It’s rare for an Australian restaurant opening to cause a shift in the global culinary conversation, but that’s what happened when Josh Niland and his wife Julie opened Saint Peter, in Sydney’s Paddington, in 2016. The seafood eatery, which pioneered Niland’s “scale-to-tail” approach of cooking with almost every part of the fish, grows in international (and local) esteem each year. It’s one of Australia’s finest restaurants, and it’s become an important participant in the global seafood and fishery sustainability conversation.
After two years of eager anticipation, Josh and Julie Niland have confirmed Saint Peter is finally on the move to its new Paddington home which is slated to open from July, with bookings for August onwards now open. Situated within the Grand National Hotel, the move is set to be one of 2024’s most exciting openings.
The restaurant’s opening will be followed by the unveiling of the 14-bedroom boutique hotel later this year. More than doubling in size from its original Oxford Street home, the 40-seat dining room will be joined by a 30-seat bar and private dining on the ground floor. The room will feature kitchen-side seating, as well as a custom-made chef’s table for six guests that will capture all the action from the pass. The addition of the bar will see Niland serve Sydney rock oysters and a best-of menu from the Fish Butchery; while the restaurant will be a continuation of Niland’s elegant nose-to-scale approach to sustainable seafood. Dinner will feature a set menu, with an à la carte offering at lunchtime.
The news comes after the Good Friday announcement that Fish Butchery’s Oxford Street outpost and Charcoal Fish in Rose Bay have both since closed to make way for the Nilands’ ambitious Grand National Hotel plans and imminent relocation of Saint Peter.
“We are excited about the challenge ahead of not just moving into a beautiful home for Saint Peter but also expanding our expression of hospitality to a wonderful bar and boutique hotel,” says Niland in a statement. “The luxury accommodation has been so beautifully designed that you will think you are in Paris – until you see the quintessentially Paddington rooftops and beautiful gum trees out your window.”
Reservations for Saint Peter at the Grand National Hotel are now open for August and September. Reservations for July will be released closer to opening once dates are confirmed.
