The Charles Grand Brasserie & BarCredit: Steven Woodburn
The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, Sydney
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Toast the arrival of summer in Sydney at a buzzy Korean diner, elegant French bistro, laid-back Mexican bar or sprawling industrial brewery, plus get set for hot new hotels and cultural experiences that celebrate the city’s icons.
FOOD & DRINK
Neon night life
Be transported to the vibrant streets of Seoul at HONEY in Darling Square, where pumping K-Pop music and bright neon lights set the tone for a night to remember. The kitchen serves up great fried chicken and pocha (street food) cuisine with a twist, like a bulgogi pizza or seafood tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Paired with cold beer, soju and colourful cocktails, it’s an experience made to be shared with friends.
Med vibes on the roof
The historic Sussex Hotel is now home to a stylish rooftop bar, whisking diners away to the Mediterranean with travertine tiles, lush flowerbeds, olive trees and a canopy of grapevines. The 200sqm Sussex Rooftop is just metres from Barangaroo and Wynyard Station, yet it’s a quiet and peaceful oasis. The menu is also Med-inspired, with mezze share plates, salted cod fritters, chicken shawarma and grilled swordfish skewers, plus a host of summery cocktails.
Mexican from Maybe Sammy
A new place to fiesta is set to launch from the team behind award-winning small bar Maybe Sammy: El Primo Sanchez, a laid-back Mexican bar in Paddington. Taking over the ground floor of Oxford Street stalwart The Rose Hotel, the new bar will serve tacos and traditional snacks with a playful vibe. Expect the same Sammy-style innovative cocktails reimagined with Latin American ingredients, and served in traditional jarrito clay jugs, as well as an impressive selection of mezcal and agave spirits.
First drinks at BrewDog
Scottish beer behemoth BrewDog is opening its first Sydney outpost just in time for summer parties. Taking over a historic locomotive bay in South Eveleigh, the sprawling brewery will have space for almost 1,000 people spread across an indoor dining space, bar and huge beer garden. There will be 40 beers on tap, including the BrewDog range, guest takeovers and collaborations with local breweries, plus cider, spirits, wine, cocktails and a solid alcohol-free range. The food menu features classics like wings, pizza and burgers, and more than half will be plant-based.
Indigo for izakaya
Continuing Sydney’s love affair with tiny Japanese eateries is Darlinghurst’s Nomidokoro Indigo. A sake bar and izakaya inspired by the buzzy laneways of Tokyo, everything on the menu at this intimate 20-seat eatery is made in-house, like the dashi broth used to flavour agedashi tofu and the miso that marinates salmon, wagyu or chicken. It’s all designed to be shared and paired with more than 20 traditional sakes.
HONEY, Darling Square Credit: HONEY
HONEY has officially launched in Sydney’s Darling Square precinct. Inspired by the nightlife of Seoul, HONEY is serving up the very best in Korean cuisine, with Pocha-style shareable dishes, Korean Fried Chicken with cold beer, soju and Korean-style cocktails.
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HONEY, Darling Square Credit: HONEY
HONEY has officially launched in Sydney’s Darling Square precinct. Inspired by the nightlife of Seoul, HONEY is serving up the very best in Korean cuisine, with Pocha-style shareable dishes, Korean Fried Chicken with cold beer, soju and Korean-style cocktails.
Dishes at The Sussex Hotel Rooftop Credit: Steven Woodburn
Dishes at the Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar atop The Sussex Hotel, Barangaroo.
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Dishes at The Sussex Hotel Rooftop Credit: Steven Woodburn
Dishes at the Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar atop The Sussex Hotel, Barangaroo.
A new home for Toko
A sleek basement on George Street is the new home of Surry Hills institution Toko; it closed the doors to its Crown Street location in April after 15 years. The feel of the original restaurant has been preserved, using the same interior designer, chef, sommelier and many of the staff. The dedicated sushi counter also remains, as well as signature dishes like Moreton Bay bug tempura, miso eggplant and scampi nigiri with foie gras.
So chic, so Charles
Enter an elegant European brasserie at The Charles, with tableside saucing, caviar service and a dessert trolley. From the same team behind Lavender Bay favourite Loulou Bistro, it’s all designed to celebrate old school charms without any of the stuffiness that goes with it. Set inside a palatial Art Deco building on King Street, The Charles comprises an all-day brasserie and bar, with sister restaurant Tiva opening on the ground floor soon. Don’t go past the signature dish, the classic French pressed duck.
ACCOMMODATION
Opening date set for W Sydney
The W Sydney hotel will welcome its first guests from October 2023. Occupying a distinctive ribbon-shaped glass building at the edge of Darling Harbour, the five-star hotel will be one of the largest in the city with 585 rooms across 25 floors, a heated infinity pool, two-storey rooftop bar, signature AWAY spa and IMAX theatre in the complex below.
Pullman comes to Penrith
A new oasis of luxury is set to launch in Western Sydney as five-star, 153-room Pullman Hotel is scheduled to open in Penrith in late 2023. It will be part of the $1 billion redevelopment of the Penrith Panthers precinct, which includes a 1,000-person conference centre, community centre, and business and entertainment venues. The Pullman Sydney Penrith will be just 20 minutes from the new Western Sydney Airport, opening in 2026, and across the road from a 30,000-seat sports stadium opening in 2025.
Fresh look for Manly Pacific
It’s all contemporary sophistication and beachside luxury at the recently revamped Manly Pacific hotel. The highlight of the top-to-toe $30 million transformation is a new rooftop pool along with the addition of nine luxurious ocean-view suites with access to dedicated wellness services. The property is designed to appeal both to visiting tourists and Sydney locals looking for a decadent staycation.
ARTS & CULTURE
Tribute to an icon
A new exhibition will celebrate the life and work of Australian fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC, OMRI. Zampatti Powerhouse opens on 24 November at the Powerhouse Museum and is the first show dedicated to the designer, business leader and philanthropist; covering five decades of her career. It will feature more than 100 outfits from her collections, plus bespoke pieces loaned from high profile clients, and an immersive audio-visual presentation that includes heartfelt interviews from her family, friends and colleagues.
Qtopia tells Sydney’s stories
The transformative Qtopia, Sydney’s first queer museum, will open ahead of Sydney WorldPride in 2023. It will be a place of education, memory and celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community, reflecting on era-defining issues like the HIV/AIDS pandemic, marriage equality and queer participation in contemporary Australia. The museum’s first exhibition space has recently been announced: the iconic Bandstand in Green Square Park, close to Ward 17 at St Vincent’s Hospital, famous as the first dedicated HIV/AIDS ward in Australia.
The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar Credit: Steven Woodburn
Dishes at The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, Sydney
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar Credit: Steven Woodburn
Dishes at The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, Sydney
Manly Pacific Credit: Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Enjoying the view at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Manly, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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Manly Pacific Credit: Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Enjoying the view at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Manly, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
More News
Dorian RestaurantCredit: Dorian Restaurant
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
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A line-up of globally renowned chefs will feature across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen as part of Vivid Sydney 2024
Tickets on sale from Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com
Imagery: here
From near and far, some of the hottest names in the culinary world will appear at Vivid Sydney this year as part of Vivid Food, embracing the festival’s 2024 theme, Humanity, and highlighting food as a fundamental part of the human experience, connecting us through the universal language of cuisine.
This year’s roster of renowned local and international culinary talent across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen will craft diverse, innovative menus that celebrate our shared heritage and the rich tapestry of global cultures present in Sydney’s food scene, through a series of dynamic events spanning intimate fine dining experiences through to communal fire-cooked feasts.
Vivid Residence will bring Latin America’s best female chef 2022, Manoella ‘Manu’ Buffara of Manu Restaurant, to take over Peter Conistis’ waterside venue, Ploós, while hatted restaurants Fred’s, AALIA and The Charles Brasserie & Bar will be among the top dining spots hosting Vivid Chef Series events and unmissable foodie collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs including Max Coen, Sally Abé and Ivan Brehm.
Vivid Fire Kitchen returns to the Vivid Food program in a new home on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk with the world’s best pitmasters and BBQ heroes including Christine Manfield; Firedoor's Lennox Hastie; Texas' Jess Pryles; Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt; LA’s Shalamar Lane and more, firing up The Goods Line with cooking demonstrations and tasty BBQ fare from tandoor and teppanyaki to First Nations tucker.
This announcement bolsters an already impressive Vivid Food 2024 program including the Our Shared Humanity series featuring leading Australian chefs; Atelier by Sofitel – A Culinary Connection; VividPlace Food Trail, A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez, the return of Aster Vivid 2024 and much more, all with a nod to Vivid Sydney, Humanity.
John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, said:
“After a successful launch last year, I am pleased to see Vivid Food returning for a second year. Food is a cultural cornerstone, a fundamental part of the human experience, something we can all share and through that shared experience, enjoy new flavours and perspectives.
“Sydney has a wonderful food scene and Vivid Food is a great chance to explore that local scene. The Vivid Food program will range from headline experiences including the free BBQ demonstrations at Vivid Fire Kitchen. We invite Sydneysiders and visitors from across the globe to join us and enjoy one of Sydney’s great strengths.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director and Vivid Food curator Gill Minervini said:
“Vivid Food captures the essence of our shared humanity through the global language of food. It’s a celebration of how cuisine can mirror the diversity of cultures, while also being a bridge that connects us all. We’re thrilled to announce the incredible local and international culinary talent joining the Vivid Food program across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen, who will bring to life the rich tapestry of Sydney’s food scene. Our diverse range of Vivid Food events, from intimate dining experiences to communal feasts, promises to bring people together and showcase the unique and collective culinary heritage that makes our city so special.”
Stephanie Calape, Vice President of Culinary Events at IMG, which produces Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen in collaboration with Vivid Sydney, said:
“Following the phenomenal popularity of last year’s inaugural Vivid Food experiences, which saw Vivid Residence sell out within 48 hours, we are excited to bring back another incredible, diverse array of experiences and chefs for 2024. From world-renowned Chef Manoella Buffara’s one-of-a-kind fine dining Vivid Residence experience at Sydney’s Ploós, to Vivid Chef Series’ unmissable mash-up of Sydney and the world’s most exciting chefs, and the star-studded, immersive Vivid Fire Kitchen festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Manoella Buffara Credit: Manoella Buffara
Manoella Buffara for Vivid Residence
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Manoella Buffara Credit: Manoella Buffara
Manoella Buffara for Vivid Residence
Vivid Residence
Culinary artistry meets social responsibility at Vivid Residence as Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2022, Manoella Buffara of Manu Restaurant, Brazil, which was awarded the The Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023, graces Peter Conistis’ waterfront venue, Ploós, right in the heart of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Renowned for putting Curitiba on the global culinary map, Buffara’s approach integrates local produce with a commitment to environmental and social sustainability. During her Vivid Sydney residency, Buffara will showcase her pioneering approach to fine dining for the first time in Australia, celebrating New South Wales’ produce alongside her team and Ploós's esteemed chefs.
Chef Manoella Buffara said: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of Vivid Food in Sydney, an event that highlights the importance of cuisine in our culture. As the culinary capital of Australia, Sydney becomes a hub for vibrant flavour exchanges, bringing together top chefs and local producers to create memorable food experiences. In the heart of this bustling city, I will launch a pop-up that showcases my love for high-quality ingredients and authentic flavours. Sharing my cooking and stories with Sydney is a true honour, and I look forward to being part of this amazing food event that Vivid Food offers.”
Buffara and the team will create two menus, with a nine-course tasting menu for dinner, and a seven-course tasting menu for lunch. Tickets for the nine-course dinner menu are $420 per person, with the shorter lunch tasting menu costing $320, with bespoke beverage pairings also available. Vivid Residence will run from 24 May to 2 June 2024 offering a unique dining experience in the middle of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Tickets go on sale Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com/food.
Vivid Chef Series
The Vivid Chef Series will take over Sydney’s food scene, with the city’s best hatted restaurants and chefs pairing with some of the world’s most exciting culinary talent to bring the global contemporary culinary scene to Sydney for a limited number of nights.
The series of exclusive dinners will see local and international talent collaborate to create a never-to-be repeated menu that celebrates the best NSW produce and suppliers, imbued with global culinary sophistication.
London chef Sally Abé, who will take over The Charles Brasserie & Bar as part of Vivid Chef Series, said: “As a passionate chef, I am thrilled to be a part of the Vivid Food series in Sydney. It is an incredible platform that celebrates the intersection of art, culture, and gastronomy, allowing me to showcase my culinary skills in a vibrant and innovative setting. I am excited to immerse myself in the diverse food scene of Sydney and collaborate with talented chefs from around the world, creating unforgettable culinary experiences.”
Chef collaborations include:
- The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abé | Once comrades in arms on the other side of the globe whilst working at the three Michelin-starred restaurant The Ledbury in London, Sally Abé of The Pem will be reuniting with Billy Hannigan of Sydney’s hatted The Charles Brasserie & Bar, for three unmissable lunches and dinners. The menu will merge Hannigan’s European-inspired cooking style with Abe’s passion for nostalgic British cuisine. Joining them in the kitchen will be head pastry chef Rhiann Mead, who will add her signature sweet and innovative flair to the evening.
- AALIA x Ivan Brehm | Ivan Brehm of Michelin-starred Singapore restaurant, Nouri and Paul Farag of AALIA (two hatted Sydney restaurant, previously named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW restaurant of the year, 2023) will collaborate on two exclusive dinners that celebrate global food traditions. The dinners will blend AALIA’s expertise in Middle Eastern cuisine with Nouri’s celebration of global food traditions, for a menu that honours diversity of cultures paying tribute to the richness of our collective culinary heritage.
- Fred’s x Max Coen | Max Coen of London Michelin-starred Dorian and Ben Greeno of acclaimed Sydney restaurant, Fred’s will unite for four exclusive dinners that fuse their culinary philosophies. Chef Coen’s meticulous focus on ingredient-focussed wood-fired grilling will meet Greeno’s farm-to-table approach and hyper-seasonal cooking, for a menu that celebrates the beauty and artistry found in simplicity, all while utilising the best in local produce.
Tickets go on sale Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com/food.
The Charles Brasserie Credit: Steven Woodburn
The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abe, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
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The Charles Brasserie Credit: Steven Woodburn
The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abe, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
Fred's x Max Coen Credit: Steven Woodburn
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
#feelnewsydney
Fred's x Max Coen Credit: Steven Woodburn
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Vivid Fire Kitchen will light up its new home of The Goods Line across 23 nights, with the world’s best pitmasters and BBQ heroes joining forces with acclaimed local flame-focused restaurants for a festival of accessible fire demos, cooking sessions and exclusive BBQ dishes, with drinks, DJs and entertainment ablaze with Fire Sculptures, Flame Shooters and fire drums. Using the best NSW produce, a line-up of acclaimed local and international chefs will serve up a selection of flame-seared street food from around the globe, from tandoor and Argentinian Asado, First Nations tucker, alongside hearty sausages, tender brisket, charred eggplant, and aromatic satay, offering a nightly multicultural feast.
Guests will enjoy demonstrations combining local produce and raw-fire cooking from chef and restaurateur Lennox Hastie of Sydney’s two-hatted Firedoor who returns for Vivid Food 2024; one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and culinary ambassadors Christine Manfield; reigning Seafood Champion in the World Food Championships, John McFadden; chef, restaurateur, proud Bundjalung woman and owner of Karkalla restaurant, Mindy Woods; Michelin starred chef of Sweden’s Ekstedt at The Yard, Niklas Ekstedt; Texas-based live fire cook, author, TV personality Jess Pryles; Pitmaster of LA-based My Father’s Barbeque, Shalamar Lane and more.
Australian chef and restaurateur Lennox Hastie who will appear at Vivid Fire Kitchen, said: “For me, food is an integral part of my creative expression because it engages all my senses and allows me to connect with ingredients and people on a deeply personal level. Vivid Food celebrates the rich and diverse nature of our food culture of Australia, reminding us that food is not just about sustenance but a powerful form of connection supporting community, evoking emotions, and creating lasting memories.”
Alongside BBQ offerings and the blazing atmosphere on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk, Vivid Sydney audiences will also be able to enjoy dishes from a curated selection of Sydney’s hottest dining concepts at Vivid Fire Kitchen, from casual eateries to acclaimed restaurants, including Messina Milk Bar, a culinary time capsule that transforms beloved chocolate bars and classic sweets into modern gelato delights. A menu highlight: a warm Milo fudge sundae, specially developed to warm you up on cold winter nights.
Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen events are produced by IMG in collaboration with Vivid Sydney. IMG is the global events company behind the likes of Gourmet Escape, Taste Festivals, The Big Feastival, New York Fashion Week: The Shows and Frieze art fairs.
Vivid Food is part of Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, which will run from 24 May to 15 June 2024. Tickets for Vivid Residence and Vivid Chef Series will go on sale Friday 19 April via https://www.vividsydney.com/food. Vivid Fire Kitchen events, taking place at The Goods Line in Ultimo, are free for all to attend. Food and drink can be purchased on site.
For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com
Niklas Ekstedt Credit: Niklas Ekstedt
Niklas Ekstedt for Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024
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Niklas Ekstedt Credit: Niklas Ekstedt
Niklas Ekstedt for Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 as part of Vivid Food.
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Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 as part of Vivid Food.
Media contacts:
Hannah Fedeli, +61437166571 or hannah.f@thecru.agency
Shannon Blanchard, +61432543377 or shannon@thecru.agency
James Toovey, Vivid Sydney PR Manager, +61407828310 or james.toovey@dnsw.com.au
About Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, and transforming Sydney into a kaleidoscope of colour and events for 23 nights. Staged for its 14th year in 2024, Vivid Sydney will bring together mesmerising displays from the world’s brightest light artists, exhilarating live music performances, deep-dive discussions with thought leaders, and innovative experiences from food creatives. Vivid Sydney attracts domestic and international visitors, fuelling economic growth while fostering a cultural celebration across Light, Music, Ideas and Food. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency. For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com
About Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.
About IMG
IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.