6 excellent things to eat and drink at the Sydney Festival 2018

It's that time of year again: Sydney Festival is back until January 28 with another huge program including an array of food and drink options mouth-watering enough to make even the strongest-willed throw their New Year's resolutions out the window.

Whether you're after a tasting menu or just looking for a quick bite between cheesy pop song renditions and VR carnival rides, here are our top picks for what to taste in the festival village and beyond.

Happy as Larry

This local pizza truck manned by ex-Gigi's chefs is back, turning out pizzas heaped with toppings such as roasted capsicum and salami (diavola, pictured above), plus a dessert calzone that proves the Nutella craze is far from over. Wash it all down with a strawberry and mint soda – a concoction so refreshing it'll make you forget about the 40-degree heat, even if only for a moment.

Mary's

Any festival food guide would be incomplete without a mention of this burger joint which has built its way from a grungy hole-in-the-wall just off Newtown's King Street to an empire of comfort food favourites. Located next to the Karaoke Carousel, the Mary's crew are back this year with their classic cheeseburgers and fried chicken. Just make sure to sweat it out afterwards with a laser-lit boogie at the festival's 10 Minute Dance Party.

Madame Shanghai

For something a little more refined, try this Chinese restaurant from the team behind Lotus dumplings. Madame's eight-course Sydney Festival special menu covers jasmine-infused turkey to edible gold bullion. Clocking in at $55, it'll leave you with enough coin to try one of the experimental cocktails, too. (18 College Street, Darlinghurst.)

Bodega Cantina

Spice lovers rejoice: back at the festival village, Bodega Cantina is plating up Mexican fare such as traditional quesadillas as well as loaded fries smothered in nacho ingredients. It's a spin-off from Surry Hills' long-standing tapas bar Bodega.

Bowery Lane

Featured in this year's Festival Feasts program, Bowery Lane has it all: a location only a hop and a skip away from festival installations at Town Hall and Barangaroo, all-day breakfast on weekends, and a mains selection as trendy as its exposed brick walls. Caffeine addicts can try the coffee-spiced beef brisket for dinner with a kick (shop 1, level 4, 1 O'Connell Street, CBD).

Gelato Messina

We've saved the best for last. Previous showings from this sweet treat juggernaut have included collabs with Black Star Pastry, Warhol-inspired gelato served in individual soup tins, and dessert 'burgers' identical to their meaty counterparts to the untrained eye. This time round, we're in for a treat with Messina's handmade 'disco biscuits' – something of an upscale Maxibon ice-cream sandwich featuring gelato coated in crumbly toppings and covered with flavoured dips. For the inner child in you, go for the original (OG): a cereal-flavoured ice-cream with Coco Pops.

For full program see: sydneyfestival.org.au