Toko to close Surry Hills restaurant, reopen in Sydney’s CBD

It’s fed Chris Hemsworth, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Spice Girls but a popular Sydney hotspot will close its doors this weekend.

Sydney celebrity hotspot Toko is closing its doors after 16 years this weekend but has a $2m relocation plan.

The Surry Hills restaurant was once so popular Sydney City Council was forced to install a pedestrian crossing on Crown St to ensure the influx of customers entering the venue would not be hit by cars.

Owner Matt Yazbek told Kitchen Confidential that while leaving the Surry Hills venue was “bittersweet”, it was declining foot traffic and difficulties with his landlord that prompted the move.

“I’ve seen a steady decline in foot traffic to Surry Hill since 2012,” he said. “We’ve just been lucky that our customer spend is up.”

“But the lack of parking and public transport makes it so hard for anyone not in the area to come to our venue.”

Toko owner Matt Yazbek. The Surry Hills restaurant will be moving to a new address in the Sydney CBD. Picture: Richard Dobson

Immediately after opening the Japanese restaurant became a key destination for international celebrities thanks to its low key vibe, which also ensured the stars privacy.

A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jared Leto, Kelly Rowland and Spice Girl Mel B are some of the A-listers who have dined there.

Chris Hemsworth at Toko Sydney in 2019.

It is also a favourite for local celebrities like Russell Crowe, Simon Baker and Chris Hemsworth.

The restaurant will relocate to a new location in the CBD in the middle of the year, with a fit-out that’s costing $2 million.

Meanwhile, Yazbek’s other venue Cubby’s Kitchen, has experienced growth since moving to the CBD and that’s taking in Covid closures.

“The city has been revitalised,” he said. “With Cubby’s Kitchen, we’ve seen a huge difference in increase trade, plus the rent is less and the venues are purpose built.”

Yazbek was due to close Toko at the start of April, however claimed issues with his landlord meant he couldn’t bring in his builders in to dismantle the venue.

Mel B and Natalie Bassingthwaite at Toko. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Rather than do nothing we decided to extend our bookings for two more weeks and we booked out in a day,” he said.

“We opened pre-social media, which means we never focused on the customer who would come in once, take a photo of the food and then move on to the next new place,” Yazbek said. “We are proud of the sustainability we’ve had and it’s been amazing to see people come out of the woodwork and farewell us at Surry Hills.”

Toko’s new venue is due to open in August with Yazbek saying he’s looking forward to welcoming back the regulars as well as a new range of customers. “We’re in a basement location, with high ceilings and it’s being designed by the same person who fitted out Toko 16 years ago,” he said.

“I’m already over budget but it’s going to be amazing. It’s going to feel like being in New York or London. And we’ve got a 20 year lease, so we are committed to the area. All up, Toko will be in business for 40-years, which, in a tough industry, makes me pretty happy.”