COVID dining boom: Sydney’s top restaurants booked out until April

The pandemic combination of reduced patron numbers and skyrocketing dining demand has sparked a citywide restaurant revival.

Lachlan Leeming and Karlie Rutherfod

less than 2 min read

January 10, 2021 - 12:23PM

NSW

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Sydney’s mid-COVID dining boom has pushed the city’s restaurants to capacity, with industry heavyweight Justin Hemmes warning people to book early as it’s “never been busier”.

Mr Hemmes urged people to be organised with ongoing coronavirus restrictions meaning restaurants were operating at reduced numbers.

Justin Hemmes has warned the demand for restaurants has never been greater. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“Securing a restaurant booking has never been more important,” he said. “Space is very limited and demand has never been greater.”

Nobu, which opened at Crown Sydney at the end of last year, is booked out every weekend until April.

Crown Sydney culinary ambassador Guillaume Brahimi said he was not surprised at the appetite for the Japanese eatery, saying it was “world class”.

“I can’t wait for the international borders to open and for my friends from Paris to come and see what we are doing. It will blow their minds,” Mr Brahimi said.

Guillaume Brahimi, Crown Sydney’s culinary ambassador.

Mark Holmes, executive general manager of non-gaming at Crown Sydney, called the dining boom “a pleasant surprise” amid the turmoil of the pandemic. “We’re definitely encouraged by the numbers and we look forward to catering to more … guests when restrictions ease,” he said.

Mark Hudson and Sandy Truong at Nobu restaurant. Picture:Justin Lloyd

Sydney couple Mark Hudson and Sandy Truong dined at the restaurant shortly before New Years.

The pair said they had “high expectations” after dining at Nobu’s sister restaurant at Crown in Melbourne and were looking for a similar experience in their own city.

Aside from the “absolutely outstanding” food, the pair agreed still being able to dine out in Sydney provided a welcome break amid the pandemic.

“You look out over Sydney through the glass windows and you forget where you are for a bit,” Mr Hudson said.