Sydney’s restaurant scene has been rocked by more high-profile restaurant closures

As the cost of living bites, three high-end venues have announced their closure this week, sending shockwaves through Sydney’s hospitality industry.

Silks at Crown in Sydney is to close. Picture: Supplied

A recent spate of high profile restaurant closures has rocked Sydney’s hospitality scene.

In the past week alone, three venues have announced they are closing their doors.

Crown Sydney will close its elevated Chinese restaurant, Silks, with a final service on May 10.

And Bondi’s Peruvian Bar and Cevicheria Lima has announced it will finish trading, just over three months since opening.

The venue, run by Luis Guzman, made the decision to move to the Bondi dining hotspot from their location in Walsh Bay, because the venue was too expensive to run.

Silks at Crown Sydney announced it was closing. Pic supplied

But now Guzman has been forced to now close his Bondi location because of a change of direction from their landlords.

After being burnt twice Guzman, who also owns Surry Hills successful Warike, is taking a break before making a decision to try the concept in a third location.

Luis Guzman, co-owner of Lima in Bondi was forced to close his new store. Source: Supplied

Meanwhile Secolo Balmain has ended its pop-up at The Exchange Hotel.

The former CBD restaurant moved into the space vacated by Fabbrica Pasta Bar after their owners, Love Tilley Group, had a falling out with Public Hospitality.

After a six-month stint, Secolo Balmain will now close at The Exchange Hotel.

However the owners Anthony, Tanja and Robert Arienzale are planning on opening two venues in the CBD later in the year.

In a statement Tanja Arienzale said, “Things have changed a lot since we made the difficult decision to close our original city venue in the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns and looming construction plans. We have such fond memories of our time in town and we can’t wait to welcome back our old customers and meet some new faces.”

Secolo Balmain’s last day of trade will be May 18.

It follows the news that Kings Cross critically acclaimed Indian restaurant Raja was also shutting its doors due to dwindling business brought on by the cost of living crisis.

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