia and Devon. The varied brunch menu ranges from Japanese koshihikari rice congee to banoffee waffles with golden syrup ice cream or buffalo ricotta gnudi.
A.P Bakery finds a home
After gaining near-cult status during Sydney’s lockdowns, A.P Bakery is expanding again with its first standalone venue, A.P Town in Newtown. Tucked down one of the suburb’s winding laneways, the bakery is serving up A.P’s much-loved bread and mouthwatering pastries alongside pies, toasties and soup, washed down with Rueben Hills coffee. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday 8am-2.30pm (though they often sell out by midday) and hungry patrons can check the A.P Bread Instagram page to see what’s on the menu.
Quick Brown Fox, Pyrmont Credit: Quick Brown Fox
Dishes at Quick Brown Fox, Pyrmont
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Quick Brown Fox, Pyrmont Credit: Quick Brown Fox
Dishes at Quick Brown Fox, Pyrmont
North Bondi Kepos Credit: North Bondi Fish
Cocktails at North Bondi Kepos - a collaboration between North Bondi Fish and Kepos Street Kitchen.
#feelnewsydney
North Bondi Kepos Credit: North Bondi Fish
Cocktails at North Bondi Kepos - a collaboration between North Bondi Fish and Kepos Street Kitchen.
Bonjour Manon
French flair comes to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) with the launch of Manon Brasserie bringing brunch in the sun, just-shucked oysters and creative cocktails at the grand entrance to the QVB, just beside the famous statue of Queen Victoria. Manon is an all-day eatery from the pair behind 10 William St and Fratelli Paradiso. Head chef Thomas Boisselier has come straight from a three-Michelin-star kitchen in France, and his menu shows, featuring omelettes, salad niçoise, steak frites and a lengthy French wine list.
Two Good to taste
Known for its toiletries, homewares and pantry staples that fund employment programs for women at risk of homelessness, philanthropic enterprise Two Good Co is branching out into the world of hospitality, opening a cafe at their Yirranma Place headquarters in Darlinghurst. In their light-filled heritage space, the menus showcase local makers, seasonal produce and other social enterprises like The Bread & Butter Project, Kua Coffee, T Totaler teas and Blak Cede. It’s food that will warm both belly and heart.
Come home to Karu
Hidden away in The Devil’s Wilderness, part of the Hawkesbury, Karu Distillery has been making award-winning small-batch spirits since 2017. While their spirits have been savoured at home, aficionados can now get a taste of their rugged birthplace at the on-site tasting room and cocktail bar, House of Spirits. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s a place to sample the full range of botanical-infused gin and spicy chipotle vodka or let the talented bar staff whip up a custom cocktail. House of Spirits will also host special events, like pizza pop ups and local’s nights.
Neighbourhood dining goes luxe
Two ex-Merivale chefs have teamed up to open levelled up neighbourhood bistro S’more in Castlecrag on Sydney’s lower North Shore. “Big” Sam Young (ex Mr Wong, Totti’s and Lotus 2.0) and partner Grace Chen (ex Est, Queen Chow and Poly) are the pair behind venue, where the emphasis is on indulgence – think oysters, truffles, Wagyu beef, live lobsters and $200 tins of Siberian caviar. The small menu changes frequently to take advantage of fresh produce, and diners can look forward to sea urchin in August.
An authentic taste of Turkey
Turkish Chef Efe Topuzlu is bringing memories of his teenage years spent in his family ocakbasi (fireside) restaurant in Istanbul right here to Sydney. Diners can take a seat at the new Izgara in Potts Point to immerse themselves in this unique style of dining, where chefs cook in front of them and serve straight to the table. The word ‘izgara’ means grill, so expect plenty of responsibly sourced Australian meat on the menu as well as smoked eggplant, house-made bread, freshly shucked oysters and caviar.
Izgara, Potts Point Credit: Scott Ehler
Dishes at Izgara, Potts Point
#feelnewsydney
Izgara, Potts Point Credit: Scott Ehler
Dishes at Izgara, Potts Point
Izgara, Potts Point Credit: Scott Ehler
Dishes at Izgara, Potts Point
#feelnewsydney
Izgara, Potts Point Credit: Scott Ehler
Dishes at Izgara, Potts Point
More News
Vivid Sydney 2024Credit: Destination NSW
The 'Nest' installation at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo during Vivid 2024. Artist: Leila Jeffreys & Melvin J. Montalban. An expansive circular structure welcomes you to bear witness to the ritualistic mating dance of the Brolga, one of only two species of crane native to Australia. Projected onto a transparent surface, the huge bird apparitions appear to float in the air and are visible from both out and inside the Nest.
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Calling All Dreamers: Vivid Sydney Wants You
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries.
“I encourage the brightest talents to join Destination NSW in creating an event that elevates the Harbour City as the Asia Pacific’s leader in world-class cultural experiences.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of “Dream” to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
“Dreaming is something we all do. It’s as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams don’t discriminate – they are borderless, ageless and endless. They can be personal or public. When shared, our dreams can become a movement. They can inspire, motivate, spark excitement and connection.
“The whole world dreams, it is something we have in common, something that unites us. Our human story is embedded in dreams, they help explain our existence and our past.
“We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives.
“Each year Vivid Sydney aims to deliver unparalleled artistic brilliance and we look forward to welcoming the inspirations within our community that will help shape Vivid Sydney 2025 into a show-stopping cultural phenomenon.”
The Vivid Sydney EOI outlines opportunities for artists, designers, creative industry professionals, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, promoters, restaurants, event companies, chefs, producers and educational institutions to present their ideas, designs, concepts and interest for inclusion in the annual event.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on Monday 2 September 2024 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on Friday 27 September 2024.
This year’s Vivid Sydney attracted 2.42 million attendees, making it the third largest on record. Highlights included a record-breaking opening night and the busiest single night in the festival’s history on Sunday 9 June.
While Vivid Sydney 2024 attracted millions of people from across Australia and the globe, it also had a profound impact on the creative minds who helped bring the event to life, including Sydney’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
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Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
Leila Jeffreys the artist behind popular Vivid Light 2024 installation Nest said: “Thank you to Festival Director Gill Minervini and all at Vivid Sydney for giving me and my artistic collaborator Melvin J. Montalban the opportunity to create art on a scale that we could not have achieved on our own.
“I visited Nest many times throughout the festival and was always moved to see people from all walks of life and ages stand together to witness the courtship dance of the Brolga, a moment where we all felt the link between the natural world and the human journey.”
Tekno Train creator and composer Paul Mac said: “When I set out to create Tekno Train I wanted to make an experience that fused my love of techno and trains with lights and to share this joy with as many people as possible. The positive reactions I have received from people on the train, as well as the drivers, guards, and random folks on social media has absolutely blown me away.
“Vivid Sydney 2024 has been an unexpected career highlight, and I am forever grateful to everyone who helped bring this together.”
Club Broadway MC & Music Producer DJ Dan Murphy said: “Bringing our Club Broadway show to a Vivid Sydney audience has been an absolute joy. We loved making our show accessible to a whole new audience who love the world of musical theatre.
“Vivid Sydney is such an amazing and important festival for our city, and we were thrilled to be on the program. From old to young, we had them all on the dancefloor for Club Broadway at Tumbalong Park. The night was absolutely magical and a great way to celebrate our community.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
Service and Creative Skills Australia (the Jobs and Skills Council for Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality) CEO Natalie Turmine said: “Vivid Sydney showcases brilliantly our talented and vibrant creative arts, tourism and hospitality workforce, demonstrating the wealth of exciting career opportunities available in this sector.
“Thank you to all the creative artists, technicians, performers, hospitality staff and event organisers for delivering another successful Vivid Sydney.”
Plate it Forward CEO and restaurateur Shaun Christie-David said: “Vivid Sydney shows the diversity of Sydney, shining a positive light on our city, culture and produce. As a social enterprise hospitality group, it was a privilege to partner with Vivid Sydney to bring the 2024 festival theme humanity to life through food. Food is all about sharing, love, respect and community.
“There is so much pride, joy and power that can be found in food, it is a platform to celebrate culture, make meaningful connections and create jobs. Through working with Vivid Food and selling more than 1000 tacos, more than 1500 meals will be donated to community kitchens for people in need.”
Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food and the incredible vibe…Vivid Sydney has once again delivered a spectacular event for visitors and locals of all ages, with the big winners being local tourism and hospitality operators.”
“The bright lights of Vivid Sydney have showcased first-class hospitality, creativity and our beloved Sydney CBD and Harbour icons to audiences across the globe, demonstrating the value and huge potential of this event and the need to continue investing in world class events.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
Accommodation Australia’s Michael Johnson said: “Once again, the juggernaut that is Vivid Sydney illuminated the city, shining a light on the beauty and culture of the city.
“Over the course of the event, hotels in the CBD enjoyed 75 per cent occupancy with bookings reaching as high as 90 per cent on weekends. There is no denying major events such as Vivid Sydney, that have the capacity to draw a high level of overnight visitation in the middle of winter, create an incredible boost for the city’s visitor economy.”
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney 2025, go to www.vividsydney.com