Flying Fish Sets Sail from The Star, Signalling Further Dining Shake-Up
Pyrmont’s prominent entertainment precinct, The Star, is set to bid farewell to another culinary heavyweight. Upscale seafood restaurant Flying Fish will close its doors on Saturday, April 11, marking the latest significant departure from the casino complex’s dining scene. This closure follows a series of high-profile exits, including the acclaimed Chinese eatery The Century by Golden Century, which ceased operations 15 months ago, and the avant-garde degustation venue Ele by Federico & Karl, which also shuttered its doors.
Flying Fish, a name synonymous with Sydney’s fine dining, boasts a rich history. Originally gracing Jones Bay Wharf in 2004, the celebrated restaurant made its move to The Star in 2018. Co-owner Con Dedes expressed a bittersweet sentiment about the relocation, stating, “We’ve had eight great years at The Star, there were some onerous days during COVID, but it’s time to fly again.” The restaurant first garnered critical acclaim in the 2005 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, earning chefs’ hats under the guidance of chef Peter Kuruvita, with its Sri Lankan snapper curry a standout dish. The current closure at The Star appears to signal a permanent departure from the Pyrmont location.
However, the Flying Fish legacy is far from over. Dedes revealed plans to explore new opportunities within the Sydney CBD. “We’re looking at sites in the Sydney CBD to relocate,” he confirmed. The restaurateur couple, Con and Kerrie Dedes, will maintain a presence at The Star through their popular fast-serve retail outlet, Flying Fish & Chips, which will continue to operate in the centre’s cafe court. Dedes added, “We’ve had a good relationship with The Star and look forward to that continuing.” Representatives for The Star have not yet responded to inquiries regarding their future dining strategies or plans for the vacant restaurant spaces.
A Shifting Landscape at The Star
The departure of Flying Fish underscores a broader trend of evolution within The Star’s culinary offerings. The Century by Golden Century, a beloved institution, served its final patrons in December 2024. Its owners have since aligned with a rival, launching Golden Century at Crown last year. The former premises of The Century at The Star remain unoccupied, awaiting a new culinary vision.
A similar narrative unfolds at the site once occupied by Momofuku Seiobo, a Sydney gastronomic temple that enjoyed nearly a decade of operation. Following its closure, the space was briefly home to Ele by Federico & Karl, a 14-month venture helmed by Federico Zanellato (known for LuMi) and Karl Firla (formerly of Oscillate Wildly). Ele by Federico & Karl was more than just a restaurant; it was an immersive experience, blending fine dining with art projections and ambient electronic music. Despite receiving positive reviews for its adventurous cuisine, the restaurant cited “challenging year[s]” for the hospitality sector and nationwide cost-of-living pressures as contributing factors to its 2023 closure.
Resilience and Future Prospects
Despite these high-profile closures, The Star has historically demonstrated a strong ability to attract and nurture culinary talent. The premium Japanese restaurant Sokyo, for instance, has continued to amass chefs’ hats, even after the departure of long-serving chef Chase Kojima in 2023. Furthermore, talented Korean chef Insup Kim has been appointed executive chef at Black Bar & Grill, showcasing The Star’s ongoing commitment to securing top-tier culinary professionals.
The future dining blueprint for The Star remains a subject of anticipation. With several prime locations now vacant, the complex has the opportunity to reimagine its culinary landscape, potentially introducing new concepts and further cementing its status as a premier entertainment and dining destination in Sydney. The industry will be watching closely to see what new flavours and experiences emerge from these evolving spaces.
