Neil Perry’s Iconic Sydney Restaurant Rockpool to Close

Neil Perry and his partner Trish Richards have announced they will close their Sydney fine-dining restaurant Rockpool Est. 1989 on July 30.

Rockpool has been the jewel in Perry’s restaurant crown for 27 years, but now, says the restaurateur, it’s time to move on. The grand dining room in the Burns Philp building on Bridge Street in the CBD won’t be quiet for long, though. Perry will reopen the eatery as Eleven Bridge just a week later on August 8.

The new restaurant will be a “more flexible” à la carte offering and will open for lunch and dinner.

“Our motivations to close Rockpool and open Eleven Bridge are varied but the most significant is that we have two Rockpool restaurants in proximity, and we have at least 100 guests turn up to the wrong one every month,” Perry said in a statement.

He explained the menu won’t be fine-dining, but it will have all the elements necessary for “great dining”.

Perry won’t reveal much about the new menu, but like its predecessor, Eleven Bridge will have an emphasis on seasonal local produce. “Think great produce cooked with great craft,” he said.

The closure of Rockpool Est. 1989 spells the end of Perry’s Sydney fine-dining reign, but the chef and restaurateur is keen to leave “on a high”.

The other restaurants in the Neil Perry’s Sydney stable – Rockpool Bar & Grill, Spice Temple and The Burger Project – remain in business.

Rockpool Est. 1989’s last dinner service will be July 30.

Feature image: Rockpool executive chef Phil Wood, Neil Perry and Trish Richards.

SEE ALSO: Discover the hottest stories on Qantas Travel Insider