By Angus Thomson and Anthony Segaert
A former Australian Idol contestant who was forced to shut his inner-city vegan cafe after declaring “the gay community” wasn’t welcome in his “Donald Trump safe zone” is attempting a hospitality comeback in the inner west.
Mark Da Costa was at the centre of a controversy in 2020 when he announced his support for US President Donald Trump and made a string of homophobic, transphobic and sexist remarks before claiming the “left-wing fake vegan community” was out to destroy his Waterloo restaurant, Hale and Hearty cafe.
Mark Da Costa in his new St Peters cafe, Bueno Eatery. Credit: Wolter Peeters
But after shutting the cafe and spending five years driving Ubers and working the occasional pub gig, da Costa said he was remorseful for his behaviour, as he opened a new venture, Bueno Eatery, at a St Peters site vacated by a popular Palestinian cafe.
“Those comments made by me were childish to say the least and opinions I do not hold today,” he wrote in an email response to questions from the Herald.
“I don’t participate in political matters any more and will only concern myself with providing the locals and Sydney an eatery where they can feel like the food adds value to their own personal health goals.”
But his move into the inner west has prompted backlash from some locals in community Facebook groups who have vowed to boycott the venue. “Surely this is a wind-up,” one user wrote. “Newtown of all places.”
In 2020, da Costa used Hale and Hearty’s Instagram and Facebook profiles to launch homophobic and sexist remarks, including using a mix of slurs and graphic language this masthead will not publish.
“The leftist vegans aren’t welcome,” he wrote on the cafe’s Facebook page. “The gay community who were quick to judge even though we supported them during the plebiscite aren’t welcome. We only want free thinking kind people who enjoy plant-based food and nothing else.”
He said it was a shame some might boycott his new eatery.
“I do feel I’ve done my time and have reflected long and hard on my regrettable past opinions and actions,” he said.
Community rumours swirl
Rumours da Costa was eyeing a comeback began swirling in 2023, when he launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 to re-open his cafe. He received less than $200.
He further denied a return when the Herald asked him in January, saying “that bird has flown”.
But three months later, da Costa launched his new venture on social media, offering free coffees, bone broths and turmeric lattes later this month.
The site, at the end of King St between St Peters station and Sydney Park, was previously home to Khamsa, a Palestinian eatery that boasted of having “the best falafel in Sydney” and hosted events and fundraisers for pro-Palestinian and other causes.
Khamsa closed its doors in January. Owner Sarah Shaweesh told Good Food she could not absorb an annual rent raise from $95,000 to $140,000.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.