‘Hard times for everyone’: Peruvian restaurant Lima Bar shuts six months after opening
Sydney’s restaurant scene is feeling the sting of rising interest rates and a cost of living crisis as yet another eatery closes its doors.
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A trendy new Peruvian restaurant and bar in Sydney’s CBD has shut down just six months after opening.
Lima Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, in the city’s prestigious harbourside suburb of Dawes Point, had a huge buzz when it launched in October last year.
The restaurant blended Chinese and Japanese influences into a traditional Peruvian cuisine known as Chifa and Nikkei.
Despite raving reviews from customers, management confirmed they had been forced to shut down the restaurant as they struggled to cope with the costs of running the 100-seat venue.
“Our continuously increasing operational costs just didn’t make it feasible for us to remain open,” owner Luiz Guzman explained in a statement.
He urged patrons to support struggling venues in these challenging times.
“It is hard times for everyone out there, so if you have a favourite venue, try within your means to support them.”
Devastated customers flooded the restaurant’s social media page after learning of the shock closure.
“Oh no! This was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Sydney,” wrote one.
“I had the best food and dining experience ever here. Going to miss this place a lot,” added another.
“So sorry to hear this! We travelled over an hour to your venue as you are unique. Love your work,” added a third.
However, Mr Guzman’s culinary exploits are still ongoing with Lima Bar & Cevicheria, a compact seafood-focused venue in Bondi, set to launch this week with a soft opening.
Guzman remains optimistic about this new endeavour, envisioning it as a complement to his existing Surry Hills restaurant, Warike, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Unfortunately, Lima is not the only establishment feeling the sting of rising interest rates and a cost of living crisis.
Andiamo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant, closed its Abbotsford branch in January, citing unsuccessful negotiations with the landlord.
The widely popular Okami, an all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant, also recently closed venues in Cronulla, Camden, Marrickville, Pennant Hills, Penrith, and Sutherland after falling into administration.
The company attributes its closure to the compounding effects of COVID-19, inflationary pressures, declining sales, and rising operational costs.
The hardships extend beyond these closures, with iconic establishments like A Tavola, a Sydney pasta restaurant with a 15-year legacy, collapsing into liquidation at the end of 2023.
Other casualties include Flour Eggs Water Surry Hills, Meatball Haven Palle, and the home delivery service A Tavola at Home, all of which operated out of Sydney’s Tramsheds development.
Originally published as ‘Hard times for everyone’: Peruvian restaurant Lima Bar shuts six months after opening
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