Sydney Spring Food Guide: From Rooftop Gardens to Long Lunches
Spring in Sydney means outdoor dining, food festivals and an excuse to explore the city’s evolving food scene. We’ve rounded up the best food experiences across the city this season, from casual street food festivals to unique dining events.
This guide focuses on events and experiences that showcase local producers and authentic food experiences, helping you discover something new while supporting local businesses.
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Special Dining Experiences this Spring
Spring sees Sydney restaurants moving outdoors and updating menus with seasonal produce. Here are some standout dining experiences to try this season.
Spring Blooms at Atelier by Sofitel
The award-winning culinary team at Atelier launches their new seasonal menu featuring premium Australian produce with French culinary techniques. The menu showcases regional producers including Gundagai lamb and Moorabool Valley duck.
Menu Highlights:
- Pacific Oysters with Chardonnay Mignonette Dressing
- Citrus-Cured Petuna Ocean Trout with horseradish
- Dry-Aged Moorabool Valley Duck Breast with manuka honey glaze
- Lemon Myrtle & Rivermint Mousse
A carefully curated wine list features both French and Australian wines, with sommelier pairings available.
When: Available now through spring
Where: Atelier by Sofitel, 12 Darling Drive, Sydney
Cost: À la carte menu
Bookings: Essential – direct on their website or call (02) 8388 8888
Japanese-Vietnamese Fusion Goes Bottomless at Kaiza
Kaiza in Newtown has added a weekend bottomless lunch option to their regular menu. The six-course shared menu combines Japanese and Vietnamese flavors, with free-flowing drinks included in the $89 price.
Menu Highlights:
- Signature mixed sashimi toast with house-made chilli jam and native finger lime
- Wok-tossed XO fried rice with charred corn and lap cheong
- Teriyaki-glazed meats with Vietnamese herbs and lemongrass
Bottomless Package Includes:
- Six-course shared menu
- Free-flowing sake, spritzes, wines or lagers
- 2-hour dining experience
Other Dining Options:
- Kaiza Express ($55pp): Six-course quick set menu
- Kaiza Voyage ($88pp): Eight-course signature experience
When: Saturday: 12pm – 2pm Sunday: 12pm – 12:30pm
Where: 95 Enmore Rd, Newtown
Cost: $89 per person l Bookings: Call 0401 466 515
Pavilion Social opens at Bondi Pavilion
A new seaside bar and dining spot on Level 1 of Bondi Pavilion, designed for long lunches and golden‑hour drinks. The shareable menu includes sea salt crisps with LP’s mortadella and peppers, kingfish crudo with blood orange, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters, peeled tiger prawns, a prawn roll with yuzu koshō mayo, and a classic cheeseburger.
The drinks list focuses on coastal‑inspired cocktails — Offshore Originals (classics with a twist) and High Tide Spritzers — plus a rotating line‑up of frozen drinks. Expect live acoustic acts, percussionists and DJs as the sun goes down.
When: From Thursday, 30 October 2025; Thu–Fri from 4pm, weekends from 12pm
Where: Pavilion Social, Level 1, Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach
Details: pavilionsocialbondi.com.au
Global Flavours Spring into Jackalberry
Jackalberry’s new $39 lunch deal includes a glass of wine and access to their ‘build your own’ salad bar. The menu features dishes like Teriyaki Salmon and Bucatini Carbonara, with $12 cocktails available during happy hour (3-6pm daily).
Spring Lunch Menu ($39):
- Includes a glass of wine
- ‘Build your own’ salad bar
- Signature dishes like Teriyaki Salmon and Bucatini Carbonara
- Finish with house-made Matcha Cheesecake.
Happy Hour: Daily 3pm-6pm $12 mini cocktails with live music every Thursday evening
When: Daily 11am – 3pm
Where: Jackalberry Bar & Restaurant, 161 Sussex St, Sydney
Cost: Lunch Menu $39 (includes wine), Cocktails from $14
Canvas at MCA Gets a New Chef
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Level 4 restaurant welcomes Scottish chef James Scott (ex-LuMi, Sepia) as their new chef-in-residence. The menu combines Scott’s fine dining background with native Australian ingredients and touches of his Scottish heritage.
Standout dishes include a playful “Lambington” – lamb Wellington with haggis, and crab cappelletti with finger lime and lemon myrtle. The dining room’s minimalist design and harbour views provide a fitting backdrop for both lunch and the upcoming Ricky Swallow sculpture installation.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am – 4:30pm
Where: Level 4, Museum of Contemporary Art
Cost: Two courses $95, three courses $120 l Bookings: Via mca.com.au
Spring High Tea Experiences
New high tea options this spring offer different takes on the traditional afternoon tea experience.
QTea by Adriano Zumbo at QT Sydney
Zumbo’s take on high tea at Gowings combines his signature creative desserts with a solid savory selection. The $79 price point makes it one of the more affordable high teas in the city and the 90-minute format works well for the portion size.
Standouts include the Mojito Tart and mac & cheese croquettes, while the classic scones hold their own against fancier options. Book for September 9th or 10th if you want to meet Zumbo himself.
Meet the Master: Join Adriano Zumbo himself for exclusive sittings on September 9th and 10th, where he’ll share insights into his creative process and techniques.
When: Weekends 11am – 3:30pm (90-minute sessions)
Where: Gowings, Level 1 QT Sydney
Cost: $79 per person including free-flowing tea Bookings: Essential
Sydney’s Best Spring Drinks
Aster: Martini for One
Aster’s rooftop bar is running a solo‑dining ritual: pick a flight of three mini martinis (guided by a short online quiz if you like), each paired with refined bites.
A plant‑based menu mirrors the same experience. Harbour views included.
When: Wednesday, 12 November – Sunday, 21 December 2025, 4pm–close daily
here: Aster, Level 32, InterContinental Sydney, 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Cost: $70 per person (three mini martinis + three matching bites + quiz)
Bookings: Essential
Zephyr Sky Bar: Mezcaleria in the Sky (Summer)
Zephyr’s rooftop has shifted to a mezcal‑leaning summer theme with a Don Julio Rosado cocktail line‑up and a Mexican‑inspired food menu. Drinks include The Frosado (pink shaved ice), Fire and Tide (spicy mezcal), Blue Paloma, Midnight Rose and Don Juliet.
Bites cover Beef Barbacoa sliders, snapper ceviche, flathead tacos and cheese empanadas.
When: until the end of February 2026
Where: Zephyr Sky Bar, Darling Harbour
Cost: Menu prices vary Bookings: Recommended
Golden Hours Barangaroo (Presented by Aperol Spritz)
A month‑long aperitivo programme across The Streets of Barangaroo: 2‑for‑$30 Aperol Spritz at participating venues, exclusive food offerings, and free entertainment precinct‑wide.
Expect DJs Thursday to Sunday (5–8pm) along Wulugul Walk curated by Return to Rio, roving performers including Aperidisco Disco Heads, and pop‑up sets from Barangaroo House.
Selected venues include GINA, ZUSHI, Born by Tapavino, Barangaroo House, and Crown Sydney’s Woodcut, a’Mare and Icebergs Harbour Bar. More details on the website.
When: 1–30 November 2025
Where: Barangaroo precinct (The Streets of Barangaroo)
Cost: Free entry; specials and menu pricing vary by venue
One Night Only
Here are the best one-off dining events happening this spring.
ARIA Parlour by Spotify
To mark the final week of ARIA Awards voting, Spotify is handing out free Messina ice cream to anyone who shows proof they voted via the Spotify app or ARIA.com.au/vote.
Flavours are named after 2025 nominees (e.g., “Troye‑senberry Sivan”, “Bounty Park Music”).
When: Monday, 10 November 2025, 11:30am–2:30pm
Where: Corner of Broadway & Mountain Street (Ultimo/Chippendale)
Cost: Free with proof of ARIA vote
Crown Sydney Summer Sessions: Pool Party
Kick off summer with a one‑night poolside party on Crown Sydney’s harbourside infinity pool deck. Presented by Patrón Tequila and Missoni, expect live culinary stations from Woodcut, a’Mare, Nobu, Icebergs Harbour Bar and Golden Century — including unlimited Nobu sashimi carved from whole tuna, a’Mare’s tequila pasta and roaming yum cha bites.
Patrón cocktails will flow, featuring El Alto. Peking Duk headlines a high‑energy set as the sun goes down.
When: Thursday, 27 November 2025, 6pm–11pm
Where: Crown Sydney Rooftop Pool, Level 5
Dress code: Resort wear
Cost: $525 per person Get Tickets
Goros Konbini Takeover (Late Night)
Surry Hills late-night bar Goros is running a convenience-store–style takeover with grab‑and‑go snacks, games and giveaways. Expect tuna onigiri, yakisoba‑pan, bento boxes (karaage, pork katsu or teriyaki tofu) and a new strawberry sando, plus Hyoketsu slushies and sake‑forward cocktails.
The birthday night on Thursday, 7 November features $7 Kirin Hyoketsu schooners and $11 Hyoketsu Slushies.
When: 5 November – 6 December 2025 (Birthday night: Thursday, 7 November)
Where: 84/86 Mary St, Surry Hills
Cost: Special pricing on 7 November ($7 Kirin Hyoketsu schooners, $11 Hyoketsu Slushies)
Food Festivals in Spring
From farm festivals in Sydney’s southwest to urban food celebrations, spring brings a diverse calendar of events that showcase our local producers and multicultural food scene.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Sydney’s Domain transforms into a slice of Bavaria this October as Australia’s largest Oktoberfest celebration returns. Recently named one of the world’s top five Oktoberfest events by Condé Nast Traveller, this festival brings authentic German culture to over 20,000 revellers.
The event features massive beer halls pouring imported German beers and ciders, alongside traditional food stalls serving Bavarian specialties. Entertainment includes multiple performance stages, roving acts, carnival rides, and a silent disco.
Visitors are encouraged to dress in traditional Bavarian attire for this celebration of German food, drink and culture. Previous years have sold out, so early booking is recommended.
When: 25 October 2025
Where: The Domain
Cost: $80 approx l More: oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au
Cooking Classes and Experiences
Want to learn something new? These hands-on food experiences provide more than just a meal.
Plan Your Spring
From community festivals to wine events this season’s food events stretch well beyond the city centre. Whether you’re after a free street festival, a $75 cooking class or a special occasion dinner on the Harbour Bridge, there’s something for every budget. As always, check venue websites or social media for the latest details and booking information.
For more Sydney dining inspiration, check out our monthly dining deals, happy hour guide, and October, November and December event pages.
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