This year, the Sydney Opera House debuts a vibrant, open-air food hub during Vivid LIVE, offering Cuban and Korean street-style bites from renowned chefs Danielle Alvarez and Jimmy Ryu on the harbour-side Forecourt.

Running from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June, the new Forecourt Food Village joins a line-up of exciting culinary experiences including the return of Newtown hospitality legends The Midnight Special, with an ethereal late-night pop-up bar, a sensory dining journey from Danielle Alvarez, a unique First Nations dining experience in a hidden Opera House location and special festival offerings across all four Opera House restaurants.

Forecourt Food Village

La Cubanita is a bold new pop-up led by Opera House Events Culinary Director, Danielle Alvarez.

A celebration of her Cuban roots, the soulful menu serves up inventive fried fish and pulled pork sandwiches, Caribbean-style sweet potato fries and a playful kids' menu – delivering big flavour, tropical flair and a hint of Havana heat.
Curated by Opera House Events Executive Chef, Jimmy Ryu, K-town Bites delivers a sizzling homage to Seoul's bustling street markets with crispy, sticky and spicy Korean fried favourites. The menu features flavourful fried chicken, crispy Gochujang cauliflower, sweet potato noodles and a bite-sized kids' menu.

In collaboration with Australia's most awarded distillery, The Bar ft. Archie Rose will offer a curated range of local wines, spirits and beers, hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages, and their signature mojitos and buttered rum and raisin cocktails.

The Forecourt Food Village will open nightly from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June, 5pm to 10pm. Entry is free, and tickets not required.

The Aurora in the Concert Hall Northern Foyer

Returning to the Opera House for the fifth year, The Midnight Special will light up the Concert Hall Northern Foyer with The Aurora, an immersive pop-up bar open to all. Inspired by the dreamy hues and landscapes of the Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis, the venue will be transformed by radiant light projections, themed menu items, elemental décor and a transportive DJ line-up, making it the perfect spot for a tipple before or after a Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House concert.

Entry is free, with access via the western external steps of the Opera House (or via the Concert Hall for Vivid LIVE ticketholders) from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June, 6pm until late.

Bennelong Experience

Inside the Opera House's smallest sail, Bennelong has curated two bespoke experiences to enjoy while taking in one of the best views of the Vivid lights. On offer, a signature cocktail served with four elegant bar snacks at the Bennelong Bar, or four bar snacks, a glass of premium champagne and a refined three-course menu in the premium Dress Circle.

Bookings available for Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June at $65pp for cocktail and snacks at the Bennelong Bar and $285pp for the Dress Circle menu.

Opera Bar and House Canteen special menus

Beloved harbour-side venues Opera Bar and House Canteen are back with special menus. Highlights include Opera Bar's warm espresso martini and exclusive Ciccone & Sons ice creams and House Canteen's nostalgic candy floss and hot chocolate cart – with alcoholic options for adults looking for extra warmth.

Available daily from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June.

Vivid Food – Dance of Dreams with Danielle Alvarez

As part of the Vivid Food program and for two nights only, celebrated chef Danielle Alvarez presents Dance of Dreams – an immersive three-course dinner accompanied by live music and a performance by the emerging dance collective, New Old Now, in the Opera House's stunning Yallamundi Rooms. Backdropped by the illuminated Sydney Harbour, Dance of Dreams offers a locally sourced menu with specially selected wine pairings.

Tickets available for $329pp for Friday 13 June and Saturday 14 June.

Vivid Food – Saltbush and Starlight Dining

Renowned First Nations chef Mark Olive debuts Saltbush and Starlight, a communal dining experience celebrating Indigenous Australian ingredients, set to Vivid Sydney's 2025 theme, Dream. This special Vivid Food event begins with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House and continues with a three-course menu, NSW wines, craft beer and bespoke light projections in the Opera House's most exclusive and intimate venue.

Every Friday and Saturday from 23 May to 14 June.

A special themed cocktail menu, with warm and non-alcoholic options, will be available daily throughout the festival at Chef Mark Olive's flagship restaurant, Midden, located on the Western Broadwalk with views across Sydney Harbour.

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