Best restaurants & bars with Vivid Sydney views in Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is one of Sydney's most beautiful harbouside locations, and even more so when it lights up for the annual Vivid Sydney festival.
Enhance your experience by combining dinner and drinks at one of the harbour's exceptional restaurants and bars, offering stunning views alongside delicious cuisine. Drink and dine while you take in the spectacular Space to Dream, transforming Cockle Bay into a mesmerizing spectacle with three iridescent floating waterfalls, serving as a canvas for bold, AI-inspired visuals.
To help you plan, we've compiled a list of the best dining and cocktail spots with prime views of the Vivid Sydney displays.
Make the most Sydney's annual festival of light, music and ideas while enjoying a spectacular view of Darling Harbour at Blackbird Cafe. A family-friendly modern Australian restaurant with a stunning view of Sydney to boot. Get in the Vivid Sydney spirit with delicious cocktails while taking in all of the spirit of the festival!
Café Del Mar brings Ibizan style to Sydney, with an expansive sun drenched terrace on Cockle Bay Wharf, a long list of crafted cocktails and live DJs every weekend. Order a few of their delicious bite-sized tapas and a classic Negroni and soak in those panoramic harbour views.
High in the Sofitel Hotel in the heart of Darling Harbour, you’ll find a taste of French sophistication and joie de vivre at Champagne Bar. This classy little watering hole features floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views over the glistening harbour - the perfect accompaniment to their extensive menu of premium champagnes and specially crafted cocktals for Vivid Sydney.
This Vivid Sydney, the harbour comes alive with light, movement and imagination; and just along the water’s edge, Planar invites you to take the dream even further. Inspired by the 2025 theme, 'Dream', Planar Bar & Dining presents a collection of drinks crafted to capture the wonder, mystery, and playfulness of the dream world.
Experience the magic of Vivid Sydney from The Ternary, a premium bar and restaurant boasting sweeping views of the city skyline. It's the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. Plus, why not enjoy their daily happy hour with $7 beers, wines, and spirits from 3:30–5:30pm.
Zephyr floats high atop the Sydney skyline on level 12 of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It’s got uninterrupted 180-degree views over Darling Harbour and the city - the perfect accompaniment to their crafted cocktail menu. Grab one of their delicious cocktails and a seat near the edge at sunset and drink it all in.