As the heat around the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2018 turns up, we’re taking a look at where else is good around the city to celebrate slightly off the beaten track of Oxford Street.

Here are the best restaurants in Sydney to wear your finest rainbow colour scheme and enjoy a meal for equality…

Cuckoo Callay

Celebrate Mardi Gras with OTT shakes and rainbow eggs at Cuckoo Callay. From Monday 26 February, the quirky café adds colour to a brunch staple, serving vibrant ‘I’m Blue, If I Was Green I Would Fry’ purple and blue fried eggs with a side of toast ($11). Wash it down with ‘Candy Mountain’ ($10); a strawberry cupcake shake topped with frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream and rainbow marbled chocolate.

Available: Monday 6 February – Sunday 4 March at Cuckoo Callay Surry Hills and Newtown

Phone: 02 9557 7006

Website: cuckoo-callay.com.au

Cuckoo Callay Surry Hills

Address: 413 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm

Cuckoo Callay Newtown

Address: Newtown Railway Station

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 8am-3pm 

The Streets of Barangaroo

The Streets of Barangaroo comes alive for Mardi Gras with Colour the Streets. The mini program of events includes a colourful installation around The Streets by Sydney-based artist Lauren Webster, a big night of Bingay, talks from some of the most influential people in Mardi Gras’ history and unique food and drink offerings across the precinct.

Hosted at Wild Sage by Sydney drag queen Charisma Belle and long-time barrel babe Naomi Palmer, Bingay is a bingo night for adults. Expect naughty calls, cheeky banter, prizes and giveaways throughout the night. All ticket proceeds will be donated to ACON, a NSW-based health services organisation for the LGBTQI community.

On Thursday 1 March, the Scotch Row Pocket Park is home to a free talk on Mardi Gras through the years. The panel discussion involves five personalities who have helped shape Mardi Gras, from George Michael’s security escort to an official Mardi Gras photographer.

Celebrate with an array of rainbow offerings, including:

• Barangaroo House – ‘Pash’n for Fashion’ cocktail with vodka, Chambord, lemon, white chocolate, prosecco and passionfruit ($17)
• Été – strawberry, coconut and pistachio mousse cake with rainbow glaze ($15)
• Shirt Bar – beetroot-cured rainbow trout with watermelon radishes, pickled fennel and beetroot chips ($18)
• love.fish – ‘40 Shades of Yes!’ cocktail with organic Blind Tiger gin, PS Soda bush tonic and rainbow ice infused with lime, passionfruit, violetta and absinthe ($19)
• Bourke Street Bakery – rainbow butter cake with lemon butter cream icing ($4.50/slice)
• Lotus Barangaroo – Valrhona rainbow chocolates ($22)
• Bel & Brio – crispy pork belly with golden carrot puree, green pea mousse, purple plum compote and radish and macadamia crumb ($39)
• Zushi – rainbow sushi roll with salmon, prawn, tuna, avocado, flying fish roe, chilli and honey mayo; and a ‘Kyoto Lights’ cocktail with Bombay Sapphire Star of Bombay, umeshu, lime juice, blue curacao, ginger beer and canberry juice
• Spiced by Billu’s – free mukhwas (colourful sugar-coated fennel, anise, coconut and sesame seeds) at the end of every meal
• The Standard Store – ‘rainbow love’ hand-printed sweatshirt from London designer Zakee Shariff ($175) and a sparkly Jerome Dreyfuss ‘Disco Club’ popoche ($245)

Colour the Streets

When: Monday 26 February – Sunday 4 March

Where: The Streets of Barangaroo

More info: thestreetsofbarangaroo.com

Bingay

Date: Thursday 1 March

Time: 6:30-10pm

Price: $20

Tickets: aconhealth.org.au

Address: Wild Sage, Exchange Place, 3 Sussex Street, Barangaroo

Talk: Mardi Gras through the years

Date: Thursday 1 March

Time: 12-1:30pm

Price: free

Address: Scotch Row, Barangaroo