It’s that time of year again. Loosen your belts, block out your lunch hours, call your friends – Tasting Australia kicks off again on May 8.
The program for 2026 includes more than 150 events. The team is taking over The Ghan, chartering planes and flying to the regions, and hitting the road for some very bougie road trips.
This year’s line-up also includes the Club Series hosted by Katie Spain and inspired by her ongoing Broadsheet column, Welcome to the Club.
There are plenty of vendors coming to Town Square, and simply ducking into the central hub is a gorgeous amuse-bouche for the festival, but for the full experience you have to get yourself to an event.
Lots of the big-hitters are already sold out, but these 10 events still have spots available. Get in quick!
Aperitivo Hour – Corner 75
Hot Listed Sydney diner Corner 75 is coming to town for a takeover of Town Square’s Drinks Academy. Dan Puskas and Alice Tremayne will be serving two snacks and two drinks, which will give you just a taste of what Sydney loves about the homely Hungarian spot.
Saturday May 9, 6pm
$65
Masterclass – Cocktail Time Machine Presented by Never Never
The Never Never team is inviting you to drink in class. Throughout the two-hour Drinks Academy masterclass, Sean Baxter and Cody Banks will serve five mini cocktails, which draw inspiration from nostalgic drinks from across the world. There will also be cocktail snacks. (We’re hoping for one of Never Never’s signature “shellies”.)
Thursday May 14, 8pm
$90
Perfect Pair – Patch Kitchen
Festival drink curators Meira Harel and Banjo Harris Plane are taking the guesswork out of pairings. At the festival’s Perfect Pair events, one of the two will be on-site to help you pair a dish from Stirling’s Patch Kitchen with the perfect drop. Choose between a reginette pasta served with 10-hour slow-cooked beef ragu, or fiore with roasted tomato passata, smoky eggplant and soft herbs – and wash it all down with a glass of wine.
Friday May 15, 11.30am
$42
Lunch at Good Neighbour – Jessie Spiby x It’s Olio
Jessie Spiby first came to public attention as a Masterchef contestant. In 2018 she opened her much-loved Bowden cafe My Grandma Ben. For this Friday lunch she’s taking over Good Neighbour in partnership with It’s Olio. Your ticket gets you a bread course, a main course, a shared side dish and a glass of Seppeltsfield (or a non-alcoholic drink). Start with sourdough with whipped garlic and herb butter, and zingy pickles. Then it’s a main of panko-crumbed Coorong mullet with tangy green slaw, and a side of crispy potatoes and colourful carrots with confit garlic curry butter.
Friday May 15, midday–1pm
$65
Tasting Table – Jauma at Fino Vino
Jauma has a gorgeous cellar door in Lenswood, but if you want to taste the range a little closer to home, you can head to Fino Vino. At the tasting, James Erskine will be pouring six wines including the 2022 chenin blanc, the 2023 Disco Special red blend and the 2024 cider.
Friday May 15, 3pm–4pm
$80
Tasting Australia Club Series – Greek Club
Almost all of Tasting Australia’s Club Series events have sold out, but there are still a few tickets remaining for the Greek Club. At Evia Greek Club, chef Ozge Kalvo of Hot Listed Sydney Greek restaurant Olympus will cook alongside fellow Sydneysider Jason Roberts, and local chef and Masterchef alum Callum Hann. Your ticket scores you four courses and a welcome drink. Expect soothing and warming avgolemono, taramasalata, Barossa feta with fermented chilli and honey, lamb on the spit and sweet loukoumades and a baklava ice-cream sandwich to finish. Plus, a live band will be providing atmosphere all night.
Saturday May 16
$110
Big Grape Energy!
Big Grape Energy isn’t a masterclass or a tasting – it’s a party. The night is hosted by Chayse Bertoncello, the sommelier and maitre d’ of O My. The night begins with a shot of wine and a welcome drink. You can expect two snacks and plenty of tastings throughout the evening, as well as tunes from Longplay Bistro’s Henry Holland.
Saturday May 16
$95
Tasting Australia by Road – Fleurieu Peninsula
Sometimes the only thing standing between us and a day of indulgence in the regions is the hunt for a designated driver. The Tasting Australia by Road program solves that problem. The daylong event is led by Kuti Shack’s Brendan Roach and winemaker Charlotte Hardy. The day includes a visit to Macloran Farm, where you’ll take in the views and pause for a cocktail and a snack alongside the cows. Then there’s a walk down Goolwa Beach to lunch at Kuti Shack. A post-meal tipple takes you to The Joinery in Port Elliot.
Sunday May 17
$450
Waiters’ Race
On your marks, get set… walk briskly. Inspired by waiters’ races in Paris, waiters from some of the state’s best venues will line up to scurry a course from Town Square, across the road, around the Three Rivers Fountain and return to Town Square while keeping their order upright on the tray. Anyone can spectate for free and, if you work in hospitality, you can even register as a competitor.
Sunday May 17, 3.30pm
Free
Closing Night Party With Punk Royale
This is the sort of Sunday night party which’ll have you contemplating chucking a sickie on Monday. Visiting Scandinavian collective Punk Royale is closing out the festival with a party at Good Neighbour in Town Square. Your ticket gets you a bite from six food stations, each with paired drinks.
Sunday May 17
$185
Tasting Australia runs from May 8 to 17. The full program is available online.