Five Eateries in The Rocks to Visit During Vivid

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Not only is The Rocks Sydney's oldest part of town — with some of the oldest watering holes — but it's also got some classic Sydney views to boot. Directly across the water from Bennelong Point, the area is perfectly positioned for uninterrupted vistas of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the harbour. So now that Vivid Sydney is officially in full swing, it's time to take advantage of those sprawling views. What's even better, you can take in these sights at some primo dining spots. Here are five eateries in The Rocks where you can catch some significant doses of Vivid light shows — pre-, post- or during dinner.

SAKE

Wearing its prestigious chef's hat for six years running, this restaurant is the perfect pause from the Vivid hubbub with its inventive sushi and over 40 sakes. Through the faux traditional Japanese entrance and down the long walk into the main room, you're removed from the bustle and guided to a cavern-like space divided between tables, booths and shoes-off and bum-on-floor tatami dining. Kick off your shoes, dig into some house specialties like the nori crips with tuna, kingfish green onion, togarashi and sesame dressing, and the Glacier 51 toothfish with miso butter, cooked in bamboo leaves, then head back out onto the illuminated streets refreshed and ready yourself for a game of LED hopscotch through The Rocks.

THE ROCKS NIGHT MARKETS

If you'd rather have a stroll through the Vivid sights with some tasty takeaway, instead of committing to a sit down meal, The Rocks Night Markets on Fridays and Saturdays (plus the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend) have you sorted. Before you set out through the lighted laneways, take some time to wander the stalls now set up on Playfair and Atherden Streets. Sample handmade, dried, baked, whipped and roasted products from all over the city and further afield. You name it, you'll get your hands on it — from BBQ skewers to cupcakes, gozleme and handmade chocolates. You'll also find new comers like Saké Jr serving up Japanese fried rice, and Fratelli Fresh dishing out authentic Italian eats from their pasta and gelato bar. And as a bonus, there'll also be live music. Sights, eats and tunes, sorted.

The Rocks Night Markets are held Fridays and Saturdays, plus the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend during Vivid from 6–10.30pm.

ALTITUDE RESTAURANT

The Shangri-La's Altitude Restaurant offers the epitome of dazzling views. That's because it's on the 36th floor of the hotel, and it's fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbour, all the way out to the heads. While you're working through your tempura soft shell crab with saffron risotto, foie gras brûlée with squid ink puree, cocoa nib and hazelnuts, Macleay Valley pork loin, and white chocolate and pear sorbet to finish, gaze out over the city's panoramas flickering and flashing with Vivid colours below.

THE DINING ROOM AT PARK HYATT

What Altitude offers in dizzying heights, The Dining Room at Park Hyatt offers in its spectacular proximity to the water and juxtaposition to the Opera House — a table here is about as close to the harbour as you can get without jumping on a ferry. Plus, the four-metre, floor-to-ceiling windows make for unreal views of Vivid right from your table and away from the crowds. Like Altitude, The Dining Room is for fine dining, but for tighter budgets — the tasting menu presents a reasonably-priced four courses of Sydney rock oysters, albacore tuna crudo, Tassie salmon with carrot declination, kaffir lime and coconut foam, slow-cooked, 'Bourguignon-style' wagyu beef cheek, plus a decadent chocolate bar with popcorn ice cream and salty caramel sauce. Pair it all with wines presented by the sommelier, and you're still paying less than $150 per person, for top-notch cuisine with a million dollar view.

FINE FOOD STORE

If there's one cafe in The Rocks that locals have frequented for over a decade, it's this one. The Fine Food Store pours Sydney's legendary Coffee Alchemy — plus blends up the famed Golden Gaytime shake — from its clandestine location on the corner of Mill and Kendall Lanes. And during Vivid this local favourite is keeping the lights on late on Fridays and Saturdays with homestyle Northern Italian eats served from their pasta pop-up. The regular cafe menu will also be on offer until 9pm — which includes some pretty tasty cocktails. So, dig into some fresh pasta, wash it down with a barrel aged negroni or deconstructed old fashioned, then check out the many light installations just around the corner.

Top Image: Destination NSW